Today is 3 weeks since we got here. We’ve experienced a hurricane and the birth of our new grandbaby. And we’ve spent a lot of fun times with our neighbors. But I’ve gotta say it can be exhausting. Every now and then I feel a little…… unsocial. Plus I think my liver needs the occasional break. I literally sometimes feel guilty when I don’t want to have dinner together or watch a football game, or…… Coming here for two weeks at a time always seemed too short, but I’m starting to think three weeks could be the perfect amount of time.

Rick left yesterday to go back to Tucson for a few days to work and check on things at home. His absence, however, was short-lived. I left him at the airport at 2 and was back around 5:30 to get him again. I was at a birthday party when I found out he had not taken off yet. There were airplane problems that would take too long for him to make his connection, so they were happy to send him on his way and not have to put him up in a hotel and feed him. He left again today-this time first class, thanks to Delta.

It’s kind of weird around here without him. He’s a pretty entertaining person to have around-lol! I miss him already. I did a little shopping after leaving the airport for the third time in 24 hours. While out and about, I was invited to watch a football game back at the condo. Seriously, I get a sports break for a few days, and you won’t find me at a football watching party. Nope, it was time for a Grey’s Anatomy marathon and a kale salad for dinner. I’m gonna do a few things around here tomorrow and then head to Tavares for a couple of days to give Jenna a hand and to get in some baby cuddling time. Rick will be back here on Thursday night and he’s bringing Tyler back with him for a little visit. I’m really looking forward to it!

Be still my heart! What a sweetie!

Sloan had an appointment today with a photographer for a newborn photo session in Daytona Beach. Lucky us! In her first 6 days of life, we have missed only one day. She got to come to our condo after a long morning of being adorable for the photographer. She met some of our condo friends and then we all went to lunch at a restaurant on the beach. This little girl loves being outside. This will be quite handy for our little Florida girl!

Our daughter, Jenna has been amazing! She had a c-section 6 days ago and is bouncing back like a champ! She was in such great shape going into this and it has served her well. She is so calm and loving with her baby-it makes my heart soar with pride!

8:00 a.m.

It’s looking like the hurricane is now downgraded to a Cat 3. Also, so far it is tracking just to the east of the coast. They are saying the danger is not over yet, the slightest wobble of the eyewall can take it from 65 mph to well over 100. The next 4-6 hours are critical for the coast. Where we are, it looks like the winds will be in the 30’s. Thank god. And baby is still exactly where we want her right now.

2 p.m.

The worst has passed and we were very lucky that the worst case scenarios did not come true. We spoke to our friends who stayed in our building at Daytona Beach Shores. The building lost power for about 20 minutes. Our unit appears to have sustained no damage, no water leaks at the windows or doors. There were some gusts that reached over 90mph at the Daytona Beach airport. I have to say the governor did a great job preparing everyone. Always-better safe than sorry!

We’ve been hanging around watching tv and eating. After a while we all went for a little walk to ease the cabin fever, but it’s still a blustery day out there. Good ending to a scary hurricane!

Damn. This is some scary shit. We are already getting some rain, but that should increase by 3:00 a.m.along with increasing wind speeds. So far the hourly predictions are saying it should lessen by tomorrow afternoon. This is a damn storm though, it sounds like guessing to me. As far as I can tell, these storms can turn on a dime. I’m so worried about Jenna going into labor during this storm. I wish she were at the hospital just in case. If she wakes up and feels off in anyway, they will head to the hospital and we will try to keep the dogs calm at home until the storm passes and then meet them there.

I think we’ve done as much to prepare for this as we were able, with our combined limited experience with hurricanes. Now we just hope for the best. I’ll check in occasionally with brief updates. Wish us luck!

Well, I can now say, firsthand, that having a home in the path of a Category 4 Hurricane is terrifying. We had originally planned to visit Jenna on Thursday and head back to the beach on Saturday. Keep in mind that we got to Daytona on Sunday evening. As of Tuesday, it was clear that the storm was heading towards us. Rick wanted to wait until Thursday morning, but yesterday around noon, Governor Rick Scott made an announcement that the storm was imminent and that if you are on the coast and can evacuate, to do it before mandatory evacuations. I was ready to walk out the door within an hour. Rick resisted, because it was, after all, Poker night. We also found out that all the bridges to the mainland would be closed when wind speeds hit 39 mph. (They are now closing the bridges this evening at 6:00 pm.) After getting a few texts from Jenna, urging us to leave early, I just decided it was time to go. By 7:45 Wednesday evening, our area was under mandatory evacuation.

Wind speeds on the coast are anticipated to be over 130 mph. Where we are now inland in Tavares winds could possibly be as high as 74 mph. At least we are hunkering down together. Jenna’s official due date is 10/11. Her doctor told her the sharp increase (or is it decrease?)  in barometric pressure accompanying large storms often spur on labor in late term pregnancies. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the little princess doesn’t decide to come during the height of the storm.

In the meantime, 10-12 friends of ours who live in our condo building, decided to ignore the evacuation orders and are riding it out in place. We are beyond worried for them and tried to talk them into leaving. Hoping they all stay safe.