Steadman Family

Just a quick note to say that morning sickness does not have anything actually to do with the morning. Melinda was not this sick with our previous pregnancies – or I’ve just erased that part of my past from conscience thought.

We’ve got an MRI for Ben coming up next month and we’ve started to review a few clinical trials to partake in. I’ll post some details on the two front runners as we get a little more research done.

Hope everyone is doing well and keep those comments coming – we live for them.

Thanks

Sorry for the lack of posts. I couldn’t find time to write at the tail end of our trip and my computer died while I was out of town. We share a symbiotic relationship and it couldn’t survive my week long absence.

Here's the awesome climbing tree at our hotel.


Sea World

Everyone had a great time celebrating Madie’s fifth birthday at Sea World. We got to pet sharks; feed sea lions, sea turtles and dolphins; and get soaked by Shamu.


Wild Animal Park

Ben had an adventure at The Wild Animal Park. We meet some New Guinea singing dogs; petted an aardvark and a wallaby; and watched the zoo keepers check the elephant’s feet and weigh the baby elephant. There was a small miscommunication on Ben’s wish to feed the elephants, but he still had a great time.

The 662 lb. baby:


Coming Home

Traveling is always an adventure and is full of unexpected challenges. We booked travel for Melinda’s brother Rob and his three girls, but failed to notice that we ended their vacation a day earlier than expected. They missed their flight home and spent the last night camped out in several other hotel rooms. We had a frantic rush in the airport trying to get them on the next flight, but were facing an $1100 charge to change flights. So they rented a car and had my brother Pete join them in the twenty hour drive home. Everyone made it home safely in the end and had a great vacation.

Summary: I love my new PC; everyone likes dolphins; elephant’s are really huge; and always book your own travel.

Legoland was a blast. I'm not just saying that because I was(am) a huge Lego freak. We had kids running every direction with parents constantly shrugging their shoulders and saying 'I have no idea where they are.' The lines were short and everyone was tall enough to ride just about everything.

The Volvo driving school was the hands down favorite attraction. FYI, don't drive with Ben - he doesn't respect any of the rules of the road. I don't know where he gets it, but that kid has a lead foot and a tendacy to not watch where he's going. You've been warned.

Day two summary: Legos rule, kids love cars, you can never have enough sun screen and always ask Rob if he has your keys before checking every ride and calling the car rental company saying that you've lost them.

Following up to those baby questions. Melinda is due Oct. 12th.

We're out to Legoland shortly, so this will be a quick, image based post.

It's wonderful having so many family members around us.

We meet the worlds most talently balloon lady. Here's Ben in her "Extra super cool alien hat".

Our whale watching trip was amazing. We followed along side a whale for over an hour with dolphins and sea gulls chasing our ship. Here's a quick shot of the whale blowing during a quick breath.

Taking pictures of a whale quickly grabbing a breath in between dives on a rocking ship isn't too easy. Melinda managed to get this amazing shot.

Report summary: everyone's having a great time, feeling good and enjoying the sun.

Yes, that's right.

Melinda is totally PG; knocked up; with child; in a motherly way; eating for two; baking something in the oven; knitting baby booties... you get the idea.

Ben and Madie have been bugging us for a baby brother or sister ever since two of our neighbors had babies within a few weeks of each other. Every kid (and a few moms) on the block suddenly had baby fever and saw themslef as the coolest big brother or sister.

And it's not like I've ever said 'no' to making babies.

We're beyond excited and feel so lucky to be adding another member to this incredible circle of family and friends.


Oh yeah, my boys can still swim!

We leave for San Diego on Saturday and the excitement is almost boiling over. I really need this trip between the stress of a new job, a few doctors appointments and the general busy schedule of  a parent.

I can't imagine how Ben feels. The wish granters were over on Monday to deliver all of the paperwork for Ben's wish. He really got excited when they talked about the elephants.

Check back during the next week for live updates for sunny San Diego and some cool news from the Steadman family.