The first Heck family vacation

About mid-July your dad and I decided to take a trip to Traverse City for a few days. I wasn't sure I wanted to: you're still breastfeeding and I wasn't sure how that would work being out in public and all. Then I thought about all the stuff we'd have to bring and how you're not a fan of sleeping in your pack 'n play. Then I thought, "We'll deal with it. I want a vacation this summer and it's a chance to show you the beach and water." I thought it would be nice to do some biking too. We borrowed a bike rack from a friend to tow the bike up there and a trailer for you to ride in. We went to buy your dad a bike (he's been wanting one for a while) and bought our own bike rack instead.

I booked the hotel - Cambria Suites. It was more expensive than I would have liked to spend, but we had to be in the room by 8 pm every night for you to sleep so I wanted to make sure it was a nice hotel. We got a suite with a king bed since I figured you'd end up sleeping with us at some point. This king bed was the most comfortable bed in a hotel I've ever had: pillow top, lush pillows that were thick so I didn't have to pile 4 up just to have my head at a normal level. If I hadn't had a major outbreak of poison ivy that worsened while we were up there, it would have been the best 3 nights of sleep I've ever had.

We left Sunday and stopped at Mike and Sandi Wieczorek's cabin to visit them and Aunt Kate, Uncle Nate, and Spencer who were in from Wyoming. We had a good visit with them. You had your first boat ride on their pontoon and your first dip in a lake. After that we headed up to Traverse City. When we got to the room, there was a large floor mirror. You were very intrigued by the baby in the mirror. You gave her kisses and everything. We had put sun block on you while on the boat and we needed to give you a bath. Unfortunately the room only had a stand up shower. The sink was rectangular and had a flat bottom, so you got a bath in there.

Monday we did some shopping downtown and wandered to the lake. We went back to the room to eat lunch and grab a nap. Then we headed to the beach to meet up with Brooke Groff and her son Isaac. We got there first, set up our area, and dad took you into the water. It was a bit chilly and you were not thrilled. He started playing in the sand with you instead, which you seemed to like. You had no problem knocking over the mini castles he built. Once Brooke and Isaac got there, Isaac went right in the water and then you were interested. It seemed like you weren't going to be bested by him! (So like your mom!) You liked to reach out for his hand and splash the water around you both.


Tuesday we drove up to Leland and did some shopping and I showed you guys Fishtown. Your dad has traveled to lots of places in Michigan. I was very excited to be able to show him a place he hasn't seen in this state before. It's a rare occurrence. After that we went to Bel Lago winery to do some tasting and some buying. While I enjoy our time nursing (although less now because you're so squirmy), I will enjoy being able to have a glass of wine with dinner again without worrying when I last fed you. After that we were going to go biking...except on our trip to the winery your dad realized he left part of the bike trailer at home in our garage. Without it we had no way to attach it to my bike and no way to go bike riding. Your dad was pretty upset. I think that was the part of the trip he most looked forward to.

Wednesday we woke up, ate breakfast, and then headed to Hartwick Pines. That's one of your dad's favorite camp grounds and he hasn't been there in 11 years. Unfortunately by Wednesday my poison ivy was so awful and the mosquitoes bothered me so much I was in no mood to wander through the trees and nature. I am not a nature person. Your dad will take you camping; I'll be in a near-by hotel.