Summer of Weekend Cruising - Part III.

Miss K up "on deck" with Daddy.

Baby M during bath time in the cockpit.

I caught a BIG crab.

T & K having quality time bellow deck.

M - a master climber, while underway,  at 15 months (still not walking).

Summer of Weekend Cruising - Part II.

Ma'alahi anchored in Bedwell Harbor, BC

T displaying the unique topography.

More topography - Bedwell Harbor, BC

Kids fighting over the iPad while underway.

Happiness I.

Happiness II.

Happiness III.

T and Buddy on their "evening walk" in Bedwell Harbor, BC

Holding Pattern

The weather kept us at the dock for Father's Day weekend.  :(

I have been chomping at the bit to get the boat out and learn everything I can about our systems, basic sailing theory/concepts, as well as get comfortable with a routine while underway with the kids.

The NOAA weather forecast called for a 70% chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday and winds of 15-25 knots.  We have made it our prerogative to stay put when the forecast calls for any winds above 20 knots.  We want to keep our early boating experiences with the kids as positive as possible. 

I am satisfied with staying conservative... however, I have my fingers crossed that we will be able to get out and enjoy some calm and sunny weather soon!

Happy Fathers Day!

First Trip of the Season!

We took Ma'alahi out for her first trip of the season (the weekend of May 5th).  Our family had such a great time that over the last two three and a half weeks (that is how long it took to finish this post!), I have been working my bum off to get the boat ready for Summer cruising.

We untied from the dock on Friday evening (after T got home from work) and headed northbound on San Juan Channel to the north side of Jone's Island.  We tied to an anchor buoy ($10/night), put the kids to bed, had hotdogs on the BBQ, and a well deserved drink.  This trip felt like a well earned reward for our making it through the winter living aboard (with a two and one year old).

Saturday morning, we rowed the dinghy to shore and walked around and explored with the kiddos.  K is not yet focused enough to go on a walk involving a specific destination, but as long as T and I do not have a real agenda, we are all happy.

M, 11 months old on Jone's Island

At about 10AM we headed further north to Sucia Island and tied to another anchor buoy ($12/night).  The weather was amazing and the kids were awesome!  T and I lounged on the beach and the kids pretty much entertained themselves with little need for our intervention (there IS a light at the end of the tunnel!!).

Sucia Island

Sucia Island

This was also the first trip that we have taken Buddy (our labrador) out with us (usually we leave him with family or put him in the kennel).  He is NOT a boat or water dog.  He seemed a bit shaky and anxious while we were underway (we didn't sail) but he calmed down a little by the end of the weekend.

Buddy Holding down the "fort"

Buddy was able to get in and out of the dinghy and go up "on deck".  Thank GOD for the walk through stern!  We tried to get him to go to the bathroom on the bow/deck area with no success.  We are going to try to train him to go to the bathroom on a doormat with a line tied to it (so we can clean the mat by dipping it in the water).  I am sure there will be more to share on "boat training" the dog in the future. 

Sick Kiddos, Wind Storms, and Big Projects

The last few weeks have consisted of big projects, impressive wind storms, and sick kiddos.  

I am not short of things to write about (in fact, I have a huge back-log of post ideas just waiting to materialize).  My in laws were out of town for a few weeks so I took full advantage of using their home as a staging area to go through storage unit boxes and try to thin out our personal property (yet again) and transfer, categorize, and catalog all the items we want to keep in "long term storage" from cardboard to plastic bins.  "Long Term Storage" meaning things that we want to keep in storage when we go cruising.  We are hoping to bite the bullet and make the switch to a heated 10X10 unit in April.

Last week the kiddos both got nasty colds.  This was only the second time K has been sick and M's first bug so giving them the extra TLC they needed and spoiling them with extra cuddle time was a treat.  

M fell asleep on the floor (totally out of character).

Asleep, with the TV on and K playing around him.  Poor kid.

K - AKA "walking dead" interested in watching me wash the puke off her clothes - that was a day.

Things starting to get back to normal.

In addition to dealing with "the plague" and the storage unit projects, I have been working on our families 2011 photobook, completing a sewing project (quilt) that has taken much longer than I ever expected, and trying desperately to get our grocery spending down all while learning the ins and outs of a gluten free diet (we are just trying it).

Friday Harbor was hit with two impressive wind storms over the last few weeks.  I tried to film the noise of the big storm... but the movie did not come close to doing the actual effects of the storm justice.  We saw gusts up to 60 MPH.  There were times (in the middle of the night) that I watched the hatch above our bed and just waited for the dinghy to blow away.  Ma'alahi made it through unscathed.  I would much rather be aboard our boat than in a house surrounded by tall trees.

Busy Days

Things have been busy around Ma'alahi.

Last year, T and I started an involved membership application process for a well respected yacht club (off island).  I was contacted for an interview and had to make an unplanned trip off island late last week (with kids in tow).  Hopefully ::fingers crossed:: we will hear good news from the club soon (at which point I will happily talk further about the club and why we applied).  

I have also been decompressing from Miss K's second birthday party that we hosted at my in law's house - I will post photos soon.  I am so thankful that my in laws have offered their home to us so that we can entertain our friends without the hassles and hazards that would be involved with having people down to the boat (not to mention that Ma'alahi doesn't have a dining room table).  

We have been busy... but having a lot of fun too.  I am happy that we are staying put for a while.  It allows me to live in the moment with the kids.  

Miss K play inside her ducky blanket fort.

We are having fun.

Photo of the Week - Thank You God -

It is a beautiful day AND it is time to take some outgrown baby equipment off the boat!  Oh... the space!!  Things are looking up! 

Living Area = All Incluse Amusement Park

Baby equipment is a funny thing.  It (generally) takes up a lot of space.  But ... oh the SANITY that comes with it.  I thought it might be helpful to include a sequence of photos showing how our space changes throughout the day.

Open floor play time.

You can see the Pack n' Play, Bumbo (chair), and "high" chair stored (on the left settee). 

M in his Pack n' Play (where he sleeps at night).

During the day, M naps in the master stateroom in his blue bouncy chair (which he has basically outgrown).  I am waiting for his new tent to come in the mail (it will provide a consistent night and daytime sleep solution).  More to come on that soon.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

I have a request out to get an additional "high" chair for M - he has outgrown the Bumbo and can get out of it. 

Folding Jumper - Active Play.

I found the Baby Einstein folding jumper/activity center on Craigslist for $30.  It has been a great break (for me).  We store the jumper in the "cave" of the galley/pantry area when not in use.  It does not get in the way of the pantry cupboards. 

Jumper stored in "cave" (on left) when not in use.

I recently discovered this folding jumper/activity center (which I LOVE for our situation): 

Kidco Go-Pod

It is priced at $50 - how perfect for a family limited in space!?!

Child Proofing the Boat - baby gates -

We moved aboard Ma'alahi in May 2011 (when we came home from the hospital with newborn baby M).  We quickly realized that we would need something substantial to keep K from going up the companionway stairs.  The first gate we used was a tall tension gate intended for a dog.  Although this was effective, it was not at all comfortable (especially after just having a baby) to climb over nor was it practical to uninstall every time I needed to get through.

Tension gate - May 2011 (newborn baby M on the settee)

I found a not-as-tall gate, at walmart.com that is perfect for our situation.  It cost $40 including shipping.  The gate has a door that is easy (for T and I) to open and close, and is stable.

Walmart's "extra wide" Carlson Pet Products gate

I looked into purchasing this gate directly from the manufacturer's website (to avoid Walmart) and it was priced at $70+!?!  Walmart it is! 

I also looked into and was interested in retractable gates that would allow for more flexibility as far as blocking access to an odd shaped or larger area.

Manufacturer Photo from Retract-A-Gate (website)

Happy hunting! 

Finding a boat that is child friendly.

When we first started boat shopping, T and I had a very specific (although not at all child friendly) picture of what we wanted in a boat.  I could elaborate on all the things we thought we wanted... but I will keep it simple and highlight the features that we realized (thank God) we needed in order to functionally live aboard with kids.

1. Walk Through Stern - this has made our lives a lot easier.  We are able to easily step aboard the boat from the dock, take an additional step up into the cockpit (with full canvas covering), walk through the cockpit (past the folding table), and then step down into the cabin (via four STAIRS... not a steep ladder).  
   • A walk through stern is typically not considered to be a desirable feature for a "blue water boat" - We had to take a step back from wanting a perfect boat and figure out what works best for our family.  
   • In addition to having a baby and a toddler aboard, we have an 80 lb labrador with a bad leg.  I CAN.NOT. picture rolling the stroller up to a boat, going up slippery dock stairs with a baby/toddler/dog/groceries/stroller in tow, walking along the deck to the stern, climbing down into the cockpit AND.THEN. entering the cabin.   There are far to many opportunities to fall.  I am sure it is possible, but in reflection, I am SO.GLAD. that we have a walk through stern.  
2. Companionway Steps (STAIRS) -  We were very attracted to Ma'alahi because she has four stairs to get into the cabin.  We were initially attracted to this feature because we figured that we could train Buddy (our dog) to go up an down them (this has never happened).  I am constantly going up and down the stairs with kids, groceries, laundry, etc.  I am thankful that I am not carrying the kids up and down a steep ladder (like you see in a lot of center cockpit type boats).  
3. Design - We lucked out with our boat design.  There are a lot of things that I did not consider when we were boat shopping.  Ma'alahi has turned out to be perfectly functional for our family.  Here are a few things that I would know to consider now: 
• Confinement -  We are able to keep the kids away from the companionway stairs and galley with a single baby gate.  We were initially more focused on finding a way to keep K from climbing out of the boat without us knowing.  Although this is (obviously) important, I would highly recommend finding a way to block access to the galley area.  There is something about toddlers having access to a propane stove and the boat's electrical systems.... not a good thing. 
• Open Floor Space - Ma'alahi is a very beamy boat.  We were able to make a decent sized play space by removing the dining room table (it is in storage).  This has allowed the kids plenty of space to play. 

Every family has different needs and may be willing to sacrifice convenience and comfort for a boat that is known for being more "sea worthy".  A boat that is built for comfort at sea is typically not going to be comfortable for day to day living at dock. 

Thankfully, T and I were able to bring ourselves, and our dreams, back down to earth before we bought our boat.  We have no plans to sail over the horizon in the near future and are keeping our cruising plans flexible.  The truth is that we will be at the dock most of the time for the next few years.

Making Ma'alahi Home.

Our family recently has experienced a major quality-of-life-improvement aboard.  T and I had been talking about getting a rug in our "family area" ever since we purchased Ma'alahi.  I fell in love with a simple and affordable (think Black Friday deal) rug at Home Depot.  We received it as a Christmas gift from my in laws.  

After rug... everyone is happy!

The rug matches the upholstery nicely and has made the kid's play area more warm and comfortable for everyone.  M now has an area that he can practice sitting up (and falling down) as well as a space that he can learn to crawl (the floor is far to slippery for him).  

I was worried that I would need to keep a vacuum aboard (I even brought one down to the boat from the storage unit).  I have found that I can get the rug nice and clean with an aggressive sweep of the broom. 

I also explored the option of installing foam puzzle tiles (from a baby supply store).  Something to keep in mind if you are researching all options.  

I am, however, happy with our decision to go with the rug - I have dreams of entertaining in the (distant) future and would like to have the option to make our main living area look like a living room... not an amusement park. 

Before rug.

Photo of the Week - Good Morning! -

Clearly willing to let me sleep in...

This little critter can be so cute in the morning.  I typically bring M to bed when he wakes up for a feeding anytime after 5AM - I am usually able to get one to two hours of additional sleep ((PRICELESS)).

I can only dream of the day when he will sleep ALL.THE.WAY. through the night.  For now, he is a 22 pound baby that refuses solids. 

Infant Life Jackets Continued... Black Friday Steal!

M is six months old and getting SO.BIG.  He currently weighs in at 22 lbs (only 2 pounds less than his Big Sis K).  I had had just about enough of his Stearns jacket (see Infant Life Jackets): 

M laying down in the Stearns

M sitting up in the Stearns vest - AHHHH!!!

I promised myself that I would invest in a Salus life vest once M reached 20lbs.

Right after Thanksgiving, we were strolling by the marine supply store and, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a sign - "30% of EVERYTHING in the store" - we jumped on the offer and got vest for about $50. 

Look at all the neck room!

Handsome and happy in his new Salus jacket.

M laying down in the Salus vest.

So far, so good - totally worth the investment!  The Salus Nimbus is clearly well made and more comfortable to wear than any vests I have tried with the kiddos.  For additional information, you can visit the Salus website at www.salusmarine.com

Ma'alahi Tour - Guest Stateroom -

K's stateroom is a work in progress.  My experience (via online research) has been that the guest stateroom in the 42' Catalina is often referred to as "the garage".  We will be unable to have that mentality seeing that our plan is for M and K to share this room sometime in the future.

This room is tucked away in the aft starboard side of Ma'alahi (difficult to photograph).  It is equipped with a full size bed and has (relatively) generous clothing storage.  The guest stateroom has direct access to the guest bathroom.

This room was FULL of boat equipment when we took delivery of the boat.  There is still a lot of stuff (sails, cushions, etc) on the bed.   Please excuse the mess!

Entrance - looking starboard

Clothing Storage - three functional drawers (bottom "drawer" drops down for access to through holes)

Hanging Locker - lined with cedar and modified with cedar shelving

Looking directly stern - K's tent, miscellaneous equipment, and escape hatch (into cockpit)

K's Tent - see Sleeping Arrangements

Infant/Toddler Liveaboard Sleeping Arrangements

When we first purchased Ma'alahi (December, 2010), I had to scramble to find something for K to sleep in.  K was 11 months old when we had our first overnight trial run on the boat.  That first night, I had her, in a standard size pack n' play, in the main living area.  The pack n' play took up far too much floor space so I knew that it would not be a long term solution.  

Internet research, initially, was not of much help.  Google-ing "infant bed boat" "baby sleep boat" ... etc did not come up with any real functional ideas.  I wanted to find a solution that would work for a few years AND be functional when away from the dock.

I did have some success when I did an internet search for infant sleeping arrangements on RV's/Motorhomes.  Apparently, it is more "mainstream" to travel with young children on the road than it is on water.  

My research turned me on to a travel tent that is safety approved for newborn/toddler use - the KidCo PeaPod Plus (Model P204):  

PeaPod Plus P204 Infant/Child Bed

KidCo Website

We purchased this bed online for about $70 (I do not recall the exact price).  This is the "fully loaded" model that comes with an inflatable mattress that zips into the floor of the tent (from the outside).  The inflatable mattress appears to provide additional stability.  K's "house" is situated on the mattress in her stateroom. 

K is able to get out of the tent on her own (via the zipper door).

K - 21 months

This tent has been perfect for our situation.  Soon, K will transition to sleeping on the bed without the tent and M will likely move into the tent... which will then be moved into the main cabin area (at night time). 

 

When not in use, the tent folds up into a very manageable compact disk and is stored in a bag provided by the manufacturer.  (I don't see why anyone travels with a pack n' play when they can travel with these!)

Here is a good video demonstration of how the tent works (the model in the demonstration does not come with the inflatable mattress... same idea though). 

 

As for M, he is still sleeping in his inclined bouncy chair (due to acid reflux) in the main cabin area: 

M - back in July when it was warmer...

Looking into the future, our goal is to have both of the kids sleeping in the guest stateroom (tour to come).  We are exploring different customization ideas involving canvas walls and/or a bunk-type situation.  For now, the kids are far too young to safely sleep together and M is still waking up in the middle of the night to feed.  Time will tell...