Sweet balance

Some days I probably fold too much laundry and Connor probably watches too much Dora. But other days... other days we pack up at 8am and head to the beach, we sink our toes into the hot sand and we let ice cream drip from our chins into our laps. Its days like these that I live for. Its days like these where I know I am doing everything in my power to make memories for my baby and I know I am being totally present for him. Do days with too much laundry and Dora happen? Yes. Do I like it? No. But I can live with those days because the beach days, the park days, the pool days and the finger paint days are there to even it all out. It's that sweet balance that keeps us all happy.

We went to the beach for the first time as a family last summer when Connor was just able to sit up by himself and it was just too hot. It was too hot and he was too little and all he did was try to eat the sand! Haha. So this was our first time at the beach this year, just Connor and mama, and now that he's this one and a half year old running, smiling, crazy kid I was so excited to see how he reacted to the whole thing. He absolutely loves the water and I didn't need to take him to the beach to know that but the beach is a different experience with the sand and salt and waves and he handled it like a pro! He knew he needed to hold my hand and with that security he let the waves smack him in the face and he would stumble, stand back up, laugh and then prepare for the next one. So, we jumped waves, we played in the sand, had sandwiches for lunch and chocolate ice cream for dessert. He's never had an enormous chocolate soft serve cone like that before and he thoroughly enjoyed eating it and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him eat it.

 (his blankie and Foofa made it along for the trip)

(now where did I put Brobee?)

(open wide baby!)

I am soaking up these moments with him. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. Getting to stay home with him has been such a blessing and I wish every mom had the opportunity to do this. Everyone has a different situation and I would never pass judgment on how any other mom has to do things but there is just something so magical about being with them all the time; not missing a single smile, giggle or kiss.

He's in bed, pooped from a long day and I am not far behind him. Curt is waiting for me to finish so we can watch some of our shows before bed so goodnight for now and soak up your babies if they are still awake, kiss them a thousand times over.

-jenn