Beach Bum Baby

Christopher and I had a lovely weekend. My good friends Laura and Chris Carroll invited us to go "downy Oocean, hon". I carefully weighed the decision whether or not to go. Christopher is just getting to the age of predictability. Beforehand, taking him anywhere was more of a chore than a treat. So I decided the best way I knew how, I said "Christopher, if your swimming trunks fit you, then we shall go". They fit, so we packed our bags. With Ryan already occupied half the weekend with a fishing trip, Christopher and I were left to our own devices. I wasn't looking forward to a long lonely Saturday. This was a real vacation. Two days; it was all I needed to rejuvenate. We stayed at a small condo with walk-out beach access. Laura's nine year old daughter Emily brought her friend Tatum, and together we all had a blast. Laura is a very attentive friend. Before my drink emptied, she had another grapefruit cocktail on the way. With her along, I had a break from being "mommy". She loves Christopher and is very good with him. She was a great extra set of hands, and together we enjoyed watching Christopher in his beach experience. As for Christopher, he loved the beach. His five senses could not get enough. He enjoyed long walks along the shore in the baby Bjorn, dozing in the shade of the umbrella, wiggling his toes in the sand and most of all, the people! He was very attentive with the going ons around us. I am pleasantly surprised with his amicable behavior. On our second beach day, I played like a nine year old. The girls and I rode wave after wave. I felt so revitalized. After spending six months indoors dealing with the stress of new motherhood, this washed away any dullness that lingered. I returned home recharged. Thank you, Laura and Chris.

Friday night we stopped at Macky's and had dinner on their beach.

Emily and Tatum stuffed after dinner.

Joe cool.

"Ahhh, finally got my toes in the sand."



"I love the beach!"




Snoozing in Laura's arms


He was happy when he woke up.

Then he past out again. That sunshine and salty air makes you sleep you, know?

Surf buddies, Emily and Tatum.

Part of Saturday had some overcast with little breaks of sunshine. It was nice.

"Here, Mom let me get your picture."

Playing with Laura.

Doesn't he look happy?!?!?

Sunday morning Laura, Christopher and I escaped our condo while the others slept, walked a few blocks to the Bay Cafe, and indulged in delicious breakfast. Christopher was very well behaved.

At this point in my weekend I was feeling particularly good. It occurred to me that I could just as well have been at an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean. I was that content. The blue sky foretold of a low humidity day. The breeze rustled through the grass umbrellas. And boy, was the coffee good.

I couldn't get enough pictures of him.

Under the beach blanket, we carved out a little sand bed for CRW. He was pretty comfy.


On Monday, we decided to start Christopher on cereal. He has been very interested in other's food and drink of late. So instead of waiting any longer, we whipped up some rice cereal and breast milk. He started off strong, but then I think some went down the wrong pipe and it scared him a little. We will try again this week.