Little Lady Meets Ladybug

Radha was mesmerized by a ladybug we found on the beach recently while exploring Kelley Point Park in Portland.

Inaugural Overnight

(from Terri)

Considering Ro returns to work in a few weeks and Fall is soon upon us, we decided we had to get out to the coast at least once this summer, so we did.  We splurged for a motel room with an ocean view on the beach and decided that whatever happened with Radha, we would give it a try.

We were so glad we went.  Radha apparently was glad too for the change of pace.  Even though we were without her bouncer chair and the yoga ball (things that we use as part of daily routines), she was happy as a clam and we had our first overnight away from home.

The ocean air, miles of beach, seagulls, and SUN!  Our coastal trips are notorious for bad weather, but this one made up for past cold and wet trips.  Radha got to feel sand on her feet for the first time and dip her toes in a pool at the motel.  

 

I think the fact that Radha behaved wonderfully on the trip just made it so more relaxing for all of us.  More difficult times are ahead I'm sure, but at least we had good weather and good demeanors for this mini-vacation before things change again.

Cruisin' to the Coast

As folks who live in Portland know, it was dang hot last weekend.  Although our basement is a few degrees cooler than upstairs, it was still a pretty miserable weekend.  Just holding Radha just made her sweaty and sticky.

We decided to trade in the heat for some cool ocean air and head to the coast.  This was the first road trip with Radha and we had no idea how things would go.  We figured, if anything, we would be out of the hot and stuffy house and in an air-conditioned car.  We also figured I would nurse Radha before we left, and if we needed to stop on the side of the road for another feeding or fuss, we would just wing it.

I think we lucked out as Radha napped on both legs of the trip.  We had packed up a blanket and assorted baby gear, thinking we would possibly lounge on the beach.  As a typical coast trip goes, it was mostly cloudy at the coast and quite a bit cooler.  Still, it beat being home!  Radha seemed to like the ocean air as it made her more sleepy.  We decided it was still a bit cool for lounging so we just walked for a long time while I picked up my usual assortment of shells and cool rocks.

The most challenging part of the trip was diaper changing.  We discovered that with a full trunk and slanting seats of a sedan, it's not so easy to have a mobile changing station (unlike a family-friendly wagon or hatchback with raised trunk).  Despite this, we managed the change without incident, phew!  I can't wait until Radha gets older and we can make sandcastles with her.