Cruise Day 3: Cozumel

Cruise recap continues.  I apologize in advance for the amount of time it will probably take this page to load with all of the photos.

Day 3 was Cozumel.  We didn't get there until the afternoon so we had some time to relax around the ship.  

 

We played Bingo and Ryan won 25 dollars!

We found another towel animal friend in our room.  The next picture shows the view from our ship as we pulled into Cozumel. 

The little area where the ship docked was a total tourist trap full of stores selling junky souvenirs and bars pushing cheap drinks.  We had done a lot of research on excursions in Cozumel.  I have always wanted to see South American ruins and Ryan was game, but the tour to see Tulum required taking a boat over to the mainland and wouldn't have left time for the beach.  We decided to compromise by seeing the Mayan ruins at San Gervasio which was much closer and would still leave time for other things. 

The meeting spot for our tour was in front of that little temple shaped fountain.  It was sooo hot and sunny there and I was already terribly sunburned by this point, so not good for me.

They relocated us to a shadier spot and Ryan decided to enjoy a Corona, since we were in Mexico after all.

Soon we were on our bus with our tour guide Alex.  

Familiar sights along the way.  We also passed a Costco.  Cozumel was a cute little island.  Tourism is their only industry really, so they take it pretty seriously.  I really loved it and would love to have a chance to visit the island again.

Getting a tour of the ruins and learning all about the Mayans.  It was fascinating. The Mayans were so advanced in math and science it is unreal.  

The descriptions were all in Spanish, English and Mayan.  Our tour guide spoke all three as well.  He was excellent!

I don't know if you can tell how sweaty we were, but we were out in the middle of the jungle and it was HOT and humid and we had our bathing suits under our clothes.  Thank goodness they gave us a free bottle of water. 

There were also lots of these iguanas running around sunning themselves.  Ryan enjoyed chasing after them but they really creeped me out.

We picked up a few souvenirs from the shops there.  Ryan loved haggling with the vendors we encountered and was tickled by seeing how cheap he could get them down to.  It was interesting because even though we we were in Mexico, every where we went in Cozumel people were speaking English and accepted American dollars. 

Next it was back to the bus to head to the beach.  The beach was my favorite part of the whole cruise.  It was so beautiful and the water was clear and warm.

First view of the beach:

Toes in the sand.

Seriously, is this not the definition of paradise?

 You could stand in water up to your waist and still see your toes and tiny fish swimming near you.  It was amazing.  Again, a far cry from the water at the Jersey Shore.  Although it was a bit rocky as you can sort of see in the pictures above.

We also had free wifi there so we texted family and sent them some pictures so they could all be jealous.  

My only complaint about the excursions was I wish we could have had more beach time.  It was so peaceful and beautiful and romantic.  When you hear the word "honeymoon" this beach is actually what came to my mind.

Our next stop was dinner.  We knew we wanted to go all out for dinner in Mexico.  Ryan had bought a Fodor's guidebook to Carribean ports and the Cozumel chapter had recommended a place called Pancho's Backyard.  It turned out to be a stone's throw away from our ship.

The book had given them great reviews and we were not disappointed!  We each ordered sort of a sample platter type meal at our waiter's recommendation, as well as appetizers and dessert.

   

Ryan braved their special habenero hot sauce and while he enjoyed it, it made his nose start to run and little beads of sweat form on his forehead.  He loved it though and poured it on his entree.  I touched a little bit to my tongue and had to gulp down water, so I don't know how he managed it.  We bought a bottle to take home though.

on the bathroom door

We watched the sun setting over the water and wished we could stay in Cozumel in that moment forever.  But soon, it was time to head back to the ship.

Carnival is very tricky in that they route all of the traffic coming back to the ship through a huge gift shop. You have no choice but to go through it.  Performers of all sorts are in it too, trying to get any last tips or pesos and encouraging the drunk people to buy condoms (TMI, but true).

We were exhausted when we got back to the ship.  They had scheduled a huge Mexican buffet and dance party that evening.  We were going to rest and then get up to go, but we ended up sleeping right through, which was probably just as well.  We came back to the room to find a swan friend left for us.

We loved every second of Cozumel but were ready to recuperate on our day at sea.

Cruise Recap: Days 1/2 Miami and Key West

I guess it's finally for me to finally recap our honeymoon.  After we got married in February we did a spa day which was lovely and rejuvenating after the stress of our wedding weekend.   We planned to go on a "real" honeymoon in the summer when I am off from school.  After much debate, we finally settled on a cruise to Key West and Cozumel.  It was the first time cruising for both of us and cruising appealed to us because it was entertainment, food, and lodging all in one.  We got a great rate for booking so close to sailing and we found a fairly cheap flight to Miami.

So as soon as my job teaching at ESY summer program was over we hopped on a plane to Miami for our real honeymoon. 

We checked into our cruise right at a counter in the airport which awesome.  It saved us about an hour when we got to port. There were huge lines and we just got to go right onto the boat.  A shuttle took us to the ship, we checked our luggage and then hello Carnival Victory! 

The first thing we did was found our room.  It was an inside room on the lowest level of the ship.  Pretty much one of the least desirable rooms onboard and resembled a small closet with a king sized bed.  We honestly didn't mind it though.  It was dark when we wanted to nap and we didn't spend much time in our room except for sleeping anyways.

We went up to the big Bon voyage party on the deck and took a few pictures with the city of Miami as a backdrop.

Yes that is a giant movie screen above the pool.  Our party was short lived though, as it began to rain on us as soon as the party was really getting underway.  It was the only time we had bad weather on our trip though.

We ate our first meal in the dining room.  We were assigned to a table with another couple around our age.  She was a special Ed teacher also.  The food was amazing, but I will probably give the food alone it's own post.

After dinner we decided to check out some of the free activities.

They had a trivia night and Ryan was selected as a participant (of course, whenever we are somewhere that needs a volunteer, he is always chosen).  It is not a high quality shot, but you can see that Ryan was the winner by a landslide.

After that night, Ryan became sort of a minor celebrity around the ship, with people recognizing us and congratulating him.  He loved that.

We also saw one of the dance shows ( that one was just all right).

And then we took in a Comedy Show in the Punchliner Comedy club.  We really liked both comedians.

When we returned to our room, we found that our seward had left us a towel friend.

We were due into Key West very early and wanted to make the most of our day there, so we called it a night after that.  

This was our view from breakfast.  Key West was ADORABLE.  It is an island at the end of the chain of Florida Keys and is connected to the mainland using highway 1.   The temperature there has never dropped below 41 degrees and is the the southern most point in the USA-- only 90 miles from Cuba.  It reminded me a bit of a very fancy schmancy Ocean City because it is only 4 miles long and 2 miles wide.

The pier with the ship in the background.  Ryan perfecting the "panoramic view" on the iPhone.

We weren't sure what to do for an excursion there.  Everything the ship offered was not very pregnancy friendly or just not of interest (think jet skis or bar crawls).  Also for some unknown reason pregnant women are not allowed to snorkel or swim with stingrays which was disappointing.  We were hoping to do a mini restaurant tour called "Taste of Key West" but no one else signed up so it cancelled.  Our back-up was a glass bottomed boat tour above a coral reef.  We had some time to walk around for a bit before we had to be to the boat.  Key West has lots of interesting sculptures all around.  This was definitely the weirdest.  

These two were my favorites.  We passed them several times while we were there and I kept thinking they were real people when I saw them out of the corner of my eye.

We bought some postcards, found a post office to mail them, called home and just wandered around the streets.  Then we met up with the people from our ship to take our glassbottom boat tour.  They told us that the waters were very rough and that if we were prone to seasickness they would refund our money and we could choose something else.  I had been given a similar disclaimer on my nature boat cruise in Alaska which turned out to be nothing to worry about, so I was still game to go on our trip and so was Ryan.

It was about 40 minutes to get out to the reef.  The waters were a little rough but it was a beautiful day and the ocean water was so blue-- a far cry from the brown waters of the Jersey Shore.  We started out being one of tons of people on the top of the boat and soon we were one of the only people left up there.

We discovered it was because almost everyone else on the boat (like 30 other people) were inside getting totally sick.  People were laying all over the benches moaning, sweating and vomiting.  There was a guy inside there who literally could not hand out clean plastic bags and collect the puke filled ones fast enough. Ryan and I were kind of shocked.

The boat stopped above the reef and the tour guide started telling us all about coral and fish.  As he was talking I realized that the people directly on either side of me were throwing up into bags.  There was throw up all over the floor and all of a sudden I was feeling nauseous, not from motion sickness but from being surrounded by vomiting people.   It was definitely not an experience I will forget, but it makes a good story.

Our photos couldn't do it justice.  The coral reefs and fish were amazing!

I think this sponge picture is my favorite one we took in Key West.

We wandered around a bit longer and then headed back to the ship.  I was very hot and sweaty and we wanted to beat the crowd back to the boat.  But not before we split a piece of Key Lime pie.

Delicious!

Next stop: Cozumel!

10 on Tuesday

1.  I may or may not have reactivated my Netflix account to watch the first season of Switched at Birth.  I didn't start watching until the second season and so obviously I missed a lot of the backstory. It is SO GOOD!

2. 

Especially working mothers.  Working mothers who barely have their lives together and now are going to throw a newborn in the mix.  I am nervous.

3. Random Isaac story I don't think I have shared on the blog yet:  a few months ago we went with my mom to a doctor's appointment.  She was back with the doctor for quite a while and this was still in my first trimester when I felt like the waking dead.  I decided to lean back in my chair and close my eyes for a bit.  Isaac, who was sitting next to me playing on his iPad, started to panic.  "Mom, don't go to sleep!  Someone could take me!" (I think all of my stranger danger talks have turned him into the most paranoid eight year old on the planet).  I tried to reassure him that this particular waiting room was filled with octogenarians with oxygen tanks and that no one there would try to take him.  His response "But I am so athletic.  Everyone wants an athletic child!".  

4. Ryan made an amazing chinese stir fry last night.  And when he cooks, there are leftovers for days.  Yum!

5. I have found a ton of Pinterest tutorials on how to turn regular old shirts and pants into maternity ones.  I may have to give some of them a try.

6.  This is so me.

7. My friend is coming over today to help me cross something MAJOR off my to-do.  I am excited.  Sometimes you just need someone else on board to give you that kick in the pants to get stuff done.

8. We got some free tickets to go to tapings of America's Got Talent, one of our favorite shows.  Unfortunately they only film on school nights in New York City, so I don't think we will be able to use them.  Rats.

9. My assistant came into school yesterday and we unpacked about 7 boxes of stuff that she had sent over.  It turns out, they were books from her old school that were going to be destroyed and she didn't want to see that happen.  I salvaged probably 100 books or so for my classroom and then we donated the rest.

10.  Well it's Tuesday, which means we are off to viola lesson.  You don't know patience until you have to listen to an eight year old learning to play a stringed instrument.  

Happy Tuesday all!

Pregnancy Update: 18 Weeks

How far along: 18 weeks

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says baby is about the size if a large heirloom tomato.

Weight gain: Still haven't weighed myself. If I don't look at the scale, then weight gain can't happen, right?

Sleeping: Pretty good lately.  

Food cravings: Still French Fries.  And Chinese Food!

Food aversions: Nothing too major this week.

Other symptoms: Still acne.  And weepy this week.  I am an emotional basket case.

Miss Anything?: Nothing pregnancy related but my mom and dad!  They have been away in Alaska.  I miss chatting with my mom everyday.

Doctor’s appointment: Friday.  STILL have not been able to schedule the big gender reveal ultrasound.  

Wedding Rings: Still on! 

Clothes: If you see me, I am probably wearing one of about three outfits cobbled together from my "fat clothes" that still fit.  Still trying to hold off on the full fledged maternity wear until school starts.

Movement: I have felt movement a few times this week!!! Mostly at night when I am laying quietly.  

Best moment of the week: Just some simple, sweet moments with Isaac.  He has grown up to be such a fun and loving little boy.  Although he often reminds me that he is "not a baby.  That's your baby" and he points to my stomach.

What I’m looking forward to: Making the most of these last few weeks of summer before the rush of back to school.  If that's possible.  IEPs and other meetings have already started to be scheduled.

What I did / Got for baby: Still nothing, although I did do some work cleaning out the office.

What I learned this week: Baby should be able to hear my voice now!

New York, New York

Saturday Ryan and I both randomly ended up off of work and we decided to take a somewhat spur of the moment trip up to New York City. This was exciting because it actuually crosses TWO things off of my 101 in 1001 list.: take the kids to New York City and see a live taping of a TV show.

We headed out early in the morning and began our day in Rockefeller Plaza for a shooting of the Today Show.  The Today Show is one of Ryan's favorite show.





That's me in the purple.  Proof I was actually there since I didn't make it in any other pictures.
 



This is Ryan with Lester... somebody... Ryan's favorite anchor.  It's now replaced a picture of he and I on our honeymoon as his Facebook profile picture.

 

It was somewhat rainy but we still enjoyed ourselves.

 

 

The anchors were all friendly and nice and hung around after tapings the segments to take pictures and talk to the audience. 

 

 

 

After the taping was over, we checked out the NBC Studio store. 

 

Isaac's favorite part was pressing the button to light up the giant X from the X Factor.  We have really enjoyed watching that show as a family, so we had to check out where it was filmed.



 





 

The next stop was Times Square.  We checked out a lot of the big stores, but our favorite was the M&M store.  It was there where we took the least flattering picture of me ever.

 



After a quick lunch in Times Square it was back to NBC Studios for the tour.  I had taken it before, but Isaac and Ryan really liked it.  Ryan was chosen to be a practice newcaster.  We saw the studio where Jimmy Fallon hosts his show, the studio where they do Saturday Night Live, control rooms, the set of the Nightly News. 

When we left the tour the sun was finally shining.  We decided to make our next stop Central Park.  We took a liesurely walk through the park, people watching and stopping to watch a softball game.  We heard some music playing and it turned out to be this free gospel concert.  We stayed and listened for an hour or so.

It was really my first foray into live Gospel music.  There were people clapping and dancing and so caught up in the Spirit of the Lord that they were weeping and fainting.

After we left the concert, we got some dinner at the world's most expensive Times Square TGIFridays and then headed him.  It was such a nice day. 

 

 

A hundred times have I thought New York is a catastrophe, and fifty times: It is a beautiful catastrophe. --Le Corbusier

Life Update

I feel the usual sense of urgency that accompanies the end of summer.  I sense that I have to tackle all the projects, organizing, cleaning, etc. NOW because I won't be able to catch my breath until Thanksgiving break.  It feels extra urgent also because I will be hugely pregnant by the time my breaks roll around and preparing for the baby adds so many items to the to do list.  I cleaned out and organized the tiny front bedroom that used to be an office, not to long ago.  I need to do even more cleaning/organzing/throwing away to get it ready to be a nursery.  This house was just right for two people, a little cramped for three, but the walls are starting to close in as we prepare for number 4. 

I wish I knew the gender so I could start with a bit more shopping.  I am in the window now now to get the ultrasound for anatomy but I haven't able to get it scheduled due to insurance hassles.  I downgraded insurances to try to save money and that was a huge mistake.  It is a whole process now to make an appointment for something as simple as an ultrasound.  The added hassle is definitely not worth any money I am saving.  Lesson learned.

Isaac had some playdates earlier in the week.  It's amazing how just throwing an extra kid in the mix curbs the constant "I'm bored, I'm bored, I'm bored". 

Isaac with Justin

My parents are out of town visitng my sister and brother in law in Alaska, so that has made things seem more dull too.  Thank goodness the local sportsplex has a drop-in camp that is reasonably priced so he has spent the day there yesterday and today.  Next week is soccer camp at the local high school.  The more he is busy and out of the house, the better things go for all of us.

We also managed to get into the city to watch an Eagles practice.  Hurray for free fun!

It wasn't that interesting to me. I hate football.  I was doing it for my boys.

 And it was sooooooooooooo hot. 

After the practice has ended.  The started to POUR.  We tried to wait it out.  But there was no waiting it out.  We later heard on the news that this storm was the most rain that ever fell in a single day in Philadelphia, ever!

 

Eventually we just ended up dashing to the car... only to find that Isaac had left the window down!

 

Anyways, we are trying to squeeze in a few day trips before school starts.  Tomorrow we are taking Isaac for a day in New York City.  Isaac has been asking for almost a year now to see the Statue of Liberty, so we are going to go.  Apparently you need to buy tickets way in advance to go up in it but we can at least roam around the bottom.  Taking him to New York is one of my 101 in 1001, so it should be fun. 

Happy Friday =)

 

 

Pregnancy Update: 17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says baby weighs about as much as a turnip.

Weight gain: Still haven't weighed myself after the cruise.  Not sure.

Sleeping: Pretty good lately.  Some trouble falling asleep but I am not waking up in the night.

Food cravings: Still French Fries.

Food aversions: Nothing too major this week.

Other symptoms: Still sick from the heat.  Also acne.  My face is breaking out like crazy.  Also "pregnancy brain" is killing me.  I keep forgetting important things, misplacing important papers, etc and it is diving me nuts.

Miss Anything?: Nothing in particular.

Doctor’s appointment: None this past week.  I have one Next Friday.

Wedding Rings: Still on! 

Clothes: I have caved and bought a few maternity basics but they are still big. I hesitate to buy maternity clothes that fit just right because I know they won't fit by the end of the pregnancy.   I am still squishing into the biggest of my old "fat clothes" and rocking tshirts and yoga pants around the house.

Movement: Nothing noteworthy yet.

Best moment of the week: Isaac and Ryan exchanging presents when we returned from our cruise. They has each gotten each other the perfect gifts and it was so sweet to see their excitement as they exchanged them.

What I’m looking forward to: Making the most of these last few weeks of summer before the rush of back to school.  

What I did / Got for baby: Nothing this week.  I need to get moving.

What I learned this week: Baby's sweat glands are starting to develop!