Saturday, June 02, 2007

Phase 4 "Family Beach Day"














When we were pregnant with Sophia (and Ross thought he had really wanted a boy) we were at La Jolla Shores and saw a dad coming out of the water with his little 3 year old girl (or so) in a wet suit. I saw them catch my big-softy-of-a-husband's eye, and I watched him get that face he gets when he's affected. Affected- Usually it's by something to do with honor, country, brotherhood, or children, his eyes water and he takes a deep breath in and sort of puffs out his chest, perhaps to compensate for the big softy he can't help but be from the neck up. I love it. Anyway, he did this when he saw the daddy/daughter, and ever since, I knew he was sincerely excited to have a girl. I also knew he was awaiting the day where he was that dad emerging from the awesome ocean with his little girl. So needless to say, it didn't hurt my feelings when throughout our "romantic weekend" I'm fairly certain he was counting down the hours to when he could take his little girl in the waves for the first time as a true toddler.

And this concludes the week in San Diego. Memorial Day, a gorgeous, sunny day (the pictures from before were from Sat. which were a little gray- don't be deceived, the next two were perfect- no sweatshirts Joe), we played like a family reunited after a couple of days apart. She played in the sand, went in the water with Ross and really couldn't get enough. She was fearless as always. She couldn't be stopped by the freezing cold water or the disintegrating, sand-filled, non-swim diaper containing her rear. She charged the waves and went a bit deeper than we expected, making her daddy look a bit silly for not taking his shirt off since he was chest deep and soaking wet by the end. We were so content to watch her explore and discover and react. And reminded why it's so wonderful to have children even though they make schedules, sleeping in, eating, driving, and generally most things in life... harder. And that should be the purpose of vacations right? To remember why it's all SOOOO worth it.

Vacation- successful.

Luckily, still happy to be home.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh I loved this post. I think I liked the part where you talk about it be harder with kids--but important. Remember Samantha? She just had twins, and her new motto is "I can do hard things." I love that--the pursuit of easy things makes men weak. You and Ross have so much perspective it's unfair how much easier life must be for you guys.

Brynne, Aaron and Cade said...

Hi, you don't know me but I know Michelle Ross and got here from her blog. I noticed you know Lizzie and Shad too so I linked to their blog (which I read you started for her, way to go! :) and was so happy to feel reunited with an old friend from high school. But I've never heard back from her after commenting on her blog so I was wondering if you could do 2 things for me:

1. tell her "hi!" from Brynne and she can get in touch with me through your blog, to Michelle's, then to Brynne's

and 2. ask her to update her blog. I'm dying to see new pictures of her sweet little family! (yours is pretty darn cute too if I may say so myself! :)

Sorry if this was weird, I just am dying to hear from her. It's been well over 7 years!

Thank you SO much!!!!

Lindsay Griffeth said...

I love that Ross was so excited to take Sophia in the ocean. There are so many things to look forward to with little ones! Daddy Daughter moments are just the best. I loved mine growing up.

Lizzie said...

Okay, so check out my blog, I actually posted to it. But you need to show me again how to post videos. By the way, your family (as always) looks soooo cute in those pictures! It's looks like you had fun. Come over today so we can go SWIMMING!!!

Kym said...

Such a cute post, Lillie. Makes me excited to start my family!!!

Anonymous said...

Cute blog! You've almost tempted me to start one. Such adorable pics. I didn't know Ross was such a softy. Must remember to tease him next time I see you two!

Missy said...

I really did read all of this and somehow though that since I lived in San Diego, I was somehow there with you the whole time.

I could picture it all and am so happy you had fun! It sounds like it was just the breather you needed. We love Coronado. Please tell me that we can get together next time you come down!