noun
1. freedom from any activity; rest; respite; intermission
2. a period of rest and freedom from work, study, etc.
Vacationing with a thirteen month old is far from the definition given by Mr. Webster in his dictionary... but we survived and have redefined the word vacation in the "Bragg dictionary".
It all began on Friday afternoon, July 10, as we left Evansville and traveled to Nashville to meet up with my mom and sister. We arrived there around 7:30, picked up a bite to eat, visited with them at my sister's new apartment and then landed at the Marriott for a quick night's rest before heading to Destin. We left Nashville around 7:30 the next morning and arrived in Destin around 5:30 that evening, stopping for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and McDonald's for lunch along the way.
Upon arriving at our Sterling Shores condo, Russ and Mom made many trips up and down the elevator as Julie and I hung out with Lawson, helping them load as they came down for more stuff... yes, more and more stuff. I believe you might as well move your entire house when you go on a trip with a baby as you take almost all of your belongings (and lots of shoes, too) : ). Settling into the condo was nice and fairly quick once we got everything unloaded.
We then headed to The Back Porch for dinner which was surprisingly fast, but stressful with a hungry baby who had been in the car for way too long... but, we made it back to the room in one piece.
Next, was the 9:00 trip to Super Wal-Mart along with everyone else in the city of Destin. Ugh. Sensory overload for us tired shoppers, but milk was a must for Lawson and we loaded up on snacks, deli meat, breakfast items, etc. so it was productive. The coolest thing about the Wal-Mart experience was the air brush area in the store. Given my uncommon name, it is RARE to see personalized items with my name on them.. but the minute we walked into the store, there was an advertisement kiosk for the air brush merchandise including a t-shirt with MY NAME on it!! I was so excited that we had to go back with the camera to get a picture... you can imagine the stares as Mom was taking my picture, but I just couldn't not have a picture!
The next morning, bright and early, we lathered ourselves in sun screen and headed to the beach. We were all so excited and looking forward to the relaxing time at the ocean soaking up the sun and playing in the sand and water. However, within the first ten minutes on the beach, I was asking myself, "what the heck have we done?"... Lawson screamed and cried the entire time we were down there. Needless to say, it was terrible and quite miserable for all of us. I wasn't sure we were going to make it an entire week. He looked so cute and loved the sand and his sand toys, but the ocean and the waves were just a little too much for him. Here a few shots from the beach and ocean...
Including ocean pictures of a happy Lawson...
It never failed that Lawson was hungry the very MINUTE we arrived at the beach. He would immediately sign "please" and tell us he was hungry.
We walked along the beach one night and he truly enjoyed it!
Sprinkling the sand!!
He now speaks very loudly as he is doing here... he is actually very happy here!
So, it was off to the pool. Sterling Shores has an awesome pool with a designated area for children and I just knew it would be better. Not so much. We got up there and he continued to cry, which was quite annoying, but once Mom went up to the room and brought down a few of his toys along with a beach ball she had gotten for him, he all of the sudden was calm as if distracted by the water toys. I was breathing calmly at this point and beginning to smile and play with him. It got better and better as time went on, esp as the week went on. By the second day he would at least sit on the beach without crying although he wasn't interested in the water and by the third day/night, he was loving the water on his footsies which made me and Russ so happy. Mom and Julie Anne were simply wonderful in helping us survive the trip and we are so thankful that they were able to be there with us. We truly wouldn't not have made it without them and I am certain that after the Monday that we had, we would have headed back to Tennessee. So thanks Mom and Julie Anne. (Even though you spoiled him and he required detox for the next few days after arriving home) : ) Here a few pool shots...
And I must also note that during this week-long "vacation" he developed the fit-throwing-head-banging-on-the-wall, floor, door-or-whatever-was-closest-type behavior... not pretty at all. One afternoon, he cried for three hours straight and was inconsolable along with running fever and throwing up all over the kitchen. He was teething and therefore eating very little so we contributed his behavior to teeth and the large intake of animal crackers prior to the "kitchen experience". We weren't very concerned as he seemed fine overall despite the negative behavior. Arrived back in Evansville on Sunday evening with the continued bad behavior. Visiting Dr. Lopez on Monday morning was the only thing left to do... I knew that it might be a stage and if so, that was fine, but I was hoping there was something wrong as the "stage" was not enjoyable for anyone around. We saw Dr. Lopez and sure enough, the beach baby had an ear infection. Poor guy. Monday night was also rough as he was not quite back into the swing of things so there were more fits and he bit me twice resulting in time out, but as of Tuesday morning the antibiotic seemed to be kicking in and he had somewhat returned to his normal fun-loving self, thank goodness...
As with all vacations, eating out at new places is always enjoyable. In addition to The Back Porch, we also enjoyed The Gratzi Cafe, A.J.'s, The Crazy Lobster, and Russ and I enjoyed dinner together at Ruth's Chris which was amazingly delicious... the best steak we have ever eaten!
Off to Ruth's Chris...
Thursday night, the last night we were there, we visited an area of sand dunes right along the ocean for a few ocean snapshots. The wind was intense causing our hair styles to be quite unique and I am certain they will become the new trend... : ) but the ones of Lawson are precious and we had a great time.
We momentarily returned to the silly sister moments...
As you can see, our definition of "vacation" truly contradicts Webster's definition, but it was nice to see the ocean and we did make great memories as we laughed and played. We learned a great deal and Lawson also learned a few things while we were there, such as crawling onto and off of the couch, that knocking water bottles down like bowling pins is a TON of fun, sitting in the refrigerator is also fun, and he also learned that if he throws a really big fit his Aunt Jules and Nana will give him whatever he wants. :)
The following are a few snapshots! Thanks again Mom and Julie Anne; we appreciate your help and enjoyed being there with you. We also look forward to future family vacations as they are very important and we truly enjoy spending time with Lawson and other family members, too. However, our next "vacation" will be a trip just for adults... just the two of us... no babies included. : ) Hopefully, we will then fully comprehend the definition of "vacation" as defined by Mr. Webster!
Sporting his new Harry T's shirt...
I think I might can figure this boogie-boarding business out if you give me a few more days here at the beach..
I like to sprinkle the sand...
BUSTED... sitting in the fridge...
I think I'll just take a few of these water bottles out to play with them...
And a few more...
Maybe if I just line them up, my parents will see their OCD tendencies pouring right out of me...
Just kidding... I was lining them up to KNOCK THEM DOWN!!!
YEAH!!!!! That was sooooo much fun!!! (We did this over and over and over again!)
Julie Anne decided to mimick a set of monkeys which were perched on top of the refridgerator...
Hear no evil...
See no evil...
Speak no evil...
He loved to sit on the couch like a big boy!
He then discovered that he could get off of the couch like a big boy!
And he's off!
Just hanging out in his chair... thanks to his friend, Rhett, for letting him borrow it. He was so proud to sit in it!
That's all until the next vacation...
