the sun was just coming through the clouds when we got there!
yawns. part of the deal.
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he didn’t move for the first half hour of our time there. he was still in a sleepy trance.
blood mary’s (for those who could partake, anyway… next time!)
that wide-eyed emoji belongs here. looking at this, i’m surprised i’m not due sooner than december.
so, with the urging of my sister, we decided to be crazy and get to the beach around 6:00 am on labor day. there’s this awesome beach not far from us but the parking lot is tiny. so, if you want to guarantee a spot (especially on a labor day with nice weather), you basically have to be there by 6:30 at the latest. thus, the hunts never even attempt it. we value our sleep and our laziness far too much. but, this year–with it being labor day and all–we decided to go for it. it was either that or hanging around being bumps on a log all day. and it’s a pretty awesome beach because, given the size of the parking lot, it never gets crowded. i woke up with steve tapping me on my shoulder saying, “let’s just go now and catch the sunrise.” my alarm wasn’t due to go off for 15 more minutes (5:45 am). you know what’s weird? setting an alarm when parker has basically been my alarm for 3+ years now.
having gotten ready the night before (absolutely necessary when you’re starting a day this early.), we had very little to do. i woke parker moments before we were due to leave and he stood up, said, “i’m ’till tired” and laid back down. me too buddy, me too. i scooped him up and into his car seat where he remained half asleep for the drive (and the first chunk of the day on the beach too). with our chairs, beach toys, cooler, carafe of coffee (oh yes), and beach bag, we were off.
we started the day in our pajamas and ended it in our suits. there were kids and snacks and coffee and lounging and jumping in the water and swimming to sand bars as the day got hotter. at one point i looked at my phone and couldn’t believe it was only 11:30. i guess when the day starts at the crack of dawn, that happens.
parker had to literally be ripped off the beach at around 2–napless and full of sand–and he fell asleep within two minutes of our drive home. and by 10 pm i was in bed and i slept a good long while (after watching mean girls with william and lindsey–their first time!).
summer feels like it’s really winding down now. steve’s back to work today, william’s finished his summer reading, the school shopping is complete and backpacks are (sort of) packed. school begins at the end of the week and then we find our new normal. this morning we’re hanging around, listening to elizabeth mitchell, watching the cosby show, brushing gracie, in our pjs till noon. round and round it goes.
Reading a blogpost with my afternoon coffee, so good! The first picture is stunning, you captured a beautiful moment.
I get a bit tired reading it – yes, I still love your writing 😉 – but I value my sleep as well and 5:30 sounds way too early for me. Nevertheless the rest of the day seems like it was totally worth it.
i'm still a little tired today, to be honest!
Wow 6am? That is hardcore. You are the tiniest pregnant human ever. Oh to watch Mean Girls for the first time. Jealous.
http://www.designsbykaty.com
it was funny. "and on wednesdays, we wear pink." they enjoyed it.
Gorgeous photos – especially the one of you with your cute bump and your bikini. You're killing it!! Look how cute you are!
I love how dedicated to beach day you guys were. I have never been one to wake up that early for anything. Nice job! Looks like it was worth it.
it totally was. i knew it would be, but it was hard convincing myself of that at 5:30 am.
You look beautiful!
You did it right.
Love that bump.
I just love this post! It reminds me of growing up on the beaches on New England 🙂 Just the best. As a woman planning on trying to get pregnant in a few months time, I was wondering if you would be willing to share your strategies for staying so slim and fit while pregnant? I would appreciate it so much!!
thanks so much natalie!
honestly most of the slimness i have my genetics to thank for! but in the past while pregnant i did do some barre method and also walked/biked a lot! this time, it's mostly running after parker with some biking. i am also (overall!) a pretty healthy eater. (best of luck in the coming months!!)
Looks like a great day! And you and that bump are lookin good, super cute!
Gosh I just feel like there's something about days that start with a ridiculously early trip in the car that make for good stories. 🙂 I have so many fun memories from days like that!
Always, Anita
http://www.alwaysanita.com
no way — we were there on Saturday! I can see our fort for Maisy in the background of your pics. {and, btw, this time we decided to try to catch people leaving and went around 2pm, and successfully parked FOUR cars at the point! so–not just for early risers!} my post shall come soon, but I'm just not as quick about it as you are. cheers to the best beach on the north shore!
The Cosby Show—love it!
That beach looks perfect – and the photos capture such wonderful memories and moments. I wish I had a beach close by like that to spend my long weekends (even if it means waking up before the sun rises).