OCNJ 2014: The Beach House

The Stefany family made our annual trek to Ocean City, NJ this week.  Last year we upgraded to a beachfront property and were 100% sure we had to do it again this year.  The house we rented last year was not available this year so we tried out a new place, 3138 Wesley Ave.

It was beachfront.  It was a corner property.  It had an amazing view of all the coastal towns from the second floor porch.  It was big.  It had a "loop" for the kids.  It made my happiest place on earth even more happier.  

That's our house on the left.  Directly off the beach

We took so many pictures of our vacation and every one of the 350 fill my heart with joy.  The past four years at the beach were emotional and physically challenging for me for various reason.  This year I actually felt like I was on vacation.  The physical demands of my kids were less, the cousins entertained each other, and I wasn't pregnant, attached to my pump, or nursing a child.  It felt much easier than the last three years. I think my kids had a blast as well.  Let's start the photo dump with how we spent our time at the glorious beach house.

The Porch

The Stefany clam has rarely resided on the 2nd floor while in OC.  This year was different.  The view from our porch made those extra steps worth it.  All of us enjoyed sitting on the chairs looking at the ocean.

We could clearly see the casinos in Atlantic City

The girls arrive and check out the view

Braylen and Dadio soak it in

Seriously, we couldn't get enough of the view

Evie took it upon herself to take in the view alone
one morning

In the afternoons while the kids napped, Jason and I sipped a beer on the deck, soaking in the sun.  All these years as I walked off the beach, I looked up at the beachfront houses envious of the families sitting on their decks.  Now it was us!  We loved that porch.

Evening ice cream party

The girls having a tea party one afternoon

The Bedrooms

The adults were pleased with how far back the bedrooms were located at this house.  We could watch TV, play cards, and talk loudly without the kids hearing us.  This house had ample beds.  This year we went from 3 pack n plays to 1.  

The girls shared the bunk bed room.  Going to bed wasn't the easiest; Hannah fell asleep in G and Poppop's room every night and moved back in after Evie settled on her own.  Evie volunteered to sleep on the top bunk and slept just fine.  It's pretty crazy that this girl moved from a crib 6 months ago and now was sleeping on a top bunk!

The girls escaped to their room for play without
their brothers

Hannah reads Evie some books before bed.

Cole and Braylen slept with their respective parents.  Maybe someday we'll have a cousin room and let them duke it out.  Until that day, we tried our best to keep nap and bedtime to their normal routines.  

Dadio seemed to pass out putting the kids down for naps.
The benefit of kids being in single beds!

The Living Space

I can count on one hand the number of times we have eaten out in OC.  Every breakfast, lunch, and dinner is sit down, family meal.  We need a table big enough for all 10 of us.  This house had a good set up for us.  We all took turns cooking meals.  The favorite meal was probably the mornings we got donuts and sticky buns from Dots Bakery.  

Absolute silence as the girls annihilate their sprinkle donuts

The living room had a big sectional that would probably fit all of us.

Watching "Despicable Me 2"

Cole Bug having a "neb treatment"

PJ Party!
A little more "Despicable Me 2" before bed

Another perk of this house was an extra powder room between the kitchen and living room.  Not only was this super convenient for our panty/under-roo wearing 3 year olds, it created a "loop" for the kids.  

Speaking of under-roos....
Cole walking the loop

There was a basket full of shells.  The kids tried listening
for the ocean in all of the various shells.  

The Carport and Sidewalk

The lot across the street was under construction, which anyone with small kids knows that trucks bring minutes of entertainment.

Watching the construction men after a trip to the playground

Checking out the big trucks after the men left

The sidewalk and carport were perfect for bike riding, writing with chalk, and putzing around.

IF we get invited back next year, I don't think any of us would mind staying at this house again!

It Can Be Done.

Goodbye guilt, goodbye comments, goodbye pressure; Evie is potty trained!  And it only took a few days to get her to be completely dry all day in panties.

I am so proud of Evie for showing me "potty train in a weekend" can be done.  

Everyone has an opinion on potty training and trust me, I heard it enough times "well ____ was potty trained by 18 months",  "you really should put her on the potty every night before bath", blah, blah, blah.  I would vent to Jason about the potty training comments then brush them off.  

Here's what worked for Evie and I am thrilled it was so darn easy. 

1.  Evie showed slight interest around 2, but I didn't take her bait.  She only sat on the potty a handful of times and nothing happened.  I was frustrated already because I had to take off her diaper, pull down her pants, sit there and encourage pee-pees, then put back on a diaper to do it all again 5 minutes later.  Oh yeah, I had another child too.  No. Thank. You.  

2.  I did not follow other's advice with putting her on the potty before bath.  I tried it a few times.  Again, she was off and on and it made the nightly routine more frustrating for all parties involved.  No. Thank. You

3.  I waited until she turned three.  Plain and simple.  Evie can completely dress and undress herself, she knows when she has to pee or poop, she has a full vocabulary, and I knew she would be mortified to pee her pants.

4.  I only used pull-ups for naps and bed.  

5.  I didn't really talk about using the potty until about 4 days before I wanted to start.  I decided to start at G and Poppop's house since I would have extra hands to help with Braylen and more rears to take turns sitting on the potty to encourage her.

6.  I used M & Ms as her reward.

7.  I have various different potty set ups in the bathrooms- some are little seats on the toilet, little potties on the floor, and the best invention ever- a regular toilet seat with a pull down little seat built into it.  I wanted Evie to experience different potties and only pee and poop in a bathroom, not in my living room.

I want to toot Evie's horn a little for her.  She started potty training last Sunday (Father's Day) and here's what she's accomplished in a little over 1 week:

1.  Only one big accident, which happened right by the potty

2.  Stopped wearing a pull-up for nap after 5 days and has been dry since.

3.  Went on the potty while at school  (Huge step since she held it the first day and doesn't seem very keen on using the potty without Mommy)

4.  Went on her little potty by mommy's car after our visit to the farm. (another huge thing since we are heading to Ocean City this weekend)

5.  Zero accidents with poop and has been a regular every other day pooper.  

6.  After 2 days of me forcing her on the potty, Evie is in charge.  She tells me she has to go, walks to the bathroom, pulls over her stool, turns on the light & fan (kind of cracks me up that she turns on the fan), takes off her panties and shorts (I've kept her in elastic waist pants to make this step easier.  No buttons yet), does her thing, then calls for me to check on her, wipes, flush, everything back on, stool over to the sink, wash hands, dry hands, light off, and door shut.  I don't know why anyone would want to potty train at 18 months when your child can't do any of this stuff alone.  This is mommy bliss!

I am so, so proud of Evie for her amazingly easy transition to the potty!  Three cheers for Evie!

Bray's Lovie

Braylen is following in his sister and mother's footsteps by being a thumb sucker.  His thumb has helped him fall asleep for months.  In the last month he has showed interest in the stuffed monkey that has been propped in corner of his crib for many, many months.  Instead of snuggles and songs from me, he would rather fall asleep in his bed snuggling up with monkey.  No objection with that!

A few days post bleacher accident (butterfly
band-aid) and falling off chair at church (huge
goose egg on the middle of his forehead). 

Braylen melts my heart the way he holds that monkey when we put him down to bed.  Time will tell if this "lovie" will be the one for many, many years.  

18 Months and 3 Years

The kids had their well check ups today.  I was certain Braylen would overtake Evie in the weight category, but alas, Evie hangs on for another month to being the bigger sibling.  I was so shocked that B weighed less, I had the nurse weigh him again.

Braylen at 18 months

Height:  33 inches (70%)
Weight:  24 lbs, 4 oz (52%)
Head:  47.5 cm  (53%)

Evie at 3 years

Height:  just shy of 34 inches (<1 p="">Weight:  24 lbs, 13 oz (4%!!!)
BMI: 15.3 (49%)

Apparently Evie is shrinking.   Her height has diminished over the last three appointments.  Dr. Burke looked confused and concerned.  Let me clear this up for you, Dr. Burke.  The method your nurses use is from the stone age- having a squirming toddler lay on a table, putting marks at the head and feet, then measuring in between is not the best method.  I take height measurements with a grain of salt for both kids.  Now Evie stands to be measured.  Another joke with a squirming three year old.  Let me also remind you, Dr. Burke, that none of the females on either side of our family are above 5'2" tall.  We've moved from weight concerns to height concerns.  I'm so over it.  She's TINY.

The questions they ask me about the kids are slightly odd, like can Evie wiggle her thumb, yet both kids are right where they need to be developmentally.   I don't have the energy to give details on everything they are doing right now.  No shots for Evie and a few for Bray-baby.

This visit was more chaotic than the normal visit.  Now I am dealing with Evie needing to go to the potty.  The little potties at the new building are super cute and perfect for little ones!  Evie decided she wanted to use the potty three times while we were there.  One time I had to take a half naked Braylen with me and keep him off the dirty bathroom floor while Evie putzed around.  Another time, I left a crying Braylen with Dr. Burke while I took Evie.  Ahhh, so much fun!  

Evie and Braylen are playing together a lot more now.  I love seeing them interact

Grilling along with Dadio

Heels and bags.  LOL

Having snack (along with Parker) at their "snack table"

I posted Evie's birthday post way late, so click here for it.  Keeping up with the blog is getting harder and harder!  

Evie's Next Activity

Evie broke out in dance this afternoon.  Maybe it was her cousin's recent dance recital she attended that inspired her or Daddy's goofy dancing, either way, this is not typical Evie behavior.  In fact, my friend encouraged me to sign Evie up for dance this summer and I commented that Evie hasn't shown much interest yet.  I stand corrected; this girl has some moves!

Evie insisted I take 10 videos of her dancing.  This one is my favorite.  I guess after gymnastics class we'll look into dance class!

Mommy & Bray Time

I am loving my six hours a week of just Braylen & Mommy time while Evie is at school.  After packing a bag filled with snacks for two, diapers galore, two water bottles, entertainment in case there are meltdowns, more snacks, and other loot needed for two kids day after day, I feel like a lady of leisure heading out the door with just one kid.

I scheduled two play dates for Braylen this past Friday and today.  It's been a nice change for him to be around toddlers his age and to be without his sister grabbing his toys, pushing him around, and stealing Mommy's attention.  On Friday, we took a mom from my mom's group and her little guy with us to the B & O Railroad Museum.  The boys enjoyed the train tables, train display outside, and saying "choo-choo".

B & A at the B & O
These little guys are about 1 month apart

Today, we went to the zoo with Liz & Fiona.  It was such a special treat to go with just our younger kids; normally we are two crazy moms chasing after our 3-year-old and 18-month-old running in different directions.  We commented about 1,000 times about how much easier one kid is once you are used to two.

Could it be that I am sitting down??
That NEVER happens at a public place
with two kids unless they are strapped in tight
and being fed.

We took advantage of the "member mornings" at the zoo, which allowed us to ride the train and carousel for free!

More "choo-choo" for Bray Baby

The zoo carousel is pretty awesome with zebras,
giraffes, lions, eagles, leopards, and apes to ride
instead of the traditional horses.  

Braylen was on his best behavior for our quick morning at the zoo.  We kept our visit to the front exhibits, like the polar bears and petting zoo this time.  It was just enough on this slightly hot & humid summer day.

Checking out his cute date
These two are about a month apart too.  Love them.

Our Mommy & Bray time has been awesome so far and we are only 3 days into the summer school session.  Many more fun times to come!

A Glorious Day: Summer School Year 2

The light at the end of the tunnel is bright; Evie started school today!  She is back at MDOW this summer, this time two mornings a week (Monday and Friday).  She was on the wait-list all school year for the two-year-old program and is on the it again for the fall, but she is in and going NOW.  I am beyond excited to have some time alone with Braylen each week and let someone else deal with my moody three-year-old for six hours a week.  Evie is a shy, thumb sucking, hair twirling girl in social situations, so I am hoping the more expose to structure and interaction with kids her age, the better for my little girl.  Plus, if you recall from last year, MDOW is 2 minutes from my house.

This year, I threw together her bag of extra clothes last night and put a diaper in her backpack this morning.  No worries about how she was going to drink from a cup or anxiety about letting her out of my watch for 3 hours.  When I told her she was going to school today, she said "I want to go now".  Well, school doesn't open at 6:51 AM.  I'm glad she was excited to go!  (I think she really wants to ride the bus like Hannah!)  She ate a huge breakfast in Evie standards- 1 scrambled egg and a piece of toast.  If I hadn't burned the french toast and nearly set off the smoke alarm, I'd say it was a great start to her first day of school.

When I told it was time to go, she put on her backpack, grabbed her bag of clothes, and waited for me by the front door, anxious to get going.

First Day of Summer School 2014!

Evie pushed her brother, in the stroller, into school.  She was shy meeting her teachers, which is typical Evie behavior.  She is in the "Heart Room" this summer with Miss Caitlin and Miss Carmen.  I have heard great things about Miss Caitlin and I like that both of her teachers are my age.  We all know how much she loves old people...  

I talked with her teachers for a few minutes and was out of there.  No tears; Evie is used to me dropping her off at this point.  It was fun running into a bunch of moms I know from the area; a huge change from my feelings of clueless-ness from last year!

With Braylen around, I don't do many crafts with Evie at home.  I am glad she will some kind of art activity every class.  Here's day 1's craft:

Day 1 Craft.  Let the SUMMER of artwork begin 

I've seen little ones carrying these bags for the last year and wondered when Evie would make one.  I got my answer, today!  She was not having any part of putting her hand in paint to add her hand prints to it.  Hopefully another day she will be in the mood this summer.  She is officially looks like a MDOW student with her bag.

 

What did I do with my 3 hours?  Braylen and I shopped at Trader Joes, stopped by Auntie Laura's to bring some groceries and say hi to G and Poppop, played at home, did a load of laundry, and were back in the car to get Evie.  It went fast!  On Friday, Braylen will have a play date with a little friend his age.  I hope to alternate between errands and play dates/activities each week.  I think summer school will be wonderful for all of three of us!