The past few weeks have been trying.
Jack learned to walk, which I have quickly learned is a joy and a curse.
He is into everything. Things he could never reach are suddenly at his fingertips.
Furniture that he never gave a second thought to is now the perfect place for him to test his climbing abilities. Though every time he takes a step towards me I stare in amazement.
And we gave up the morning nap. Which has not been a smooth transition by a long shot.
Some days he takes a wonderful 3 hour nap and things go smoothly. Other days he sleeps for 45 minutes and the day is longer than I ever imagined it could be.
The other day was one of those long days. Nothing seemed to make him happy. Not Sesame Street, not the swings at the park and mostly not me. I felt defeated.
So I did what I do when I feel defeated. I went to the beach.
Sure it was February, but it was 62 degrees out. I put him in the stroller and walked him to the small beach about 4 blocks from our house.
I grew up at the beach. My parents house is still 2 blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. And whenever things got tough or I needed to clear my head and get some perspective, I went to the beach.
It calmed me and renewed me. It reassured me that the winter wouldn’t last and that problems that loomed large were smaller than I thought.
I would stare at the ocean and suddenly all was right in the world.
I sat Jack down on the sand. Other than a grandmother and her grandson we had the beach to ourselves.
Jack picked up some rocks and ran his fingers through the sand. He was quiet for the first time all day. No fussing, no whining, just the sound of the ocean.
I helped him to his feet and watched as he took a few tentative steps across the sand. There were smiles and there were giggles.
I guess I was right, sometimes you just need to see the ocean.
OMG, he's adorable. And that right there is why we go to Sanibel. There is something about the beach. I'm glad you both found your happy place.
I've heard wonderful things about Sanibel. Thank you!
4 blocks?!!! What a dream to live so close, and I think the sound of the waves would make any cranky baby happy. That and getting all dirty in the sand and water.
I always make my kids wear bathing suits year round because it could be freezing, but no matter what, they're getting wet.
It's a little further away than it sounds and it's a smallish beach on the bay but it's still wonderful.
Beautiful pictures! Oh and yeah I envy you for living so close to the beach 🙂
Thank you! I think sometimes I forget that not everyone is so used to being close to the beach. By local standards I'm far from the beach.
Love this post!! Ohhh I'm so jealous that you are within a few blocks from the ocean. I think that would make ALL the difference on those trying days. We're going through the same walking/nap transition with Baby H, it's definitely a struggle some days to say the least. 🙂
I feel your pain. It always seems like I adjust to one new thing and then everything changes. Good luck!
I miss the ocean so much. We live in Chicago now, on the lake, but I grew up minutes from the ocean. Its similar, but its not the same, sometimes, you just need to see it.
Isn't it weird how just seeing it makes it better?
I take my son to the beach whenever I go to my parents too. It is his favorite thing in the world. Just chasing the birds and having a blast!
So fun! Jack just started chasing the birds and it's just the cutest.
He is adorable. That transition from one nap to two naps is very hard. I feel for you on the days that it is only 45 minutes. Earlier the nap is, the better in these transition days, and an early bedtime.
The ocean can make one feel better. I have a Jack, too.
Awww another Jack. The transition is rough thanks for the suggestions, just reading them made me feel a bit better.
Your little boy is so adorable! I remember the transition for 2-1 nap with my first daughter as being tough. Then, I struggled with feeling like my whole day was overwhelmingly full, so when I lost that extra nap, I mourned it greatly.
I don't have an ocean near by, but I would often go for walks when things didn't seem to work out. It was best for me and her, I think.
Hang in there! I now have 2 little ones so I have even less time, but I've found that by focusing on the time I do have, I am better able to see all the beautiful parts or moments spent in that time more clearly. Hope this helps!
Thank you for the comment, it was very helpful and so nice to hear that it's a tough transistion in general.
There's something about the ocean that is just so calming!
Yes there is, it's the best.