Babies on the Beach

6/27 11:45 P.M.

Wilma:  "Do you think you could go to the beach with us next weekend for the 4th?'

Me: "Sure, I think I can handle that."

6/29 9:00A.M. 

Wilma: " No beach trip, we waited to long and could not find a house..."

Me: "O.K. no big deal"

6/30 10:30 A.M.

Wilma: " Can you be packed and ready to go around 7 tomorrow?"

Me: " Haha yes!! You found a house?"

7/1 9:45 A.M.

The car was finally packed with everything for a new born, a 3 year old, 2 parents, and one nanny (who was literally packed into the car in the 3rd row) to go to the beach!

After approximately 8 hours, 1 stop for gas, 2 stops at drive-thru's , 4 juice boxes, 5 potty breaks,  1 nap and half a box of fruit snacks later, we arrived to "Coconut Joe's" just in time for dinner.  

7/2 7:45 A.M.

Bamm-Bamm: "IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP! WE HAVE TO GO TO THE BEACH!!!!!"

The fact that Bamm-Bamm does not like to get in the water worried me at first, (what little boy doesn't like the water?) but it turned out to be a blessing, when Fred and Wilma both decided to get messages at the same time... 

Shout out to all the new moms, teen moms, single moms, and any other type of mom out there, that can handle 2 very small babies on the beach by yourself.  

That is serious work!

7/4 11:00 A.M.
After a sun filled week-end by the water we started making our way West with one planned pit stop for a   4th of July cook-out.

Somethings I learned at this cook out:
-"Hamburger Sandwiches" are best plain
- Bamm-Bamm DOES NOT like live fireworks
- Big dogs are scary
- Balls that bounce and have Lightning McQueen on them are the best

Quick Tips- Pebbles

-Pebbles wakes up hungry

-Warm a bottle as soon as she starts to wake up

- If she does not fall asleep after she is burped, try a passy

-As she is falling asleep, swaddle Pebbles... 

Here's how!!

Baby's love to be swaddled for several reasons:  

- Their own reflexes can scare them, this way the reflexes are not as surprising.

- They feel secure, being wrapped up so tight keeps them very calm

- It keeps them very warm

P.S.  When changing a newborns diaper, beware of the built in sprinkler all newborns come equipped with!

Quick Tips: Bamm-Bamm

- Bamm-Bamm really likes to race!

- Goodnight Moon is a timeless bedtime story

- Limit 3 juice boxes per 6 hour car trip

- Fruit snacks are yummy for kids and adults

- Trips to the bathroom must happen quickly!

This song and dance is a life saver! Teaching toddlers multiple ways to express what they need is very important.  I know that if "right goes over left and your hands go down" its time to find a bathroom!  Pronto!!

Yabba Dabba Do!

It was a regular Sunday afternoon in Knoxville, and just as I was getting settled into my new apartment my cellphone rings, with an (865) number I do not recognize.  If I was the type of girl that saved everyone’s numbers, like a normal people do, I might not have answered the mysterious person calling me.


However, I like the thrill of not knowing who is calling!

Well this afternoon my new friend Fred was calling me asking if I could come babysit the next day (Memorial Day).  “Absolutely, of course” I said.  Fred promptly gave me directions to his house and told me he looked forward to seeing me the next day at 8:00 A.M.  The fact that people in the world function normally at that hour is astonishing to me.   

Well 7:56 rolls around the next morning and there I am lost in the woods trying to find “201 Cobble Stone Way”. 

After finding the adorable Slate house I parked my car and knocked on the door.  Wilma opened the door holding precious little Pebbles and warmly welcomed me.  “Do you know how to burp a baby? Bamm-Bamm is running around naked and he does not like to meet people for the first time without his clothes on.”  Haha “of course” I say.  Before I know it little Pebbles is in my arms and asleep. 

Yes! Point 1 for the Nanny!!   

After learning to swaddle the baby (which was not nearly as complicated as I thought it was) I spent the rest of my morning entertaining a very enthused little boy, who like most 3 year old's I’m finding is OBSESSED with “Cars” the movie. 

   
I have never seen the “Cars” movie but I do know every character.  Personally I think Lighting McQueen is a little over rated, but what do I know.  I also think the name Holly Shift-well sounds like a character in an adult film, but again, what do I know.