Being a momma...

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Technically, I've been a "mom" now for 5 years to sweet Daisy Mae. For my first Mother's Day, your Grandmommy gave me a beautiful scrapbook. She gathered all sorts of information about Daisy's litter, complete with pictures, and her documented her journey to us.  It's something I cherished and something I was so excited and honored to receive. I was a MOM!

In reality, Daisy broke your dad and me in in more ways than we could have imagined- night waking, house breaking, arranging doggie day care, finding a common ground on discipline, cleaning up major messes and learning to to adjust, adapt and accept when things don't go quite as you may have planned (think major destruction due to separation anxiety), making important decisions about major health care issues and the list goes on. Yes, raising a child is completely different from raising a dog, but Daisy really gave us a solid base to work from.

This year, my role has expanded.  I'm a Mom, but in a different kind of way. Being your mother has absolutely given me the greatest joy I've ever experienced.

I often read other "mom" blogs. I. One of my favorite mommy bloggers recently wrote this:

"I love how Alone and Together live in harmony. Like orbiting planets pulled together by gravity. We don't have to be defined by motherhood because there's an intricate infrastructure of talents and dreams and passions that makes us women who are strong enough to stand alone. And yet, ask any mother and she'll probably tell you there's nothing more incredible she'd rather be defined by than the amazingness of her littles and her family."

Being a mom is by far the hardest job I've ever had, but it's the most rewarding and most amazing thing I've ever done. I thank God for sending you to Daddy and me every day. You have brought so much joy and laughter to our lives. You have taught us so much already and it's only just begun.

Thank you for giving me my most treasured role. You are an incredible little girl and I'm honored to be your mother.

This was the moment I first held you in my arms.

7 months old

Easter Sunday

I'm a little late on this post. I have a lot of catching up to do from our time in South Carolina. You spent your first Easter in Clemson. Don't worry, the Easter Bunny was still able to find you. Daddy left him a note :)

You must have been a pretty good girl. Your basket was stocked full of fun surprises. You were most interested in the eggs. One day, those will be filled with all sorts of tasty treats.

We went to the Easter service at First Baptist and you did really well in the nursery. It was "ify" at first, but all was right in your world after they gave you some milk.

You and Max looked precious in your Easter outfits.

Max was trying out different poses...

It clearly didn't go over well.

We had a wonderful day of fun, family and fellowship. After church,  Grandaddy took us to the baseball game and Grandmommy cooked a wonderful meal. The weather was perfect!

The Greenville Zoo

Amanda and I were able to get you and Hudson together a couple of times while we were in SC. Our favorite outing was a trip to the Greenville Zoo.  We were watching Max for the afternoon, so he joined us too. Three babies :) I'm used to people asking if you and Max are twins and we heard a few "twice the blessing" statements while walking around. Amanda and I weren't expecting folks to ask if y'all were triplets! We got a kick out of that then told them you and Hudson were three days and Max three weeks apart. They thought that was so neat!

Max Man's just chillin' with his feet propped up.

Y'all enjoyed looking at all the animals. I can't wait until you're a little older and can ask questions (I'm sure I'll regret this statement when you hit the "why" stage). You just stared at the animals taking them all in. Until now, the only animals you've seen are pretty much dogs, whatever wildlife has been brave enough to make an appearance in Chicago and the fish at the aquarium.

Amanda and I have already decided that you and Hudson will be best buds. You already have so much in common, like your love of mulch :)

You love Hudson's hair and can't quite understand why he won't share. Most folks thought you were a boy (even with the pink on) and Hudson a girl due to the coif and lack there of.

My personal favorite :)  I think this is so sweet.

Love this boy!!!! and so glad I got to spend some time with him and sweet Amanda. 

You didn't think Max would notice, did you?

Pool Party

Tiffiny had the grand idea of buying a baby pool for the kids. This was FANTASTIC and much more exciting for the kids than we had imagined!

It was a warm day, so we waited till later in the afternoon (usual melt down time for both kids) to set the pool up. Max and Hannah had a field day playing! The only tears we saw were due to the stealing of toys. Enter, Grandmommy, who spiced things up by pouring in an endless supply of plastic balls. They were a big hit!

Baxter and Daisy were very intrigued and a little jealous that the kids got to swim. They kept pacing around the pool seemingly scheming when to make their big entrance. They finally gave up and laid down in the shade. Both were happy to be outside. A little dose of sunshine seemed to do all of us good!

We are Family

The best part of an extended visit to the South, is getting a chance to visit with a number of special people. We spent a day visiting with the Todd women celebrating Gran's 93rd birthday, took a trip to Grandmommy's home town of New Bern, NC and visited some of her near and dear friends, drove to Columbia to visit with Great Great Aunt Vivian and Uncle John,  spent time with Great Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Steve and spent time with Mommy's immediate family and even celebrated Uncle Bob's birthday with cousins Megan and Max, Aunt Susie, Aunt Tiffiny, Grandmommy and Grandaddy.

With the Todd Ladies and Momma

Visiting with Mrs. Caroline. She is 98 years old and was one of your Great Grandaddy, Honey Bunny's, closest friends. She loved looking at you and said you were such a good baby.

With Great Great Aunt Vivian and Uncle John. They enjoyed meeting you. Aunt Vivian is my Grandaddy's sister. We love John and Vivian and they've really become like grandparents to us over the years.  Aunt Vivian was so excited we came to visit and showed you and Max off to all the residents at the assisted living.

Great Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Steve are moving to Chile for a few years. I was excited you were able to spend time with both of them before they left. Aunt Jeanie came and spent an entire afternoon loving on you.

A tiger tradition

You attended your first Clemson sporting event while we were visiting Grandmommy and Grandaddy! I was particularly excited that it was a baseball game. Your Grandaddy used to carry me to all the baseball games when I was little. It's a tradition that I'm glad he's now able to share with you. 

You loved sitting in Grandaddy's lap. His seats are between home plate and first base. You were able to see all the action and loved every bit of it. 


It was a particularly sunny day, so our new friends Meredith and Crew let us borrow a pass to sit in the shade for a while. 

GO TIGERS!!!! You're a good luck charm. You cheered the Tigers to a victory. 

A loving legacy...

Mimi and I coordinated a very special visit for you with the Todd women over the weekend. We spanned four generations. It was a wonderfully special day. We were able to celebrate Gran's 93rd birthday! You hadn't seen Gran since Thanksgiving, so this was a delightful treat for the both of you. 

You studied Gran and smiled at her. You LOVED her beads and kept trying to put them in your mouth. Gran tried to trick you and hide the beads, but you would pull back her jacket and find them each time. I guess you have learned about object permanence.  This was a fun game for you. 


Aunt Bess hosted all of us at her house. She had everything so nicely decorated. Bess hadn't seen you since December. You loved being in Bess' arms. 

Bess cooked a wonderful meal from scratch: chicken pot pie, squash casserole and slaw. You played for a while as we ate and then fell asleep for the last part of the meal. I sat and rocked you in the car seat facing Gran. She loved looking at you. 


Bess made an amazing lemon cake for Gran's 93rd birthday. Gran did a great job blowing out all of her candles! 

You love your Mimi and really enjoyed spending time with her. 

You really enjoyed your time with the Todd women. It was a very special day, celebrating your amazing Gran!