The Small Bear and the Sea

This blog entry is brought to you by the letter 'B.'

B is for...

Bulldog!

and...

the Backseat!

and finally...

Bear in brown plaid

Our trip to Santa Monica was a smashing success. Have I mentioned I love 16 months? It's really the greatest age, ever. Aside from an early wake-up time (and Brian and I tip-toeing through Adam and Tiffany's house, begging the Bear to please, please be quiet), this is an ideal time to travel. (car travel...not sure how the Bear would be in the friendly skies. We're not going to find out).

I mean, he is down to one nap, which makes scheduling easier, and was a delight about 90% of the time. The other ten percent was spent screaming in the bath, running from the 60 pound bulldog that had an unnatural affection for our little guy, and screaming his head off from Barstow to Vegas. (and his defense, it was a long time to be in a car seat. I felt as though his protests, though annoying and ear-splitting, were justified.) But I'll take 10% bad as long as there is 90% good any day of the week.

As promised, Scotty also had a lot of firsts.

First meal at Chik-Fil-A:

It's so delicious I can barely contain myself

First time living with a dog for more than 24 hours...

The charismatic Teddy Bullfeathers

...although you may be saying to yourself right now, "Hmm...that's the second picture we've seen of Teddy, but the Bear is nowhere to be found." And the reason for that is Scotty was scared out of his mind of the dog. He didn't cry, but the two were like opposite ends of a magnet; if Teddy went this way, Scotty went that way. The only safe zone was the dining room and Scotty spent a lot of time in there. 

I think it was the combination of a very large animal (something Scotty has no experience with) along with the loud noise Teddy's nails made as they clattered along the (gorgeous) hardwood floors. Big sight + loud sound = one nervous Bear. By Saturday, Scotty had warmed up considerably and would venture within about 2 feet of Teddy, but that was about it.

And finally, his last major first: seeing the ocean for the FIRST time ever. What a lucky kid. I didn't see the Pacific Ocean until I was in my 20s. (one of the pitfalls of growing up in Chicago, I guess.) It was cold, as you might glean from what we are wearing, but it was so fun to see him shuffle through the sand and gaze at the big, blue sea. And not to fear, the Cheerio cup was there for moral support. (of course).

The Mayor hits the beach

Sand Bear

Okay, I'm done.

But aside from Scotty enjoying the beach, I think my favorite part was going with Adam and Tiffany and seeing how happy/sweet they were with our little guy. Evidence below.

Uncle Adam and the Bear

Will Scotty have a playmate soon? Let's hope so!!

(thanks for a wonderful weekend!! Love you.)