Grady's First Vacation - Isle of Palms, SC

Posted on Jul. 11, 2007 at 6:15 PM - Post Comment

Grady was living the high life last week at Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms, SC.  He took his first real vacation  I hope it is the first of many wonderful vacations for him, and I hope that he comes to appreciate travel and new places as much as his mom and dad do.  We were there for 7 nights, including the 4th of July, which was great.  We had really good weather, the resort was beautiful, and out house was great.  Grady loved the beach and ocean, he enjoyed swimming in the pools, even putting his face in the water.  He also was a good little boy when we went out to dinner several times.  I am so happy that he got to spend lots of nice time with his grandparents too.

Sunday, July 1:

We left our house around 10AM.  It took about 6.5 hours to get to the resort.  We had to stop three times for feedings and diaper changes.  But Grady did great on the ride, napping at his regular times and playing much of the time.

Here he is with Daddy on our porch, upon arrival at Wild Dunes:

He went to bed soon after we got there.  He had his own room and really did well sleeping in a strange place.  He still went to sleep on his own and pretty much slept through the night each night.  He also decided to start sleeping later.  I guess he was in vacation mode too!

Monday, July 2:

Our first day the weather was gray.  Every day after that was very sunny and hot, so it was actually good.  We didn't have to worry as much about keeping G out of the sun.  Monday was spent mostly by the pool.  Grady just LOVES the water.  He would kick his legs and "swim" with his arms when we held him on his belly.  He would also dunk his face in the water.

Here we are in the giant beach chair that is famous at the resort:

Grady seeing the ocean for the first time ever!

Hangin' by the pool with Grandma C.

I was making him giggle by dunking him and then kissing his belly:

Swimming:

Just playing poolside - look at that little belly!

Look how little he is compared to the watermelon:

Later that day we went to the beach.  Grady put his chubby little feet in the sand for the first time and got to splash in the ocean a bit.

Video of his first time in the sand:

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Isle%20of%20Palms/?action=view&current=MVI_1743.flv

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Isle%20of%20Palms/?action=view&current=MVI_1749.flv

Then it was time for the ocean:

Videos from his first dip in the ocean:

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Isle%20of%20Palms/?action=view&current=MVI_1753.flv

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Isle%20of%20Palms/?action=view&current=MVI_1759.flv

Back at the pool again:

Video of Grady swimming with Grandma:

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Isle%20of%20Palms/?action=view&current=MVI_1764.flv

That evening we had an early dinner at the One Eyed Parrot, and Grady did very well.  Here we are before dinner, in our living room:

At dinner:

Tuesday, July 3:

The weather was gray again in the morning but then turned very sunny and warm.  We decided to go to the pool again since Grady was enjoying swimming so mcuh.

I guess I didn't go as picture crazy on Tuesday!

Wednesday, July 4:

Each morning someone took Grady for a morning walk, usually along the beach.  This morning the Grandmas and Papa G. took him in the stroller on the beach.

We had GORGEOUS weather!  It was not too humid but warm and sunny.  We decided to set up down on the beach.  We even brought a little cabana for G, and he actually took a nap in it!  Grady loved the ocean and would jump up and down when a wave would come up.

A few morning shots - our house is the green one on the right:

Grady and Grandma:

He even had a special bib for the holiday!

Checking out the sand:

playing in the water:

Video of playing in the ocean with Grandma:

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Isle%20of%20Palms/?action=view&current=MVI_1806.flv

Playing with Dad in his cabana:

And napping!

Grady also had watermelon for the first time on the Fourth of July.  I ate it down to the rind and then let him chew on it.  He really only liked the juice.  As soon as he got a chunk, he would make a terrible face and spit it out.

That evening we went to a cook-out at the Pavilion.  Grady was great while we were there.

Smiling behind the paci:

Thursday, July 5:

We started the day with a walk on the beach:

Then we set up at the pool again.  We also went back to the ocean and let Grady splash around in some tidal pools when the tide was very low.

That night Grandma Conte put Grady to bed since Mom and Dad went on a sunset sail.

Friday, July 6:

Grady slept until 7AM, which was nice.  He slept later than usual for much of vacation.  That morning he played with a toy that Grandma Conte brought.  He got quite wet!

Video of him playing:

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Isle%20of%20Palms/?action=view&current=MVI_1845.flv

We went back to the beach that day.  When I was walking with Grady in his special waterproof sling, he decided to just curl up and take a nap, which was cute.  I guess the ocean sounds relax him.  Here we are after I sat down.

Tummy time on the beach:

With Grandpa:

Later we went to the pool.  Grady was lounging poolside in his ducky robe.

Saturday, July 7:

We hung out poolside again.  Grady went in his float for a while and cracked up when Grandma Conte was playing with him.  He also went for one last dip in the ocean.  We tried to give him his first ice cream (sherbert, since we though it would be dairy-free) but he fell asleep on Eric's chest on a lounge chair.

That night we went out do dinner to celebrate our last night.  Grady was a good little baby, and we got some cute pictures.

Sunday, July 8:

Sadly, we had to head home.  We did take one last walk along the beach:

Grady did well on the ride home.  Here he is chewing on his toy:

He did so well on his first vacation that it is clear he shares his parents' love of travel and the beach.  We definitely can't wait to take him back to the beach!