Sitting on the Docks of the Bay

Today we took the kids on short trip to one of my favorite places in Maryland, Annapolis.

A few fun facts about Jason and Marisa in Annapolis:
* When I worked for JHU's Center for Talented Youth in college, we made the trek over the Bay Bridge from Chestertown to Annapolis at least once every few weeks.  We shopped, day dreamed about owning a boat, and toured the grounds at the Naval Academy
* Jason lived in the Annapolis area for roughly 9 months before we got married
* We got hitched about 15 minutes outside of Annapolis... overlooking the water :)
* After eating crabs at Cantler's or near the Bay Bridge, we always stop on Main Street in Annapolis for ice cream and eat it on the dock.
* Evie took some of her early steps on the dock

We can't believe how much the "Uptown" area has changed since Jason lived there!  We parked a little ways out from the dock with the plan of eating lunch in a less populated restaurant.  The kids enjoyed the stroller ride to the dock, Evie anticipating boats.

Pregnant women and strollers of all sizes were in the majority on the dock.  And of course everyone is taking pictures of kids, couples, and families with the scenic backdrop....

Snack time after a long and strenuous car and stroller ride

I prefer to sit with the kids on a bench, many feet away from the water

Jason prefers to sit with his feet dangling in the water.
I have a serious fear of someone falling in...

B-man's baby fine hair blowing in the breeze

Deciding which boat she wants

Even my two year old longingly stares at the fancy boats

stealing Braylen's toy

As G would say, "fish mouth"

By the time we got back to the car, the kids were exhausted and we were just about ready to drive home.  Instead we stumbled upon a super yummy-farm-to-table-sounds healthy- type place.  Our grass-fed beef burgers were amazing and the kids were entertained by Sophie and french fires long enough for both of us to inhale our meals.   After diaper changes in the car, the kids were strapped in and asleep within 4 minutes of pulling out of the parking garage.

Her thumb wasn't needed very long

Braylen needed a little more help falling asleep

I really want to eat crabs now.... time to line up the sitter so we can pick for hours :)

Hot, Hot, HOT!

All week the weather in the Baltimore area has been hazy, hot, and humid.  I spent most of the week keeping the kids indoors, cool in our air conditioned house.  By Friday, Evie and I were stir crazy and needed a new activity.  Even though the Excessive Heat Warning made me nervous about Braylen's well being, I packed up the kids and met Auntie Laura, Cole, and Hannah at the pool.

I know swimmie diapers do not hold any liquid in them, just solids, therefore I kept the kids in normal clothes until I got to the pool.  Changing them in the car was the worst part of the adventure for me.  They were cool in the car, but I had serious sweat standing in the beating down sun.  I must have looked like a hot mess strolling Evie, carrying Braylen in the Ergo, balancing the pool float on the stroller, and schlepping my huge pool bag on my shoulder.  Luckily Auntie met us at the gate and we managed to get in one more time for free :)  

It was a race to see how fast I could get everyone in the baby pool.  It was stinkin' hot!  Evie took a little coaxing, but eventually was walking around (in) the pool.  Braylen enjoyed relaxing in the baby float.  He made it about 35 minutes before he was ready to get out.

Under the mushroom fountain

Evie moved into the baby float and Hannah pushed her around the pool.  Evie adores her cousin and this made both of them so happy.  Evie's face was hysterical when Hannah pulled her near the mushroom fountain.  

Just call us the Hollencamp Floppy Hat Club

Any one else concerned about Hannah's eyes being sucked in?

Every outing I do with my two small children that is a success is a huge accomplishment for me.  Having my sister right there is comforting and very helpful.  Hannah is also a big help with Evie these days.  Evie loved the pool so much she cried when I told her it was time to go.  We'll be back on a slighter cooler day.  I was one tired mama!!

7 months

A little about Braylen Thomas at 7 months of age

Size

Weight: 18 lbs. (48%)

Height:  26.25 inches  (15%)

He wears size 3 diapers and 9 month clothes.

Gross motor skills

Braylen is a sturdy sitter.  He has tumbled very few times.  While I want him to sit still for many more months, he has a different agenda.  He becomes very frustrated on his belly because he wants to move.  He flails his arms and legs as well as a little up on his knees action, but no sign of crawling.  He does more crunches than anyone in this house trying to go from back to sitting.  He is also diving forward (and losing his last meal in the process...) to get to his belly.  We passed on the snap n go stroller (holds his car seat) and have replaced it with an umbrella stroller.  A sitting child makes a big difference!

Fine Motor skills

There has been lots of raking, grabbing, and reaching at/for toys this month.  He is a fierce hair puller. He picks up his sippy cup and puts it in his mouth.  He has great hand eye coordination.  He is intrigued by bottoms and toys that make sounds.

Food

Parents that have good eaters don't know how lucky they are.  Every meal that Braylen eats without a fight (which has been just about every one) is such a relief to me.  Feeding Evie was so challenging and frustrating.  I am counting my blessing for a good eater.  Favorite foods include sweet potatoes, broccoli, and apples.  He has tried many fruits and vegetables.  I will introduce some protein this month.  He consumes milk 5-6 times a day.  He eats his 3 meals with us at the table.  

Personality/language

Braylen is easy going.  He doesn't fuss when held by a new person.  He lights up when he sees his sister or the dog.  He is the most vocal when he is in his high chair.  He knows that means it is time to eat and he wants food immediately.  He likes to snuggle into your neck and wiggle up our torso.  After our beach vacation, Braylen started talking to us.  Dadadadadadada comes out of that gummy mouth.  He is so darn cute.

Cracking Up

While Marisa was giving Braylen a bath tonight, I heard lots of giggling.  I grabbed the iPad and this is what was happening...

All Kinds of Amusement

After naps, we packed up the kids and took them to Wonderland Pier on the boardwalk.  Hannah has been a participant on the rides for a few years; it was time for Evie and Cole to join the fun (or be a hot mess...)

It was a rainy afternoon and quite deserted.  No lines and waiting is key with toddlers.  Jason and I were concerned that Evie wouldn't meet the height requirement to even go on any rides.  What a bummer that would be!  I didn't have high hopes for her since she cries on the Merry-Go-Round at the mall (c'mon Ev, even G will go on that!).

Close, but taller than 30 inches.  Check.

I saw a hot air balloon ride that I thought would be perfect for her first ride since it was big enough for an adult and all 3 kids.  No line, so Jason hopped on with the 3 kids.  Hannah held Evie's hand.  So cute as they went around in a circle.... Really cute when the balloon went in the air and started spinning.  Every one's face showed fear and poor Uncle J is trying to comfort 3 nervous kids all at once.  Awesome job, Marisa.  Way to scare all the kids 30 seconds into the outing.  I am sure it was the longest ride of Jason's life.  But as the ride slowed down, Evie asked for "more".  Phew!

The kids had a blast on rides more suited for toddlers.  Hannah was so sweet to ride with her cousin and brother even though she wanted to go on bigger rides.  

One hand on the wheel and the other on the side...
She must watch her father drive

The fire trucks were a huge hit.  I never saw Evie smile so much in her life!  My heart filled with happiness for her.

I remember riding these cars when I was Hannah's age!  Poor Cole Bug took the back seat while his sister requested to sit with Evie.

Next year, Braylen will fill in the 4 passenger car

Again, nothing but smiles for Evie!

And no crying on the Merry-go-round. 

We decided since the rides were so entertaining, we would come back again a few days later.  Notice many of the same rides, just different outfits.

I was surprised Evie didn't make a bigger deal about Dumbo since she likes to watch the first 15 minutes of the movie.  Jason attempted another flying ride with her and it went much smoother this time.

It was heartwarming to watch Evie get the same pleasure out Wonderland Pier as me many years ago. The next generation at Ocean City....

Braylen is eyeing up the rides for next year

Ocean City 2013

The growing Stefany clam made our annual trip to Ocean City, New Jersey this past week.  For as long as I can remember, our family rented a house for 2 weeks.  This year we decided to give up a week and splurge for a beachfront property (3808 Wesley Ave).  It was worth every penny.  Once you go beachfront, it will be very hard to go back to anything else... At least until the kids are older.

I mean, look at this view...

And our slice of heaven steps from our house (and flushing toilets, cold drinks, toys, babies during naps... You get the idea)

It was definitely not a vacation with 4 small kids.  Instead of reading a book for hours on the beach, happy hours, and peaceful dinners, we had noise, chaos, biting, screaming, and 6 am wake ups.  It was memorable to say the least and I think we all loved every minute of this precious time with our kids/grand-kids.

A rare happy hour.  

The weather was cloudy and rainy Sunday through Tuesday afternoon.  We made morning trips to the playground at 34th street, pushed strollers (and each other) in the alley, and played on and with Poppop, Uncle Sam, and Uncle Jason.

Bloody Mary at 9 AM... when you've been up since 6 AM, it
feels like 5 o'clock :)

The bigger kids decided Braylen needed all his toys

Chillaxin' on the amazing double recliners

Good thing Dr. Hannah is right there to address Cole's poked
eye courtesy of Evie

First meal and Cole is already making us laugh

Uncle Rides

Every vacation isn't complete without a trip to the ER.  Uncle Sam decided to sharpen a humongous knife to open the package of chicken.  Yep, another trip to Shore Memorial for Jason...

Check out Uncle Sam's semi-permanent thumbs up

It took Evie almost the entire week to warm up to the idea of being sandy (fine by me).  Her cousins dug holes and built sand castles around her. Braylen was content sitting in the Bumbo in the pool or in the chair Daddy created for him in the sand.

She stood like this for probably 20 minutes.

I raved about her beautiful curls

Ahhh

The Hollencamp crew spent most of our time close to home in the pool.  Evie wasn't as anal about sand in the pool this year.  She even jumped into the hole Daddy dug.  No pictures to prove it...

Any digging progress was voided by Cole Bug :)

All the kids played with the tea set nonstop

Braylen enjoyed the breeze while Hannah did
interpretative dance around the compound

Braylen joins the pool party!

And of course there are the obligatory family shots..

One of the few pictures at the lifeguard stand

Yes, Jason is seriously burned.  He decided to make up for 3 days
of no sun by not wearing sunscreen.... I, on the other hand,
barely look like I was in the sun.  We'll see who gets skin cancer first.
My guess is me.

All grandkids are wearing G creations

We were blinded by the sun 

 The best part of this vacation for me was watching the cousins interact.  Cole and Evie are now old enough to play (and have massive tantrums).  Hannah was super sweet to Evie and Evie ate up the time with her big cousin.  Cole beats to his own drum (or his Daddy's drum).  He just wanted to play with the girls, but most of his attempts ended up in high pitched screams "NOOOO COLE!"  Good thing Braylen will be in the mix next year and Cole will have a buddy.  Nevertheless, they were all cute together :)

Keeping it G rated (haha)

Hannah specifically asked to dress like Evie most days

You better lock the bathroom door or you'll have
unwanted visitors

:)

Hannah was gentle and loving to her little cousin

Braylen enjoying some time with this cutie

My two babies

Miles of beach and these two have to be on the same plot
of sand....  ah, siblings.

Thank you G and Poppop for continuing this family tradition.  We love the Jersey Shore!