I Used To Be Beautiful...

...but now I look like this:

My friends, this vacation nearly sucked the life out of me.

Guy's 3-morning cave diving course ended up taking nearly 5 full days. He offered to cut it short but being the doting wife that I am, I was all "No, sweetie, don't cancel. You deserve to have fun. You work so hard. I'm OK, the girls and I are having fun, don't you worry" and then on the last day of his training someone asked me if I was on vacation all alone with my 3 girls and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. That was the same day that Anna Sofia would JUST. NOT. NAP., and well, Guy came home to find me in the courtyard crying into my glass of wine from sheer exhaustion. The truth is that I was what I called "newborn tired" for way too much of the trip. Traveling with 3 children, one a very independent, mobile toddler, is hard. Traveling with 3 children and being almost entirely alone for most of the trip is excruciating. As you can imagine, Guy was sick about it and very apologetic. We discussed it at length and calmly decided miscommunication was largely to blame. Either he should have cut the training short or I should have asked him to. Or both. Can I add here just how much I love how we relate to one another?   

All that said, good times were definitely had, as you will see in the pictures once I get them all uploaded. And, of course, any complaints I have come from a place of privilege. We were in a gorgeous locale, eating good food, enjoying beautiful tropical weather and merriment. Living la buena vida. Tired or not, it was paradise. I keep saying that if this is the worst family vacation we ever go on, I'll gladly take 1,000 more like it.

And, hey!, all was not lost. I mean, look at how freaking hot I look under water! I'm thinking I should just go through the rest of my life in a water tank, a la The Boy in the Bubble, swimming around in a string bikini and wearing a snorkel mask. Because that's the only way I do or ever will look hot like that. BA HA HA HA

And now I must leave you as I have the babysitter coming shortly so I can go enjoy a spa day. Ahhh, it's soooo good to be home!

Comments

[super cool #1 daughter---- Nat]

I am shocked and apalled!Just kidding but it is good to be home.I had a great time tormenting you!=)HAHAHAHAHAHA!I hope you have a good time at your spa!

[Leta]

I think any phrase containing "vacation" and "kids" is an oxymoron. It is hard work taking them on trips! Glad you can relax now that you are back home. Hope your spa day was great.

[bonggamom]

Great underwater photo! Looks like the water revived you -- you looked a bit dehydrated in that first photo :)

[Libby]

I am glad you are back! Man, you do look hot in that picture!

And Nat, you slay me kid. Too funny.

[wenders]

Ah, vacation. Always different than we plan...

And, Dude. If you OWN a string bikini, my guess is you look just fine in it not in the water, too... my bathing suit came with a skirt. Just sayin'. No strings here!

[Jennifer]

Welcome back! Hope you enjoy the spa day!

[JK]

I hope the spa restored some moisture to your skin. It looks like the trip did age you a bit... except,yea, Hot. :-)

In case you were wondering, I will not be posting any pictures of me in a string bikini. I will most likely be wearing a bikini this year, but it won't be string. I like the board shorts thing too much.

Given that I'm still nursing (I don't lose all the weight until I stop), I am amazed that I can even consider a bikini top.

glad you're back my friend. xoxo!

[holly]

Yea you're home! Now to this string bikini thing...hell I lost 37 lbs and my butt still aint' stepping into one of those. So, more power to you girlfriend!

[Rebekah]

Wow, it is SO good to have you back! Talk about missing you. So sorry it was very rough at times, but I hope the overall experience made it all worth it. Sounds like that is the case. And may I say that I am even more impressed that you "let" Guy take a cave diving course at ALL, much less that it was 5 days. Caves and diving and my husband -- even thinking about those combined -- give me the willies.

[Hannah&boys]

You do look hot babe!!! And nothing like trying to enjoy a vacation, being strong and then having it all fall apart. At least you are mature enough to talk it out with Guy. I'm off to look at the photos. Love ya.

[Narah]

Go Nino, go Nino, go Nino!! Looking fab, sistah!!

[Nina]

Well, and I thought I was the only one who was so worn out from my vacation that I was crying to get home! thanks for sharing, Nina

PS that bikini shot is great, glad you got some time to relax a bit.

[amygeekgrl]

damn, you hot mama you! :)
sorry the trip wasn't as great as it could've been, but glad it sounds like you made the best of it.

[Naysha]

Well, Spin Doctor glad to see you being the redeemer as always. Way to look at it as half full. LOVED your bikini shot. Jessica Alba called she said she wants her body back!! LMAO!!! Ha, ha, ha!