I arrived home from Florida about an hour ago to Thai delivery waiting on my porch and two large dogs eager to greet me. Once again, Finn was a trooper for the nine-hour ride. He slept the first two, played with toys the next two and watched Little Baby Bum on and off for the remainder.

Our visit to Florida was nothing short of perfect and honestly worth every single mile driven and minute in the car. I’m going to share a few highlights from our trip, broken into categories.

THE BEACH

Hard to believe that this is Finn’s third beach season. This is going to be a fun one because he is on the move and loves the sand and the water!

We spent tons of time playing in the surf. He’s so fearless that he thinks he can “do it” (which he says as he’s trying to push my hands away). A toddler life jacket is in his near future.

He also enjoyed playing in the sand for the first time, and it was so cute to watch! He loved moving the sand from the beach to the bucket using the shovel.

Due to the time change, Finn wakes up around 6a when we are in Florida but I don’t mind it at all. This morning we were out on the beach by 6:40a so that Finn could run and play before we rode in the car all day.

FAMILY

Watching Finn’s relationships with my family develop into something meaningful has been a huge source of joy for me. I think it’s incredibly cool that he shares such a special bond with my grandmother even though there’s an 88 year age difference between them! She is so creative about being able to play with him despite her limited mobility and is always up for playing with toys, singing songs and reading books. I think one thing Finn adores about her is that he gets 100% undivided attention with no distractions. I know that kids feel that so much.

Remember when my mom visited for Thanksgiving and I was sad that Finn wouldn’t let her hold him and was so clingy to me. Well, I am here to tell you that he now often chooses Meme over me!

On Sunday my mom suggested heading over to a nearby nature trail for a walk and we had such a great time! The trail features a mile-long boardwalk that runs along Turkey Creek. We let Finn walk and he had a sweaty fun time!

Finn is SO into his “peepaw” these days (we have no idea where he came up with that) and they had a great time on walks and playing on the beach. I have so many fond memories of being on the beach with my dad and I love that Finn is making his own.

Family meals with Finn were especially entertaining. Over the last couple of weeks he has decided that he doesn’t want to sit in his high chair and instead wants to “sit Mommy.” (sit with mommy) We let him sit at the table with us in a regular chair and he loved it. You could tell that he felt so big and important.

Last family story, Finn has become so aware of people leaving and any time someone would come in he would run to greet them and any time they would leave he would say, “(insert name) where’d she/he go?”

FINN’S SECOND BIRTHDAY

Monday was Finn’s second birthday! Unfortunately, it stormed most of the day but I was grateful that we had such a fun day outside on our nature walk and at the beach on Sunday.

He is very good at telling you that he is two! 🙂

In full transparency, Finn didn’t enjoy being in the spotlight for present opening or singing happy birthday. He did much better when we just acted casual and let him go at his own pace. The surprise hit gift was this lawn mower, which is a steal at just $25!

Peepaw baked him a chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting and he was all about it! The remainder of the cake came home with me and I cannot wait to have a slice once I hit publish on this post and go unload my car.

THE ACHE

For those of you who have read Glennon Doyle’s Untamed, you are familiar with “the ache.” I felt it big time today. Tonight is not the night that I am ready to unload on what these visits to Florida have meant for me over the last two years but they are so special to my heart.

Praying that we are back soon.

No questions tonight, just a whole lot of thanks to all of you for being in this space with me, especially over the last two years as I’ve embarked on my motherhood journey. Writing and sharing is truly an honor. I don’t take it lightly and I’m grateful that you are here.

Love,
Jen