At some point over the weekend in Atlanta, Joey figured out (or was told) what really happens at the beginning of Finding Nemo. Now when he watches, he’ll turn to us and say “Eat the babies” in a distressed voice and pout out his lower lip.
We went on a Manatee sight-seeing boat tour this morning with Captain Rick Varnes. We took off from the marina at Port of the Islands resort in a small pontoon-like boat. There were 5 of us so there was plenty of space available to walk around and see out the sides. We saw several very large manatees in the waters. They stick their noses up, blow some air and then either dive or hover their bodies just below the surface.
After watching the manatees around us, we moved down the channel and found 2 or 3 dolphins hunting for fish. They throw the little fish in the air and then catch them - just like at the zoo show! They were all so close to the boat - Joey thought they were so cool.
Waiting in the next little inlet we went into was an alligator. Yes, we actually saw an alligator “in the wild.” He was just resting near the bank trying to catch some warmth.
Capt. Rick let Joey drive the boat on the way back. I thought the Captain would help but he just stood behind him and started drinking his coffee. So, Joey just kept turning the wheel and got us turned directly toward the bank (I was freaking out a little). The captain slowed the throttle, put it in reverse, got it straightened out again and did the same thing. Just stood back and let Joey turn whichever way he wanted to. Joe finally started helping a little and then as we got further in, let the captain back into his chair. Quite the winding path back to the dock! But again, Joey had a blast! Joey fell asleep in the car on the way back and took a 2 1/2 hour nap.
We got out for another walk down the beach. We stopped at the bar Stilts and got a couple of drinks to enjoy on our walk back. Joey needed something too so we got him a slushy from the beach vendor. Apparently they have not sold any in the last few days since it’s been pretty cold so as we were leaving, the guy turned to his partner and chanted “I sold a slushy” - quite proud of himself.
Joey is chowing on a hotdog and a bagel while watching Nemo. He is quite content.
We saw 4 dolphins this morning swimming about 20 feet off the pier in front of the dock below our patio.
Very relaxing day today. I was a little more tired than usual so I got a nap at 10:30 and Joe took Joey with him to run around. They went to the post office, the UPS store and somewhere else.
We’ve rented a wagon for the remainder of our stay and Joey is so tickled about it. We took a walk out to South Marco Beach and then down the block a way. Riding in the wagon is apparently a lot of fun.
One more evening trip to the Mackle park and then back to relax on the patio.
It was warmer today - we all got out in shorts. (It’s been unseasonably cool the last couple of days so everyone is running around in pants and coats. Although that did not stop people from laying out on the beach!) Some guys came and fixed the middle storm shutter on the patio this morning and it opens all the way across now - what a beautiful view! I didn’t think that one panel would make a difference but I was wrong.
We went out to Tigertail Beach today. It’s one of the two publlic beaches here on Marco Island. Although you have to pay a parking fee of $8 (and there is no other place to park), it is worth it. They have playground equipment for kids from 2 - 12, a cafe that is open from 8 am - 4 pm, a butterfly garden, an information station with pictures of plants and other wildlife, restrooms, groomed beach area, rental boats (kayaks, bike water bikes (img soon), peddal boats), and beach cabanas.
The first time out there, Joey was not too sure about the playground or walking on the beach but the second time, he was all over. We think it’s the shoes. The first time he wore his sandals, the second time he was in his tennis shoes. Also, the second time there were kids there his own age and a little older that he could run around with and talk to. His new experience (and new word) was the see-saw. They actually have one there and it’s a pretty safe set-up. It does not let either end go all the way to the ground so the kids can’t jump off and bash their companion’s rear end on the ground.
Joey has gotten pretty independent about going out on the patio. I’m so thankful that it is screened from top to bottom with a railing as well. It’s really safe for him. He took his movie player out and put it on the table out there, then road the little airplane toy around, in and out from the bedroom to the patio to the living room and back. He was quite the busy little man and content entertaining himself.
Bright and early morning. We can almost see the sunrise from the patio as well - it’s just off to the very edge of the left side view. Still very pretty. I love how the ocean looks in the morning as it turns from black to silver to blue. Joe did see some dolphins swimming by this morning.
Blueberry pancakes today - yummy!
Then we did some more shopping for stuff we missed yesterday. On the way back we found the Frank E. Mackle Community Park. It’s a huge park with soccer fields, track, basketball courts (one for younger people and one for older people), shuffle board, bocce ball, and two “Tot’s Cove” playgrounds. One is geared for 2 - 5 year olds and the other has more advanced gear for 5 - 12 year olds. Joey had a really good time.
Although we wore him out, he still did not nap until 2:00. Then we let him sleep until 4:30 - big mistake. Even after another trip to the park, he decided it would be a great idea to stay awake until 11:00 pm. His bed is the chaise lounge in the master bedroom with us. He was thrashing around a lot, then he got up, put his blanket over his eyes (like that would mean we couldn’t see him) and tried to walk out the door to the living room.
The second time we decided to see what he thought he needed to do so we let him go, then followed in about 5 minutes. He was in the other bedroom (which we’ve designated as the diaper changing room) with his monkey on the towel where we change him. So Joe brought him and the monkey back and put a diaper on both of them. Joey laughed and thought that was the funniest thing.
We all had a good, much needed, sleep-in morning - didn’t get up until 8:30 (ok, Joe was up earlier but Joey and I slept in). Today was pretty warm outside. We made a good grocery shopping trip, did some exploring in the car, then came back to take a walk out to South Marco Beach.
The sand has a lot of crushed shell in it but it is very white. There were quite a few people out on the beach today. Joey got really tired of walking so Joe had to carry him all the way for the 4 blocks back to the condo. He went to sleep at 2:30 for his nap and we had a tough time waking him up at 4:30 but he finally came out of it.
While Joey slept, Joe went out to the whirlpool for awhile and chatted with some of the other folks in the building. Then he and I sat on the patio with a cheese & meat tray, some champagne and strawberries and watched the boats go by. It was a very relaxing afternoon. This evening, Joe cooked a wonderful marinated chicken with sweet potato fries and sweet corn. I think we are just relaxing here with a movie for the rest of the evening. Now this is what recovery is all about.
We left Atlanta this morning - the flight was delayed by for 1/2 hour due to the incoming plane not being there. There were a number of cancellations due to the snow the day before and that was messing with the schedules for today. At any rate, we got in to Ft. Myers at about 3 pm, got the car (not a pleasant sales lady at Budget), and headed out to Marco Island. It was a nice drive.
We’ve rented a condo in the Dela Park resort/association at the very southern-most point of Marco Island. This place is fantastic! Joe did a lot of research and inquiries to find something and he did a great job! It is a two bedroom, two bathroom place with a screened-in patio that looks out on the Gulf of Mexico. Here is a map link. It has a full kitchen, walk-in closet, washer/dryer in the unit and a huge master bathroom with a very large tub and separate shower. I think best of all, they have a children’s stool, potty chair, bedrails, etc.
So after picking up a few essentials (diapers, milk, cereal, champagne) we went out to eat at the “Famous Fish, Seafood and BBQ” for a special valentine’s day meal. The food was great but I still have an issue paying $3.25 for one glass of chocolate milk when I can get a whole gallon for the same price!
Wow - the sunset was beautiful. We watched from the patio as the sky turned color and the water turned silver. Looking forward to the rest of the week!
We got in to Atlanta on Thursday to visit with Lee and Davis. Missy drove in from North Carolina with Bryan and Sadie on Thursday evening.
The first thing Joey did (after greeting everyone and getting his bearings) was to sit down at the piano and start playing. He sang the ABC song for Lee and Davis - they were quite impressed. Later he also accompanied himself while singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider. He likes to play all of the keys - from the very bottom to the very top. Interestingly enough, he typically ended his songs at the very bottom key or at the very top key.
Lee and Davis made a wonderful roast the first night and a walnut, feta cheese dip that was really good - I’ll be making that for our next get-together with friends. They always make such tasty food. Apparently a lot of their recipes originated with Miss Nancy, Davis’s mom. She is a fantastic lady - elegant, southern beauty. We went to her house for dinner on Saturday. She was very impressed with Joey’s table manners, his overall manners and he was pretty taken with her as well.
On Friday we went to an area public elementary school to watch Lee perform his “The Big Bad, Little Red, Pig Show” - it’s a combination of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. We all enjoyed it. Joey was mesmerized.
That afternoon, the snow started. Can you believe SNOW in HOT-lanta???? It was insane. We had big plans to go to the Imaginarium the next day but apparently a little bit of snow shuts Atlanta down. So, we stayed in and enjoyed each other’s company Saturday until most of it melted and we were able to go to Miss Nancy’s for dinner.
Sunday - leaving for Marco Island, Florida!
Yep, today we measured him and he is 35 1/2″ tall weighing in at a healthy 28 lbs with a bf 9% jk, we just know he’s healthy..
Well we made it through the night without a pacifier. Yep it just sort of happened 1st it was a nap without one, last night was the 1st night without it, he did his normal routine but without the pacifier. Got up at 4:30 and climbed into bed with mom and dad to sleep til 7:30 and on top of all that, he never asked for it.