Pumpkin Carving in Pajamas

For the past week Currier has been sick with a fever, congestion and cough. I took him to the doctor last week and had him tested for the swine flu and thankfully the test came back negative but since he had most of the symptoms I was told to keep him out of school for a week (and started Rya on tamiflu just to be on the safe side). We spent most of the week sipping ginger ale, eating Popsicles and watching lots of Diego episodes. We also carved a pumpkin, painted pumpkins and leaves and baked two apple pies. Currier is feeling better now and went back to school this morning and I already miss lounging around in our pjs and taking it easy.

Kathy Griffin Live Surprise

Last night my husband surprised me with tickets to see Kathy Griffin live in Charleston. We went out to eat with Carrie and Hilde, who were visiting us for the night on their way home from FL to TN. During dinner at Poogan's Porch (I had the Gouda mac & cheese and fell head over heels in love. Seriously, I'm leaving Trent for this mac & cheese!), I kept going on and on about which place we were going to go for coffee and dessert until he finally took the tickets out of his shirt pocket and said, "How about we all go and do this after dinner?" It was a complete surprise and a total crack up, especially her impressions of Oprah and Whitney. I love Kathy Griffin and my husband is pretty awesome too!

Professional Photos

We had professional pictures taken yesterday. We loved this photographer! If interested, here's her blog- http://www.toriryanphoto.com/blog.

Eleven Months Old

Dear Rya D.,

Seriously? Are you seriously eleven months old already? How on earth can you be eleven months old? I just can’t wrap my mind around how fast you're growing up. It was just yesterday that we took you home from the hospital, cradling you in my arms and feeling your tiny breaths on my chest. And now that tiny baby is walking!

It was in the morning a few weeks ago before your father left for work so everyone got to witness those first steps. It was a beautiful moment and we're all so excited for you. I think you're pretty proud of yourself too.

This month I went away to Massachusetts for a long weekend to visit my father, who is ill. I've never been away from you except for the occasional hour here and there so this was a big deal for me. I wish I could say that I missed you the moment we said good-bye at the airport but truth be told I really enjoyed the break from you and Currier. It wasn't until the third day that my heart began to ache for you guys. I think you guys ached for me too because ever since I've been back you've both been a little more clingy and that's okay because I'm feeling a little more clingy to you and Currier too!

All my love,
Mama

Friday Favorites—Mount Etna Original

While living in Sicily, my cousin, Cheryl, came for a visit and I took her for a ride, pulled over and said, "This is it—the best view of Mt Etna. Isn't it breath-taking?" She took a picture and a few years later painted me that view and gave it to me as a housewarming gift when I moved to Charleston. It's one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received. It's perched on my kitchen cabinet surrounded by Mt. Etna lava rocks and it always takes me back to Sicily.

Ego Booster

This morning I was reading People Magazine to Currier and Rya (Don't judge. How else does a stay-at-home-mom keep up with her Hollywood!) and when I turned to this page I asked Currier who he thought was the prettiest. Without batting an eyelash, "You're the prettiest Mama!" I've got that boy trained.

Columbus Day Weekend

We just ended a great weekend filled with all sorts of outdoor activities. Per Currier's request, we rented a paddle boat at the Palmetto Islands County Park in search for alligators. We saw turtles, tons of fish and a water moccasin but thankfully no alligators. Currier loved it, as proof by the jazz hands and goofy smile. Rya hated it, as proof by the squirmy, sweaty body and high pitched screeching.

On Sunday morning, we packed a cooler filled with sandwiches, snacks and drinks and headed back to the Palmetto Islands County Park to fish on the pond. Currier caught the first and only catch of the day—a turtle!

After our morning of fishing and a picnic lunch, we stopped at the Boone Hall Plantation pumpkin patch and picked out a pumpkin, fed the goats, played on the jumpy castle and drank lemonade. Fall is finally here!

Friday Favorites—Lobster Roll

While visiting my dad, we drove to The Beach Plum on North Hampton Beach, NH several times for their award winning lobster rolls. If you've never tried a lobster roll (pronounced "lobstah roll"), I advise you to go try one right now. It's a grilled hot dog bun filled with pure happiness—fresh lobster meat mixed with mayo. Oh yum!

Lobsters and Lighthouses

Two months ago my father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer that affects the bones. He's half way through his chemo treatments and responding well. I flew home to Massachusetts for a quick visit to spend some time with him. We spent the weekend eating lobster rolls, visiting lighthouses, taking rides to the beach, playing scrabble, eating beach pizza, drinking Moxie, reminiscing about the past and most importantly making plans for the future. I enjoyed our visit and look forward to many more good times together.

Friday Favorites—Mederma

A few years ago I had several suspicious moles removed from my chest and back. They turned out to be nothing but left behind nasty keloid scars. A few months ago I started putting Mederma cream on them every night and now I can't even find the scars. This stuff works crazy, mad miracles!

Rya's First Steps!

Rya took her first steps today. After this video, we made her walk to the store and pick us up some beer. They grow up so fast.

Summer Days Drifting Away

Today we squeezed in one last beach day before the summer slips away. Currier's new friend, Kaelee, and her mom, Nicole, joined us. We met Nicole and Kaelee a few months ago when they bought our German dining table off Craigslist. They're from Germany, we immediately hit it off and have been friends since. Funny how people come into our lives!

Anticipation

We're expecting those first steps any day now!

This Week...

Someone got a new bike.

And someone got some new teeth.