Last of Naples

Could I stretch this update out any further? Returning to sub 20 degree temperatures, can you blame a girl for relieving the vacation over and over each night?

We had such a fantastic trip down there - staying almost a full week, something I don't think we've ever done before. Hubby put on his out of office, also something I can't remember him doing in forever. He has been working so hard and traveling so much, it was really nice to see him relax a bit.

Seeing the kids with their grandparents is a joy you don't really understand until you have kids of your own. It's just so nice to see our parents love them so much.

Ben and grandpa Joe had a big breakfast together every morning, both waking up at the crack of dawn long before anyone else cares to. They drank fresh Florida OJ and Ben proceeded to then bounce off the walls for the next hour after main-lining all that sugar.

Juliet, born at the onset of one very cold winter, was able to go outside without 18 layers of clothing on and we actually saw her legs for the first time :)

Grandma Marsha and I took her on her first big trip to Waterside, the luxury mall in Naples.

We hit Randy's, our very favorite seafood restaurant. And my sis surprised us with an amazing date night at Tru Lucks, where we had delicious stone crab. Hubby got his fill of Skyline Chili (there aren't any within 6 hours of us up north), and Mama Mia's pizza.

I ran every day and managed to squeeze in a 10 miler in advance of our half marathon at the end of Feb.

Overall it was just the perfect visit with the grandparents, a great way to end my maternity leave, and allowed us a nice break from all this cold and snow.

Thanks to Joe and Marsha for putting up with all the ruckus immediately upon arriving down there yourselves. We loved every minute of it!

Packing Up the Crew

Preparing for a week away with two kids is seriously a job in and of itself, but alas I think we're there. Bags are packed, strollers, Bjorns, bottles, geez.

We've been hyping the trip to Ben all week. He is really excited, though I'm not sure he knows exactly for what.

Airplane entertainment is a top priority for hubby and me so we planned to bring a few of Ben's favorite books, toys, and of course the ipad.

So tonight hubby comes up after putting Ben down and says "OK, we decided on...Toby, Bertie, Thomas, Harold, Percy and the icecream truck."

Thinking about the two of them planning all the toys we'd bring melts my heart in a thousand ways. And the simple fact that Ben is allowed to bring five trains and a truck speaks volumes considering in the same breathe hubby warned me about going over the 50lb weight limit with our suitcase and started critiquing specific items I packed.

We've never had a full week in Naples and I am so excited I am sure I won't sleep tonight...

Family pics

I realized as I downloaded pics from this weekend, how horribly slow I've been lately at taking and sharing pictures. My apologizes. A few here for you to enjoy from our recent trip (late Feb) to Cleveland. Cousin Kelly, Aunt Cathy and of course Great Grandma S.

We're keeping up the prayers for Cathy, Bryan and the entire family who said goodbye to Hank recently. He will be missed.

The parents are making their way north from FL, the snow birds migrating home. My p's made it back this weekend, and the in-laws start their journey in a couple weeks. Another sign spring is here, with summer (hopefully) soon to follow.

Chihuly exhibit

Not sure I've ever mentioned before but I'm a huge fan of Chihuly...the glass artist. His work is amazing, the size and scale of which really needs to be experienced in person to appreciate it. I think my first introduction to him was in Vegas, he did the ceiling in the Bellagio.

When he did an installation at Garfield Park in Chicago a few years ago, I took my parents who happened to be in town at the same time. It was something I'll never forget.

The Naples Art Museum has a few permanent pieces that I've always meant to go see, but never made the time. But this month there was a show featuring countless more pieces. In fact, Chihuly himself was in town a couple weeks ago and my MIL went to hear him speak, said it was fascinating.

Anyway, we managed to squeeze in a trip while down there and I'm so glad we did. It was really amazing, many enormous bowl-in-bowl pieces (my name, surely not correct) that I love. Silver glasswork I've never seen before, his sea foam collection which I love, and many more pieces that I didn't care for but interesting to see none-the-less.

The permanent fixtures though, were by far the standouts. An enormous, elaborate orange 'chandelier,' a blue icile, and a shell ceiling. Photos aren't allowed, but I stile this one with my cell phone. Not great but gives you a small sense of how awesome it is.

Enjoy!

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.

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...

Happy to report produce (and hubby and me) made it safely home from Naples - six heirloom toms and four avocados the size of grapefruits. In fact I'm eating a tom/avocado sandwich right now as I type. YUM! There is nothing like fresh produce.

The whirlwind continues, I think for the next two weeks. I'm trying to take advantage of today as much as possible to regain stable ground. We arrived back from Naples Monday, I left for Miami on Wed, got home late last night. Final client visit before I pop. So nice to see all the peeps, it was a great trip.

And I have to tell you, it is pretty refreshing to see how wonderful people still are to the token pregnant lady. I ordinarily nod off chivalry as quickly as the next independant woman but the truth is as I get bigger, I need the help. Luggage into overheads. Seats on the tram. Doors held open for me. I'm here to tell you, nice people are still all over the place, eager to lend a hand.

Speaking of refreshing, have you noticed a spring in everyone's collective step? A lightness in the air? An overall positive feeling about us? Thanks to Obama's speech on Tuesday, I think the world is ready to put a little of that negative energy behind us and start looking forward with a new attitude. I certainly am. And it feels good to ditch the emotional baggage.

I'm all over the board today, are you still following me?

Pouring my last, big, delicious glass of fresh FL orange juice before packing up. The last of our sunny vacations is coming to a close and we're getting ready to head back to Chitown. Good news is it has warmed up to a balmy 14 degrees, 25 degrees warmer than when we left on Friday!

We've had the best time in Naples, though the trip seemed really short for some reason.

Yesterday was, as mom would say - a golden gram day. I found my first, ever full giant sanddollar on the beach while power walking. Later, at the pool, a manatee came swimming by in the harbor right by the in-laws condo. Closest I've ever seen one. He came back by several times throughout the afternoon. I also saw an osprey swoop down to catch a fish AND two dolphins visited the cove. Another rare occurance and the best animal extravaganza ever recorded for Naples!

We went to mass, something we've totally neglected at home. It is always so nice to get back and then I wonder why we don't make it a priority more often. Followed by brunch at one of my favorite spots and a long lazy day at the pool.

We had a fun dinner with all the gals (MIL, aunt MA, and the nuns) while the boys stayed home and watched football.

Off to pack a dozen tomatoes, four of the largest avocados you've ever seen and perhaps a few oranges into my luggage without revealing to hubby, who has to hoist it all into the overhead :)

Hope you've got the day off and are enjoying.