Alana and I just returned yesterday from a 9 day trip to visit my family in Fort Lauderdale. We had an amazing time and took waaaaay too many pictures…as you will soon see!
We had a smooth flight down, with only minor turbulence and a few little whimpers! Alana is acclimating quite well to air travel…better than myself, actually.
Flying in my youth was enjoyable, but the experience as an adult isn’t the fun-filled “look-mom-we’re-above-the-clouds” experience I used to anticipate. And my recent disdain for the whole process is only compounded now that I am packing and hauling luggage for two!
I must look as ridiculous and inept as I feel, since sympathetic individuals in the airport perpetually ask, “Can I help you with something, Mam?” I told Rich that I must have resembled a circus act of some sort while hauling Alana, her diaper bag, and my purse while disassembling her car seat and stroller to get through security.
My lingering question remains: How in the world do women do this with multiple kids?!?!?
And so, traveling solo with a wee one has topped my list of unpleasantries! Nonetheless, I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my family!
Here we are, on Alana’s third plane ride in four months. If we keep it up she may as well become a flight attendant and get paid for being on board 
But my temporary traveling insanity evaporates as I step off the plane in Fort Lauderdale, marching toward the security checkpoint where my family awaits! This, by far, is the best part of traveling. The loved ones on the other side of the gate who greet me with a big smile and open arms.
Ah, it is good to be in my old home.
This is the sight that greeted us in the guest bedroom. My mom has always, in all of my twenty-seven years, put together an Easter basket for me. I love to receive them, and I love that I will soon be assembling them for my daughter. The gift bag contained some age-appropriate teething toys for Alana, who is inserting everything into that little mouth of hers.
This is the walker-entertainer-overstimulation device that leaves Alana with this wide-eyed look of bewilderment!
Alana in her little Bebe Pod seat…learning all the skills necessary to sit up early, which will soon lead to more mobility than I feel comfortable thinking about. Baby-proofing, here we come!
Here is Uncle Shawn, showing off his affinity for surfing, which he anticipates teaching Alana as soon as she will let him!
My parents, entertaining Alana before her nightly bath time. And yes, she is still totally ambivalent about the whole experience.
Clean, dry, and eating her fingers…
Celebrating my dad’s birthday. He decided it would be cute to mimic Adrian Monk and behave with OCD tendencies. He removed the sheets of tissue paper one at a time and proceeded to smooth them, fold them, and stack them. Wow. Gift opening took a while this year.
Snuggling with/eating her new toy poodle…
Note to self: do not buy toys with fur, as it will most definitely be ingested during use.
Shawnie and Heather…
Then we all headed over to my Uncle’s shop, where he makes the incredibly prestigious Lashbrook Guitars. If you play the guitar (or appreciate the instrument), you must check out the website!
My cousin, John. He and I are a mere month apart in age, and I have tons of love and respect for him! We grabbed lunch and caught up at Chili’s while my mom babysat Alana.
Starbucks! Need I say more?
A few photos of my mom with Alana…I’ve been thinking about how blessed this little girl is to have two sets of loving grandparents in her life.
Eating her new skirt…
And, Alana’s first trip to the beach! Fort Lauderdale beach is about 10-15 minutes east of my parents home, so we stopped off briefly one afternoon on our way home from a shopping trip.
Alana was adorable. It was bright, so she couldn’t entirely open her eyes, and she was pensive, but she seemed to enjoy the white noise of the wind and waves and the lapping of the water.
I’m excited about future beach trips as she is able to enjoy it more! I have so many fabulous childhood memories that center around the beach. Playing in the sand, getting trampled by the waves, and just generally wearing myself out from a day at the coastline. It’s pure bliss.
Back home, my dad spends some time with Alana. She loves to listen to his deep voice, and he solicits tons of smiles from her!
As one of my favorite places in the world, it was important for me to get a photo of Alana next to the Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale sign. This is where I attended church throughout high school before I moved to Chattanooga for Covenant College.
I learned here, served here, grew here…and it always feels cozy and intimate to me, despite the 20,000 folks in attendance over the course of a four-service weekend. I love this place.
Uncle Shawn and Aunt Pixie…
My mom took this shot of Alana and I in the luxuriously comfortable, completely wonderful nursing mother’s room at Calvary. The worship service and the sermon are broadcast via large monitors all over the church property, including this room. It was the very first sermon that I’ve been able to sit entirely through since I had Alana…because our church here in Chattanooga doesn’t yet have our own facilities, and therefore, no nursing mommies room. It was heavenly to have a place where I can be a mom and a normal person who can sit through church - to feel participatory for a change!
Back home after church! The girls!
Alana was a little HAM while we were taking pictures at the house on Sunday…check out her arm in these two photos below! Doesn’t she look like an egotistical little body builder??? She gets her sense of humor from her daddy.
Since Amber was away at a friends wedding while we took Alana for her first (albeit, brief) trip to the beach, we decided a repeat visit was in order. So, back to the shore we went, complete with a super cute outift for Alana and Amber’s camera. Thank you, Pixie, for all of these photos!!!
Playing games with grandma!
Then we were off to Jamba Juice for some tasty refreshment!
And to the Carter’s Outlet for some girly shopping time! Amber stuck these baby sunglasses on Alana and took a few photos while Alana cooperatively posed, confused about what was on her face. We died laughing. I think she felt exploited.
I took a few photos of Aunt Pixie and Alana right before Amber had to leave for the airport. Thanks to my honey for compiling these photos into a super fun collage! I love them!
And so, these were the adventures of Heather and Alana: Fort Lauderdale - there and back again.
Mom, dad, and Shawnie, we love you so so so very much and loved every second we had with you.
Amber, I am so glad you were also able to come. I love you tremendously.
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