OBX

Vacation number two this spring was our family vacation in the Outerbanks. The past 6 weeks have been such a blessed season for us that we hardly felt like we "needed" a vacation. Nori has been in a wonderfully content and fun stage and we have been fully enjoying all of springs wonders: the garden, swimming, and longer days.
Our trip to the beach was an extension of that joy and we loved spending time together. Instead of feeling the need to pull away for our own rest, we wanted to spend all the time we could with her.
She loved it all!
Here's what she had to say. . .
I stayed in a PINK beach house for a whole week. At first I called it "Hannah's beach house" because I thought it was where she lived, but then Mama told me it was mine too!
I got to ride on my tricycle everyday down to the beach. I still don't want to let them know I can pedal, so I place my feet up high and enjoy the ride. I liked carrying my bookbag and my beach chair on my shoulders. I looked SO grown up.
I also got to take trips on the back of Mama's bike-fun!
Everyday I was more brave with the ocean. At first I just liked to get my feet wet, but by Friday I loved being held up to my chin as the waves took me up and down, "up and down" I would say and scream with delight.
One day I had a BAD ear infection and had to go to the hospital. When we came back, Mama took me down to the beach just to say hi to everyone and then go back to the house to rest. But it ended up being the therapy I needed. I cozied between Mama's legs as she sat in the surf and for the first time all day was not crying or thinking about my ear!Mama said she was so happy to see my smile again. I think the surf was therapy for her to after hearing me scream for so long.
But even more than the ocean, I loved the sand. At times, I just layed on my belly and felt its goodness all over me. I loved building, and using water to make masterpieces. Daddy helped me make  A LOT of sandcastles, mouts and animals, my favorite was the crocodile.
Nana taught me how to look for shells. Sometimes I would go for a walk and collect them in a bucket and other times I would go in the surf and see what the sifter would pull up.
I liked putting the shells on my necklace.
Daddy helped me fly my kite!! twice! It was so fun to hold it and make the fish move through the sky.
I had tons of fun with my cousins. I played well with Hannah and Emma but Molly and I kept fighting over the same toys. She doesn't talk yet, but surely knows how to push my buttons!
We went fishing at the nature center but didn't catch any fish.
I had so much fun, that when it was time to leave, I cried, "I don't wanna go home." Mama cried a little too because she said it broke her heart to see how sad I was. But then she told me we get to go back next year- can't wait!!

First Phillies Game

I had so much fun at the Phillies game last night! I loved all the people, but whoah- there sure were a lot!!
I held tight to Daddy's hand. I liked watching the players down close. Then when we went to our seats, I kept saying "I want to go down there and play with the ball." It seemed so far away!
I don't know why, but every once in awhile everyone would stand up and scream and clap. I loved it and yet it made me want to cover my ears!!

My favorite part was that EVERYONE had on my shirt! I couldn't believe it. All those people want to be like me!

Nori's Vacation from her Parents

The first week of May, Pete and I went on vacation for a whole WEEK to Belize. In preparing to leave, I had waves of angst and doubt. Is it natural for parents to "abandon" their child for a week? Will she understand? And I had equal moments of justification. I NEEDed a break. It is okay and good to care for ourselves. In building and nuturing ourselves and each other, we will be better parents. A few days before we left, she had another ear infection and somehow this internal battle shifted to- "I am leaving and deserve a break. Nori will be fine, more importantly I will be fine. Adios." We left and did we EVER enjoy it. It was such a peaceful and non stressful vacation. The beach was gorgeous, the water, the sun, the lack of schedule. The big open expanses of time with nothing to do! And the adventure of good food, snorkeling, jungle treking and tubing. And of course, by mid week we sorely missed Nori. I had to discipline my heart to not dwell on her and didn't look at her photo until on the plane home. By day 4-5, our schedule had slowed down it was hard to not feel heart broken. But that was okay, to miss her, to feel the distance that separates us not only when we are miles apart. Even living under the same roof- we are separate people. And this was a good reminder. We checked email several times a day to hear news of her, and it was all good news, according to my sister she was doing great.We hoped this was true, but could hardly believe when it was not only true, but beyond that. She slept perfectly, she didn't ask for us once?! and played well with her cousins. When we returned home, I expected some regression, but much to our suprise- she had taken a huge step forward in her development. I saw it in her eyes, the first Monday we were home: independence. She is okay in herself. She doesn't have as much anxiety leaving us when we go to work. She is falling asleep on her own with no crying or stress. She figured out that she is part introvert. She needs her time waking up along in the morning and unwinding at night. So, in the end, she needed a vacation from us! We are so proud of her for taking this development step. Not to mention, proud of ourselves for allowing her the space to do it.