Happy New Year!

Hmmm, where to start. I've been slacking in the blog department the last few (ahem, 5) months, but since it's a new year, I think this would be an excellent chance to set refresh, catch up and start blogging about our little life again.

So here's a recap of the past 5 months...

Let's see... Ryan and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary in August, Henry turned three in September, and Annabelle turned 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 months old...

I got a new job, we sold our house (in 4 days) and moved to Grand Rapids. Did you just say wow? I did. Wow. And more is happening. My husband is on the verge of opening his own law firm -- a venture he has been excited to do for many years and this move has made it possible. I'm so excited for him and for our family in this next adventure. In the meantime, he has been playing Mr. Mom to Henry and Annabelle, our grocery shopper, errand runner, chauffeur for Henry to and from preschool, and quite the chef! And all along the way, he has been searching office space (with Annabelle!), putting together a website, and doing all the odds and ends that it takes to start a business.

Wow, we just don't know how to do anything easy, do we?!

To add to the craziness, Beans (you may formally know her by Annabelle) started walking at 8.5 months. It was a few steps at first, and standing of 10-20 seconds, but the week before Christmas she was full on walking. I haven't seen her crawl in weeks and dare I say she is quite balanced. Much more balanced than her older brother was when he started walking at 9.5 months. Beans has been waving "hi" and saying "Da Da" and "Ma Ma." She's not a quiet one either, she lets you know when she wants to be heard!

And.... after months (okay, 6 months) of being the worst sleeper ever, she is well on her way to becoming an okay snoozer. A handful of times she has even slept though the night! (7pm - 5:30am!) And more often she has only been waking up once an then will sleep until 6 or 6:30. Not perfect, but it's a far cry from where we were a few months ago. I guess the little lady just needed to accomplish all her tasks (crawling, standing, walking) before being able to settle down for a good snooze.

Did I mention she is walking? Yeah, it's exhausting. Have you met Henry? So, add them together and they are beyond exhausting. Wonderfully exhausting, but let's just say that you will often find that I have fallen asleep with Henry by 8pm every night.

Stay tuned for her 9 month stats when we head to the pediatrician.

Henry started a new preschool and has really enjoyed it! It wasn't an easy transition -- he had been at the same school with the same kids and teacher since he was 12 months old, so it took some time to get used to a new class and not knowing a single soul. He now has a few 'best buddies' and is learning a lot! Henry has also continued his swim lessons and is proven to be quite the fish and can swim halfway across the pool! Did he get his mother's aquatic skills and love of water!?!

And as for myself and Ryan, we knew this move wouldn't be smooth sailing, but "we're doing it!" We are still looking for "our house" and in the meantime staying with my Mom, which the kids have thoroughly enjoyed. We wanted to move to Grand Rapids, and here we are... stay tuned for updates!

And on to some pictures from the past several months...

Wow, that photo progression really shows how big she has become! 

So much love between these two (when they aren't bonking one another on the head)

Henry and his first friend in the world, Charlie, walking hand in hand at their former daycare -- I love this... they have been friends since just they were just a few months old. 

Here are a few member of our original playgroup - we all came together when the boys were around 2 months of age wanting to meet likeminded Moms and explore RIE and Waldorf philosophies. These sweet little boys and their Mamas were a lifesaver to me. Every Tuesday (and then Friday), we met and the boys played while the Moms observed the babies and had the opportunity to talk to other adults during daytime hours! 

And here are five out of the original six -- the blur is Arlo and the boys were getting restless and as evidenced by Henry's expression. They were not happy (except Liam!) that that paparazzi had not obtained the perfect photo yet (or ever)

Always smiling, even at 6am!

September 2, this guy turned 3!! 

Farewell first house! We made this house our home -- came home here after our wedding and brought both our babies home here. We have so many wonderful memories here and will cherish our beloved Groveland home forever. 

Henry had to say goodbye to our neighbor, his buddy, Paul. These two were inseparable this spring/summer. Every moment they had, they spent together. If you ever drove down Groveland Ave, you were sure to see those two running back and forth between our houses, driving their cars around, and jumping through sprinklers. We love Paul and his family and miss them every day. We can't wait to visit them and have them come to GR when we finally have a house!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 2014 with Aunt Katie 

Exciting news -- my sister is due with baby boy in April! It was so wonderful to have the entire family together for the holiday. 

A visit with Santa! 

Christmas at Ryan's parents -- Beans had a blast!

One of Henry's favorite gifts was his Hexbugs that came in his stocking. Santa sure does know what 3 years olds like!

"Say Cheese!"

Enjoying Annabelle's new tea set

Santa brought Annabelle and Henry a dollhouse -- for now Henry has been using it to house his superheroes. I have a feeling Annabelle will be evicting Henry's tenants quite soon!

"I've got this walking thing down!"

A wonderful Sunday walk after a busy Christmas with those two loves. 

Henry was very excited to try out the party favors for NYE!

Bringing in the new year in style! We wouldn't have it any other way. What a year! 

Becoming a family of four, celebrating my sister's marriage in California, getting a new job, moving across the state, and Ryan's new firm on the horizon! 2014 was great, but 2015 is going to be amazing! 

And to start it off, we enjoyed the new snow with these two little bunnies. 

Happy New Year!

Cheers!

Love,

The Beach Family 

Four Months!

4 months! We're in the thick of it. We are past the newborn sleepy phase and the super super fussy phase. We got past the 12 week mark where you think things are going to start to get easier, but never really do phase and now were are at month 4. The "I want to move phase."

Annabelle started rolling over a few weeks ago. She can go both ways, but doesn't go from her belly to back as much and was getting really mad on her belly. This changed within the last day. She is finally content being on her belly, pushing up into cobra and lifting her head high in the air for long periods of time. Prior to rolling we swaddled her for sleeping. After she learned to roll over, we had to stop the swaddle. This was a hard transition -- anyone who has been around sleeping babies knows of their flailing arms every time they wake/transition to the next sleep cycle. Swaddling keeps them from doing that -- so they seamlessly move from one sleep cycle to the next. Well, Miss Annabelle always hated the swaddle, but would give in. And then her super baby strength coupled with her determination to roll over made it quite clear that we would swaddle no more. And so we have had to help her move from one sleep cycle to the next without feeding her/without a ton of intervention. She was (is) up a lot and it was (is) not easy on Mama! (or Daddy because he has to field the between feedings/rock her back to sleep). It has been three weeks and not a whole lot of consecutive hours of sleep happening!  However, last night she gave me a gift - she slept 7:30 to 3am! and then until 6am. (What changed? The belly -- she is finally content to sleep on her belly. Thank goodness!) 24 hours ago I was wondering how I will ever manage to go back to work/drive my hour commute/and use my brain in a useful attorney-like way with so little sleep. If she sleeps like she did last night, I will be able to do it!

Annabelle is grabbing and pulling everything (hair! earrings! necklaces!) she can get her hands on. When on her belly, she is turning herself in a circle so she is always in the action. She is also pushing herself backwards and sliding across the wood floor. She is also already trying to pull her knees up under herself... oh boy! If she's on the Henry track, she'll be crawling in no time. Let's hope she gives us a little more of a breather than her older brother!

We went to the doctor on her 4 month bday. Stats:
Weight: 15lbs, 15oz
Length: 25 inches

Dr. said she's perfect, just need to get her sleeping more at night! (Easier said than done, Doc. Unless he's offering to come over and help out!) She got her 2nd round of vaccines which brought on a mild fever, but was back to her old smiley self in a day.

Annabelle's big brother continues to make her smile the biggest, laugh the hardest, and engages with her on a level we can't. Her head whips around whenever she hears his voice and always want to be near him. Henry continues to love his "baby sister" and want to squeeze her head. (yes, head, not hand) When Annabelle starts really moving, he better watch out!

"Hey baby sister.."

Bam!

Big brother Henry is also doing great. His 3rd birthday is right around the corner. It seems like just yesterday we were painting his room getting ready for Baby Beach! Oh the things we didn't know and the blissful ignorance that we had! What a crazy almost 3 years -- and to think, just 2 more before our first born enters kindergarten?

We celebrated the 4th of July at home this year. It had only been week after getting home from Cali and Mama got super sick, so we decided not to head up to the Crystal Lake this year. We did go to a parade and celebrated Daddy's birthday when Mama got enough energy back to make a cake with Henry!

The parade!

"Happy Birthday, Daddy!" 

We also went to the lake last week to visit Grammie at the cottage on the big lake! Daddy got a whole week to himself! It was also his annual Phish weekend with Brian, so heading to the lake was perfect -- Mama had another set of hands to help with the kids! We missed Daddy, but Henry had a BLAST! We built sand castles and ran up and down the beach and by the end of the week the water had warmed up enough to swim! (even for Mama!)  Next year will be even more fun with two kids in the water!

Building sand castles

Jumping in the waves with Aunt Jackie 

Eating ice cream at the whippy dip!

No pictures of Annabelle at the lake -- I know I know, Mama only has two hands and she was often napping up at the cottage!

After being at Lake Michigan we headed back to Grammie's for a day and enjoyed some family time with the cousins! It was great to have almost the whole family together!

Playing at Kettle Lake with Grammie and Henry's cousins

Uncle Adam and Annabelle

Grandma Sobczak and her Grandkids 

(I have the same photo of me and my siblings with my Grandma Sobczak on these same front steps. I need to find that!)

Stay tuned for what happens in the next month -- big milestones are approaching!!

xoxo,

The Beach Family 

"Go west, young man!"

Our first trip as a family of four is in the books! We ventured west for my sister's wedding in Napa, CA. Yes, I know what you are thinking, "Ah, Napa, what a beautiful destination for a wedding." You are thinking about vineyards and beautiful sunsets while drinking wine. I saw vineyards. From the car. I had a few sips of wine at the wedding, but then Henry or Annabelle needed my attention and well, the wine glass was put down and the wee little ones were tended to.

But we did it! We traveled across the country with two kids, two car seats, a three hour time difference and managed to keep it together! Now, credit has to be given to my Mom here. She traveled with us. The extra set of hands was needed at many points during this journey, so thanks Mom! 

We left our house at 5:30am -- we gave ourselves a break and ordered a metro car to take us to the airport. Cutting out the extra step of parking in long term parking and then getting on a shuttle (With all the crap we had) was and excellent idea and worth the money. If you have kids, I highly recommend doing this. 

We breezed through security and didn't have long to wait at our gate. We lucked out that the flight wasn't full and was able to snap Annabelle's car seat on the plane so we didn't have to hold her the entire time. Prior to getting on the plane, Henry was super excited -- looking at all the plans out the windows of the airport. I was a little nervous how he would react when taking off, but it didn't even phase him. He drank his water to pop his ears and ate some snacks, but wasn't scared or too excited about it. He liked it, but was actually more excited about the turbulence! (I think we have a roller coaster lover on our hands!)

The kids were rock stars on the plane. When we got off, I heard someone say, "I didn't even know there was a baby on the plane," referring to Annabelle. She was so good. Slept much of the way and nursed a lot on take off and landing. She was all smiles and giggles for anyone that looked her way. 

At the gate 

On the plane!

Here we go! 

After arriving in San Fran, we picked up our luggage and made our way to the car rental. Henry had fallen asleep during landing, so his nap was very very short and we knew we had to get these kids to Napa as quickly as possible. Easier said than done. The car rental was crazy and it took over two hours to get our car, install the car seats, and get on our way. With some traffic and some meltdowns, we made it to Napa around 4:30pm California time (7:30/bedtime in Michigan). Ryan scrambled to get some food for Henry/us/my mom, and we got the kids into bed as quickly as possible. We were all in bed by 7pm California time after traveling all day! 

The following morning came quickly. Despite the long day of travel and late bedtime, Henry woke up at 4am Cali time. Ryan, being the best, let me and Annabelle sleep and got up with Henry. They read comic books, colored, and I'm sure talked Super Hero talk that Mama just doesn't quite get :) 

Grammie headed off with Aunt Katie doing wedding stuff/getting the venue ready for her big day. 

After breakfast we found a playground: 

Henry kept saying, "We're in California!" 

What a nice change of weather. 

Dry heat instead of the humid weather we were having in Michigan

At the rental house

Later we found a taco truck, got some lunch and headed home for a nap for Henry. He almost made it, but fell asleep mid meal. 

Sleepy Pies

The rest of the day was spent napping/hanging out, grocery shopping and getting our bearings together. Everyone went to bed early again. The following morning was a bit better, but Henry still work up around 5am Cali time. Poor Daddy!

But today was the Rehearsal day! Henry was Aunt Katie's ring bearer! 

Playing in the barn before practicing being a ring bearer

Practicing for his big job!

Daddy with the kids

The rehearsal

At the rehearsal dinner at a great restaurant, Oenotri in Napa!

Grammie with Annabelle

A quiet morning before the big day!

After getting my hair and makeup done with my sister, it was time to head to the beautiful estate where the wedding would be! It was a perfect day. The day before was very hot -- 95 degrees and didn't cool off, but the wedding day weather was a perfect 78 and cooled off even more during dinner. 

Katie and Garett were married under a walnut tree, had dinner next to a vineyard, and danced their first dance in a 100 year old barn. The food was perfect, and it was great to catch up with old friends. The kids started to melt around 9pm and we knew we were pushing it, but we got to see Katie and Garett cut the cake and have their first dance before everyone turned into pumpkins. It was "pinterest perfect wedding" - everything was just the way she had pictured!

Sister selfie! 

They had games/toys for the kids to play with outside the barn

The view from the reception

After wedding infused water 

It's like a pinterest post. Table assignments on old windows. 

cocktail hour

He was quite the cute ring bearer!

Daddy and Henry selfie -- having a snack after the wedding :) 

Mama and Annabelle before the wedding 

Henry did great!!! I was a little worried I would have to walk him, but he marched right down and passed the rings off like a pro! 

Family shot

Henry loved the dinner. 

My toast to the happy couple

Mr. and Mrs. Chau

Their first dance. (They took dance lessons, y'all and looked like pros!)

I wish I had a picture of Henry around 8pm. He was pure dirt and beyond tired.  He was quite the guy and stayed clean before the wedding, but after pictures and his ring bearer duties, he asked to go play with his cousins, and oh boy did they play! Barn + dirt = very dirty clothes. But playing hard is always good for the soul. 

Our kids turned to pumpkins around 9pm and we rushed them home and tossed them into bed -- they slept in (until 6:30!) the following morning. We then had to pack up and lock up the rental house. 

But we played a little first

Love these kids

And Aunt Katie stopped by with some wedding cake and snuggles for the kids

And then we were off to San Fran! To visit our law school pal, Jeff, for a day and then head back to Michigan. 

Jeff meeting Annabelle

We found another playground 

We went from at least 80 degree days to 63 and breezy. It's crazy what a few miles and a shoreline will do :) 

Law school besties. Jeff will always say, "Sarah was my first friend in law school, and Ryan was my best friend." We haven't seen Jeff in almost 5 years since our wedding. It was so nice to see him, and wonderful to feel like not a moment had passed (oh, except for those two kids we had in tow!)

Lunch with my little man

Our family

Henry falling asleep during lunch

And Daddy had to carry him al the way back to Jeff's

Another park. That's the Full House house! 

And another playground!

On our last night we had amazing BBQ and great conversation after the kids were in bed. The next morning we would be heading back to MI -- just as the kids started to acclimate to Pacific time, we would flip their world again to Eastern time. Yay for us!

Henry was a huge helper by pulling his own suitcase and staying close to Grammie!

I can't believe he will be 3 in just a few short months!

On the train to the airport

On our way! 

After a long flight (had to stay in the air awhile because of weather) we arrived at DTW and headed home. We arrived to happy dogs and a flooded basement. Not quite the homecoming we were hoping for, but nonetheless it was good to be home, in our own beds and ready to get back into our routine. 

And there it is folks -- the story of our first trip. I will not call it a vacation, because that implies relaxation. We had fun, we made memories, and we are so happy we were able to help make Aunt Katie and Uncle Garett's wedding day extra special! For all you parents out there who travel with your kids -- WOW! It's 10x harder than it looks :) 

And someday we will return. San kids to have that glass of wine at sunset :) 

xoxo,

The Beach Family