We just can’t seem to get moving in the morning. We met DD and MJ in the lobby sometime after 11 for coffee then headed to the pool. We got a cabana again, which is proving to be the best way for Arabella to enjoy the pool- kid has good taste! She seems to be getting a little more used to the heat, but also enjoys breaks with MJ who takes her into the hallway of the beach building. They sit on the chairs near the front entrance.
MJ and DD had left over Bimini bread from Aruba for breakfast and leftover pizza for lunch. Jarmon and I had coffee by the pool. I had a huge white chocolate macadamia nut cookie for breakfast- I haven’t been able to shake my pregnancy sweet tooth! Jarmon had fish tacos for lunch. It was our last day with our favorite server, Keny, so we of course took a photo.
We took Arabella in the pool again late afternoon. Olivia was there when we went in. Hopefully Arabella will enjoy the water as much as Olivia by next summer. Olivia’s mom took some photos of all of us together. We tried pushing Arabella around the pool in her raft. She didn’t hate it, but not sure that she loved it either. DD sprinkled water on her, which she seemed to like. Earlier in the day DD let her lick an ice cube in his hand, which she loved.
We made our way upstairs to get ready for dinner- 15th St Fisheries tonight. DD, Jarmon and I shared some mussels to start. DD and I both had fried shrimp with tropical coleslaw. The coleslaw was interesting. It had red peppers and mandarin oranges in it. DD also had some clam chowder. (Fun fact: I had my first clam chowder ever at 15th Street a few years ago). Mom wanted a French dip but they were out so she got a chicken sandwich instead. Jarmon got a tasting menu from the dining room- a Caesar salad (made with baby spinach and roasted red peppers- delicious!), a seafood pasta dish and a brownie. I ordered the most delicious fried cheesecake bites for desert. Arabella slept the entire time. She got so many compliments- including the most adorable little girl who came up to admire her and a woman who was pregnant and having a little girl of her own in just six weeks. All of this happening with phenomenal live music in the background. It was a great night.
When we got back to the hotel I ordered a glass of the wine I enjoyed at Naked Crab. Sadly, it had been open too long and wasn’t as good as I remembered. Jarmon went upstairs to grab the bassinet and we sent Arabella to spend the night with my parents. Her first night away from us… which didn’t phase us. Does that make us bad parents? I hope not. Chill parents? Obviously… but we already knew that. We ended up hanging out with the pool supervisor- Ellior- for a little while. He’s leaving in two weeks for The W up the beach. Said our favorite waiter, Marco, is leaving too. He bought us drinks and gave us breakfast passes for the morning to make up for our dreadful meal at the Naked Crab.
Oh- and how could I forget- we named Arabella’s turtle! Tulip. Because she has a flower on her and, hey, alliteration.
It was a good second to last full day at the beach. We are all starting to get crabby at the thought of having to leave.
Trina Orlando 