Beach Baby

Really, genetically speaking, there was no way around it....we were bound to have a beach baby.

Our little guppy comes from a long line of beach bums...on both sides.  We already knew that Maria loved water and bathtime, but you never know about the sand and waves.

Although I guess we should have known.  It is DNA.  Her blood runs salty with the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Ionian Sea...what a combination! 

The morning of Maria's first day at the beach, my mom and I put her in her sun hat before we left the house and started telling her about the fun she was about to have.  At first, she wasn't so sure, but she quickly became intrigued and wanted to know more about this beach place.

The more we talked about the sand and waves, the more excited she got and the more questions she asked.

Until, finally, she could barely contain herself.  She couldn't wait to get out the door and put her little toes in all that sand and saltwater she was hearing about.

This May has been unseasonably chilly and damp, and the sea water was cold, but, like her momma before her, Maria could not allow cold water to stand in the way of a little splash time.  Pop kept sticking her toes in and she LOVED it.  Whenever she started to fuss, we would dip her back in the water, and she would calm down immediately.

Not only did she love having her toes in the water and sand, Maria made the discovery, like many have before her, that there is no better place to nap than on the beach.

And, there is certainly no better place to nap than in her daddy's arms on the beach.

The last day we spent at the beach was actually the warmest.  It was so warm, in fact, that between the sun and the waves little Maria slept the WHOLE day...alas, no pictures from that day. 

So, we are armed with a new ruffled bathing suit from Yaya for Maria and a base tan for momma.  I think it is safe to say that Maria has lots of days at the beach ahead of her.