I thought it would be fun to have {Nap Time Diaries} every once in awhile.You know… just in case any of you want to see a little piece of my real life. :) For the first one I thought I’d share a few pictures from our recent trip to Oceanside, CA. We had an awesome trip! Thanks to my parents for setting it all up! They are awesome!!
So I officially decided road trips are not my favorite. It was only a 51/2 hour drive but it felt like 10. The first 2 hours both my kids were screaming the. entire. time. Carson then proceeded to get into whatever he could. Somehow he reached into the diaper bag, grabbed the formula can and dumped it all over himself. Great…
I felt so bad for my little girl though. Her top two teeth were popping through that week so she was so miserable. And it doesn’t help that her car seat is facing backwards so she can’t see us. Poor girl! Luckily I packed lots of new toys (from the dollar store), fruit snacks and movies for the trip to get us there!
My husband was only able to come up for the first two days… he had to get home for work after that. I’m so glad he was able to come and spend time with us! I have to say it is SO hard being on a trip without your husband. I had tons of family to help… but sometimes it’s just not the same. Miss Emma was teething so she was attached at my hip and only wanted mom. And the nights were horrible. She woke up screaming every night around one and didn’t fall back asleep till around 4am. I was so tired! On the last day of our trip she woke up and she had blood in her ear. She had scratched them all up. I then realized she also had an ear infection. It’s at those moments I feel like the worst mom ever! Poor girl was suffering an ear infection and I didn’t even know it. Luckily my uncle is a doctor so he was able to order in a prescription. It’s definitely nice having a doctor in the family. I can’t wait till my husband is done with school. 
In the day we had a BLAST on the beach! My babies had SO much fun playing in the sand (see here if you missed my beach secret).
There’s something about California that just makes me smile. I love hanging out on the beach and listening to the ocean.
We were with my dad’s family (about 50 of us) so we had tons of fun playing games, making sand castles, eating, late nights and lots of laughing!
Look at this shark my cousins built! It was HUGE! Everyone that walked by had to stop and snap a picture. Pretty cool huh?! The secret: Using a squirt bottle w/ water to pack the sand.
We also went to Lego land while we were there and my son was in HEAVEN! If I lived in CA I would SO buy a season pass there. He could have played in the lego room for hours!
Love this guy!
We had such a great time with my family! California has to be one of my all time favorite vacations! The weather was amazing and we had a blast! However, I did need a mini vacation after vacationing (and driving my kids home w/out the hubs late at night). My husband was so sweet to let me sleep in and got 3 loads of laundry done by the time I woke up. It was just what I needed. Such a sweet heart!
I had so much fun snuggling with my little girl! Since she wasn’t feeling well she was *extra* snuggly! I’m going to miss it when she grows out of this stage.
So what’s your secret for vacationing with little ones?
I’d say NEW toys for the road… and a sound machine.
Katy
I completely agree about missing your husband on vacation. I feel like I appreciate everything my husband does for me when we’re home, but I really notice how much he does for us when we travel alone. Hope your little one is feeling better soon – ear infections are NOT fun for baby or mommy. Movies save us on vacation. I feel so guilty – sometimes I wonder if her IQ will lower because have how many movies she gets to watch on long trips ;) But on road trips I’ll do just about anything for a happy baby.
Jamielyn
Oh I totally agree.. sometimes you forgot how much they do. I guess it’s a good thing to be away every once in awhile, so we can appreciate them more. And yes movies are GREAT! :)
Trina
Your trip looked like so much fun. I miss being by the ocean, it was my go to place to help me regroup my thoughts and relax. Something about the sound of the waves and the distance as you look out towards the water. I have to say a minivan with tv is what saved our trips. My little one didn’t watch tv for the first two years then we bought a van and she loves her movies now.
Jamielyn
Me too! I love listening to the ocean, it’s so relaxing! I could stay for hours… And I’m thinking I need a minivan. ;)
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
This looks like a blast. Your family is adorable!
Jamielyn
Ah thanks Alison! We had so much fun! xo
Melanie
You are just too adorable! Love the look into your family! Glad you decided to do it! Makes the family blog that much easier to update now!
Melanie
reasonstoskipthehousework.com
Jamielyn
Thanks Melanie! And totally makes it easier. :) Hugs!
Shona
OMGosh! There’s that adorable swimsuit again…..but now with scrumptous baby legs!! Adorable!! I hope she’s feeling better….and you too :) It is nice having a doctor in the family – my J is a doctor and it has really come in handy in a few emergencies. Beautiful family and looked like a super fun time!
Jamielyn
Thanks Shona! I know aren’t baby legs scrumptious?! Why can’t mine look that cute with rolls? lol ;)
aimee berrett
Oceanside is MY beach. These pictures make me miss home so much.
Looks like you had so much fun!
Jamielyn
Ah so jealous you lived there! I would love a place near the beach!
april
girl you know how to go on vacation! Looks like a LOT of fun!
xoxo
Jamielyn
haha oh yeah! was tons of fun! thanks for your comment. hugs!
Sarah @ This Crazy Blessed Life
Can I just say that I love that you are going to do this?!? My favorite blogs are ones where I really get to know the blogger. I love me some craft blogs, but if they aren’t personal, I find myself skipping over them. The ones I love are the ones that I “know” the person behind the blog.
And great vacation pictures!!!
Jamielyn
Oh I’m so glad to hear this! Sometimes I wonder if people really care.. but I love reading blogs when they share pictures of their family. It makes me feel like I know them.. and could be their bff IRL. Thanks for commenting! :)
Amber
I love beach trips! They are seriously the best. What we did to block out noise was bought a couple fans and put them in the windows at the beach house. Worked like a charm! It gets so noisy and people are not courteous of people sleeping at 3am…
Jamielyn
I know..beach trips have to be my favorite! And yes people are SO loud in cali… sound machine was a must! Thanks for commenting. xo
Brittany
Oh man….we are in Lake Tahoe, CA….and we live in Texas. And we drove here. With a two year old. I’d say lots of movies. I also packed her favorite little princess purse full of little toys that she loves. We also sang TONS of songs. I’m glad you had fun! I love California!
Jamielyn
Oh wow that is a long drive! I hope you have a wonderful trip… and safe drive home! xo
Margaret
You are making me think of our vacation in 4 weeks. I might be in the same boat with kids screaming in the car and teething as well. We have a 5 1/2 hour ride ahead of us and we are thinking of leaving around 3am in hopes that my 3 1/2 year old and 10 month old will sleep in the car the entire time. Otherwise, we risk sitting in traffic since it will be labor day weekend. My baby still hasn’t gotten any of her top teeth so I hope they pop out before our vacation or she will be a cranky mess if they decide to come during vacation week. Ugh…the packing and traveling sometimes make me think we should just stay home but once we get there I hope we have a blast. Thanks for sharing the photos of your beautiful family!
Jamielyn
OOh yes teething on vacation is the worst. Especially since they are not in their own comfort zone and crib. And naps get all of schedule as well…which only makes it worse. Crossing my fingers for you! You guys will have such a fun trip!
Heather
We live in northern california and have yet to take our son to the ocean. the only time he’s been was a family vacation to Hawaii so I think he’s a bit spoiled. My daughter is cutting teeth too. And I swear she’s cutting ALL of them at the same time. It is SO hard being woken up around 1-2 and then again at 4-6.
Love this post BTW.
Jamielyn
lol seriously that happens to my kids too. they all want to pop through at once making it a tough week! i guess it’s better than one right after the other.. but still it’s miserable for baby and mom! Teething is no fun! good luck!
Justine
I just have to say you and your family are beautiful! Your pictures from your trip are pretty great! Thanks for sharing. I am heading on a roadtrip this week to spend time with my family (8 hours away) my husband is also heading home early, but luckily my mom has offered to drive home with me and the kids (a 2 year old and 1 month old). Thanks for the tip of having some new toys on hand, that’s a super idea!
Jamielyn
Thanks Justine! So glad you commented. Good luck on your trip, I’m sure you’ll have a great time! xo
Sally @ A Blessed Existence
Gorgeous pictures!! Looks like you guys had a wonderful time.
I would love to go to Oceanside, my dad actually grew up there.
Jamielyn
Thanks Sally! You need to go there.. it is beautiful… and the weather is PERFECT! :)
Jessica Winter
Lots of fun, out of the normal, food; kids music and dvds keep my 3 y.o. happy. Toys, food and… the binky keep my 17mth old happy. Oh! And plenty of stops, every hour or so. Neither sleep in the car, but we made it to the beach… now we just have to make it home on Friday :). Jess (at) OlyMomma
Jamielyn
I agree.. stops are the best. It takes longer.. but definitely worth getting out all their wiggles. Have so much on your trip! xo
Rebecca@This Present Life
It looks like you guys had a great time! And I know what you mean about the road trip with kids! Ours was only 3 hours, but it’s still a beating. It does get easier as they get older, though (our kids are 4 and 2 and this was the easiest trip to date).
And can I just say that the baby powder tip might just save my life! My husband’s family is from Miami and while I love the beach, I HATE the sand! Totally going to bring a Costco size bottle of baby powder the next time we go!!!
And if your little girl is anything like mine, she will always be your little cuddler :) Unlike my son who’s too busy for a hug for Mommy ;)
Jamielyn
Thanks Rebecca! You’ll definitely have to try the baby powder. And that is great news!! I’m really hoping she stays my cuddler.. I just love it! We deserve lots of hugs and kisses. ;)
Alyssa
That is so me! I have a 3 yr old son and an 8 month old daughter. This summer I went to a family reunion and took my kids minus my husband. I’ve never been so tired in my life! Our portable DVD player was drowned before we left so no movies. We’ve been back a month and my daughter still won’t sleep by herself.
Kaystey
We always pack bubbles in the front and use the air-conditioner to send them all the way to the back. The kids LOVE it every time. We usually keep the bubble fun until near the end of the trip if we can, when we’re out of other ideas!
Our older children also love playing ‘count the cars’ games or ‘car cricket’. Eg. a red car is one run, blue car is six runs and yellow car is OUT! (You could adapt to any sport – we love cricket in Australia!).
Michelle
Ahhh. I grew up in Oceanside!!! I am now 3000 miles away, living on Long Island! I can not wait to take my son there in September for the first (hopefully of many!) time. He will be 3 months old.
Your family is adorable!
Maureen
What a beautiful family! You look like you had a wonderful vacation. LOVE THE SHARK!
Kami
Ahhh…your tip looks like such a blast! and your baby’s legs…so stinkin’ cute!
tiffany
So fun! My little one loves the beach. We often go a bit north of Oceanside to Ventura, CA. Water is a little cold but a nice break from our day to day Vegas heat!
Kristie
Is that green halter a swim suit?! Would love to know more about it.
Jamielyn
Hey Krisite! Yes it’s from downeast! :)
Krista
I can totally relate to your road trip experience. We just took a 50 hr (by the time it was all said and done) road trip with 18 month old twins. I have a lot of pictures of my kids screaming like the one you posted of your son. I did a whole post dedicated to the topic on my blog.
Jamielyn
Oh my goodness! 50 hours! You are one brave mama! How fun though to travel the U.S.!! Hugs!
aleyta
Yup, sound machine for sure. I also bring my ergo,carrier everywhere. She will sleep in it for hours no matter where we are. Oh and I totally do the dollar store thing…but I wrap each one so it distracts them even longer! Lol
Jamielyn
Ooo I’ve been wanting to get an ergo carrier! I heard those are awesome!