50 weeks - Mommy and Cal's trip to Florida

Cal and I decided to be adventurous and go to Florida for a week to visit our old Chattanooga neighbors (who have since relocated to Lakeland, FL) Joel and Ashley! Daddy couldn't join us because he had just taken time off for our big Oregon trip, we missed him, but we were still able to have a great time. My friend Ashley is going to have her baby, Weston, soon so I wanted to make sure to get one more trip in while she was still pregnant. We saw gators, Cal had a double ear infection (ugh!), chased Queso (Joel and Ashley's cat), followed around Eden (their sweet daughter), swam in their pool, and saw some pretty awesome thunderstorms.

Let me on! Let me on!

The trip started out with a bang with Cal waking up screaming the first night with a blazing 103 fever.  Luckily, Ashley had some Motrin on hand to calm him down (after being awake 5 hours in the middle of the night), and he finally did get some sleep. In the morning he still appeared to not be himself - moaning, seeming to be in pain - so we called the urgent care and we were able to get in right away and they diagnosed him with a double ear infection! Fortunately the out of state urgent care was covered by insurance as well as the Amoxicillin they prescribed him, so it didn't throw us off too much. The poor little guy still wanted to sleep on me at night and we had to give him Motrin for a couple of days to keep the fever down. After a couple of days of Amoxicillin, he was back to his normal, joyful self. 

Sweet boy was so tired and hot.

After Cal was more like himself, Ashley and I took him and Eden to a great sprayground nearby. Cal loved being sprayed in the belly and sitting on the water. Eden loved getting her hair wet (see background).

Love the palm trees in the background!

Cal's curly afro from the Florida humidity!

One night I gave Cal Motrin and Amoxicillin at the same time, needless to say that was a bad idea because he was all hyped up and wouldn't go to sleep! So... here is Cal around 8:30p.m. watching TV with Ashley all relaxed and propped up on her pregnant bely.

We went on an exciting adventure to Gatorland!! Wooo, I think I may have been the most excited, but    that's okay, memories were still made!

"Cal, show me how excited you are."

Classic.

Admiring the beautiful parrots.

They were EVERYWHERE!

Why wouldn't I pet the alligator?

Watch out!

Joel and Ashley have an awesome pool in their backyard that we frequented on the sunny days and I often would lay on a floatie while Cal napped. Pure bliss.

Eden giving Cal a little pat on the back.

Cal and Mama

Relaxing.

That's how you have fun!

Ashley and I had a much needed girl's night while Joel watched the baby monitors. We went to an awesome bbq restaurant for dinner and then to a place called The Red Door for dessert. We had a great time!

Cal was so worn out on the flight home (especially after an hour delay while on the plane, sitting on the tarmac, which made our flight 3+ hours) that he fell asleep in the Ergo carrier and I laid him down on the tray table where he stayed fast asleep. Soo sweet.

We had an awesome trip and I definitely felt rejuvenated after spending the time away. Miss you already - Joel, Ashley and Eden!