Last Saturday Sarah, Andrew, and I left on a jet plane to sunny Florida for a week-long beach vacation with my parents. We were sad to leave the husbands home, but ladies of leisure have to travel when they have the opportunity.
I was a little nervous about how Andrew would behave in the airport and on the plane. Our trip to Taiwan was so smooth but he was much younger thus much less mobile. I still wore him in the Ergo through security, but I have to say it was not as comfortable now that I am 6 months pregnant. Sarah was a great help all around and I am happy we were able to get our seats together even though it was a crazy full flight. We got the window and middle seats which I think are probably the way to go. Keeping him out of the alluring aisle would have been a battle I know I would lose. He didn't sleep at all on the ride there, but we kept him full of snacks and he towed the line. I watched the NU-Penn State game via Direct TV and Andrew did a little bit of cheering. His "go go go" is becoming quite convincing.
We arrived in Orlando and then headed over to Ormond Beach (just north of Daytona) to a condo my parents secured right on the beach.
I am admittedly not a beach gal so I thought I would be bored out my mind, but it was actual a perfect vacation for just chilling and maximizing Andrew's enjoyment. It was really his first time to swim and first time to spend any significant time in sand. He loved it!
Andrew has always been a collector (sticks, rocks, etc), so picking up shells was right up his alley. Grandma also has a knack for finding shells so she was happy to help him with his endeavors. He was discriminating about what went in his bucket. He would shake his head no if he didn't want it. At night he would play with his shells in the condo. I didn't bring his whole haul back to Chicago, but took a few momentos for him to play with at home.
Every morning he would grab his bucket and shovel and wait by the door while we got ready. He needed to maximize his "bee" (beach) time. We ended up spending a few hours most days at the beach. One day, it was a little chilly so we played 18 holes in the morning and evening of mini golf. Andrew had a little putter and hit a few. His form is still suspect, but with a little training he'll be quite competitive.
Before we knew it the vacation was over. I still had not seen the sunrise and knew I had to go out to the balcony at the right time. Andrew "thankfully" had some sleeping issues, so we were up at dawn and captured some nice shots of the sun rising over the Atlantic.
I was a little nervous about how Andrew would behave in the airport and on the plane. Our trip to Taiwan was so smooth but he was much younger thus much less mobile. I still wore him in the Ergo through security, but I have to say it was not as comfortable now that I am 6 months pregnant. Sarah was a great help all around and I am happy we were able to get our seats together even though it was a crazy full flight. We got the window and middle seats which I think are probably the way to go. Keeping him out of the alluring aisle would have been a battle I know I would lose. He didn't sleep at all on the ride there, but we kept him full of snacks and he towed the line. I watched the NU-Penn State game via Direct TV and Andrew did a little bit of cheering. His "go go go" is becoming quite convincing.
We arrived in Orlando and then headed over to Ormond Beach (just north of Daytona) to a condo my parents secured right on the beach.
Grandpa and Andrew sport their shades on our ninth floor balcony.
I am admittedly not a beach gal so I thought I would be bored out my mind, but it was actual a perfect vacation for just chilling and maximizing Andrew's enjoyment. It was really his first time to swim and first time to spend any significant time in sand. He loved it!
What is better than 2 beach chairs and an umbrella?
Come on mom, let's go out in the water!
Auntie Sarah takes him up to the surf.
Grandpa managed to get him to wear his beach hat for a few minutes.
Watch out for shark attacks!
Before we knew it the vacation was over. I still had not seen the sunrise and knew I had to go out to the balcony at the right time. Andrew "thankfully" had some sleeping issues, so we were up at dawn and captured some nice shots of the sun rising over the Atlantic.
Here comes the sun...
Cheese
Lovely light breaking through the clouds
Andrew loved sitting on the balcony and looking down at everything.
We packed up Friday and headed out to the airport. The flight home was very uneventful with Andrew sleeping a good portion of it. We made it back to the car that Alan parked near the L and Andrew seemed genuinely excited to see it. He squealed happily the whole ride home. It was a great vacation, but in the end it is much better seeing "dada" in person than talking to him on the phone.
Saying goodnight to daddy
This October and last October Andrew and I took vacations on my parents' dime. Mom and dad where are we going in 2013?
-rachel
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