Spring Breakin' It

To me, there is no better place to be than on the beach.  I love the sun, the water, the waves, the sand, the breeze, and the easy laid back flip-flop lifestyle.  The past few times I've gone without Carter, and I spent the entire time missing him and thinking about what a great time he would have.  I knew I couldn't let another year go by without taking him, although I have to admit there is always that uncertain fear that he'll be a total pansy and never step foot in the water.  But it turns out he loves the beach {and the water} just as much as I do.

It was the most excited I've ever seen him!

We found seashells, flew kites, built sandcastles...you know the drill.  And it was fantastic. 

We rented a 3 story beach house with my family in an area right outside of Panama City Beach, and while it's always a bit stressful to house 7 adults {i'll fill you in on my family dynamic some other time}, 2 toddlers, and 2 newborns under one roof, we had a good time.

Speaking of newborns...how did Charlie like the beach?

This picture sums it up.  He was pretty easy going, and slept a lot. 'Cause he's a rock star baby like that.  No, really, he's amazing. 

We all took turns sitting with him and Ella {my sister's 4 week old daughter} on the beach and keeping them happy.  My parents were good at that and didn't seem to mind...but let's be honest, even if they did mind...we would have made them do it anyway. 

This trip really stemmed from the end of my husbands busy tax season.  He works 6 days a week for 4 months and only makes it home in time for bedtime most nights.  His quality family time is sparse during those months.  So vacations are like gold to me.  I get him 24/7 and Carter does too.  He is such a good dad and it makes my heart smile to see them play together.  He ran in and out of the waves more times than I could count laughing with Carter and having a good time.  Love it.  Nothing hotter than a man who loves his family.

Daniel's sense of humor is one of the most attractive things about him, and vacations always bring that out in him.  And laughing is my favorite thing to do, so it works out :)

The temps took a bit of a dip one day, so the boys took that opportunity to visit the aviation museum in Pensacola.  Open cockpits, endless buttons and switches, simulators, and did I mention buttons and switches?  yeah...my son's dream come true.

But, honestly, I'm not sure who enjoyed it more.  Carter, or my dad!

P.S. we are working on my dad's "fashions."  I'm hoping to remedy the white tube sock look soon. Although I'm pretty sure he would think ankle socks are ridiculous.

It's been a while since my last vacation with my family, and it was good to spend time with them.

  Especially my overworked hell-of-a-painter brother.  He sees hot rods and paint guns more than he sees any of us, so I'm glad he squeezed out a few vacation days.

Springtime brain dump

I haven't blogged lately because I've had lots of partial ideas floating around in my head, so I'm just gonna dump it all out here in this blog. 

-Easter was pretty fun this time around.  It was pretty laid back, which was a good change of pace.  Also, Carter is old enough to appreciate an Easter basket full of fun things, and there are really no words to describe introducing your child to Play-Doh for the first time.

I cheated a little and gave it to him on Saturday, because I knew we'd be out and about on Easter Sunday, and it just seems torturous to give a kid gifts he can't play with right away.

Next year my goal is to start a tradition of a Good Friday dinner here at our house.  I'm looking to bring Easter to us instead of traveling to-and-fro...also, I'd like an excuse to buy all things rabbit.

-I've been getting out with the boys, and it gets easier each time.  Granted, it takes twice, if not three times longer to actually leave the house, but I make it happen at least once a week.  I got the Mobi wrap

 in the mail the other day, and I'm working up the nerve to go to the grocery store with both boys now that I have a way to carry Charlie.  Dear Publix and Target, you should have carts that can handle both a toddler and a baby carrier...just sayin.

-Breastfeeding is for the birds.  That's all I have to say about that.

-Both boys are in super cute stages right now.  Charlie is learning to smile and coo, and Carter's personality is starting to bloom.  He's pretty funny, and makes me laugh all the time.  He's been a great helper, and loves his baby brother.  They make my heart smile.

-I've been having some good girl time with friends lately.  I have a few different circles, but I got to have most of them all in once place for my birthday and then the baby shower, and it's great when that can happen.  All together or separate...love you, girls!

-After more than a year of feeling restless {for no good reason}, I think I've finally settled in to life.  The sleepless newborn nights are behind me, for now, and my body{and hormones} seem to have bounced back.  The light at the end of my husband's busy tax season tunnel is in sight, and things are goooood on the marriage front.  Miscarriage, the pressure of trying to get pregnant again, pregnancy, and a tax season newborn tend to put a damper on things.  Sometimes marriage can be all business...marital auto-pilot. Communicating the necessary amount between life's distractions.  By the time you've done a day's work, scarf down dinner and get the kids in bed it's easy to lay on opposite sides of the bed and zone out...but we're back, baby!

-I am leaving for a family beach trip next week and I'm real excited.  My parents, brother, sister and her family are joining us, and we've rented a big house on the beach!  I used to see those big beachfront houses and think "one day..." and next Friday is that day!  The last time Carter was on the beach he wasn't really old enough to be excited, so it should be fun to dig in the sand and play in the waves.  I'm sure I'll blog about it...but until then

that is my springtime brain dump, people