Fatigue

Folks, it's been a loooong week. 1 day and counting until Mady's 1st birthday.

Our house has been full of activity....and people. My in-laws (Saram & Synath) are in town for the party; they've been with us since this past Saturday. They really go above and beyond the call of duty helping out around the house, cooking dinner, fixing odds & ends and watching after their grand daughter. Sometimes I imagine myself telling them to sit down and relax, but then reality hits and the old saying....you can't teach an old dog new tricks....plays over and over in my mind. All parents want to help out, like it or not. Your always a kid in some respect. You have to chose your battles wisely or submit yourself into the psychiatric ward. My therapy involves large doses of Guinness and Irish Whiskey.

Sara has been fine tuning the details for Mady's day. She is the ultimate planner and wants the very best for our little girl. I love her for being so meticulous. I love her attention to detail. I love her ability to incorporate something for everyone. I love her for sparing me deep involvement in the process :) She is a keeper.

I've had some late nights this week. For someone who gets up at 5 AM, it's really beginning to take its toll. I managed to watch Obama's acceptance speech last night. I do believe this man will be President. I'm hopeful that he'll be able to deliver the change that he promises and inspire this great nation of ours. He definitely can move a crowd and motivating the masses can have a serious domino affect. We need someone like this. OK...enough politics. For the record, I'm an Independent.

I headed straight to bed after the speech, only to be awoken at 1:30 AM by some sort of animal, shrieking outside of our bedroom window. The scene from My Cousin Vinny, when Joe Pesci comes running out the log cabin...shooting in all directions....comes to mind. After a Google search this morning, I think it was a fox. Sara (my sweet night owl) was still up when I popped up. I think I remember her laughing...saying she thought the sound was her stomach at first. I could be wrong on that. I was delirious.

3 cups of coffee so far today; I'm starting to get my legs under me ...

One of these days I'll catch up on my sleep. It could happen.

MadyGirl

There's nothing like pulling in the driveway and seeing your daughter standing there waiting to greet you. She is so cute. New outfit. New shoes -- which, by the way, she cannot be without. Hard to see them in this photo, but trust me...they are her flavor of the month. Suede Mary Jane ballet flats from GAP.

Good Lord...the shopping sprees that await :) I'm outnumbered and in serious trouble.

Weekend

Friday...just saying the word makes me smile. The extended weekend is upon us. Woohoo! Sara, Mady and I are running in a neighorhood 5K tomorrow morning -- the Stoneleigh Stampede ( http://www.charmcityrun.com/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=461 ). There's also a 1 mile walk...which is sounding more and more desirable at this point :) I never was a runner. I run when chased I tell most people...and that doesn't happen very often. Temps are in the 70s and couldn't be more perfect.

I've got a great family shoot set up for Saturday afternoon in Federal Hill. Sunday, I'll be meeting with Sherri & Jason at Fiore Winery ( http://www.fiorewinery.com/ ) to discuss their wedding details in June. I love the place, the owners and their wine. A mixed case is bound to end up in my trunk. My arm is easily twisted.

My in-laws will be in town this weekend as well -- eager to see Mady. Sara and I have long been forgotten. Steamed crabs will be on the menu at some point. Gibby's Seafood has treated us well and should not disappoint. Hopefully they can accomodate our order for a bushel :)

Jeans on Friday

It's the little things in life that give you that mental "goose". For me, jeans on a Friday is that little perk that puts me in a good state of mind. People tend to be a little more laid back, often letting down their typical guards that accompany corporate attire.