Florida 2016

My children are young and not in mandatory school.  I don't have a job.  I try to take advantage of this unique situation whenever I can.  I know it's quickly coming to an end. Sometimes this means last minute trips to Florida to visit my parents because airfare is cheap.

Graham braved his first plane ride chaperoned by Gracie.

He was a dream baby on both flights.  I should really take this opportunity to point out he is a dream baby in general.  By far my easiest, most mellow kid.  And not just because I have let all standards go out the window.  Because well that too. 

In the above photo he almost fell under the seat. Can't you just see the fear in his eyes?  I have many photos where I feel he is pleading at me saying- "please, please don't leave me with her again". Two year olds named Gracie aren't the best babysitters.  

Speaking of, she is still a terrible traveler.  Let's not even talk about that situation. It's too brutal and will remind me never to leave my house again.  

We hit the weather perfectly and enjoyed lots of time at the beach.  Gracie wanted to stay there all day and Graham didn't care one way or another.  The boy is chill.

Wewe, Gracie and Papa enjoy an evening beach stroll.  Photo taken from the balcony of their condo.

Playing at the beach is hard work.  See no crib, laying on his side.  Standards gone.

Graham experiences the ocean for the first time.  Not sure he noticed.

Dad wearing an orange hat and checking out the waves

Thank goodness Papa puts on sunscreen

I tried to get a photo of Graham alone.  Not happening

In and out of the waves

Just so you don't think Graham is too chill, here he is modeling his smiles.

We also had the opportunity to visit great grandma Barbara and great aunt Kathy in Boynton Beach.  We sang songs and checked out their new condo.  I love that we have the chance to spend time with them too when we visit my parents.  Gracie in particular loved singing her musical canon (twinkle little star, you are my sunshine, we wish you a merry Christmas, jingle bells, wheels on the bus) with better back up singers than her mother. 

this dress, a gift from my aunt Martha was a big hit.  She wanted to wear it everyday.  Maybe because all her other dresses had Peter Pan collars

Mostly when I think of this trip, I will think of Gracie.  Loving the beach and yelling. At all of us.

I must have done something terrible, like asking her if she wants a snack

We flew home and spent the night in a hotel at DTW airport waiting to pick up Fisher the next morning.  It had been a long, trying travel day.  I went to the bathroom leaving Graham with his most feared babysitter.  While brushing my teeth I heard an unfamiliar sound- Graham laughing!  Like laughing a lot. For  the first time.  Maybe Gracie isn't feared but actually the favorite?!  It's hard to decipher baby smirks and two year old motivation.

Fisher traveled to the same beach and condo complex when he was exactly the same age.  You can find my post about that trip here.  Notice all the posed, non cell phone camera pictures.  Sorry Graham I will do better!  I had fun comparing the two trips, and hope you will too.

4 Months

At four months Graham has left the teen percentiles and moved firmly into more mid range territory.

Hopefully he will never be too big for doctor office selfies with mom.

What me too skinny?  Look at my rolls!

A jumper only a first time mom would buy.  this thing is huge.  Thankfully Graham actually loves it, which is more than I can say for the other two kids.

My dark haired, blue eyed boy, styled by Aunt Alison Lardo

Guess Who's Back!

Fisher is back!  By all accounts his trip was a great success, but we were mighty happy to have him home.  Gracie especially.  She wouldn't let go of his hand.  She wanted to hear about his plane ride, he was excited she learned to use the potty.  Gross.