Catch-UP!

Wow---it has been a long, intense, overwhelming couple of months and I have unfortunately just been too busy as a mommy, student and wife to keep up with my blog! Makenna is growing soo fast and I CANNOT believe she is going to be celebrating her 1st birthday next month! I have always heard people say it, but time really does fly by!

At 10 1/2 months old, Makenna says Dada, Mama, bye-bye (and waves her hand), and Pop Pop (for Popsicle), takes up to 6 steps at a time, loves to play "tag" where we chase her as she speed- crawls all over the house, and claps her hands when she gets really excited. She has 4 teeth and weighs 18 lbs. and is 28.5 inches long. She is a high maintenance baby but is so much fun and so full of life! We are all going to Gatlinburg on Friday (Me, Justin, Makenna, my mom and dad, my older brother Easton and his girlfriend Jennifer) and I can't wait for a weekend getaway. We are hoping for snow and for MK's first encounter with Santa to go really well. :)

Justin and I just finished up a tough semester in school and he came out with all B's and I was able to maintain my 4.o! Yay!! It took lots of hard work on both of our parts, but we managed to get through it. Now we will be off until the second week in January.

I guess as soon as Christmas is over, I will begin first birthday party planning. How exciting and a little sad too! It is crazy that this time last year I was pregnant and miserable, praying for that last month to pass quickly and have my baby in my arms. I look at her pictures and videos all the time and treasure every moment with her. She makes my world a better place! It is true that there is no love like a mama's love for her baby!

Wal-Mart+Mommyhood MaDnEsS

Ok so I know mothers have been taking their babies to the grocery store since way back when... obviously I've taken mine a few times. Today was different because I have taken two big exams at school, cleaned the entire house, done all of the piled up laundry, and most importantly... Makenna has graduated from her carseat to sitting up in the buggy like a "big girl"--after I wiped it down with Antibacterial wipes and put her cart cover on so we can all stay germ/swine-flu/funky-free. :) Little did I know that my baby girl really did act like a big girl and was into everything! If I put something in the buggy, she reached back to get it, wanted to look at it, throw it down... Did I mention we are shopping for Justin's birthday dinner Saturday night? We are having nachos, two different kinds of AMAZING mexican dip, and orange and blue (UF colors) cupcakes.

Anyway, so on the way in I have my list in hand, the diaper bag, my purse, Makenna on one arm, and her cart cover waiting in line (YES there was a LINE! I should have left then!) to get a buggy. Long story short, Wal-Mart was truly a mad house and it took Makenna and I over 2 hours to get a list of maybe 25 things. And I have come to the realization that my fellow Wal-Marters are also rushed, rude, and don't care about bumping into you and your child, because they are trying to make it out of the store sanely with theirs. In the future, I think I'm going to shop at Ingles. By the time we went to check out, Makenna was almost flopping over in the cart, which I realized was not safe so I decided to let her prop her head in my hand while loading groceries, scanning the debit card, and talking on the phone.

Yes, I know- Mom's have been doing this "forever" in one way or another- but personally, with days like this one, I don't know if I'm going to make it until her first birthday! HA!

GaMe DaY!

Saturday was the first College football game day of the season and it was really exciting for the entire Martin house! It was very obvious that I remain the one and only Georgia Bulldogs fan though...GOOOO DAWGS! SIC 'EM! Makenna is such a Daddy's girl and apparently, a natural born Gator. ;) Football is a huge deal in our family so we always enjoy our Saturdays together. We usually invite friends over for lots of the games throughout the season, and I'm sure this year will be no different--it seems funny that this time a year ago, we were thinking about dressing Makenna up in her Game Day gear and wondering what our sweet Princess would look like. Now here we are! Unfortunately (for me anyway) the Bulldogs are off to a rocky start while Florida seems to be headed for another SEC Championship. Keeping my fingers crossed for better luck this weekend!

Welcome to Savannah!

This past weekend was one just for "the girls": My mom, Makenna and I, along with my Aunt Peg, my 71 year old MawMaw and her two best friends, 92 year old Ms. Mae and 56 year old Charlotte. We were quite a hodge podge of ages and backgrounds- but we had the absolute best time as we headed for Savannah, GA for three days.

Makenna was great on the way down and the way back- I guess that shows how much difference a month makes since our trip to Florida was not so flawless. Anyway, the hotel we stayed at was FaBuLoUs and was about two blocks away from River Street. We had Valet Service (which we weren't even sure how to use because we have never had anyone park cars/bring them around for us- talk about some independent women!) but we got the hang of it pretty quick. :) The rooms were beautiful with a view of the river and boats coming in and out of the port, and the beds were seriously fit for a princess! The funniest thing was seeing my tiny sweet pea stacked up on such a big bed! She loved it!

Savannah is one of those towns that you would need to stay at for at least a month to soak everything up. There is SO much to do and see, and my baby girl couldn't get enough of it! We took a tour on the trolley bus, went to Leopold's Ice Cream Parlor for their 90th birthday celebration, went shopping (of course), walked up and down River Street, ate some fantastic meals and Pecan Pralines from the candy shoppe, went to Tybee Island to check out the view from the pier and to see one of my MawMaw's good friends who has a beach house there. He LOVED Miss Makenna and kept all of us laughing all night! He also caught us up on the town gossip- showing us where Miley Cyrus, "that little Cyrus girl" as he calls her, just bought a house, and where Sandra Bullock, the Travoltas, and Ben Affleck stay when they are in town. Anyway, we all had such a great time and it was exactly what I needed since classes have officially started back and I often feel like I am in way over my head! I'm already counting down to our family trip to Gatlinburg...in December. :)

By the way, two teeth have arrived in my daughter's mouth within the past week! It's like they came out of nowhere after months of waiting and wondering when she will stop drooling, chewing, knawing on everything! They are too cute and even though I am excited about every "new" thing that happens to her, I am a little sad that she is growing up sooo fast. I wish she could stay my little baby forever, but I know life has much more in store for her than that. Look out world!

So Sunday was one of those wonderfully hot summer days and was the day that Justin and I chose to do Makenna's 6 month pictures. Since our amazing photographer, Brandi Hurd, was in a car accident last week, she was understandably not feeling up to the occasion. Instead, I did my own little photo shoot with Makenna and even though I am NO photographer, I think I got some really cute shots that captured that sweet little personality of hers--which is what every Mommy wants in a picture anyway!! :)

I ordered Makenna's tutu months ago to match her bright blue eyes and was so excited when it finally arrived! I was like a kid at Christmas running out to the mailbox every day to check to see if it was there, and Justin was the one who pulled it out the one day I didn't check (of course) and said nonchalantly, "Hey what's this package that just arrived for you?" He figured out that he wasn't so fond of the tutu when I made him fluff it in the car on the way to my parents house to show my mom, who had helped me pick it out weeks earlier. Anyway, Makenna loved it almost as much as me and couldn't stop herself from knawing on the netting.

Speaking of knawing, we FINALLY have teeth in sight!!! After months of all this drooling and pain, the two bottom teeth are beginning to poke through. The past few days have been pretty miserable for her, but maybe once they are in she will have a little relief...until the next ones come in anyway.

We have a huge week in store for us next week--classes start back for me and I definitley have a full load. I am going to hate leaving my baby four days a week but I know it is for the best. Next Friday we are leaving for a weekend in Savannah along with my mom (GrandDebs,) MawMaw and Aunt Peg. It will be a much needed girls weekend and I can't wait to take a walk on the beach at Tybee and hopefully snap a few more pictures! I HATE that I will be missing sweet Emmry Payne's first birthday party!! She is such a doll and the Payne's mean the world to Justin, Kenna and I. Makenna and I actually spent a fabulous day with Kacy and Emm today! I will have to make it up to Emmry somehow- maybe over some cupcakes and toys when we get back. :)

The Most Wonderful Year of My Life

Today marks exactly one year that I have been married to my wonderful husband, and I am so proud and thrilled to be his wife!!! The first year of marriage has not been without trials (good and bad) and difficulties for sure--Obviously, our precious baby girl was born in January and is now 6 months old, we both have lost of grandfathers to cancer, we are BOTH in college, Justin has been working 40 hours a week and sometimes more, and my dad had his horrible accident in April which convinced me/us to semi-move back in with my parents to help take care of him until he could walk again. (He is now not only walking with a cane, but swimming in the pool and ocean, riding four-wheelers, and making his famous D-E-licious barbeque! God is good!!!) I've always heard people say that the first year is the hardest, and we have had our moments, but I truly feel that every one of them has brought us closer to each other and to Makenna. It has all been soooo worth it!!!

We went to Destin, FL 3 weeks ago and it was the most wonderful family vacation EVER! My entire family goes- my parents, brother Easton and his girlfriend, Jenn; my Aunt Peg and her daughters Cassie (her husband Billy and their two boys Will and Logan) and Cicily (her husband Derrick and their two children Kendyl and Kole). Anyway, we have been going for years now but I think this year has been the best yet. Our family has evolved so much with us growing up and now bringing our children along! It felt so good to be on the beach--even though I worried a lot of the time about Makenna having sand in her diaper and "Does she have enough sunscreen on?" "Is she too hot? Should I take her back inside?" "Is her baithing suit too tight?" You know, typical Mommy thoughts. But she was fine. We put her in her Take-Along Swing (which is God's gift to Moms AND Dads alike) and let her feel the ocean breeze and she would just drift right off to sleep. It gave me a few minutes to soak up some rays, but she is really just too little for me to enjoy the beach as much as I used to. It may not ever get better though...as she gets older my thoughts will probably just evolve to "Where is Makenna? Is Justin with her? Is she wearing her floaties?" then eventually "Are those waves too high for her? Where is that sunscreen I told her to put on?" and then the dreaded question... "IS SHE TALKING TO A BOY?!" Haha- I am sure I will embrace all of that when I get there. One day at a time, but I am glad that she is content with being in Mommy's arms or at least very close by. For now anyway.

Speaking of Makenna... :) She is really beginning to develop this HUGE personality, and she's really quite a handful. (In a good way!) Between taking Maymester classes and going to school full time this summer, Justin working, and her becoming a little nosey rosey, it has been hard to juggle all of my priorities. But being "Mommy" is always at the top of the list, no matter what. Sometimes I forget that Justin and I are so young- we aren't perfect by any means, but I feel that every day, we are becoming more like pros! ;) Oh and the girl is crazzzy about her Daddy! Her little face lights up every time he walks in the room, and it's one of those things that just make me think to myself "THIS is why I love him so much." He is great!!

Jus took me to the Braves Game tonight as part of our anniversary celebration. We really enjoy the games, even though I know very little about baseball. I have always been more of a football girl. I am learning though, because Justin is a sports maniac and is basically a walking roladex of statistics. Anyway, at the end of the 8th inning, I look up at the screen and see "Happy 1 Year Anniversary Alyssa Martin! I love you! Love, Justin." Very, very sweet and I was so excited. I could tell he was pretty stoked about it too- after all, we were in his "zone." There is no place he'd rather be...besides of course, in the stands at ANY Florida Gator Football Game.

Anyway, it is late and I really should get to bed...I know I will wake up in the morning with little sweet face smiling, and I would like to feel a little rested for once. Maybe I would be if I actually slept at NIGHT when she is sleeping instead of praying she will nap during the day. It's a thought, at least. :) Goodnight!

Moms are Awesome, but nothing compares to their baby girls

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and besides the day Makenna was born, I don't think I've ever been so proud to be her mom! She has had such a big week this week and I am seeing that little personality come out more and more every day. I love her curiosity and her adventurous spirit. She held her own bottle this morning (to my great surprise-more like wrapped both arms around it :)) and every now and then she would drop it, look up and give the biggest smile like "Mom look at what I'm doing!!" She is super strong and has been holding her head up like a grown-up for forever now. She has apparently gotten bored though, and now will grab my fingers when laying in my lap and pull herself right up so she can sit. Now even THAT has gone from sitting to wanting to stand, although she is still pretty wobbly (and extra cute!)


She is still very colicky- usually around 8 or 9 at night, she begins and is so pitiful. BUT we have found during this time that she LOVES the T.V.- another big discovery this week, and all the bright colors of Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob. She'll sit in my lap, both fists in her mouth, and watch like she understands exactly what is going on. It cracks us all up!!! And even if it only stops the crying/pouting/wailing for a moment or two, it is a good break for us all. :)


Her GranDebs (my mom) got her a "Jumping Johnny" a few days ago. Justin and I were so excited and couldn't wait to get her in it! However... she is so tiny still that we have to put blankets around her so she can sit up straight and see EVERYTHING. (She is a nosy rosy for sure!) When we first put her in it we laughed hysterically because her feet were still about 2 inches from being able to touch the ground, but she had the biggest smile on her face so we kind of hated to take her out. Instead, her Daddy and I got on both sides of it and swung her back and forth. Justin called her Tinkerbell because she is petite and must feel like she is flying. :)


I am so completely excited about tomorrow. I have the most amazing mother in the entire world, and I try to let her know as much as I can, but it is good to take an entire day out that is just for her. This year is extra special too because it is my very first Mother's Day, and I feel like I am the luckiest momma alive! Makenna is such a blessing to me- I am constantly in awe of her and she of me. We are just meant for each other. In the morning, I started sitting her in her Take-Along Swing in the bathroom so I could keep an eye on her while I'm getting ready. But now it is apparent that she is watching me. She will just stare the entire time I am putting my makeup and smile and coo at me. It's like her way of telling me I'm beautiful, which for most mom's is a bit of a struggle when you're still in the tremendous process of losing baby weight, and I am definately no different! But I have to remind myself that I gave birth to this precious little life, and that any changes (including that C-Section scar) are just reminders of that amazing accomplishment.


Anyway, tomorrow is a big day for us both and for my mom as well as it is her first year as a Grandma! YAY! I'm so glad that there is a day to celebrate mothers- because we are pretty darn amazing ;) but for me, it's not so much about US as it is about the ::incredible:: love we have for our children. NOTHING in the whole world can compare!!! What's not to celebrate?!

Crazy, Tragic, Almost Magic, Awful-Beautiful Life <3

Once upon a teenage time, I fell in love hard with the most wonderful, hilarious, beautiful- inside and out- guy of my dreams. After breakups and makeups, living it up and growing up, we finally found happiness because... Three years later, on August 2nd, we were swapping our "I Do's" and making promises of forever, knowing that marriage would never be easy but it would always be worth it.

I proudly became Mrs. Alyssa Martin.

We got married being well aware of the little miracle taking place inside of me- a baby was something I had wanted and dreamed of since I was a little girl, but after years of health problems and complications, doctors had told me that my chances were slim. In May of 2008 however, SURPRISE, against all odds and very much without our knowledge, a tiny +plus+ sign changed our lives. We knew that we wanted to bring our son or daughter into a "true family", and although things were a little backwards, we wanted to get married and welcome the baby- our baby- into a committed relationship. And so we did.

Pregnancy proved difficult for an already unhealthy body, but my favorite and most memorable moments were those lying in bed at night with Justin talking about what we thought she would look like, feeling (and watching) her roll around in my growing belly. I dreamed of her every second of every day during that nine months.

January 27, 2009- Welcome Makenna Kinsleigh Martin

Difficult Pregnancy=Worth it. 28 1/2 Hours of Labor (followed up by a Cesarean)=Worth it. Years of health issues=Worth it. Everything was worth it the first time I looked at her. For a week, I kept asking myself if maybe I were dreaming. At 7 lbs. 5 oz., this tiny little person turned my world upside down. She changed me for the better. She made our family complete!
Now it has been 3 months since Makenna was born and she already has so much personality. Her smile lights up my life!! I am exhausted to say the least, but so blessed. Her very favorite thing in the world is her passy, her swing taking a close second. No...I take that back. Her favorite thing is Mommy. Yes, my daughter is so completely attatched to me that many days I am the only one that can hold her, change her, burp her, even look at her. It is a great day if I can break away long enough to eat and take a shower without traumatizing her. Ha! The doctor says it is because I am nursing her and we have a bond like no other, but that she will eventually grow out of it being all about me. I look forward to it sometimes, but know that it will break my heart when it finally happens and she discovers this great big world outside of Mommyland.

She is still teeny tiny, weighing in at 10 lbs. and 13 oz. Her Daddy is tiny too, and she already look so much like him with his great big blue eyes and big smile from ear to ear. Our major feats to overcome right now are colic and an umbilical hernia that has been causing some digestive problems. She gets lots and lots of tummyaches and is a pretty pitiful little girl with that lip poked out so far I think it might get stuck! I hate to see my baby like that and not be able to fix it. I get a little down on myself because as her Mom, I feel like I should have all the answers. But Makenna and I are in the same boat in a lot of ways, both of us learning every day. Every day is an adventure, and I am so glad to be on it with this beautiful family of mine. :)