Matthew and Noah hit the beach

Aunt Lori called and suggested a beach day, something we as sisters do often and well. We used to go so much when she lived in Bradenton and was just minutes from the beach. Since we both had a lot of time off we would go and just sit, talk, and read, eat a little, and throw a frisbee. The last time we went to the beach we both were about 1/3 to mid-way through or pregnancies. We were long overdue.

We packed the car, with both car seats and were off with the boys, without any extra hands from daddies or grandmas. It worked out perfectly. The day was gorgeous, about 80 degrees and sunny, slight breeze-- couldn't have been more perfect conditions. When I realized my beach umbrella was in Alex's car at work I was a little worried about how it would turn out. We figured we'd be able to find some shade under a pier or something and as it turned out we were able to sit beside an unused lifeguard tower and, unlike all the other beach goers seeking out the sun in December, we were perfectly happy to shade our babies and their virgin skin. They napped on the way there and were bright eyed and ready for the beach by the time we got there. They had fun playing with some toys on the blanket for a while, then we decided they needed to shed the shirts, feel the cool surf, and explore the sand. Noah loved the waves on his little toes, Matthew was all about the sand. He mashed it between his little hands, didn't take too long to make its way to his mouth. At first he was ok with it, then after a heaping handful of sand decided it wasn't as yummy as he initially thought. I was smart to bring a bottle of water and some clean washcloths to get that yuck out of his mouth. After that I decided if he had a pacifier in his mouth he would leave the sand out of his mouth- and he did.





After some lunch for the babies and some Publix subs for the mommies we laid the boys down for some quiet time. I was ready to leave thinking nap time would come in the car, but that persistent Aunt Lori wanted to try to put the boys down for naps on the beach. It really didn't take too long before they were napping away. Matthew looked so peaceful with his arms up behind his head, with the wind blowing his hairs all over the place while he slept. They didn't sleep too long, but long enough to give Lori and me an extra hour or so at the beach.

I couldn't believe how well they handled being out of the house all day. They were happy the whole time, and LOVED the beach, both of them. They looked at the water and the vastness of the beach, they liked the coolness of the sand, and the breeze against their faces. It makes me sad that I didn't take Matthew more often when I was out of work, especially since this fall has been warmer than normal. Although now that he sits on his own it is easier to plop him down on a blanket or the sand and let him entertain himself for an hour or so! Aunt Lori and I are looking forward to another beach trip before 2011 closes, one with the whole family. That way we'll have extra hands to carry more toys, a cooler, and a beach canopy! And of course so everyone else can enjoy these baby beach bums as much as we did.




And just like every kid who has ever had a day at the beach, the boys were zonked out on the car ride home, slept well all night and even more the next day.