and then it happened

One day you let go of my hand and off you went.
You didn't even look back to make sure I was still there.
I could hear you giggle.
I could feel how independent and proud you were at yourself in that very moment.

How did this happen, I thought to myself. Just the other day I was nursing you at 3 am for what seemed like hours praying that night would be the night that you would sleep for at least two hours in a row. Yet, here we are, a little over a year and what a dramatic difference time has made.

A part of me is happy and is welcoming the change. From the day you were born the pediatrician told me that you wanted absolutely nothing to do with being a baby and that you hated it so very much. I suppose that's why you cried a lot, all the time, for months. Every visit your doctor would take you in her arms and rock you. I thought it was sweet of her and thought she must really like you, but looking back at it now, I think she was doing it more for mommy, because I so needed the break. Those early months were really hard, really really hard.

I just remember each visit your doctor saying, "I promise you, this one is going to be very smart and she is already an adult in her mind". She never used the word colic to describe what was going on, but she insisted that it was your reaction to being a baby. She used the words "hated being a baby" often to describe what was going on with you. In that moment, I didn't really understand what she was saying, perhaps due to sleep deprivation. As I look back now, she was right. You hated being a baby. You hated to be swaddled. You hated being confined to your car seat even in the car. You hated sleep sacks where you couldn't see your feet. You only stopped crying when you found your own voice and started "talking" when you were about four months old.

Fast forward to now. We are at the zoo and you don't want me to hold you. You want nothing to do with your stroller. You want to walk by yourself to each exhibit to talk to the animals.

How did you get so big.
That part makes me sad.
Does that make me selfish?
I finally get what people mean when they say, enjoy it because they grow up so fast.
You did right before my eyes and it did happen so fast.

First Selfie

One of Fofinha's most favorite things to do is to play with my phone. She giggles as she takes it from me and attempts to talk to Siri. The other night while going through my phone I notices this picture of her little foot. I asked my husband if he had taken it to which he stated that he had not. I laughed out loud as I realized that she had taken her first picture and it was of one of my favorite parts of her, her foot. I may be alone on this but baby feet are the absolutely best little piggies ever. They are just so cute and tiny and chubby goodness.

today I am making this blog one step closer to becoming more official and I registered with bloglovin today. It is a slow process but such a good one.

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Family Vacations: Ocean City, Maryland

Family vacations with a little one are quite different then they used to be. With an active toddler the idea of getting on an airplane and flying to a destination is more like a nightmare of a thought then a relaxing one. I know, I know, people travel with kids all the time...good for them, but I don't think it would be good for us. Little Miss Foof is very active (read she does not sit still...EVER). So, with that in mind when it came time to decide where we would enjoy some time together we thought of places within driving distance. 

One day I received an email from Groupon with a deal on a family friendly resort in Ocean City, Maryland. It peeked my interest and I did some research. The resort was the Francis Scott Key Family Resort. The resort was built in 1953 and has over 230 rooms which are perfectly catered to a family with most rooms having a fully operating kitchen. The also have a themed pirate pool indoors and also an outdoor water spring pirate ship outdoors which is perfect for even the littlest ones to enjoy. There is also mini golf and a diner onsite for those nights when you don't feel like venturing off. 

The resort is conveniently located two miles away from the endless Boardwalk which is filled with food, shops and even carnival rides. It was awesome. We went in early April so the beach was empty, but after a long winter it was literally extremely refreshing to finally be on the beach and enjoying the 

crisp air.

Seafood is a big deal in Ocean City especially crabs. If you go down to Ocean City and you don't even try them you are going yourself a complete disservice because they are truly the BEST CRABS ever. I know that crabs tend to get a reputation for not being as fancy as the lobster, but in my opinion the taste of these crabs were well above any lobster I have ever had in my life. Crabs to Go had the best prices and highest reviews on Yelp so naturally it was where I set my mind to go and they did not disappoint. My husband does not have the same affection for seafood as I do so on the menu the steamed crabs came in dozen or bushels. I knew that although I would love to devour a dozen, I may not if I did not like them so I asked if I could get half a dozen and I was easily accommodated. I poured a nice glass of white wine and began to hammer away on my feast. It was excellent and the buttery dip is a must! Crabs to Go was so nice I went there twice!

 Another adventure took us the the Mason Dixon line which we had no idea what it was. Don't judge, but after some research we learned the history behind it and it was pretty amazing to be there where so much historical stuff happened.

When on vacation I would always recommend going to the visiting center to learn about what the city or state boosts as their local attractions. These are usually free and pretty cool and Maryland did not disappoint. We were told about the Assateague Island Seashore Park where horses roomed free. I thought for sure that this was completely inaccurate information, I mean come on, horses roaming free, but it is not a farce. It was amazing and also sad at the same time that this was a norm for animals until we (humans) began taking away their land. It is a must see and experience. It is also a great lesson to children on how to share the land with everyone. 

So, if you are on the east coast and want something to do for your next family vacation go to Ocean City Maryland. It was amazing and well worth the drive!!!

ox
Susan
*All links are not affiliated and I do not receive any payments from any of them. Just wanted to share my great experience!