Darsey May is looking forward to Grandma's visit!

Dear Grandma: I can't wait to show you around my new hometown!

Little Lady is 6 months!

I'd rather eat Junior than smile!
Oh, look, my toes! My favorite!
Maybe I'll just squash Junior!

From the doctor:
Weight - 16 pounds 11 1/2 ounces / 50%
Length - 26 3/8 inches / 75%
Head - 16 1/2 inches / 25%
DM's weight and head have started catching up a bit with her length.
She has been the perfect baby. DM is so happy and loves her schedule and loves her food!

Amy comes to meet DM!

Amy finally got to meet DM! I never imagined when we left college that Amy and I would eventually live so far apart, but after over 4 years of our own "journeys" away from home, we're back within driving distance of each other and we're thrilled. Amy comes from a long line of outgoing, hilarious people. Seriously, David and I don't ever have to worry about carrying a conversation with any of Amy's family. We just have to laugh and the family carries right on. They're a blast. Amy has promised to help DM w/ becoming more outgoing if she doesn't take to it naturally. Given that her parents can both be pretty quiet folks, we aren't expecting to raise the life of the party, but a few night with the Entrekin crew, and she should be a comedian ready to travel!
(Beautiful Zoey, Amy's daughter, came to visit too, but I couldn't get a picture that did her justice!)

SSI 2010

My 10 favorite things about this year's PEEPLES SSI excursion (good photos courtesy of Gary):

1. Molly, my sister-in-law, was willing to answer all of my "mom" questions. We're as different as night and day but nothing will bring two women together faster than motherhood!

2. My mom has a very distinctive decorating style. She decorates to have fun and I love it - no stuffiness! She'll take any vacation rental home and add her own "fun" touch to it. Mom brought these fun parrot lights to liven up the house.

3. Madeline was a huge help with DM and so, so sweet. Cricket is still working on her babysitting skills but she isn't far behind.

4. Since she isn't my kid, I can embrace it - Cricket has NO fear of water. I love it but again, I wasn't the one jumping over chairs and tables to get to the pool before she jumped.

5. My brother was sweet enough to paint his girls' fingernails! (Sorry - no pic)

6. Again - the Brother. He was kind enough to photograph the week, even as we all cracked up (not sure what to make of David's response and his girls seemed to be the only ones worried) as he nearly fell to the ground after setting the camera timer yet again and running back to join the group. What a trooper!

7. DM exploring the beach. Not a year of my life has gone by that I haven't spent at least a week at the beach (aka: pool with a beach view) and I was thrilled to share this w/ DM.

8. One week without running. This was the first week I've taken off in years other than those taken off due to pregnancy. On this trip last year, I stood in the middle of the road pregnant and sobbing that I couldn't run in the heat anymore. After that, I decided I would never run in SSI July / August heat again. (Well no run = no picture! :))

9. I slept more on this trip than I have since DM was born. Not exactly me sleeping, but you get the picture.

10. A surprise dinner with the Gary crew! They found out at the last minute they were going to be in town for a bit. These two kiddos are precious, Kim can offer so much quality advice, and West, well, I've known him forever and he's always cracked me up. Excuse the awesome tourist trap / shop behind them.

10A. David was finally able to get out and play cheap golf.

These are my people. Our family is not perfect and many know that our political and religious views run the gamut, but we love each other. (I say this in my constant attempt to remain authentic on this blog.)

Cricket hates picture day, DM loves Mimi's jewelry, and Maddy tries so hard to help us out.

Cricket still hates picture day. Do you blame her?

Diapers In The Sand

Anyone who knows us knows we don't really like to wallow in the sand. Rather, we like to see it but not get it stuck to us. We're more of a pool with a great view kind of couple. We're in SSI with the Peeples crew. Below are some pics until we get back! PS - Would be robbers of any of our homes: Our prized squirrel hunting dogs are well protected and no one in this family has a decent tv or electronic!

Hot tubs make the best kid pools.

Relaxin in the sun.

David explaining to DM that we don't stay at the beach all day.

Whew! It is hot in here Mama!

I had been supposed to get a picture of DM in David's Baptismal gown weeks ago and well, never got around to it. So . . . poor DM had to squash in it in the July heat for me to snap a picture. Sorry girl! And no folks, DM still doesn't have any Baptism plans yet.

Still Catching Up on Being Back in GA!

While most UGA alums get excited about heading to Athens for the weekend, David and I were beyond excited. We haven't been there in over five years other than the fast drive in and out for football games. Mom and Dad were sweet enough to keep DM and Tahoe for DM's first slumber party in Flowery Branch so David and I could spend the weekend in Athens. It was fabulous (AND HOT)! Orientation was going on and so many nervous incoming freshman and incoming freshman parents were all around and a wedding party or two were staying at our hotel. So much excitement all around! And so many changes. Yes, Harry Bissett's really is no more.

Where David and I had our first date - East West Bistro.

The bench where David proposed.

I do not think there is any city in America that mirrors Athens - complete with a southern society under - make that over belly, amazing southern old homes, which David allowed me to tour and dream about owning yesterday, and an authentic cultural and environmental conscious. I have searched and searched for a way for David to get to work in a reasonable amount of time from Athens, but all maps point to weekend visits rather than Athens citizenship.