Madelyn's Sign Language

Madelyn, 13 months 3 weeks.

Madelyn's First Steps

The day Madelyn turned 13 months, she took her first three steps. The next day she walked the entire hallway to get to Daddy's phone. We don't let her play with our phones, so I guess it was worth the effort for her.

Salt Life

During our second year of marriage, Eric worked as an Admissions Representative for Berry College in Rome, Georgia, and each fall Eric traveled to the different college fairs in his assigned region, which was Florida.

After graduating college and before I had a "real" job, I was able to travel with Eric. For two weeks we traveled through just about every part of Florida. It was such an awesome time. We were still somewhat newly married, uncommitted to other obligations, and plain poor. Over the course of our travels, we both fell in love with Jacksonville. We loved the waterfront city and loved the beach town even more.

Since that trip we have gone back every year, making each trip better than the last one: locating our favorite hotel in nearby Ponte Vedra, finding the area's hidden gems, and becoming somewhat of out-of-town "locals". Things haven't changed too much since we started going. We still look as though we are newly married - on this trip we were asked if we were honeymooning - we are still poor, and although we are far from free-wheeling now, it sure is nice to feel as though we are for the four nights that we are there.

Our favorite way to spend the afternoon -
drinks at the hotel pool.

These little guys made a daily appearance to
say hello and have a swim.

Ponte Vedra Beach

Date night #3 in a row.

Special thanks to Grandma Molletta for keeping the baby!

So Long Nike Shirt . . .

If you know Eric, you know that he often wore a blue and white, faded and torn Nike dry-fit shirt, purchased in 2006. When he first got the shirt, it was bright and vibrant, but after years in the sun and enduring a mountain bike crash, it definitely became somewhat lackluster and worn.

The shirt didn't provide much protection in
this mountain bike crash (2008), but it
continued to be worn.

I really did not like this shirt. I hid it behind the dryer, begged and pleaded with him to throw it out, purchased him new Nike shirts for Christmases and Birthdays and still he continued to wear the shirt.

Well, we went tubing this past Forth of July weekend and when Eric's tube flipped his shirt fell in the river. Eric was too "disoriented" to save it, and I was not about to make any sort of effort to save the shirt. Eric's sister, Laurie, made an attempt to go after the shirt not realizing my joy in seeing it float away. I quickly gave her specific instructions to let the shirt go, and so Eric's favorite Nike shirt now sits at the bottom of the Chattahoochee River, unable to be worn again. I don't condone littering but this was a justifiable exception. It was a sad day for Eric, but I seemed to deal with the loss pretty well.

Eric still has two other almost identical Nike dry-fit shirts that he will most likely be wearing if you see him soon. But, don't worry, they are not faded and torn (yet).

So long Nike shirt, you were good to him but your time was way overdue. 

In the Bahamas in February of 2007 with his
relatively new shirt.

Last photo of his shirt - Kiawah Island, SC,  June 2011.

My Baby Girl is One!

A year ago today the most amazing, beautiful baby joined our family. What a whirlwind it has been. We went from having a baby who cried the entire first four months of her life to a baby who is now so sweet. She has brought such a joy to our family, and I honestly couldn't imagine life without her. Although the first months were rough, we are truly blessed to have such a great baby now. I love her more than words can describe.

Picking out a bow.

Playing in the tupperware cabinet, which is now "her" cabinet.
Notice what she has voluntarily chosen to sit in.

Catching some rays at the neighborhood pool
(her kiddie pool).

Baby and Daddy.

Playing in the Chattahoochee River on Father's Day.

Shootin' the Hooch.

Helping Daddy clean the dishes.

At her Birthday party with all of our family.
Thank you G G'ma Rita for her cute bib!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Happy First Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the most deserving father.

We love you!

Fun in the Sun

Madelyn took her first trip to the beach last week - Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The first day at the beach was full of tears and fears, but after a few visits, she finally got in the water, tear-free. Each day we placed her a little closer to the water until she was finally in - the tide coming in helped too. By the last day, she seemed to finally love the beach. With Eric and I as her parents, it's in her blood; I knew she'd come around.

Thanks to Ginger for her super cute swimsuit.

It's a big world out there.

Hanging with Papa.

Sunbathing with Grandma.

There's a smile!

This little stinker was determined to eat the
sand. It wasn't until I finally let her eat it,
in fist fulls I might add, that she finally
decided it wasn't for her.

Playing with Cousin Sammi.

Two peas in a pod.

And of course, Eric would not be happy until he caught...

...his shark.

So after a week of perfect weather, beautiful beaches, yummy food, cold drinks, memorable family time, and great card games of "Golf",  it was hard to go home. Although, I think the beach creatures were glad to be rid of Madelyn after she tormented a poor small fish and pulled the arm off an innocent starfish.

Until next time beautiful beaches and perfect weather...