Our Morning Routine in Maui

Aloha!

It's An Adjustment

We're having a great time in Hawaii, but let me tell you, it's an adjustment being here with a toddler. As I said in a previous post, I knew it would be different than any other time I've gone to Hawaii- I just don't think there was any way I could have prepared for the 4 hour time change. It's probably the hardest part of this trip. AJ's schedule is all screwed up and therefore my schedule is all screwed up. I have now watched 4 sunrises in a row, and while it's so beautiful, a good nights sleep would be much appreciated. Thankfully, each day AJ sleeps in a little later so by the time we're ready to go home, he should be on Hawaii time! :)

Lack of sleep aside, we are having a great time. Yesterday we hung out by the pool and at the beach outside our condo. We realized that AJ would rather run around in the grass that be in the pool. He just loves to be free and run around. He also is enjoying entertaining all the people he sees. He's a total crack up and is such a ham!

Today we have plans to go to the Maui Aquarium and I think that will be a lot of fun. He LOVES to watch the fish in the Koi ponds so this should be super exciting for him.

Maui Video

Here's a little video from last night. We went down by the pool and had a little BBQ for dinner, but before that, AJ played on the grass and entertained all the people (and dog) that walked along the boardwalk. He's such an entertainer!

Pictures of the Day

Here are just a few pictures from our trip. AJ is really having a great time. He's playing in the sand (SO DIRTY!), chasing Geckos and meeting new friends. Fun times!

Maui Day 1

Wow...where do I start? This day has been, in a word, LONG! I've been to Hawaii many times, and always flown from LAX to Hawaii; typically without a layover. It's about a 5 hour flight. Today, we flew from Denver to Phoenix (flight time was 8:30am so I had to be up by 4:15am) and then from Phoenix to Maui (a 6 hour flight).

Something else to keep in mind- there's a 4 hour time difference from Denver to Maui. As I sit here typing, it's 7:30pm where I am. But my body is reminding me that it's actually 11:30pm. It is SUPER RARE that I stay up this late.

The Plane Ride

AJ did INCREDIBLY well on both plane rides today. I was amazed and SO pleased. The first leg he was awake almost the entire 2 hours. He played, read books, ate, and giggled the entire time. He was such a good boy! Right as we were landing he fell asleep in my arms. When we got off the plane he eventually woke up and we headed to the next gate in the Phoenix airport. We got there and got some food and I decided that that was the time to give him some Benadryl. I figured right before we took off on our 6 hour journey would be a good time for him to pass out.

Our flight was delayed.... TWO HOURS!

Yep, they let us board the plane, then told us we all had to get off the plane so they could fix some mechanical problem. A two hour delay isn't too bad when you don't have a toddler. And when you don't have a 6 hour flight ahead of you!

So, we hung in the airport for 2 hours and I realized pretty quickly that the Benadryl hadn't fazed AJ. He was a RIOT! Running around, screaming, laughing, giggling, talking to people, pulling luggage around. He was hilarious! I really wish I had my video camera because this was a good one! He was making friends with all these people and just LOVING the attention he was getting. We decided he knows how to turn it on when he knows people are watching. It's fantastic!

Eventually, they got us a new plane and we hopped onto that one and AJ did thankfully sleep for about 2 hours. I must say, this flight was LONG! 6 hours in a PACKED plane to Hawaii with a child who I can't really let out of my lap was tough. He did awesome though. He didn't ever scream or cry-he just wiggled a lot and ate a lot of snacks. Thankfully, I was able to pass him off to my mom or Dave quite a bit which was extremely helpful.

We're Here!

Finally we arrived to Maui around 3pm (Hawaii time) and got our car and checked into the hotel. It's the MOST amazing place. We're staying at the Westin Kaanapali Villas.

Then we decided to get some dinner- mind you, it's 10pm our time and AJ is STILL rocking and rolling. I can't say enough how proud I am of him. He just keeps working so hard at being happy, even when he has every right to make us all miserable! Right as we were about to order though, he melted....quickly. So, I took him up to the room and he crashed. I can't blame him!

Lastly, AJ found some Koi fish tonight and you'd have thought it was Christmas! He was in heaven! Laughing, clapping, almost jumping in to the pond to touch them- and he would have, had we not held him back :)

Here's hoping we get some good sleep tonight. Off to the pool and beach tomorrow for some Mai Tai's and relaxation!

Aloha!

Hawaii Here We Come!

This Saturday, September 5th, we leave for Maui, Hawaii! I am so excited, yet SO incredibly nervous. I have prepared myself in the fact that I know this trip will be different than any other. We've got a child now, so all things revolve around him. Nap times, the 4 hour time change, fewer dinners out, perhaps more lunches out. No lounging by the pool with Mai Tais (ok, I may be able to do this a little) and no sleeping in. Here's my fear....THE SEVEN HOUR PLANE RIDE! Did I say it was 7 hours? Cause ya, it's SEVEN hours. (and yes, I am packing a LOT of Benadryl!)

My mom and Dave are coming along with us, which will be wonderful. It'll be great to have the help on the plane and on vacation, but more importantly, I'm so glad they'll be able to share in all the fun we have with AJ.

I can't wait to have AJ play in the sand, play by the pool, experience the aquarium and just enjoy Hawaii like I did when I was a kid. Assuming we don't get kicked out of the plane on the way over, I think we should have a great trip!