Beachin' It

I can honestly say that our trip to the beach was one that I'll never forget. I spent so much time just enjoying Lily and it was an amazing experience. It was a simple vacation - we didn't visit any museums or extravagant monuments. We didn't go out to eat at fancy restaurants or spend a lot of money on overpriced tourist attractions. We just enjoyed being together. After a long drive to Sunset Beach on Wednesday night, we settled in anxiously awaiting the next morning so we could go to the beach. We (Carmen and I) decided that we'd skip the babies' morning naps and go to the beach and hope they last until lunchtime. Surprisingly, they did! Going to the beach with a 1 year old is not easy, to say the least. When people say you have a lot of stuff when you have kids, it's very true. And it's even more true when you are the one carrying it! My job was to get Lily on the beach, while Kevin brought the tent, chairs, towels, cooler, snacks, beach toys, etc. Although it looked like Kevin was carrying a lot more (weight-wise, he was!)...I was so hot and out of breath by the time we reached the sand, that even I felt sorry for myself. I was carrying TWO babies. One of which, was dying to be Miss Independent and walk by herself. I remember thinking I should just put her down and spare myself the agnst of carrying a curious toddler through the sand. But, another part of me clung to the fact that she was my baby and I didn't WANT her to walk by herself. I wanted her to cling to me and be scared and need her Ma-ma. But, the truth is...she didn't need me at this moment like I really wanted her to. After I couldn't walk one more step with her in my arms, I let her begin to walk by herself. It was a bittersweet moment for me. I know it sounds crazy, but as I gasped for air, reminding myself that I was 35 weeks pregnant, I was happy and sad at the same time. Happy for everything I've been given in life and sad that Lily will no longer be my "baby". It's a strange feeling to think that Lily will share our hearts with a baby brother. But, it's such a blessing.

As you can see from the pictures above, Lily loved the beach and the water. She even shoveled sand into her hair and would run straight into the waves. She doesn't get her fear factor (or lack thereof) from me. To Kevin's dismay, she made lots of friends on the beach, all of which who rant and raved about how cute and sweet she was. We would always agree, of course. However, she socializes like her mother and since Kevin was the one chasing her up and down the shoreline, he was not ecstatic that our daughter inherited this trait from me. He'll thank me later, I'm sure. :)

We had a great time eating, talking about life, and reminiscing with our friends Carmen, Justin, and Daniel. Justin and Kevin were able to play golf two days, which they enjoyed. Lily loved Daniels company. They always play well together and this trip wasn't any different. Carmen and I talked about everything that girls do, and probably could've done so for hours more!

Although it went by way too fast, we had a wonderful trip. It's hard to believe that it was our last without our new baby boy. But, I'll remember it forever. I'll remember how it felt to watch Lily love life at the beach, play with her Daddy in the sand, and run free in the sand as if it never ended. She makes us so happy and although she won't be the only person at the center of our world, very soon, she is so loved and will always be "our little girl"...