Maui Vacation

Timber, Miley, and I went to Maui October 19-23rd. I think it is the only real vacation team Auth has ever indulged in. Ya see, we usually go on adventures (authome ones). We rarely vacation. This trip was a wonderful exception.

The trip was based around an Aerosmith concert. We bought tickets to a show two years ago. The band canceled. They were sued. They settled with a new concert and repayment of loss funds. Translation, we did the trip for free. AUTHOME.

Unky Dave joined us on for the first half of the trip. We stayed at the beautiful Wailea Resort. An early check-in allowed for some pool lounging and spa time. The resort has it's own male and female spas. Timber and Dave hung with Miley at the pool and I had the entire women's spa to myself. I loved the open air construction that allowed me to gaze at the ocean, and sneak peaks at the poolside loungers. I saunaed, spritzed, and lavishly relaxed for a couple hours. When Miley needed to nurse, Timber brought her up, and she got to hang at the spa with me. I laid some towels out on the floor and used the shower heads to wash and massage her. She is a great spa buddy.

Feeling mellow and beautiful, we joined the management for cocktails before heading to Charlie and Yako's place. They watched Miley while we headed out to the concert. I'm sure she will be pissed at us someday for not taking her along.

The weather was great for the open air venue. We were way back in the bleachers until we hatched a plan to get through security to floor seating. Timber and I breezed through using Dave as a diversion. We thought all hope for him joining us was gone. But we hatched plan 2. I got some folks' ticket stubs, went back out, and then came back with Dave. Then it was all three of us rocking out in the 17th row.

They still got it!! Steven Tyler wore tight jeans with sparkling purple serpents gliding up his ass. He sang and danced his heart out, spinning and dancing with that microphone stand like he was 25. Joe Perry did some great guitar solos. After one adrenalin pump of a song, he ripped the strings out of his guitar. They projected his Guitar Hero Avitar on screen and he did a show down that was impressive. We managed to make it to the 4th row by the time of the encore. AUTHOME.

The next morning, we had a chill breakfast and then beached it up at Big Beach. There was some sizable shore break, so Miley didn't get to swim. Instead she played in the sand.

We drove up to Ka'anapali as a pilgrimage to the Maui Brewing Company. They make my favorite beer of the moment: Coconut Porter and Timber's favorite: Bikini Blonde. After a few brews, we had to drop Dave off at the airport. We had an amazing time with him. He is so giving, and he is a wonderful Uncle to Miley. We love ya Unky.

Timber and I headed "upcountry" to Makawao, where Charlie, Yako, and Austin live. They graciously let us stay with them for the next two nights. The even gave us the master bedroom! I just love their little home with killer views of the volcano and the ocean. We enjoyed chill mornings with great coffee and good conversation. Austin loved Miley (he wanted to share all of his toys), Miley loved the dogs.

Yako and Austin took us on a great tour to Hana and then around the rest of Haleakala. It was a long drive on beautiful, windy, bumpy roads through magical rainforests, above breathtaking sea views. A bit of an adventure. We stopped at Wai 'anapanapa Beah Park and the Seven Sacred Pools. Both beautiful spots.

The last day of our trip we headed up into the mountains for a bit of hiking.

Just up the road from their house is a beautiful forest sanctuary. It's a place Yako and Austin like to walk, and where Charlie likes to shred on his mountain bike. We checked out some of the jumps he does...crazy. No wonder when him and Timber were sharing "I almost died" stories, neither one was at a loss for material.
Here's a photo of Timber and Miley on the flight home. Miley did great. She is such a chill baby. We love her heaps and heaps.

Ya don't think they look alike do you?

Buddha Baby

Here's a recent photo of Miley. She is all over the place these days. I put her down on a blanket and in no time she's rolled off the explore. She really likes maneuvering herself over to the coffee table to chew on the legs. Here she is checking out Guanyin.

She is developing more and more into a character. She knows what she wants and will let cha know when she isn't getting it.

Oh, and at times I see shimmers of red in her hair. (fingers crossed)

Hakalau

Miley and I joined Mike, Sarah, and Nick for an upcountry adventure on Saturday. We packed up Mike's Pathfinder and headed up Mauna Kea to Hakalau Forest Reserve for their annual open house.

Hakalau Forest Reserve was established in 1985 to protect and manage endangered Hawaiian forest birds and their rain forest habitat. They open their gates once a year for the public to hike around and gawk at native plants and birds.

I've been to the open house 2 previous times. I just love getting up to 6,000 feet. It feels like autumn up there. Oh, the birds are great too.

This year, the weather was clear at the top of Saddle Road, but started to rain as we contoured around the mountain, back toward the eastern side of the island. It was rainy and chilly for our entire time hiking. I had Miley bundled up in clothing we didn't think she would ever wear in Hawaii. I carried her in the Ergo (front baby carrier) for the beautiful hike down to the forest and bird gazing area. Unfortunately, it was raining steadily and I was a bit preoccupied with keeping Miley warm and dry so I didn't see too much bird life. (The others report that it was one of the best years for bird gazing.) An apapane bird did give us a show as we were hiking back up to the barn. In the barn we had a dry, albeit chilly place to nurse.

After the rest of the birders got back to the barn, the clouds blew off and we enjoyed some sun. We decided to extend our outing by continuing on to "the orchard". We heard about the bounty of apples just up the road. So, we loaded up and drove, and drove, and drove. It was a super bumpy drive. Nick and I took turns holding Miley's head which was bobbing around as she slept. I think she likes 4-wheeling.

The orchard was a short, beautiful walk through Koa forest. I was so happy that Sarah volunteered to carry Miley. My shoulders were pretty tired from our morning hikes. The path was magical with sun peaking through large Koa trees draped in moss. The orchard had a few sad apple trees and a few pear trees with choke fruit. We picked and picked and picked pears in the warm afternoon sun.

Then it was back into the Pathfinder for the bumpy ride back to Saddle Road.

Much love to Mike for driving and the whole gang for helping keep Miley happy and healthy (and making it easier on me). You are such a great group of friends.

You're Authome!

Shriners Hospital

Yesterday Miley and I ventured to Honolulu for a doctors appointment at Shriners Hospital. Because she was breech, she had a great chance of having hip dysplasia. Our pediatrician here in Hilo had and ultrasound taken. The results said there was a 3 degree misalignment. So we were refereed to the children's orthopedic masters, the Shriners.

I am completely amazed by this organization. They booked and purchased my plane ticket to Honolulu. A shuttle picked us up and the airport and transported us to the new hospital. It is beautiful! It is decorated with sea mosaics and choke full of kid friendly books and toys.

Our doctor specialises in hip dysplasia of infants. She conducted and ultrasound and from the black and white blurs, determined Miely's hips were just fine. (We kinda knew...but wanted to make sure).

In her inspection of Miley, she saw that our cutie favors her right side. Miley has torticollis. (When she said this my level of anxiety went into overdrive. What the heck is that?!)

Torticollis means "turned neck,"and there are several different causes for this, including tightness of the neck muscles on one side, an irregularity in the neck spine, or even a bruise, a scar, or a growth in the neck. We are pretty sure Miley simply has muscle tightness on one side. The physical therapist said her condition was very mild and she could possibly correct it on her own. I did learn some stretches to do with her, and will strive to make her look to her left more often (in the carrier, when we play, while she sleeps).

We have another appointment here in Hilo in December. I am grateful because a one day trip to Ohau is not Authsome. It is tiresome even when Miley is a great traveler.