Theme song

What's your theme song for life? 

I always have a theme song ... even my photo business has one! 

http://trudeauphotography.net/theme-song-launch-party/

High dives and low depths!

This weekend was all about high and lows- literally! 

First the low's: we went spelunking 16 stories underground! Out in the valleys, we traveled to Howe's Caverns ( http://howecaverns.com/) It was surreal with creeks, colored stalagmites, and my favorite part: a boat ride! Yes, a boat on a river 160 feet underground! Baby seemed to enjoy it in the Moby wrap! We got some great photos. We touched a glowing heart for luck and love. It was a whitish stone that glowed red. The put a red lightbulb under the rock to show the luminosity of the rock... imagine a light shining through feet of rock!! We went through the winding tunnels. Ari got a crazy, koosh-haired monkey that we named Cav, after the caves haha. Then, we had dinner at a seafood restaurant. That's proof alone the hubster loves me! 

Sunday was all about the heights: the high dive! I conquered my fear thanks to the hubster, who of course went first. Thanks babe! I was so scared the first time- my heart was beating so fast! Free- falling was fun but scary. The most terrifying part is standing on the edge of the board, looking down.... Knowing its 10(?) feet til the top of the water and the 13 feet til the pool floor! That's 23 feet!! Ahhh!! Anyway, fear- conquered! 

Other highlights from the pool:

1. Dana running down the board and bruising his foot while falling (not jumping.....but falling) into the pool. Mysteriously, Dana does not remember even running. Hilarity ensued.

2. Me. Trying to dive without holding my nose. Results: flailing limbs, poor posture , chest flop, laughing under water. Hilarity ensued. Good thing I wasn't trying to play it cool!  

My adventure buddy is the best. No one "dives" into life quite like the Trudy's!!! 

Oh and we ended the weekend with the rare sighting the elusive half-baby half-sock puppet! 

Parenting 101

You learn a lot during your first year as a parent. Like how to change a diaper on the trunk of your car. Or how to clean up projectile fluids off a wall. Or how to soothe a crying overtired baby. Or how a certain baby likes to cuddle at night. 

Also you learn not to set your high chair tray on the stove top that hasn't finished cooling off.... You know, just those everyday parenting things.

Sunday morning

Nap time on a lazy Sunday. Perhaps we'll hit up the kiddie pool after nap time :)

Lake George

Sunday was spent in the sun at Lake George. We jumped off the dock, ate tuna sandwiches on the beach and made sand castles. Little man fell asleep in my arms as we bobbed in the water. 

When we came home, I made strawberry rhubarb pie.

Life. Ahh sweet life!

Laughter is the best medicine

....and this little guy makes me laugh so much!!

3rd anniversary

On our anniversary, we slept in ... Since we had arrived home at 4:30 am from our baltimore /DC trip! We had a relaxing day playing with our baby. Then we got dressed up and went to PF Changs for dinner. Then... Bella Napoli for dessert and home to watch our current obsession: Once Upon a Time. Perfect day spending time with my lovelies.

Birthday boy

On our sweet boy's birthday, we went to Nosh with Memaw and Pepop. Then we went to get ice cream. After the grandparents left, we took him to the park ;) Then we strolled around the mall. Perfect day with my perfect boy. What a happy blessing he is ;) 

Throwback Thursday

Nothing says "throwback" for me quite like a good old boy band tune.... Especially this one.... 

http://youtu.be/vUmT07bPfl8

I had the best childhood ever! 

Letters: Day 15 and 16

The next two letters are for the same people:

Day 15) The person you miss the most
Day 16) Someone that's not in your state/country

You 3 made me who I am and I love you! 

Letter Day 14: Someone you've drifted away from

It's been awhile since I've done one of my letters! 

Day 14: Someone you've drifted away from

Dear _______, 

I know why we drifted apart, and I know it's mostly my fault. But here's the truth.... I didn't let go soon enough. Yes, I thought we were awesome, but if you really liked me, you would've acted first. So I moved on and that's why we drifted apart. I don't regret it because I made the best decision of my life after that! So thanks for not making me all tied up! 

Thursday Morning inspiration

Waking up next to this guy is one of my favorite things ever! 

“Sometimes when you pick up your child you can feel the map of your own bones beneath your hands, or smell the scent of your skin in the nape of his neck. This is the most extraordinary thing about motherhood - finding a piece of yourself separate and apart that all the same you could not live without.” 

― Jodi Picoult, Perfect Match

Instant cheer

Just watch this and you will instantly be cheery.... Guaranteed to work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5XL1MBWcHQ

Little helpers

Today my sweet baby decided that I needed help pushing the cart. We walked really slow, but it was nice to enjoy the store on his terms- what could have been merely just an "errand" became opportunity for him to explore and have fun. It's all about taking time to the roses - both the real ones and the metaphorical ones!

Lesson #7

Life is. It is the way it is. It is beautiful, messy, tangled, lovely, and glorious.

The Mommy List

I've become that mommy. You know the one. That one. The one who other moms say, "She's such a mom."  Oh well. I don't care. No, scratch that. I DO care. I'm proud of who I am and I wear my mommy badge proudly. It's been a long road to be able to do my dream job, which in fact is being a SAHM (stay at home mom). Most people say that it's old fashioned or impossible or impractical. But, it's so natural to me. I tried to do the 9-5 thing, but my heart wasn't in it. I've wanted this dream job of mine since I was a little girl watching princess movies and stuffing balloons under my shirt. So yeah, it's been a long time coming, and no, I'm not old-fashioned or lazy. It's just natural for me and the perfect job.

Like any job, though, you have to get seasoned by the job before you feel like you really know what you're doing. So I've made a "bucket list" of sorts - the "You know you're a mom when...." list. If nothing else, it should be hilarious for you.

This is going to be a gross list. A funny list. A true list. One pet-peeve I had when I was pregnant was when other mothers would sugar coat things. I don't want the "dolled-up story"; I want the cold hard truth...because let's face it, the truth is pretty much the best thing out there. 

The "I know I'm a Mom when...." List
1. Eat something that has previously been semi-chewed by said baby (I mean, where else is that half-eaten cookie going to go when Baby decides that he no longer wants it....and you're in church?)
2. I no longer need to hold my breath during poop diaper changes
3. I hate bugs.... and will go out of my way to have someone else kill them. But when a bug is on Baby, I don't hesitate a second to touch bug and save Baby.
4. I do not feel that Baby is properly suited up for the sun until there is so much suncreen on him that he is pasty white
5. I don't really mind that the all-night buffet is Baby's favorite restaurant ... I like the cuddles
6. A shower is a luxury...
7. A lingering meal is a luxury...
8. I can carry in the groceries, Baby, and diaper bag all in one trip
9. I enjoy grocery shopping
10. but that laundry thing however....
11.

Oops, Baby's calling... guess that's all the Mommy time for today! :)

A Quick Update

Yes, I have become swallowed up by busy-ness and I've neglected my poor little blog! Poor blog!

But I can tell you a lot has changed from my last post in September.

So here's the quick update:

1. We've moved.... PTL! We've left the 'swamp house" as my mother has dubbed it. It was haunted. Plain and simple. I KNOW it was haunted and no one will convince me otherwise. Maybe I'll make a post about that some other time.
2. Our photo business is finally getting it's much-needed foundation laid. I can't wait for it to be in full swing!
3. Baby can now walk! He's almost one year old... How one year has flown by, I'll never know.
4. Overall, I'm much happier now.It just seems so right to be at home with baby, working on a family business. My whole life I've always wondered what my purpose is. I tried to do the whole "professional" thing, with a 9-5 desk job...but my heart just wasn't in it. I know myself and that was just one of those crossroads/gut feeling things where I knew I was just made for a SAHM.

I promise not to let me little blog fall behind this bad!