Cruise: Progresso, Mexico- Day 3

So day 3 of the cruise (Monday) we made our way into Progresso. The excursion we were going on was the Dune Buggy Adventure! So at 7:30am (yes on vacation!!) we made our way off the ship and to the area where we would be picked up. From there we took a bus ride to our dune buggy cars. We had a guide who was going to lead us to our first destination, the Xcambo Mayan Ruins. There were eight of us so we were in two cars. Mitch was our driver! And let me tell you about having a heart attack...not because he was a bad driver but the people in Mexico do NOT know how to drive. I mean, there are street signs and traffic lights, but they could care less. It is every man for himself.

waiting for the excursion to begin


ladies and gentlemen...start your engines!

Once I catch my breath and we are on the open road, I am becoming more aware that I am so fortunate to live in America. We were driving down the main road which had water on both sides. There was probably at least an inch of sewage on the top of the water and shacks...not houses..lined up next to this water. The smell was so bad I was having to cover my nose and mouth with my clothes.

So our first stop...Xcambo Ruins. These Mayans traded salt in this region. On the way you would see these boxes and that is how they collected the salt. It was so interesting seeing this place and realizing that people built this hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Back in the B.C. time. We took lots of pictures and walked around.

The Ruins


Me and Mitch on top of one of the ruins

One of the tall ruins

View from up top

Where people were burned after sacrificing themselves

Next stop...the beach resort. We got to this resort and it was an all you can eat Mexican buffet (with hamburgers), drinks (non-alcoholic because this was a dry excursion) and a pool and beach to relax by. We stayed there for about an hour and a half before heading back to town.

the resort where we spent the afternoon

The beach

me and Mitch chilling in the pool

We got back to the port where all the shops were. I just wanted to get back to the ship. The people there were worse than the people at the kiosks at the mall who want to straighten your hair or sell you product. Every where you looked the were wanting you to come in the store and look at their "one of a kind" merchandise.

about to get back on the ship

We got back on the ship and rested for a bit. Later on we skyped with Lawson...he was doing great! He even waved to me and cried when he heard my voice! Broke my heart. We then went to a cocktail party and did a little gambling. I lost the $50 I won playing slots the night before on some really bad hands at blackjack. Then we all met up and went to dinner and called it a night early.

***side note: I never knew flamingos were originally white. They eat shrimp that is in this water that is covered with pink bacteria. This is how they get their pink color. Never thought I would learn something in Mexico!!!

Day 4...Cozumel!

Cruise: Day 1 and Day 2-Arrival and Day at Sea

So on the 19th of June, Mitch and I (along with my family) headed to Mexico via Carnival Cruise for 5 days! This was my first time being away from my baby and boy was it hard! I was very proud of myself because I never really cried..just teared up when I thought of him. We arrived on the ship around 12:30ish. We got on the ship and got something to eat...with all the other 1,000 people and then went to our room around 2p. We got settled in and then headed to the internet cafe to take care of the most important thing...internet minutes. We brought a laptop so we could Skype with my in-laws and Lawson. This was so great because this was really the only economical way to check in with him without taking out a second mortgage on our house to use the phone. We had late seating every night at 8:15 and we all took advantage of being wined and dined! The food wasn't great but you can't beat ordering ANYTHING you wanted and as many as you wanted (except alcohol).

Sunday we spent the entire day by the pool on the boat. It was our first day at sea. I paced myself as far as sun exposure went and also made sure to use 30 SPF and sometimes 50 if needed. This body had not seen sun since pre-pregnancy days. That afternoon me and my sister Chelsea went and explored the boat and watched some of the activities they had to entertain us. We all came back and got ready for dinner. The first night was the Captain's dinner so we got all dolled up and enjoyed our night!!

First night on the cruise at dinner


The girls

me, Courtney and Corky in the Duke's Piano Bar

me and my sis before the Captain's Dinner

me and my sister's before the Captain Dinner

me and my handsome hubby!

Happy Father's Day!!

Please forgive me but we were out of town for Father's Day so I have to give shout out to my baby daddy!!

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful husband and father!! Lawson is so lucky to have someone like you to look up to!! We love you!!!

minutes after Lawson was born

my boys!!

Vacation

Despite the oil spill....our cruise is still on! It is a little bitter sweet for me. This will be my first trip away from my sweet boy. We are leaving tomorrow to go down to the beach house in Orange Beach and then Saturday we are leaving that morning to go to Mobile to meet up with my family to get on the ship! I am so excited to go and get my tan on...but also sad because I will not have my little nugget with me :( I know I will be fine once I get my crying out of my system and on the boat. And I know that Lawson is in GREAT hands with my in laws. They will be at the beach house with him and on Tuesday, Lawson's "great-guncles" are coming in to visit. Once we return on Thursday, ALL the family will be together which will be SOOO much fun!

Please say a little prayer for us that we have a safe trip, that I can relax and enjoy myself without worrying about Lawson, and that Lawson is a good boy (which I know he will be) and stays safe and healthy while we are gone!

When I return I should have some good things to talk about! Hopefully none of those stories will involve oil!!

Happy 9 Months!!

So my little boy turned 9 months yesterday! I took him today for his 9 month check up and the doctor said he looked great! He is 28 1/4 in long and weighs 18.1 lbs. He is a little on the lean side as far as weight goes but the doctor said he was just fine! He got two shots and was such a big boy because he only cried for a second and then started laughing at the nurse. Such a trooper!

Still no crawling yet...which I think may be a blessing! And to be honest, he really has no interest in trying. You put him on his belly and he pushes up but does not stay like that for long until he rolls all over the floor. We have not given up yet but he may be a walker before he is a crawler because if he gets a hold of something or someone he pulls himself up to stand.

He has two bottom teeth and you can see the outline of his top two teeth. He has started to eat some of our table food that is easy to gum down. He likes to eat puffs, well mainly to play with them but he puts them in his mouth and chews them. He also LOVES pickes, which should not come as a surprise to those who know me.

He plays on the floor with his toys and wants whatever you have at the moment. He has started to pitch little fits when you take something away from him. He pouts those lips and starts with the crying and tears until you distract him with something else. It is so hard not to just give in but I know he needs to learn.

He says "da-da" like a champ, and just started saying "ma-ma", and other words that we can not make out. He loves to give me kisses and has started to wave "bye-bye". All these things I am not sure if he knows what he is doing but they sure do make us feel special!

I know I say this every month, but he is such a blessing in our lives! I love the sound of his voice when he talks to himself, I love his laugh and I even love his cry. It is music to my ears! I thank God every day for giving us such a special gift!

Happy 9 months Lawson!!! I love you!!

Memorial Day Weekend and Upcoming Cruise

So my sister, Lawson and I headed down early to the beach for memorial day weekend. We left Wednesday afternoon and Mitch came down Friday after work.

It was a great weekend spent on the beach, getting in the oil-free ocean and being with my family! Thursday was my sister's birthday so we all went out to eat at Guy Harvey's, Friday we went shopping at the Wharf and outlet mall to get somethings for my sister's birthday and to finish up last minute shopping for our upcoming cruise, on the 19th.

I am so glad that we were able to get Lawson in the ocean and let him experience that because now that the oil spill is starting to reach the beaches...who knows if he will be able to experience that for a while!

Saturday, we hung out at the beach and that night we went to eat at Cobalt's, and Sunday was spent in and out from under the tent because of the showers that kept coming. All in all it was great even with the rain!

Now on our cruise! We are scheduled to leave on the 19th out of Mobile. Things are kind of up in the air because of the latest on the oil spill! We are going to Progresso and Cozumel. I am really sad because we will be on our cruise on Father's Day and Lawson will be with my in-laws. I think I am more upset about it than Mitch is. My in laws will be watching him from our beach house so I will get to see him on Saturday before we leave and we get back on Thursday at 8am. This is my first time to be away from him for this long and I am getting a knot in my stomach thinking about it. I know he will be fine and well taken care of, but I am with him day in and day out. I don't know what I am going to do with myself without having to take care of anybody.... oh wait I will still have Mitch!!! I am looking forward to the time I will have with my hubby but I sure am going to miss our little guy!

I found out yesterday that the boat has WIFI and you can bring your own laptop so we can at least SKYPE and I can call on the days I get to an island. I know I will cry but hopefully I can drown my sorrows with a mai-tai while sitting in the sun!!

our little beach baby

he just woke up from his nap...i love this pic!


my sweet family!

me and my boy


Lawson and Daddy in the ocean!