Baby Girl in Boca Grande
đź“Ť Gasparilla Inn, Florida
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There are some places you visit once, and others you keep going back to. For us, the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande has always been the latter. David and I have been coming here for years, drawn in by the charm of old Florida—bike rides under swaying palms, quiet mornings by the water, and a pace of life that makes it easy to relax. It’s one of our favorite places to unwind, and this year felt extra special: we got to bring Brennan for the very first time.
The last time we were here, I was four months pregnant. I remember walking through town wondering what it would be like to come back with a baby. So to return this year with Brennan in our arms—and my parents along for the trip—felt full circle in the best way. We all stayed in the historic main inn with rooms right across the hall from each other, which turned out to be perfect. Brennan loved crawling back and forth between the rooms, soaking up all the attention and turning the hallway into her personal runway.
Our mornings were slow and sweet: coffee in the lobby, pastries from the Inn Bakery, and Brennan waving at everyone we passed in her stroller like she owned the place. The staff at the Inn couldn’t have been kinder—they greeted her every time with a smile, a compliment on her dress, or a quick hello that made us feel right at home.
Naps happened at the Beach Club under striped umbrellas, with the ocean breeze in the background. One of us would hold her while the other snuck in a few pages of a book or sipped something frozen. It’s always a gamble napping a baby on the go, but she did great—especially considering how exciting everything was.
The rest of the day was spent by the water or exploring around the Inn. Brennan was fascinated by the palm trees, the birds overhead, and honestly, just watching people walk by. Everything is new when you’re a baby, which made even the simplest moments feel fun.
In the evenings, we got dressed for celebrating friends, leaving my parents as world-class babysitters. It was so nice to have some room for a mommy-daddy date night filled with great food, fun cocktails, and lots of dancing.
She won’t remember the trip, of course, but I hope it’s the first of many. It already feels like the beginning of something we’ll do again and again—same time, same place, just a little older each year.
Love from Boca Grande,
Katie
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