I couldn't think of a title for this post that could possibly encapsulate the woman I write about.

This past week, May 25, 2010, I lost my grandmother, Sylvia Meisch Wharton. For those of you that had the honor of meeting her, you instantly knew she epitomized what it truly meant not only to be a lady, but a true Southern lady. So much so, that the Orlando Sentinel called and asked if they could write a special piece on her in the paper today. If you care to read it, click here.

She was smart, beautiful, funny, and charming.

Here are a few tidbits about her:

She was a native Floridian, as am I.

She was breathtaking beautiful.

She was Miss Florida State University (while my Grandpa played football for Florida).

She worked "1 day in her life". After her first day, she just decided it wasn't for her.

For my Grandpa,  it was love at first sight. He saw her in a fashion show and turned to one of his buddies, declaring "I'm going to marry that girl!" Engaged at the time, my grandfather couldn't resist the lovely Sylvia Meisch. They hocked the engagement ring my Grandpa gave his fiance and went partying with their friends. She had such a great life and my grandparents had a love like we can only dream of. For example, on my Grandma's birthday a few years ago, my grandfather had killed all the grass months in advance at the bottom of their yard (they live on a lake and their yard slopes down), except for one area, where he had planted seed which spelled out "SYLVIA". He told her "he would have spelled 'I love you, Sylvia', but I didn't have enough yard".

Although my Grandma was so proper and had impeccable manners, she also never shied away from listening to and/or repeating a wonderfully raunchy joke or story.

She was phenomenal in the kitchen and I learned my best  recipes from her. I also got my, um, penchant for extravagantly wrapping presents. Now, when I say wrapping, this entails not just paper and ribbons, but glue guns, fake flowers, berries, small figurines, you name it. For a while, Grandma and I had a running competition over whose presents were more ornately appointed. She usually won, but she had a lot more practice. Some people have scrapbooking, if I had an occasion to wrap presents for every day, I would.

There are so many wonderful attributes she had and so many hilarious stories about her life that I could fill a book, but no matter how much I could ever write, it will still be inadequate to illustrate the life of a woman whose life was so rich.

She was a huge presence in my life and always will be. If you never had a chance to meet her, you missed out. I know, absolutely without a doubt, I would not be the woman I am today had she not been my Grandma.

I know she's in good hands now and I am so grateful for that. I cannot thank her enough.

I love you, Grandma!



Grandma and Grandpa in New Smyrna Beach, with their dog, Booze.

She Gets it From Her Father

So, I have the immense, albeit exhausting, pleasure of bringing my darling daughter with me to work this week. She is quite the character. It's very hard, trying to accomplish my work-work, while simultaneously doing my parenting-work (they're both full time jobs, you see), but there is something to be said about looking over from your desk and seeing that cute ball of giggles sitting 3 feet away from me. I've got a wonderful boss, as you all know, and I'd be lost without her. Some might say I might not even be here today without her.

Anyway, Ann brought me in one of their pack n plays for Bryn to take her naps in this week (I tried putting her on a blanket yesterday, but the little bugger has learned to move quite well, so the blanket didn't quite contain her). Well, Miss Bryn has discovered that she likes the feel of mesh. I mean, reallly, really likes it.

Well, I couldn't get the video to upload, so here are a few pics from her in her baby prison a/k/a pack n play. If any handy-dandy bloggers can help me out with uploading .mov files, I'd greatly appreciate it!

 Bryn's newest thing is to squeal like Diz Aster from that show "Out of Control" that was on Nickelodeon when I was 8 that also starred Uncle Joey from Full House a/k/a the Guy From the Atlantis (I just realized I wrote "Atlantis" instead of Alanis, but I'm leaving it) Morissette Song a/k/a Dave Coullier. 

Remember her and her squeal?

(I had to Google what the character's name was. Funny note: her real first name was actually Diz, or at least that's what wikipedia says.) 

No comment needed.

Mommy and Me Mondays

My favorite bloggers, Jen and Shannon, have been posting some really awesome pics of themselves and their babes for "Mommy and Me Mondays", so I've decided to jump on the bandwagon. It's a really cute idea!

I just like this picture because you can see the uncertainty in both Bryn and my facial expressions. I mean, we both love Dale more than anything, but that doesn't mean we understand his modus operandi. when it comes to picture taking. 

And, now her focus has shifted to the cat.  Or the dog, or a piece of hair that was floating by, or the hall light, or Daddy's foot, zipper, pocket, hand....... you get the drift.

Sick-ish Day(s)

Cindy had to have surgery on her hand (so horrible - she managed to cut her finger "perfectly" according to the surgeon), so I had (got) to stay home with Miss Brynnie today (and I get to tomorrow). I think that last sentence needs a few more ( )'s.

Anyway, we had such a nice day today. First, the princess slept in until 8 this morning. Well, Dale and I each got up at least 3 times in the night because our darling daughter has mastered the art of rolling over on to her back, but she doesn't like to sleep on her back (don't worry, we have the Angel Care Sensor/Monitor, so she can sleep on her tummy), so she starts to cry until we go in there and flip her back over.

Then, we got up and hung around for a bit together until her first morning nap. After she woke up from that we went to Ulta and I got new blush. I lost mine when my purse was stolen and the new one I replaced it with gets powder everywhere when I use it. I actually ruined my favorite Loft cardigan from the rogue rouge getting all over my shoulders while applying it. I got Stila Convertible Color gel blush and lipstick combo. It rocks!

Then we came back home for Bryn's second morning nap. After that we got up and went to Babies R Us. I went to get her new convertible car seat, but ended up getting a ton of clothes, diapers, toys and formula. Best laid plans...  I mean, when they have seersucker capris in pink and blue on sale for $2.40, how can you not buy them in every size they have?

After Babies R Us, we met up with my Mom, Ann and Sandra at Boston's Fish House for some lunch. It was delicious as usual, and I got some pictures of Bryn and Mom, much to my Mom's dismay (she felt she didn't look up to her usual standards. Good thing I don't have standards).

We got home around 2:30 and Bryn went down for her afternoon nap.

Then she woke up and we played. And played. And played.

It was a great day, just as I knew it would be. I just can't get enough of her!

After Bryn woke up from her first nap, I put her on the bed in her room and left for one second. I come back and this is what I walk into.

Hi Momma!

"You wanna play too?"

Ann, Mom and Bryn

This picture cracks me up. I've titled it "Ann punching me with her eyes".

Picture Time. Bryn can barely contain her excitement.

"What is the matter with you, woman?"

She's sooooooo close to crawling. Or what I like to call "oh crap, I need to get new carpets, a new vacuum cleaner, shave the animals, baby proof the house...."

45 Day Challenge

I set up a 45 Day Challenge for myself with the end being the 4th of July weekend. Hopefully I accomplish my goal. I'll let you know if I do.

He Takes What He Can Get

Our little furry friends have taken a huge backseat ever since Bryn has come into our lives. Our cat (yes, the animals were mine before Dale and I got together, but he adopted them some time ago) requires quite a bit of attention and since Dale and I aren't able to give him as much as we once did, he's taking it where he can get it. This recently came in the form of a foot massage from the littlest McCrystal.

The approach...

"That's it. Right there. Let me just lie down here and get comfy..."

Oh yeah, that's the spot!!!

Mother's Day (albeit a little over a week later)

Here are some pics from Mother's Day. Of course none of Bryn and I actually turned out decent, or if they were decent, one of us was out of focus.

I could just eat her up.

See, so cute, but only I'm in focus.






A little 'softing it up' and it looks like the picture is supposed to be like that. That, or it looks like the cover of an 80's LP.



Intense staring contest.



Bryn won - by playing by her own rules - karate chop to the nose.

Brynnie Bryn is 5 Months Old!

Sorry for not posting for a long time. Little things like life keep getting in the way. Everything is wonderful, I'm just spending too much time relaxing and hanging out with the family and being totally, blissfully unproductive.

Today has been another great day. Dale's parents and sister and Ben came over for a little lunch and visit, which is always enjoyable. Dale's parents brought over burgers from Johnny's Filling Station too. I'd never had them before, but had heard good things. What I heard was true; they were delicious!

Bryn is striving everyday to sit up on her own. She has no problem going forward - it's the stopping going forward wherein the problem lies. Although it will be great when she can sit on her own, it will also mean that she's growing up, and this makes me a little sad.

She is still the most wonderful creature Dale and I have ever seen and we both agree that, even with all the medical mishaps, we are the happiest we have ever been since she's been in our lives.

I promise, more posts to come in the next day or two. In the meantime, please to enjoy:

Ben, Bryn and Lauren enjoying some Yo Gabba Gabba. As you can see, Bryn even took Ben's hand to help him get into the song.

It's my 5 Month Birthday - feet for everyone!!! This shot shows her teeth really well too!

Dale dressed Bryn this morning. He put her in "people clothes". Her shirt rides up a bit, making it a belly shirt, or as Lauren said (and I totally agree), just makes her look "a little WT".

A Little Bryn Makes it All Better

My purse was stolen out of my car this weekend. The jerk got away with my Coach purse/briefcase that my Mom gave me for my birthday and my HOBO wallet my sister, Jeni, had given me many years ago (oh yeah, and of course all my credit cards, atm cards, checkbook, the whole nine). 

You have that happen to you, and then you walk into this and suddenly, everything is right again with the world. Please to enjoy (you have to turn the sound on to truly appreciate it):

Super Sunday

We had a super busy (but great) Sunday today.

First, we had Dale's entire family over to our house for lunch. We all had a wonderful time! This was the first time we've had a considerable amount of people over to the house and it's also the first time Dale's extended family got to meet Miss Brynnie.

Then, I had to leave after a couple of hours to go to my oldest nephew, Maddox's 5th birthday party at my sister, Ann's, house. Again, we had a great time, but had to leave after just a bit because Miss Brynnie was EXHAUSTED. She only took about a twenty minute nap in lieu of her normal 2 hour after noon nap, so she was pooped.

Even though it was busy, I believe everyone had a great time, Dale, Brynnie and myself included!

PART I OF SUNDAY FUNDAY:

In our front yard playing "corn hole". Please note this side is blue and green. The other side is garnet and gold. Dale's parents actually made this for Lauren's boyfriend, Ben. His birthday is May 7th. Ben went to FSU (Dale's family has forgiven him b/c he's from New York, so "he just didn't know"). 

Dale and I actually saw the game being built at Dale's parents' house when we stopped by a few weeks ago. His Dad said it was quite hard even having garnet and gold paint in his house, let alone actually using it!

Jack: Lawn Corn Hole Sentry

And more 'hole.

SUNDAY FUNDAY PART TWO:

Brynnie and Grandpa Tom.

My Grandpa and Brynnie

Cindy with all the kiddos. They all love Cindy (and she loves them)!

Mercer and Grandmama (Mom to me).

My Grandma and Brynnie

More with Brynnie and her Great Grandma

The guest of honor in his favorite pirate garb. Ann, is this the 2nd or 3rd consecutive pirate birthday party? Pirate parties are always his request.