Ben and His Dad

I think I have two more picture posts from Naples. There are really a lot of cute shots, and I know everyone likes the photos so we'll just keep them coming.

Truth be told, my hubby really hates the beach. When we were dating he took me there a lot, in retrospect probably because he knows I loved it. But once married, he gave up the charade and stopped coming down with me but for a sunset or two. The only one able to get his feet back in the sand is little Ben of course.

A couple pictures from our trips to the ocean. And one from the pool. Heated to a balmy 80 degrees, they went swimming almost every night even though it was pretty brisk out. Ben loves blowing bubbles with his dad and did a really great job flapping around in the water...

Naples, part 2

Great visit this week in FL, filled with family, great food and warm weather.

Ben slowly learned to love the sand, beach, pool and ocean - more with each experience. Most of all he loves chasing the birds. The beach is especially fun b/c the seagulls are about the same size as his and waddle along as he approaches before taking flight.

We took him over to Tiger Tail in Marco Island where he really enjoyed going in the water (a first given the death grip he usually latches on to my neck with). In fact, he even picked up a few of his own shells, which delighted Grandma Es to no end.

I ran every day and managed to finish nearly two books - both extremely rare occurrences of late, so wonderful for me as well. And hubby and I squeezed in a date night before he headed out (a bit early to get back to work).

Enjoy the pictures, my favorite to follow shortly.

Home safe and sound

Asleep at last...little guy has a serious Naples hangover and it took him an hour to fall asleep in his crib this afternoon. After having no real naps to speak of today, he was so over tired.

Our first family trip, and a wonderful one at that. It really went remarkably smoothly given all that goes into getting Ben on the road. Man, there is so much STUFF! But the long weekend provided a much needed vacation for all and a perfect visit with the grandparents.

A little Ben loves from sunny Florida...

birds, oh the birds. we wave at them, squeal at them, smile and laugh,
walking with grandma Marsha,
eating breakfast every morning with grandpa Joe (and ice cream for the first time! - not for bfast though),
wind in our hair, even when on the beach,
fish from the safe distance of the pier,
walking, more walking and more walking,
his new tractor from dad,
the farmers market, even though he was half asleep,
Mary Ann, Jennifer and Mary Ellen,
waving, waving, waving,
SWIMMING in the pool (even though the water was freezing!),
sleeping in the closet,
and getting more attention than one kid knows what to do with.

Hubby and I were able to steal a date night at Campiello's - a fantastic, much needed evening out alone. It was glorious on a million levels. I ran every day, a treat for me. We ate fresh fish, had too many cocktails, and it was all wrapped up in a warm blanket of sunshine.

I am counting the days until we return again in March. Double the fun with BOTH sets of grandparents, Ben's b-day, my sis, I can hardly wait!

Naples Getaway...

Ben enjoying his first Skyline Chili lunch (one of his dad's all-time favorites), and his first trip to the beach.

He did NOT like the sand, or the beach, but he and I have returned each morning and he is slowly warming to the idea. Today it was really, really windy. We sat in the sand and watched the birds trying to fly against the wind. He laughed b/c he thinks the wind is funny and he loves birds. He waves and waves at them (his backwards wave). And he wore shoes today so he didn't squirm as much when I put his feet in the sand. He took a few steps and didn't lunge back into my arms like previous days. Overall pretty successful.

It's raining now, Ben is napping. Hoping things clear up so we can hit the pool later today.

I've run each day, which has been wonderful. And relaxed by the pool during Ben's afternoon nap. I've caught up on my magazines, played with the new phone a bit. Overall, it has been a great getaway. And the weather is warmer than we've ever had in January - a treat.

Uploading is really slow for some reason but I've got a couple more coming...