Hotel California

Well, I haven't been cooking lately. Nor have I been sewing. I have been in Northern California visiting my brother and his beautiful fiancee! It had been well over a year since I saw him last- my wedding to be exact- and since then he got engaged and I had a baby. We needed to get together~

Chamblee was a dream. We left our place at 4am Sunday morning, and started our 9 hour travel day. She didn't cry once, in fact, she slept the entire flight and layover. And I went through all of my nursing pads- I could've fueled the plane with my leakage. Ouch. Once we arrived in California, she awoke- chipper and excited to meet her Uncle J. And I was excited to feed her. And see him, of course.

We stayed right downtown, so it was easy to get right to it: the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival at Golden Gate Park. Chamblee- still sleeping- loved being carried around in her sling and rockin' out to some of our favorites. Her favorite? The Avett Brothers. Ever since she was about 2 weeks old we have put her down for nap and nite nite with their album on the iPod. She knows every song by heart. We found a tree trunk up on a hill and sat for the shows. A year ago my wine-stained lips would have been singin' along to every song and my fresh feet would have been doing the 2-step- not sittin' on a log breastfeeding and swaying a sleeping baby. Oh, how times have changed- for the better.

The rest of the week really flew by... We drove up to Arcata and spent lots of quality time. We went to the beach, the redwoods, downtown Arcata and had lots of chill time around the house with the doggies and the baby:) You know I managed to squeeze in some shopping for sweet baby guff. Uncle J mentioned a little shop with recycled baby clothes and I was all over it. Lil' hoot got some really adorable "new" things. Yes!

It was such. a nice. trip. I don't get to see my brother enough. I miss him. He's too far away. Or am I too far away? Either way, we aren't close enough. I'm glad that he got to see my little girl while she is still little. Before she grows into her butt crack and is embarrassed to poot louder than thunder.

Most of my pictures are on our camera- but since I am in a hotel watching the Braves and trying to blog before I get too far behind- (There's so much to write about lately!) I'll leave you with a few pictures from my phone- for now:

Uncle Justin makes me laugh. A lot!

My sweet baby girl.

Big Ol' Trees! And me attempting to climb up a trunk after my big bro.

Didn't happen.

Morning snuggles

Afternoon Snuggles

Nite Nite Snuggles

Headed back to San Fran:

Excited about the road trip with her Best Friend!

Wait. This means we're going home?

I'm not down with that.

Can't wait to get back out here next year for the sure-to-be beautiful wedding. Chamblee will be walking by then. Right? Scary!

By the way- Happy 2 month-day to my sweet Chamblee Ophelia! I love you more every second, sweet girl. If not more often than that.

Until Next Time,

The Guff