Mexican Water Bug

Last week for spring break, we took a family trip to Mexico. If you remember from my previous posts, I started preparing for this trip months ago when I got my passport. I put it to good use traveling south of the border to Puerto Vallarta (PV). We left on St. Patrick's day, so M&D and I all wore green shirts. It was a long day of travel since we had to drive to Dallas (my longest car trip to date), then take a direct flight to Mexico. I had a good time in the plane and slept because it was my normal nap time. When I wasn't sleeping, I had fun looking out the window and saying hi to all the passengers around me. Aunt Christy met us at the PV airport, and we all took a shuttle to the Grand Mayan, which is part of a large resort with lots of pools, restaurants, and fun things to do. I was amazed and a little frightened by the huge Mayan statues that met us in the main lobby.

The first couple of days we spent exploring the pools around the resort. There was a huge kiddy pool area where we spent most of our time. At first I was very timid about going in the water:

 

But with the sunshine dancing off the surface of so many pools and so many new things to see, touch and explore, it was hard to contain my excitement. Soon the Mexican water bug was born, and nothing could stop me from playing in the pool for hours!

...except snack time...

...and nap time... But after nap time, while M&D were still taking siesta, I had fun playing in the condo.Not only did we bring along lots of my favorite toys, but I discovered new toys and books that M&D had smuggled into the luggage without my knowing. My Mexican cache included some fun bugs to chew on, crayons and a coloring book, and a new book called "Go, Dog. Go!"

I got this balloon flower from a payaso by the wave pool.

Go, Dog. Go!

 














We ate logs of great food while we were in Mexico. Luckily two of my favorite foods are available in abundance: avocados and bananas. I ate so much guacamole that the waiters started to recognize me and ask me if I wanted to sit down for a snack. I would have obliged every time, but I had too much work to do in the pool. And to add to all the excitement, half way through the trip, Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Wills joined us. Two aunts, an uncle, new toys, bananas, pools galore...I was in heaven.
 

Surprise! It's Aunt Jennifer!

One of the mornings we all enjoyed a stroll along the beach. I liked seeing all the birds and pointed to them as much as I could. We also saw crabs scuttling back to their holes and baby sea turtles in a sanctuary waiting to be released.

After a few days, I had the daily routine down pat: cereal, sunscreen, swim, crackers (which is one of my favorite words now), swim, lunch, nap, snack, swim, bed, repeat. A few times before breakfast, I insisted on putting on my hat and coverup so that I'd be ready to go swimming right away. I wanted to maximize my time in the water!

Water bug for hire. No water needed.

Unfortunately the week came to an end and we had to fly back home. I was so tired that I slept almost the entire way back. Daddy was tired too, so we napped together in the plane:

And dreamed of sliding into the pool...

One last note about the trip home. While going through customs, the officials searched our luggage and confiscated all of my diapers. We asked why, but weren't really given a good explanation. With little choice, M&D were forced to see how I'd do without wearing a diaper. To their surprise, I not only didn't wet my pants, but I also used the potty when they held me up on the seat. I'd been starting to show an interest in potty training, but I think I exceeded their expectations. Since then, I've been using the potty and have yet to wear a diaper during the day. I do still have to wear a diaper at night because I can't crawl out of the crib to use the potty on my own. M&D are very happy that my diaper wearing days are over. They are also happy that I have a good sense of humor. April fools!