Summertime

July 2, 2011 - Here I am, sitting in our dark living room, uploading pictures from our first "family" vacation (that being our first 3-of-us vacation). We just returned this afternoon from our beach week on Edisto Island, SC. If you haven't heard of Edisto, it is a small beach vacation spot just 45 minutes south of Charleston..only about 4.5 hour drive for us from Charlotte. Just vacation rental homes, one grocery store (Piggly Wiggly--you know you're in the south) and a handful of restaurants. We love vacation spots that frees us of commercialism and consumerism. Daniel and his family vacationed there each year growing up, so it was extra special for him to take us to their spot, hear his stories about their beach explorations, golf outings and other family memories.



Maryn was a trooper and did great considering it was her 3rd time (last trip was to VA for Easter) being in a pack and play crib and being in a totally new setting. We had a first rough couple of days adjusting, but that was to be expected. I think Daniel and I had to really learn that vacations, as we knew them to be, have changed. And as for now, our days even on vacation revolve a little around nap times and feedings...it's just a season, right? On top of the change of environment, Maryn was battling her first cold and terrible diaper rash (I think from starting to eat solid foods). All in all, we had a great time...some fun in the sun (we alternated staying back during nap times), lots of seafood consumed, some books read, memories made and even our friends joined us for a few days (one couple at the beginning of our week and one couple at the end of our week).


Not only does July 2nd mark our return to our sweet, little life in the "Queen City", but it also marks Maryn's "half birthday". Yes, our sweets is now 6 months old. At the risk of sounding so cliche, I will say that she is changing each and everyday. She has really proven to be a Daddy's girl this week (I think being on vacation and so much quality time helped.) She is always looking for him and cracking up at him, it is quite endearing. She is rolling a bit, making efforts on her belly to doing "crawling-like" movements, saying "ba-ba-ba-ba" all the time, just starting to eat solids (oatmeal, sweet potatoes and peas), teething and drooling like crazy (no teeth yet), and mimicking some of our silly movements to her. She is also really starting to show her sense of humor with initiating "silly" times, and copying Daniel and I when we are laughing at something together. It is just so fun right now with her. I'm really trying to stop and take it all in. I see so much of Daniel in her. She (unless very hungry and very tired...again a daddy trait, ha) is happy, smiley and easy to make laugh. I'd really like to say that she takes after her mama, but I think she is like her daddy through and through. In fact, when Daniel was younger he smiled so much that his nickname at school and church was "Smiley Dan". Ha. I love it...he probably wouldn't want me to post that, oh well.

So that is our latest and greatest from our home. We continue to ask God for wisdom and guidance in this area of parenting. Though I rejoice in little achievements and am a bit more confident in the areas that I have seen accomplished, I'm still adjusting to this mommy role of "trial and error" and questioning what to do next. All the questioning at the beginning of what to do drove me a little batty...I'm so thankful for friends and family that have given me advice and helped me to know what to expect next. :) This parenting thing is not for the faint of heart that is for sure!