Ohio

ok...this is seriously just pathetic at this point. But, give me a chance to explain why it has taken me so darn long to post about our Ohio trip, and you'll understand. I have pretty good reason.

SO...right after we returned from Palau, we left again to make the painfully long flight back to Ohio to visit family. Our thinking? Get one last trip in before I was too prenant to fly. It was the first time in nearly 7 years (since we left the mid-west) that we were actually going to be back in the summer! We were kind of excited to see a different season since we normally visit in the grey winter, yuck.

While home, our family, for whatever reason, decided to plan our own "70K" race event. We are a family of runners, including the kids, so we thought it would be a fun new tradition to start. The prize...? Cake. (personally I would have gone much faster for brownies!?) But it was a really great way to spend the day together; all 5 sisters, our husbands, Gma & Gpa, and the 13 (soon to be 14) nieces and nephews.

Our visit lasted about 10 days or so and then we headed back to Guam. After the flight, I was so uncomfortable and swollen I said I would never consider doing that again while this pregnant. So much for that! Because after a couple quick appointments with my Dr on Guam, he advised that we leave the island and deliver the baby back in the states if it would be possible. (Quin was born early and it didn't seem as though this baby intended to stick it out to full term either) I knew I wouldn't be able to "take it easy'', as ordered, while I was busy with Quin all day at home. So...exactly 2.5wks after returning, we packed up our things and boarded a flight back to ohio- with less than 48 hours notice! This time we were packing and planning to make the trip back to Guam as a family of 4!! :)

And that's where we stand, or wait, I should say. We are back in Ohio, anticipating the arrival of baby girl #2 any day now. Hopefully, once she is here, I will get around to posting something to share before her 1st birthday... maybe!?! ;)

Palau

(**first of all...why is it taking me almost a month to get to this stuff anymore!?)

So, at the end of last month, we took a long weekend trip with a few friends to the island of Palau. It's here in the same general area as Guam. A little farther south. Why vacation to another tiny island when we already live on one, you ask? Well...this particular island is known for having some of the best diving in the world. And since this is my husband's new hobby, we figured we had better take advantage of it while we were in this part of the world.

The first few days were spent apart for the most part. Ryan was diving with the guys pretty much all day, while Quin and I spent time at the hotel or out exploring the island with our friend Phil (the other non-diver in the group).

Ryan says the diving was amazing. They were able to see some really amazing stuff and did a crazy current dive, Blue Corner, that they couldn't stop talking about.

Quin and I enjoyed seeing the town (what little there was) and having a great but crazy cheap family style lunch one day. On the second day, we rented a car (with the only infant car seat available on the island- no laws there) and explored the island with Phil. Not much to see actually. It's beautiful, but very undeveloped. We did stop and do a waterfall hike that was amazing!! (**note: seeing that I was nearly 8mo pregnant and holding a toddler, the people warned us that the hike down may be ok, but the hike up would be too intense and take over an hour!? They do have a mono-rail that can bring you up if need be, so we told them we'd play it by ear) Well...we arrived at the falls in 15min- loved it! They were great and Quin couldn't get enough standing under the water! And the return hike...? This pregnant lady did it in 30min, carrying nearly 50lbs of extra weight between the baby and Quin! ;)

Because they guys can't dive within 24 hours of flying home, our last day was spent together doing all the "big hit" tourist things. We took a boat tour that included some of the famous stops.

The first was "the milky way"- an area where a special clay like substance makes up the ocean floor. They bring it up in buckets so people can 'paint' themselves with it.

We made a few stops to snorkel and swim. The water and surroundings here are beautiful!

A stop at a tiny island for lunch.

And finally- the must see of Palau...Jellyfish Lake! :) Yes, we took our 15mo old in with us. No, they don't sting. They have lost any need to as the shelter of the lake has eliminated any natural predators.
It takes a few minutes to accept, but once you get over the odd feeling of them stuck between your toes and floating into your life jacket, it's actually pretty cool.

It was an amazing way to end our trip!

We were back home for just about 24 hours before we had to return to the airport. Next stop...OHIO! :)