It could be worse...

"It could be worse," said Dad on day two of our recent vacation to Turks and Caicos. I quickly responded with, "It couldn't be much better." To which he chimed back, "...but it could be worse." 

We were both right. It could have been worse...we could have been at work back in Alabama where the weather was around 40 degrees. But it really couldn't have been much better. I mean, this conversation took place here:

The most clear water and softest sand ever. 

 See what I mean? 

From the edge of the pool, overlooking a dining patio and then the beach.

This was our first vacation alone since Mr. B arrived. I missed him every day, especially when I saw the other kiddos that were staying at our resort. But let me be honest, while I missed him I was glad he wasn't there. 

We have arrived!

We slept in, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, sat on the beach watching the turquoise water roll in, took long walks in the velvety sand, sipped on adult beverages over an extended lunch, napped by the pool, toasted ourselves at the hotel bar before venturing out for dinner, noshed on local grilled lobster, slipped on the bedroom slippers left for us by the turn down service before enjoying the chocolate placed on the bed. Repeat that for five days and you will feel like a new person. And even appreciate your opinionated and rapidly growing toddler for the amazing little human that he is. 

Beach bar at its best.

Our favorite lunch spot - The Somewhere Cafe

Most importantly, Dad and I got to spend some uninterrupted time together and make memories. I won't say that we needed it, we are lucky to have a fantastic support system of family members who actually ask to babysit so we can have date night. But it was really great to have. Whether we were talking about how life has changed in the past year, debating whether to have a pina colada or gin and tonic, or sitting in silence staring at the scenery, it was a nice reminder that we have each other and are in it together. And we are fortunate enough to really like it that way.   

The other side of the pool from the water-side bed.

The resort was beautiful at night, complete with Christmas lights!

After a trek to lunch, enjoying the walk and the company. 

Location: Turks and Caicos

Resort: The Regent Palms

Favorite Restaurants:

Somewhere Cafe & Lounge

Mr. Grouper's Restaurant

Le Bouchon

Mango Reef

Bay Bistro

Bikini vs. One Piece

Bathing suit season has never particularly bothered me. I was a lifeguard for several years and sitting nearly naked on an elevated lifeguard tower gets you accustomed to being in a bathing suit...in front of people...while sitting on an 8 foot pedestal.

Want to know what is NOT fun about bathing suit season this year? Trying to hold, feed, corral and apply sunscreen to a rowdy infant who thinks the sand is amazing, beer cans are toys, and anything on the beach is edible. 

I decided before our first beach trip back in April that a one piece suit was necessary. The thought of having to bend over, play with and hold Barrett seemed less than desirable while sporting a midriff-bearing bikini. Bikinis are made for leisurely beach trips were tanning and drinking are rampant and flipping from back to stomach is the only stress of the day. And you can focus on sucking in and keeping everything in place. 

This is not how I would describe a beach trip with a baby. The only time I considered my tan lines was when he was napping. 

The plus side to all this? I found the cutest one piece (that cost a small fortune), Mr. B is a beach bum in the making, and has Mom's skin tone which equals tan! He has no fear of the sand or water and carried on about his routine as if we were at home. 

Cute and functional one piece. 

Here are some of the essentials we packed for the beach:

• Sunscreen - apply to naked baby, pre beach time for best initial coverage.
• Baby swim t-shirt for additional sun coverage 
• Shade in the form of umbrellas or tent (preferably the latter b/c of standing room)
• Back up pacifier (sand really sticks to these)
• Portable, battery operated fan
• Pouched baby food (anything that is hands free for everyone b/c of the sand)
• Cooler (for baby food, of course)
• Low, plastic beach chairs (metal gets HOT)
• Inflatable baby raft
• Inflatable baby pool
• Blanket or sheet for putting over the sand and under the shade
• Wagon with good wheels that will roll on sand
• Towels, and extra towels
• Bath toys (after all they are made for the water)
• Wipes (not just for diaper changing, but for getting sand off everything)
• Napkins, paper towels, or something of the sort

Mom car loaded up, down, and sideways.

Our travel companion snoozing away.

Beer at Eddy Teach's first. Check in later.

Pool time with Dad!

"How does my hair look?" -B

Nap time in the pop up shark tent. 

Or nap time on mom. Bikini was a bad idea. 

Nap time under the umbrella. See cooler, wagon and stuff. 

Play time at the house, in the drawers with whatever is accessible. 

Boating!