H is for House

Knockin' Down Daddy's Blocks

Charlotte is learning to play and interact. She LOVES Peek-a-Boo, it gets a smile every time. We discovered on Sunday that she also likes to knock down a tower of blocks.

We were sitting on the floor of the living room with 100 or so toys spread out around us. Charlotte just woke up from a nap and was in a great mood. Judd started to build a tower with the blocks while singing his "Tower Building Song." (You won't find this song in any book, it exists only in his head).

Charlotte crawled over to the tower, swung her little arm and knocked it down.

Judd shouted, "OH NO!" in a high pitched voice. Charlotte looked at him, smiled, then let out a giggle. It was the cutest thing. I think he built a few hundred towers on Sunday morning.

Black Out <> Blow Out

Judd's parents came this weekend to watch Charlotte while we headed to the Alabama game. Judd's cousin, Andrea, went to the game with us. I had been looking forward to the game for weeks - I knew that there was going to be an electric atmosphere in Athens. UGA ranked 3, Alabama ranked 8. After watching the internet all week, we knew that it was going to be a black out. So, we dressed in black and headed to Athens.



We weren't planning to tailgate and got to Athens around 3. We headed over to Wild Wings and watched the Florida game. After the game we started to walk towards the bookstore through North Campus. I have NEVER seen North Campus look like it did on Saturday. I don't think I saw a blade of grass that wasn't covered by people, tents, tables, or kegs. There were people EVERYWHERE. Bands were playing, sorority girls in 6 inch red high heels were dancing, and frat boys were watching them dance - college tailgating at it's best. At that moment I wished that I were 10 years younger starting my college journey all over again.



I love to be in Athens. I had a wonderful college experience - one filled with great friends and memories. But, I especially love to be in Athens with Judd. Everywhere we walk I am reminded of times I walked there with him. When we pass the business school, I remember meeting him outside of different buildings between classes just to talk or steal a kiss. Walking downtown, I remember the many dates we had. When we pass the Chapel, I remember the wonderful day 6 years ago when he became my husband. Athens is the place we met and fell in love, I think it will always have a special place in our hearts for that reason.



As you may know by now, Georgia lost on Saturday night. It was actually pretty embarassing. I'm sure there won't be another black out in years. We got home around 1:30 am, then Charlotte got up about 5:45 am. So, it was a short night. It was worth it, though. We had a great time - it was especially nice to hang out with Andrea for the day. Hopefully after a rest this Saturday the Dawgs will be ready to kick some Volunteer tail on the 11th.

G is Georgia Bulldogs

Weekend in Review 9/19-9/21

I can never come up with good weekend post titles...so, I think I'll start a "Weekend in Review" series.

This past weekend was spent with Judd's family in Cordele, GA. Everyone was there, all of Judd's grandparents, his sister, brother-in-law, nieces, Aunt & Uncle. (We did miss Clayton & Anne Marie).

Every weekend that we spend down there always includes 2 things - pound cake on Friday night and pancakes on Saturday morning. It is tradition that Judd's mom always upholds. Charlotte had her first pancake on Saturday morning. She really liked the pieces that her daddy slipped her that had syrup on them. I know it won't be long until she is eating a stack of them like her cousins.

It was gorgeous weather on Saturday, so most of the day was spent at the dock.

Katie & Lilly did some fishing:

Charlotte hung out with her Grandmother Plymale and Aunt Emily:

And Jody went for a swim or two


Saturday night we had a Low Country Boil. It was delicious! Then we all watched the Dawgs kick some butt Saturday night.

It's been a while

I've been a bit of a blogger slacker lately...I apologize. I just haven't felt much like blogging this week, just needed a bloggy break.

Charlotte has been under the weather this week. Runny nose, cough, etc. If she has what I had, then the poor thing had a sore throat too. She has been a little extra clingy and cranky. I don't mind the clingy too much, espcially since I don't see her all day - but when you are trying to put mascara on with one hand, it can become a little much. She is still a cutie though.

We have had some car trouble this week. In fact BOTH cars were in the shop today for a grand total of $1200. Uggh. I went to start the wagon this morning and the battery was dead. I thought I had probably just left the lights on. I called VW Roadside assistance and someone came and jumped it. I got to daycare to drop Charlotte off and it wouldn't start again. So, after calling VW Roadside assistance again, someone came to jump it. I took it to Sears to get a new battery. Yesterday, I was driving home and smoke started coming from the hood of the Jeep. When it rains it pours. I shouldn't complain, we have the money to afford fixing the cars and now have two good cars again - we are fortunate.

I have also started a new photography class. I am learning a lot and hope to have some new techniques to display here. The assignment this week is panning and zoom bursts. We are off to the Davis' this weekend. I'm taking the camera with hopes to complete my assignment. Have a great weeked.

Here are some pics I took of Charlotte last week. My sister bought her this dress before she was born and I just LOVE it. Before she got too big for it, I wanted to take some pictures.

"Seriously Mom, what's with the bucket?"

F is for feet

E is for ear

One Year Ago Today...

I remember waking up that morning very nervous knowing that I had to wait until that afternoon to see the doctor. Judd met me at the doctor's office, we checked in, and then we were ushered back to the ultrasound room. After the ultrasound technician smeared some cold goo on my stomach, she moved the wand around. On the screen we could see our baby. This was our first ultrasound, the first chance we had to peek into the life of our child. Judd and I just looked at each other in awe. I'll never forget the look on his face - fear, love, and shock all in the same expression. A few seconds later she told us we were having a girl. We were thrilled.

The technician began to count the chambers of the heart, look at her brain, lungs and abdomen. When she was finished she said we had a baby that seemed to be developing normally. Judd and I both let out a big sigh of relief. She handed us our baby's ultrasound pictures - the first of many pictures.

What a difference a year can make. That same baby, the one floating around in my stomach, barely any fat on her bones, laid in my lap this morning. She now has plenty of fat on her bones. She still continues to grow and develop normally. The conception and birth of a healthy baby is truly a miraculous event. Judd and I are so thankful for the wonderful blessing we have in our life, our baby girl Charlotte.

A new place to explore

Once Charlotte and I finally made it up to PA this past weekend, we had a blast. Charlotte especially loved being the center of attention. She thought that it was great fun crawling around a new house. She even climbed a stair! I couldn't believe it.

Sally and Andrew came for the night Friday and stayed through the day Saturday. Mom, Sally, and I braved the remnants of Hannah and took Charlotte to Chocolate World Saturday afternoon.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

Should I submit this one to Coke?

Playing under the kitchen table.

My Poor Brain

I'm not sure what has happened to my brain, but it is not working like it once was.

Friday, I planned to fly up to my parent's house with Charlotte. I checked the flights and it seemed like the 1:20 pm flight would be a good one to try for. I rushed around all morning finishing my work, getting ready, getting packed etc. Finally I got in the car around 11:30 to pick up Charlotte from day care and head to the airport. A few minutes later Judd calls and asks if I am at the airport. I told him I was on my way to get Charlotte and then I would be on my way. He tells me that I'll never make the flight. This really confuses me because I feel like I will have plenty of time. He says the flight is at 12:15..I'll never make it. Huh? Turns out I had been reading the flight time incorrectly all day. So, after a miniature melt down (ok, large nervous breakdown), I calm down, get Charlotte and head home to wait for the 4 o'clock flight.

Charlotte and I arrive at the airport around 3:00 o'clock, check in and head to the counter to check my bag. The ticketing agent looks at my drivers license and tells me it is expired. WHAT? Yep, my drivers license had expired on my birthday. (And, yes, I did get something in the mail telling me this in June...it just got tossed on the counter and forgotten) So, I panic. I went to a TSA agent and asked what I could do. Then back to the ticket counter to see what they could do. Eventually I was marked as a person that needed "Special Screening" and made my flight. whew.

Since I'm working from home today, I thought it would be a great opportunity to go to the DMV and get my license renewed. I get ready and head to South Dekalb Mall. (which is a little frightening even at noon). I walk in and see that they are closed on Mondays. I would have known this if I had just paid attention to the website. My lunch break waisted.

When you are pregnant you become forgetful - at least I did. I just would chuckle and provide the excuse, "Well, I'm sharing my brain." I feel like I am getting worse, not better. I used to be a very organized and "with it" person, now I can't make it through a day without doing something dumb. When will this end? Or does it?

Registry Hint

To all of my preggo friends,

Save yourself the trouble an don't bother registering for toys. All you need are a couple of remotes and a set of keys and you can keep a 7 month old happy for hours. (note the large basket of toys in the background)

C & D

7 months

7 months...everyone tells you "they grow up so fast" - it is true.

We couldn't get little squirmy squirm to lay flat for the picture, so here is the 7 month photo. (At least she is touching the same blanket)

Stats: No official stats this month.

Unofficial Stats: adorable, funny, smiley!

In the 7th month she:

• began to crawl
• is pulling up onto her knees and feet.
• started 5 day/week daycare
• is eating 3 meals a day
• spent a weekend by herself with her grandparents