Sunset Beach

We are home from the beach, where we spent an amazing five days doing just what we wanted. A whole lot of nothing mixed with a bunch of time spent together.

Our vacation could not have been more perfect. We had a blast - and I've got 399 photos to prove it.

That might seem excessive, and I admit it is. However, here was my goal for the week: to sit back and watch this babe watch the world around him.

And I know you might be thinking that I watch the babe every day. But, I mean really watch him watch his surroundings. Not watch Lane to make sure his diaper is dry; his belly is full; his head is above water; his body is out of harm's way; his clothes are clean; his needs are met.

I mean just observe Lane. When I'm at home each day of the week with my babe, I'm so busy being with my babe that I'm sometimes just too wrapped up in the action to watch.

Last week, I watched.

Good thing for me Papa's goal was to play. To be a part of the action. To take Lane by the hand and show him the way. Because, each day while I'm busy being a mama doing those things, Papa's hard at work so we can spend another day together.

So, it all worked out nicely. I watched. Papa played. We all got what we wanted.

Which was a big dose of this babe in all his beach glory.

I don't think you could have found a happier baby on that beach. From the moment our feet hit the boardwalk for the first time, he was happier than a clam in sand and began chanting beach, beach to each person who walked by and sporting his signature look for the week, which we dubbed "The Pirate."



I love this little beach town we found last year. A tiny little place off the coast of North Carolina. Close to Myrtle Beach but far enough away from the big, chain restaurants, Putt Putt golf courses with exploding volcanoes and bars with flashing lights signaling Open Bar, Open Late.

You'll find none of that here. Just the beach. The boardwalk. The pier. A few family owned restaurants serving fresh seafood. And the sound of the waves.

If your looking for nightlife, look elsewhere. In Sunset, your it. You make your own fun. Just your family and the beach.

And that's just the way our family likes it.

We'd wake up when our bodies told us to. We'd head down to the beach when we got moving. We'd play in the water. We'd head home for lunch and naps. Then, we'd do it all over again that afternoon.

We'd wash the sand and sun off our bodies before dinner and head out for a meal. We'd eat at places with names like Captain Nance's Seafood Restaurant, where we'd watch the shrimp boats bring in tomorrow's night dinner.


Or the Sugar Shack, where we all ate way too much homemade Caribbean food - ribs, jerk chicken, coconut bread for the babe and homemade slaw.

At small places like the Sugar Shack, the babe can go shoeless and wear his new baseball jammies while he eats.

Good food and comfy clothes make him happy.






And you know what makes me happy? This I'm in Heaven - can life get any better - let's never leave here mama and papa - face makes me so happy.

I think he's the most handsome boy alive. And, I know I'm suppose to feel that way because he's mine.

And that makes me happy.



You know what else makes me happy?

Knowing next year we will return to do this all over again. Lane will be one year older. One year wiser.

We hope he'll love the beach just as much.

We wonder what surprises - like the reoccurring Pirate face - he'll have in store for us.

You know what else makes me happy?

Next year, when we pose for this photo, I'll have another babe of my own by my side.

Two babes. An awesome husband. An amazing life.

That makes me happy.




I've got so many pictures to share with you. I went overboard. I realize that. But I could not help myself. I'm in awe of his little mind. The way it works. The way he thinks.


I loved hearing him ask to take a shower each time we'd leave the beach. How he remembered that he needed to shake the sand off his body and wash his feet before getting in the car.

We think he enjoyed the shower as much as he enjoyed the waves.

I love how he's so curious. Peeking in the beach bag wondering what he'll find. Pulling out shovels, keys, water bottles, beach blankets and lotion.

Or what about when we discovered this crab wondering the beach one evening. We watched crab as he wondered by the pier. Lane couldn't take his eyes off of him.

I could not take my eyes off my son.





I had days to watch him. To enjoy him. Looking at him through the lens of my camera. Predicting his next move. Smiling when he did just what I thought he would. Giggling when he surprised me with a new move or discovery.

No, I didn't spend all my time behind the camera.

There was a wide, open beach for us - and I spent a lot of time with my two loves soaking it all in.

Greetings from Sunset

Guess where we have been all week long? Here, at Sunset Beach, North Carolina. We're heading home today - unless I can talk papa in to one more night.

See you Monday.

Little bitty Lane during his first time on the beach - from our vacation to Sunset last year.

Sporting his summer locks

Know how I told you Lane needed a haircut? I couldn't stand it any longer. Usually papa is in charge of the haircuts. (It's a man thing.) However, papa was busy last week, so I took it upon myself to get the kid a cut.

With mama in charge, we went to one of those fancy kids places to get his hair done - not the usual barber shop or Great Clips papa takes him to.

It might have cost a few bucks more, but was so worth it. Look how cute Lane looks in the little penguin smock.

The firetruck complete with flashing light did a great job of distracting him from the fact that someone with scissors was approaching his head.

He seemed a bit cautious but didn't even notice what was going on until ....

he noticed. And got angry. Angry with real tears angry. Angry even a cookie won't make it better angry.

Angry at one point he told the stylist "All Done" even though she still had one side to cut.

When the cut was complete, Lane was much better. He even took some time to play in the firetruck.

And to show off his new style and enjoy his cookie. However, he would not take his eyes off the stylist. He wasn't letting her get any where near him.

Watch it lady. I know I look handsome but you are not coming near me again with those scissors or that razor.

Just to remind us of how much he despised getting his hair cut, he let out one big yelp right before we left.

Then, being the polite little man he is, he told everyone, "Bye. Bye."

Hot in here

On afternoons when the temperatures rises higher than 100 degrees - and it is too hot to even go to the pool - this is how Lane hangs.

In his nudie suit - eating watermelon.

Truckin

More than three weeks ago, my dad left for a long trip. As a truck-driving family, we're accustomed to him being gone for long periods of time. This trip, however, was a little different. Headed to Canada, dad couldn't talk on the phone once he crossed the border.

We went three weeks without talking. My mom constantly reminded us that every phone call cost 60 cents a minute. So, don't call your dad.

(Okay, I admit. I called him once. The Friday we had our 13 week ultrasound, I gave him a call to let him know all was well. We talked for less than 60 seconds.)

My dad took a big technology step while he was gone and learned to text. To keep him updated, I would take pictures of Lane each day and send them his way.

Last week, I called my brother late one morning.

"I must miss dad," I told him.

"Why."

"I bought Lane a Grateful Dead t-shirt this morning while we were shopping," I replied.

I put the shirt on him and sent a picture to my dad.

When papa got home, he told Lane, "Cool shirt, man. Where did you get it. I think mama should go back and get one for you in every size."

It is not any thing I would ever wear. It sticks out like a sore thumb in his t-shirt drawer. But, he looks so cute in it, I couldn't help but put him in it again this week.

And with that overdue for a haircut style Lane is sporting - he looks like a true Dead Head.



P.S. Pops were glad you made it home safely. See you tomorrow.

Lunch with Lanna

Last week, Lane and I met Lanna at our favorite lunch spot. Some time had passed since we seen her last - and Lane was going to make her pay for going so long without a visit.

That face spells mischievous. Don't you think?


During lunch, he would allow Lanna to sit next to him while he enjoyed his hot dog and apple juice. No way, would he let her hold him.


After lunch, we went to a cute little kids shop to buy some presents for Drew's soon-to-be little brother. Lane found this funky frog thing and tried to convince me he loved it.

Too bad. Enjoy it while you can. This mama won't pay 600 bucks for a funky frog thing.

To ease the pain of disappointment, we took him outside to watch the train go by.


Then we headed back to the restaurant to try to get some photos of Lane and Lanna.

Lane, can Lanna hold your hand while you walk across the bridge.

No, I'm mad at her. I'll stand next to her but that's all she gets.

Lane, can you sit in Lanna's lap so we can take your picture in the same spot we took it last year?

No, I'm mad at her. I'll sit in this chair and you can take my picture.


Lane, will you at least sit next to Lanna on the bench so I can take your picture with her?

No.

Lane, will you give Lanna five down low?

Will you give her knucks?

Will you make them explode?

Will you give her five up high?

Ha, ha. We tricked you. I got some pictures of you two together.

To see pictures of Lane and Lanna in that same spot click here.

A few pictures from the fourth

Last night, Lane went to bed asking for crackers. I'm pretty sure the babe believes he should now get to watch a full fireworks display every night.

Bummer. I had to tell him he would have to wait until next year for more crackers.

We filled our weekend with fireworks - so I can't blame the babe for asking.

Saturday night, we surprised Lane by taking him to see his best buddy Andrea and watch the fireworks display Woodstock put on.

We were shocked. Both babes loved it. Couldn't take their eyes off the sky. In between each display, Lane would yell for more.

Can you believe I did not bring my camera to the party? I felt totally lost without it so Paola put me in charge of photos with her camera. As soon as we see them again I'll post pictures from that night.

Sunday night, Papa had to head to Knoxville unexpectedly. Left at home alone, I decided to surprise the babe and take him out to Hoschton to see his cousins and watch some more fireworks.

We started the night by eating some Japanese and then headed to a park to play a bit before the show. My party animal fell asleep on the way to the park, so no photos of Lane.



D was awake and did some swinging.



Madelyn, who is usually asleep by this time of night, was wide awake and ready to party.

She dressed for the occasion and was ready to show off her outfit.

And her pretty smile and eyes.

Look who woke up as the sun went down - just in time for the show. Or BOOM, as he kept screaming.

It was impossible to get a picture of both the boys looking at the camera - or the sky - at the same time.

We pretty much gave up trying to get any good pictures. If one person was looking at the camera - one was turned away. And Lane even tried to crash the Drucker family photo by squatting his bum right down next to Michael, Elizabeth, Damian and Madelyn.

Elizabeth and her babes.

Michael and Madelyn.

Me and Lane.

These are the best I've got.

Lesson learned: the fourth is too much fun for two very sleepy boys and a baby girl. Next year, we will just let them enjoy the show!