Florida

We did it! We flew to and from Florida successfully! And...he loved it. Yes, Jacob's first vacation and first plane ride, and he did marvelous! As far as the plane is concerned, he looked out the window before we left, thought it was so amazing, once we took off, drank his bottle, and drifted off to night night for the entire flight- both ways. Thank God!

For 8 entire days, my mom, my sisters, Jacob, and myself (no daddy, uncles or Grandpa) enjoyed the warm Naples, Florida sunshine and 86 degree weather. We stayed at LaPlaya where Aunt Loren got married 2 years ago. (We love it there- so relaxing, quiet, beautiful beaches, pools, restaurants, fantastic rooms, and fabulous food) Every morning, Jacob and I would get up, put on sunscreen, shorts/T-shirt, hat, and baby bjorn and off we went for a nice walk on the beach (that is the earliest I have ever been up while on vacation, by the way...but it was wonderful to take advantage of). We would come back for some early lunch and take a nap (yes, I did too!), once we woke up, off we went to the pool...where Jake enjoyed the water, loved splashing, and kicking...laughing all the way. A couple of the days, we rented a cabana, and Jake was able to take his afternoon nap inside the cabana while I was still able to lay out and enjoy a few cocktails and the warm sun. After his afternoon nap, he would have dinner at the pool, and then off to the room we went for a daily bath in LaPlaya's perfect-sized sink. Jacob would then be ready for bed, and off we went to dinner- where most of the time he slept (ummm...most of the time, the nights he did not...dinner? what dinner? While my mom and sisters relaxed and enjoyed their meals, Jacob and I would be off for an evening stroll) A couple of the nights, my mom watched Jacob while the girls and I enjoyed some quality "sister time." As far as the middle of the nights went...well, we were in a hotel, you can't let a baby cry himself to sleep in a hotel, so every few hours I was up rocking him back to sleep...now he is completely off his schedule...uggh! Back to square 1. My mom and sisters were wonderful. They really helped out so much. Jacob LOVES them! He was a laughing machine the whole trip...until DAY 6- up all night the night before, tugging on the ears...yes, he had an ear infection (#4 for the record) while we were away (one of my big fears)- luckily, there are doctors EVERYWHERE in Naples- off we went, got on some amoxicilin and by DAY 8- he was good to go when it came to flying. Oh, and TOOF #4 didn't help much either!! Also, while there we were able to visit Brigid and Baby Chase (I will have another post just for that visit). We had a wonderful time. Lots of learning. Really, not much relaxing. But, a great time, excellent experience, and priceless memories. Thanks Mom- LOVE YOU!

LESSON LEARNED & NOTE TO SELF: Never take a "vacation" with your infant for more than 5 days without your husband or a nanny if you want to relax or sleep at all.