Beach Week in Review ~ 7/17

What a fun week at the beach it's been! This was Avery's first time away from home, and she's done so well. This means some grandparent sleepovers and trips could be in our future.

We left for the beach Sunday around 9:30. I was a little nervous about the trip because sometimes I only get about 20 quiet minutes in the car with Avery. She couldn't have been better! She napped for about an hour then rode quietly for most of the way. She played with her carseat strap and checked out one of the new toys I had gotten for the trip. Almost 3 hours later we arrived at Sonic, still not quite at the beach. Avery was happy to see Lolli and Poppa so far from home. She didn't know we had been riding behind them. After lunch it was a short ride to our cottage. I hope by next year Avery and I can try to see who can spot the ocean water first! I love watching for that first glimpse! We got there just in time for Avery's nap that never happened. We took a quick walk on the beach, had dinner, and put Avery to bed. She went to bed easily, which I couldn't believe. I guess the tiredness won out over the new room.

Avery was up Monday around 6 am. That was a little earlier than at home, but I was thrilled she had slept all night in a new place. She had trouble settling down for a morning nap. We were competing with construction on 2 cottages and a new room. We went ahead and gave her the pacifier since naps had become a bit of struggle at home. After naptime we headed to the beach. Avery put her toes in the ocean water and sat in the surf with Ned The time between nap and lunch wasn't huge, but I really tried to keep her on her same schedule. Lolli stayed while she napped then we all went in to get ready for dinner. We ate at our favorite...The Lone Cedar. Our dinner was delicious and Avery behaved very well. Poppa got up and walked with her once right before we left, but that was needed because it was bedtime. All through dinner I was sure I recognized someone at the table beside us, and it turned out it was a friend of my good friend Courtney!

Tuesday was basically the same schedule, except that Avery came back out on the beach after her afternoon nap. Things were going well until a rain shower came along. I HATE to get rained on and I was less than thrilled that my poor baby was out in it. We crowded under our large tent but still got wet because of the wind. When it lightened up a bit, Poppa walked Avery back while we gathered our things. Those two certainly have become tight this week! He has kept Avery entertained by showing her every light and fan in the house. I hope he'll pay our electricity bill if we have to keep this up! After Avery went to bed, Ned and I ventured to the grocery store. Luckily for me, Cold Stone is right nearby, so we enjoyed a little treat.

Clouds and rain were in the forecast for Wednesday, so we decided to take a day off from the beach. It actually turned out to be a decent day, but we had already made plans to hit the outlets after Avery's nap. Avery decided she didn't want to shop or ride in the stroller. Thank goodness for Lolli and Poppa who sat with her and people watched. I picked up a few outfits for Avery. She always needs a larger size of clothing mid-season when they've already brought out things for the upcoming season. I'm looking for shorts and fall clothes are on the racks. We left the outlets headed for Capt'n Franks. This hot dog meal is tradition but seems to be preferred mostly by my dad and Ned. Avery made friends with the man in the booth behind us and performed all her tricks for him. I tried to convince him to join us for the rest of our vacation meals.

Thursday found us back on the beach. Avery was still getting up early, but her naps got easier and easier. She went down with the pacifier each time, so I'm not sure if we'll try to break that at home or not. Thursday night was date night for Mama and Daddy. Ned and I had a great meal at The Black Pelican and then did a little shopping. Ned and I realized that we hadn't had a date since our anniversary in March. We love taking Avery out, but it is becoming more and more work. We have decided to not let so much time pass between our evenings out.

On Friday we added another piece of beach gear to our collection...an inflatable pool. I have always vowed that I would NOT tote a pool to the beach and have to run back and forth to the water to fill it. Parenting is all about eating your words. Avery enjoying splashing in the few inches of water and playing with her sand toys in the water. She was a little unsure of the sand at the beginning of the week and never did a whole lot of crawling in it. I didn't mind so much...she never ate a bit as so many kids do. She did like to pick up small amounts of sand and throw it like she does her toys. That night we went to Kelly's. We didn't have to wait at all, but things seemed to slow to a crawl once we were seated. My normal bag of tricks and distractions did nothing for Avery. Even the little tree frog we found on our table didn't entice her! That's right, my dad discovered a little green friend on our white table cloth. He tried shooing him through the stair railings, but that somehow caused him to jump towards my mom. My efforts to not cause a scene went out the window as they captured him in Avery's cup top and slid him onto a napkin for Ned to take outside. Avery had to be walked a few times. She really wasn't that bad, but I don't want her to disturb others. It was late, she was tired, and we were there almost 2 hours. I took my yummy dessert to go and enjoyed it once she was in bed.

Saturday (today) was more beach time in between naps. Avery found some more of her favorite birds and waved at the people passing by. We went back out after her nap hoping to make the most of our last day. A dark cloud sent me in, and we arrived just as the rain and thunder started. Thank goodness for the jogger, which let me quickly roll Avery right back. Poor Ned and Poppa were left to haul back our beach camp in the rain. Dinner was another beach tradition...Papa John's pizza! Avery is now in bed and I am blogging instead of packing. Last Saturday we had almost everything in the car...today we have nothing.

Avery's first vacation has been quite a success. Two years ago at the beach, Ned and I were trying to decide if we should start trying for a baby. Last year I was very pregnant and delivered 4 days after we returned home. This year we made lots of memories with our sweet girl, and Avery enjoyed a full week with Lolli and Poppa. (She may never be the same.) She picked up several new tricks which I'll share in her 12 month post...can't believe I'll be writing that Friday! Tomorrow morning we'll pack up, have breakfast at The Jolly Roger, and hop in the car in time for Avery's nap, I hope. We can't wait to get home to our guys and start on birthday preparation!

Pictures to come once we get home!