Happy Half Birthday Brock!!

Happy Six Months Brock!! The picture above was taken on Friday for Brock's six month portraits. We cannot believe it's already been six months! Brock is doing great with sitting and eating. He's tried so many new foods and seems to like almost all of them (no avocados please). Brock is a very happy baby - loves his reflection in the mirror, loves laughing and talking, and loves putting things in his mouth.

Monday, July 22nd was Brock's 6 Month Well Check visit. As of today, he weighs 19 pounds 7.5 ounces (90th percentile) and is 27.8 inches long (95th percentile).

One of his new things is to suck on his lower lip - we think he knows it accentuates his "money makers" (aka his cheeks). :)

Cupcakes in the middle row say "BROCK" (In case you couldn't read them)

We made cupcakes tonight for Brock's Half Birthday. Brock wanted one too!! Happy Half Birthday Brock - we love you!!

Summer is here in Seattle!!

The weather has been beautiful in Seattle, so we're taking advantage of it! Brock and I have been spending a little more time outside - while still protecting his pure baby skin, of course!!

On Saturday, we brought the sprinkler out and Brock loved touching and splashing the water. He loves the water!

Diesel and Oscar had other ways to stay cool.....

On Sunday, we had tickets to see the Seattle Mariners play the Los Angeles Angels. We watched the Mariners sweep the Angels on a GORGEOUS day at Safeco Field. It was perhaps a little too sunny - we took Brock up to the concessions a few times to get out of the sun.

The hat was a MUST - THANK YOU Aunt Carol and Uncle Jeff!!!

We were contemplating going to the game Saturday night as Félix Hernández was pitching and it was Dustin Ackley Gnome Night.... but we opted for the Sunday afternoon game, Michael Morse T-Shirt Day, thinking that would be better..... forgot about sitting in the sun for 3 hours with a baby! As we were leaving from the Club Level (due to the stroller), a very nice lady gave us another T-shirt AND an extra Dustin Ackley Gnome that was left over from Saturday's game!! Lucky us!!

Brock is figuring out what to do with this Gnome....

Walt Disney World Vacation - Part II

See the Zebra in the savannah?

Every morning and afternoon we were out on our balcony looking at the animals. It was really quite awesome just to watch them!

Red River Hogs

The Sunday of our trip was pool day. It was so nice to hang out in the pool and relax. Brock loved the water - he truly is an Aquarius!

Watching the flamingos

Sunday night was eventful for Brent and I. It was the first time we left Brock alone with a babysitter (not grandparents)!! He did great as usual and the babysitter even asked if we could go out another night because Brock was such an easy baby!

On our date night, we traveled over to Epcot for dinner. We rode a few rides before we settled in the Rose and Crown Pub in Great Britain for a few before dinner drinks. They had a Johnnie Walker scotch flight of Black, Green and Gold, so Brent was in heaven!

We had dinner reservations at Le Cellier, the steakhouse in Canada. We both had the filet mignon with wild mushroom risotto and topped with a white truffle-butter sauce - very tasty!

Monday morning started out a little unplanned. I woke up at 4am with intense upper abdominal pain. After finally getting out of the bed and the pain not subsiding, I told Brent to call for an ambulance. Five hours and a lovely hospital bill later, it was determined I have gallstones. Doctors orders - stay away from fatty foods, alcohol and caffeine - Didn't they know I was on vacation?? All is well now. Staying clear of the above mentioned and hoping there will not be another attack.

So.... we ended up taking it easy that day and headed to Hollywood Studios for dinner.

Trying out the Tigger hat

After dinner at 50's Prime Time Cafe - and yes, that's a poncho sticking out from behind the stroller

On Tuesday, we finally made it to The Magic Kingdom. We were battling the rain everyday and this day was no exception. Florida is known for its afternoon thunderstorms, but they were coming morning, lunchtime AND afternoon. 

We worked the FastPass system at this park. First got the FastPass at Buzz Lightyear's ride, then ran over to the new Fantasyland for lunch at the Be Your Guest Restaurant. This is Beauty and the Beast's new themed restaurant - quick-serve for lunch and sit-down for dinner. It is awesome!

While waiting in line to enter the castle - it reminded me of Oscar's pout

The line starts outside and continues in to the Beast's castle where you then meander down a hallway lined with knights in shining armor. Cast members hand you a rose which you use to order your food and then place at your table; the restaurant staff uses this as a tracking device to bring the food to you!

Brock in his Tigger outfit eating "The Rose"

One of the three rooms to dine

The food had a french flair, so I'm not sure Brent truly enjoyed the meal, but he was a good trooper about it since he knew how much I wanted to dine there. There are three rooms to sit at - one is the ballroom of the classic dance in the movie, one is the dark west wing where the rose was kept, and the other is a gallery that displays Belle and the Beast dancing (like a music box) lined with portraits of the two of them hanging on the wall. I liked my sandwich - thick cut turkey! The cupcakes were good - very sweet. We ordered Strawberry Shortcake and a Lemon Meringue.

After lunch we rode the Buzz Lightyear ride, watched Mickey's Philharmonic (a 3D movie that Brock stared at) and the Winnie the Pooh Ride. After a quick nap and a Dole Pineapple Float (the fabulous drink/dessert Lauren introduced us to at Disneyland), we walked the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse and got in line for the Pirates of the Carribean ride.

After that, I think we were all done. (Brock actually fell asleep on the Pirates ride) We decided to head back to the hotel early and jump in the pool.

On the last day of our trip, we took the bus and monorail over to the Grand Floridian for lunch. Brent wanted to see what all the fuss was about (the most expensive hotel).

After lunch, we walked around the grounds of the hotel and took some pictures of the neighboring hotels.

The Contemporary Hotel across the lake

When we walked back into the lobby, I saw the sign for the "Perfectly Princess Tea Party" offered at the hotel. I think it best if I just post the picture and you decide if it's worth all that money.

Yes, $275 for an afternoon tea party.

 Poor Brent and Brock had enough of all my picture taking. They will thank me one day that I have documented all these memories!!!

We had a wonderful time at Disney World and they definitely sucked some money out of us. We were happy to come home to Seattle, to our puppies, and to much cooler weather. It will be a much different trip with Brock the next time we go.

Walt Disney World Vacation - Part I

At Epcot..... with sleeping Brock

The Eason Family had a wonderful time at Disney World! We took the direct flight from SEA to MCO (Orlando) and signed up for the Magical Express, which takes you directly from the airport straight to the hotel; free of charge (Brent likes to say you pay for it with your hotel stay, but I'm going with free of charge - it makes me feel like I'm saving something).

When we arrived at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we went straight to the balcony and sat in awe of all the animals we could see. It definitely makes your hotel room that much more special when you can peer out the window and see giraffes, zebras, gazelles, antelope, hogs, wildebeests, and cranes; just to name a few!

The entire resort at Animal Kingdom follows the African theme. It was really cool, very different than any of the other resorts I've been to before. Obviously this was nothing like most parts of Africa since everywhere you looked there was an overabundance of food and people splurging on knick-knacks and Disney gear, but I couldn't help but think of my cousin Katherin and the entire Michon family living in Burundi every time I walked in to the lobby.

Our first full day at Disney World, we tried to get in to the Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to us, cast members were blocked for only that park for the months of June and July, so unless we wanted to use some of our other passes, we were going to be out of luck. (We couldn't resist and ended up going to the Magic Kingdom the last day). So we hopped on the monorail to Epcot!

Brock's very first ride was Spaceship Earth in the Epcot ball. Is that a factoid I can add in the baby book? He was mesmerized by the moving parts and sounds. Over-stimulation!!! Then we walked over to the World Showcase section. It's funny how when I was a child, I hated this section - thinking it was so boring - and now I thought this section was entirely better than the "Future World" section in the front.

After riding the Maelstrom in Norway at Epcot

We were so lucky to be in the right area at the right time so we could meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger!! Brock was enamored by Pooh and Tigger. The characters must have taken at least 5 minutes with our family, holding his hand, patting his head and then taking pictures. Brock loved it and loved looking at them!

Brock staring at Tigger. I am holding a small Tigger that we had bought earlier that rattles - Brock laughs when you rattle it!

We stopped to eat in Italy at Via Napoli and it was pretty close to the pizza I've eaten in Naples, Italy! So thin and cooked just right! Highly recommend.... if you want to splurge on a $30 pizza.

Ovens where they cook the pizza

Brent is happy because his belly is full :)

Okay, enough for Day one - we have to get some sleep for Animal Kingdom tomorrow!

 

Our Animal Kingdom day was hands down the hottest day we were there. I hate to say it, but it truly felt like we were in Africa! 

According to Katherin, we are in Kenya, as Tusker is their national beer :)

After running to the Kilimanjaro Safari ride for the FastPass, we hung out in the shade and let Brock nap. The safari ride is by far the best ride at the theme park. I think Brock was able to see a few of the animals when they moved. 

NOT glowing, that is sweat

"Mom, can we go back to Seattle where it's cooler?"

The center point of the Animal Kingdom theme park is the Tree of Life - a sculpted 145 foot high, 50 feet wide artificial tree.

We had lunch reservations at the Yak and Yeti, and the food was delicious! Perfect time to get out of the heat and also miss some of the afternoon rainstorm (which only added to the humidity).

Dessert was too yummy, we didn't take a picture until after we were done! (Fried Wontons with ice cream)

We were at the right place to watch the Jungle Parade at the Animal Kingdom. I think Brock liked the floats and the music!

 On to Day Three - we needed a break from the theme parks! So, we hopped on a bus to the Wilderness Lodge for Breakfast and then spent some money at Downtown Disney.

Brock putting his feet up and relaxing through breakfast

Mickey Waffle!!

Okay, we're tired. Enough Disney World for today!

Brock and his "Finding Nemo" shirt