Family Vacay: Day Seven

Well boys, today was our last day of vacation and we planned on squeezing in as much as possible. Again, I was up by 5:30 and enjoyed a 45 minute walk along the beach, not a soul in sight - just me and wildlife. 

 

After that, it was time to begin the pack up process (which went more smoothly than I anticipated). Once all the cousins were awake, we headed outside to paint seashells to decorate picture frames. 

Most of the guys went deep sea fishing for the morning / early afternoon, so most of our crowd went to the pool today since they didn't have their husbands to help keep an eye on the kiddos. Being our last day, the four of us headed to the beach for a bit. Daddy buried your both from the waist down, which was a great way to keep tabs on you! You both stayed buried for a solid twenty minutes playing in the sand around you. 

 

 

After an hour and a half, it was off to the pool for a final swim. Wiley, our daredevil, you couldn't get enough of Daddy throwing you into the air. And Ryan, you really got the treading water down and gained even more confidence today. 

  

After another hour / hour and a half later at the pool, and it was back to the "orange beach house" (as you called it all week). We loaded up the car and an hour later, we were on the road. 

You boys traveled so well! We weren't in the car 2 minutes (truly!) and you were both asleep - your first nap since last Saturday! After a two / two and a half hour nap, Daddy joined you in the back, keeping you happily occupied for another hour. After filling up the car, we turned your carseats forward facing again so you could watch a movie. At one point, you were cracking us up. Ryan, you kept hiding under your blanket - either done watching the movie or trying to fall asleep. Meanwhile, Wiley, you were having a nonstop conversation with yourself, hands going like crazy. Before we knew it, it was bedtime and you were happily sleeping again. 

 

 

As we pulled into our neighborhood, Ryan you woke up and saw our neighborhood sign. With a big, sleepy smile you whispered, "There it is, Curran Home!" Amen. There it was - we had survived our first true vacation and were home safely. 

Going into this trip, I had prepared for the worst - doubting you'd sleep, thinking you'd be exhausted and grumpy, and that we wouldn't be able to enjoy ourselves. Now that it's over, I'm so grateful we went. True, you never napped and were uncharacteristically grumpy and fussy. True, we were all sick. But I feel when we look back on this trip, those aren't the things we'll remember. 

We will remember you stepping onto the beach for the very first time, whispering, "Wow," in complete, sincere awe.

We will remember you bravely jumping into the waves, shouting, "I did it!!" impressed with your own bravery. 

We will remember you digging in the sand, trying to build sandcastles, and asking for, "more Nemo tail," when you wanted to be buried in the sand again. 

We will remember you feeding the animals like you had done it all your life, smiling with each bite. 

We will remember you counting, "1,2;3,4,5,6,7, jump!" and jumping into the deep end. 

We will remember you swimming in your life jackets for the first time without someone holding on to you. 

We will remember the sounds of giggling cousins, all playing and getting along so well.

But most importantly, we will remember a week spent with family. A week full of love and laughter. A week full of memories to last the rest of our lives. 

Family Vacay: Day Six

Shew wee. Exhaustion has set in and the whining / meltdowns have reached an all new low. Patience are wearing thin. 

Last night, as we headed to bed, Wiley you cried and said, "No more special bed. Home nap." Ryan you "amen-ed" his statement, also wanting to go home. Daddy and I slept horribly, getting maybe 3 hours of total sleep. We knew we were in for a long, rough day!

We were exhausted and just didn't have the patience this morning, causing you all to be grumpy too. Thank goodness for water bottles and imaginations as you two built a long chop-choo train...it bought us 15 minutes of quiet, happy peace.

 

From there it was off to the beach where the whining and meltdowns continued (lack of pictures = exhaustion + grumpy babies). We didn't last long and soon moved to the pool, hoping your moods would brighten (they did!). You love the pool here and are jumping in and swimming on your own (with life jackets) like crazy!

Again, naps were a flop, so it was family cuddling and a movie in bed. We enjoyed dinner at home and ended the evening with family pictures on the beach. 

All in all, a better day than I anticipated based on lack of sleep. Despite the colds, meltdowns, and whining its been a great week of making memories with your family. 

 

 

Family Vacay: Day Five

Well, you boys slept through the night again (thank you, Lord!), but it was a long night for your sick parents. It was known yesterday, but definitely confirmed this morning: we are all officially sick with colds. I'm so bummed! But, we are toughing it out and trying to make the most of our experience. 

The day began yet again, bright and early for Mommy and Daddy (5:30 AM every morning!). I was able to enjoy a quiet 30 minute walk on the beach (not a soul in sight!) and then Daddy was off for a jog with Aunt Callie.

Today was our (hot) trip to the zoo. It was a nice break from our new routine and a fun little, interactive zoo. I was shocked at how much you both loved feeding the animals (especially you Ryan, since you're usually more timid with animals). I guess it's time I bite the bullet and take you guys into the petting zoo at our own zoo.

 

 

From the zoo, we had a nice lunch at The Hangout, where we had a beautiful view of the ocean and a great breeze. You were able to catch a short, but much needed snooze on the drive home.

 

We hoped you would stay asleep once home, but you both woke, fighting to go back down. So, instead of sitting around dealing with screaming babies, we headed back to the pool. You all were even braver today - jumping and even swimming with life vests without us holding on to you!

 

 

 

Two years ago today, when you were 7 months old, Daddy and I went on our first date since you had been born (and even longer than that since I had been on bedrest for so long). Coincidentally, today was each couple's date night in the house! It was such a wonderful night for us - dinner, ice cream, and then a family walk on the beach at sunset. It was so wonderful to reconnect with your Daddy, reflect on our marriage and family, and enjoy some time focused solely on each other. We both love how our lives are so full with you boys. However, we also realize the importance of focusing on each other too and keeping our bond strong. We may not go outside of the house on dates often, but I feel our relationship and marriage just keeps getting stronger. I am so thankful for your Daddy - the way he parents you boys, the way he takes care of me, and the general friendship and connection we have. I pray you both one day find partners who make your lives as full as your Daddy makes mine. I pray you find someone who puts God first, knowing that He is the one that will guide your lives. Part of our discussion tonight was guessing what we thought you might grow up to be and where your lives may take you. I pray that you let God guide you as well and follow what He has in store for you. We both look forward to all that the future has for our family. 

Tonight was a beautiful evening for your Daddy and I, and for some quiet time for all four of us on the beach. I'm so thankful that Nenny, Papa Donnie, Boo, Pappy, and Carl all gave up a night to watch the little ones. Tonight was rejuvenating for us. 

Family Vacay: Day Four

I anxiously awaited you waking up this morning, Ryan. Praying and believing we'd have a miracle. And while you woke up with a runny nose and lack of appetite still, you're disposition was much better and seemed more like yourself. Wiley, we let Ryan take it easy this morning, snuggled on the couch, while we went for another walk, searching for seashells. 

After a huge breakfast, thanks to Pappy and Carl, it was off to the beach and pool for another full day. Ryan, you were much happier on the beach today - and much braver too! You were jumping in and sitting down in the waves, allowing them to crash into your stomach and sometimes chest. Our tent, is set up right next to a turtle nest. You both know baby turtles are sleeping under the sand in their eggs, so you can't walk over there. Wiley, you found your plastic turtle and began burying him right next to the nest. Looking up and smiling, you said, "baby turtles nap!"

 

Unfortunately, just like yesterday, you fought your naps again. After more than an hour of in and out, tears, and "no naps!" we called it quits with you, Wiley. Thanks to a Daddy's magic touch, Ryan, you fell asleep and got a much needed, long nap. Wiley, you were melting down left and right - nothing we did was right. You kept running to your bedroom door, "Me share nap, Ry-Ry," opening the door and trying to hop into bed with Ryan (at this point, it was obvious all 4 of us had colds and Wiley you were simply grumpy because of it, lack of sleep, and just the change in your daily routine).

After dinner, we went back to the pool for a quick swim with all the cousins. You were both so brave, jumping in and going under without any reservations (maybe even too brave - jumping whenever you wanted / without making sure Daddy was ready).

It was another full day - if only we could cut out the 2:00 to 6:00 hours, things would be going pretty smoothly. 

 

Family Vacay: Day Three

I could quickly get used to my new morning routine - reading on the patio, with a beautiful beach view. Today, you boys woke much earlier than yesterday, so we took a family walk on the beach.

Not long after, it was down to the beach for the day - more sandcastles, buried babies, and playing in the waves. Sunday morning, you woke with a runny nose Ryan, and I knew a cold was coming on. Today, it had worsened. Our beach trip was cut short due to grumpiness and sick babies. We headed back to the house, but naptime wasn't happening either. You were just too sick and grumpy. 

 

Tonight, we were all headed to Lulu's for dinner - a fun atmosphere with sand, live music, rope courses, and more. Unfortunately, it was probably the worst experience we've ever had at a restaurant with kids. No naps + sick + out of our typical routine clearly is a recipe for disaster. We were so looking forward to this night, so it was a bummer to have had such a challenging (to say the least) evening.

We bolted as soon as possible and came home to an empty house. We unwinded by watching The Lion King, eating Popsicles and ice cream, a bath, and having Paka pray for us over FaceTime. Bedtime was a challenge tonight too, as you both fought falling asleep, but eventually gave in to the exhaustion. 

I so pray for a healing this evening. I pray that you can sleep through the night and wake up healed and ready to enjoy the rest of the week with our family.  

Family Vacay: Day Two

Our first full day in the beach house, began bright and early for me, reading on the patio and listening to the sounds of the waves. Perfection. 

Once you woke up, we had a few quiet minutes with Daddy to open Father's Day gifts and say thanks for all he does for us. 

We had some morning thunderstorms, but they quickly moved out and it was down to the beach. We had a great first day playing in the water and building sand castles. On our way back to the house for naps, the ice cream truck came by. I was instantly 6 years old again, living in south Florida - we had to get some! Our blue, sticky faces had to march back to the outdoor showers to clean up yet again.

The rest of the evening was spent hanging out at the house and unwinding. It was a fabulous first true day of vacation.