So much to do, so little time

Growing up, the annual family vacation was to the same place....Every.Single.Year.  Sunset beach, North Carolina wasn't always the only trip of the year, but it was a given.  Some people might believe such repitiveness to be monotonous, but when polled, every member of the family would rather return to the "Beach Nut" (as was termed our long-time beach rental) than any other "paradise" destination.  I never gave much thought as to why each of us felt that way until our most recent trip to Florida.  While North Carolina conjures up thoughts of relaxation, laying out, bike rides, reading, various beach sports, and nightly cookouts followed by moonlight walks on the beach, our voyage to Florida was much too ambitious travel-wise.  We didn't stop "going" the whole time....which made for an exhausting trip for Trent and I, but the little guy LOVED it.  Like a butterfly emerging from his cocoon, each outdoor activity revealed a different facet of his personality....
For example, the aquarium showed us his inquisitive nature (once he was awake)

The pool confirmed his love for the water (this one we knew because of his perpetual bathtime happiness)...

His stroller-time outdoor walks had him "talking" and laughing like never before.

And finally, his love for girls (especially of the dark haired variety) sparked in his eyes around my college roommate Tif.

But in all honesty, this was one of those live and learn type vacations (let's keep track of miles driven just for kicks).  After arriving at the resort on Monday, we enjoyed the rest of the day, only to whisk Gabriel from Orlando to Tampa on Tuesday, where my sister Alicia met us with Luci and Levi to enjoy the Florida Aquarium after a lunch at Louis Pappas (my favorite greek place in the city)......85 miles.  The kids (especially Luci) loved the "jungle" (as she calls it) but I think the three adults would have had a great time all on our own.  We all found ourselves being pulled through the exhibits too quickly, and we could have stayed much longer if the kids didn't need to eat and nap (oh the sacrifices...).

 Later that Valentine's evening, we met our parents arriving from Indianapolis at Champps for dinner, where we proceeded to wipe the floor with the rest of the patrons at Valentine's Day trivia.  Although we had to leave at "halftime" we were leading the pack, with the closest competitor ten points behind.  Not that the MacIntyre's are competitive (and we barely cheated by using our phones to look up answers!)

That night we drove back to Orlando (85 miles; total 170) and the resort had delivered Champagne to the room for Valentine's Day....although it wasn't the most romantic day overall, we ended it with a toast after we finally got Gabriel to wind down and go to bed.

The next day we had to sit in on an insufferable "tour" that is just a sales ploy in disguise, and not a very good one.  For four hours, we sat and listened to the salesman regale us with the clearly superior aspects of the program, all the while telling him that it came down to the money.  Yes, we like vacationing.  Yes, we would love to go to Italy in 5 years.  That doesn't change the fact that WE CAN"T AFFORD IT.  After three different salespeople came by and "sweetened the deal" each time, we honestly wanted to buy it, but refuse to be slaves to credit any more than we have to.  If we heard, "It's only $..... per month" one more time!  Amazingly enough, they just didn't understand - we made enough money, we were "approved"....why not just pay monthly?  Our society just doesn't get it....this is why we are in debt as a society, as a country, as everyday people.  Instant gratification is the problem.  Gone are the days of "saving up" to buy anything.  In the USA, we buy first, pay later....big problem.  And at the risk of sounding like Dave Ramsey, this process more than any other made me want to eradicate what debt I have and live by the principals of save first and pay in full.  Our salesguy was pretty ticked though....more than 5 times he asked if he could "shake the hands of our newest owners".  Blah.  Not a fan of petty sales tactics either, dude.

Since Gabriel was a trouper through that meeting (I swear, the one time you want your kid to be fussy he just sits there and smiles and coo's the whole time) we took him to the pool afterward, where he swam for the first time (with an entire tube of sunscreen on....).  He was a hit with the fellow sun lovers, and we had a great time watching him kick......

So, we've made it to Wednesday night, when the agenda included packing for the next leg of our journey....Sanibel (Ft. Myers) which we would leave for at 5am the next morning in order to make the beginning of my meeting on time.  Amazingly, Gabriel either slept or played with Jerry, his Giraffe almost the whole trip (178 miles; total 348).  Right around the three hour mark of the voyage, Gabriel hits his wall and needs to be at the destination, or out of the car seat.  Needless to say, when we were approaching the Sanibel resort, he wasn't in the best of moods but check in wasn't technically until 6 hours later.....So I took him in to play the sympathy card in hopes of special treatment from the front desk staff, and boy did we get it!  The 20-something "dude" set us up with a free! upgrade since it was the only room available - a one room suite that everyone was instantly jealous of, but that we put to good use with all of Gabriel's "stuff".  Just a side note here....you wouldn't BELIEVE how much ancillary junk is necessary for an eight month old, high maintenance baby.  Clothes (warm and cold, day and night, etc etc), seats (stroller seat, car seat, boppy, playpen), medical equipment (g tube syringes, medicines, extension tubing, food, cooler), diaper bags (obviously).....throw up rags and blankets (this seems unnecessary, but honestly is NOT), toys, books, etc. I wish I took a picture so I could remember how ridiculous we looked.

So, the rest of the trip was spent going back and forth from the meeting venue to the pool to my sisters house in Ft. Myers.  One night we had "girls night" and saw The Vow while the men watched the kids, and the following night, Trent, Gabriel and I trekked up to Bradenton to see my grandparents so they could meet Gabriel for the first time (111 miles each way; total 570).  Although it was a long trip for a Friday night, it was well worth it.  Gabriel smiled at his great-grandparents, and at one point Grandma remarked, "You guys sure have your hands full".  Granted, she was watching a feeding, which always solicits the rubbernecking phenomenon...morbid curiosity.  It is wierd to watch, but you just can't not watch.  We told her what we tell everyone....you get used to it and he's worth it.  It was great to see them both, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I was able to get to know them so well all those years ago....and there was homemade tapioca for dessert!

The final full day in Florida found us having lunch with two of my three best college friends and longtime roomates.  Although we missed KWall, who originally set up this mini reunion, it was great to see Tif and Jenny (and her 18 month old Aubrey) and learn about what their lives are like nearly ten years after graduation.  Life sure is different....the kids basically decide when we eat, when we are "allowed" to talk, and when we are done....but the same chemistry that brought us together as roomates all those years ago allowed us to happily reminisce as adults.

You know the part in every trip when you realize the best parts are behind you?  After lunch was just about that time for me.  I shifted into "get home" mode, and a little depression set in.  We didn't get to see many of my friends or Nana Shari (our primary NICU nurse)....there just wasn't enough time.  That evening, we drove the two hours to Tampa (126 miles; total 696) to stay in a hotel closer to the aiport so we only had to get up at 4am instead of 2am!  Once again.....terrible choices that I made when purchasing air travel (lesson learned).  I was happy the following day when we got to Orlando (85 miles; total 781) and the car rental really was only $112 for the whole week!  It might have been a ghetto company, but we got a good car for 6 days and drove nearly 800 miles...I call that a win!

The rest of the trip home was boring and business as usual.  Except....the airline broke the stroller.  Epic fail. Our stroller is an Uppababy Vista.....VERY expensive, but allows the baby to recline in 4 different positions, one that is perfect for Gabriel's feedings.  Now broken...but since Gabriel was asleep in Trent's arms, we didnt realize it until we were at home.  I read Southwest's policy on damage, and it turns out that it must be reported AT THE AIRPORT no later than 4 hours after arrival.  To say the least, Trent was NOT HAPPY to have to go back to the airport to get a written report, but he did it because he is such a *great husband*  To follow up, I have written a very tactful, not-angry letter to request reimbursement for the replacable parts.  Updates pending.

Lessons from this vacation. 
1.  If vacationing with an infant, go to ONE PLACE and stay there.  Make other people come to you.
2.  Don't agree to a sales-pitch meeting....ever.  It's not worth whatever they are giving you in return (I'm sure I will break this rule for a "super-sweet" deal sometime in the future.
3.  Bring less stuff. 
4.  Schedule time for relaxation. 
5.  If you want to do #4 - don't bring a baby!

Live and Learn!