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Amelia Island – Travel Journal

TRAVEL

August meant only one thing here in the Bower household: VACATION!  A break from the norm was long overdue.  Since the only days my poor boyfriend had taken off this year were for the birth of his son…I knew that he was dying for a relaxing week at the beach.  When his dad (who I call Pastor Dad) & stepmom (Nurse Vicki) generously offered to book the place and take care of planning the getaway, we did the happy dance while singing Beach Boy tunes.  Now that we are back from the vacay, I couldn’t wait to download the photos and get this post up, up and away.  

Note: there are a ton of photos…which if viewed at work, could leave you crying under your desk in the fetal position wishing for a vacation, the weekend or even a coffee break.  Also, the beach made Will look even more adorable than normal…so please use caution because your voice could be strained from excess awwing.

The five hour drive to our destination was not exactly something I was looking forward to.  It would be the longest drive to date for Will…not counting the True Value pacifier debacle.  But surprisingly, it went really well.  We just made sure to give him lots of blanket time (outside of our fast food pit stops!).   

Will’s face says it all.  And if you can’t read his eyes, then his shirt is pretty straightforward.

We stayed at the Amelia Surf and Racquet Club.  It was beautiful.  I would show you photos of the condo but really, is there anything more important than this:

Yup…he loved it. 

 At first, he wasn’t so sure.  But Jeremy dipped his toes in the ocean and he couldn’t open his eyes wide enough.  After that…we didn’t hesitate to let him roam wild.  Granted, he can’t walk yet and is barely tripoding, so roaming wild is loosely interpretted.

Three generations of William Bowers:

So most of our days were the same as they are when I am home…lots of napping, breastfeeding and excuses why I can’t make dinner.  There were some differences…like Jeremy got to experience his first ‘Dad-load’…you know…when you completely load the dad down with beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, blowup floats, and 1.7 million absolutely-necessary beach items.  It’s official honey…you are now a dad 🙂 

and you still make me weak in the knees. 

Speaking of knees, I wish that mine were still poolside.  That was probably my favorite part of the vacation…slipping away with Jeremy to the pool.  We got to do that a couple times.  As well as a couple tennis matches and even a few beach walks. 

Oh the beach.  It was glorious.

Perfect for strolling.

And shell collecting.

and playing 🙂

and we even brought Will…of course, he enjoyed the beach from the stroller.

The beach really wore him out…his naps were pretty good everyday (whew!  after worrying that not being at home would be an adjustment, the little guy did awesome).  He would wake up so happy…it really helped me relax. 

I will say this…taking a non-walking baby to the beach is not as fun as one might think.  You have to hold them the entire time.  And you are stuck under an umbrella because you don’t want their perfect little skin to get all burned up. 

We used one of these beach ‘huts’ but Will’s back would tucker out from working so hard to keep his head up.  So we always ended up holding him.  Oh well…next time we will know better…

I had this genius idea that we would take family photos while there.  We all planned what to wear and I brainstormed the best way to take the photos while still being IN the photos.  And then when we got down to the beach, it was ridiculously windy.   

Our hair cracks me up. 

Even though the family photo session didn’t exactly work out the way I thought it would, I did sneak Will out one morning to snag some beach baby pictures. 

He’s such a doll.  He puts up with me constantly taking his photo. 

Oh how I love that little guy.  It’s hard to believe that he is 5 months old already.  He’s so good.  The first three months he had really bad colic…but now he is sooo good.  Makes me want another baby…almost.

Ok…back to vacation.  It was really nice to have these guys around:

They were constantly offering to hold him and push him in the stroller and even sit in the condo while he napped.  It was quite an adjustment for me to have someone else around…I mean…I am so used to just me and Jeremy…and getting Will ready and happy everyday for someone else was more emotional than I anticipated.  I told my darling boyfriend that I sometimes just wanted to keep him to myself so that I could have all the happy moments…because those happy moments keep me going through the crummy ones.  Jeremy said that I didn’t need to focus on the moments I was missing…but the moment that I got to see him again…because he bet that Will would smile bigger than ever at that very second…and I would feel like I didn’t miss anything at all.  That night we went to play tennis and you know what?  He was right.  Will smiled and everything was ok.  I guess that is my first momm-letting-go moment.  Man, was it tough though.     

One of the last days we were on the island, we went to Fort Clinch State Park. 

It was really fun.  We went to the walking and fishing pier…and walked the entire thing. 

Then we visited the fort itself. 

It was really fun.  The restoration people had made each room in the fort to look like it did in the 19th century.  I had fun walking around taking photos and seeing all the old timey stuff that was still classic and chic today. 

My favorite part of the entire vacation?  Getting one good family photo.  Sure, Will isn’t exactly looking at the camera…but hey, it was our first family vacation (hopefully many more to come!) and one that allowed us to stretch and grow and learn.  Or maybe that was just me 🙂

It was the perfect way to end the summer.  I couldn’t have asked for a better place to go…Amelia Island really was beautiful and quaint.  I am just glad that Jeremy got a little break from the norm…makes for a happier husband to complete my DIY To-Do list 🙂 wink wink.  

So did you go on vacation this summer?  Or are you saving your days off for the winter holidays?  Perhaps you treasure your first family photo as much as I do mine?  Or maybe you wanna share your first momma-lettin-go moment?  Personally I am glad that summer is so close to ending…I am ridiculously ready for fall…my favorite season.  Goodbye summer…see ya next year.

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  1. Wonderful pictures. I feel relaxed by just looking at them. It is good to get away from the everyday life once in a while, if just for a day. I am getting slightly jealous when seeing the picture of the fort, as my hubby & I went to Fort Sumter and Charleston for our honeymoon – and we are always talking about going back to dear old South Carolina. Our new favorite vacation spot.

  2. are you kidding? Those family photos turned out wonderful! I love! I think they look so wonderfully spontaneous and candid without trying. 🙂

  3. I love your beach pictures!!! The family photos are great and I love how your FIL is holding your MIL’s hand. I know that since Jeremy was holding Will, that wasn’t possible for you two, but that picture is so darn sweet.

    We just took trips to Australia and Saipan but are planning Palau, Australia again and maybe Fiji in the next couple of months. Those are the perks to living in Guam… easy access to all things Pacific!

  5. Wow, Katie you look amazing!!!!! What is your secret? You look like you never. had. a. baby. 🙂

  9. Katie, you’re so pretty.. and skinny already! You look like a brown haired Britney Spears (from the old days when she was hot). XO, Amy

  10. Looks like a beautiful vacation, Katie! I love Will’s beach pictures. He is absolutely adorable, and you look fantastic! I love that one sunset (sunrise?) picture of the cloudy sky too!

  11. We won’t be able to go on vacation this year, but just looking at your pictures makes me feel almost as relaxed as if we had just gotten back from one! Will is the most photogenic child in the world, those pictures are adorable!

  12. When all your babies are grown, (and you’re peri-menopausal) vacations are a little different. We went North, to the rocky coast of Maine, to escape the heat. The beaches in Maine are a little different, too!

    If I could figure out how to upload a photo, I’d send one that I call our “sunset viewing station…”

  13. You look amazing!! 🙂 I agree, you look like you never had a baby. You give me inspiration for when it is my turn- soon hopefully!
    Love your blog, check it everyday when I need a little break from working.

  14. Heaven sakes, your family is so stinkin’ adorable! I’m just now REALLY seeing Will’s resemblance to you. And may I also say that you are a Skinny Minnie! Just picture-perfect, all of you. I immediately googled Amelia Island and am super intrigued. There has been some talk of getting three or four couples together with babies and renting a house on the Atlantic Coast. Amelia Island will be added to our “to research” list!

  15. Holy smokes Katie, the picture of you pushing Will’s stroller on the beach, you don’t even look like you’ve had a child. You look amazing! I’m due with our first in March, and this post made me SO very excited about our future family trips 🙂 Especially if they involve our parents helping out so the hubbs and I can get some fun alone time!!

  17. EEK! My mom’s family has had a condo at the Surf and Racquet Club since my mom was in high school. We go every year. I took my husband on our first family beach vacation last month. It was wonderful. Now I’m longing to go again.

    So glad ya’ll enjoyed Amelia and a family vacation!

  18. How fun! My family has gone to Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach every year since I can remember. Well actually, they have been going since before my dad was born so longer than I can remember. It is a nice, quaint place but such a wonderful place to just hang out on the beach and spend time together. We were actually there over the 4th of July with family and my daughter, who was only a month old at the time. She is 3.5 months now and I can’t wait to take her back next summer when she can really enjoy the beach and family more. Loved your photos and Will is a cutie!

  21. The pics are great! What stroller do you guys have because I would love something like that for our beach trips?

  22. Hi Shaina,
    The stroller we have is the Phil & Ted’s Sport. It can be kinda pricey and I wish that it came with a cup holder (instead of charging extra for it!)…but I love it cause it is all-terrain…so that sand didn’t bother us a bit…and I take it walking everyday and haven’t met a branch, pothole or curb that it didn’t handle like a pro!
    XO – Katie

  23. aww…thanks. But no. I definitely can suck it in for photos…but then my pudge rolls out like a tsunami. I definitely need to TONE up…and hopefully then I can fit back into my old clothing…all TEN million pairs of pants 🙂
    Seriously though…you all made my day.
    XO – Katie

  24. Looking at these pictures makes me want a little boy! When I was pregnant with my daughter I was so afraid of having a boy (mostly because I was scared of being peed on, but that is totally possible with a girl!), but Will is so stinkin’ handsome! I think I could use a little of that in my life!

  25. Wow! Katie, you look great. I totally agree with an earlier comment, and that you don’t look like you ever had a baby. I only hope I look that good after I have kids (granted I’m 23, so that will NOT be happening any time soon) 🙂

    I love the photos of Will! Beautiful

  26. We just got back from a week at the beach, too and now I have 1,000 photos to edit and am totally overwhelmed. Nice work getting your photos up so quickly!

    And I also set up the tripod to get some family pics – which was difficult since we have two dogs and it is definitely a challenge getting them to both face the camera…who wants dog butt in their family photo after all?

  28. Looks like a perfect family vacation. And those beach photos you took of Will are too precious.

    We have the P&T Sport stroller too. Its great – and useful for when the next little one comes along 😉

  29. Oh! Looks like a great vacation. You’re right, he IS extra cute at the beach, your photos turned out fantastic!!

    It’s so inspiring that you can still travel with a wee one – yes, it’s a different kind of vacation but still totally doable… right? right?

  30. Will’s beach pic are just adorable! I cried reading your mommy letting go part, I just went thru that this weekend while my lil guy spent the day with his grandparent & my hubby thought I was nuts!!! LOL

  32. Wonderful pictures! Looks like you had an amazing first family vacation. We just returned from our first family summer vacation this past weekend and had an amazing time and got a ton of wonderful pictures of my little princess. I’ve provided the link to two of my favorite pictures from our trip.

    I remember the first time I left our daughter with my parents, all I could think about was getting back to her as fast as we could (which was hard since we went to a concert and got stuck in traffic leaving). But that smile we got when we walked in the door was worth it! And good for you guys, get out there and have a fun afternoon to yourself on your vacation!

    Have you started planning your next vacation yet??!! Thanks for sharing!

    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IigBWXcIRr0/TIlXduhaFAI/AAAAAAAACYs/n5jmx0fy1kE/s1600/P9081299.JPG
    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IigBWXcIRr0/TIlXfO22zrI/AAAAAAAACZM/NpHr-SA9nc8/s1600/P9081284.JPG

  33. ::assuming the fetal position::

    Thanks a lot, Bower.

    No, really y’all couldn’t be cuter. I like your non-staged family pics. And btw, you don’t even look like you had a baby 5 months ago. Your belly is totally flat in the pic where you’re pushing Will on the beach.

  34. It must be said that you look absolutely fantastic!!! I’m from Jacksonville and have actually never been to Amelia Island, but I have heard it’s beautiful!!! The hubby and I just got back from a trip to Greece and Turkey, so I know what you mean about needing a vacay! We’d been saving up for that one, and it was well needed (and well worth it)! xo

  35. I love, love, love the pics you took of will on the beach by himself! It makes me want to have a baby just so I can take him to the beach and take pictures! Love it!!!

  36. You weren’t kidding, Will does look super adorable! Love the beach pictures of him in his jammies (but maybe next time feed him breakfast before, so he doesn’t have to eat the basket :D)!

  38. He DOES look cuter at the beach! Maybe you should live there 🙂 Looks like a great vacation, and can I say, you are looking good too, Momma!

  39. I am pregnant and emotional, and your beach photos of Will just made me start crying! Just beautiful- I need to get it together here! thanks for being a BFF to all of us, Katie, and sharing things with us as you go!

  42. Jennifer,
    This is why we are friends…because you say things that I say. Like how I should live at the beach. Can I send you Jeremy’s personal email address so that you can tell him that too 🙂
    XO – katie
    p.s. can you please blog about your pregnancy a little? I’ve been dying to know all that is going on with you and Wes and the bean!

  44. Looks like you guys had so much fun! My hubby and I enjoyed a beach vacation this summer, then came home to find out we were pregnant! So, we were glad that we took a trip this year.

    Question: What kind of stroller do you have??

  45. Katie – you look fantastic!! And Will is so adorable is all the photos. It looks like you all had a great vacation.

    Hubby and I just returned from a trip to Europe. We’ve been saving (cash and vacation hours!) for a long time and it was well worth it!

  48. Hi Jenny,
    It’s a Phil & Ted’s Sport. They are more pricey than I would like to admit spending but it’s the only stroller that we could find that was all-terrain, had an inline doubles kit (for any future bambinos) and had attachments to to fit our carseat (so that we didn’t have to take Will out of it to put him directly into the stroller).
    Hope this helps!
    XO – katie

  49. Gorgeous pics! Will has got to be the cutest baby I’ve seen in a long time…. well, minus our 3 month old little peanut, Mckenzie 🙂

    I know you’ve mentioned before, but I can’t remember… what are you using for a photo editing program? Is it pricey? I know a lot of them arm and I have a hard time spending the cash!

    Thanks!
    Shelly

  50. I don’t think a photobook per vacation is overkill at all! That’s actually what I do… It all began with a Christmas present to my then-fiance/now-husband of a blurb book featuring the big trip to Greece we took after he graduated from law school… I decided to keep the tradition going and make photobooks for each of our trips. Although, I admit, I’m a bit, uh, behind… I just completed the books from our Honeymoon (18 mo ago) and our trip to Napa (a year ago) – oops. Better late than never, right?

  51. Hi Shelly,
    Our photos are all edited in Photoshop CS4. It is pricey but sometimes you can find someone who is a student and would be willing to split the cost with you. Or you can try using the more affordable Elements version. It can do the same thing…just might take a little longer 🙂
    XO – Katie

  52. Hi Katie,

    I have been spying on your blog for almost a year, I came to you by YHL and could not help falling in love for the captivating way with which you write.

    In this almost a year time, I shared the joy of a beautiful growing belly, I prayed for the birth of the little one at those difficult days (checking the blog every day, like a junkie), witnessed the constant improvement of your photos, and now I get happy everytime I see the wonderful smiles of little Will.It´s great to check on you and your loved ones at times…

    Many times I wanted to write, but the language barrier always made me give up (need to think a little more to write in English, since I’m Brazilian). Only this time I needed to get over this little detail only to tell you:
    ” Katie, you’re in great shape!”

    Do not know if it´s some sort of a bacon diet, but … really you look awesome!

    Congratulations!

    Maryana

  55. Katie,

    My pleasure ! We girls need to be recognized for our efforts … My little girl arrives late October and I hope to return to old shape in record time as you!

    I guess your blog has many visitors from various places, including Brazil, but next time you check the statistics be sure that over here you´ve got a big fan!

    Mary

  56. Oh my goodness – I have serious leg envy!

    These are beautiful. I only just started following your blog and I’m loving it 🙂

  58. I just need to comment on the carseat. lol. I dunno if u know this (cuz i didn’t up until recently) but when u put ur lil one in the car, you’re supposed to click back the handle. (so it’s behind their head) cuz if a wreck happends (God forbid) the entire carseat flips up to the backseat…instead of it hitting the handle and not doing its job.

    hope this helps and u learn something new ever day like i did! (i’m a nanny)

    xoxo Kate

  59. Hi Kate,
    Thanks for this info…I definitely assumed that it would act more as a roll-bar if we got into a wreck so your comment lead me to more research…which is good because I learned that most companies test the seat with it up AND with it back. You are right about it being good back – that is recommended if you own a carseat that has not been tested with that bar up and down.
    Thanks though for your comment…I really appreciate it.
    xo – kb

  60. I loved seeing your AI pictures! I lived there for 10 years and I just moved away from the beach to Charlotte.

    I miss that place, but apparently, when you’re married, it’s a good idea to live in the same state as your husband.

  61. Ok get outta here. Im finding we have even more in common. My dad, brother and nephew are all…hold onto your hat…William Bowers’ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our name has the S at the end but still…a big coincidence:)
    These photos were fabulous! My two faves are of Will with his grandparents reading a book(SO precious) and your first family photo together.
    We just got home from our first real, big, huge, flying in planes for the first time, Disney world family vacation. There were a total of 10 of us and my two girls(5 & 6) had the time of their lives:) We’ve been home for…oh like 4 days now and Im already wishing I was going on another trip!

  62. SMALL WORLD Sarah! That’s totally crazy. It’s nice to meet another set. I always like to say that the world doesn’t have enough William Bowers 🙂
    xo – kb

  63. Recently came across your blog. I totally dig it, sister! By the way, I’m about half an hour from Amelia Island. I hit it up a couple times a year for the Ritz spa… wanna come with next time?

  65. Sweet! Ummm… so how do we do this? Is this a make believe, virtual lady date or a call-me-when-you-are-in-the-neighborhood kind of date?

  66. Hello hello, busy lady. I’m guessing you are enjoying your holidays with Mr. Will and decorating the Big House, so a spa visit with a stranger is out of the question now. I will go this month without you, but you are there in spirit. (See how I’m having an imaginary friendship with you… it’s pretty fun if I do say so myself.) 🙂

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