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!