An entire year? Say it ain't so!

Coming home from the hospital!

I honestly can't even express how crazy it is that Teigan Elizabeth is officially one year old today.  In fact, at this very moment one year ago, I was showering up and getting ready to head to the hospital [two days beyond my due date].  In just five hours, I would be holding our sweet baby girl in my arms - all without breaking a sweat, I might add [thanks, Crossfit Ktown!].  


While we have the most perfect, wonderful, amazing, good-looking child who is never out-of-line - and never will be - [HA!], I must admit that I didn't win Mother of the Year award this year.  Shocking, I know.  Wondering why?  My mommy confessions from this first year:

• I still have never taken Teigan's temperature - and neither has Ben.  In fact, we're still not even quite sure how the thing is supposed to work.
• Sometimes, when I'm feeling super lazy and the diaper is, uh, super messy, rather than dealing with the issue, I just walk on over to the sink and Teigan gets a hose-down in the kitchen.  I promise I use Comet afterwards... almost all of the time.
• "Cleaning" the pacifier consists of me sucking on it - no matter what it landed in or on.
• I may, or may not, dance for Teigan in hopes that she will mimic my sweet moves later on in life... like, next year.  Sorry, Ben.
• I still cuss like a sailor.  I really need to f*ing work on that.
• I make all of the household chores part of Teigan's playtime.  Sure, you may not want to clean, but it sure is fun when I strap you to the vacuum and we run around the house - right, Teigs?
• While I never want to stop Teigan from doing what she loves, and want to be sure that we expose her to all different kinds of sports, musical instruments, and books - I'm seriously crossing my fingers that she never, ever, ever wants to play softball.

Three months old... mid-cat-nap.  What happened to those?

Six months old

Nine months old

I'm a year old!

Sweet Teigan, we are so thankful for you, our little lady, and all of the love, laughter, and joy you have brought us this past year.  You mean the world to us and we love you so incredibly much!  Here's to many more years of bliss with you!  Please just promise us that you give us at least another dozen years before we're totally not-cool.  We love you!  Happy 1st Birthday!

The Beginning of the End

This weekend Teigan and I ventured out a couple hours from here for a "Thomas the Train Experience".  While she still has absolutely no clue what that is, - or Dora, Mickey, a little Einstein, or those weird worm /alien/tubbie things - we went to meet up with my cousin, Catherine, her hubby, Nick, and their nephew, Nate.  While I'm sure it was Nick's idea to go, they claim they were in town to celebrate Nate's 3rd birthday.  Uh huh.  

Catherine, Teigan, and I on Thomas the Train. 

Teigan, the Engineer

Anywhoselbees, I've honestly never seen anything like this.  I have no idea if it was because this was the first cluster-event that I've been to since becoming a mom, or because I'm older now, or because I'm more aware of how I spend money, or because I am a living, breathing, human being.  Regardless, it was bonkers.  Not only did this couple-week-long-drive-through-event have a train ride [definition: 5 mph for 10 minutes and repeat] upon entry, but there was a petting zoo, fake tattoo's, story-telling, a Jack Black wanna-be singing songs about trains, bubbles, and bathroom breaks, photo-ops with inanimate objects, and food tents serving Fruit Stripe gum [yes, it apparently still exists].

All I know is that this is the kinda stuff that's going to empty out our wallets, like, next year.  Here's to hoping water bottles, pans, books, and grass always keep Teigan occupied and happy!  Hmm, now, as I write this, I'm also realizing that jewelry, remote controls, and cell phones should also be added to that list.  Looks like we just need to pick our poison...

Pool time!

I think most babies love the water, but I tell ya, Teigan finds ways to get into it as often as possible [especially now that she can crawl to the dog's water bowl and bathe herself, the floor, the food, and the rug in 14 seconds flat - literally]!  She's been going to the lake since she was just ten days old and we are all about frequent baths - and not just 'cause I'm a clean freak.  She just loves the water!  


Anyways, this past weekend we found a ridonkulously cheap blow-up infant pool and, as you can tell, had an absolute blast watching T in all of her water-spraying-'n-playing-glory.


Too early to tell, but bets on Teigan being on the 2028 USA Olympian Synchronized Swimming team?

Shakin' what Mama gave her!

There are a few key physical attributes I have inherited and, much to my dismay [only because I know how much Teigan will be annoyed when she gets older], Teigan has inherited Mama's boo-tay.  Not only is it round, muscular, and generally in-yo-face, but said Mama also has the distinct pleasure of having one hell of a high butt crack.  Laugh all you want now, but it's legit.  And so annoying.  

Anyways, I've always said that since I was blessed with such a caboose, I better be sure I know how to use it.  Thanks to my dad passing on the knowledge and genes required to seriously shake that booty, I do.  


Sweet Teigan, I noticed from early on, inherited Mama's booty, but also my dance moves - and attention to a beat when it is near.  Check out the dance party we had on Saturday... and by "we," I only mean Teigan.  

Uncle Donald is thrilled she's into techno.  I, on the other hand, will start working with her on Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Beyonce... and probably Hanson... and Backstreet Boys.

Moonshine in Mason Jars = East Tennessee's Classiest

As you can tell in the video above, and as I've mentioned in previous posts, Teigan is a walking [with help] fool these days!  And, if I didn't know better, I would say we've got a legit-running-slash-walking-baby on our hands in a couple of weeks.  Oh, snap... ! 


Looks like it's officially time to put up all of the trashcans, candy bowls, matches, and moonshine-filled mason jars we have within a one-year-old's reach.  Is it strange that it's actually a lot?


What?  We're classy.  I swear.


Seriously, we are... aren't we?

Future husband & bro-in-law?

Gage, Teigan, and Drew

Gage and Drew, our neighbor's great-grandkids, are, hands down, the best-looking set of five-year old boys I've ever laid my eyes on.  No kidding... and so stinkin' darling!  They always love on T and it's pretty much the cutest thing, ever.


Teigan is starting to walk [with assistance] all over the place and I'm finding she loves finding her way directly to them.  And, I swear T starts flirting with them the second they're in sight... laughing uncontrollably, waving, blushing, clapping... totes adorbs!  


Ben, on the other hand, is already scheming on how to have a talk with them about the fact that Teigan is off-limits for another 34 years.  You think I'm kidding?  I'm not.  I wonder if he realizes all they care about, at this point, is riding their bike, peeing on plants, and digging holes in the dirt?


In the meantime, I just love them.  All three of them.

I suppose a Jetson's air scooter isn't that bad...

I'm having a serious series of moments this week...

• Our sweet little girl is turning one this month.  
• This time last year, I was seriously preggo and beginning to count down the days until Teigan [still unnamed at that point] was going to show face.  
• Teigan's getting more teeth [seven and counting], climbing up and down stairs, using more "words", and she's really testing the whole walking thing.  

I've said it a million times before, but I'm so not that mom who wants their child to "slow down" because I, quite honestly, can't wait to see what a serious bad-arse Teigan's going to be when she grows up.  But... just this week... I wish time would slow down - just a tee-tiny-little-bit.  She's growing up so fast and with me being gone as much as I have been this past month with work, it's made me realize that even more.

In only a flash, I can see it... taking her to the movies with her friends to, obvi, meet boys, convincing her that having her own home phone line with the number [865] 4TEIGAN is so not happening, and she is definitely not spending all of her allowance money on that CD-mail-subscription thingy.  Sigh.  

Here's to thinking those are the things that I'm going to have to deal with in a dozen, or so, years!  Lesibihonest... I have a feeling I should be more concerned with the cell phone chip installed in her wrist, the Jetson's air scooter she's riding around, and the fact that the best college in the state is brought to you via Sam's Club.  Sigh x million.

A lazy day in April? Uh huh.

Yesterday was, quite possibly, the most amazing day.  I got to sleep 12 entire hours which is beyond unheard of these past several months.  I slept until, gasp!, 11am, played with Teigan in the backyard, got a little sun-tannin' in, read People magazine, ate a piece of cold pizza, stopped by the Slocum House Studio Gallery, bought a new dryer [ours totally bombed on us this week], conquered Sam's Club on a Sunday, and was just generally lazy the rest of the evening.  I can't get over how restful the day was!

Ben, on the other hand, worked his booty off and saved us some serious mula by replacing the rotors and brake pads on his car.  And mowed the yard.  And sprayed for bugs.  And fixed the leaking toilet.  And beat his hands against his chest.  So manly!

Babies at a bar!

The ladies!

Last night we met up with some amigos for a Saturday out on the town... with all of our babies.  We went to a local English beer garden for a couple drinks and ended up heading over to a fairly new sushi bar/outdoor water garden/nightclub [yes, all three - at once].  It may have been the first time that any children have ever entered the premises, so we were more than happy to put them on display for all of the hoochie-mama waitresses to google over... and it was hilarious-slash-ridiculous-slash-awesome!

Tucker, Teigan, and Robert pre-dancing

Unfortunately the Brosnan's had to head home early, but we can't wait to all go out again!  That place won't know what him 'em when we have four babies in their face!  All I know is that they better add an inch or two to those "dresses".  I'm pretty sure I saw some goods... and I'm not talking about Blue Bell Coffee ice cream goodness!

Bringing babies to super classy bars is my biz-nass.  Who wants to join us next week?

E$ Mama

Writers write. Singers sing.

This weekend was full of work.  But by "work", I honestly mean fun.  Yes, I legitimately busted arse until the early hours of the morning every day this past week and got up just a few hours later to start all over again, but it was amazing.  One of the events that the Dogwood Arts Festival produces is Rhythm N' Blooms.  With 56 musical performances over the course of three days throughout various venues in downtown Knoxville, you can only imagine the logistics and planning that went into the event this past weekend.  Phew!

As I've mentioned here a few times, I really want to get into writing more.  I have this fantasy of becoming a songwriter, but lesbihonest, me?  Really?  Nah.  So, anyways, a new aspect of Rhythm N' Blooms this year was something called Music Village which had luthiers, music workshops, musical vendors, etc.  I happened to pop in on the first workshop of the day which featured Hallerin Hilton Hill who was speaking on the topic of songwriting.  I honestly didn't think much of it, but when he started talking, I felt like I was the only one in the room and he was speaking directly to me.  I learned more from that workshop than I could ever express.  He literally brought me to tears [a couple times] as he discussed his story, how he ended up an Emmy-contender, and what he thinks it takes to make it.  I left that workshop feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to write.  I know I'm going to write a lot of crap, a lot of nonsense, and a lot of bad, bad songs... but I'm okay with that.  I want to put it all on paper.  Explore those feelings and emotions... put myself out there... and not care about any judgement.  I think I need it.  So, as Hallerin says, Writer's write. Write.  

So then, later that night, I snuck away from the job and headed on over to the Tennessee Theatre in hopes of catching an artist who had been receiving rave reviews.  I enter the theatre.  It's insanely breathtaking, PS, if you haven't been there before.  I walk down the aisle with my co-worker, Katie, to sit down and enjoy.  Mike Farris opens his mouth to sing "How I got to Memphis."  I cry.  Again.  Then on to sing "Change is Gonna Come."  Uh huh.  Crying... Freaking again.  Yes, multiple times in one day.  I blame it on the lack of sleep at first... but then I realize that this man has a gift that seriously rocks my world.  I mean, in-freaking-sane.  He is so unassuming and the sound he was belting out was beyond the realm of what I would ever consider humanly possible.  While singing is something that is a God-given talent [something I definitely don't have], I suppose that at some point in his life someone told him he had to sing.  He needs it.  It needs him.  Singers sing. Sing.  

Writing and officially a Mike Farris fan for life,

Nikita Blaze*
*Decidedly my pen name, in case you were wondering...

Knoxville... Home to Me

Henley Street Bridge over the Tennessee River

Oh, sweet, sweet Knoxville.  How do I love thee so?  I seriously hated you when I moved here seven years ago [next month], but I have come to love you.  A lot.  The mountains make me realize the natural gifts that God gives us every single day - that most of us take for granted.  The fresh air makes me feel alive.  The sprawling gardens and greens make me feel encouraged.  The people make me feel loved, confident, and inspired [when you're not being close-minded and pissing me off].  The hidden parks among the most inconspicuous neighborhoods make me feel young.  The lakes and rivers make me want to move my body around the dance floor.


Don't get me wrong, as I lightly mentioned above, you have little octopus limbs attached to you that drive me bonkers and I so wish I could amputate, but I suppose you can't be perfect.  But mostly, you are.  You are home to me.


Now, just because, my favorite song, live with some impromptu lyrics, by Josh Kelley... "Home to Me".  Enjoy!

11 months!

Happy 11-month Birthday [yesterday] to Teigan!  

Camera-attack!

Somebody's excited that Daddy is home!

Chatting away

Ben teaching T to blow kisses

Because I'm Mom of the Year, I've decided that it's totally kosher to send out birthday invites with just a few weeks notice.  And by "invites", I obviously mean a phone call/ email/ facebook message/ note in the mailbox.  That's cool, right?  Is it also appropriate to not really do anything other than have all of our friends over for an afternoon of yard games, BBQ, homemade margaritas, fresh air, and - oh yeah, a cupcake... or four?  I certainly hope so because that's probably [definitely] the plan...


I promise I love you, Teigan, and when you're old enough to care, we will flower you with gifts like Lego's, a soccer ball, roller blades, jars of dirt, the Jock Rock series, aluminum foil, a walkman, cardboard boxes, little army men, and an old-school Radio Flyer - the only things any kid really needs in life.  Huh... wonder how in the world I possibly could have been such a tomboy...


Anywhoselbees, any recommendations on baby-friendly cupcake recipes would be greatly appreciated!

Just sayin'

I just have to say...
1. Working so much that you don't get to workout [for real] totally sucks.
2. Realizing that your only chance to sit down and read a book is when everyone else is sleeping, including yourself, totally sucks.
3. Hearing about people talking trash about others, with absolutely no just reason, totally sucks.
4. Somehow convincing yourself that a well-rounded meal consists of protein [Cheez-its], dairy [Chips Ahoy], and fruit [Nutri-Grain] totally sucks.
5. Feeling like you never have enough time with the ones you love totally sucks.


And on a lighter note...
1. A brief moment outdoors to rest in the most perfect grass on a windy day with the sun peering through the clouds makes all the suck go away.
2. Pretending to be a "faculty member" all in hopes of landing a quick drink, handful of bar nuts, and one hell of a view of the Tennessee River - and succeeding! - makes all the suck go away.
3. Seeing downtown Knoxville from a different vantage point and packed with beautiful children and happy people makes all the suck go away.
4. Handstand-walking down a very-packed Gay Street makes all the suck go away.
5. Seeing Teigan smiling, laughing, chatting, and curling her tongue in ways unimaginable every morning absolutely, positively makes all the suck go away.

Here's to sweet dreams of next month when I'm not already at work when Teigan gets up so I can see our baby girl doing what she does best every morning... being totes adorbs!

A rainbow of awesomeness - in your face!

Ladies and Gentlemen... Boys and Girls... Dogs and Hamster/Gerbils [but not cats],


I have huge news to report.  And by huge, I mean Coco-butt-big [yes, that's a proper term]!  My dear broski, Matt, is packin' up his bags, throwin' 'em in a truck, and heading north to live in... yep... you guessed it... KNOXVILLE! 


As of June 9, this town isn't going to know what hit 'em... and I'm only halfway kidding.  I'm positive KnoxVegas won't be able to handle both of us together on a daily basis; it's just going to be too much.

Two minutes before entering the ExxonMobil headquarters looking for the "Skeets the Controller"... Dad loved us for this one.

Pre-Journey-dancing!

Hmmm... singing?  Obvi.

Singing to the woods... seriously.

I'm so excited to have him here with me so we can get coffee, go run-walk-skipping on the Cherokee Trail, watch Teigan play soccer, sing to strangers in random parking lots, and dance our way down Gay Street!  Yep.  It's happening.  All of it.  Daily.


I love you so much, Matt, and, all kidding aside, am so thrilled that you will be here!  It's going to be great for all of us.  Here's to fun, growth, and new adventures!  


58 days!  [but who's counting?]