I love it

When Chappy wears our old dresses. Some of them are so old-school... a few were my mom's. This one might have been hers. Mom?
It's just cool.

Where I've Been

In case you are wondering, or even care...

I've been working for my sister. For free. But it's coooo because someday I'll be reimbursed... and hopefully with a kickin' wardrobe. Just jokes. I could care less if she ever pays me, I'm enjoying it.
So, between taking care of my child, helpin' a sista out and running various errands (& maintaining order in my home)... I've been pretty busy.


Tomorrow my mother-in-law & sister-in-law are coming to town, then we're all heading over to Bay Point for the weekend.
Should be fun. The whole Williams clan will be there, so I'll be sure to take a lot of pics.

Adios!

PS: I just published a new post, but it's showing up as if I posted it Tuesday. SO, if you want to read it, ya can.

2 Things to Share

Most importantly, Chappell got her second tooth today! Her lower right central incisor.

And,

Smitten by Smith can now be purchased online!

Check out: www.smittenbysmith.com

Buy some clothes. You deserve it.

New Craft

OK.

I love smocked children's clothes. However, as many of you madres know, they are rather expensive... and since babies and kids grow so quickly... it's hard to rationalize spending $100 on each and every outfit. And as sad as it is, baby shower gifts don't last forever!

SO, I've decided it's time to learn to smock & sew.

I really have no idea where to start. All I know is, my mother-in-law is an incredible seamstress and smocker extraordinaire. Obviously, so is my sister (not at smocking, but sewing). Smith gave me her hand-me-down Singer sewing machine (only 2 years old!) when she moved on to the big dog Baby Lock. For those of you like me, who don't sew- a Baby Lock is pretty much the Mercedes of sewing machines. From what I've heard, anywho.

I opened the sewing machine box last night, and I can honestly say I'm a little overwhelmed. I have a friend who knows how to sew and she is coming over on Thursday, so I'm hoping she can show me the basics.

Last night, I went to a smocking website (http://www.thechildrenscornerstore.com/) and ordered some supplies. Again, I have no clue what I'm doing. I ordered some smocking plates that I would like to use... someday.

This afternoon Chappy and I ventured over to Michael's in Destin to purchase some "floss." I think that's the term for string in the smocking world.

Luckily, I'm going to see Reed's mother, Emily, for the next two weekends-- hopefully I can get her to help me!

This will be a work in progress, I am sure.

Best Cab Ride Ever

Umm, I thought this was pretty funny.
Annie, one of my high school friends in attendance at our "reunion" last weekend, just e-mailed me this pic:
Our cab driver had a bucket of instruments for us to play.
What a brilliant idea... but on the other hand, completely idiotic...
(I think) I see where she's coming from... keep adult passengers (most likely under the influence of alcohol) occupied with seemingly juvenile activity for duration of car ride...

However, is losing your sanity and/or mind worth it??
I will keep this (philosophical & life-changing) post in mind when choosing Chappell's toys...

Mark your Calendars, P-cola Peeps!

Smitten by Smith enters the Blogosphere!

My sister Smith has started a blog.

She's telling the tale of how Smitten came to be. It's going to get interesting... starting a business at 23 is no small task.

www.smittenbysmith.blogspot.com

Read, "follow," and comment to show yo love.

High School Gals Reunion & more

Monday fatigue, check.
Moldy coffee maker, check...

Why do I always forget to clean out the coffee maker? Especially when I need it most? Who knows, oh the irony...
Speaking of coffee makers, I need to get Marlee's Keurig... it's a nifty single cup coffee maker. That would be perfecto and would solve all of my problems.

We spent our weekend in Grayton Beach with all of my high school gal pals and their significant others. We shopped around, some hung at the beach (not me, surprised?)... and the guys played golf at Camp Creek.

*Chappelina decided that she didn't want to hang out with her dumb parents and spent the weekend at Bay Point with Buddy & Emily instead.

Mary Carolyn arrived Thursday afternoon around 5 o'clock. After unloading all of our stuff (and Chaps de-pearling MC's pearl necklace), MC and I headed over to the Caliza Restaurant at Alys Beach for dinner. Reed (again: best father/husband ever), took Chappell to Hurricane Oyster Bar for daddy/daughter date night so we could have a girls-only dinner.
The atmosphere at the Caliza restaurant (and pool) is incredible. It doesn't seem possible that you are in fact in the panhandle of Florida. It looks/feels like the Mediterranean.

Later Thursday night and throughout Friday, the rest of the gang trickled in. It's funny.
Things never change with this group. We can go months & months without getting together and the dynamics's always the same. It's so comfortable - I love that.

You know the drill. Friday night, Reed cooked a low country shrimp boil for the group. Followed by Catchphrase. Good times.
Saturday night, we all went to Stinky's Fish Camp for dinner. It seems that Stinky's is becoming our favorite go-to place for large groups. It's casual dining, isn't too quiet - and the food's awesome. And whoosh - their fried green tomatoes w/ crawfish on top... incredible!

Sunday we were so excited to pick Chappell up from her grandparents. I really miss her when she's away over night. I know it's something we need to do once in a while, but I hate being away from her.
When we picked her up... we had another poop situation on our hands...
I will leave you begging for more...
ha

Holy bleeeeeeeep

Since my post earlier today, my eight month old ( + 11 days) has been pulling up on anything and everything.
This includes an antique dresser in our bedroom. She's been trying to open the drawers all day.
I think my life changed today.

... and she crawled out of the room again

... bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

My kid's stinkin' hilarious

Chappy has a little cold. Or congestion from teething. Who knows.
So, for the past day or so I've been torturing my child with a can of Simply Saline and a big green bulb syringe. I must say, the combo is genius. I won't go into detail.
She gets so mad that I have to pin her little arms down while she kicks and screams and flails her head from left to right. Then, two minutes later when she realizes that she is breathing clearly... something clicks in her little brain and she's not mad at me anymore.

Two funny things (to me, at least):

1) Yesterday afternoon we were playing with toys on the floor in our bedroom.
All of a sudden, Chappell turns around (360), and crawls right through the door... back into the den... straight to the TV. I forgot to turn off Sesame Street and apparently I'm not cool like Elmo.

2) A few minutes ago, Chappell pulled up on a piece of furniture! She went after a bottle of sunscreen that was on top of an ottoman. Why haven't I baby proofed? What am I waiting for?
I just can't seem to accept that this *toddler thing is happening right before my eyes!

* I understand that Chappell is not a toddler. We have a few months.