Beachin' with Auntie Cathlin

Dear Conor,

Labor Day weekend we took a road-trip to go visit Grandma and Grandpa and your Mommy's brothers and sisters.  While we were there Auntie Cathlin invited us to go out on the beach with her and her friends.  Mommy and Auntie used to spend a lot of time on this beach and even slept over in a camper every summer weekend when they were little girls.

We used Grandpa's truck and drove out.  Things have changed a lot since Mommy was a little girl but it was still a lot of fun.  Auntie Cathlin was in seventh heaven because she wasn't sure if you would be able to come but you did!

She and Kayleigh (Auntie Cathlin's best friend so she's kind of an auntie too - Mommy has known her since she was a little girl) played with you and loved on you which allowed Mommy to relax and enjoy the sun!  Mommy was very thankful for that time!

Diggin in the dirt with Kayleigh

Loving on Kayleigh!

Beach Walking with Auntie Cathlin

Salt on the skin and sand between the toes - your a Cape Cod Boy after all

You certainly had a lot of fun at the beach.  So much so that you went to bed a little early and slept "like a baby" for the first few hours :)

A tired Beach baby!

Sandy Neck Beachin' is a ton of fun and I know that it will get a lot more fun when as you get older.  Mommy has many wonderful memories from her time growing up on the beach and she hopes that you will too!

xoxo
Mommy

Willard Beach Playdate

Dear Conor,

On August 24, 2012 we met up with some of your friends for a playdate at Willard Beach in South Portland, Maine.  This was the second time we had been there but the first time that you would be able to crawl in the sand.  As soon as I got you there and put you down you were OFF!  I never knew that one little baby could have to much sand on them at the ends of the day!

Once you got comfortable with the beach I took you down to the shoreline.  Here you were a little more leery about the sand because the water was taking it away from under your feet but you soon felt comfortable with it and it was all I could do to keep you from going too far into the water.

crawling on the shoreline

you closed your eyes when you splashed!

Babies N & L playing in the waves

You and all your friends playing in the water

Sandy Baby!

 Pretty soon the shoreline wasn't enough for you and you wanted to go further into the water so I said SURE and plunked you right into the Atlantic.  Of course, the water wasn't deep and so it was relatively warm.  You got all excited as the waves lapped at your back and crashed over your thighs.

Water Baby

Friends!

My sweet boy after his water play!

 After playing in the water for a bit it was time to dry off and get ready to go back home.  You and your friends were all brought up to the blankets and the other mommies watched you for a minute while Mommy went to get you a new swim diaper and get towels from another Mommy's car (she left them there by accident).

 You were a much happier baby once you were out of the very wet swim diaper and clothes.

A fresh diaper makes it all better!

 Why did Mommy let you swim in clothes?  Because it was very hot and sunny and I didn't want my baby to get too much sun so you stayed in a lightweight long sleeve shirt and shorts for most of the morning.  Grandma used to have Mommy wear a big tee shirt when she was a little girl over her swimsuit on days like this and so I did my best to keep you protected!

After the beach you and I went to the toy store to get you a wagon.  Daddy said that it was ok to buy you a wagon 'new' because we would be using it for so many years and you loved everyone else's so much that it didn't seem fair to make you wait until December to get one (for your birthday) when you wouldn't be able to use it much.

We tried to pick out a wagon that would serve many purposes and would last for several years.  We picked one that had fold down seats so you could be strapped in but also could be used as a traditional flat bottom wagon.  This particular wagon also has the ability to become a bench that can hold up to 250 pounds!  Lastly, your pimped out wagon came with an umbrella and a cooler bag and cup holders for Mom and Dad!

Your first wagon ride.

Yeah!

A bench for the family!

Some might call you a spoiled little boy Conor and to an extent perhaps you are but its because we love you and we are trying to ensure that you have a variety of things to engage with as you don't attend daycare and get to play with different toys there than you would at home.

I really hope that you had a great time at the beach with Mommy because I did!

xoxo
Mommy

Beach Party

Dear Conor,

On June 15, 2012 you and I went on our first beach party play date with all your friends!  We went to Willard Beach which is in South Portland near Miss Amanda's house.  We were very worried about parking but we were able to find a spot in the parking lot so we didn't have to walk far at all!

You wore your new lime green sunhat for the first time (Daddy picked out the color) and your turtle swim trunks. 

Smiley Baby

Serious Baby

You love beach toys.  You play with your red bucket and yellow sifter at home all the time and you were very excited to see that some of your friends brought their beach toys for your to play with.  Of course, you went right for the sifter and the bucket!

Because this was the first beach day we decided to try to get a picture.  Greyson fell asleep so he stayed in his mommy's lap for the picture but everyone else was awake.  We tried really hard to get a nice picture but it is very hard to get seven babies to look at the camera at the same time.  I have lots of fun blooper pictures but this is one of the best picture of all of you.

Back Row: Stella, Leela, Carter, Greyson, Luke
Front Row: Conor, Braden, Robbie

We stayed at the beach for about 3 hours and you did really well.  You kept your hat on the whole time and seemed to enjoy playing outside with your friends.  We did go and visit the water but it was very cold and you did not like that one bit!  You also tasted sand for the first time - you weren't that impressed but I am certain you will try it again (at least once)!

xoxo
Mom

2nd Beach Day -

and it's only APRIL!!!

Wow Conor - I never thought that my winter baby would have been to the beach twice before Memorial Day (and not just to hang out but to be in a swim suit and enjoy the sunshine, sand, and water)!

Today your Auntie Cathlin and your superfan Jen Whitt (shout-out) came to visit and since it was about 80 degrees we went down to Mother's Beach in Kennebunk.

Picture with Mommy!

Playing in the sand with Auntie Cathlin (who taught you to stick out your tongue when she visited last time)

So sweet - baby toes in the sand!

Chilling out in your stroller with Mr. Moose.

A little after beach playtime with Auntie.

And a picture with your company before they left!



It was so nice and warm at the beach that we thought we would try dipping your little toes in the water.  We tried the tidal pool but after a second in the water you cried.  It was a little chilly so we were not going to try your toes in the real ocean.  You didn't even like your feet on the wet sand because even that was COLD!  So, I don't really blame you at all.

We were at the beach for 2.5 hours.  You didn' take a nap at all but after some playing and a little lunch you did take a little bit of time in your stroller to chill out and relax away from all the stimulation.  You seem to be at an age where we have to be aware of how much stimulation you are getting and if its been too much or its gone on for too long we need to give your little nervous system a 'time out' so that you don't meltdown (this is normal - its not just you - many of your baby friends have the same problem right now) so I was proud of you for spending some time in your stroller.

When we got home from the beach you played with Auntie and Jen for a litlte while on the couch before they had to say goodbye so that they could get home.  But, before they left we made plans to go down and visit them both at their school, spend the night at Auntie's house, and then take in some Boston sights the next day.  We are going to wait until the weather is a bit more consistant before doing this but I just know it will be fun!

A BIG thank-you to Auntie and Jen for coming to visit - we hope they come back soon to visit!

xoxo
Mom

Summer in March

Dear Conor,

This week the State of Maine (and most of New England) has been setting records for highest recorded temperatures.  Yesterday (3/22/12) Portland Maine was around 80 degrees for most of the day - the previous highest recorded temperature was 60 degrees!

Because of this beautiful weather we have been doing a lot of outside activities. On Tuesday we went to playgroup at Mercy in the morning where you and your friends played inside while the sun was at its peak.

Lots of Mommies and Babies at Mercy

Your friend C trying to teach you to roll over

You are never without your favorite accessory lately - drool soaked shirts!

Your girlfriend A....she's an older woman :)

After playing inside we went down to the East End Playground and had a picnic lunch and for a nice long walk along the trail.  One of the reasons I love our Mommy Group is because I am learning all the nice places to take you and Hunter for a walk!  This walk was very much like the Cape Cod Rail Trail that your Dad and I took our bikes on a few years ago.

Picnic Lunch

Some of your older friends swinging -you were too little still

When we got home we played in the yard with Daddy and Hunter until the sun made all of us too hot!  Being too hot and having the sun in your eyes made you cry so it was clearly the right time to pack it all up and call it a day!

Me and my boys

Take me inside Mom!

While I console you - Hunter poses for one more picture

On Thursday (which was yesterday) your Daddy and I decided that we couldn't spend these beautiful days working (because who knows how nice the summer will be) so we headed to the beach.  We were not the only ones that had this idea as Pine Point was very crowded.

But, we enjoyed your first true beach day anyways.  We set up the tent that your Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Sean got you for Christmas to keep you out of the intense sun and applied the sunblock to all your exposed parts (thank you to your aunt and uncle for the summer survival Christmas gift!).  After a little rest in your tent we took you down to the water to put your toes in the sand for the FIRST TIME!

Safe from harmful sun's rays inside the tent!  Mom hoping you'll take a little nap.

Family Beach photo 3.22.12

Sandy Toes for the first time

With Mom by the water

And with Dad!

Silly Daddy!  Pretending he was going to drop you in the water!

 When we got home from the beach you were very cranky and did not want to take a nap.  So, we decided that if you weren't going to nap at home we would go to another beach (this time Mother's Beach) to take Hunter for a walk and you would maybe nap in the car.

You didn't nap on the way to the beach nor while we were at the beach.  We didn't use your stroller but your new carrier that came in this week.  It's called the Beco Gemini and while you currently face in - when you have more neck control you will be able to face out and then when your even older you can ride backpack style or on my hip.  This carrier was well worth the wait and the cost!  Daddy thought we looked cute walking so he snapped this picture.

When our walk was over it was time to head home and get ready for bed.  I gave you a bath (which you loved) and then it was time for bed.  You were so tired that it didn't take too long to get you to sleep - about 35 minutes (it usually takes about an hour with two feedings to knock you out!).

You looked so relaxed in your sleep that I had to snap a picture and send it to your Aunties and grandparents.  You can thank Great Nannie and Dar for the adorable Chip n' Dale onesie!

I hope you enjoyed your first beach day as much as we enjoyed spending it with you. 

xoxo
Mom