Weekend Getaway.

We headed back to our alma mater this weekend.  Josh and I figured that it was time to introduce Nicholas to one of our favorite vacationing spots.  It's funny to refer to W&M as a vacation spot, considering it felt nothing like a vacation the entire four years we were there.  (It actually felt more like a pressure cooker.)  :)  Michael and Mary Jane also joined in the fun, and humored us by staying at the indoor water park.  This post is going to take a few weeks to wrap up with the way things are going!  So! Stick around....

The joys of having a child who is potty trained.

Josh isn't feeling well, which is a real bummer. I hate it when Josh is sick because he does so much for our family. And, when he's sick I really miss his humor and child rearing support. This morning we all headed out by 9:30, so that Josh could have some beach time before the men's USA/Argentina basketball game. Michael and I decided to head down the beach for a walk while Josh was resting on the blanket. Unfortunately, we didn't make it back from the walk in time to give Josh a get well hug and kiss before he headed back to the house.

Michael and I made the best of our time on the beach together, though. We decided to dig a hole for his trucks and cars, and we had a lovely little snack on the blanket. I was a rotten mom and let Michael drink a little bottle of gatorade (at least it wasn't Coke!) during our snack. Obviously, I did not consider the repercussions of letting Michael drink an entire bottle of gatorade. The result of the gatorade, was that the poor kid had to pee about a half an hour later. At this point, I wasn't ready to head back to the house or to make the trek to the swimming pool. So, I told him he would have to go in the ocean. He said in an excited and joyous tone, "OKAY, MOM!!!" And, then started to pull down his pants. (Not good.) So, I glanced around and carried him over to the sand dunes, where things were a little less obvious. Michael loves to urinate outside, so he was totally happy with this proposition! Wouldn't you know it, another twenty minutes pass by and he has to pee again! I thought he was bluffing, so I made him pack up all of his beach toys. He said he still had to go, so we headed right back to the dunes. : ) And, he really did have to go, poor little guy.

After we got all packed up, Michael and I carried (actually, I carried) our entire beach camp back to the golf cart. What a load that was! The entire time I was thinking, you know...when I was pregnant with my first no one would let me carry as much as a laundry basket of clothes. The second time around: I'm carrying three beach chairs, a cooler, a bag of beach toys, a bag of towels, and making sure that the three year old is following me. Things CHANGE for the second pregnancy, don't they? : ) I'm not complaining, in fact I'd much rather be a pack mule than a fragile little doll, any day. Honestly, I would. It's just funny how things change, isn't it? I wonder what life will be like when I'm pregnant with our fifth or sixth baby?

I shudder to think about such things...

He thinks he can walk on water.

I don't even know where to begin writing about our day, especially when the post begins with a picture of Josh walking on water!  What else is there to say, other than we're on vacation and having so much fun together!  

Here's an update, though:

The water is incredibly rough today.  In fact, there is a rip tide warning issued for the next three days, which is a little scary.  It is also incredibly windy on the beach.  Our beach blanket was completely covered in sand because of the wind.  And, it is virtually impossible to use the umbrella today, without taking the risk of impaling a fellow beach goer. Even though the wind is strong and the waves are scary, we were able to spend all morning and a good part of the afternoon on the beach.  The wind makes the beach feel like the perfect temperature!  It was a little overcast as well, so we didn't feel like the sun was beating on our skin.  Josh and Michael are in charge of snacks for the beach, so we were stocked with plenty of food to get us past lunch time.  : )  

Michael still has a cold, but he's such a trooper.  The cold hasn't slowed him down at all, thank goodness!  His little nose is so red from wiping and the sand, but he hasn't complained one time about his nose hurting.  Yesterday Josh and Michael took a little break from the beach and headed to the aquarium.  They enjoyed roaming around together and checking out the sharks.  We also went out to "dinner"  yesterday afternoon (3pm), so that we could enjoy the evening hours on the beach. 

The evening on the beach was just lovely, aside from nearly being attacked by seagulls!  The family right beside our special "spot" decided to give their children bread to feed the gulls.  And, much to our dismay, the children threw the bread in our direction.  Josh and I were furious, in fact I was muttering many cuss words (even the f word!) under my breath as the gulls fought three feet above my head.  It was a fun time!  : ) These friendly neighbors also had an umbrella up yesterday that almost hit me.  The mother seemed a little annoyed that I didn't chase after it into the dunes.  At eight months pregnant, the only thing I chase after is Michael, and on occasion...Duncan.  (The wind was strong yesterday, as well.)  My temper isn't the same these days, so after the sea gull attack I was ready to shoot our beach neighbors a few looks.  The parents didn't think anything of the attack, though.  In fact, it was a great "photo op"!  

Since we weren't physically injured, Josh and I have been laughing about that experience all day.  We just might bring out a little bread ourselves this evening....; ) 

More pictures to come later.  There are too many to post, I'm afraid.  

He's breaking the rules!

Michael has a cold.  (Darn it!)  This morning when I lazily got out of bed at 8am, Michael was snuggled up on the couch with his favorite blankets.  Josh looked at me and said, "he's sick."  Of course, I rushed over to Michael B and smothered him with hugs and kisses.  Michael said his belly hurts, and then it changed to his throat, and then to his nose.  I told Michael that we don't get sick on vacation!  And, hurricanes are not allowed on vacation, either.  

Like the good, understanding parents that we are, Josh and I put on our bathing suits and sunscreen and headed out to the beach.   Michael had no choice but to follow suit.  Surprisingly, Michael did just fine on the beach, he played in the sand and waves and had a little snack.  I served as the human tissue, anytime the mucous started dripping he used the "flap" of my bathing suit as a wipe.  We enjoyed a lovely little morning on the beach, and we are eager to head back out after Michael wakes.  

Michael has been asking about when we're going home, though.  I think he misses his home, and he even misses the most hyper dog on the planet (Duncan).  However, Josh and I don't share his feelings, at this time.  : ) 

Seven to Nine...

weeks left!  

Yiiiiikes!!!!!!!  

When Josh took this picture today, I told him to try to hide the cellulite as much as possible. We both laughed.  Isn't my linea nigra hot?!?!  (The dark line down my belly.) Shortly after our laugh, I told him that I CAN'T WAIT to have my abs back in shape next summer and wear a bikini again.  I remember after having Michael, I had this newfound respect for my body and all the changes that it went through.  Though my body hardly looks like that of an Olympic athlete; I truly appreciate every muscle. The stretch marks that cover my legs don't even seem to bother me anymore.  

33 weeks, my friends!

Will Faye Turn the Other Way?

We can't help it. Josh and I have our eyes set on what Hurricane Faye is going to do in the next few days.  Yesterday it looked like Faye would be heading straight up the east coast, giving us a good dousing of rain on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  (Lovely.)  However, there is a "chance" that Faye will hit the western side of Fl's coast.  I presume that this would be good news for us?  Josh says that we're leaving early, if the hurricane decides to head this way.  I told him that we would do no such thing.  (Guess who the driver is, though? Guess who wears the pants in family? ---Josh. and, Josh.) 

All the hurricane talk aside, today is a sunny, hot, beautiful day at the beach.  It's actually amazing how crowded the development is for the week.  I don't think we've ever seen such a huge crowd here.  When we got down to the beach this morning, Josh made us walk SO FAR, so that we could be away from the crowd.  I was so ticked that he was making Michael and me walk a half a mile down the beach for a "special uncrowded spot".  (I am eight months pregnant, after all.)  About forty-five minutes into sitting on the beach, I was singing Josh's praises.  : ) The area in front of our development was PACKED with families, which would have made it difficult to keep a close eye on Michael B.  I guess most people took advantage of the lower rates for this week, and since most schools haven't started back; this is a great family beach week.  I did tell Josh that even though his "ideas" irritate me at times, I was very happy with the spot he found us this morning. Though, it was reminiscent of a "Griswald" family vacation moment.  You know, the dad, hauling the family down the beach to find the perfect location.  

We spent all morning outside, playing in the sand, waves, and the pool.  Michael continues to enjoy every minute of playing on the beach.  He absolutely loves to "play cars" in the sand, which gives Josh and me plenty of time to read on the beach.  I've already finished one book and I'm now working on another.  I love having my nose in a good book at the beach!  

After the rascal wakes from his nap, we're heading back out for more time on the beach! 

Stay tuned for Faye updates...Oh, and pictures, too!

He LOVES it!

Watching Michael B and Josh head into the waves.  The water was a bit choppy today.

My VERY favorite picture of the day.  It looks like the wave is going to pummel the two of them, of course it didn't.  

Michael loves riding on Josh's shoulders in the ocean.  It makes me a little nervous, though.
Mom does a handstand.  Nice, big, hefty pregnant legs!  Looks like I haven't just gained weight in my belly... : ) 
Swimming with Mom, and holding a car... of course!
One of Michael's favorite activities is pushing his cars around in the sand.  He makes road after road...
Trying out his "surf board"!
Getting ready to head into the ocean with Dad.
Playing chase with the waves, again!
So incredibly happy!  Just look at that smile!  

What a day!  We started out on the beach bright and early this morning:  9:15 , or so!  Because it was cloudy and overcast, we stayed out until 12:45 and headed back to the house for lunch and M's nap.  It's hard to describe how much fun Michael is having.  Every time we head to the beach, he squeals with delight and laughs a deep, belly laugh.  He does the exact same thing when we walk into the beach house.  He is truly so happy to be here!  

I can't help but feel amazed at how much our lives have changed from that sweet day that Josh proposed to me on this very beach.  To have a wonderful marriage, a happy and healthy three year old, and now a baby on the way; is so much more than what I could have ever imagined! Each summer that we come to this special beach, life seems to be better and better.  

On that sappy note, the weather looks like it's going to be crummy starting on Wednesday.  (Awesome!)  We're going to spend every waking, sunny moment at the beach until the rain comes in.  It was a little rainy this evening, but Michael refused to stay inside.  He literally cried and cried when I told him that we needed to wait a little bit.  Since it wasn't thundering we ended up spending a good two hours on the beach, in the sprinkling rain.  It was fun!  The water felt great, and we didn't have to worry about sunscreen.  

More pictures to come tomorrow!

Just happy to be here, pictures!

A picture for my family!  Michael riding the "FREE!" infamous King's pig!  

Michael immediately took to digging in the sand. Remember, his mom took away the sandbox because it was too messy. (What a mean mom!)

Ahhh!!  We finally made it!!

A little bit apprehensive at first, but still so excited...

Exploring...

 

Playing a game of chase with the waves!

Mom is enjoying the fresh, beach air and a break from riding in the car!

So happy to be here!

Just happy to be here: Part 1

We made it!  We're exhausted and watching Obama right now on CNN.  

The beach is heavenly and Michael B is having a blast.  Josh and I had to drag him off the beach this evening, so that we could go to the grocery store.  He's very, very happy and is quite confused about why we are staying here for a week.  I can't count the number of times that he has asked us which house we are going to sleep in this evening: the beach house or our house.  

Splitting up the trip helped all of us tremendously.  We were really able to enjoy the day at the beach. As soon as we got into town, we checked in with the realty company and then headed out for lunch.  After lunch, we got into the house and unpacked a little bit.  And, as quickly as we could, headed for the beach!  We're all set up for tomorrow!  

The water is a little chilly, but feels heavenly to this very pregnant girl! Michael and Josh are building many sand castles and roads (for Michael's cars).  Pictures to come tomorrow, we've got some good ones to share...

All Set!

Michael and I spent most of the day packing, so that we can leave at a reasonable time tomorrow morning. We're leaving a day early and driving a little over half way, which should help both Michael and me tremendously. Our journey on Saturday is only going to be an hour or two, which means we should get to the beach a couple hours before check in. Josh and I are planning on heading straight to the beach! We are ready to relax and enjoy one another for a one last "family of three" vacation.

It's amazing how much easier it is to pack for a three year old, rather than a six week old! The first time we took Michael to the beach, I think we packed the whole house. And, good grief , were we stressed! : ) This year--just a few outfits, sun block, underwear, pull ups, and a few sand toys. (Easy!) Stay tuned for beach updates. Josh may feel the need to post a time or two. : ) Remember last year's post: Josh Types Puters? (It was very, very sweet. Warmed my heart.)

Favorites!

I thought that after tax season was over things would slow down a little. I was wrong!  We've been running around like crazy over the past two evenings --Josh's basketball game last night, early daycare pickup, doctor's appointment today, grocery shopping, laundry, and another early daycare pickup.  Phew!  Tomorrow evening we are relaxing AND not going to Josh's basketball games!  

Michael and I might attempt to work on the yard tomorrow...maybe do a little planting?  He's all about getting dirty, you know.

There are more fun pictures to come! These are a few of my favorites from the weekend.  

The doctor's appointment went today well. I met the newest physician in the practice.  I think he might be my favorite primarily because he really seems like he is going to respect my wishes (as much as possible) with the delivery of the next K-H.  I do NOT want to have another C-section, and he really seemed to listen today.  Our baby's heart rate was in the 140-150 range.  He says it sounds strong.   :)