Beach Weekend

Max and Sarah found a surprise waiting for them one morning when they came downstairs for breakfast: new sand toys for a trip to the beach! And just like that, we were off to Isle of Palms for some fun in the sun!

("Just like that" being a phrase that does not account for the innumerable hours Mommy spent packing the night before)

We had the opportunity to rent a friend's house for a quick trip to the beach before the heat and crowds of summer. Although we have made numerous trips to aquatic locations (beach, lake, pool), this was our first trip as a foursome. No grandparents, no aunts, no cousins, no friends. Could we handle it? With pleasure.

Sarah and Max were delighted to be back at the beach! Sarah relished the experience. Knocked over by waves, face plant into the sand, swallowing salt water and sand - bring it on! Nothing could stop her; she laughed and begged for more.

Max teaches Baby the intricacies of sand digging.

Beach Bums

Sweet Carolina Babies

Max really enjoyed the accommodations.  There were four sets of bunk beds in the house and he tried each one. The Max informed us, "We need to get bunk beds at home for me and Baby to sleep on when she gets bigger."

Bright and Early

Always looking out for his baby sister

Beach Challenge: Use the provided apparatus to create "cement".

Max: Ready.

Sarah: Ready.

First, Max examines the equipment.

He tests the mixture for appropriate consistency.

Max demonstrates how to pack the sand correctly.

Sarah proceeds to mixing.

Sarah removes a clog.

And rubs the finished product in Max's hair.

Cement or a new type of styling gel?

Sarah proves she can walk (and scoot) on land and sea!

Frisbee practice

Do these ruffles make my bum look big?

Expert Hole and Castle Builder Mr. Chip arrives!

A Max-sized hole.

Into the Deep!

Is anything better than ice cream at the beach?

The benefits of beach weekends: sun, sand, and early bedtimes. The downside? Early wake-up calls. Max was up at six am and, short of tying him to his bed, I knew there was little chance of him remaining quietly in his room. So Max and I snuck out of the house and walked to the beach to watch the sunrise together.

Sometimes these kids really help remind you how beautiful life can be.

Back home to grab Daddy and Sarah, then we hit the beach for full sun.

Bunnies, snakes, jellyfish, kites, AND trucks?

Could Max's day get any better?

One beautiful family.

One beautiful beach weekend.

Weaning

Goodbye, faithful breast pump. Goodbye, pink container of pump parts in my sink. Goodbye, bags of frozen milk overflowing my freezer.

About one month into nursing Sarah, Jason suggested we might not make it an entire year. Nursing was not a problem. Pumping was not a problem. Nursing AND pumping eight times per day while trying to manage a curious and slightly jealous preschooler: somewhat of a problem. Sarah was an easy nurser though, and once I stored a bountiful supply of frozen milk for my return to work (and so I could occasionally leave the house), we settled into a great routine.

Breast feeding is a huge commitment, but I feel very fortunate to have been able to nurse both my babies for over a year. Although there was a day when I was reading about the extraordinary benefits of breast-feeding: less ear infections, lower chance of developing asthma, etc.  and I looked at one baby, who had a double ear infection, and my other child, who has asthma "episodes", and wondered, "Did my kids miss this memo?"

I will never regret giving up a little sleep or turning down dinner invitations so I could stay home and share the special connection of feeding my babies. Plus, I do so enjoy proving Jason wrong.

Goodbye, late night snuggles. Goodbye, private time with my baby before breakfast. Goodbye, sweet sigh of contentment and drunken baby milk haze.

Hello, wine. Hello, two cups of coffee. Hello, ice cream in my freezer. Welcome back.

Guppies

In preparation for spending our summer in the water, these little fishies needed some official swim lessons! 

I foolishly committed to lessons for both children on the same day. Sarah and I participated in a Parent-Tot class and Max had a group lesson with two other children. The logistics were slightly more difficult than I had imagined: 2 Kids. Twice per week. Bathing suits. Towels. Goggles. Swim diapers. Snacks (for each child). Stroller. Change of clothes. And the list went on and on....Mommy looked more like a sherpa than a swimmer!

Sarah is a child who will stick her head under the faucet of the bathtub to let the water run over her. So it was not surprising that she had a great time splashing in the water, chasing the toys, and walking on the pool ramp. She did not care for swimming on her tummy - too much like crawling, Baby? The class was unfulfilling, but it gave me the opportunity to spend time enjoying the water with just Sarah.

Sarah happily watched Max during his lesson as long as Mommy kept a steady supply of snacks available. Max had a more conflicted reaction to swim lessons. Max loves the pool and will swim "laps" literally for hours. However, he had a hard time completely submerging his face. There were great days and not-so-great days. Days when he cried to leave and days when I couldn't get him out of the pool. The life of a 4 year old is never consistent! 

By the end of the session, Max was doing well at swimming without a jacket, but we are going to try some individual lessons to help him become more comfortable (and safe) in the water.  And he will have many private lessons in his private pool at Mimi and Babba's house this summer!