Our Beach Baby.

Drew and Abe :)

I grew up without TV. Sure, we’d watch shows when we were at our grandparent’s over the holidays, and the occasional movie when we got older. But, my sister and I spent the majority of our childhood playing outside on the Farm and reading books. When I was younger, I was always jealous of all the kids watching TV, but I know now that my parents did it for a reason. 

When I was pregnant, I knew I wouldn’t let my baby watch TV, even when he was an infant. I’ve read the studies {haven’t we all??}, and it was something I was 100% convinced my child{ren} wouldn’t be doing. The husband and I agreed that Drew would watch the occasional tennis match, basketball game, etc. But the baby never really paid any attention to the sports on TV.

Well, this all changed once the morning sickness arrived with the second pregnancy. For MONTHS, mornings were miserable. I’d spend the majority of it in the bathroom, trying to keep the VERY active & mobile baby from climbing into the toilet while I got sick. Finally, I gave in. I started DVRing Sesame Street, and Drew and I would watch it after I got sick to let my body recover so I could get through the day.

I felt guilty.

Guilty that I had given in.

Guilty that Drew was glued to the TV.

I felt like I was a bad parent. 

I’m not sick as much now, but goodness am I tired in the afternoons! Now that he’s older, he knows EXACTLY what the remote is for. Recently he grabs it and points it at the TV and babbles to me about turning it on. The funny thing is, Drew refuses to watch it without sitting on my lap. I’ve never turned it on to “babysit” him. Last week when I was hit hard with round ligament pains, we watched TV. It was the only thing I could do with Drew that didn’t involve me chasing after him.

I’m just going to say it: I don’t feel guilty anymore. I’m too tired and too pregnant to feel guilty! I keep reminding myself that I am a great mother.

What else do Drew and I do during the day??

We read a million books, chase the cats, play games, spend hours outside, do errands, visit friends, eat healthy {and organic} food, spend time at Gram & Opah’s, and go to the beach. He is learning. He is thriving. He is growing. 

And yes, we watched 1/2 an hour of Sesame Street this morning after breakfast because I thought I was going to throw up. 

This has definitely been a lesson in parenting to just “go with the flow”. I’m sure there will be many more lessons to come over the next 18+ years!!!!

{Oh, and the 12+ hour drive to Vermont we’re going on in a few weeks, you can be sure we’ll have the DVD player with us just in case..}

Seems almost silly to drive TO a beach {Ocean City, Maryland}, when we already live at a beach! Our excuse was to visit Drew’s Great Grandfather :) We had a wonderful time. The beach apartment is a block away from the beach, so it’s easy to walk up to the boardwalk and beach. 

The weather was beautiful on Sunday. The waves were HUGE! And the water was freezing.

Walking is much harder in the sand.

Boogie boarding with Gram.

Thinking it’s hilarious to get sand all over Mommy {who absolutely HATES sand}.

Justine came for a quick visit :) Drew is a big fan.

Decked out in his Flap Happy gear.

How Far Along: 24 weeks and 1 day. Check out my 24 week bump photo last pregnancy!

Size of baby:  A cantaloupe.

Total Weight Gain: If the Ocean City Apartment scale was correct, 8 pounds. 

Sleep: I’m locking the cats out of our room at night, this seems to be helping with not getting woken up with wet noses, meows, or being stepped on.

Symptoms: Good ol’ round ligament pains for 55+ hours. TERRIBLE. Interested to see what the midwife has to say about it this week.

What I miss: Sushi. 

Maternity Clothes: Cotton non-maternity dresses & swimsuit.

Go-to eats: Bread & butter, friend chicken & ham sandwiches in Ocean City. 

Best moment of the week: Visiting with my Nana & Gramps, and seeing the husband’s Grandfather. Spending a great weekend in Chestertown & Ocean City with family!

Weekly wisdom: Don’t change a dirty diaper before your stomach has settled in the morning. Apply sunscreen BEFORE hitting the beach {me, not the baby}.