Florida

Sara and I recently got back from a two-week vacation in Florida. Since I am on maternity leave we figured we might as well take an extended vacation while I have time off, and enjoy the Florida sun.

We drove down and back stopping in Atlanta both ways. The boys did great in the car. Brody watched movies, and jet slept most of the time. We stopped at play places, and parks to let Brody stretch his legs, and so I could feed Jett. One-stop we made on the way down Brody decided not to listen to me and got put in timeout. He was not happy about the time out and proceeded to slap me in the face. That resulted in him getting put back in his car seat and not getting a chance to play. Because of this outburst we had to get back on the road and I did not get a chance to feed Jett. Brody eventually screamed himself to sleep, and we didn't want to stop the car in fear that we would ruin his nap. In order to get Jett fed I had to pump a bottle while driving and Sarah fed it to him in his car seat.  We joked that if I had gotten pulled over we would've had quite the story to tell or show ;). 

Once we were in Florida we played on the beach, went to the pool, went on many hikes, went to the mall, rode the beep beep, Brody rode his bike, and we overall just had a blast doing everything and anything.  Jett did great on the beach, we kept him in the shade with a beach tent, and he wore his uspf bathing suit.  Brody loved playing in the ocean, and digging holes in the sand.  We tried to build sandcastle's, but Brody mostly enjoyed knocking them down.  Brody spent hours running in and out of the waves as they came up on the beach.
For lunch every day that we spent at the pool or the beach, Brody got pizza and ice cream which were obviously a huge hit.  One day on the pavilion deck at lunch he even met a girl he was quite smitten with. She was quite a bit older than him, probably 20 or 21, but that didn't stop Brody from bashfully talking to her.  She didn't quite understand his toddler language, so I spent most of their conversation translating for her. She especially thought it was funny when Brody asked her if she pooped in the potty.  

Luckily for us, my mom flew down to meet us for the first weekend we're there. We enjoyed our first day at the pool with her, and going on a hike in the nature preserve the second day. Unfortunately though our fun was cut short when my van decided to have maintenance issues. The serpentine belt broke due to the mechanic tightening it too tight before we left when he fixed the timing belt. Overall this whole issue resulted in two tows, us getting stranded at the fire station, and us having to get a rental car for two days. It was quite the fiasco, but luckily my mom was there to help deal with the van and all its issues. 

We visited Saint Augustine twice, where we moseyed around all the shops watched the trolleys and choo-choo trains and visited the fort.  One weekend was especially special for Brody because on Saturday Sarah took him on a Sarah and Brody date to the touch a truck event in Saint Augustine. They got to sit on a helicopter, an ambulance, a school bus, a tractor, and various other trucks and farm equipment.  Brody learned all about waiting in lines and taking turns. He was very patient and according to Sarah a very good boy.  While there he got a yellow fireman's hat of which he fell in love with, and a helicopter shirt that is three sizes too big but now his favorite shirt to wear night night.  The next day Brody and I visited the Jacksonville zoo together while Sarah kept Jett. We rode the choo-choo train three times, the Merry go round seven and saw all sorts of animals.  I believe seeing the elephants while on the choo-choo was Brody's favorite part.  We also played at the. Zoo park, and indulged on ice cream.  It was so nice to have some one on one time with Brody and remember how it was when it was just him and I. I think Brody really enjoyed the Mommy and Brody time we had as well. At one point while riding the merry-go-round he looked at me and smiled and wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me the biggest hug. It warmed my heart so much, and I was glad to see he was having such a good time.  

Sarah and I also enjoyed our time together once the boys went to sleep. We had lots of time to talk, and get to know each other better. I can honestly say that in the two weeks we spent together I don't believe either one of us ever got on each others nerves. We are all very blessed to have her in our lives. Once the boys would go to bed we would clean up a little, crack open a beer and watch a few episodes of nurse Jackie. It was always a nice way to relax after we got the boys down for bed. Sarah even took Jett a few nights so I could get some much-needed sleep.  Sarah also spent many mornings with Brody on the beach, while Jett and I rested a little longer.  

Overall, the trip was a success. Both boys behaved wonderfully most of the time, and Sarah and I had a great time getting to do things we don't get to do here at home. As my maternity leave approaches its end I wish I could start over and go back to Florida. We had such a carefree wonderful time making memories with Brody and new baby Jett. 

Pictures coming soon!