Every summer my friend Tara and I have grand plans to take our kids to the beach at least once a week. Last year we only managed to do it once. Booo. This year, Tara has taken her kids to the beach several times, and when she invited us along I declined because I either felt too ginormously pregnant, or just didn’t quite have my footing with James’ schedule. Last week I finally decided “schedule, schmedule” and made plans with Tara’s family to bring all of our kids to the beach.
With six kids between us we were immediately thankful that Tara’s husband George was there with us. Six wouldn’t normally be hard, but with two of them being babies (Tara’s baby Cait is only 5 months), it definitely was necessary to have one adult dedicated to just the older kids, especially when both babies wanted to eat at the same time. I was wearing James in a wrap 90% of the time, which was great for some things at the beach but not awesome for digging holes in the sand, running after kids, or going in the water. Luckily, George excelled at those things.
The weather didn’t look great when we first arrived, but it felt wonderful. The Santa Monica Mountains separate our town from the ocean, and also act as a temperature break. It was twenty degrees cooler at the beach, and since I was wearing a baby and (still) having periodic hot flashes, I was in heaven.
The kids did not care about the fog one tiny bit.
I took James out of the wrap to nurse and stretch out. I said, “James! It’s your first time at the beach! Aren’t you excited?”
Not so much.
I was excited, though. I had a wonderful time sitting under my umbrella with James snuggled up against me. It was great to be able to talk to Tara, breathe fresh air and be out of my house with both of the kids.
(Sitting under a red umbrella)
I need more of these lazy summer days.
Lanie says:
Sounds like a fun day. Hoping that there are more beach days for you and Tara this summer!
Jessica says:
So sweet and isn’t it such a sense of accomplishment to get out and about with a newborn? I remember feeling like I finished a marathon the first time I got all of mine out of the house after my youngest was born.
Love that little yawn.
Lisa says:
Best approach? Schedule it like its an appointment – “Wednesday is beach day!” – and go NO MATTER WHAT! Sometimes our best beach days were the ones that seemed too cool/cloudy/rainy. Beach days are still one of my kids favorite summer memories!
Jenn says:
I L-O-V-E the Beach & it is one of the many reasons why I would LOVE to come to California!!!I’m so HAPPY you got to go to the Beach & feel ALL the freedoms that come with it!!! I love ANY & EVERY picture you take of your babies.
Thanks for sharing!!
Meg says:
Nice work, you babywearing hippie! (my wrap is the only reason ANYTHING gets done around my house and life.)
Meegs says:
Aw, he’s so sweet. Love the babywearing!
Auntie_M says:
Yes you do!!!
I love seeing Annie with her friends (is she still marrying George, cuz she seemed to spend less time with him???).
And James probably just thought he was back in the womb what with the sounds of the waves and you wearing him! LOL
Sounds like a perfect day!
Heather says:
Georgie wanted to spend a lot of time in the water, and Annie was more into digging and laying down and talking. Don’t worry, though – they still hugged NUMEROUS times, way too many times for my liking! LOL.
Auntie_M says:
I’m glad to hear they are still “together”!
TracyKM says:
I love snuggling a babe in a knit wrap! Oh, I miss it!
Why would it hold you back from digging or going in the water though?
I would think it’s your incision healing that should hold you back from running after the other kids, LOL! You know, you can get/make a wrap from athletic mesh that is great for in the water (including showers).
Our beaches are hotter than at our house, and not nearly as pretty as yours!