We made our way to Florida to meet Luke, my tiny, perfect, likes-to-nurse-non-stop little nephew.
Luke is the first boy born into my sister’s family and our boys’ first boy cousin! When Leslie first told us she was pregnant, we all chatted about how unique it would be if Leslie and Ross had three girls while Ryan and I have three boys. Of course we were thrilled for another baby — boy or girl; pregnancy loss has taught me to never for one second take pregnancy and healthy babies for granted — but there was a little part of my heart that skipped a beat when we found out Leslie and Ross were having their first little boy! Little boys are riiight in my wheelhouse and it was so wonderful to meet their third baby last weekend.
(Note a melting Rhett behind me. Rhett actually handled me holding Luke fairly well but right before this picture was taken he said, “That my mommy” just to make sure Luke knows what’s up.)
Chase, Ryder and Rhett were very curious about their new cousin and I got a kick out of watching them and listening to their conversations about Luke. Chase really, really wanted to hold Luke while Ryder opted to pass. As Chase held him, we laughed when he said, “He always looks a little angry.” Newborns are the funniest little things and watching Chase try to imitate the 100 different facial expressions Luke made in a 5-second timespan had me cracking up.
We soaked up as much time with Callie, Colette and Luke as possible and filled our days with trips to Sunshine Park (our Jacksonville Beach favorite!), cups of Kona Ice, a St. Patrick’s Day visit to the zoo and even some beach and pool time.
We joked that Chase and Ryder did their own version of a polar plunge when they jumped into the freezing pool at my parents’ place after they splashed around in the surf of the ocean. They were so amped about their cold plunge and I cannot believe they did it. The water was next-level freezing and even though they hopped out of the pool in less than 30 seconds, I was still amazed they even tried. Brrrr!
Whenever we visit Jacksonville, we almost always stay at my parents’ place. (Last summer we rented a home near my parents and sister’s family for a month since we were between houses and having our gang of 5 crammed into my parents’ condo for 30-days seemed like a lot for everyone.) During last week’s visit we, once again, stayed with my mom and dad and loved spending time with them. My mom is a gem and had a new puzzle and lego kits waiting for the boys which only added to the excitement of returning to Mae and Pop’s condo.
I was especially anxious to see my dad and I’d be lying if I said seeing him was easy. He’s in pain and he’s struggling emotionally, physically and mentally. While his surgery was just under two months ago, his recovery has been filled with complications and they’re taking their toll on him. I am just praying for things to start going his way and for all of the set backs, infections and complications to cease.
My dad is an extremely active and social person and I know the “cabin fever” aspect of his recovery is getting to him. He was able to get out for an easy ride on his beach cruiser bike for the first time during our visit and his demeanor was night-and-day different after his first ride out in the sunshine. I am praying for more of this for him in the future! It was hard not having my dad along on our adventures but we know and believe this is all temporary and we’ll have our healthy, energetic Pop back soon.
One major highlight from our time in Florida was the fact that our whole crew got to see a night launch from the balcony of my parents’ condo. My mom is big-time space fanatic and frequently texts our family with updates about the moon, rocket launches, etc., so she had the launch streaming on her phone so we were able to participate in the countdown and then search the horizon for the rocket.
It blew all of us away and seeing the bright-orange flare blast through the sky was truly incredible. (Yes, they can see launches from Cape Canaveral all the way in Jacksonville Beach if the weather cooperates. So cool, right!?) Between sea turtle nest excavations, rocket launches and lizard catching, it’s no wonder our boys always beg us to take them back to Florida.
(Please note the double stroller with zero kids in it. If that doesn’t sum up life with a toddler or two, I don’t know what does.)
And yes, you know plenty of lizard hunting happened on this trip, too. The boys catch and release a million anoles during our Florida visits and truly spend hours hunting for their favorite reptile friends.
The green anoles are the “prized lizard” for the boys because they’re native to Florida while the brown anoles are an invasive species. Thank you, Creature Man, for sharing this fact with me! (When the big kids catch a green anole, I’m fairly certain the whole state of Florida can hear their excited whoops and screams.)
No anole lizards came home with us — Lucky is the perfect reptile for our family — and we were happy to be back in our own beds heading into the week. I’m already looking at the calendar and trying to see when we can make our next visit because a few days in Florida with family never quite feels like enough.
I hope you’re all having a great week so far and thanks so much for stopping by the blog today!
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Julie,
So happy that you had a wonderful trip to Florida. Spending time with family is the best. Luke is so precious. Hope Leslie is feeling well post delivery and your little nieces are loving having a baby brother.
I am so sorry your dad has had so many setbacks after his surgery. It gets so hard to keep pushing through. I speak from experience – what was supposed to be a simple hiatal hernia repair turned into 6 subsequent surgeries, fungal infection, central line infection and over 150 non consecutive days in the hospital over a 15 month period. I ended up with a feeding tube for life and experience constant pain but I look back and despite it all I feel grateful. Grateful to not be needing to constantly return to the hospital and grateful to be able to live a pretty normal life. But I am now almost 5 years out from when this all began. But I also still struggle with days I feel so angry that this happened, that mistakes were made and I was not listened to by my surgeon, etc. One thing that got me through (in addition to my family and good friends) was I did decide to start working with a therapist. It helped so much to be able to express my frustrations, anger, etc and know there was no judgment and that I was not making my family worry by sharing how truly sick I felt and how hard those 15 months were. I know therapy is not for everyone, but it is just a suggestion as your dad works through this time of recovery which has had some unexpected complications.
I also hope that your mom is doing well. There is nothing harder than seeing your loved one in pain and sick and despite taking care of them, they are struggling. Sending strength for her through this time of caretaking.
Sending positive healing vibes for your dad and that each day he is able to do more and be outside riding his bike cruiser, sitting in the sun, taking walks with your mom, etc.
Oh Becca, I swear you handle everything life throws at you with such grace. <3 Your experience sounds absolutely horrible and I'm so sorry you had to go through that and still live with complications. I am continually amazed at your kindness toward me (and others, I am sure) when you've been through so much. And thank you for your kind words both for my dad and mom. I appreciate them so much! And YESSS to therapy!!!
Like is adorable, just like all the other kiddos in your family! Prayers and well wishes to your Dad!
Luke, not Like 🤦🏼♀️
Thank you, Christie!
My dad had pancreatic cancer last year and it was so hard watching him go through treatment and recover from surgery (one of the hardest things I’ve ever done). My dad was an energetic, strong guy and watching him weak and in pain (physically and emotionally) while he recovered was so hard. It was really hard for my kids too, as they were use to my dad being really active with them. The good news though is my dad recovered and is doing great now and we are all so thankful that things worked out the way they did. Sending so many prayers to your family and dad for a speedy recovery too.
I’m so, so glad to hear your dad is doing well now. Watching parents we love so much get older and seem more like “real people” rather than these untouchable protectors and face cancer is heart wrenching. We got some really good news about my dad yesterday (his drain was able to be removed!!!) so we are feeling so grateful!
Yay! That’s wonderful!
Oh, Rhett! 😂 My brother and SIL hired someone to take pictures of my newborn niece and their family. When the photographer arrived to the house, my 3-year-old nephew announced, “That’s my baby and you can’t have her!”
Aw I love that!!! My mom said I would say the same thing about Leslie after she was born when I was a toddler!
Long time reader, rare commenter. It was your blog that convinced me to become a NASM PT. Anyway, just wanted to wish your father well. Hope he’s back at it soon.
Oh that’s amazing!! <3 Thank you for letting me know this and I hope your certification is serving you well!!
Luke is adorable and so precious. My middle son is Luke and there is something so special about little Luke’s 🙂
I had to laugh when I noticed that both pictures of you, you are wearing that amazon lululemon sweatshirt dupe! Because of you, I am the proud owner of 3, wore one yesterday and wore a different color today. They are that good!! So thank you for the find and I will continue to wear them multiples times per week and not even care 🙂
Hahaha yessss I cannot stop with that sweatshirt!!!
“That my mommy” ~ how cute!
The big smile on Chase while he’s holding Luke. xo
I hope your Dad continues to get stronger every day.
Random question. I am a local reader and really enjoy your blog. I saw you on Monday and I have seen you out once before (I think we have similar taste in coffee).😉 I was there with two friends and my toddler and you were working so I didn’t say hello-but if I see you another time should I say hi? Do you like being approached? 😝 clearly I would not approach if you were in the middle of a parenting moment, but does it brighten your day if someone says hi and then moves along?
Luke is adorable!!
Oh my gosh yesss please say hi!!! I’d love to meet you!
Ha, ok, I will next time! Great news about your dad-I hope he keeps getting better every day.