Michigan

Ludington, Michigan has always held a special place in Travis' heart, and in the last 11 years, my heart as well. This is where Travis' family has been vacationing for generations. This is where his love for fishing really started and hasn't let go. I always say if he wasn't in ministry he'd be fishing for a living. This vacation is where he lives out his favorite pastime twice a day for seven days straight. A fisherman's dream come true. And for me, it's less about the fishing; it's where Travis proposed to me to be his wife on the beach of the Lake 11 years ago. After 7 years of vacationing elsewhere we finally returned to a place that holds so many memories.

After almost three months Anna still talks about our "new house" in Michigan and the big fishy Pops caught. I forgot just how amazing Michigan is, so much so I really don't want to vacation anywhere else. Who needs the beach of Florida when the R&R we received on a secluded, peaceful lake was everything we needed?

The "Evergreen" house was the perfect home for us for that week in late August. It felt more like fall. After 90 degree temps for the previous three months I did not mind one bit that our vacation was filled with 60 degree temps and precipitation. It was almost more relaxing that it rained most days.

Every morning while Theo slept and Anna played quietly, the boys out fishing, I'd sip my coffee and sit and marvel at the serene Hamlin Lake just 50 yards from our living room window. 

It wasn't just the four of us in that little house by the lake. We also went with Travis' dad, better known as Pops, and Travis' brother and sis-in-law (I'd rather call her one of my best friends because an "-in law" doesn't do our relationship justice) Troy and Carly.

Pops surprised Anna with her first fishing pole. She loved that thing and picked up casting right away like a pro.

She was super excited to catch her first fish, if you can't tell.

She was so sweet with each fish she and Travis caught. She'd want to hold every one. She'd pet it, tell it "it's ok, you're ok", give it a little kiss, then throw it back in the water. Every time. I about died.

Travis was over the moon getting to share his love of fishing with his daughter. The fact that Anna took to it and loved it so much brought Travis so much joy (especially since his wife doesn't take to it at all). 

 

I know Travis can't wait to be able to share his love for fishing with Theo too but for that week he was Mommy's buddy. I didn't mind at all. Fun fact: Theo perfected his walking skills that week. What happened to my baby?! 

A few nights after we arrived Travis caught his biggest fish ever. A muskie that he says was at least 42 inches. Here's the thing, he and his dad weren't able to ever get it in the boat to be able to take a picture and measure it correctly. This fish still haunts him three months later. A few nights later, Travis' dad was out in the boat by himself and caught the sister of the one Travis caught. He wrestled with it on the line for 20 minutes before he finally was able to pull it in. He ran up to the house, struggling to hold it because of how heavy it was, so we could capture it on camera. Carly, Anna, and I were sitting on the couch in the living room when we saw Travis' dad rushing onto the porch. As soon as Anna saw it she exclaimed, "OH MY GOSH, That's a BIG FISH!" She was right, it was bigger than her! She looks so proud of her Pops in this photo :)

When the guys and Anna weren't fishing we slept, walked around the resort grounds, took boat rides, toured the little towns of Ludington and Pentwater, spent time on Lake Michigan's beach and walking to the lighthouse, ate ice cream at our favorite dive House of Flavors, and Anna experienced her first time playing putt-putt. She absolutely loved it!

I'm so thankful for the man holding my Littles there. He made this whole vacation possible. Anna and Theo love their Pops, for sure. 

And then there's these goofballs. I couldn't imagine having spent this vacation without Troy and Carly. It made all the times the guys were out fishing for their lives while the girls and Theo stayed in that little house that much better. 

The guys showing the lengths of their biggest fishes caught. Sorry Troy!

We can't stop talking about Michigan. It will live long in our hearts as one of our best vacations. We've already promised ourselves that we need to make it an annual trip, one that our children will grow up cherishing just like their father did and his mother did and her father did. 

Photo credit for a few of the above: Carly Jones

So Close Yet So Far Away

Vacation was absolutely amazing but it's also great being home. It's a good feeling knowing we don't have anymore big travel plans before Juice Drop numero dos arrives. It just means we're that much closer to meeting our sweet baby boy! Ohhh, the anticipation is just killing us! People are already starting to talk about fall and all that comes along with it, like sweatshirts, pumpkin drinks at Starbucks, football, and the cooler weather. But all I can think about when fall is mentioned is finally getting to hold my baby in my arms. It still feels so far away but I know it's closer than I realize. I mean, we're in double digits folks! October 25th is less than 100 days away WAHOOOO! 

How far along? 26 Weeks

How big is baby? the size of a head of lettuce and is taking breaths--of course he's breathing amniotic fluid but he's still practicing!

Total weight gain: 22+ pounds  

Maternity clothes? only when I'm in public trying to look nice, otherwise it's gym shorts, tshirts and tank tops

Sleep: it's been ok. Really starting to get uncomfortable. I woke up to a bloody nose a few times, and not sleeping in your own bed for 2 weeks in a row can really wear on a pregnant lady. 

Best moment this week: seeing sheer joy every time Anna played in the ocean. She loved it! 

Miss Anything? a glass of red wine. Ice cream had to suffice in the evenings--not totally bummed about this. 

Movement: morning, noon, and night ;)

Food cravings: chocolate! 

Gender: baby boy!

Symptoms: major heartburn--it comes on even before I've eaten, braxton hicks, peeing all the time, out of breath, and my favorite: baby kicks! 

Belly Button in or out? out

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy!

Looking forward to: getting back into our regular routine and (fingers crossed) potty training!--well maybe not the whole training part but hopefully being diaper-less very soon! :)  

I'm already missing Island life. Anna's reaction to the beach and the waves was priceless. Post about our wonderful week on Amelia Island is to come! 

This Pineapple was on a Babymoon!

Miss me!?

Actually, you were probably relieved that you got a week without me bogging down your inbox, bloglovin', or Facebook newsfeed! The only person who might have missed me is my Mom, ha!

So where have I been all week? You ask...well, there's this new thing that new parents go on called a "babymoon". It's the last vacation before baby gets here. When I first heard of this idea I knew we had to go on a babymoon since we didn't really have a honeymoon (downfall of getting married at 19 and in college).

So we've been on Amelia Island, Florida for the past week, soaking up the rays, living it up in the waves, eating, eating, and more eating, and talking non-stop about the little one who will change our lives forever in less than 2 months! Rafts, coolers, and beach umbrellas are the greatest inventions when it comes spending hours on the beach. Seriously, I don't know how we lived without these things before!

Since we were without the internet (it was actually really nice not being plugged in 24/7) I wasn't able to post my weekly update (again, my mom is probably the only one who wondered why it never showed up on Wednesday). We still took my weekly picture on Wednesday even though this post is a few days late, and I've included some other pictures of our amazing week. Enjoy!

How far along? 31 Weeks

Total weight gain: 26 lbs

Maternity clothes? Most of the time 

Stretch marks? Nope 

Sleep: Most nights are ok but I get those occasional few throughout the week where I’m wide awake, I have to pee 5 times, and/or I can’t get comfortable!

Best moment this week: BABYMOON!!!

Miss Anything? Sleeping through the night

Movement: Several times throughout the day…now it’s beginning to hurt!

Food cravings: Nada

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Gender: GIRL!!!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks—they’re starting to worry me, she is ok, right?

Symptoms: Back and rib pain, Braxton Hicks, peeing, shortness of breath, memory lapse, clumsiness

Belly Button in or out? Outie!

Wedding rings on or off? It's on but getting tight!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Working on the nursery this week (and I’m being for real this time, something will get done!)

The sunsets are breathtaking!

We loved Arte's Pizza so much that we ended up eating there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! A little ridiculous, I know, but we couldn't get enough! 

The Crab Trap was delicious! We shared crab legs and shrimp, my favorite :)

We did a little perusing around downtown and ran across a quaint little shop that sold candles...check out the scent of this candle! It actually smelled really good! ha!

We ate lunch at T-Ray's Burger Station (at one time was a gas station--looks kind of sketch, eh?) and was voted best burger in Florida! It got my vote! 

 We ate breakfast one morning at the Parkway Grille which had Uh-Mazing pancakes! 

A HUGE Thank You goes out to my Aunt June and her husband Rick for graciously allowing us to stay in their vacation home on Amelia Island for the week! Your generosity means the world to us!