Baby Squared : beach parties

Down the Cape

Roper — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:18:00 GMT

It's amazing what a difference a brief change of scenery can make. We accepted a last minute invitation from some friends to join them at their family's cottage on the Cape, and I am so very glad we did. Despite all the packing and schlepping, despite the fact that there aren't a whole lot of toddler-friendly activities on Cape Cod in February, and despite the fact that we did a good deal of just hanging out, eating, refereeing toddler brawls over toys, etc -- in other words, the same kinds of things we could have done at home -- it was awfully nice to be somewhere other than home for a little while. No distractions, no things we knew we really ought to be doing (taxes, anyone?). Instead, just lots of lazy goofing around with our kids and our friends and their kid. Some fresh seafood. Too many valentine chocolates. A fair amount of wine.

I think the girls really appreciated the change of scene, too. New stairs to climb! New stuff to look at! A new room to sleep in! (They were so excited about getting to sleep in their port-a-cribs that they both insisted on going "night night" as soon as we set them up. For all of forty seconds.) Both of them were in good moods most of the time. Clio was silly. Elsa was adventurous. (She kept wanting to go up and down the stairs: "be right back, OK?") They were clearly enjoying themselves.

What'd you do to get those beads, party girl? (And who knew a doorstop could be so much fun?)

Oh sure, they pitched plenty of small fits, too. They were loud. They fought over stuff. They wanted to eat constantly. They made our friends' daughter -- four months younger -- seem like the most mature and serene child on earth by comparison. Other parents of twins out there: do you find that your twins are louder than their singleton friends? I feel like Elsa and Clio are always SHOUTING observations and requests (increasingly, with a big Pleeeeeese? tacked onto the end, at least), more than other kids their age. Alastair and I aren't particularly loud people, and we try very hard not to raise our voices with the girls. My theory is that it's a twin thing -- they feel like in order to be heard over each other and get our attention, they have to yell. They are also both, well, spirited little people, so I guess it's personality in part. But when they're apart, during those rare one-on-one moments we get, it seems they're both much calmer and more patient. I wonder if there's something we could be doing better to bring the decibel level down, or if it's just another case of this too shall pass?

Anyhoo. Here are a few more snaps from our weekend...

Clio didn't like the cold and the wind or the sand, for that matter, so she hung back with Alastair while Elsa and I did some beachcombing. For a couple of minutes we just sat talking quietly together, looking out at the ocean. Elsa seemed very intrigued by it. She also was intent on taking the shells and rocks she found in the sand down to the water's edge and tossing them back in. I guess she figured that's where they belonged.

Back at the house, bedecked in Valentine's Day bling, the girls test the toddler capacity of my friend Megan's lap. And play with one of the few Fisher Price toys we own that -- so far -- doesn't seem to be either haunted or annoying.

Family portrait at the fish pier. We were hoping to see a seal, and did, very briefly. We also walked up onto a deck where there were nice views of the fishing boats and the water. Clio kept running along the railing, poking her head out between the balusters and saying, "Peekaboo Ocean!"

Elsa wanted so badly to help fly the kite, but had to content herself with running around excitedly beneath it and trying to catch its tail when it swooped low enough. Next year, maybe, she'll be ready to hold on to the string.

Top 5 Cutest Vacation Moments

Roper — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:50:00 GMT

So, we've spent the last few days at my aunt's house on the Jersey shore (Ocean City), along with lots and lots of relatives. It was very sweet to bring the girls to a place that is the source of such fond childhood memories for me. My family used to go down every summer for a few days or a week, when it was my grandmother's summer house. Time spent there consisted of long, sunburned days at the beach, playing in the sand and trying to catch the perfect wave on a boogie board; late afternoons reading or playing cards with Grandma on the porch; nights playing miniature golf and arcade games (Skeeball, anyone? Paperboy? OutRun?) and going on rides on the boardwalk.

I'm tired of complaining about how vacations aren't relaxing anymore. They aren't. And it sucks. Indeed. But it's also a whole new kind of rewarding to introduce your children to...well, everything. And, to be fair, grandparents and cousins and aunts were all very helpful with the girls, and A. and I actually did get to sneak away on our own a few times.

Unfortunately, Alastair's got the camera with the pics, and he's on tour in DC while I'm up here in NY at the in-laws' house for a couple of days, so I can't provide a pictoral summary of our adventures, but will do so as soon as A. and I are both in the same state again. In the meantime, I give you the top 5 cutest vacay moments....

5. Elsa repeatedly running down the wet sand on the beach toward the ocean, squealing with glee, and then, any time a wave approached, turning around and running in the other direction, saying, "No! No! No!"

4. Clio riding on the Tin Lizzie kiddie ride at Wonderland Pier, holding onto the steering wheel for dear life, looking slightly in shock the whole time, only sneaking quick, sideways glances at us as we waved to her like lunatics from the side. We weren't sure if she was terrified or was having the time of her life and just being a very responsible driver. It turned out to be the latter. When it was time to get off, she cried for more. Next stop: the fire engine ride!

3. Elsa and Clio dancing and twirling around on the pavement in front of the "Music Express" ride. (Their thrill-seeking mother watched from the Spanish Galleon ride, with her l'il brother. We pretended to barf on the teenaged kids in front of us, and they totally freaked out. Heh heh.)

2. Elsa and Clio sitting in their booster seats for dinner after a particularly cranky afternoon, eating peanut butter and black raspberry jam sandwiches, jam covering approximately 80% of the surface of their faces, arms, and hands.

1. Elsa and Clio playing Ring Around the Rosy (or "Ashy" as they call it) with their second cousins (is that what my cousins' kids are?): four sweet-as-can-be boys ranging in age from seven to thirteen. They were absolutely awesome with the gals, and watching them feed their Ashy addiction was about the sweetest thing ever. I think E & C really enjoyed having four big brothers for a few days.

1a. (Because a Top 6 list just doesn't work....) Elsa and Clio playing Ring around the Rosy with each other -- holding hands, dancing, and giggling when they "all fall down." I haven't yet managed to capture this on video, but I must. Seriously. It could be a frickin' commercial for a fertility clinic.

Pics to come soon!

Babes on the Bay

Roper — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:53:00 GMT

Apologies for the long pause between postings. We've been away for the past few days, staying with family friends in beautiful Marion, on Buzzards Bay, near the Cape. We brought the girls down last summer, when they were just six months old, and as we were leaving today we were told that if we brought them back next summer, too, that was it; we had to come down with them every year from there on out. Fine with me! It's a beautiful spot, and has all the elements of my ideal family summer getaway: the ocean, green grass and shady trees, an outdoor shower, shelves full of books, big family dinners, an easy, do-what-you-want-when-you-want sort of feel.

Not that we were exactly lounging around. The gals kept us good and busy. But it was easier in some ways than last year, when they were still nursing every three hours and didn't sleep through the night. And this year they could actually do things -- besides just smile and spit up. They colored with markers (none were swallowed, as far as I know) and kicked balls around in the yard with the big kids. They played with all manner of toys, representing three generations (A 1950s stacking toy, 1970s Fisher Price people, a present day Spongebob sprinkler). And, to my delight, they discovered the joys of playing in the sand -- something I always loved to do as a kid.

They were not, however, fans of the ocean itself. We tried to get them to dip their feet in, but they would have none of it. Even when we were holding them up in our arms, while we stood in ankle-deep water, they were totally freaked out. This was the first time they've experienced the ocean with enough awareness to be frightened by it. I can't say I blame them -- the wind, the waves, the noise, the vastness. Definitely a little intimidating. So, we stuck to terra firma, for fun with Mom's sunglasses...

....and waiting-for-grilled-cheese-sandwiches from the beach grill antics.

I'd be lying if I said it was a relaxing weekend. With twin toddlers, I don't think a genuinely relaxing vacation is possible, unless, perhaps, you bring a nanny along. (Not that I know this from experience, alas...) There's just too much packing and schlepping and chasing and cleaning and feeding and dressing and undressing and sunblock slathering for it to feel exactly "restful." Gone are the days of leisurely walks, falling asleep while reading a good book, playing an uninterrupted game of cards or Scrabble. (Do I know how to party or what?) But it was, nevertheless, extremely refreshing. Good company, good eats, gorgeous scenery, etc. And as devoted as I am to you, my fellow Babbleonians, it was nice to leave the Internet behind for a few days.

Before I go -- one last photo, of yours truly.

Can anyone guess why I am wearing an eye patch? (Made last summer by a nine-year-old boy, for playing pirates)

A. To draw attention away from my unnaturally pale limbs and shamefully un-beachy attire

B. Because that morning, Elsa had inadvertently poked me in the eye with a paint color chip, and when we arrived in Marion, for some reason, it started hurting again, like a motherf*er, and I got tired of holding my hand over it to keep it closed.

C. Because I'm a pirate. (Duh)

D. All of the above

Please, let it be food poisoning.

Roper — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:31:00 GMT

Has anyone ever wished for food poisoning before? (For themselves, I mean.) Of course, I'd rather not feel sick at all. But I'm really hoping the reason I threw up last night and felt nauseated and weak all day today was that I ate something a bit "off" yesterday. Perhaps the leftover chicken I had for dinner. Because if it's a virus, that means chances are Elsa and Clio are going to get it, too, and I can't deal with any more sick babies. They just got over colds. Then before that it was a stomach virus. Colds before that. And more colds. They don't even go to daycare, for God's sake!

As for me, I have been sick more times in the past six months of my life than I think I've been in the previous six years. Several colds, a stomach virus and a case of (I hope!) food poisoning. Oh yeah, and a month-long bout of clinical depression which still hasn't entirely cleared up. Grrr. What gives? I've heard a lot of people comment that this has been a particularly bad year for illnesses, but I feel like people say that every year. Does having children weaken your immune system? It's not like I'm sleep deprived. I eat well, I drink a lot of water, I wash my hands. Don't these viruses realize I'm trying take care of two toddlers, hold down a job, and write the great American novel, among other things? Could they show just a teensy little bit of mercy?

In other, healthier news, on Saturday, at the invitation of BabyMama (wife of Babby Daddy), we joined her and Josie and apparently every child under seven in the city of Arlington, Massachusetts plus their parents at an Indoor Beach Party for little ones in a school gym. And let me tell you, that Josie sure is a bitch. (JUST KIDDING!!!)

Seriously, we had a great time. There were beach balls and inner tubes for kids to play with, cardboard boxes and containers for them to make "Recycled castles" with, wading pools full of toys and a couple of "sandboxes" with rice for sand. There was pizza and ice cream and donut holes (three of the four junk food groups), Beach Boy tunes, and general chaos. Outside it poured rain, but inside it was surf city, man.

This season it's all about the lei-as-choker

Adding to that genuine "real beach" feel, was the fact that a couple of times I no idea where one or both of my children were. Keeping tabs on both of them at once wasn't easy, especially when Alastair ducked out for a few minutes to run an errand. But it was a pretty friendly crowd. And, unlike at the real beach, there was no ocean for the girls to wander haplessly into. Mostly they just went toddling up to various groups of parents and kids and stared longingly at their food. Here's Elsa in action:

I was amazed, actually, at how independent and adventurous all three girls were -- Josie, Elsa, and Clio. They were happy to walk around and explore, braving belligerent three year-olds, barrelling six-year-olds and lots of distracted adults. Clio stuck a little closer to us, but struck out on her own a few times. She also had some inner tube adventures:

As did Elsa...here seen making her new "uh oh" face. And hanging on to a souvenir from the Recyled Castle-making area. (You venture out in the driving rain to the next town over for something fun and different, and what do they do? They play with tupperware. Just like at home.)

So, that was our day at the beach. I guess with so many people crammed into one space, tossing around baby-slobber-infested beach balls and things, it's not terribly unlikely that I could have picked up some kind of virus. But until somebody small starts puking, I'm going to hold onto hope that it was salmonella, e.coli, anything -- just not another something we can all catch!