Baby Buddies

Stop by Greta's blog for a few pictures of our tiny baby buddies. That's our girl on the right. They are so dern cute!

Blog Soup

I'm no Joel McHale (one of the funniest people on television), but I have a few comments on summer TV.

First we start with the best and brightest:

You know I have love for The Bachelor, but my love for The Bachelorette is even greater. If you've missed this season with bachelor Brad's reject Deanna, you've definitely missed some juicy reality TV. So far, I think she's made great choices - specifically letting Graham go - what a loser. That whole brooding, unavailable thing lost it's appeal to me very early on. I thought she was going to fall for it, but I'm happy in the end she's ended up with two seemingly devoted bachelors - single dad Jason, and professional snow boarder, Jesse. I like both of these guys for different reasons, although I have to admit Jason is probably the sweetest, most sensitive and attentive guy since Ryan. (um, who knew he had his own website?!?) Gotta love that. Jesse has grown on me, because he seems like such a genuine guy, but I still question whether their lifestyles are compatible. Can't wait to see who she picks...right now, my prediction is Jason.

And on to most fascinating (for me anyway):

Sasha, Baby">

The Baby Borrowers. I can't quite understand what parents would be willing to hand over their babies to teenagers for 3 days, but it definitely made for interesting television. This show has received mixed reviews, but I thought it gave the kids a realistic glimpse into adult life with the pressures of marriage, jobs, and children. I honestly felt for them as the struggled to figure out how to comfort crying babies, deal with the lack of sleep and the stress of wanting to do everything right. That is what all new parents go through, but I certainly can't imagine how terribly I would've handled it as an 18-year-old. Yikes! I shudder to think. These kids will spend 3 days/nights with babies, toddlers, children, teenagers, and elderly people. Should be interesting...

Most ridiculous:

A tie between...

Wipeout. An ridiculously difficult obstacle course people attempt to conquer accompanied by ridiculous narration that insults all of our intelligence. From what I can tell, this show has a pretty large audience, so I guess we all welcome a little silly humor from time to time.

Celebrity Circus. The first cousin of the somewhat ancient Circus of the Stars, this show invites B or D-list celebrities to "join the circus" - a last ditch effort to revive careers or keep riding the reality TV wave. Maybe they're living out a childhood dream of becoming carnies? I did see that Christopher Knight, also known as Bobby Brady, also known as the other half of reality duo "My Fair Brady" with Adrienne Curry - a completely ridiculous former winner of America's Next Top Model - had to bow out last night due to a broken arm. That's dedication.

Most disgusting:

This show receives no linkage, because it doesn't deserve it, but I do have to mention that I've officially turned off MTV for good due to the show A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila. (I probably should have turned it off long ago, but that's neither here nor there) It's hard to believe such a disgusting spectacle can even air during daytime hours. It scares me to think how many young - very young - people might be watching something that represents a completely morally careless and confusing existence. I honestly don't even say that out of judgment. I just think it's sad.

Anywho, summertime makes me really thankful for Netflix. The TV wasteland is more wasteful than usual, but there are still good movies to be watched! Most recent Netflix deliveries to our house A Mighty Heart (Angelina) and There Will Be Blood (DDL), both good but depressing. Still, I recommend!

Happy Thursday to all...the long weekend is here!

Back from the Beach

Outside the Red Bar, MCM's new favorite place. She probably would've stayed all night if we let her.

We're all looking at the camera at the same time - amazing!

Experiencing her feet in the sand for the first time!

She likes the beach! Hooray!

She mostly enjoyed watching the waves come up. She just stared at it and laughed!

We're back from the beach. It was SO nice to be on vacation, to have Leland around during the day, to not have any household responsibilities to attend to...I am a beach person through and through. Honestly for me, there's no point in going on vacation unless there is beach involved. This trip was a good introduction to beaching with a baby. It's definitely different - so much fun, because every time your child experiences something new, it's like you get to experience it again for the first time. But it's also challenging, because even vacation is not about you anymore. Your focus remains on your child - as it should be - it's just a little jarring to the old you who was used to doing whatever you wanted whenever you wanted - especially on vacation.

As for MCM's reaction? She loved being outdoors, and she liked the water. The sand? Not so much. As long as one of us could walk her up and down the shore, she was happy. The rest of the time one of us would hold her and read books, feed her, play with her, anything to keep her entertained.

In reality, entertaining a 1-year-old on the beach does not leave a parent much time for relaxation. Thus, MCM didn't log quite as much time on the beach as we did. Fortunately, there happened to be a number of soccer games on television over the weekend, which meant that Leland was content to be inside in the afternoon while MCM napped, and I was able to spend a little extra time at the beach. Precious moments, I tell you, especially because we were visited by quite a bit of rain over the weekend as well.

We think MCM had the most fun going out to dinner at night and seeing other children running around. She is the friendliest baby! I literally have to hold her hands down, because when we walk through crowds she reaches out and touches everyone she can. She waves at every single person, and is never happier than when someone stops to say hello and really pay attention to her. She is such a little charmer!

Anyway, it was a good trip. Now MCM is getting her beauty sleep, and I need to run and get ready for the day. We have a meeting at 11:00 to make design decisions for our NEW HOUSE! More on that later...

A meme for your Wednesday enjoyment

I was tagged by Emily, so I thought I'd get on with it while taking a break from packing/cleaning. Here goes:

1. WHAT DID YOU DO 10 YEARS AGO?

Well, I was 18. I had just graduated from high school and was having a great summer spending as much time with my high school friends as possible before heading off to Samford. I think my summer consisted of church trip after church trip - PCB '98, Heartsong tour (if you know what that is, you really know me!), Bootcamp, S.O.S., and Samford orientation (where apparently my husband spotted me for the very first time dancing in the food court!). Good old times.

2. FIVE ITEMS ON YOUR TO-DO LIST TODAY:

• get MCM and I packed and ready before L comes home
  
• clean out refridgerator and pack food for beach
  
• go to Wal-mart (one of my most hated activities)
• go to Babies-R-Us
• head to the beach!

3. SNACKS I ENJOY:

Fruit, Kashi Bars (trail mix is my fav), cookies, chips and salsa

4. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE A BILLIONAIRE?

Pay off everyone's school loans in my family. Buy my parents a house in Birmingham and let them both retire. Have lots of babies and send them to college wherever they want to go. Have a permanent residence at the beach. Take all the college classes I want to take and maybe get a couple other degrees just for fun. Give the rest away!

And next, I'll tag Kelly and Greta!

If you have been tagged recently and you don’t wish to join in on the fun, please don’t feel obligated! Here Are the Rules: Answer the following questions about yourself. At the end of the post you pass on the questions to some other bloggers and list their names. Then write them a comment telling them that they’ve been tagged and ask them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know that you’ve accepted the challenge and refer to your post.

From the redneck beach to the real beach...

Wow, Splash Beach is SO much fun! MCM had a blast, and I'm happy to confirm that she is a total water baby. (Unfortunately, I brought my small camera, which turned out to be completely out of batteries! Next time I will do better.)

For those of you who haven't been, the section devoted to toddlers is complete with bucket swings, small slides that Moms can take baby down, sprinklers, a playground, and more! I was so worried that she would get sunburned - if you've noticed, we tend to be on the snow white side in our family - so I slathered on the sunblock. Happily she came away with nothing more than a teensy bit of color. Great news, considering she wanted to spend the WHOLE time in the pool. I could only keep her in the shade long enough to refuel with a bit of food. Then, back we went to splash around. We even floated down the lazy river, which MCM liked as long as I held her. She's still not much for flotation devices. Anyway, I highly recommend. We decided to purchase a season pass, so we'll be going back very soon if anyone wants to join us!

In other news, we are heading to the real beach tonight. I can't wait to see the look on MCM's face when she sees the ocean for the first time! If anyone has suggestions for entertaining a 1-year-old at the beach, please send them my way! The most important thing on my list is keeping her out of the sun, so I'm thinking large umbrellas or maybe even one of those big tent contraptions?

I should be packing, not blogging, so off I go. My to-do list is very long today.

Just for fun, here are a few more birthday pictures:

The cakes! Yum!

Collin showing MCM her balloons and cake.

Her feet got a little to close...if you look closely, you can see where her toes got a little taste of icing.

She got a little sad, because we were all laughing about it.

All better after we sang Happy Birthday and blew out the candles!

Makin' a Splash...

Today I'm taking MCM to Splash Beach. Yes, a water park. My friend Greta assures me that they have a section entirely appropriate for toddlers. Promise I won't be taking her down any slides! I may be a total glutton for punishment, but wish us luck!

525,600 Minutes

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes

How do you measure, measure a year?

You know the song. I hesitate to quote it, because of the cheese factor, but what can I say? I'm cheesy.









I spent too much time today trying to do the obligatory birthday post with pictures. Yes, we had a party, and it was great. It made me feel happy and proud of everything that has happened in the past year...proud of my little girl and proud of myself. This has been a tough year. If any particular experience captures the essence of the quote from which I derive the name of this blog, it would be the set of experiences that made up the past year. So much has happened. Too many things to share on a blog, probably more things than I can even remember, process or realize.

Leland and I had a child, and she changed us completely. She is still changing us. I look at pictures of myself before this year, and I wonder what that girl was thinking. I can't remember what she thought about or what was important to her, because so much of that has changed. I know that she was very inexperienced, immature, irresponsible, and selfish. I know she did not want to be put out too much for the sake of others. I know that even after 4 years of marriage she did not learn to put someone else first. It took a baby to teach her that.

Maybe having a child doesn't rock everyone's world this much. I know each person's experience and circumstances are unique. This is just my story, and I have a long way to go.

What I want to say is how much I cherish each moment of this year. They say you forget how difficult the beginning is with a baby, but I have not forgotten. I look back on those newborn days with fear and trepidation. I am grateful for the part where things started getting easier for both of us. I am in awe of the blessing and the impact such a short and small life can have. My prayer is that in God's mercy He will continue to open my heart to love my child, to do what's best for her, to protect her and guide her and raise her with a heart that is open to Him.

I deeply desire to love MCM more this year than last. I am thankful for her life and realize what a precious gift it is. There are no words that could accurately explain to her how deeply she is loved or how my heart would break to lose her. I am simply grateful to be her mother for another year.

1st Birthday

What a weekend! Our whole family came in town to celebrate MCM's 1st year! We had three separate sets of house guests and such a fun party at Kelly and BT's house. MCM had a blast and completely exhausted herself with fun. She has certainly missed the attention of her doting grandparents! Of course, her aunts and uncles and their respective pets were pretty entertaining too!

I had over 200 pictures from the weekend, so many that my computer almost wouldn't upload them all. I've been trying to add more pictures to this blog, but now I'm having trouble with Blogger. Argh! These will have to do for now. Tomorrow I'll try to add more.

I'm still recovering from the weekend, and so is MCM. We topped it off this morning with her 12-month visit to the doctor. She got 4 shots and cried her eyes out. She's so smart now...as soon as she sees the examining table she knows what's about to happen. She spends the whole appointment in fear of the inevitable. To make up for the morning, we tried to have a slow day with a lot of playing and snuggling. Then this afternoon I noticed one of the little band-aids on her legs from the shots had fallen off. While I was feeding her dinner she started to gag, which is not entirely uncommon. When it didn't stop, I opened her mouth wide to see the missing band-aid stuck in the back of her throat. I fished it out, but it terrified MCM, who could barely calm down afterward. I pretty much knew it was time to call it a day at that point, and I hope tomorrow she'll find herself fully recovered. Actually, that goes for both of us.

Honestly, the least awkward picture of the three of us I could find. Sad, huh?

"What is this strange substance you call cake?"

Refuses to dive into the cake, because that would be messy. Prefers to be served by Mommy.

So begins the sugar high...

She demanded more.

Entering sugar coma.

Sleeping it off.

Photo Friday

These hanging blinds come "free" with the apartment. A perk? Hardly. But they are very entertaining for a baby.

Yesterday I took a Shower in the Dark.

This week technology and I (grammar courtesy of Whitney) are like oil and water.

Our power was out yesterday for several hours in the morning and afternoon (hence no light in the shower). Strange, considering it was a clear and beautiful day outside, no cyclones or heavy winds could have caused the outage. I decided to view this as an excuse to avoid all household responsibilities - laundry, washing dishes, vacuuming. It helps to look on the bright side, you know.

Meanwhile, my laptop battery is dying a slow death. This is both tragic and unacceptable considering the amount of time I am known to spend with the laptop in it's rightful place - my lap. I thought I could revive it by purchasing a new charger. The old charger was slightly mangled and had small wires poking out all over the place. Unfortunately, the new one ($79.00!) has not been able to revive the sad battery. Even now, charger plugged in, the battery just can't seem to get more than 20% power. I don't understand this. Why can't my computer just work when I want it to work?

If you're good at putting 2 and 2 together, you will deduce that since my power was out for most of the day, I was also banned from computer access due to the ailing battery. Again, that is unacceptable in my world.

And finally, my driver's side seatbelt is declining to work properly after I accidently spilled a bit of Dr. Pepper on it the other day. It is stuck in a strange position that forces me to man-handle it furiously every time I get in my hot car. (After man-handling MCM's car seat buckle which I can't ever seem to fasten gracefully.)

These are just a few silly tidbits - annoyances that could creep up on anyone at any time. But sometimes all it takes are the little things...things like not being able to find the shampoo bottle in a dark shower...they can set the tone for the day.

So, yesterday technology got the best of me, but not today. It's 48 hours until MCM's birthday party, so I've got to figure out a few things and get myself together. We're having the whole fam in town to celebrate, but it's really going to be all about MCM having a fun day with the people who love her most. I plan to take a million pictures, so get excited!