Well, I guess a beach trip with a toddler isn't so much aaahhh as it is AHHHHHH! We got back last Saturday from a week at the beach with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and neice. Although, it wasn't as relaxing as beach trips before kids, we all had a good time.
This year's trip was so different than last year's. Last year, Bella wasn't quite 6 months old when we went. She spent all day on the beach with us last year. My parents had brought a little portable swing so between that and a big blanket laid out under the tent, she was set. She ate, napped, and was passed from lap to lap. It was pretty relaxing.
This year was another story. Bella is a very active and independent little girl. She required intense man to man coverage. She tried to go to the pool multiple times a day by herself. She also visited anyone within a 50 yard radius of where we set up on the beach. Scott and I brought all our sand toys from home to keep her occupied and even took a mid-week trip to one of those horrible Wings stores to get more toys, but somehow, our toys were not as good as everyone else's. Luckily, there was a really nice family that sat near us each day that didn't mind Bella playing with their things. They even had a cool play house set up on the beach, it was the only thing that would keep Bella still for a few minutes. So we all took turns chasing Bella. At least it kept us from getting too lazy on vacation.
We had great weather. The temperature wasn't too hot, and it only rained one day. The day it rained, we visited the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores to see the fish (or sheshes as Bella calls them). That was the first time I had visited since they did an extensive remodel a couple of years ago. It has come a long way since the aquarium I visited as a child!
Bella kept all of us entertained. One morning, Scott got up with her so I could sleep in. Somehow, Scott thought my mom was watching Bella, and my mom thought Scott was. Meanwhile, Bella was helping herself to a box of Famous Amos cookies she had completely emptied onto the kitchen floor. My brother walked into the kitchen with my neice and Bella was in the middle of a cookie pile, had a cookie in each hand, looked at him and enthusiastically yelled "COOKIE"! No one knows how many she ate, but we all got a good laugh out of it!
She has recently learned how to shrug her shoulders and say "I no", which means she doesn't know, and it has unfortunately become her answer to a lot of questions. I ask her multiple times a day where she has put various things, and she used to help me find them. Now, she just shrugs and says "I no". Great. So helpful. I can't only imagine what the teenage years with Bella will be like. Everyone seemed to get a kick out of her new "skill" on vacation.
Of course, we took a ton of pictures. I mean a ton. My dad has a new camera that everyone played with. I think my dad told me we took over 400 pictures last week. I didn't include all 400, but I did post a bunch of my favorites. I was going to try and put them in order, but Bella's awake, and she's not wanting to hang out upstairs...
Here's Bella after a swim with her Daddy.
Yes, that's a leash on Bella. As I mentioned earlier, she's a very independent little girl. She has no fear of being separated from us. So the leash has been great! She feels like she has the freedom she needs and we have the peace of mind we need. In this picture it looks like my mom is having a hard time keeping up with Bella!
Bella and I on a big frog.
The one time Bella sat down for like a minute. Just long enough to get someone's chair really dirty.
I just liked this one.
Will and Layla
Playing in the sand. We got really dirty every day!
Bella and the alligator.
What a sweet face!
Daddy and Bella looking at the sheshes.
Bella enjoyed her float for a little while.
Layla and Melissa.
Playing in the surf with Daddy.
Melissa and Bella. Bella LOVES Melissa. She calls her Saa. Melissa's a good sport even when she's trying to get Layla to sleep and Bella busts in the room looking for her Aunt Saa.
On the move again!
Playing in the playhouse.
We thought if we put Bella in a hole it would keep her still. It didn't work, she just climbed out. Just kidding!
This beach ball was actually mine when I was a kid. I can't believe it still holds air!
Swimming in the ocean with Daddy.
Bella didn't think she was dirty enough...
The portable swing that Bella used last year and Layla used this year. Bella doesn't fit anymore, but she tries. She would swing and say "Weeee"!
All of the crew.
The view from our balcony.
Digging Bella's hole.
Love the attitude.
Playing with Daddy. Bella is such a Daddy's girl these days.
I can't believe she fell asleep!
In the playhouse.
Bella liked to push Layla around the pool. Poor Layla was such a good sport.
Bella's a crab!
Grandma and Bella.
Enjoy your sleeping baby now Melissa! Next year, she'll be busy busy!
On the move!
With Grandma.
That's one cool baby.
Nope, Layla's not in her jumperoo!
Mommy and Bella.
Looking at the sheshes.
Grandma and Bella.
I wonder what she's saying...
It's Grandma's turn to chase Bella!
It's good to be back home, but we all had a good time. I guess we did get enough aahhh moments to feel refreshed and ready to get back to our routine. Although this year was quite different that years past, I wouldn't trade it for the world!
