How to eat a tomato

 It is hard to ignore the deliciousness of summer even when temperatures climb to a mind-numbing degree. So, when I am so fortunate as to come into possession of one of Georgia's prize vegetables (or fruits...whatever), tomatoes, I'm eager to eat one. I first take them home and neatly line them up on my kitchen counter to marvel at their bright red beauty. I. Love. Tomatoes.
Then I quietly (and quickly) give thanks as I slice up a tomato. But something's not right. I'm not alone. This time, as I sit with my fork and knife to taste summer's yumminess, I'm stopped by a little person who quietly (and quickly) slides my plate towards himself and gives me a new lesson in eating a tomato.

1. In order to properly survey which tomato slice to eat first, you must get above the red slices. This is easily done by standing up in your chair (whilst momma holds you in place, of course).

2. After surveying commit to a tomato slice and take a BIG bite, thus getting all the juicy goodness.

3. Man, that was a BIG bite!

4. After going through and taking a BIG bite from each and every slice, sit and survey the carnage. Oh, and pat yourself on the back for successfully claiming momma's tomato as your own.

5. Then gingerly pick through whatever tomato slices are left.

Are those good tomatoes, son? 

Yes, they are momma!

 Our little tomato thief. 

Three lines

Okay, so I will confess this post is waaaay overdue and has been in "draft form" for well over a month now. What can I say but, "we'z been busy." Anywho, if you can indulge me and let's pretend it's the end of December so the rest of this post will make sense. So, without further ado, here "it" is:

The Christmas Rush

Oh how things have changed for us and just in the past year!
Instead of days consumed with learning to care for a newborn at a somewhat slow and relaxed pace, we spent this Christmas season rushing around juggling naptimes, feeding schedules, family, church, un-wrapping presents or rather begging Mac to unwrap at least one present, and chasing our little man around making sure he doesn't eat all the shiny paper/ribbon/bows.
It was festive and fast and we loved every minute of it, so let's get to it!

Morning Routine and Squirrels

While our cat runs from window to window throwing threatening glances at the squirrels, Mac is hot on his furry little heels. Mac loves it when the cat perches on his carpeted "throne" swishing that fluffy, soft tail back and forth tickling Mac's face. Then of course he sees the camera and it's all over. In all of his babbling you can almost here Mac say, "Gimme, momma!" Listen.
P.S. This video was shot with my new Flip Video. Love it!

The first rule of Fight Club

So, before you call DFCS on me know that this creative workings of PhotoShop. Mac came home Wednesday having come into contact with the wrong end of a cardboard box and Matt got inspired. This was the result.

Even with a "beat up face" he is still so cute! 

More of Mac's birthday party

I think Scrubs said it best:

Turk: What comes before Part-B?
J.D.: PART-aaaaaaayyyyyy!

 Not sure exactly what is happening here, but I think someone is trying to get a hug.

The Mustache Bash

We celebrated Mac's first birthday with friends and family this past weekend. It was a blessing to have those who love Mac surround him with smiles, love and of course wonderful gifts. I think a good time was had by all. 

 The Birthday Boy posing for a quick second for his birthday week 

photo shoot before trying to dive headfirst off the bed. 

One more thing...

Here are a few more pics of our little man at 11months.

Almost there!

I cannot believe Mac's first year is almost over. When people say "time flies once you have kids," believe them. Mac has gone from being this tiny helpless (and adorable) baby who was so uncoordinated and could do nothing really, to this little toddler-man who scoots, crawls, babbles, laughs, pulls up on everything and generally is looking for what he can get into and explore next. All in the space of one year! He keeps me laughing and I couldn't be happier with the role of being his mother. Well, I gotta go get this boy before he eats anymore junk off the floor. I seriously need to clean.
Here are his 11 month pictures (I am still shocked his next ones will be 1st year pictures!), as well as a few others for funsies.

The coat is courtesy of a sweet friend from work. Thank you, Tammi, I love it! 

Pumpkins, Apples and Friends

Summer has flown by leading us right into a gorgeous fall. Last week we were able to escape to the mountains of North Georgia with some lovely friends. I am so thankful for this little blog, because I love sharing pictures like these. Hope you enjoy!

Daddy and son. 

Safe Harbor

“The roar of the sea may be joyous to a rejoicing spirit, but to the son of sorrow the wide, wide ocean is even more forlorn than the wide, wide world. This is not our rest and the restless billows tell us so.” –C.H. Spurgeon

Rub-a-dub-dub

I may be running out of ideas for Mac's monthly "photoshoot," but this one seems appropriate given the recent deluge of rain we are getting lately. Nine months and I want to pause time. This thought hit me when I noticed he had two little teeth poking through a couple of weeks ago. This thought was also reinforced recently while visiting a friend and her 4 week old baby girl. I was surprised at how long ago it has been since Mac was 4 weeks, his tiny, warm body nestled in the crook of my arm sleeping contently. As you can see below he is older than 4 weeks now.
We are amazed at how much he can do! He sits up on his own, tumbling over when he is wants to see or grab something behind him.

What compels me to go

Every summer while every other family heads south to the beach, Matt and I drive north to the Carolina mountains. I have been blessed to marry a man who loves the mountains as much as I do, and since having Mac, we have wondered what our family vacations may look like. Naturally we want Mac to experience the magic of exploring the outdoors whether it be under a canopy of trees or on a beach, and we believe showing him God's handy-work can never start too soon. And while he may not understand all he is experiencing at the tender age of 8 months, I want to believe this is a start.

The many faces of Mac

I am hiding in our "office" trying to type quietly while watching my squirming 8 & 1/2 month old son wake from his morning nap on the monitor. He seems content to kick and babble...for now. We have been busy around here with...well, this and that, but it doesn't make for a good "blogger." In fact, I wouldn't even call myself a "blogger" just an opportunist with a wonderful husband/photog and a fabulous little boy. Here are some of the things he has been doing lately.

Things I am loving right now

10. My Slick Slate nail polish by Sally Hansen. 
I am obsessed with  love shoes. However, my budget doesn't allow for buying every cute shoe I lay my eyes on (oh, cruel world). What I used to do (in the days of two full-time incomes) is get stuck on a particular color and buy shoes only in that shade. Last year it was purple: purple flats, purple kicks. But no more...
Since it is summer and I am wearing more open-toed shoes (alternating flip-flops) I found a new, less expensive way to add color: nail polish. Here is the latest color I can't get enough of. I know, it's purple.

Timber the falling tree

Part I:
Recently some trees right outside our front door fell. The situation is this: we have some pretty tall and heavy (this is important later) hardwood trees around our house. They are nice to have in the hot summers because it keeps our house shaded. However, with any tree there is an element of danger, as in, oh-my-goodness-this-tree-may-fall-on-my-house danger, especially during a storm.

Beating the Heat

 Summer is here with temperatures blazing. Here are some things we have been doing to stay cool...

Watching the fishes swim inside the Georgia Aquarium. 

Kicks and Giggles

We celebrated Mac turning 5 months over the weekend. He now giggles, which is really a grunt/growl sound, and kicks like it's his job!

Parenthood

It may have a lot to do with my current interests, but it seems to me that everywhere I look nowadays family and parenting advice is at the center of our society's dialog. From sitcoms and dramatic shows such as Modern Family and Parenthood to book upon book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother and Sheparding a Child's Heart, it's hard to swing a stick without hitting a medium that's telling me how to raise a child in today's society. And after watching said shows and reading book after book on parenting I have never been more overwhelmed and paralyzed about raising a child.

3 months - AH-dorable!

We took 3 month pictures of Mac at the beginning of March. I could kiss this face all day long! He is such a happy baby - for the most part ;)