Someone--who shall remain nameless, but who's name rhymes with fancy--was celebrating a big birthday, so we congregated at The Gaylord Texan yesterday for some quality time as a clan--which, let's face it, is the best gift anybody can receive.
For anyone who isn't familiar with The Gaylord, it's a pretty rock-awesome resort just down the road in Grapevine. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you're far, far away from your daily life, but with the added convenience of being just 15-20 minutes away from pretty much the heart of Dallas. It's a huge property with an amazing indoor atrium at the epicenter of several shops and restaurants. But the property also boasts a huge outdoor swimming area--complete with slides, a lazy river, and lovely peeps to bring you large pitchers of adult beverages, should you so desire. So, basically, fun for all :)
We arrived with all the extra what-nots and this-that's that an infant requires, and we were pretty sure we'd done a good job of keeping the bulk to a minimum. Until the shuttle bus driver asked if we'd like a ride to the airport instead of the pool. In our defense, we would've been able to drop off the suitcase and the stroller in the room--had it been available. But official check-in wasn't for another hour or so, so the hubby, Baby Girl and I hauled all our goods with us, straight to the ginormous umbrella and beach chairs that were our station for the next few hours.
Baby Girl snoozed for the first hour or so, but when it was time to feed (in a lovely, air-conditioned shower/pool changing room that I confiscated for my personal use), I changed her from her white, beach-y shirtdress into this:
Now, while this adorable snail-ness alone is enough to elicit and big, "awwwww," let me up the ante by telling you that this swimsuit was actual mine when I was that little. All together now: "awwwwwwww." (Nanna, wipe the happy tears away). Fit like a glove, and I think Baby Girl dug it.
I slathered her with enough sunscreen to protect a dozen infants for a dozen hours, and then, before she dozed back to sleep in the pressure-cooker heat that probably made her feel nice and snuggly and cocooned, we walked her over to the very shallow part of the water and dipped her in.
Her face looks a little grimaced, but she actually just had her eyes closed against any sunlight (she's a vampire, just like her Mama), since her infant hat and sunglasses were still a tad too large.
She handled the dip like a pro, calmly soaking in the cold water as we let her float there for a bit. It was a major event that lasted all of about--oh--five minutes, as most major events at this age do.
Here's the after shot. Take note of the huge sponge that is her diaper. Absorbent little suckers.
After another hour or so under the shade of the umbrella, we packed it up and went to the room for a shower (her first with Mama!) and a cuddly nap to gear up for the birthday celebration dinner. Baby Girl soaked in all her sleepy time so she could hang with her cousins during the meal--both of whom are just so excited to have her around. The pic below pretty much sums it all up.
When Baby Girl is anywhere in the vicinity, she's like a celebrity. Someone wants to hold her, someone wants to take a close-up shot, and anybody and everybody wants to touch and snuggle her as much as possible.
Nice life if you can get it.
Happy Birthday, Nancy!
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