Let's go to the beach, each, let's go get away...

Guess who went on a mini-road trip to Panama City Beach?!

That's right, we did. One perk of our new location is that we are only 2 hours from some gorgeous white-sandy beaches.

Truth be told, I'd been feeling a little burnt out on the 'bama. Life was feeling a little repetitive and this is exactly what we needed to spice it up. The fact that baby girl actually slept in the car for the first time in a long time really sweetened the road trip deal. 

The hotel we stayed at was family friendly, but there weren't many kids around being that most schools down here are already back in session....jackpot. 

The weather was picture perfect and comfortable, and this is coming from the girl that gets moody in the heat. We enjoyed hanging out by the pool and taking Mak for a swim. The child loves to kick kick kick, I could see her little diaper butt going up and down all the way from the other end of the pool. 

Did I mention we started out the stay with some free drink coupons? Of course Mak came prepared with her own special cocktail. 

As per usual, we stuffed our faces and then asked each other whyyyyyy we allowed ourselves to overeat again. But in the heat of the moment, countless shrimp and crab legs are impossible to turn down. We've all been there, am I right?

We enjoyed a walk along the beach before bed. The sand was heavenly. Like the kind you can actually go barefoot on without cutting your feet on rocks and shells.

At night the resort also put on some fun shows. There was a magician, there was a hula dancing show (the cutest hula girl is pictured below) and right before bed time they even brought out a huge outdoor movie screen and played a movie poolside.

In the morning we got up early (no need for an alarm clock when you've got a baby that is hungry every few hours...) and went down to the beach to take a dip in the gulf, and contraire to what the picture looks like below it was NOT a skinny dip, haha.

The little girl loved having her toes in the water, ass in the sand piggies in the sand, and she loved going in the Gulf, however, she did NOT like standing on the shore and having the water pull the sand away from under her feet. Gotta draw the line somewhere. Sheesh. 

After hanging at the beach, we got some yummy breakfast and some of us took naps. Not going to name any names....

Then, I went and got a massage, a lovely much-appreciated birthday present from the hubs. It was just what I needed and daddy and daughter got some one on one time at the pool that ended like this...

We didn't want to leave. I must admit, the south is growing on me. This was a great overnight trip that I hope we can do again soon. We've heard great things about the beaches in Destin and want to check those out as well. 

And I would like to end with a little PSA if you will. I'm going to have to assume that second to last bullet point had to be added after some sort of "incident." I have no words. 

Sensory Bottles and Infant Massage

Guess what? Ver came to visit last week and we enjoyed some serious girl time. She flew out here the day after graduating with her M.S.W...yay!! Go Ver!

It was one good time after another. We spent time at the beach, downtown Seattle and of course got our  share of couch time and stuff-our-face-with-delicious-food time. There were many cupcakes, cookies and brownies to be had. Did I mention the visit conveniently fell over Cinco de Mayo?? That happens to be a special holiday for Ver and I. We didn't disappoint and were sure to celebrate with enchiladas and margaritas. And of course Makaela's lesbian mamas also caused a spectacle at the restaurant by not knowing how to properly secure her carseat in the (jacked-up) high chair. Hey lady sitting across from us, we could do without the stares, order a shot of tequila and simmer down.

So at this point you're probably wondering why the heck this post is titled "Sensory Bottles and Infant Massage." Well, anyone who knows me and Ver knows there had to be craft time. Since Ver has tons of experience in child development she suggested we make sensory bottles for baby Mak. And when I say we, I mean she, because I was really no help at all.

She dyed pasta, filled a bottle with water and red/white/blue glitter, filled a bottle with pom poms, dyed rice and added glitter, filled a bottle with dyed water and oil, and filled a bottle with glitter. To dye the pasta and rice she mixed food coloring with alcohol to make sure the dye adhered to the items. The bottles stimulate Makaela's little baby senses and will be great as she gets older and can shake, rattle and roll them on her own. Currently her favorite is the pom pom bottle. Thank you Ver!!

And the fun didn't stop there. Ver has taught infant massage to many of the families she works with, so when Tim mentioned I was going to take a class to learn, Ver offered to teach me! Makaela was in heaven. She loves it!! It calms her and she makes the most adorable oooo's and coo's. We've done it on our own a few times since Ver left and are trying to work it into our nightly routine. We like to turn down the lights and turn on the Toddler Tunes music channel which plays soothing music in the evening. If anyone is interested, YouTube also has lots of helpful videos. 

I love learning new, fun ways to spend time with my girl and help her learn <3