Sunday, September 26, 2010

Our First Vacation As A Family Of Four

Our little beach trip was a very first family vacation as a family of four. So, all you Mom's out there can understand that any griping in this post is natural, right? Here we go.....

My feelings about the beach.

So don't freak out when I say this, okay? I am not a fan of the beach. (gasp!) That's right, I don't like going to the beach. I don't like the sand all over my stuff, I don't like being hot, I don't like the water that is filled with... ugh.... yuck! I just don't like the beach. Never have. Never will. My child, on the other hand, loves it.... so I have to suck it up and enjoy it as much as I can. But let me tell you folks, that is TOUGH!!!!!!!! I like sitting on the balcony and looking at the beach. Love it actually. I love walking down the beach in the evenings or early morning. Those two things are it. This trip made me realize why we don't vacation at the beach!

Lets start off with the packing.

We took a ridiculous amount of stuff. Yes folks, ridiculous! A van full! All for a 3 night trip. It really doesn't matter if you go for 3 days or 10 days, you need just as much stuff! Especially with a baby on board who is not yet sitting up. So packing alone was not so fun. Clothes for 4 people, toiletries for 4 people, diapers for 2 kids, a pack-n-play, a swing, toys, bottles, food, beach items, diaper bags, car items.... just to name a few! So off the bat vacation was not looking so "relaxing" anymore.

Then there is the trip.

Lula Mae did excellent, as usual. Jayce did not so excellent, as usual. I sat on a suite case between the two car seats for most of the trip so Jayce could see me and I could comfort him. I begged my husband to drive safely because I would die if we got into a wreck. Traveling was not the best part of the trip, by any means! I am lucky to have any hair left!

So once we get to the hotel.

Things went pretty smooth. It only took about an hour and a half to unpack and organize everything. Then we went for a nice walk on the beach (it was evening so we figured just a walk to introduce the beach to Lula Mae would be best). And it was! She loved it! Jayce was happy to be out of the car and was in his baby carrier so he liked it too.

The first beach playing experience.

Lula Mae LOVED it. She loves every single thing about the beach. All of it. Jayce on the other hand does not. He hates the sand, the water, the wind, the sun.... yeah, all of it. What can I say, he really is a mini me! So after about 30 minuets I packed Jayce up and took him back to the room to nap while Daddy and Lula Mae played. How fun is that? ZERO! I may not love the beach, but I love watching my daughter and husband have the time of their lives together. They are inseparable!

The rest of the trip.

Jayce is going through a very needy stage. Lula Mae did this too around 4 or 5 months. He wants to sit up but can't.... he wants to crawl but can't..... he wants to play but really can't. So it is a tough time because he wants you to constantly occupy him. Especially on vacation where you are not in your normal environment. All in all he did okay, but he made the beach part torture. Plus we ate a some lousy resturants so the food wasn't worth it at all. How bummer-ific is that?

What I figured out.

Vacation is a LOT of work on Momma. Lots of packing, lots of unpacking, lots of keeping up with everyone's stuff. Just lots of work. (Feel free to comment that you too feel this way... don't make me feel as though I am the only one who stresses so bad about vacation!) I love vacation, I do. I enjoy seeing the world through my childrens eyes. I love seeing Lula Mae experience things for the first time. It really is great! I must say, in all honesty, I love being home so much more. I love my life. I love what God has done for me, and is doing for me. I do not live for vacation, I live for my life. I have a wonderful life that God has given me and I don't want to daydream about some other life. So yes, vacation is great, but home is so much better!


Tomorrow I will post some of our pictures! My children surprised me and took some great photos! I can't wait to share them with you!!!!

2 comments:

Regina said...

i can understand where you are coming from--eden and Ian at that age and traveling, although we have moved 14 times including across country and up to NY, you still fill like AGGGGHHHHHH. So yes vacation is good, but home is BETTER. BTW--I love playing in the sand(not the water though), so when we all go I will pull sand duty:-)

Rachel said...

Sorry that it was so rough, but glad that you got to enjoy Lula Mae loving it! Now... pictures, woman, pictures! :)