Today’s been a big day. I was hoping to get a chance to take Baby G to the beach before the end of summer, and when my sister and brother and law found and bought her an adorable bathing suit with rash guard (I had the hardest time finding one in her size!) I knew we had to make it happen. Gary and I decided to go today since we have a pretty busy week and felt if we didn’t go today it may not happen this week.
It was Baby G’s first trip to the beach, and surprisingly the first trip Gary and I have taken to a Florida beach together. We’ve only been to the beach together on our honeymoon cruise two years ago, and on a short Bahama’s cruise last summer to celebrate my 30th birthday. Talk about taking for granted what’s in your own backyard (or at least only an hour away).
My sister Katie met us at our house, and my mom and step dad met us at the beach. Baby G spent most of her time under the umbrella, but we did sneak down to the water shortly after we got there to let her experience it.
First dip in the ocean!
Though you can’t tell here, we got a few smiles while out near the water. She even managed to pop her pacifier out of her clip. We thought it was lost forever, but found it floating nearby on our way back to the shore (though we still swapped it out for a clean one).
Unfortunately, she didn’t sleep very well last night, so after a nap with Daddy, we packed up to head back home. It was beautiful while it lasted!
Sleepy girl.
Then, because the day wasn’t big enough, we decided to start sleep training tonight. There are so many options, and so many opinions on the best method for sleep training. I’m of the opinion that every baby is different and what works for one person may not work for another. Since she’s barely four month old, I’m not comfortable with trying cry it out (though I would consider it in the future as a last resort), so we’re trying a milder approach that I read about here.
Okay, so this wasn’t actually tonight, but such an adorable shot of a night when she worked an arm out of her swaddle while Aunt Katie was babysitting.
Though it involved putting her down still awake and letting her fuss, it was actually less stressful than I thought it would be. It reminded me of what it was like at the beginning of the school year, teaching my kindergartners all of the classroom rules. My students always needed a lot of practice, but of course I didn’t get frustrated when they didn’t pick up the procedures right away. I knew with practice over time they would get it, and they always did. I have the same hope for sleep training.
To top off our big day, Gary met with an adviser about going back to school and will be starting college courses this month, and I set up an interview for a very part time (only 8 hours a week!) teaching position that would pay considerably more per hour than substitute teaching. It was a good day!
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