What's wrong with this picture?

A. Sam's hair looks like he stuck his finger in a socket.

B. Grape pop-ice juice is dribbling down his front.

C. The look of disgust he is giving the camera.

D. The random 40-something that is giving his best "What's up?!" in the background.

I should probably have had an "E" for all of the above, but I choose to say that the correct answer is "D."

Fact...

There's not a whole lot better than a chunky, sleepy baby boy clutching a teddy bear and falling asleep on your shoulder.

Pet Peeves and an Anniversary...

I ran to my favorite store of all time, also known as Target, to get a few necessities. Everything was all well and good until I hit the checkout line.

That's when it happened.

I unloaded my things, pushed my buggy up to the debit card processor, and began completing the transaction. There was only one other person in line, and she proceeded to put her things on the conveyor belt and stand approximately 6 inches behind me. Why? First of all, I think it's completely socially awkward to stand that close to a person you don't know. Second of all, I get paranoid that people are trying to see my pin number. Am I the only crazy person in this world who feels this way? (FYI, I also don't understand why people choose the bathroom stall directly next to the one that you are already in when there are a trillion others available.)

On to more important things...

Today is Anthony's and my anniversary. We've already celebrated by heading to San Francisco, so nothing big is on tap for tonight. I did get a small surprise for him/us. (Don't panic, Anthony.)

In honor of our 4 years together, I put together a list of Hollywood marriages that we've already beaten. We're a success story by those people's standards.

1. Brittney Spears and random guy= 55 hours.
2. Rudolph Valentino and Jean Acker=6 hours.
3. Dennis Hopper and Michelle Phillips=8 days.
4. Drew Barrymore and Jeremy Thomas=30 days.
5. Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock=4 months.
6. Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman=9 days.
7. Nicholas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley=108 days.
8. Jennifer Lopez and Chris Judd= 4 months.
9. Renee Zellweger and Kenny Chesney=7 months.
10. Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush=5 months.


Happy Anniversary! I'm looking forward to breaking more Hollywood records with you. Ben Stiller's parents have been married for 54 years and counting. That sounds much better, don't you think?

"If You're Going to San Francisco..."

"...be sure to wear some flowers in your hair."

Silverado Winery

The husband and I just got back from a first-time trip to San Francisco and the wine country. One word--awesome. You must go. Seriously. You. Have. To. Go.

We had a great time, and I'm almost positive that I'm not going to do our trip any justice, but I'll give it my best shot.

We flew out with some friends of ours last Wednesday morning, and we landed in sunny California around noon CA time. What I didn't completely understand was that San Francisco shouldn't really count as California because it was chilly with a capital "C." It was a cool 66 with a breeze. That sounds lovely when you've been in 100 degree heat, but it also meant I had to buy a few sweaters that won't be worn in MS until about October. That's okay...I'll forget I bought them, and when I drag out my fall clothes they will be a nice little surprise.

Anyway, we spent most of Wednesday tooling around Union Square and the Financial district. There was lots of good shopping, but I managed to not go overboard. Gluttony is my own personal 7th deadly sin, (food+clothes) so I have to watch it.

We found a neat little bar right down from our hotel and proceeded to make nice with the bartender. I'm pretty sure we dropped by the Cantina everyday. (FYI--they had great drinks.)

Thursday was spent at the Golden Gate Bridge, Haight & Ashbury, and the Castro district. I managed to flip out while on the bridge, turn around, and power-walk/run back to "safe" ground. I definitely looked like an idiot, but I didn't care. It was just too much--too high, too loud, too much water, and did I mention the fact that it's a bridge?

I wasn't exactly on the bridge in this picture, which is why I'm still smiling.

Haight & Ashbury was just what I thought it would be, and I don't know that I'll ever bother going back there. Some loyal Deadheads will probably freak at my saying that. Sorry.

That night we ate at an awesome sushi joint called Mas Sake. I would kill for a Master Hugo roll right about now. To die for. After sushi we kicked it old school at Harry Denton's Starlight Room. I would love to go back there--posh, posh, interior, waitresses in floor-length dresses, and a beautiful view of the city.

Friday was EASILY my favorite, and I WILL go back. On Friday, we had a limo come pick up the 6 of us, and we headed to Napa Valley. The place is absolutely gorgeous. Everything is manicured, and wildflowers pop up out of nowhere. It was also much warmer in the valley than it was in San Francisco, so I didn't have to wear a cardigan for the first time the whole trip. We went to 2 wineries--Silverado and Sterling, and enjoyed a glass or two (or 3, or 4, or 5) of wine. They were having a "sale" at Sterling, so each of us came home with a case of wine.

On our way to Napa

At Sterling

At Brix

Silverado

Friday night we went to a real-deal speakeasy called Bourbon & Branch. I wish I hadn't been so tired; I know I would have enjoyed it even more. I would definitely suggest hitting this place if you're planning a trip to San Fran. You make a reservation ahead of time, and they send you a password. The place itself is totally nondescript from the outside. Once you're buzzed in, you're taken through a door that looks like a bookshelf. It's too neat to even explain, so I've linked it.

Saturday was spent doing some more sight-seeing/touristy things. Dinner that night was at The Slanted Door. I could probably eat there every day of my life. Yummy, yummy, yummy.

I'm pretty sure I left out lots of things about our visit, but that's the gist of it. All I know is that by Friday, I was DYING to see Sam. I'm pretty sure Anthony thought I was going to take an earlier flight and leave him. (He's not too far from the truth.)

I realize that this is a pretty rushed account of an awesome vacation. I apologize ahead of time for my slaphazard outline.

Tired...

Sam and I were up a little earlier than usual this morning. We've been trying to make-up a photography session that has been canceled (by the photographer, not us) a total of 4 times. Yes, 4 times. I'm not going to mention names, but let's just say I've asked for a refund.

Ridiculous.

Because we were already up and ready, I decided to grab some coffee and take Sam to the park before it got hot as blazes outside--a difficult feat since it is June in the deep South. I did not expect to be so tired when I got home, nor did I expect the need for both of us to take second baths. Sam discovered sand today--not pretty.

He also discovered that he could crawl/toddle back and forth through an elevated tunnel. Amusing and cute, but his discovery meant that I had to run back and forth from end to end of the tunnel to make sure that he didn't attempt to slide down the fireman's pole on his own. As my father-in-law would say, Sam, "Wore my arse out."

This was my constant view for about 20 minutes this morning. That doesn't sound like a long time, but it is when you're eternally running from one end of a tunnel to the other. I kind of felt like Sisyphus.

Other happenings this week...

Delicious, isn't it? His father fed him this night. You'll have to excuse Sam's Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, one-shouldered-overall look. He lost a button that day.

Has anyone else's child become fascinated with toilet paper? I'm hoping this means he'll be interested in potty-training when the time comes.

All the single ladies...

Sam and I hit the road this past Wednesday and headed north to my old stomping grounds. Anthony was out of town on business, and my younger brother was in town for a brief stay. I've mentioned before that I am the only girl in the middle of my two brothers. These guys:

My youngest brother fancies himself something of a modern-day Jack Kerouac . Last May he took off to Aspen, Colorado, and began his search for...well, we're still not sure. Of course he loves it out there, and we've only seen him twice since the big move west of the Mississippi. We (my family) would really, really, like it if he would decide to eventually move back to the South at some point, and this is where you come in. I think that if I can find someone for B, he would be far more likely to meander back to the land of humidity and grits. He has no idea I'm doing this. He's not a loser, I promise. As a matter of fact, he's probably going to insist that I take this post down when he sees it.



His stats:



1. 6'5" (as if you couldn't tell from the above pic)
2. LOVES music and usually knows up and coming bands years before anyone else does
3. Plays the guitar and sings
4. Artistic
5. Athletic
6. Loves the outdoors--skis, snowboards, hikes, plays any available sport
7. Has college degree
8. Isn't crazy
9. Likes to have a good time
10. Very sweet
11. Likes children
12. SEC sport fan
13. Reads a lot
14. Chivalrous, but at the same time would like someone who can fend for herself
15. Laid back
16. Happy-go-lucky


I think both my brothers are super-cute, but I'm biased. B does need to shape up the hair; he has a semi-mullet rockin' right now, but he just doesn't care.



Help me bring my brother back to the general region. If you know of a sweet, fun, sane girl that you feel would be a match, send her my way.



P.S. I hope you people know I'm kidding...sort of.

12 month check-up

We were a little late for our 12-month check-up. Sam's birthday was the 21st, but we didn't have the dreaded shots until yesterday. I think I'm making his daddy take him for shots next time because I'm really tired of being the bad guy. Nothing makes you feel worse than holding down your child while he gets stuck 3 times. No fun whatsoever.

On to his stats:

Sam weighs 26 lbs., and he is 32 1/2 inches long. I don't know what his head circumference is, but the doc says we are above the 95th percentile in every thing. He's not nearly as chunky as he used to be since he's getting so long. It kind of makes me sad. Anyway, at 12 months Sam...

1. Is officially walking. He took his first steps at 11 months and now can walk short distances easily. He still doesn't quite have the confidence to really start tearing it up, though. For that I'm a little thankful.

2. Sleeps through the night. Thank you, Lord! I will kill anyone who ever tries to give me the, "Oh, you have a big baby. That means he'll sleep through the night earlier," line. Bullmalarky. Sam officially slept from 7:00-7:00 on his birthday. That's right; he decided to wait a full calendar year before going all the way through. I can't complain anymore.

3. Has started to dance. One word--hilarious. He basically just bends his knees and bobs up and down, but that's more than most white men will do, so I'm glad. His wife will thank us later.

4. Knows who "Mama" and "Daddy" are, can say and wave "Bye-bye," and says "uh-oh," "ball," and something like "ta-ta." Hearing him say "ball" is pretty funny. It's like he has some strange French accent.

5. Is still completely and utterly fascinated by phones.

So that's where the great Sambino is at a year!