Mathilda in Mexico

sunset Mathilda

I am sadly sitting here in my dreary Pittsburgh office on this dreary Pittsburgh day (ok, it's sunny, but still 30 degrees and snowy) having just 24 hours ago been basking in 84 degree temps, sipping pina coladas poolside.  Ahhhh winter vacation! The best time of year to head south.  We loaded up 2 suitcases, a carseat, stroller, and enough swim diapers for a month, and hit the Riviera Maya, Mexico.  We were so fortunate to be invited by friends with a timeshare to stay with them in their Presidential Suite at the Aventura Resort.  It was amazing!  The way to vacation, when you really want to relax with kids, is all-inclusive.  Drinks poolside, great meals, and someone to clean it all up when you're done.

first morning, wearing our matching polka dots, of course.

ready for dinner in her pretty lace dress

and thank goodness we remembered the bib to protect that pretty lace dress from her avocado binge

playing poolside

view of the lagoon and sand

on our patio

no high chair in the room, so this is what she looked like when we ate in. Sippy cup? check. Manhattan? check. Adult-size plate of fish, rice, and veggies? perfect!

so lovely

playing in the shallow water

walks on the beach

We traded some evenings with our friends so we could each have date night. Our obligatory vacation self-photo here.

so, cats are apparently to be feared and off limits....

These guys, however, run around at will without warning. I'm sure they're totally safe and friendly.

She LOVED swimming. I'll post a video soon.

last night :-(.  But awesome party dress, Tilly!

our gang

I found out on our last night that the grant I had submitted to the NIH in Dec received a REALLY good score.  Margaritas to celebrate all around!

Mathilda reviews the safety instructions in the seat back pocket.

It was a fantastic vacation.  Mathilda did so well on the flights, thank goodness.  She's not a great airplane sleeper, so it is essential (and exhausting) to keep her entertained.
I'm happy to report no sunburns, but despite baby SPF 60 and staying primarily in the shade, Mathilda still got a tan, while I look like the absolute image of December.  No worries, we definitely got our vacation on.  Thanks to quite a few free resort dollars, I got a rubdown from Raul I won't soon forget, and Guadalupe shiatsued all the sress out of my joints.  Add some hydrotherapy (sauna-cold shower-steam-cold shower-hot tub-plunge pool-hot tub-foot jets-rest-repeat), chlorofill water, never ending coffee, never ending margaritas, and a dinner time entertainment of sexy saxophone playing Careless Whispers - and it was a great vay-cay-tion!
We all ate way more than anyone should, but Mathilda might just win the consumption contest.  She downed plates of food at each meal. New foods included hard boiled egg yolks, papaya, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, multiple kinds of fish, and new kinds of cheese (some I'm not able to identify).  She also loved rice, beans, mushrooms, croissants, burgers, cottage cheese, and the usual vegetables.
I'm so happy we were able to put Tilly's first stamp in her passport before her first birthday.  Here's to many more adventures to come!