Beach Portraits

Here are the annual beach portraits.  Savannah is the only one I don't have a great shot of.  She was just getting sick on the day we had her out.

I could look at these pictures all day.  It reminds me of how lucky we are, how much fun my girls are, and how fortunate I am to be loved by these wonderful, sweet girls.

Giraffes!

Adeline's love affair with giraffes started in the NICU. She had the Cadillac of isolettes because, at the time of her birth, she assumed the, "Sickest and Tiniest Baby" label. The isolette is called a giraffe isolette because it goes from looking like a typical isolette. . .

to looking like a giraffe very quickly. It gives the doctors full and immediate access to the baby in distress.

Every since her NICU days we have enjoyed Adeline's true attachment to giraffes, even if we kind of pushed them on her in the beginning.

On the way to North Carolina we stopped at the Baltimore Zoo. We had our fingers crossed that the giraffes were in the mood for some tasty bamboo at the feeding station. Imagine The Belle's excitement when the giraffe walked right up to us and ate the leaves right out of our hands! Miss Adeline, who balks at the smallest creatures, stood strong and brave while reaching out toward this enormous animal. She really does love giraffes.

The Year of the Boogie Board

All three girls fell in love with boogie boards this year.  To my surprise, Adeline was okay being pushed around by the waves, and at times, being thrown from the board.  As long as she kept her head above water, she was okay.  Lila, who I didn't ever catch on camera, walks out like a big girl and, with my help, hops on the board and rides the waves by herself.  The last couple days she was more tentative and has played lifeguard to all the young ones.  For some reason she thinks everyone is going to drown.  Savannah is completely independent and worries me much less than I expected.  She enjoys the BIG waves.  It is a good thing that she has a wave riding partner because waves are always more fun when enjoyed by two.

Here are clips of Savannah and Adeline enjoying some time on the boards.  I never knew when Adeline and Lila were going to be aggressive and go deep.  My luck had it that I never had my camera on these days.

Happy 4th!!

Reason To Go on a Family Vacation #102

So that you can enjoy the little things they say.

When getting ready for bed, Lila hopped on the potty.  I walked into the bathroom a few moments later and Miss Lila was holding her nose (while sitting on the royal throne) and declared, "It is stinky in here Mommy.  Stinky, Stinky!" 'Who made it stinky in here Lila?" I asked.  "I did!" she says :)

Beach Fun

I am thrilled to report that all THREE girls are enjoying the surf and sand here in Holden Beach, North Carolina.  I had many reservations about Adeline's time out on the beach put they were soon but at bay.  She walks barefoot in the sand, digs in it and doesn't have a problem with it covering her body.  Each day, Adeline is getting more and more aggressive with the waves.  Lila thinks she is one of the big kids and runs full force into the waves.  I believe body surfing is her latest milestone. She actually times herself with the waves.  Pictures are hard to come by for both Savannah and Lila.  They are too busy in the ocean to stop and smile for the camera.  I guess it is a good sign.

Guess Where We Are?