Mama Jean's Beach Vacation

Well, the busy month of August has come to a close and I am returning to the blog world. After much thought and lots of work we moved Vincent's crib into the study, switched closets, and bought a laptop. Trying to place two babies under two in the same room is asking for trouble. So, the "study" is closed until further notice and Vincent is enjoying his new surroundings while mommy and daddy use the kitchen table as a makeshift desk at nights and during naptime. The joys of two children in a small little cottage! Oh, and the joys of sharing a bathroom with my husband again (can you sense the sarcasm dripping off the computer screen?). We haven't experienced this since our 550 square foot apartment in Waco - newly married at 21, without a clue. It was at that time that I discovered Tony's tendency to categorize over the counter medications in ziploc bags labeled "cold/flu" "pain relievers" etc. He discovered my habit of leaving all my clothes on the floor at night. As he likes to say, "Sometimes I feel that the rapture has occurred and all that's left of Sarah is a pile of clothes!" But it's funny how we've changed. Tony no longer categorizes the drugs and I have improved significantly on picking up my clothes. Sharing a bathroom no longer seems like the horrible chore that it once was.

Do you see how I can get off on tangents? Back to the purpose of the post - Mama Jean's beach vacation!

The Alabama coast lived up to its reputation - with sugar white sand and beautiful water. I eagerly anticipated Sophia's reaction to the water. She loved the ocean (preferred it over the beach - although collecting shells in her green bucket was a close 2nd) and could swim in the pool all day if we let her. It's such a fine line - you want her to have a healthy fear of the water without being too afraid to enjoy the experience. Let's just say, Sophia had no fear which left us on high alert but full of great memories. Vincent enjoyed his time poolside. Happy, content, and smiley. The coastal air worked wonders on Vincent's night schedule. He slept all night - no night wakings 2 out of the 7 nights. It was fabulous! But there were several mornings that he woke up right before sunrise and I was able to take him out on the balcony, nurse him, and watch the sun rise. Truly beautiful.

My favorite memories of the week? So many but here's a short list: Catch Phrase with the family (Andrew, you rock for pulling off "yellow journalism" at the buzzer!), "Uncle What?" (The first morning Sophia looked over at her Uncle Peter and not quite remembering his name pointed at him and asked me, "Uncle what?" And because she knew it was just too cute she alternated between "Uncle What?" or "Uncle Peetah" when addressing my brother), watching Sophia play with my grandparents (she adores them), eating everyone's delicious meals (each family was assigned a night to cook), that beautiful time of day on the beach when the sun is just starting to set and the breeze is blowing, watching my nephews boogie board, discussing life, children, and the future with my husband while the kiddos slept away in the back seat, listening to Vincent laugh at his Aunt Tiffany, watching the locals catch jellyfish, and watching the ocean through the eyes of a first-time observer who soaked everything in and went at it with such intensity and curiosity.

Get ready for a lot of pictures!

Ana Sophia rosy cheeked and happy!

Mr. Vincent enjoying the coastal breeze

The Morlandt family

Sophia and her daddy were inseparable all week

Mommy loving on her little Vincent

Granddaddy enjoying the Alabama coast

Jackson, Uncle Peter, and Graham

Jackson and Graham showing off their new boogie boards

Let the games begin!

Family Photo complete with matching t-shirts. Good times!

Vincents says, "I love the beach!"