People-watching

Anyone who knows me is aware that I'm ridiculously organized and clean, super opinionated, as transparent as the shores of Costa Rica, questionably the largest fan of Blue Bell coffee ice cream known to man - and the most dedicated people-watcher, ever.  I'm totally obsessed.  Anyone.  Everyone.  Doesn't matter where I am, what I'm doing, who I'm with, or how much I shouldn't be doing it.  I love people watching!  Seriously, it's bad.  I should probably see someone about it.  For the record, though, I promise I'm always listening - even if there's absolutely no eye contact because I'm so obnoxiously and obviously starring at people.  Sigh.  Anywhoselbees, here are my picks for the top five places to people-watch:

1. Airports
2. Theme-parks, specifically any Six Flags or Dollywood
3. Malls
4. Any city's downtown hub
5. Cracker Barrell [newly discovered; but it's definitely got the promise of a keeper!]

So, as you can tell from the pictures below, we were having a hard time catching Teigan doing anything on Saturday evening - other than people-watching in Market Square.  Are these seriously the things I'm passing on to her?  

Dad... play remote... A PERSON!

Yeah, I totally love playing with this remote, Dad...

...Nevermind, I see PEOPLE!

More Knoxvillians to look over!

I would kiss you, Maaaooom, but instead I'm thinking of all these people you're making me miss out on!

Sorry, I'm busy being totally inconspicuous while starring!

And then Sweet T got her first flower from a boy.  Good call, buddy... hearty tip given!

Nice flower... nicer looking guy over there!

Back to the rose... for two seconds.  So anyways, I'm here with my mom and dad?  Who knew!

I really need to start getting back to reading the dictionary daily, playing Mozart in the background, and listening to inspirational books on tape in the car [yes, tape].  You know, 'cause I totally used to do that on a normal basis... and I have to pass on those things.  <dramatic pause>  Nah.

Dadada's Day!

When I stop to sit back and think about the amazing father's surrounding me, I feel so thankful.  I am blessed to have such positive, wonderful people in my life... grandparents, uncles, cousins, friends, and certainly my own dad and husband!  Gosh, I have the best people around me [oh, and you too, ladies!].


But Ben, you are just the best dad!  Your whole life revolves around Teigan - and it shows.  I always do my best, but she is such a daddy's girl and I'm not afraid to admit that you are clearly the favorite parent here.  But really, who could blame her?  I would pick you, too.  Thanks for being such a great dadada - we love you!

PS :: I found a slew of great photos that I never posted on here, so I may have to do some ol' photo recaps soon.  But in the meantime, I couldn't pass up showing these adorbs couple of GG Dick & Teigan. LOVE.

We're-a-walkin'!

Sweet T has been taking a couple steps here-'n-there, so we knew it was just a matter of time before our little lady would be running around.  Well...

... as I walked in the door to pick up Teigan today, I was greeted with the best news - she started legitimately walking today!  I'm not gonna lie, a little bit of me felt so insanely guilty that I missed the first real walk as I was working, but, I am so incredibly happy that Doug & Kathy were witness to it!  

Having left my cell phone in the car for the first few walks I was witness to, I was able to capture the last one of the day - in which I started crying and she subsequently finished the walk with a swift fall into the coffee table.  First fall of many?  No doubt, but I'm stoked!

Should I already be regretting this excitement, fellow mommies?  Here goes nothin'!

Heads up, Uncle Matty

My brother, Matt, will officially be a Knoxville resident in just over one week.  Um, what?!  I still don't think any of us can get over that reality, but boy, we are so excited!  

Matt, as Teigan's Uncle, just a few things you should be aware of once you get here:

1. Teigan especially loves Jim Carrey faces... so it's time for you to start practicing in the mirror again.  Except this time, 45 minutes every single night while sitting on top of the bathroom vanity isn't necessary.
2. Based on Teigan's clear interest in music and dance, you will be working with her on N*Sync's "Bye Bye Bye" dance and song.  Good thing you're a seasoned veteran in this.  And "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred.  And "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson.  And "Since You've Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson.
3. You are welcome to take our dogs to the park in hopes of picking up some cute girls, but Teigan... well, you can't put her on a leash.  
4. Don't ever forget... "if it's a #2, take a clue, it's a job for you!"  Under no circumstances are you allowed to go greet a nice looking lady who clearly already has children to change your niece's dumpy diaper.
5. You're very good at gathering market research in order to plead your case.  Next up?  You'll start the plea in getting Uncle Zach and Auntie Kat to move here!  Somebody call the authorities, we're starting a cult!  

I'm looking out for you, Uncle Matty!

Sure you're ready for this jelly?  Zip zap!

Diva!

"Can someone direct me to the green room, please?  Hello!"

I don't think I have anything to say other than... "this is for you, Diva!".  Many thanks to Jean and Lauren for making my sweet little girl look like a fourteen-year-old diva-in-training!  Ben officially hates you both.


Making sure my one-year-old is rockin' a bikini and glitter shades like it's nobody's biz-nass,
E$ Mama

Gaga's Dance Club

Meet Teigan aka Lady Gaga's Dance Club President... baby chapter.. bath edition.

Adios, Liquid Gold!

The time has come for me to say goodbye to a dear friend, confident, and... by-product from my own body?  Teigan has officially consumed her last bottle of breast milk.  It's hard to believe that damned pump and I had our separation five months ago.  It feels like just yesterday that I was hanging out to the "mahh mahh mahh mahh..." that was the soundtrack of my life for seven long months.  I will miss you, sweet breast milk, but I can't say that I'll ever miss the contraption, time, and process that it took to get to you.


Peace, Love, and Liquid Gold-
Maaaooomm [what Teigan is now calling me... how does a one-year-old skip "Mama"?!]


PS - Lauren H., I still never tried it.  I know you must be disappointed.  Good thing you tried it while you were under the influence - and you didn't even know it!  Bamskies!  Meow.

It's arrived... Pomegranate Liquor!

I know you've been itching to know how the pomegranate liquor turned out!  Behold your beating hearts, I didn't kill anyone while making this sweet gem of a liquid... and it's positively delicious!  Now I just have to figure out when to actually drink the stuff as it's suddenly turned into something like our fine bottles of vino or, gasp, the forbidden mason jars of moonshine from the hills; there's just never a good enough excuse to break into it!  

Cheers!

Opening weekend at the lake!

Thanks for the super adorbs hat, Auntie Meaghan!

So Memorial Day weekend came and went which, for us, means opening day at the lake!  The entire summer last year we kept talking about what our lake days would be like once Teigan was really mobile.  Well, I can tell you that is a lot more work, but so much fun watching her play in the water - and really enjoy it!  

Two men, two babies, and a mini pup... hmmm...

Teigan & Handsome Rob being cool in the penguin pool

Daddy & T

Sweet T

We're not sure if she's a mer-person yet, but I did sign up for mommy-daughter swim classes that start in a couple weeks.  I'm actually super excited about it!  Now, if only there were lessons directing mommy to get over her fear of a snake popping up out of the water at any given moment.  That's what I get for growing up near the Gulf of Mexico... sigh.

PS :: I completely neglected to give everyone Teigan's one-year stats, so, as of May 18:

    Age: 367 days old
    Weight: 20 lbs. 3 oz.
    Height: 28 1/4"
    Head circumference: 17 3/4" 

Teigan has grown 7 1/4" and gained 12 lbs. 1 oz. since she was born.  She has seven teeth fully in and one more coming in.  If you stop and think about that, that's totally wild!

Roamin' down the hallway

Wondering what Teigan does in her spare time these days?  Well, she is taking single steps, but isn't walking - yet.  And, while she received her first baby doll from a friend for her first birthday, she's not pushing it in a stroller - yet.  So, next best thing to both?  Pushing her high-chair with a stuffed animal in it...

Smash cake & Pool bath!

"Seriously. What is going on, Dad?"

"I'm totally in to all of this singing-to-me stuff..."

"Not too sure about this... it looks too fancy to eat!"

"This tastes so much better than cauliflower!"

"Mom, I was trying to be all neat & clean... but if you insist on a better photo-op, okay... let's dig in! But wait, why do you look so nervous and disgusted? Is it the promise of me being a total mess when I'm done here?"

"Mmmm!"

"Sugar high officially taking place and I'm ready to share!"

"Just kidding... I want it all to myself again!"

"Sugar-high-kinda-happy!"

"Someone roll me outta this joint... I'm full!"

"... but I'll play with it for just a little longer before I get thrown in the bath..."

"Listen up Handsome Rob and Tuck Tuck, this is my pool. I'm happy to share, but please treat my duckies nice, mmmkay?"

"Handsome Rob, what does a baby computer call his dad?... Da-ta! Get it?! Man, I'm hilarious."

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?