Babymoon Part 1

I have traveled to Eastern Europe, had numerous trips to the Middle East and lived in Northern California... Can you believe in all that I have never once walked on an American beach!? Yes, it's a true story. I don't know how that escaped my repertoire of experiences but it did. I've climbed waterfalls in the mountain barefooted and hiked up ancient fortresses in the middle of the Israeli desert-but have not tanned on the beach listening to the sound of the waves. Go figure. Ha!

That fact changed this weekend.

Sunday morning, Sam and I loaded ourselves in the car and headed for the beach in Wilmington, NC ! We had planned this weekend trip as a short "babymoon" for some awesome adventure/relaxation time alone before little dude arrives.

It was a 3 1/2 hour drive, which wasn't bad at all. We talked, listened to radio theater and laughed the whole way down. We checked into our quaint little hotel room that had an AMAZING view of the river and an old navy battle ship!

After unloading our bags we changed into our swimming garb and headed to a typical, touristy beach shop to get towels, a shovel and bucket for making sand castles and an umbrella!

Leaving there, we found a place to park and I entered the addicting world of beach/ocean lovers. I'm ruined. Samuel laughed as I squealed, "oooh-ed" and "aaah-ed" at the sight of all that water and the magical sounds! Then, we GOT IN the water! Ah! Beyond fantastic! It took me a minute to get used to the rhythm of things but once I did there was no turning back!

"The Belly Hole"

I dug a whole in the sand so I could once again experience the intoxicating feeling of laying on my stomach!

One funny thing that happened as I lay there, falling asleep as Sam was building me a little sand kingdom-it being later in the afternoon the tide started to slowly creep up. We thought we were fine, we were pretty far away from the water. But, NO-as I lie there drifting into wonderland, being lulled by the waves, one decides to rush in a demolish our little camp site. Yes, my serene rest was quickly changed into a mad dash for our camera/iPhone bag and a mourning over all the amazing shells I had collected seeing that they had been swept back to sea/buried in sand.

Sam stood aghast as he looked at his once towering creation in progress ruined. Haha! I almost cried. (Yes, truly Jess, you are pregnant.)

We walked the beach together and soaked in the sounds, smells and beauty of it all. I collected lots of little treasures to turn into some fabulous creations I will show you later this week.

Sam laughed later on that night as he twittered,

"Jess had an epiphany last night. At about 2am she rolls over and asks

in a very concerned voice, "Baby... Do people pee in the ocean?" :)

The day decided to go so sleep. Sam and I headed back to our hotel to shower and change for a wonderful evening on the river walk and a magical dinner at a sea food restaurant called "Elijah's."

Sam ordered a mixed grill from the chef of all sorts of goodies and I got good ol'fish and chips with a salad.

Of course we had a wickedly wonderful dessert called "Death By Chocolate."

Sam assured me he wasn't hungry and told me to order just one. Well, once it was placed in front of us with 2 spoons...he changed his mind. ;)

Our time was so wonderful and perfect! We walked about a mile back down the river walk talking about nothing and everything. It felt like a second honey moon. Just us, enjoying each other together.

As we snuggled in bed that night, our little man moving and wiggling like crazy, a smile was gently painted on my face as I thought about all the laughs and new experiences I had had. I realized again, there's so many more of these days/nights to be discovered- it's just started. Next time we go on a seashore adventure, we'll have a new little love and new little friend with us.

I love life.

Part 2 is coming tomorrow!