Dos
… continued from yesterday.
Vacation, Part II
I hear ya on the wanting photos as proof that I went on vacation. I have a confession to make: I was lousy at taking photos. I mean, sure there was the one of the lake in Maine. And there might have been one of the harbor in Provincetown. But, I’m only in one photo. And well, you’ll just have to wait to see it.
Our stay on the Cape was really perfect. And I know you’ll certify me as insane when I tell you, I didn’t go to the beach. Not once. Who does that, right? Spends 19 hours in the car. Drives through 8 states. Spends a week at the beach. But, doesn’t ever go? Yeah, that’s me. Don’t get me wrong – it didn’t take away from the dreaminess that was my vacation. Let me recount the reasons why I never went to the ocean…
Friends. Two gal pals drove from Chicago to Cape Cod to join Sweets, my family and me. We spent many hours eating, drinking, chatting, cackling, reading, being. Sure, we could’ve done all those things at the beach, but the beach doesn’t have running water or convenient bathrooms. What, I’m pregnant! (Note: my friends did go to the beach without me – we may be besties, but we’re not tied at the hip.)
Family. It was easy to get wrapped up in conversation with my mom and dad. Whether it was while my mom was cooking dinner or while my dad was looking up baseball scores on his laptop. I really did enjoy these moments with my folks. These moments will be different in the future. There will be a baby to interrupt. To steal attention. To demand attention. To become the primary focus. So, I wanted to latch onto these last remaining moments where it was only two generations together.
Research. That’s right, this vacation wasn’t all fun. I mean, the research wasn’t for work (please – work never follows me on vacation!). But, there’s this lingering homework assignment known as our registry. I’ve been asked about ours and had to respond it’s non-existent. So, armed with my Baby Bargains book and my laptop, I did some major research into strollers, high chairs and other things maternity. We still don’t have a registry, but we’re getting closer to having a list for one.
Breeze. Normally, when we go to my parents’ beach house, the weather is in the mid-80s (on a good day) and the humidity is out of control. Without A/C, their house becomes a sweltering inferno. I started this trip with threats of spending afternoons in the local library to combat said heat. But, the weather? It actually cooperated this time. The temps might have broken 80 degrees only a couple times. All but one night was perfect sleeping weather. So, sitting on my parents’ deck or screened-in porch? It was actually enjoyable. I didn’t need the beach as a reprieve from their home.
Quiet. I love noise. C’mon, I live in a city. And I love kids. I wouldn’t be pregnant if I didn’t. But, this is sort of our last real vacation without children. Without noise. Without chaos. Without interruption. And I was quite enjoying the peace and quiet at my parents’ house.
SoMi. She’s not welcome at the beach before 5PM. There were days when I opted to take a 4-mile walk with her instead of joining my gal pals and mom at the beach. And by the time 5PM rolled around, the girls were returning from their beach excursion, giving me even fewer reasons to venture to the beach.
Clams. No, I’m not afraid of them. But, you try eating your fair portion of fried clam strips, complete with tartar sauce. And then you try fitting into your already-too-small bathing suit. And try feeling cute. Me? Not so much. The clams won (they were scrumptious). The tankini did not.
Massage. Let’s be honest, I’m getting to that point in pregnancy when I’m a little more achy than I used to be. So, I used vacation as an excuse to sign myself up for a little pre-natal massage. It was an hour of luxury. My massage therapist even said my body seems to be in good shape and is very not-stressed for this stage of pregnancy. Go me!
Shopping. My trips to Provincetown (about 20 minutes away from my parents’ house) are normally in a group. And the typical situation is the group disperses with an agreement to meet back up in an hour. And then, sometimes we disperse again for another hour. But, there’s always this looming time over our head. And it’s different. Than, say, the morning my gal pals and I went to P-town for breakfast. And dropped one gal-pal off at the ferry for her return trip to Boston. And the other gal pal and I began walking the streets. With no destination in mind. And suddenly, hours have passed and money has exchanged hands and we’ve got to drop one load of bags off at the car in order to continue our spontaneous shopping spree. And next thing you know, it’s the middle of the afternoon and we’re just thinking of heading home.
Exhaustion. Without pregnancy, I would take a walk, eat clam strips, go shopping and go to the beach all in the same day. My new reality is I do get tired more easily. I’m still not taking naps, per se (only took one nap during vacation), but I am slowing down more quickly. So, vacation meant one big activity per day instead of 5. And if that meant skipping the ocean, I was kind of OK with that.
So, there you have it. Some of the highlights from our time on Cape Cod, even though they didn’t include the ocean. And because you asked, I’ll share a few photos from our trip – trust me when I tell you there really aren’t many more than the ones that follow.
Maine — SoMi comfortably standing on my aunt’s and uncle’s dock.
Bear Pond — the pond where my aunt & uncle have a home;
this photo is taken across the pond from their house.
Fresh Veggies — Literally! My aunt is farming with a friend;
we went to pick some goodies for dinner. 
Lobstah — Fresh Maine lobster for dinner.
A side of corn on the cob. Perfect summer meal!
Wellfleet Bay — View from the back yard of a favorite pottery studio.
Even though I didn’t go to the ocean, I wasn’t devoid of water!
Clam Strips — A seafood market (owned by a high school classmate of mine)
was a destination for my gal pals and me;
order at the window and eat at picnic tables on the bay!
Sweets and me — the only photo of the two of us from our entire vacation.
We were heading out to a family dinner and my parents insisted on a photo.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:41 am
I gotta say, I can’t imagine going to the beach but not really hitting the beach. But it sounds like you had a great vacay!
The lobster and clams? YUM!!
And you look precious with your litte bump!!
August 10th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Lobstah! I love me some fresh lobstah. It sounds like your vacation was perfect in every way…who needs the beach when you have all the above to keep you busy. And look how adorable you and Sweets are! Grasshopper is going to be one cute baby with you two for parents.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:49 am
I think your vacation sounds perfect just the way it played out. Just knowing that you were near the ocean, enjoy the peace and quiet, having time with just your parents — it really does sound great (and relaxing!). I think its so much fun that a few of your friends drove out to join you. I love friends that are just as comfortable with your family as they would be their own.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:58 am
It sounds that even without hitting the beach you packed a great deal of activity in. I hope that you are all rested and relaxed! How was the trip back?
August 10th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Those pictures are beautiful! At least you got a few good ones. And, I LOVE that I got a little preview of your baby belly!!!!!
August 10th, 2010 at 8:29 am
Those are totally valid reasons for not going to the beach if you ask me =) Glad you enjoyed your trip which sounds well-balanced between family & friend time, plus “you” time! You and Sweets are such a fantastic looking couple; I know that Grasshopper will be just as handsome/beautiful!
August 10th, 2010 at 8:40 am
I love the little picture of you guys right at the end, I don’t think we’re seen any pictures of pregnant Nilsa yet! You’re gorgeous, clams vanquishing the tankini or not :)
August 10th, 2010 at 9:30 am
You look so adorably pregnant! Yay! That trip looks blissful.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:30 am
My family has a house at the Jersey shore, and I could spend weeks there without hitting the beach. I don’t think it is odd at all.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:30 am
I’m a beach girl. I have to say it. But you do what you do and that’s what’s the most important part of a vacation.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Your vacation sounds lovely! If you enjoyed it and came back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated then that’s all that matters! Regardless of going to the ocean or not :)
Also, you look super fabulous! Love the last picture. And SoMi is such a nice looking dog!
August 10th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Sounds like the perfect getaway. I am glad you soaked up the kid-free time. Like will be very different if you do this next summer w/ a baby! I can actually understand the not going to the beach thing, too…
I’m glad you treated yourself to a massage. And how great to get affirmation from someone that your body is doing well!!
August 10th, 2010 at 10:59 am
You look so adorable! And the pictures are so lovely! Doesn’t matter if you didn’t go to the beach. What’s important is that you spent with those you love and care so much for and had a wonderful time.
August 10th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Sounds like a lovely, relaxing vacation! Beach or no :-)
August 10th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I don’t mind the sounds of the city either (hello, urbanites unite!) but that blissful quiet of the country? Oh my I love it so.
It sounds like a wonderful vacation. I’m glad you treated yourself to a massage (don’t let that be the last).
August 10th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Excellent photos. I love the Wellfleet Bay pic.
August 10th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Beach or no beach, your vacation sounds wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and did exactly what you wanted to do.
Love the pictures, especially the last one! You look beautiful :-)
August 10th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Beach schmeach. As long as you had fun and got to relax then it doesn’t matter what you did! Love your baby belly!
August 10th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
you did good my friend!!
although i’m still sad you didn’t stop in the CLE en route ;)
sidenote: i wish i was eating a lobster RIGHT NOW.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Sounds like a great vacation, even if you didn’t hit the beach. Love the picture of you and Sweets too!
August 11th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I looked at your pics yesterday on Facebook. :) That’s a total glamor shot of Somi! Such a pretty girl. And you look adorable. Your vacation sounds great -- and the beach will always be there. Sounds much better to relax inside than be cleaning sand out of your bathing suit anyway.
August 11th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I do love the pics you did take!
I think it is so fun to spend vacay time like that with friends and parents, especially. You really bond. And I can appreciate what you are saying about the one-on-one time with your parents. Mine have grandkids now, so if I am around when they are there, it is like I do not exist.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
You’ve seen one ocean you’ve seen them all, right? I’d rather be in the mountains any day over the beach.
I’m glad you were able to get some rest and enjoy vacation even without getting sand in all your cracks. ;)
MMMmmmm….lobstah….mmmmmmm…..
August 12th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
this is officially added to my list of places i wanna visit!