Beach Babe

I have really been terrible about keeping up with the blog lately! To be honest, I thought my parents were the only ones that looked at the blog, and since they have been out of town, I didn't think it would be a big deal. But I have several people mention to me that I haven't posted in awhile, so I am going to make a better effort to be a better blogger!

Ella and I headed down to Hilton Head Island last Thurs-Sun for a mini-vacation with my mom. I have been going to Hilton Head since I was little. We took Ben for the first time when he was 5 months, so I was excited to introduce Ella to wonderful place. It was Ella's first time flying, and I will admit, that she did really well. Minimal crying, and lots of cuddling. I took these pictures during our layover in Charlotte.

Where's my plane??

As soon as we got to the condo, we put on our swimsuits and headed to the pool. She looks like such a butterball in her suit! After a short swim, we brought her inside for a nap, and my mom and I headed back out to the pool (thankfully our baby monitor reached from the condo to the pool so we didn't feel like we had to be indoors, too, when she was napping!)

When we woke, we got ready and headed to dinner at our favorite mexican restaurant on the island, San Miguel's, in Shelter Cove. We had a nice, but quick dinner (when you're eating out with a 10 month old, there is no such thing as a "relaxing" dinner - it's more like eat and run). My mom and I were excited to look at the shops in Shelter Cover after dinner. Ella found a stoller for a babydoll in one of the shops that she pushed all over the store. When we left the store, without the stroller, Ella through the BIGGEST TEMPER TANTRUM I have ever seen (and she is only 10 months old!) She was so uncontrollable that I actually went back in the store and bought the silly thing. However, by that point, she was so far gone, that we had to leave. It was probably for the best, because not long after that, the biggest storm blew in and we just barely made it home. She did seem to really enjoy her new stroller once we made it back to the condo.

I had to post these next 2 pics because I thought they were pretty funny. We didn't have a high chair for Ella to eat at so we made our own out of a bar stool and lots of pillows.

After breakfast on Friday morning we took Ella to the beach for the first time! She loved the water and waves and enjoyed eating the sand too!

We also took Ella to visit Matt's favorite place on the island - Pino Gelato. Here she is eating gelato for the first time. She ate her whole cup!!

We are going back to Hilton Head next month - the 4 of us, my sister, her husband and kids, my parents, Matt's parents, Todd and Jeff. Since there are so many of us, we won't all fit in the condo so we rented a house in Sea Pines. My mom, Ella and I drove by to scope it out. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it is really lovely. It sleeps like 16 people, has its own pool and it just a short walk to the beach. I am really looking forward to going back in a few weeks!

Also while we were down there we ate a fantastic dinner at Crane's Tavern and did a ton of shopping. I am especially looking forward to heading back to Coligny Plaza for more shopping. Also, Island Child - I love that store!

AND, the most exciting thing that happened while we were in Hilton Head...... Ella started walking!!! She can now take about 10 steps on her own. She is growing too quickly. I am not ready for my baby to grow up this fast!!