Playing favorites

Serene has been engaging in longer periods of play these past few weeks. She doesn't have many playthings, which I didn't realize until a couple of people pointed it out. The toys she does have are all beloved hand-me-downs or thoughtful gifts, for we are trying to be purposeful in ensuring she doesn't wind up with her personal toy store. We hope that rather than possessing a slew of toys that are easily forgotten, Serene would foster a deeper appreciation for the few quality (and unique) playthings she does have. Maybe this is another one of our lofty parenting ideals that might go out the window as well, but since she has been born, the only play-related object Alex and I got her was her carseat mobile when she was 2 months old.

Once we saw her interest in play heighten and after we learned that babies near 6 months of age begin to develop a fondness for a stuffed buddy, we bought her her first lovey not too long ago. I love the stuffed fox friend not only because I find it adorable with its striped skirt, scalloped collar, and teeny buttons, but more so because it's knitted and I knew I could never make something like it for Serene (my knitting know-how ends at flat things like scarves). Serene took an immediate affection to it, and it is currently the toy that makes her happiest. She kicks her legs in excitement, waves her hands in glee, and eagerly reaches for it with the hugest, wide-mouthed grin whenever we place it in sight. We have never seen her gravitate towards another toy in this way. The only other plaything that Serene prefers to a similar degree is Sophie le giraffe, but only because she has ascertained by now that Sophie provides satisfying teething comfort.

Alex named Serene's fox friend Cosette, and we're pretty pleased Serene has such a strong affinity to her. They've been sharing oodles of hugs, chats, and slobbery kisses. Alex thinks Serene's attachment to Cosette is so endearing that he wants to get another lovey for her, stat. But then again, he also wanted to acquire all the Frozen dolls for her after we watched the movie for the first time last week (I know I'm late in the game, but who wants to chat about how legit that movie is on so many levels?!). And he was about to buy her a toddler-sized kitchen before she was even born. His reason eventually presides over his emotions most of the time, and we intermittently get her what we hope she could appreciate the rest of the time. Because just as Serene plays favorites with Cosette, we like to play favorites with our Serene Joy.

Those lofty parenting ideals

A certain sense of tranquility washed over us as we meandered along the shoreline on the final morning of our anniversary getaway last week. Hardly anyone was occupying the stretch of sand we were on, so we claimed it all to ourselves for the time being. Though the weather was on the nippier side, Serene was nice and cozy against me in my sling. Every time I use my ring sling, I'm reminded of how much I love it for its uncanny ability to keep our sweet babe snug and close without exhausting my arms or monopolizing diaper bag space. Alex scoffed at the necessity of a carrier of any sort before Serene was born, declaring that he would just hold her in his arms, rather than in one of those "girly things." Now, as a seasoned daddy with nearly six months of parenthood under his belt, he's scouring consignment shops for a gently used baby carrier. And forgoing his manhood in the process, as he claims. There goes another one of those lofty parenting ideals out the window. We laugh at ourselves every time we encounter these nuggets of wisdom. There's been a lot of laughing going on around here in that regard!

In and out and about

When we weren't frolicking along the shore last week during our anniversary getaway, we were lounging in our hotel or out and about in the heart of downtown Laguna. We were fortunate to be there in the beginning of the week, when the thoroughfares and eateries were absent of the crowds that habitually populate there on weekends. Because this season of life has been resonating with a seemingly interminable flurry of activity, we were so grateful to take a breather. And jeepers, being able to do so during a mild and sunshiny couple of days made us ever more thankful that we are but a short drive away from such natural majesty. God's so good to give us such lovely sights to behold.

A seaside reprieve

While we were trying to pinpoint our anniversary getaway destination, Alex made his beachy keen preference pretty clear, while I opted for a locale less traveled in our parts. We almost ventured over to Lake Arrowhead, but we're suckers for lovely weather in the beginning of March. It doesn't get much more sunshiny than where we are, so off to the beach we went. The short drive there turned out to be a plus for Serene, whose senses were overpowered by the blazing rays, crashing waves, and sea-salty air once we arrived. It took her a while to warm up to her environs, which is why a smattering of pictures of her down by the seashore captured her gazing elsewhere. I daresay her first time seaside was a swell success. It was incredibly rejuvenating for Alex and me to truly unwind together without everyday responsibilities hovering over our heads. And our family reprieve was made sweeter because of our little love.