Wrong Side of the Bed

Most mornings MJ wakes up refreshed, all smiles, sporting a terrific hairdo and ready to conquer the world one diaper at a time. Meanwhile, I'm trying to blink my dry contacts into focus, that I once again did not take out the night before, whimpering "no not yet, five more minutes" under my breath. Of course, all of you Mamas know these "alarm clocks" don't come with snooze buttons or an off button for that matter. However, I have to sheepishly admit one focused look at her sweet smile and bright, raring to go eyes wakes me like no alarm clock can.

NOT THE CASE THIS AM!! Whew, Cranky Pants!!

I tried to kill two birds with one stone (eesh horrible analogy, who really tries to kill two birds with one stone anyway) in the early morning sunshine by watering and weeding our plants on the back porch, in hopes that it would cheer my little girl up as it often does me. However, the frustration of Mama constantly pulling her hand away from allowing several dirt tastings, sent her into such a tizzy that Uncle Jordie and Auntie Tanya came over from next door to see what all the fuss was about! They came bearing gifts too.......a glitter globe of downtown Miami! (yeah I scratched my head too) Nothing like Miami to shakes things up a bit........this city and it's flamingos got my little girl to pull it together better than Mama's boring "one with nature" ways. Thanks for coming to the rescue neighbors!

I think the heat is taking a toll on this one Mama.

and this one.......

eesh and this one.



Tizzy soon ensues after this one.




Mama was kinda hoping you'd be a New Yorker.

Thankfully, tomorrow is another blessed day. As a matter of fact, a very blessed day. Tomorrow, we are having a blessing ceremony for my precious little gift. Though I say it, and think it a thousand times a day it is important to me to officially honor those who had a hand in gracing me with my little bandaid. I look forward to sharing.........

Gatlinburg, TN! Check!

We had a girls trip to Gatlinburg, TN last week. Auntie Tanya got to tag along with us! Woo Hoo! Jeremiah's Mom (Nana) and family were vacationing there, so we crashed their party and spent some quality time. I've had some weeks fly by in my life, but let me tell you I think this one was one of the fastest. You know what they say though.....Time flies when your having fun!!

MJ is a pro at unpacking......clothes, toys, cabinets, drawers, closets.

We went hiking one afternoon and came upon this awesome creek.

I think Miah could have stayed here all afternoon.

Just as waves do in Florida, the water rushing over theses rocks had her captivated.

She just had to dip her feet in.

Very adventurous. Great sign. I love it.

I think.

Go ahead, try to take her from Auntie Tanya's arms I dare you!

(nope, she's not flexing)

More fun in the water!

She always quietly processes.

Survey says.......likie!

Why is everyone we know floating away?

HEY!! NANA!!

We sing everywhere we go.....

Most of the time it ends in a nap.

The lazy river did what it does best.

We got lots of snuggle time in with Nana.

Yet, it will never be enough.
We love you very much and thank you for a memorable week!

Oh and of course we had to succumb to one tourist trap during our visit.

These staged old western saloon studios are on every corner in Gatlinburg.

I mean come on.....how could Mama resist a fun photo!!

Priceless.

Charlie Marchant Ritchey

Our friends, the Ritchey's, added a new member to their family this month!! We were invited to Charlie Marchant Ritchey's Welcome to the World party last Saturday night. Of course, my date for the evening, my boo, Miss MJ. We had a wonderful time mingling with some of our favorite friends. We were so happy to be a part of such a wonderful occasion. You have a kick ass set of parents Charlie!! Your brother is pretty awesome too!! Ah, but you will figure that out soon enough my little love.

MJ, Mama Ritchey, and Papa Ritchey with the guest of honor.

Thank you Ritchey's, Wayne's, and Dudley's for always being so wonderful to us.

We love you and can't wait for all the fun yet to come.

One of our top ten favorite people Mama Brewer!

She got the party started for us that night with balloons and bread crusts.


Kelly, you always know how to have fun.
Rock on Sista!


Why with the camera when I'm eating? Why?

My kind of girl's night out.

The end to a great weekend and beginning to an adventurous week! MJ, Auntie Tanya, and Mama are off to Gatlinburg, TN to meet up with NANA (Jeremiah's Mom), Aunt Anna (Jeremiah's younger sister) and cousins for the week!! Details of our trip to be posted soon.......

A Little Bit Country & A Lot of Rock N' Roll

This past weekend was full of fun! Aunt Leah (Jeremiah's oldest sister) and Cousin Laura kicked it off for us with an afternoon splashing around at the Vineyards Community Park fountains. I don't know how we got so lucky, but the weather was delightful and we timed getting there perfectly too, missing the summer camp crowd! Our friend the Sun was shining hard on us, but there was a wonderful breeze keeping the air comfortable to do some serious playing! Once we got a good soaking we hit the swings and Laura tackled the monkey bars. We worked up terrific appetites and stopped at the store for fried chicken and watermelon. Mmmmmm! Thank you Aunt Leah and Cousin Laura for a storybook summer afternoon.

Let's get closer Aunt Leah!

Show me the ropes Cuz!


Splishy, splashy.

Jumpy, jumpy....all I want to do is jumpy!

MJ has stayed true to her inner hillbilly and continues to use an upside down laundry basket as her preferred form of transportation around the house. Along with her inner hillbilly she rocks out Mama's heart with her Pearl Jam "stickman" onsie. Little does she know how many, many times her Mama and Daddy drove all over creation to see this band. Many of my favorite memories involve a weekend of east coast surfing by day, Pearl Jam show by night (Jeremiah's doing the surfing by the way....I sit up on the beach and watch like a high school girl with a crush). Those road trips were the best. One of many things that won't be the same without you my love and fellow Pearl Jam fan.

No help from anyone any more to get around. She's got it under control.

Now, all you prim and propers out there bare with me. This is not meant to insult or be vulgar.

She would not be our child if she didn't have a little bad ass in her.
This is a reference to a Pearl Jam song called I Got Id.

My lips are shaking my nails are bit off.

Been a month since I heard myself talk.

All the advantage this life's got on me.

Picture a coffin in the middle of the sea.

And I fight back in my mind. Never let's me be right.

I got memories. I got shit so much it don't show.

Oh, I walked alive when you held me in that night.

Oh, I walked alive when you held my hand that night.

An empty shell seems so easy to crack.

Got all these questions don't know who I can even ask.

So I'll just lie alone and wait for the dream where I'm not ugly and you're looking at me.

And I stay in bed. Oh little I've seen there.

If just once I could feel loved, Oh stare back at me. Yeah.

Oh, I walked alive when you held me in that night.

Oh, I walked alive when you held my hand that night.

Oh, I walked alive when you held me in that night.

Oh, I walked alive when you held my hand that night.

I paid the price. Never held you in real life.

My lips are shaking......

Ok sorry about that. I had to give you the frame of reference.

Back to MJ......

We are trying a lot of different finger foods. We gave steamed broccoli a go this afternoon.

You tell me how you think that went after this stream of pictures.....

Yep. It went that good.

Raspberries?

Ah....much better Mama!

One of her many daily rounds is playing in the drapes.

Ha! There it is again! Love it!!

There is something so sweet and delicate about this every time I watch it.

Shadow and light can be the best dance partners.

Oh yes and Little Miss Thing doesn't need Mama to hold her bottle any more!!

Sorry.......couldn't help it. I just had to get one more.

My new fellow Pearl Jam fan in the making.

More from this past weekend to come......

Charlie Marchant Ritchey's Welcome to the World Party!

Headed to Gatlinburg, TN!