Sand is Yucky

You might have noticed that all of the pictures from my previous beach post were from instagram. I mean, it is 2012 up in here, so you know we are using our cell phones most of the time. I did take my big camera to the beach though. I didn't get many pictures with it, but I got a few and I will cherish them forever.

We walked down to the beach for the sunset a couple times. This meant keeping D up past his bedtime, so we didn't do it every night. He was a trooper though, and loved the feel of sand between his toes and fingers. 

In his mouth... not so much.

My ONLY regret about our beach trip, is that I wanted more pictures of him on the beach. I had done tons of research (duh, pinterest) and brought lots of cute outfits, but we only got up early enough to do it once.  Next time I'll be more deliberate. But I am happy with the couple that I got. I 'm thinking of ordering a canvas of this first one. It is my favorite.

I know it probably goes without saying now, but our fatty-fatty is a sitter! He started sitting on his own just a day or two before the beach and now he is a rock-star sitter! He loves to sit and play, and look around. I'm sure the view is so much better than laying and looking at the ceiling.

I brought my tripod and remote, with high hopes of trecking it down to the beach for family beach photos. That never happened, but we snapped these behind the condo about 15 minutes before we headed home. I love that beautiful pink flower bush, and I love even more the way Durham is looking at me. Melts my heart.

The lesson in the story is...

bring your big camera and take more pictures

and 

sand is yucky.

Durham's 1st Beach Trip

We took Durham to Florida last month, his first beach trip. It.was.awesome.

We are so blessed, Chris's parents let us stay at their condo that is right by the pool and the ocean. That made being there with our 6month old a little easier. We packed up almost everything we own and rode down after work on a Thursday and stayed the entire next week. It was a great idea to do our traveling at night because Durham slept the entire time. Thumbs down that baby d did not get the time-change memo and was up before the sun came up the next day.

Each day, Durham would get up eat, play, and go back down for a nap. While he napped, we would eat breakfast, pack a lunch in the cooler, change and be ready to walk down to the beach... that way, when he woke up we could roll on out. Chris did get in the ocean with him a couple times, but the water was kind cold for him. He loved to sit up and play with toys on a towel at the foot of my beach chair, lay in his tent and watch the umbrella, and take naps on the beach.

Durham took naps like a champ on the beach. The kind of champ that needs to be bounced to sleep, have a fan, and a sound machine. That is still a champ, right? I guess we can't complain, he is a high maintenance sleeper at home too.... so I wasn't surprised. I know that our next trip will be even more fun because he wont need as many naps, there will be more time for playing!

 He loved the pool much more than the ocean. We knew he would love it, since he loves bath time and splashing in his kiddy pool at home. I loved it too, because there was no sand. I'm not a big fan of cleaning up sand everywhere. We borrowed this baby pool float from bestie and it was perfect to keep the sun away and give him a little support. We would hit the pool in the late afternoons when it was a little cooler.

I am not going to lie to you guys... being on vacation with a 6month old baby is actually not a vacation at all. It is just moving all your crap from home to a sunnier place with a pool. There was still so much to be done and only our four hands to do it. Now we know why people bring grandparents on vacation!

Chris and I did manage a little time together too... it is so important to us that we connect each and every day. When we are home that is even harder because of my work schedule, but at the beach we ate dinner on the back deck every night once durham was asleep, watched movies on the couch, and hung out just the two of us.

We had an awesome time and we can't wait to go back!

this is a three part post:

today: family fun 

tomorrow: Durham ate sand

Thursday: Beach guide for the mommy of a 6month old

Happy Birthday Jackson Rush

Dear Jackson,

I love you so much. From the moment I saw you... my heart was forever changed. I have absolutely loved every life stage you have gone through...and I always say "this one is my favorite".

You were so itty-bitty. so snugly down in my arms. I remember coming over in those early weeks to just hold you on the couch while mommy caught a few minutes of sleep snuggled up beside us. I remember you getting bigger and stronger. I remember watching you try new foods and learning to scoot across the floor. I remember tagging along with you and mommy to physical therapy and cheering you on when you decided it was time to walk. I remember not being able to say no when you would lift your chubby little arms up and say "Nanny, I hold you", I remember every Halloween costume you've worn, every birthday party, and every Christmas card. I remember the name of our marching band, the way your hair curls up when you sweat, and how the freckle on your finger reminds me of the one on mine. I remember it all because I love you. You and every one of these memories live in a very special place in my heart.

Your mommy is such a beautiful example of a mother. She shows me how to love in such a pure and simple way. I am so grateful for the relationship that she allows us to have... she nurtures it, and supports it, and loves it.

Thank you for being such an amazing little boy, Jackson. You are so strong, so kindhearted, so passionate, so loving, and just a joy to be around. The past 4 years have flown by in the blink of an eye...I know I say this about every stage... but I think 4 might be my favorite. I love you sweet boy. 

Happy fourth Birthday, bubs!

I love you,

Nanny

I can't wait till Durham is older and yall can play together, 

he is already so fascinated by you... 

Half Birthday

baby d-bear is 6 months old! I never thought that 'time really flew' just as fast as everyone always said it did... but here we are right in the middle of a year. Half a year behind us.. sweet sweet memories of durham's birth and our special months when he was itty-bitty still so fresh in my mind I can touch them, but so far away at the same time. Half a year to go. Excited for the next miles stones but praying they don't come too fast because we want to soak up this fun time he is in right now. The past 6 months have been the absolute best in our lives and we are more and more in love with our baby every day.

the past month has given us some really fun milestones... like rolling over like crazy, eating home made baby food, sleeping all night without the swaddle, teeth, and most recently sitting up by himself (for a minute or two and then face planting! haha)

a few things still remain my favorites...  reaching up and touching my face while he eats, the way he blows raspberries, his but in the air during afternoon naps, humming with me at bedtime, and the expression on his face when he see us in the mirror. Some things just never get old, and I hope I can always stay 'present' in the moment to remember them.

 I just love this baby so much... 

sometimes I think my heart might explode!

BIG thanks to aunt ra for taking the pictures, 

and for always being willing to do crazy things like get up 3 hours too early for me! xoxo movies.

My First Mother's Day!

We celebrated Mother's Day this weekend...

my first 'outside baby' Mother's Day since the hubs did make last years day special too.

There were flowers, and cards, and redbull and home made breakfast. Phone calls, and texts, and picture messages. Hugs, snuggles, and quite a few tears. It was a way more emotional day than I imagined it would be.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day...that your family told you how much they love and adore you, and how much they appreciate all the hard work you do. Being a mom is tough, but it is amazing and wonderful all at the same time. It is the best job I have ever had, the most rewarding, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I am so blessed to have this little man, and so thankful that he made me a mommy!

Happy Mother's Day!