Captiva 2012: It's Curtins (and Cartwrights) For You!

After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we packed up our things and made our way over to Sanibel Island to see our beloved Mainers, the Cartwright/Curtin family!  We said our hellos, enjoyed some long-awaited hugs, and suited and slathered up to take a walk on the beach.  It was a gorgeous day!

Baylor got to see the ocean for the first time in a while and he was definitely intrigued.  (Yes, I know it is the Gulf of Mexico, but isn't it still part of the Atlantic Ocean?  Whatever ...)

This was also the beginning of one long conversation Baylor would have with anyone who would listen/was in a confined area with him.  It's amazing how much my little man can gab!  He ALWAYS has something to say!

After getting a look at the lighthouse we turned back.

Mollie went off to walk with some other family members and I got to chat with Baylor.

And then he got tired.  (Oh, and it's right about here that I got a lovely sunburn on my back.  Thirty years-old and you'd think I'd have enough sense to ask for help when applying sunscreen!)

Of course, he perked up a bit when we passed by the pool and was revived enough to enjoy a quick dip before lunch.

It was so nice to see Laura, albeit for a very short time, and we're now greatly anticipating seeing her over the Christmas holidays.  It was also nice to see Aunt Cynthia, Uncle Andy, and Delaney as well, though we got to enjoy their company a few more times during our Florida stay.

After our visit, we split up.  Mom and Christine headed off to do the grocery shopping, and the rest of us made our way to the condo to check in and settle in as much as possible.

Mollie, for her part, got all sorts of dolled up in Florida gear.

Let's give smiling a try, shall we?

There ya go!

The first day is always a bit much - the unpacking, the figuring out where everyone (namely Baylor) is going to sleep, the upset of schedules - but we made it through quite smoothly.  I know I'm biased, but the kids were absolute champs and I can't imagine having any other little travel companions!

Mollie's Swimsuit Issue 2011

Last week my mom and sister came over to my house with the latest Hanna Andersson catalog and showed me a swimsuit they thought would be perfect for Mollie.  I agreed that we should give it a shot, and they ordered it for the little lady.

It finally came this Monday and they couldn't wait to try it on her.  Unfortunately, she's been quite difficult to get dressed lately, so they tried it on over her onesie.  The result was beyond adorable.

Isn't it the cutest suit?!  I love it that it has shorts instead of ... well, nothing; because now her little legs will be protected from the sun.  Plus, it's one whole piece so nothing will be riding up on her.  And, of course, it's adorable!

If you're planning on ordering anything from Hanna Andersson, be aware of the sizing; they use centimeter sizing so you'll have to do a little extra leg work there, but I think it ends up being a little more precise.  Mollie is a size 80, with a little extra room to spare.

Isn't she such a fashion plate in her swimsuit?  I'm probably biased because I'm her mom, but if there were a baby swimsuit issue I know she'd be on the cover!

Two Firsts, One Weekend

Miss Mollie enjoyed two firsts this weekend.

First first: She got to sit in the high chair while we ate dinner. Did she like it?

Oh yes she did!

Second first: She got to go swimming! Like the hat?

Yeah, she hates the hat (wonder why ...), but it's an SPF 50+ so it's essential.

Yeah, and right about then in the picture above I was getting a raging sunburn. I did something highly uncharacteristic of me and went sans sunscreen. And I'm paying for it; the pain is no fun and I'm aware of the risks I foolishly took. And it has reminded me why I am so vigilant about wearing sunscreen myself and slathering it on my children as well.

Anyhow, enjoy the firsts! We certainly did.

Close to Home

My mom went in for surgery today; just outpatient - it took less than an hour - but the cause of the surgery definitely hit close to home.

My mom has skin cancer; two spots of basal cell carcinoma, to be exact. She found out in late autumn of last year and has been trying to get into surgery ever since. Today was the day, and I think she was relieved to have it over with. One spot only had to be scraped, but the other had to be more surgically removed and sewn up with stitches.

Hopefully this one surgery will have taken care of those two spots for good, and she'll be on the road to recovery. That said, this first incidence of skin cancer means she has to be super-vigilant about skin checks in the future.

We are all thankful that her skin cancer is not melanoma, but it is a reminder that you have to be so careful out in the sun. For more information about basal cell carcinoma, check out the Skin Cancer Foundation's website. Page 4 tells a lot about what you can do to protect yourself against skin cancer.

All the best to you and yours. Take care of yourself for both you and the ones you love.

Summer Time and the Living is Easy

My son finally got to enjoy the pool at my parents' house a little last week.

He was initially not too thrilled about being put in a swim diaper, swim trunks (that turned out to be a size too small), and a rash guard.


But after we threw on his wide-brimmed hat and got in the pool, he seemed to enjoy it. He was even less somber than he was in Florida ... bonus!

A couple days later, we got in again, this time with a new rash guard and swim trunks! Oh, and a new pool float that he seemed to enjoy. The sun was really bright, which is why he's making a face like he smelled a fart.

My mom also got him a super cute towel for after swimming.

Isn't my little Tigger just adorable?! Luckily, it's a little big on him so he has some room to grow into it. I just love a good hooded towel, don't you?

I am sure these are just the first of many trips we will make to the pool this summer. I love swimming and I so want to impart a love of water to my son. Yes, I occasionally daydream about teaching him how to dive, how to play Marco Polo or Quiet (our family version of Marco Polo ... without any talking at all), and how to do a somersault underwater ... sue me. And hey, if our kid has any of his dad's genes, he'll take to the water like a fish.

Why I Am Pale

I love being tan ... there, I said it. But facts are facts and as much as I love a good "healthy" glow, I know it's not actually healthy at all. My Uncle Craig died of malignant melanoma last year and everyday I think about him as I carefully apply my sunscreen. I think about my son and how I want to be around for as much of his life as possible. I think about my husband and how I want to make it to our 60th wedding anniversary together. And I know that taking good care of myself is key to a long, healthy life.

So I am trying. Applying sunscreen daily is one of the easiest things you can do to help prevent cancer, and while it's easy to forget sometimes and can make your skin feel a little less fresh it is SO worth it.

Tomorrow is our walk for the Relay for Life and you can still donate to our team! Donations even as small as $5.00 (the minimum donation allowed) can help! Please visit my personal page at: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09National?px=9873464&pg=personal&fr_id=14395

My blogger friend Amber Yake is also looking for donations for a half marathon she is doing on June 28th to benefit the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Visit her at: http://amric1409-lifeasiknowit.blogspot.com/2009/05/running-for-cause.html

Every little bit helps! Have a wonderful day! Enjoy some pictures of my son while you are donating!

Tuesday in Florida

We are staying on South Seas Plantation in Captiva, Florida. This is our view. Our condo is on a golf course.

Another view from our condo.

We took our son for his FIRST swim in any pool. I took FOREVER to get him ready (sunscreen, hat, rash guard, swim diaper, trunks, sunglasses ... no sun was getting to my beautiful boy's skin if I could help it), but we had a ton of fun. He wasn't his usual self because he's got two teeth coming in, but we still had fun.

And later in the day we took him for a walk and ended up spending some time on a carpet-like patch of grass. It was the first time my son had ever touched grass, and he was endlessly fascinated. The great part: it was short enough that he couldn't break it off and put it in his mouth.