The Jarrett Trio: Love OBX

Much to our dismay, J's parents sold their beach house to their partners. We understand that it was costing way too much, but it is still a bummer not to have a retreat to call home. Ironically, we have been twice in the past two months to other places down there.

We are amazed how a short weekend trip has grown into such a chore. We used to pack both J's and my clothes in one suitcase, throw it in the car and hit the road. We would get up Sunday in time to be at church by 9:00. Those days are gone, there is nothing quick and easy about being a parent. Our one suitcase has multiplied to two, and a pack-n-play, and a doorway jumper, and a booster seat, and a food bag, and a cooler, and a diaper bag...and the list goes on. Who would have guessed that a 16 pound baby would need SO MUCH STUFF?! I must admit that we had even more the first trip and made mental note of what we didn't "need." I packed less and used it all this time around.

H enjoys rolling around on any floor and jumping in any doorway, so why not head someplace for J and I to relax? H is also super shopper and is by far the most well behaved baby during a day of shopping that I have even met. He had enjoyed several outlet mall and regular mall shopping trips. In the outer banks, we always head to the mall and get goodies. This time the new Gymboree outlet was open and H made out with some fall clothes from Gigi and shirt and shoes from mommy. We also like to hit up the indoor pools whenever possible. This time, however, the pool was FREEZING! I was not a fan and neither was H. He fussed until we got out and I stood in the hot tub, so he could feel the warm air. Gigi did get a couple pictures of a cold H and then when he was much happier. After a day filled with shopping and swimming, H relaxed on the floor and enjoyed his car seat strap.

A peek at our weekend:

Friday night we had dinner at nice local pizza place by the name of Pizza Hut. Here is H hanging out in the high chair. I'm sure he was laughing at all the things he pushed on the floor.

The great thing about using an inflatable tub, besides water conservation, is that it can go anywhere, H enjoyed his bath time routine just the same as at home.

J and H waited patiently for mommy to come swimming.

H was climbing up me to get out of the cold water.

He was much happier when we got above the hot tub and felt the warm air. I promise that I did not even let his toe touch the water.

Out of the water and bundled up.

Ready to head back across the street. It was cold out.

Even though there were doorways with trim to hang his bouncer, they were down the hall. H is social and would rather be in the middle of it all. J got his workout by providing a moving jumper.