A detour to Santa Cruz.

JJ drove home after work on his birthday and made it a little bit after 12:30 this morning. SS and I were awake waiting for him. P talked me into allowing SS to stay up to wait, because she really missed her brother and hoping that she would sleep during our drive south. Why do I let the man talk me into things? Will I ever learn? SS was thrilled to see her JJ and treated him to a hyper version of Happy Birthday, including manic dance moves. That is what happens when a three year old is awake after midnight. SS begrudgingly succumbed to sleep at 2:00 a.m., I followed at 2;30 a.m. and JJ crashed at 4:00 a.m. P took a nap after his 10 hour work day yesterday, and did not wake up until almost 6:00 a.m. The plan was for us to leave for Monterey at 6:00 a.m., and what a lame plan that was. We did not have the heart to wake up JJ until 6:30 a.m., and I was as sluggish as ever. We did not leave until almost 8:00 a.m. P's status as the only person semi rested made him the designated driver.

With so little sleep, SS would usually fall asleep once on the road, and we kept her in her PJs (after freshening her up). But today was no regular, boring, alone in her carseat day. Today, Mighty J was sitting next to her, and although SS was shooting daggers at us, and whining, she perked up at the prospect of having a backseat companion. Halfway there, P realized that we would be too tired to enjoy the aquarium. Even with sleep, he was tired himself. P suggested a detour to Santa Cruz, a very quick visit to the pier, then on to the hotel for afternoon naps, an early night, then Monterey tomorrow. Again, why do I let him talk me into things, I really should now better by now. Our quick visit ended up being much longer, and we walked much more than planned. We brought JJ to the boardwalk for his 17 birthday and had not been there since. We had a great weekend, played mini golf and laser tag at Neptune's Kingdom. It was cool to reminisce and see the changes, must return this summer to introduce SS to the rides and the boardwalk at night. To our delight A Haunted Castle is under construction and due to open this summer.

At the pier, I drove P and JJ batty with my neurotic behavior about SS somehow falling into the water. I just did not want her anywhere near the side, and SS was attracted to that like a moth to light. By the time we reached the end of the pier, P and JJ were ready to throw me into the water. SS is so small and so freaking fast, that she really makes me nervous. And the her father is a trained lifeguard and her brother an equally strong swimmer argument does not hold water with me. Then SS saw and heard the sea lions, sending me into a do-not-let-her-get-too-close-she-is-going-to-fall-in-and-I'm-going-to-kill-you panic. Sweet me, I really know how to kill the joy out of an outing. Mental note, will be heavily sedated when we return.

SS was able to blow off a lot of steam and we managed to have a good time, despite my panic fit (sorry guys, no idea where that came from). During our last trip, P bought me a pair of Reef boots at the pier, weird because the brand is known for its beachwear. They are one of the most comfortable shoes I own and still have them. SS scored a pair of glow in the dark Reef flip flops from the Abus at the same store. Our little spit fire fell asleep at 4:00 p.m. and JJ could not keep her awake. She woke up when we got to the hotel and she was not happy. It's going to be an interesting evening.

P and I had to go to the store across the street and decided to leave SS with JJ. Our daugther did not approve of our plan and began to wail. I usually do not give in to emotional blackmail, but SS was tired and not herself. P was outside as I reassured SS that we would be back shortly, then left the room. SS's wail followed me down the hall and I stopped. P gave me a look and told me no way was I walking back in that room. SS was fine, in capable hands and about time she saw us leave, even if for a while. It was so difficult to keep walking, really difficult. As we suspected, the crying stopped in no time, but man, hearing that wail got to me. I remember when I used to have a backbone and miss those days.

SS was really cranky after we rudely interrupted her beauty sleep. But as soon as I pointed my camera at her, her warning scowl instantly changed into this cute mug. The girl really knows how to yank our chain.

Colorful and ready to stretch her little legs.

You have to admire her guts, dragging JJ all over the place.

Interesting pricing strategy.

Look at me, I can easily drag two adults.

SS was trying to wrap her head around P and JJ playing this virtual reality game.

SS waving and enthusiastically walking over to a pelican perched on the fence. Apparently she forgot all about the pelican who came so dangerously close to bite her at the La Guancha Boardwalk last summer. That was a very scary moment, and it did make an impression on us, so we kept SS at a safe distance.

SS was really excited about the sea lions.

SS's first arcade game at Neptune's Castle. JJ won enough tickets for a bracelet, a top, a dinosaur and two frogs. SS was in plastic trinket heaven.

Another example of responsible parenting. I grabbed the camera, snapped a picture, then told SS that it was not safe to stand on the stroller like that.

Impromptu picnic.

A lot of this (funny how she appears so coordinated).

Led to this.

SS is a music junkie and today was not satisfied with her own music and using her headphones. The littlest backseat driver decided to take over our music decision making. Look what happens when the volume is decreased.



SS enjoyed watching and listening to the Sea Lions. JJ has a death grip on her, because of my fear that SS would simply jump in to join her new friends.

Happy Birthday JJ.

We are so lucky to have you in our lives. We are sure you are glad that your mother no longer wakes you up at 6:45 a.m. as payback for labor and delivery pain and suffering. See you later tonight, have a safe drive.

Love, Mom, P and SS.

On March 21, 1983 at 6:45 a.m. JJ entered this world and he was loud. It was the first time I fell head over heels in love in my young life. A phenomenon that would not reoccur until 12 years later, then again 12 years after that (who knew I would be on a 12 year cycle?). But as much as I loved that beautiful creature in my arms, that marked the beginning of my aversion to uncooked children. It is such a strong aversion, that I ended up in China to assure myself and P that child #2 would be fully cooked.

Three weeks.

Six weeks.

First visit to Disneyland at six weeks.

5 months, and reminds me of SS.

7 months, and a resemblance to his future sister.

8 months.

19 months old, with Abu, on her first visit.

When JJ was 2 1/2 years old we visited Disneyland, something we did frequently. The thing about that particular visit was that it was the first time that JJ seemed to get the whole Disney magic. We were there when the park opened and left after the second Main Street Electrical Parade (midnight). That was a long day for such a young child, but JJ did not complain once. He did nap a few times in his stroller but was such a well behaved kid and such a joy to be around. He was so good that he came home with 4 personalized hats. Among the things we would never see again, JJ calmly sitting, hands on his lap for AN HOUR, waiting for the Electrical Parade. He did not move once during the entire parade and I still remember that look of wonder on his beautiful face. My favorite Disney experience so far. It also reminds me of the striking differences between him and SS, no way would SS be so friendly to three giant mice, a duck and a goofy looking dog.

Back in the good old days when you found the characters walking around the park, and did not have to wait three hours for a photo and a hello.

One of my favorite pictures of JJ. So cute how he bent over to wave at the mouse. SS does that a lot, just like her big brother.

Although it seemed OK at the time, Mickey's death grip on my son looks really creepy.

3 years old, first preschool picture. Funny how he had wonderful eyebrows, if he was a girl he would not need any trimming.

4 years old, although he looks older. This was a very selfish photo for me and I never made the mistake again. Having horrible kinky hair, I was surprised when my dominant gene did not manifest on JJ. Much to my chagrin, JJ always preferred his hair short, did not want it to touch his ears, just like in the military. I was in love with his beautiful, straight, sandy brown, sun kissed hair and wanted it longer. This is the longest his hair has ever been and he was furious when I told him he could have a haircut after the picture was taken. Well, I was 22 and obviously very immature, but after I saw how embarrassed he was about this (to me) so cute picture, and his comment upon seeing it, I knew I could not live vicariously through him. What did JJ say? "Mom, I felt and look really scummy." OUCH

5 years old and I could not get him to wear a long sleeve shirt. Good thing it did not show.

End of soccer season, age 5.

6 years old and a great sport for sitting on Santa's lap. Abu had a thing about seeing JJ wearing sweaters, even though he lived in Southern California. Every year I had to bribe my shorts and short sleeve wearing child to don a freaking uncomfortable sweater and pose for his Abuela's benefit. It did not come in cheap.

Totally proud of his spiky do at age 6. JJ's hair was very straight then and it took a lot of gel to get that look.

7 years old, and a great mustache and goatee. P had not seen this picture before as he did not know JJ had also been a pirate. I think I'm going to look back through JJ's costumes and have SS wear the same. That includes the football player costume, heh.

When JJ was eight, we drove from California to Tennessee with a friend. We had a good time and it was neat that it was just him and I.

Grand Canyon, and it was safe there was plenty of trail underneath him.

Lousy picture, but JJ had such a blast pretending to climb up the canyon.

That hair, that olive skin, wow.

Eating Native American bread at the Four Corners.

Houston Space Center.

Ditto.

Carlsbad Caverns and the genesis of "I could be bleeding," an ongoing joke around here.

Ready to blow off steam in New Mexico. JJ was on that track about ten times that night, but well worth the price.

Breaking up a sweat at the French Quarter.

10 years old and the last time JJ agreed to wear a sweater and sit for a Christmas picture. He felt his Abu had ten years worth of sweater pictures and he was done. I felt he was old enough to make that decision and did not push the issue. JJ had a hair cut two weeks before this picture and I still had to fork over $20 for another haircut. Plus the toy he got to pick as his bribe, like I said, not cheap. SS and JJ both have beautiful lips, I never noticed before how similar they are. And those eyebrows, I would kill for those eyebrows.

During a fifth grade field trip.

A visit to Puerto Rico for Abuela and Abuelo time at age 11.

Returning home after 30 days of having Abuela's attention (and neurosis) all to himself. You can tell it took a toll on the kid.

12 years old.

Tijuana at age 12.

That is the day that we ended up at Black's Beach in San Diego, and after a very cold dip (for P and JJ) we had dinner and a giant sundae. Mr. JJ was so caught up eating that he did not notice his contribution to the consumption of the sundae. He indignantly asked "Hey, who ate all the sundae?" That still cracks P and I up to this day. Quirky kids ...

14 years old.

First year of high school after moving to Northern California. The orange hair was my idea.

Look behind JJ's chair, see the green? That's SS's jogging stroller, and JJ is sitting in our office/SS storage. Taped to the door behind JJ was a picture of the crib we had chosen for SS and a check list of things to purchase for SS.

JJ in 2005 in our old house. The desk in that picture was about 7 years old then, and he still has it. That is a record for JJ because he has always been rough with his belongings.

One of our Halloween Haunt trips.

Thanksgiving 2004.

A sister at last, March 2009.