Good Friends and Seabrook Island, SC

Our Weekend Digs

Marin, Jen & Ryan

Miss. Marin

Hanging Out On The Porch

Getting to Know Each Other

New Friends

Girl's Night

Thank goodness for good friends.

This year we were lucky enough to join one of my best friends, Jen, and her family in Seabrook Island, SC. It is a beach island outside of Charleston and her generous Aunt Diane and Uncle Andy let us stay at their house for a few days. Seabrook is really a special place for Jen (as it was for her Father who sadly passed away a few years ago), it is where she married the love of her life, Ryan. They now have a one-year-old little girl Marin and are a complete and happy little family. Love them. Jen and I have been friends for years, from our days rowing together in CT. Since then we have both moved all over the place and sadly have gotten geographically further and further apart. So to see her was a real treat.

Our visit this time was very different. The last time we had been to the island Ryan and Jen were getting married, neither of us had kids. So it was interesting to be there with of our little girls. For the most part they got along, but I think Roo would go through fits of jealousy, vying for attention from "the baby". She even regressed to some old school tactics, screaming/screeching at the top of her lungs when she was feeling ignored. This trick is something Kerry and I can block out, but I think our friends were a little annoyed.

Roo had a blast at the beach and would sit near the water and just dig for hours. She could've stayed all day. I am hoping this beach fascination phase will last for a bit so we can enjoy our Summer. It was actually relaxing. She still hasn't given up on trying to eat sand, but at least her attempts aren't frequent. Besides, what kid hasn't gotten a little dirt or sand in their mouth? Not on my list of big worries.

So, a great time was had by all. Boys got a night out at a soccer game in Charleston. Girls sort of got a night our for dinner (picture two screaming children throwing food, fastest dinner in history). And we all got to relax, kayak, take beach walks and end our day with happy hour on the back porch. Not to shabby.

The Discovery of Jelly Beans

Easter morning we awoke to a visit from the Easter Bunny. I think by this time Roo was getting used to the idea that this guy was not going away. Then there was the fact that he brought her presents. Maybe this Easter Bunny isn’t so bad after all…

We did our own little Easter egg hunt. She has fun and it was over in about 5 minutes (all videotaped by Daddy of course). One of her eggs was shaped like Elmo, she kept saying “Melmo!” She knew something good was in the egg and shook it vigorously, releasing it’s jelly beans to freedom. She scrambled to grab one and got it into her mouth before I could intercept it. She had a smile on her face as she greedily chewed and before she was even halfway done, was begging for more, with blue colored drool running down her chin. “Mo, mo, mo, mo. Peeez.” We tried to explain to her that we needed to eat breakfast and head to church, but she would have none of it and threw a jelly bean tantrum.

We finally distracted her and got her into the kitchen to eat a whole grain waffle (my attempt to counter balance the candy). Actually, after she got settled onto one of our kitchen stools (she now refuses to use a high chair or booster seat), she was fine and we went about our Easter activities for the day. Up until this time we had, for the most part, avoided giving her candy, cookies or cake, except for special occasions. But she’s no dummy. She knows exactly where the candy is hidden and doesn’t hesitate to ask. I need to find a better hiding place.

Easter Weekend Egg Hunt

This year our neighborhood decided to have an egg hunt the Saturday before Easter. I loved the idea and offered to host happy hour at our house afterwards. There are quite a few kids under the age of 10 and we knew they’d have a blast searching for eggs together. All the Moms in the neighborhood shopped for plastic eggs and fillers for them and we gathered one weeknight to put them all together. Mission accomplished, preparations were complete. Then it rained the rest of the week. But, we were all hopeful that the weather would take a turn for the better and a muddy egg hunt would commence.

No such luck. It rained and rained and rained. We even postponed the start time hoping it would at least slow down to a drizzle and we could send the kids out in raincoats and boots. Nope. So we came up with new plan and one of the neighbors offered her house for an indoor egg hunt. Game on. As we were getting ready to leave I handed her a basket (fuzzy and in the shape of a bunny) and said, “look Roo, it is the Easter Bunny’s basket for you to collect eggs.” She initially went to grab it, but upon hearing the words “Easter Bunny” shook her head “no, no, no, no” (see earlier Easter Bunny blog entry for Easter Bunny phobia background story). So I ended up carrying the basket.

We arrived and gathered the kids in the family room (a couple of Dads had arrived earlier to hide the eggs). We divided the kids into two groups (under 4 and 4+) and set them loose. Complete and total chaos, but complete and total fun for everyone. Each of the younger kids approached the egg hunt just a little differently. Roo for example kept getting distracted (shocker), mostly by the crayons and Princess vanity table, but her favorite distraction was the Little Tikes piano. She would run and find a couple of eggs, then go back and sit at the piano to play. Then we would pick her up, point her in the direction of more eggs, she’d grab a few and then back to the piano.

About an hour later we were all done and headed to our house for holiday food and drink. I think everyone stayed for a couple of hours, until the kid’s bedtime. It was great catching up with everyone and seeing how well the kids played together. The younger ones (James, Reid and Roo) all loved having a chance to play with the big kids. They played hide-and-go-seek and kept hiding behind our dining room curtains. I half expected them to be ripped out of the wall, but enjoyed watching them laugh and play with such big smiles on their faces I couldn’t make them stop.

Kerry and I collapsed exhausted on our couch after saying our goodbyes, putting Roo to bed and cleaning up the kitchen. So much work, but all worth it. I think we need to make it an official neighborhood holiday tradition. Maybe next year Roo will even hold her own basket?

The Easter Bunny

It is quite possible that we have scarred our 18 month old for life and completely turned her off of the Easter Bunny. I know most kids get scared around a year old when they go visit Santa or the Easter Bunny (my Mother has photographs documenting my own toddler fears of Santa), but I was not prepared for our own dramatic showdown with the Trumbull Mall’s Easter Bunny.

The day began typically for a Saturday. Roo wakes us up around 7, we go have breakfast in our jammies (Daddy declared it pancake Saturday) and then we play for a bit. As a break from our routine, I suggested a visit with the Easter Bunny. So we scooped Roo up and took her upstairs to change her clothes. This may have been the beginning of the end.

First of all, she did not want to get in to her dress. Auntie Courtney had bought her a beautiful Easter dress, which she of course initially refused to wear. After a short wrestling match and some bribes, mission accomplished, she was ready to go. Our little family headed to the mall. Upon arrival we stopped at Starbucks, were Roo played peek-a-boo with the barista and kept spinning around in her dress. We then began our journey to Easter Bunny headquarters, outside of JCPenney (you’d think the Bunny could find more glamorous digs with what he was charging for pictures). As we approached the area I made sure the Roo could see the other children in line, approaching the Easter Bunny, sitting in his lap and receiving their Easter “gift.” Then it was our turn. By this time we ended at the front of the line, no one was behind us and Roo and I took our time approaching the six foot brown bunny. She watched cautiously and by the time we were about two feet away, she started shaking her head and saying “no, no, no, no.” I tried to assure her, while making a mad dash to throw her in the Easter Bunny’s lap. She freaked. I don’t think I have ever seen her turn that color red and was impressed by her use of every appendage on her body to hold onto me. I think I could’ve let go of her, put my arms out to my side and she would’ve have still stuck to me like super glue.

This scene carried on for 2-3 minutes. The Mommy dance, attempting to convince my little girl that the Easter Bunny meant no harm. She’d stand there and look at him, but wouldn’t get any closer than 2-3 feet. At one point the poor Bunny, in a gesture of peace, reached out held out a chocolate egg. She ran up, grabbed and went back to her spot as quickly as her little toddler legs could carry her. I went in for the forceful sit again, promising to sit with her. That didn’t work either. Red, screaming and tons of tears. The girls working the camera said it was the second worst reaction they had seen all season (the first being a kid who not only screamed and cried, but actually jumped the display fence and ran down the mall hallway in terror).

So no pictures with the Easter Bunny this year. The worst part is that from that point on, whenever I mention the Easter Bunny she starts shaking her head and repeating that same urgent phrase, “no, no, no, no.” I hope she grows out of this by Christmas in time to see Santa.

New Friends and "Shishie" Adventures

Flirting shamelessly in Starbucks one morning.

Listening to "Under The Sea" on the steel drums.

Hanging out with Tessa by the pool.

Ready for adventures.

Roo checking everything out on the boat over to Atlantis.

Watching the "shishies".

Big fish.

Having a blast.

Touching the starfish.

Asleep after a long day.

One of the most fun parts of being on vacation was the fact that Reagan never met a stranger. Every time we went anywhere she couldn't resist doing her best to be the center of attention. To a parent, it is completely annoying and to the receiver of Roo's wooing, it may be equally as annoying, but most times she made a new friend.

One of her first new friends she met on vacation was Tessa. She and her family were visiting from Canada. Almost every night before bed Roo and Tessa would run around like toddler maniacs wearing each other out before bed. Some days it was a godsend for all of us. They wore each other out. One night both families happened to be returning from dinner at the same time. Roo and Tessa ran around the lobby screaming for about 15 minutes. It was hilarious. No one was really around because it was early and they had the place to themselves. They had a blast.

Along with meeting new people, we also did a lot of exploring. One day we decided to go to Atlantis and check it out. Atlantis has really strict security, but for a daily fee you can get limited access to the resort. We thought taking Roo to see all the aquarium displays would be a good way to spend the day and it was. She was fascinated by all the different fish and tanks. The place was fairly crowded with lots of picture takers. A couple of times Kerry would try to take her picture and she'd look away or run away, just as he was ready to hit the button. But if anyone else was trying to take a picture, she'd walk right up to them and pose. I think two of her favorite parts were watching the jellyfish and an exhibit where you could touch starfish and horseshoe crabs. She loved sticking her little arms in the tank and touching the starfish, eventually we had to drag her out of there so other children could have a turn.

Eventually Roo was worn out and by the time we left a few hours later she was passed out in her stroller. Mommy & Daddy were able to sit and enjoy Starbucks in peace and quiet, but only for a little bit. An hour later she was up and ready for her next adventure. Go, go, go. That's my Roo.

I-Yuv-Yoo

Roo has become quite the Chatty Cathy. Of course I can’t understand half of what she says, but whatever. Of course there are a few standard phrases. “Buh-bye” is a big fav. We make her say it wherever we go. It cracks us up and makes the hearts of the people she says it to melt. Especially when she adds her little wave.

She won’t say “hi”, but occasionally says “heeeey” (she draws the word out). She says the names of her classmates pretty well, but has a hard time saying “s” sounds. She says her teachers names. She says the typical “da-da”, “ma-ma” , “no” and “mine”. She says “dog”, “go” and I think she told the dog to “lay down” the other day. She says “sit”, “chair” (my neighbor had to point that one out to me), “up” and “down”.

As she learns how to express herself, she is also becoming a little mimic (I think this is when the parenting books tell you to start watching what you say). But my favorite is when she repeats “I love you”, it comes out “I-yuv-yoo”. It is so damn cute. I love it. It isn’t often that she says it on her own, she usually says it after one of us says it to her. The other day I tried explaining to her that when someone says “I love you” that you should say back “I love you too”. That very day she actually did it. We were playing and I grabbed her, snuggled and said, “oh Roo, I love you” and she said “i-yuv-yoo-ooo”. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for hours. She made my day.

It's Better In The Bahamas

Giggling as the tide come in and goes out.

Having a blast with Daddy in the pool.

Concentrating on filling the dump truck on the beach.

Morning sand play.

Vacation with Roo was the best. Her teacher even said last week that she has been so much better with her tantrums since we got back. The poor kid just needed a little attention. Boy did she get it, from everyone.

From the second we landed she tried to capture the attention of everyone she ran into. From the guys in the steel band, to the people in customs, to the concierge at the hotel, she kept up her job as chief entertainer. I was actually surprised by how many people enjoyed her. I guess I thought that most people find little blonde toddlers annoying, but apparently in the Bahamas everyone has a little bit more patience.

Most mornings we had the same routine. Roo would get up around 7 and the three of us would watch cartoons and eat cheerios in bed for a bit. Then we'd get ready for our day. Most days we started at the beach. We were usually out there by 8:30 and it was pretty quiet. The hotel had a "private" beach, not very big but perfect for us and it was right on Nassau harbor. We could even see all the cruise ships come in every couple of days. Roo liked watching them and of course every time they left she would wave bye-bye.

The first order of business for Roo was stopping by to get towels and say hello to the lifeguards. They LOVED her. Every morning it was "Good morning Reagan!" and as they handed us our towels she would always politely say "tank yoo". Next order of business was securing the good beach toys. We brought some of our own, but Roo liked to also grab some of the hotel's dump trucks. Then we'd head down to the water to dig in the sand a bit. She really liked it and it was so much more fun for me than visiting the beach last year where I spent most of my time saying "sand is not for eating." This year she actually played, dug, raked and tried to build stuff. Two things she didn't like--my occasional attempt at burying her and standing in the water when the tide went out. The water was a little cold, but she liked wandering into it a little bit. It would splash up around her ankles and knees and as the water would go out, her little feet would sink into the sand. She didn't like it. She couldn't figure out was going on and would grab onto whoever was closest whining "no, no, no, no, no."

After the beach we would clean up and hit the pool. Daddy was the designated pool entertainer. She loved everything about it, jumping, spinning, blowing bubble and sitting on the ledge waving at all the people around her. A nice family even offered us some swimmies, but she didn't like that much. After some swimming we'd have lunch poolside, then it would be upstairs for a nap. After nap time we'd either swim some more or go exploring in town.

Every time we went walking around town people stopped to talk to her. Even at her worst (for example, a ridiculous temper tantrum at dinner), everyone smiled and complimented her. One night in a desperate attempt to find a place other than the hotel to eat, we ended up at Senor Frogs. It was great for us (loud enough so that no one could hear her scream if she decided to) and entertaining for her (plenty of people watching, things to play with and a little dancing on the dance floor with Daddy).

Finally, by about 7-8 PM we'd all head home exhausted. Roo had a tough time getting to sleep (and staying asleep) most nights, but ended up doing pretty well. Some bedtimes were tougher than others. We'd arrive back to our floor, Roo and I would go out to the balcony to say "nite-nite" to the ocean, boats, birds, trees and lizards, then head to the room for a bath and whatever bedtime routine we could accomplish. Once she was out, Kerry and I would watch movies.

More Roo Bahama Baby stories to come.