Dear Shep,

We did it! We took a beach trip on 48 hours’ notice and managed to pack everything we needed and then some. Mommy worked herself to death over the last few weeks and your sweet Honey came to the rescue with a beautiful condo in Sandestin at Baytowne Wharf. We stayed from Thursday through Sunday morning and had some of the most fun we’ve had in months! I was happy to see that you’re going to be a great vacation buddy just like your Daddy is!

The ride down was wonderful. You took two good naps and even managed to behave in a high chair at a local vegetable restaurant in Luverne, Alabama. You only cried for a bit before your second nap and after arriving we realized that (just like your first trip to the beach) you had managed to have a lovely blowout (do you save these for vacations?) probably moments after your last diaper change. Poor buddy, no wonder you were a fuss bucket!

We spent our days at the pool where you treated the giant kiddy pool like your very own bathtub and pranced around the pool deck throwing one of your balls, then walking a bit too fast for our comfort to fetch it and start again. You slept like a champ in the pack n play, but Daddy and I caved and took turns letting you hash out your naps right in our arms. I walked in on the last day to see you sprawled out on your Daddy’s chest and was amazed that his booming snoring wasn’t waking you each time he belted out a snort between the rhythm of his breathing.

I always try and keep your posts positive, but it’s necessary that I share with you that we are now in high chair/mealtime damage control mode at home. After you were so fussy in the high chair at a restaurant that the family next to us picked up their meal and moved inside, we got our food to go and let you eat in a picnic setting at the open lawn by our condo and do what you wanted. You of course were in a terrific mood once we moved there. A terrible, $70 meal to go and a breakfast the next day where Daddy and I took turns walking you around while the other ate sealed the deal. You my friend are in training. We started yesterday and are determined to have you learn the hard truth that restaurant’s cook the food after we order, and we all have to wait on it to arrive. Not only that, but we don’t throw the food off of our plates and say “ooohhhhhhhhhhh” as if we are shocked that what we threw is now on the floor. You get the point right?

All in all, best trip ever! I can’t wait to return to Alys beach this August and spend time not only at the pool, but in the sand as well. I’m so proud of you and thankful to have such a fun travel buddy by my side.

Mommy Xx