comfort food

After my neighborly love a couple weeks back, it was time for pay back. Something yummy and comforting right?! Hubs was pushing for a recipe cousin Lauren had made for us over the summer. So meatloaf it was. And not just any ole meatloaf, but Turkey Meatloaf with Feta & Sundried Tomatoes. It's something serious and a side of orzo with roasted veggies… mmm, mmm, good. Luckily, baby girl was napping so I had some real time to get in the kitchen and do it up. Only when I put it all together it looked kind of measley. Thanks goodness for slice and bake cookies. Not homemade, but made with love and they never disappoint.

community tap

The gods were shining on hubs while we were away this summer. The Community Tap opened up down the street. Pretty much, he's in heaven. They sell craft beers on tap in growlers. We now have two in our fridge and hubs has already been back for refills. Isn't beer supposed to be good for nursing? Plus they have affordable wine and champers. Yes please. We strolled on down the hill with Miriam and happened to meet one of the owners and his wife, who was also pushing a stroller. Being there were two strollers in a beer store, we easily struck up a conversation about the hood. North Main has only one restaurant and about ten hair salons, so thank goodness we got a new type of business. I really hope folks support them. They could not have been nicer and the store is adorable. Everyone walking in knew one another by name. At least we'll be breaking a little sweat with all these hills. Or that's what we will tell ourselves, because I know we'll be strolling back quite often.

nine weeks in

One of my oldest friends came by for a visit before I left town. We've been buds since we were little, so I spared no detail and told the good, the bad, and the ugly of what I'd experienced thus far in motherhood. Those first six weeks pushed me, mentally & physically, to a place I'd never been. You're going through so many emotions after giving birth that it's hard to stop and really understand it all. I think I'm still taking it all in. Day by day, feeling all the new emotions the morning brings.

But life is funny. Just when you think you can't do it anymore, you realize you've already done it. I kept that 6 week mark in my mind like a prize. And it felt like I'd NEVER get there, but here we are at 9 weeks and low and behold, there is light. Yessirree, baby girl is 2 months old. After all the crying, the colic, and constant nursing… Miriam is becoming a happy baby. I guess the little peanut just wasn't ready until now. Wasn't ready for all the sights and sounds of this big world. Don't get me wrong. She still screams a lot, but now she also smiles. She makes funny noises and giggles. Now she kicks her legs and points her toes like a ballerina. I think she simply must be the cutest baby in the world. It's true. I don't want to jinx myself here, but life is better. So much better.

NOTE: I actually wrote this post a few days ago, but never published it. Oh the irony! Baby girl has been at it again. Waking up every 3 hours at night and not wanting to nap. No napping makes for one big sour-puss around here. What am I doing wrong?! I'm hanging in there, but I think the bags under my eyes are deepening. Good thing we're headed to the doc today and by golly have I got a list of questions to ask :)

the lazy goat

Even though the clouds were out and rain was falling, we were anxious for a night on the town. One that started at 5:30, but a night out just the same. We got all dressed up and met some friends at the Lazy Goat downtown. Not the boys preference, but I think it's mighty nice. Plus they have good bubbles by the glass so it passes my test. Oh, and yes we took the baby. She was happy as a lamb being passed around between the girls shoulders. All went shockingly well. Even with two diaper changes. I did the first one then sent hubs in for round two. Woo-hoo, we survived.

My goodness, it felt good to be out. Laughing and telling stories with some new, great friends. Who knew we'd be the "baby" people in the group?! I even gave her a bottle towards the end. It felt funny and yet, kinda normal too to have this little punkin' at our side. And then it was time for our little fam to take it to the house. Our friends continued their evening out at dinner, and us… well, we went home for quiche. Times they are a changin'.

nice neighbors

The nicest thing happened the other afternoon. We came home to find a note on our door from a neighbor. While cooking for her own family, she made extra for ours thinking we could use a night off. How lovely is that?!! So over they came with a tray of two freshly baked quiches. One spinach + feta and one sausage + potato. Oh my, they were so good and you could taste the love. We tend to feed one another down south. I sure appreciate that tradition!

patterson house

There's no sign out front and if no one told ya, you'd never know it was there. And you need a password to get in. Well, not really, but wouldn't that be cool?! It's this bar called The Patterson House in Nashville. I'd been dying to go ever since it opened, but decided it was probably best to wait until I wasn't pregnant. There's something not as appealing as shimmying up to the bar with a huge melon on your tummy and ordering a water. So while we were home and had my folks to babysit, hubs and I ventured in to quench our thirst. It's this very intimate, low lit interior lined with book shelves and booths around the main attraction. We decided to sit at the bar to get the full effect. I choose a cocktail with champagne, vodka, fresh grapefruit juice and lemon. Hubs choose a drink with bacon flavored bourbon and fresh orange peel. The bartender concocts your drink with all these special tools, eye droppers, and potions which is so much fun to watch. The bourbon drink had a perfectly round ball of ice spinning in it. Maybe it was all the fresh ingredients, the energy of the room, or just being out of the house with my cute husband, but my drink went down so, sooooo smooth.

mini clothes

Here's the thing about having a girl. There are so many cute baby clothes out there it's ridiculous. I foolishly signed up for some designer sale sites like zulily + minisocial thinking there would be good deals. Big mistake. Of course there are good deals and now I am tempted by their daily emails.

One of the children's lines I'm dying over is pink chicken. These boho dresses would be so adorable on the little lady. I can already tell this is going to be a problem. Must unsubscribe. But maybe I'll wait just a wee bit longer? This could be a problem.

back to the bungalow

Whew, I'm glad that is over! We survived our first road trip with the babe. Packed up the crib, and clothes, and baby clothes, and gear and hit the highway. It was a sunny day and I rode in the back next to Miriam, doing my best to make funny faces and rattle a toy or two. She was a champ and really slept most of the ride. Such a good girl. No heavy lifting for me. While I had held the babe and opened up the house, hubs and his dad unpacked the car. It felt kind of surreal walking in to see all of our stuff after almost 3 moths away. Everything just like we left it only with cobwebs in every corner. This week was spent cleaning up, organizing, and most importantly… setting up Miriam's room. There are now traces of baby in every room of the bungalow.



I don't know how we would have done it all without Marilyn, my mother in law. She swooped in the day after we landed and went about cleaning, cooking and soothing Miriam. It was so much easier to unpack without a baby on my hip. Plus she made the most amazing blackberry cobbler recipe. We didn't want her to leave! I think Miriam sensed her departure, because she was not a happy baby the next few days. She looked at us like, "the pro is gone and I know you two have no idea what you're doing!" Maybe it was the move, but something had this child all in a tizzy. It was really rough so we just took turns trying anything we could come up with. I called cousin Lauren to commiserate a little and she did a bad, bad thing. She told me Charlie has been sleeping from 10 to 5. Umm… scuma? Isn't he three weeks younger than Miriam? I almost hung up on her.



Since our first go round went so well we decided to push our luck and make another road trip south. This time to see hubs' grammy & paw-paw in Atlanta. They are some of the sweetest people I've ever met. Lots of oohing and ahhing over Miriam and a yummy lunch together. Unfortunately, we hit hotlanta traffic on our way home that nigh which made it a long one. The baby screamed for the last half hour, so we just put down the windows and turned up the tunes. Seriously. And a small miracle happened that evening. She slept for 7 hours straight. I reckon after three days of crying, she had finally worn herself out. We actually woke up a couple times just to make sure she was breathing! It may never happen again, but I am praying awfully hard for it!

summer times

My what a summer we've had, but it's time to return to our bungalow in Greenville. The last couple of months have been filled with all sorts of memories, the biggest being Miss Miriam. To share her arrival with friends from home has been such a blessing. And living on the farm with my parents… married and with a baby… well it was truly unique & wonderful. I think hubs got to know my folks on a whole new level! Evenings all gathered in the kitchen discussing/arguing/laughing - everything from politics, to how to get the baby to stop crying. "Aunt Fi" kept us in hysterics with her visits and friends kept our bellies full with all the delicious food. Momma and hubs did the cooking on other nights and clearly established the "kitchen wars".



As fun as it's been, it's time to get on back to Greenville. I miss that town and I'm looking forward to settling back in to our home and seeing friends. Mr Cooper won't be with us though and we sure will miss his presence. Big buddy loved it there. But Miriam is in for a treat and we'll be showing her around town and embarking on new adventures. Little nugget will be a South Carolina girl in no time.

Wish us luck on the six hour car trip with a six week old baby…off we go!

happy home

I love happy spaces where you just want to take a seat and stay a while. This room totally fits the bill. Remember when I won some things from that cute store called Alice Lane? Well I checked out the blog and saw a room they just renovated for Stepanie Nie. Stephanie's blog is adorable and her story is amazing. She and her husband survived a plane crash last year. They are such a deserving family and hopefully this new space will bring them even more joy. I would hang out in this basement any ole time.

photos via alice lane

burgers, babies & blue jeans

It's my last week here in Nashville so I've been taking full advantage of it. Mom and I met up with Louise, Lauren & aunt Fi and lunched on grass-fed burgers, truffle fries and cocktails at Burger Up. Oh, how I've missed a good vino lunch. This place is adorable and the food was delicious. Burgers were just the right size and not greasy at all. We had a big time, then headed out for a bit of shopping next door at imogene + willie. I've been really curious about this shop. They fit their jeans custom to your body. Only catch is you have to wear them in. They're super stiff so it's kind of a commitment, but once you break 'em in they'll be your new best friend. Hmm… motivation to lose this baby weight. Speaking of baby… there is the sweetest store off music row called tweed. We couldn't resist bringing home a few goodies for our little punkin'-head.

our first outing

To stretch our legs and get out of the house, Miriam and I have been taking a mornin' stroll. My arms get a break and she's calmed by the chirping birds & warm air. She just sucks, sucks, sucks on her paci. This child is obsessed with Soothies and thank goodness for them. Only this morning I forgot the paci and it was all cool til she woke up. Luckily my stroller skills (in the fabulous bob) had her whizzing around and back into slumber. We were cruising along until a big, dark cloud showed up. The horses started to gallop around we spun around. Too late. The wind picked up, the sky opened up and I took off running. I'm sure I looked ridiculous in my pajamas, calling after the dogs, and hoofing it full speed. Miriam's eyes were big & wide like… "mama, what in the world have you got us into". Oops!

So my "big" news of the week is the babe and I had our first venture out alone. Who knew that could be so intimidating?! Well let me tell ya… I was a nervous nelly. First stop was my doc for a post baby check up. I hauled her in the mammoth car seat and she was totally chill right up until my exam. Then she woke up hungry and with a diaper blow out. She screamed during the entire exam. Lovely. Miriam sure does know how to make her presence known. It was fine though and the nurses loved on her. Next stop was lunch and a friends house where I popped her the Bjorn. I swear that thing lulls her to sleep. It's taken me a good 6 weeks, but I'm slowly coming on back.

Since I've been home, I got momma hooked on "bethenny getting married". The men roll their eyes, but it's mindless entertainment. So we sampled the "skinny girl" margarita she shamelessly promotes on the show. Annoying name, but it's not bad - very refreshing and not too sweet. Plus you add nothing but ice & a lime which is easy… even when you're jiggling a baby on your shoulder.