Question...

What is the most hardcore/craziest/greatest life-altering thing you have ever done in your life? I was just wondering what is the answer to this question for me and I have definitely come up with my answer...

(Hint: Swinging in the tree is not it!) Yup, it's having a baby. Or in my situation a budding toddler who will not stop growing up, even though I asked her nicely not to; several times.

I've never bought a round-the-globe plane ticket, or gone skydiving, or dyed my hair a crazy color, or made an audition tape to be on a reality show. But I did become a parent and that is the most life-changing and important thing I've ever done in my life thus far. I can't believe that my little angel is almost one year old. To be honest, it's been the hardest year of my life too, and I will never forget that. I am impressed by moms who don't feel the same way. Never have I smiled so big and felt so tired all in the same moment, been so happy and so low. I have never been more proud of myself for rising to the occasion and following through with commitment. I've learned so much about myself through her; about patience and sacrifice. I am so blessed by this healthy child who fills my life so completely along with my awesome husband, family & friends.

What I did today, What I did Yesterday

What I did today:

7am-heard baby rousing. Fed her and went back to sleep until 9am.

10am-coffee hour. picked rosemary & thyme from garden and made focaccia dough in the KitchenAid Stand mixer. (My fav kitchen appliance) Put it in the fridge to 'retard' overnight...like my bread lingo?

10:45am-Helped Yann clean and seal up his sea trout he caught while kayak fishing this morning. He's an early riser which makes for a good fisherman. Dinner for next week in the freezer.

noon-Took Cam to a local farm for her 11 month birthday with daddy! Saw and petted goats, sheep, pigs, and lamas for her first time. Took Rascal dog, who got freaked out by the squaking geese and picked green beans out in the U-Pick It field. Bought corn, watermelon, and a honeydew melon grown on the farm.

4pm-Mall with Yannou and Cam to buy a new down comforter for our new Pottery Barn duvet. Ready for cooler weather; check! Also, bought Cam some cute new pj's on sale. Opened a Macy's credit card account...uh oh.

7pm-Sarasota Art Center for the Moving Ethos Modern Dance Company. Amazing show starring my two beautiful friends, Jessica and Keely.

8:45pm-late night trip to craft store to buy some things for making Cam's 1st birthday invites...one month countdown!

9:15pm-dinner at mom and dad's.

10:00pm-put Cam to bed way too late and then wrote this blog.

midnight-put myself to bed way too late...bed time!!

Cam's first farm visit for her 11 month b-day:

What I did yesterday:

9:30 am- hung out in bed drinking coffee with Yann, Cami and Rascal. Had a giggle fest and pet the dog.

10:00am-Got out of bed and checked garden. Mixed micro greens popping their cute little heads up. Radishes kicking butt, cilantro has begun to come up. Did a worm compost bin check and things look creepy, crawly in there. This is good.

10:15am-cooked eggs and apple cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast. Fed Cami and then took a shower and got dressed.

11am-Cami's down for her nap and Yann and I attack our filthy house and clean it top to bottom. Laundry, laundry, laundry, fold. Vacuum/mop/dust/do dishes!

1pm-running errands. Grocery shopping at Whole Foods and chatting with friends we bump into out front. Yann buys a case of wine from the wine shop. I buy a baby proofing/lock device that keeps curious babies out of the toliet because Cami now likes to splash around in the toliet bowl when we're not looking.

4pm-Push Cami in her swing that is hanging from the ceiling in our living room. Yes, we do have a playground swing installed inside our home.

5pm-Cami's sleeping again so Yann & I play ball in the yard with Rascal. We chase around Mopsy the cat and note how well our basil is growing.

8pm-Spaghetti Dinner over at my parents and singing and dancing with Cami. Dessert is leftovers of my mom's Coconut Birthday Cake I baked her. Happy 61st Birthday, Mom!

10pm-Baby's up way too late, in my bed crawling all over us and laughing as she drinks her last bottle of the day

11pm-I'm now up way too late typing this blog, wondering how it's possible that my baby turns 11 months tomorrow. All I can say is that time does fly when you're having fun and also that I love this little mamasita more than ever. I am so proud to be her momma; she's my tiny angel. Well, not so tiny anymore...

Happy Fall!

Current Events

Well, here is my update, peeps: Things are good; baby is not so much a baby anymore, but sprouting into quite the little toddler girl. She has had lots and lots of "firsts" lately. Bike ride on her baby seat with Papa (and the helmet makes her head look gigantic and adorable). Taking her first steps via a baby walker device. (Thank you plastic toys made in China)! And what else....hmmm...she really has got some beat. Anytime you sing anything, she goes nuts with the dancing and swaying. Then if you put some actual music on she really rocks it out. So, we've signed her up for a music class. Speaking of classes, this girl has a busier social life than me! She has her Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday classes, and in between we find time to chill out in the backyard by sitting on a shower curtain with the hose and toys. We started a small raised garden and also a worm bin (type of compost pile) that we are in the process of painting and making cute. Hope it doesn't turn into a 'cock-a-roach' infested science experiment! So, we hope to learn some basics about Florida gardening while also growing a little bit of herbs and lettuces for the kitchen.

I have been working part-time and I wish I could work a little more, but the economy is so darn slow right now! Come on FL tourist season! I used to hate all the visor wearing tourists, but now I realize how much our local economy needs them. So, all in all, although we don't blog much anymore, we are doing well. Waiting for this hot, hot summer to pass so I can rollerblade, while pushing the jogging stroller, with my dog running full speed ahead next to me. And husband cruising around on his bike somewhere in the mix. How is life treating you? I hope it's all good...xo

These series of pics below are entitled: "Newspaper Monster". The worms for our garden need some shredded newspaper for their bedding, so baby girl helped us shred and throw around. This is a great free, silly thing to do on a rainy afternoon with your best little buddy and husband. The dog even got buried and it was fun for all. PS-Did I tell you how much the baby harasses our pets? Because she really does maul them and they get annoyed with her, but they are so very patient.

Look at that Joker Smile...no joke.