My baby boy. 11 months today. I am the happiest mama, and at the same time I want to bawl my eyes out!

Your 11-month photo was definitely more challenging than the last. Gone are the days of propping you up in the corner of your chair and snapping a couple photos. You are climbing, crawling, rolling, sliding and learning to take tumbles like a tough little guy. Did I mention you are climbing?! And pulling yourself up and trying to reach doorknobs and… You will be walking in no time. We have already started discussing new baby-proofing strategies.

Now if only we can get you more interested in solid food. We were so lucky to find the right formula to supplement when I couldn’t keep up with you anymore. Those were tough days. It’s hard not living up to your expectations, but you’ll learn about that someday, and that you just keep going. I am so proud of how far we made it! And you love your milk! So much so that fruits and veggies are relatively uninteresting so far…we’ll keep trying of course. I cannot imagine giving you a cake to eat and smash on your first birthday. But so much can change in just a day. You show me that all the time.

We love you, baby boy. We can’t wait to see what you learn next.

His outfits this month are classics. Vintage 1980s. My mother-in-law gave us the red overalls and the knit outfit, which were worn by my husband when he was six months old. {My husband was “definitely chunkier” than our baby boy, according to my MIL 😝}  The other outfit was a gift from his favorite aunt. 😉

“I’m thinking balls are to men, what purses are to women. It’s just a little bag but we’d feel naked in public without it.” — Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw (“Sex And The City”)

I’m not nearly as fashion-hungry and purse-spoiled as Carrie, but I do love a great bag! I’ve recently been on the lookout for a unique and utilitarian addition to my collection. I was a huge fan of the over-the-shoulder, messenger-type bag during my college years, opting more for handbags and clutches of late.

I’m the type who weighs all the factors and considers multiple options when faced with a decision. Often I end up choosing the safest option when I can’t stall any longer. I literally spent 20 minutes choosing a nail polish today…and ended up with red (OPI Big Apple Red <3).

We had the occasion to hang out in St. Pete/Tampa for the day – America’s favorite pastime in the afternoon followed by one of my all-time favorites, Dave Matthews. I couldn’t wait any longer! I wanted a cute bag for the day that I couldn’t possibly lose :) The shops on Central Avenue in St. Pete did not disappoint.

After trying on every purse on the block (and exhausting my man), I took the plunge with a @SkunkFunk at Cozette’s Boutique. I love the colors, and the leather hand-rest-strap-thing is clever and comfortable. But what really excited me is that it’s made from recycled materials by a company that cares about sustainability. My bag was made with plastic bottles and tires, and it smells great :) Learn more at www.skunkfunk.com/sustainability.php and check out the other great bags at www.shopskunkfunk.com.

And what a great little boutique! So many lovely aromas! I also picked up a divine, all-natural artisan lavender soap from Sweet Harvest Farms (Tampa, FL) and a Fleur de Lys Soy Patchouli Ginger candle from Himalyan Trading Post (Decatur, GA). The entire experience was a pleasure. Many thanks, Cozette!

My mother’s side of the family rallied for the weekend to start a new family reunion tradition at my uncle’s cabin off Lake Michigan. It was a great opportunity to return to my roots and induct GR into the family. The weather was perfect, the food amazing, the drinks…well, they worked.

On Saturday night, we loaded up and traveled to nearby Shelby, Mich., to the Cherry Point Farm and Market for their famous fish boil! Yes, I said boil. In the South, they fry fish — and apparently in the North it’s boiled. It was a fantastic meal. I can’t wait ’til next year!

My husband was asked to travel to Chicago for business, so I decided to tag along. It was a pretty casual weekend, but I was able to check out Wrigley Field, home of my forever favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs! Gotta love the Cubbies! Even though their misfortune is legendary!

I also got a chance to see my cousin, Mike, and some friends from our ATL days! Thanks to them for their hospitality! Next time, we’ll visit in the summer!