Well – I didn’t actually ignore the month, just ignored blogging about it.

“Neglecting the world is the sincerest form of Max-flattery.” ~ Sarah Trottier

So deep.  So wise.  Ha!

I actually miss blogging terribly and am trying to figure out a way to fit it in at least on a weekly basis.  It’s truly this Mama’s preferred form of “me time.”

Anyhoooooo!

October came…it went.  We laughed, we cried.

No really – we all did.

ALL THREE OF US!

Check out why I haven’t been able to peel myself away from my new life.  (Blame, you will no longer place.)

I mean, just.stop.it.right.now.child.of.mine.

October was a great month.  I shall show you why via a poop-ton of pictures. You’re welcome.  Ready?  Set?  GO!

Not an event, just every day cuteness ’round here!

My littlest love ♥

“So nice to meet you, Auntie Christina!  Where is it you say you’re from?  New Fork?”

Before Coleman Public House and Taco Mamacita

Game day – WHAT a snoozer!

My boys! 

Self-pic after my 30th birthday party

“Yeah, yeah – it’s Mommy’s birthday.”

Before Zac Brown on my bday (which was heaven on earth, by the way!)

Pumpkin patch!

Laughs with Nana

Snugglin’ with Dada in Asheville (a post on Max’s first road trip to Asheville to come!) 

Baby boy not feeling a photo shoot – oops!

Sweetness

“My first Halloween – I was a bat!”

“I tolerated this costume all of 5 minutes!!!”

“A not so great picture of my Halloween pjs!”

Okay, one more from Asheville.  A family pic =)

In conclusion.  I’m back and Max is adorable.

End of story.

LOVE YOU ALL, HOWEVER MANY OF YOU ARE LEFT READING!  

XOXO

p.s. My maternity leave ends in a little more than 36 hours.  What’s that you say?  You can hear my sobs from there?  Oh.  Not surprised.

Beach Count & Pool Count are retired for the seasoned (sigh!) 

High Temperature: 55° or something – brrrrr! 

Max and I visited his Dada at work yesterday.  We organized matching outfits (big thanks to Nana and Grandpa for traveling all of Mount Pleasant to find Scott’s tie!).  We’re a matchy-type family.  I can see Scott and I wearing matching Christmas sweatshirts with bells on them in 20 short years…and I’m not even sorry about it.  Anyway, the result couldn’t be cuter!

OH…my goodness.

Max was a hit (obvi).  I’m pretty sure productivity was cut in half, but what’s a better distraction than a cute baby?!

We’re hoping to spend some time downtown with Max this weekend and to hang out with my parents’ good friends visiting from NY.  What’re y’all up to? 

HAPPY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!  

XOXO

p.s. Happy wedding day to our friends, Trevor and Laura!  Can’t wait to see you in CHARLESTON soon!  =)

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 79° 

This past Sunday was a BIG day in the Trottier household.

All of our fellow New York Giants fans can thank our little man for the win.

Max wore his too-big-but-even-more–too-cute Giants jersey onesie.  But that’s not all folks.

He ALSO gave us his first purposeful, reactionary smile.  I am SO HAPPY that I caught it on camera!!!

This is how it went…

Yes.  Heart melted.

{love sigh}

So – you’re welcome Giants fans.  Let’s see if Max is their lucky charm again tonight.  

GO G-MEN!!!

XOXO

p.s. We took a little trip to Dada’s work today.  Check back tomorrow for Max and Dada in matching work outfits.  No – seriously.  

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 82° 

Oh.  Labor Day was 4 days ago, you say?  

Hm.  Close enough, I say.  I’m on baby time now, kids!

I made a video documenting Baby Max’s start in this world.  [cue the tissues] Thankfully, I started it before his arrival.  Otherwise, I think I would’ve completed it just short of Max’s sweet 16 (man, it’s hard to get things done while taking care of an infant!).

It’s 6 minutes of your life, so watch at your own discretion.  I, myself, can’t get enough.

I suggest watching ON YouTube by simply clicking “Tube” on the lower right corner of the video box in order to see the video without having parts cut off. File under: I-have-no-idea-what-I’m-doing-with-videos.

ENJOY!

  ♥

p.s. A call out to my besties.  I’m sorry this is the only type of call that I’ve made to you in weeks.  I love and miss you.  I suggest calling me.  again.  repeatedly. everyday.  (no, but seriously.)  XOXO

p.s.s. HI GRAM!  Skype next week?!  xoxo

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 90° 

Yes – pun intended!

Oh.My.Goodness.  

Max is THEE BEST little man on the planet.

He is SO sweet ♥

He sleeps more than expected.

He’s a good eater [OUCHIES for Mama!].

He smiles (okay, not on purpose yet – but still!).

He likes music and singing and bright lights and Daddy’s dance moves.

He’s a pro at Skype and was an angel during his newborn portrait session (can’t wait to share these pics with you soon – once we get them!!!).

He has the cutest, little feet.

He has razor sharp nails, the most adorable double chin, and HATES bath and diaper time.

He likes to keep one eye open more than the other…even sometimes while sleeping (trust no one – ha!).

He holds my finger while he nurses (pitter patter).

He’s (obviously) advanced beyond his years weeks.

We are enjoying every second.

I am SO THANKFUL that Scott has been home with us and will continue to be until the little pumpkin is 5 weeks old.  BLESSED.

Max’s birth story, my newborn must-haves, and other random posts will be coming your way in the next couple of weeks.  Here are some Max pics to hold you over!

Swooooon!

Who loves their Daddy more?

Just stop it…

Just chillaxin’ – watching some PGA with Dada

I’m semi-watching you!  (Happiest Mommy in the world, by the way!)

NOT a happy camper!

“Daddy’s Big Guy!”  We have a “Mommy’s Big Guy” onesie, too!

I can’t get enough of these two!

Our little family

Love ♥

Thank you to EVERYONE for the heartfelt well-wishes and congrats, both on this here blog and on Facebook.  I am too overwhelmed with love to answer back everyone, but please know that every single encouraging word is very much appreciated!!!

XOXO

p.s. We have company in town for 2 full weeks…maybe Max will get to explore some of Charleston???  We’ll see!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 89° 

“Star of Mommy’s Blog”

Ain’t that the truth! 

Thanks, Aunt Christina!  xoxo

p.s. Gotta love my pregnancy sweat glow!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 97° 

FINALLY a quick update on Spunky (isn’t the first child always ignored and neglected?!).  [Well, Spikey was really the first!]

November 14th, 2011 – the last documented mention of Spunky on the blog ::GASP:: (Me and Lisa from her and Seth’s 36 Hours of Fun!!!) 

Yesterday – July 24th, 2012

Check out those ridiculously pale tree stumps AND THEN check out Spunky (holy overly-pregnant-and-swollen monster legs — yikes!).

Hopefully you can tell that Spunky has grown quite a bit and is looking more and more like a real palm tree!  We are very proud!  It was quite windy when this photo was taken, so Spunky was definitely one with Willow Smith — “I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my hair back and forth…”

Please, for the love of the [dry] earth, check out our HORRIBLE lawn.  We’ve had NO working sprinklers all year.  The HOA has been working on it (something about salt water in the well), but for now – we have very burnt “grass.”  Gross. This drives my poor husband to CRAZYtown on a daily basis!

Happy Dr. Appointment Day Hump Day – I’ll keep y’all posted!

xoxo

 p.s. I fulfilled my fish & chips craving last night at Pearlz downtown.  YUM!  We headed to Bakehouse for a decaf frappe afterwards and then sat at Waterfront Park by the pineapple fountain for a while.  A perfect pre-baby date night…love my hubby! ♥

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 96° 

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for making yesterday the day with the most ever views on Charm of Charleston!

ALL OF YOU have been so incredibly supportive and positive throughout this pregnancy…it honestly warms my heart.

I, of course, appreciate all of my friends and family for following us on this journey.  But I also very much appreciate my blog family (blamily? okay – maybe not) – the family of people who comment and follow religiously, even though we have never even met.  THANK YOU!

Even though this blog started as a way to share my love for Charleston (which I still love to pieces), it really is a blog about my life.  The focus of my life has changed, as it tends to do, and hence so has this blog.  This is my life documented, folks; heck – lately, it’s been a pregnancy journal!  Stick around to see what’s next – it’ll be a surprise to both of us!

But for now, just know that you’ve made my day!!!

Taking it back to this blog’s roots real quick, check out this article that was published last week on the Huffington Post website - Nine Things We Love About Charleston, SC.  I’m not sure how they ever narrowed it down to nine! 

 Downtown Summerville this week (The Eclectic Chef was delish!)

xoxo

p.s. Thoughts and prayers to Aurora, Colorado.  My brother was at the very same midnight showing in NYC.  Feeling pretty thankful.

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 91° 

I AM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER.

(I repeat)

I AM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER!

I absolutely admit that I have a semi-fancy camera and have not a clue what to do with it (hello, automatic setting!).  Scott and I both tried our very best to document Baby T.’s completed nursery, just like I am going to try my very best at this moment to let these photos speak for themselves and stop yapping.  always a struggle.

ENJOY! 

Okay, you know I wouldn’t be able to just leave it at that!  I’m a natural born narrator – I can’t help myself!!!

Note to Self (YOURself included): Planning a nursery without knowing the baby’s gender DOES present some challenges.  We chose to start with the primary colors from the bedding and the rug that we love and roll with the rest.  Yellow, gray, and red quickly became our accent colors.  We love the blue wall color and think it screams “baby!” without necessarily screaming “baby BOY!”  It’s just a sweet color.  We didn’t really theme-it-out, but went with a few different ideas that tickled our fancies.  It’s the only room in the house that we’ve planned from paint to curtain pullback and it’s the most serene-feeling room in the house.  We’re really happy with how it came together!!!

C’mon with the NY and SC prints – love ‘em, right?!  They’re so meaningful to us.

We found all of the wall art on Etsy, except for the gorgeous and thoughtful quote art.  My great friend in NY made that for me – thanks, Jenn!!!

I LOVE the nursing/reading nook by the window.  It’s so cozy.  Didn’t my Mom do an awesome job recovering the glider???  NAILED IT.  It’s perfect – thanks, Mom!  ♥

DIY Projects: I added the yellow ribbon to the chalkboard and lampshades.  I also made the curtain pullbacks with the yellow ribbon (and other small and cheap hardware pieces).  I made the mobile and I added the hearts to our home cities (Albany and Charleston) onto the state maps.

I threw that clock in the cube organizer last minute (I had a book opened and standing in place of it originally).  We still CANNOT figure out the perfect spot for that thing, but it’ll live there for now.  or for at least the next 5 minutes.  What a pain that clock has been – location suggestions welcome!

We love that there is still a lot of room to grow (re: space within the furniture, closet, bins, and baskets) and wall space to adorn, if and when we so chose.  I picture some large canvas prints on either wall in the nursing/reading nook of some pregnancy photos and then Baby T.’s newborn photos.  I also imagine a growth chart on the wall in the corner by the cube organizer and closet door. Maybe a little kid-sized coat rack somewhere.  Some more decorations on the top of the bookcase.  Baby’s name somewhere, even?  A baby will soon be in that crib…THAT I am sure of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite parts of the room are the personalized ones…the glider, the DIY projects, the blocks, the books, and the state prints.  What’s your favorite part?  What am I missing/what did I forget?  Anything look completely impractical?  What’s your favorite part of YOUR baby’s nursery?  

Phew – another BIG project checked off of the list!!!  I hope you enjoyed the big reveal!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

p.s. 17 days or less was YESTERDAY’S count.  Now 16 is the number – EEK and YAY! 

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 89° 

We started out with a walk on the beach at Sullivan’s Island…

We fancied our water bottles with these wedding koozies (that we never actually used)…

I’m sure that my wedding dress would fit just as well as it fits my water bottle!

No go on the zippage

Then we went to Metto for coffee, just like last year.  Their Caramel Freeze (their frappe-like drink) is THE BEST!  Metto (Mt. Pleasant) and Kudu (downtown) are my 2 favorite coffee shops in Charleston!  Kudu serves both coffee AND beer – so naturally it’s Scott’s fav coffee spot.

Scott picked up these for me on our way home…

So purdy!

We went home for lunch and a nap for me/a workout for Scott.  Poor Scott’s workout turned into worrying that trees in our backyard may end up inside of our house (apparently there was a wicked thunderstorm while I peacefully slumbered).  A leaking kitchen window was NOT Scott’s favorite part of our anniversary!

My parents stopped over before we left for dinner, so luckily we got a picture of us together.

A little different than my look last year!

Man, I miss my waist!

We went to dinner at 39 Rue de Jean downtown for the first time.  Another yummy  restaurant checked off the list!  It was delicious!  We had mouthwatering mussels first, then Scott had steak while I had a scallop dish.  We shared quite a bit and were extremely happy with our dinner.

In keeping with our annual tradition, we looked at our wedding album and then watched our wedding DVD.  Many tissues later (I started crying while writing Scott’s card and never really stopped – hormones!), we ate some ice cream and closed the door to year number 4.  The start of year number 5 is going to be cah-RAY-zee town!!!

Another great year – another great anniversary! ♥

Happy Friday (the 13th, ooooo)!

p.s. Found out at our appt yesterday that baby is in position for arrival (aka: head down).  Sorry if that’s TMI – but this is VERY exciting!!!  

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 30 

High Temperature: 90°