Vacations always go fast, but this one seemed to fly. We tried to get moving early today so we could enjoy some pool time before our flight, but you know how that goes. We only made it to breakfast about 15 minutes earlier than usual. BUT, we did eat faster. The restaurant was busy, so we grabbed some food from the buffet. Arabella is a strawberry eating monster. Seriously. She ate all of the strawberries MJ got for her— then ate another bowl that I convinced DD to get for her (they thought I was nuts). It’s pretty incredible how much she enjoys something so healthy.
After breakfast we went up to the room and changed into our swimsuits. We were going to have about two hours at the pool. Arabella soaked up every minute playing with the beach toys MJ brought her. We also splurged on a final round of strawberry daiquiris to finish out the trip— virgin for me and AB. She drank most of hers and ate the fruit from all three drinks. She took a few sips through the annoyingly fragile paper straw, but consumed most of it with her hands. It was adorable. And the photos were totally worth the $40 bar tab. (I’m not typically a consumer of fruity beverages— I can only imagine what they would have cost WITH alcohol??)
We said goodbye to the pool at about 12:45p so that we could get back into our room ahead of our 1p checkout (a late checkout was one of the few classy moves by the hotel this week). We had things mostly packed already, so I took care of the finishing touches while Jarmon and Arabella showered. Then we hustled on down to the lobby where AB enjoyed one final ice cream sandwich with MJ while Jarmon and I checked out and watched the bellhop load our bags into the car. We said some quick goodbyes and were off.
Arabella fell asleep after a few moments in her car seat. She was out cold after an action packed morning. We had to stop for gas before dropping off the rental car— all of which went smoothly. We rented a luggage cart and jarmon pushed our bags while I pushed the stroller (while rolling on my scooter). Jarmon typically wouldn’t have let me push the stroller, but his arm was really bothering him so I insisted. It sounds cumbersome, but we rocked it. I seriously wish getting around our house (and my workplace) was as easy as getting around the hotel and airport.
We didn’t want to wait in the full service checkin line inside, so we slipped outside to use curbside. They typically don’t weigh bags there, but of course today they did and both of ours were over. Not really sure how that happened given that we used items in Florida that weren’t making the return trip, but whatevs. Jarmon wanted to just pay for the bags, but I insisted that we take items out and carry them. That decision saved us $50– but also took us from well-packed and mobile to VERY weighed down. (Honestly, I get that they want to keep the bags to a certain weight for the handlers, but it’s all going on the same plane. Wouldn’t it make more sense to keep it neatly packed in a suitcase rather than haphazardly thrown in bags that are getting shoved in already full overhead bins??) Luckily, the stroller and scooter helped our cause… until it was time to get on the plane.
Jarmon grabbed some Auntie Anne’s and I grabbed some cheezits for the plane. Then we made our way to the gate to break down the stroller.
There were a ton of pre boards on our flight (literally about 25 wheelchairs- more than I had ever seen) and we let everyone else go first. Despite my gimp status, we were still the most mobile of the pre boards. A really nice couple helped us get the packed up stroller down the jetway— then a flight attendant carried the diaper bag to the back of the plane for me.
Silly puffs bottles in the side pockets were catching on the seats. Another flight attendant held AB while jarmon got our bags situated. Then, she brought her cookies. We had of course gone straight to the back in hopes of scoring one of the empty seats for AB. (And we were successful).
A family with 2.5 year old triplets eventually came and sat behind us— obviously having the same idea. Arabella was fascinated by the blond haired little boys and spent much of her time looking over the seat at them. She was pretty good on the flight until she pooped her pants, got fussy and fell off the seat. Jarmon wanted me to change her on the seat, but I told him that wasn’t fair with a poop diaper.. so he took her to the changing table in the front. When they got back she fell right to sleep for the remainder of the flight. Unfortunately for me, she fell asleep ON me, which meant no bathroom despite my desperate need to go… but I’ll take a sleeping baby over an empty bladder any day.
As soon as we landed I hopped (because getting the crutches out of the overhead takes too much effort)back to the restroom while others deplaned. We got off much easier than we got on (thanks to me relocating the puffs bottles) and another nice couple helped us up the jetway. Once we reassembled the stroller and tightened the scooter we made our way to baggage claim, collected our bags and continued to the cab line.
We grabbed a van, but honestly, we were still packed in a very bizarre way. We texted Jan on the way to bring Baxter over and when they arrived Jarmon, Arabella and I were all sitting on the steps surrounded by a pile of stuff dumped by the cabbie. Jarmon’s should was killing him… and I was able to offer zero assistance. So we sat and chatted for a few until I gathered the energy to crawl up the steps… and jarmon recovered enough to get the most important bags up the steps (some are still sitting at the bottom, ha!).
We ordered a pizza for dinner and basically all sat on the couch unable to move for the rest of the night. Well, scratch that. Jarmon and I couldn’t move— and both sat with ice packs on our injured limbs. Arabella was just too exhausted and mercifully sat with us. I’m honestly not sure how we both went from feeling so good all week… to so bad when we got home. But- I guess that’s why people retire to Florida- everything is easier there. Remember I said this so you aren’t surprised— if I ever break another bone, I’ll be going to Florida until it’s fully healed. Steps and curbs and the strains of city life are fine when you are fit— but when you’re not, holy cow. Florida is the place to be.
Trina Orlando 