Emilia's Journal

Dear Emilia,

Quick on the heels of your first plane trip, we packed up again for a trip to Mexico for spring break! We met your friend Maddy and her dad Matt for a week. It was Maddy’s first birthday, but unfortunately, you’re too young to enjoy some birthday cake…

We stayed in a beautiful location right on the beach. I took this picture from the balcony one morning when you woke up early.

 

 

 

 

There was a wonderful beach that ran the length of the village where we stayed. During breakfast on the first day, Mom held you as you looked out at the sea for the first time in your life.

 

 

 

 

This is what you were looking at:

 

 

 

 

We spent a lot of time sitting in the hammock, watching the pelicans and other birds and listening to the waves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You and Maddy had a great time looking at everything. We had to go into the village one day so I could get a haircut. We set you down under the tree for a little shade.

 

 

 

 

This trip was also very special, because it was right before Mom had to go back to work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unlike most babies I’ve ever met, you didn’t seem to mind your shades too much, and I think that you looked quite cute!

One day, we took a road trip to an ancient Mayan ruin called Tulúm. There are amazing structures on the site, and a beautiful beach…

… and you were pretty content to roll around in your stroller, even though it was quite hot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day, we went to a lagoon, and it was the first time you went swimming in the ocean!

First, we had to get your swim suit on and some sporty sunglasses.

 

 

 

 

On the walk there, we saw this guy… a three-toed sloth.

 

 

 

 

When we arrived, we found a good place for you to go swim. The water was extremely clear, and you were looking all around.

 

 

 

 

Then, I slowly lowered you into the water. At first, you didn’t like it so much.

 

 

 

 

But after a few seconds, I think you must have remembered that you like being in the water. We hung out there for a few minutes.

 

 

 

 

A school of fish swam over to say hello, and you were really intrigued by them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was extremely bright down at the water, so after a couple more minutes, we had to get out. You promptly took a nap.

I went to snap a few pictures of the lagoon. The water was a beautiful aqua color.

 

 

 

 

And I found a small school of fish, but nothing like what your mom and I saw when we were snorkeling.

 

 

 

 

One night, Maddy let you wear her new sombrero.

 

 

 

 

And of course, we spent a lot of time just hanging out.

 

 

 

 

We’re hoping that we are able to take many more trips with you. I didn’t get my first passport stamp until I was 20 years old, but you’ve already got one in your first year! Here’s to many more!

Love, Dad