BABYMOON

I decided I wanted to see some sunshine and the beach before I hit my last trimester and couldn't travel anymore. We only had a week off work but still decided to go transatlantic for some guaranteed sunshine - Florida. We got to see blue skies, friends, go shopping (Little Baby's wardrobe expanded), dine well, swims, walks on the beach and of course spent time with Suzie, my car!
While I was super excited for all of the above, he was most excited for the below two items:

Big Gulp from 7-Eleven and Cheetos!

Alan wanted a real American breakfast experience. We had great breakfasts at the hotel, but it just wasn't what he was looking for. I decided Cracker Barrel was the way to go. Old country American.... he loved it!

We weren't let down with the weather... blue skies 6 out of the 7 days. Maggie and Joe visited us at the hotel - we spent the day on the beach and by the pool... the boys talked about beers and boy stuff, and Maggie and I caught up on life! The worst part of the day was that I couldn't use the waterslide at the pool.. it was fun however, watching their faces as plunged into the water at high speed!

Mid week, we went to Miami for the day...as I listened to music in the car, Alan watched for alligators all the way along Alligator Alley. Unfortunately, again, there were none to be seen. {Thank God we found one in the lake at our hotel a few days later; otherwise, I fear Alan would have completely given up on Florida.}

We visited South Beach and watched the world go by over these bad boys.....

We then visited the American Airlines Arena for the first time to watch Miami Heat play the Minnesota Timberwolves. After living in the States close to 7 years, I never once went to a NBA game so it was pretty exciting. Sadly, by the time the game had started, I was falling sleepier and sleepier. We had fun though! Alan came up with a few choice phrases such as "Nuttin' But Net" which kept me very entertained.

The night prior, in preparation...

I had a surprise visitor from Tampa..
Eva and I were roommates and teammates at University and hadn't seen each other for about 4 years. How fast the times passes, but the greatest thing; it felt like nothing had changed at all. Ok...slight understatement from the pregnant person, but, you know what I mean.
We went to 5th Avenue for dinner, ice cream and chats.

Back at the hotel and under the sun...

I feel like I already had my own mini babyshower. Thank you so much to Eva and Liset for the beautiful presents for Little Baby, and to Gloriana who sent something all the way from Mexico to Florida as a surprise. (My friends are cooler than yours)
Muchas muchas gracias chicas!!!!

On the last day, we did a maternity photoshoot. Neither of us ever did one before but had so much fun with it. A few photos to come in the next post!

Completely unimpressed with having to leave, we bid Florida farewell for another few months. Next time, I imagine it will be a hugely new experience! :)

Christmas in the Sun

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since my last post! This has been the longest time I have gone without posting anything here since I started this little 'diary' almost 3 years ago. There has been a lot going on lately that I have found myself with 0 energy to do some of the things I like, this being one of them. I am back now and will have lots of updates over the coming weeks.

Just got back from a few weeks in Florida for Christmas. Boy, how much do I miss it there!
I remember when I was a child, I used to hate the thought of being somewhere hot and sunny for Christmas. I thought it was a time to be in the snow, or at least in the cold and rain. How wrong was I? Christmas in the sun is awesome!! (Especially when you haven't seen it since the summer time)

South West Florida is so full of natural beauty, around every corner you will find some sort of wild animal , beautiful birds, beautiful sun sets, greenery, blue skies, clear waters and beautiful people!

Not too bad looking at these from your balcony every evening.

The one thing that might be a little unnatural in South West Florida are Christmas trees.
But the Power household cannot have Christmas without a real tree...even if we do have to haul it up to the 11th floor of the condo in the wee hours of the morning so that nobody would see.

Love  stocking time! So exciting! Yes, I am 10.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and best wishes for 2014!

In Love with Florida...

On this rainy, cold night, here are a few photos from this Summer...

Naples Pier

Such a beautiful place...

Is it time to go back yet??? 

Swimming With Dolphins

Last month I got to cross one more thing of my List:

56. Swim again with dolphins

It was on the same day we went snorkelling that we did this.
Getting to cross 2 items from my list in 12 hours = successful day!

Theatre of the Sea was the first place we went when we arrived on the Keys. Jacqueline and I had been there before a few years ago and loved it since then. It is a marine wildlife park which is home to rescued (and non rescued) animals.

Their mission statement is:

'To provide a wonderful home for our animals while sharing them with visitors in ways that inspire awareness and sensitivity towards animals, the environment, and conservation issues.'

...and they live up to that expectation completely.

Before getting into the water, you have to sit through 45 minutes of instruction. The dolphins are trained using hand signals, so you are told only to move as the instructor tells you. Everyone was slightly aprehensive getting into the water with these beautiful creatures. I don't think you realise how big dolphins are until you are in the water next to them.

It's such a nice experience and would highly reccommend it! Do it!!!