Beach Baby

We went on vacation to Hilton Head, SC with my husband’s whole family...19 people and counting.   The family is big and loud, and I love spending time with them in a big house all together (plus it gives me a new appreciation for just how insane the Duggar family is).  It’s a special bonding experience, and great for Tiny to spend lots of time with the cousins she loves so much.   Thank you Nana and Dodo and the rest of the crew for a great week!

This year Tiny loved the beach and I am so happy, because I love the beach.  I’ve always loved to sit with a good book, a bottle of sunscreen and a comfy chair and soak it in.  Last year, I had the not so pleasant reality check that my days of sitting for hours in my old blue chair may be over.  But a year makes a huge difference, and I realize now that all hope may not be lost.  Let’s compare.

In 2012…

-Mama sits in the shade with baby because no amount of SPF is enough for her pale nearly see through infant skin. 

-Baby eats sand by the mouthful.

-Mama and Dada drag carts of stuff to the beach only to turn around moments later due to a) naptime b) feeding time c) blowout d) all of the above

Don't let this smile fool you.

In 2013…

-Toddler stands still long enough to use spray sunscreen and exclaims, happily, “it tickles!” as its being applied.

- Mama sits in sun while toddler plays in the sand with cousins

-Toddler enjoys jumping waves with Mama and Dada

-Mama and Dada drag carts of stuff to the beach but stay for several hours because, gasp!, toddler is enjoying herself.

-Mama actually reads a couple pages of her book because toddler is able to chase crabs, dig for treasure, and fill bucket after bucket with sand

She seriously was this happy.

I don’t want to blow smoke and act like Tiny has pulled it together entirely (she hasn’t), and that this vacation and all vacations going forward will be relaxing (it wasn’t and they won’t).  We are still a long way from me and a margarita staring blissfully at the crystal clear ocean pondering life.  But, I had an epiphany; this new type of vacation can be fun too.  It’s different than our kid free days, but we had a blast watching her discover and explore.  It was fun to splash in the waves and dig in the sand with Tiny, like I used to when I was a kid.  I loved watching Tiny laugh with her Dada and Nana as she hurdled waves. 

Looking back, in 2012, I had set myself up for failure.  Vacation with children will never be like vacation without them, and I failed to set this expectation with myself.  I was still holding on to kid-free vacation hopes, and dragging the kid along.  Family vacations aren’t so much about the relaxing as they are about the bonding, the memory making and just quality, silly time together.   They are really fun, but really, really exhausting, and their supposed to be or you aren’t playing hard enough.

I’m not going to lie and pretend I don’t enviously stare at couples as they stroll aimlessly hand in hand down the beach.  But, when I feel myself start to long for my old vacation style, I smile and remember there’s always naptime: a guaranteed few hours a day to sip that marg and read that book.

Have you ever seen such cute littles?

That puddle straight ahead did a number on her sperry's.

I will miss those baby rolls someday.

At the "Salted" Dog.

 

Windy Family Photo.

A Cry for Help

I've been away fundraising and vacationing, and I've missed you.  I've written in my absence and yet, still didn't find the time to pull pics and post until now.  I promise we'll catch up.  Here's a little something I wrote back on May 18, 2013.  You can see this blog isn't the only thing I've been neglecting...poor Tiny.

May 18, 2013...

I think this is what they call "A Cry for Help."  My Tiny is desperate for my attention, and she is expressing this desperation through her insane fashion choices.

I would never nominate myself for mom of the year but usually, if I'm being honest, I think I'm pretty good.  This week, however, I have been less than attentive to my dear, sweet Tiny because I am immersed in the wild world of fundraising, doing my part to help pull off another ragingly successful event for Charlies Kids Foundation.  (If you don't know Charlie's story and the awesome work we are doing at CKF, shame on you, go to the website immediately and soak up as much information as you can on safe sleep.  This is a subject I am insanely passionate about and you should be too. www.charlieskids.org).

So...with the Golf Outing just days away, I don't have a ton of time to post but wanted to give you a glimpse of Tiny's dissatisfaction with mommy's busy schedule.

I should note that in the morning when Tiny is getting dressed, I normally pull options (Rachel Zoe style) and she has to pick from several choices.  This week, she has done the picking all by herself.  I think it shows.  At best she looks like an angry teen full of angst and drama, at worst a homeless person who has just raided a Claire's boutique.

Sit back, relax and enjoy one week of the Tiny Fashionista left entirely to her own devices...over accessorized (sometimes under/over-clothed) and loving every minute of her mama's guilt, as she looks at me with "you did this to me" stares.

Matching-ish.  But demands no pants.

Noticing a theme?

Couldn't get her to wear these boots all winter and spring.
Now she won't take them off.

Chocolate is an accessory, right?  

No such thing as too many accessories or
too many snacks.

Bag Lady?  Nope.  That's my kid.

Don't Step in the....

Tiny Bombshell:
Annaliese does her very best Marilyn impression.

Cute skirt, but not so practical or "lady-like"
going down the slide.

The poo source. (sleeping in my garden)

...and she did.

I can tell summer time is almost here because Annaliese has to get a good scrub down every night.  I love the way kids smell when they've been playing outside all day.  A mixture of sweat and dirt and adventure with a lil peanut butter and ice cream on top.

Dirt on kids is not unlike sand at the beach. I find myself wondering how'd that piece of mulch get there and was that really a pebble in her belly button?  But I love it.  She's barefoot and half naked most of the time. Leggings and tights have given way to shorts and scrapes on the knees...ah, summertime.

Tiny likes to be outside.  And now that she can open the back door, she is out all the time....with or without my knowledge.  Lucky for us the backyard is fenced in and the fear of danger is very low.

I should say relative danger.  The other night we had just finished giving Tiny a bath.  We got as far as the diaper when she made a run for the back door.  She's barefoot.  We have a dog. Do you know where this is headed?

As I'm scrambling to chase after her...I'm yelling, in what feels like slow motion "watch out for the poooooo.....!"  Too late.  I know it's happened as soon as I see her face.  I want to cry, she seems ready to laugh.

She does look a little confused, but not quite as disgusted as I feel she should be.  I say (or rather schrill) "don't move" and grab her by the armpits, holding her at arms length as we head back to the tub we've just drained for round two.

The Difference a Day Makes

Tiny likes the "big girl" swings now.

Look how sweet she can be!

She even goofs with mama...

...then the wheels come off.

But, tomorrow is another day.

Tiny takes gymnastics.  We have class at Little Gym two days a week.  Tuesday afternoon is open play, and Wednesday morning the more structured "Beast" class.  (This really is the name.  Perfect, right?)

This Tuesday afternoon, after a considerable amount of effort to get Tiny up from her nap, re-dressed, and strapped in the Subaru, we pull into the parking lot for class (almost on time)...and the out of nowhere battle begins.  It's a tricky dance she and I do when I have to get her from point A to point B.  Sometimes this is from car seat to stroller, house to car seat, or in this case, car to gym.  The little voice in my head is always debating, what do I take with me? And what do I let her take?  Will any of the so called car distractions cause a greater risk of incident at end destination?

At Little Gym, I try to take nothing with me except my keys.  I've made the mistake of taking my bag inside.  Most days this is okay, but somedays when she's not feeling it, she spots my purse through the huge glass windows spying the waiting area, and wants in my purse immediately.  What she's looking for is always unclear, although I have a sneaking suspicion its snacks.

I digress.  Tuesday, it wasn't about my personal effects.  It was about hers.  We had brought along her afternoon snack for the ride to gym.  As I open her car door, I notice she's got a psychotic grip on her snack and sippy cups, a fierce look of determination on her face, and I can feel my heart leap to my throat as I very carefully try to take them from her hands. She's not allowed to bring food into the gym, and she knows this (so help me God she knows).  But, Tuesday, she doesn't like it and soon the whole parking lot knows it.  So, I do what any sane mom in my case would do and pull her out of the car into the cold misty afternoon and try to calmly explain the situation.  I tell her she has two choices, either calm down and go into gym to have fun with her friends, or get back in the car and go home. (Now, I must tell you number two was not an option for me. I didn't brush my hair, get out of my yoga pants and drive 15 minutes just to turn around and go home.)

I'm being totally calm (on the outside), but she is a mess of hair and snot and wailing and flailing.  At home I'd put her in time out and walk away until we both simmered, but it's not an option here in the freezing rainy parking lot.  So, I put her in the backseat of the car, and I climb in the front seat and we wait.  She's still screaming, but it's got this kind of confused vibe to it...after all she's never been allowed to just stand in the backseat.  I refuse to look back, finally after fifteen brutal minutes, she's done.  "Mama?" comes the sweet voice behind my ear.  "Yes, baby?" "Gym!"  And we head in for class, or at least the twenty minutes we have left.

The next morning, I'm dreading getting her out of the car before I've even strapped her in.  But, Wednesday, she is cute and pleasant and when we arrive at Gym she puts her cup and her Minnie on the seat next to her, without a word and happily climbs into my arms.  During class she participates in each activity, and we have so much fun, running and chasing and flipping.  When we leave even her teachers remark that she really had a great class!  I am beaming with pride!  

I almost let myself slip into a euphoric fantasyland, ready to believe maybe, just maybe we've turned the corner on our toddler tantrums.  But reality comes flying back at me as I buckle my belt, and turn around to give my little angel an air kiss.  And, she starts to half whine, half shout, "Mama! Minnie! Now!"

Instead of losing it, I shove it down and smile, tomorrow's another day.

Weekend Wear

The newest member of the blue man group, or
evidence of the cupcake massacre?

"The only thing that separates us from the animals
is our ability to accessorize." - Steel Magnolias 

DVF is flawless. Our new "cheese" face
not so much.

The perfect dressing room.

The typical expression upon opening the
dressing room door.

We had a busy weekend, filled with fun and spring fashion opportunities.

Tiny and I attended a baby shower for a good friend, expecting her first baby boy this summer.  Tiny particularly enjoyed the bright blue cupcakes, licking three cakes clean of their frosting.  I normally don't condone this type of sugar binging but when at an event where the focus should absolutely not be her, I tend to use whatever tactics necessary to entertain, occupy and distract.  In a party room, void of toys and other toddler treasures, the cupcakes really did the trick, plus it was the weekend.  Which means, Hubs was home to help me deal with the inevitable sugar crash that followed a few hours later.  Although, I must admit the crash was surprisingly mild, and nothing a Tide to Go pen, a little Crest and a good sleep couldn't cure. (Sounds somewhat like the adult equivalent of a few too many brewskis).

We also had a little time to do some shopping, and Annaliese has discovered a new game.  Jury is still out on whether I find this game cute, or super annoying.  I probably lean towards cute, the other shoppers and store employees, annoying.  First thing she does upon entering a store is run full speed for the dressing room.  If  the store happens to have a three way mirror she will spend hours looking at herself from all angles.  (The store soundtrack softly playing "You're so Vain" as she ooos and aaas at the cute girl in the mirror.)  This is Tiny's favorite kind of dressing room.

If there are only stalls she finds an open one, runs in and closes the door.  From the outside you can see her tiny feet doing a little dance back and forth as she gushes over her own reflection.  When she tires, she starts to bang on the door to be let out, and the cycle repeats (and repeats and repeats until we leave the store).  When the dressing rooms are near the area I'm shopping this is a win win, she's occupied, I'm shopping instead of chasing. But, when I want to venture to the front of the store, I fear someone may find her banging to be let out and call child services for leaving her motherless in a locked dressing room.   Cute, right?!?

Spring Awakening

Sunshine, baby leg rolls, and a great pirate eye,
make this mismatched outfit look great.
The fashionista was obv self-styled today.
rrrrr!

so pretty!

I could have sworn we were both smiling
when we took this self pic.  She's smiling
on the inside, I just know it.

20 month old problems.

The men relax.  (big shout out to Candace
and Craig for helping us build our little
piece of paradise.

Spring has finally sprung.  Although, congratulations Arkansas you really pulled a fast one on us.  The ol' "bait and switch the northerners" routine to entice them south.  Folks here told us it was going to be warm starting March 1.  On April 3 it was 39 degrees.  Sure we've had the occasional 70 degree day, but that was followed up by flurries the very next.  I was beginning to hate my sweaters and boots and the thought of spending anymore time trying to strap Annaliese into her carseat whilst wearing her puffer jacket unbearable. It's rather like trying to stuff myself into my skinny jeans post holidays.  It's ugly, it's grunty, but eventually, god bless, the button buttons. 

I digress, because finally, (although a month and half later than expected) the flowers are blooming, the birds chirping and the foreseeable forecast future is bright.  Time to dust off the old summer box, pop it open and give these pasty whites some color!

We've been spending a lot of time outside.  And, I don't know if its the fresh air that has changed me, or Annaliese, or both of us, but sunshine makes everything a little better.  Her temper tantrums on a public sidewalk seem a little less painful than those in a store aisle.  They don't seem to last as long, and there are no walls for her deafening screams to bounce off of.  Nature offers many distractions too....mid scream, she points..."BIRD!"  Thank you my winged-friend, for providing me the perfect distraction that could not be found in my too large bag of nonsense. 

Hubs has been getting in on the action too.  Determined to make our backyard a serene outdoor oasis, Bret has spent tireless hours digging, building, planting, spreading, hulling.  And, he's nearly accomplished it.  Our once slab of concrete and fence, is now damn near tranquil.  Tiny even has her own area complete with little house and slide (which come to think of it, is probably why our area is actually quite peaceful). 

Easter Mess...uh, I mean Dress

Ready, set, eat!

Success!

Hot Cross Buns...yummy!  (Thanks Peeps!)

Tiny rocked the FLOTUS's favorite designer
while trying her very first Peep. She got loads of
compliments at church, on her outfit...not her behavior. 

No joke, the couch looked (er, looks) exactly like this.
Think blue ink, instead of red crayon.  I'd take
a picture but it's just too painful.

We spent Easter in Bentonville, and it was a great weekend.  This is the first big holiday we haven't travelled home to see our families, and it was sad and nice all at the same time.  We usually spend most holidays traveling from one side of the family to the next trying to see everyone; brunch with one, dinner with the other.  No rest for the weary.  But, this year brunch was just our little party of three, lovely, but we actually really missed the crazy.

In keeping with tradition, we went to church, and then made a nice breakfast, complete with hot cross buns and hard boiled dyed eggs.  My mom sent us the homemade buns (a yummy taste of home!) and the eggs were dyed by yours truly.

Every year, the women and children (and an occasional man, my grandfather, Poppy, was always game) in my family dye easter eggs using an old family recipe.  For as long as I can remember we have been doing this, and the process is wonderfully messy and the eggs deliciously beautiful.  Without my big wacky family to share this tradition, I tried to get Tiny in on the fun.  She seemed curious at first, but then just stared at me as my hands turned various shades of blue, then purple.  Her technique involved less dye on the eggs and more in her mouth as she tried to eat it by the spoonful.  She ended up orange and the egg victims cracked.

While most of our eggs turned out just as pretty as they do every year, the process didn't have quite the fun factor of dying them with other, well, actual people.  Sorry Tiny, but you did try to eat the dye. Plus, its a lot of work to just do an egg or two, so we did two dozen, which, turns out, is A LOT of eggs for three people.  Egg salad anyone?

We started our own Easter tradition on Sunday, too.  It's a fun game.  Here's how it works:  Tiny grabs a ballpoint pen from mommy's purse and then when mommy is on the phone with out of town family, scribbles as many lines as possible on the white linen couch until mommy or daddy catches her!  Players then each get ten minutes to google as many stain removing solutions they can.  The player with the winning stain treatment wins.  Spoiler ALERT!!! This game has no winners, everyone is a loser.  And, if the visual wasn't a painful enough reminder, the smell of hairspray and finger nail polish remover is literally sickening me with the stench of failure.

The only saving grace is the couch cushions have one flip in them.  Once we choose to flip, it will be our last shot.  So, do we flip now, or flip only when 'good' company comes over?

Here's to creating new family traditions and memories, while still living, loving and missing the old ones.