10 Days in Hawaii

Day 1: Left PDX at 0700. Flew to HNL arrived at 1pm Hawaii time.
Day 2: Laid on the beach. Checked out the city and ate at Puka Dog (as seen on the Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations)
Day 3:Drove to North shore and Laie so Lauren could check out BYU. Stopped to check out the surf. Day 4: Played in the pool.
Day 5: Met up with long lost friend, Ellie, and went to Polynesian Cultural Center

Day 6: Went to Pearl Harbor. Jake met 2 WWII Veterans, Pearl Harbor survivors.

Day 7:Eli went deep sea fishing. We hung out at the beach.
Day8: Dole Pineapple Plantation.

Day 9: Sunbathed on the beach all day. Enjoyed a band at night.

Day 10: Army Museum by day. Hot date with Eli at night.

I learned several things on this trip. First, Jacob loves tiki torches. Next, 5.5 hours is a long flight with a baby. Lastly, Hawaii is freakin' expensive! I miss the beach already. Washington beach just doesn't compare.

These are a few of my favorite things:

I was packing for our trip when I discovered these shoes that I hadn't worn in a while. I had forgotten about them because wearing shoes like that, in Washington, at this tome of year leads to soggy feet. I have had fun shopping in my own closet lately except for this pair of cropped pants that I found on super discount at Banana Republic outlet. They are navy blue, have a sharp tailored look and were super cute when I bought them. I had been saving them for that special occasion (remember that talk from conference?) and now they are big, saggy, baggy, and sloppy looking. Oh well.
This is a kitchen gadget that my mom gave me. I don't know what it is called, but it makes long sort of julienne strips of vegetables and fruits. I use it to make long curly carrot strings for lettuce wraps and our favorite cucumber salad (strips of cucumber with salt, pepper, dill, marinated in a splash of red wine vinegar and olive oil, serve with grilled fish on top).
Jacob's toothbrush. I love it because I use it to get him to open his mouth and BAM! sneak a bite of sweet potatoes in. He loves how the back side of the brush squeaks on his gums.

We get to dive up to Seattle on Saturday to go with Eli's brother to receive his endowment. I remember the feeling of being in the temple for the first time and having all my family there, dressed in white, smiling at me. Now that is a favorite memory.

Gratitude

So many times I focus on the negative. All things I want in life. Things I don't have. Changes I would make. Stuff other people have, but I don't. My attitude has changed thanks to a great conference weekend. I am filled with gratitude today as I reflect upon our weekend and all the blessings we enjoy.

• A living Prophet- President Monson's closing remarks about parenthood were just what I needed to hear (or perhaps it was the fact that I worked the night before and that was one of the few talks I stayed awake for). Praying for help with parenting. What a concept! I pray, but the thought hadn't really occurred to me to pray specifically for help with raising my son. For me, It is hard to be a stay-at-home mom (even though I love it) and I need all the help I can get.
  
• Parents- We have great parents. My mom flew in on Thursday and stayed until Saturday (they live in CO). My dad had to work so he wasn't planning on coming, however, he flew in on Thursday and stayed overnight (his whole trip to WA about 10 hours total) just so he could spend a few hours with his kids. Eli's parents went to conference, but they stopped and took us out to dinner on their way home (they live about 1.5 hrs away) so we could spend a few hours together before we leave on our trip. I love family.

• Plans- I love having things to look forward to. We have Hawaii and my brother-in-law's wedding this month. My sister's high school graduation next month. June is the Hillstrom family reunion. August---Jake's one year birthday celebration (OH my GOSH!). So much to look forward to.
  
• The Temple- My brother-in-law Andy watched Jacob last weekend and we were able to go to the temple. Ahhh, so refreshing. The only thing I didn't like was last Wednesday when I was on my way from my temple recommend interview I hit a big black lab, cried, and peed my pants on the way home. My parents have a lab and the thought of him getting killed was just a bit emotional for me. I still hope that dog is alive and well.
  
• Exercise- we joined a community center with a gym so I have been going to an aerobic class while Jake and Eli are still sleeping. It is fun. I like that most the other people in the class are middle age or seniors-- quite the change from meat market we used to go to.
  

Tell me why...

My wisdom is all gone. It was all extracted on Wednesday. I was just wondering...

Why is this baby growing so fast? How is he already 7 months? Is there a way to keep him this age a little longer?
Why is it so fun when family comes? Why don't you move here Lauren?

Why do people get plastic surgery so their lips look like this?Why did I gain 2 lbs? I have been eating soft things like fat free pudding and sugar free Jell-o, but some how managed to gain. What a rip off.

Stuck

I must explain my absence. On Monday night at work I was had given a patient a injection of insulin subcutaneously. I was pushing the safety cap down with my right hand while holding it and heard a "click" like usual. I proceeded to use my right hand to remove my gloves, as usual. When I felt it-- a poke through my gloves and prick on the knuckle of my left hand. "Crap" was my fist though, "this patient has hepatitis C". I freaked out ran to my charge nurse and I'll spare you all the details, but basically my main concern was breastfeeding Jacob. We worked so hard to establish breastfeeding and I was not ready to wean my baby over night. I spoke with the on-call infectious disease physician and was assured I am okay to breastfeed as Hep C is not passed though the breast milk. Only problem is this patient has a history of IV drug use and HIV status was unknown. The patients labs were drawn and I left the hospital after being told she was indeed HIV negative at this time. I was able to sleep from 0400-1000 am. I called Employee Health first thing in the am as instructed by the ER. (This is where it gets even more terrible)The employee health Nurse I spoke with told me there was an error and the patient's blood was never drawn. HIV is a time sensitive test and needed to be drawn within 3 hours after the incident. I am FRANTIC, LIVID, and SO FRUSTRATED because I had breastfed my baby since the incident only with the understanding that she was indeed negative. To make an even longer story shorter, The patient was drawn on time and was negative for HIV. However, if they were exposed with in the last 3 months they could still be infected but have sero-converted at that point. I will need to be rechecked at 3 and 6 months for Hep C and HIV. As of right now my labs were negative. I am grateful for a caring husband who has the Priesthood and was willing to come to the hospital and give me a blessing at 0100 am and sit with me in the emergency room.

*Side note: Eli had been in contact with an attorney that day because he had been rear ended by another driver that day, he ran my situation past him as well. So if anything does come of this we do have resources.

Today, Wednesday, Wisdom teeth are out and recovery is going well so far thanks to my sister-in-law Corinne and brother Nate who helped out so much with Jacob and I. Thanks!!!!

I just can't stop thinking about him:

My Man

With a face like that, I just don't know how I keep my hands off him. Eli is a little obsessed with himself. He had these glamor shots taken a few weeks ago by a friend. I love how the black and white really captures the essence of Eli. Words just can't explain it.



You too can take a sexy shot like this...Take a photo while you puff your cheeks our and flap your lips together while making a sound like a horse.

This is the excitement of my week. Other than scheduling to have my wisdom teeth out on the 26th, there is not a whole lot going on at the Hillstrom home.

What a week!

It started out rough. I had to work 3 nights in a row and slept through church which is never a good way to start a week.
Wednesday was our 4 year anniversary. We gave each other great gifts: Time together. We went to lunch and on a nice walk in the sun. Ah, I love that warm hint of spring.
(Jacob liked when we stopped and let him lay in the grass)
Then the rest of the week was spent in preparation for my brother-in-laws wedding. I was able to meet my creative needs and did the flowers: freesia, lilies, spray roses-- it smelled so good. the wedding was great and it was fun to spend time with family
(All the grandkids of the Hillstrom family)
In other good news, weighed in today. Lost 4 lbs. Which is good because we are going to Hawaii in less than 5 weeks and swimming suits are a must.
Also, I have several new blogging buddies: The Williams, Talbot, Liggett, and Cotten families.