Florida #1

After a long day of travel on Thursday we made it safely to our destination on Anna Maria Island. We haven't flown with Camden since his first Christmas when we flew out to Ohio, at which point he was about 4 months old. Let's just say that flying with an infant is MUCH easier than flying with a toddler who doesn't like to be held in one place for long and has very concrete "needs" which must be met in a very specific and immediate manner. The first hour of the flight he was somewhat of a terror. Granted, we had been up since 5:00 in the morning and he was overtired and overstimulated, but he was certainly letting everyone on the airplane know just how he felt. He was sooo tired, but couldn't fall asleep with all the noises and people around him. We tried pacing in the back of the plane, watching Sesame Street on the computer, snuggling...nothing was working. We finally put in a Curious George movie that I had rented from the library and put headphones on his head and got him nice and cozy on my lap while Scott held the computer and within 5 minutes he was fast asleep. He slept for about an hour until we hit some major turbulence, but was much happier and more manageable for the remainder of the flight. We didn't have a real meal until about 3:00 in the afternoon and by that point we were all ready to cry and scream. Needless to say, we were happy to get settled in our little Bungalow and get some rest. Unfortunately, it's pretty much been raining and thundering non-stop since we got here, but in the few moments of decent weather we've been taking full advantage of the ocean which is about 20 yards from our door. Here are some pictures to show you what we've been up to...
Scott and Camden on the tram at the airport...happy to be off the plane!!

Checking out the ocean for the first time...

Pure joy...

Finally getting some food at Applebee's after a LONG day...

Playing in the pool with Daddy even though it was sprinkling and cold! Luckily the pool is heated...

checking out a biiiig dead jellyfish on the beach Friday morning...

After his morning nap we went to the Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium. It was awesome. This is a research Laboratory and also has a hospital for injured sea turtles and manitees. We were very impressed with the whole place!

Playing with Daddy in a touch pool! Daddy was very brave and picked up a big hermit crab!

Crazy fish!

I know this is blurry...but Camden was fascinated with the sharks swimming by him! He kept laughing and squealing with delight...

Petting some stingrays!

Silly faces at snack time...

Dolphins!

After an early dinner at a pizza restaurant the skies finally cleared and we spent an hour and a half running around the beach and swimming in the pool (until it started raining again! UGH!)

My favorite...

Collecting some shells for Ami and Bepa's house...

Camden LOVES playing in the pool with Dada...

Practicing putting his face underwater!

Reading some books with Mama after a long day...

We've had a great time so far despite the weather. Camden slept through the night until 4:45ish the first night, but had some trouble last night. We woke up to bright sun this morning (well, that's a lie. We woke up to pitch darkness...but once it got late enough the sun came out)! Scott just brought Camden out to the beach while I finished this blog up and I can't wait to go join them and see what this place looks like in the sunshine! Another update to come soon!