Labor Day at Cranes Beach

I took E. bear to the beach for the first time today. We went with his Nana and Papa. The water was very warm, but at 60 degrees still too cool for the little guy to go in. We did stick his feet in though, and he cried. My parents took me to the beach for the first time when I was his age (about 6 months) and I screamed and cried too. I think it is fairly common to be scared and overwhelmed at the sight of the ocean. I can't imagine what it must be like to be that little and to see this immense body of water and have it rolling towards you. Mom and I did go all the way in and we went swimming. E. bear checked out the sand with his toes, nursed a bit, and took a nap. It was a very pleasant day.

For dinner we went to Nana and Grumpa's. I went swimming in the pool and E. bear had his feet dipped in the pool. More crying. Poor little guy! He had a good time sitting on his grandparents' laps and trying to grab the whip cream container. We forgot to bring cereal and veggie for E. though, and he had to go without tonight. We are beginner parents and we didn't even think to bring his dinner. He'll survive, but I feel badly.

Learning how to be a parent is quite the learning experience. By the time we get it all figured out he will be leaving for college. Or maybe you never get it all figured out and keep learning things as your child gets older and your relationship with each other gets redefined.

E. bear's Dad gave him a bath solo for the first time tonight. I had to shower to wash all the salt and chlorine off, which left his Dad with the job of washing baby. They both survived, and all the splashed water was easily cleaned up.