First, thank you for your beautiful comments on my six week postpartum post. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading each and every one of them.
Second, Instead of a weekend recap, how about a past two weeks in Florida recap? I took hundreds of photos while I was visiting but I’ve narrowed it down to the ones that I think best show what our trip was all about…family and a whole lot of downtime.
I think I only left my parents condo development four or five times in the time I was there. A couple of grocery store trips, a Target run and a visit to Barnes and Noble. While you guys know that I’ve found sitting and stillness hard in Charlotte, it was so much easier to do when I had my grandmother right there with me.
I also put away the hair dryer and my makeup bag and fully embraced my natural curls and a bare face for two weeks.
It was a huge blessing to have the opportunity to spend this time with my family and I made memories with my grandmother and Finn that stay with me forever.
Best ever.
The weather was wonderful but hot.
That didn’t keep us from enjoying beach days. Finn was an excellent beach napper.
It will be so much fun when he’s bigger and we can play in the sand and water!
My dad was unable to come to Charlotte for Finn’s birth so this trip was his first time meeting Finn. (And can we take a moment to appreciate that hair!?)
I took no fewer than 20 photos of Finn every day.
How can I not? This face?
I got in a few solo beach trips while Finn napped. I loved the energy of having all of the families around on summer vacation and it reminded me of all the summers we spent on this beach growing up.
In the evenings I either went for a walk or sat on the balcony with my grandmother until 8:30 or 9 p.m. and then we would come in and watch shows like House Hunters.
I love sunsets at the beach.
We also spent our mornings on the balcony and my grandmother was great at entertaining Finn.
Don’t let this photo fool you…he spit up ALL OVER my dress about 2 minutes after taking it.
Counting down the moments until our next visit.
Thanks for all of your love and for sticking with me on this new journey in life.
xoxo,
Jen
Thank you for sharing your lovely travel photos and journey. You look great and the photos of Finn with his grandfather and your grandmother are wonderful. You’re doing great!
I love the pictures of Finn & your grandmother together! It reminds me of when my (now 16 year old) was a baby and we would spend days together with my grandmother. I remember those times fondly & miss her dearly.
so many beautiful memories and photos! I am so grateful for family to surround both me and my son with love and support ❤️
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories.
Thank you Michelle. Such a special visit.
Thanks for the beautiful pictures! You look really good, and he is precious ?
Thank you Sylvie. xx
What a blessing to have that special time with your grandmother! I’m sure that you will always cherish those memories!
Yes, it was so so special and memorable. A treasure, for sure.
Thank you for sharing the photos. The natural curls and bare face is such a good look!
Thank you Catherine!
incredible!! such pure and real. so so special for your grandmother too. I just love the way that you spent your days!
Beautiful photos of a precious time – treasures for sure. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Kathleen.
What a special time! That trip will stay with you forever. So glad you were able to go and make such wonderful memories with your family!
I am beyond grateful. <3
What a lovely post!! Those pictures are all stunning and you will cherish that sweet, special time forever <3
Yes, it was such an incredible time to share with my family.
Your natural curly hair and bare face are beautiful! Finn looks so happy, as do you. I’m so glad you got to spend such great quality time with your family.
Thank you Joy! And yes, it was a wonderful visit and I’m so grateful for the time.
Motherhood has made me embrace my natural curls – one less thing to have to do, lol! I love your hair curly!
YES! There is no guarantee that there will be time to get the blowdryer out these days! 🙂
What an awesome blessing to be surrounded by so much LOVE and beauty!! Also, love your natural look too — beach curls and fresh face. You’re so gorgeous, friend!
Yes, truly a blessing. And thank you…I know you understand dealing with the natural curls…especially at the beach! 🙂
Thanks for sharing with us all, your photos make me 1 miss that newborn baby stage badly! And 2 makes me want to go to Florida ASAP lol. You look so at peace being in Florida with Finn and your family <3 My familiy lives in NY (I'm stationed in OH) and they haven't seen my son (just turned 1 last week) since he was 2 months old 🙁 Seeing your photos of Finn with your Grandma made me think of when mine meet my son and those memories are still so vivid in my mind. Happy for you that you were able to make that tripa nd so many memories
I hear you on the challenge of having family far away. I wish mine was closer (at least a doable drive instead of a flight!) but I’ve tried to make it a priority the last few years to visit more often. And yes, my time in Florida was very peaceful and very needed.
You are positively glowing, pretty momma.
Thank you so much!
Your hair looks fabulous! Embrace those curls!
Thanks Vicki! I definitely need to…especially now that there’s not much time for blow drying and straighteners!
Jen, I’ve been a long time reader of your blog but have rarely commented but felt I needed to today. I think you and I are a lot alike as we soak in and treasure our time with our families. All of my family is in NC and I’m in Georgia. When we, mostly my kids and I due to my husband’s crazy work schedule, get to go home to the farm in NC it energizes my spirit. Being around my family strengthens me. Thank you for sharing yourself and those sweet pictures of that handsome boy of yours.
Trish – thank you for reading and for taking a moment to comment. I certainly treasure time with my family so much, especially since they are far away and I don’t get to see them regularly. I am envious of those who have family in town.
Love these pictures of you, Finn and your family! You will treasure the memories of that time together.
Thank you so very much. It was such a special time for all of us.
You should leave your hair curly more often So cute!! He’s a doll 🙂
Yes! I need to embrace the natural curls more! It’s almost a must during the summer with all of the humidity!
You’re natural beauty is stunning! You look gorgeous! And Finn is such a cutie :)! It looks like such a lovely trip. I’m glad you were able to relax.
Oh thank you so much Shoshana. It was an amazing trip and we can’t wait to return.
I love all of these photos. Every time I open up Instagram (or read a post of yours) Finn’s cute little face makes me smile. I’m so glad you were able to have time with family—and enjoy the beach!
Aw, thank you Emily! xx
Jen,
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us! I always have read your blog with my morning coffee at work. You have shared everything from workouts to recipes to thoughts and feelings and now adorable baby pics and I have always learned something or tried something new!
Thanks again and Finn’s smiles are just precious.
Best,
Lisa
Lisa – thank you so much for these kind words. They absolutely made my day. <3
I LOVE your natural curls. Gorgeous.
You look so peaceful, content and HAPPY. I think Florida is good for you. Thank you for sharing your story and sweet sweet Finn with us all.
Thank you so much Carrie. Florida and family are definitely good for my soul. xo
the curls and the bare face and the inner glow really suit you 🙂
Aw, thank you Ali!