Little Miracle L

About 3 years ago...my husband and I had just returned home from a weekend away to see his sister. I'll never forget the news we had gotten as we entered our home. Our friends Charlotte and Adam had delivered their baby several weeks early due to HELLP Syndrome. Baby L was fighting for his life and ended up with a lengthy stay in the NNICU....over 4 months!!

Well....worry no more because he is doing GREAT and...don't be jealous....but he and I went on a squirrel hunt this morning! We had a great time with him showing me some rocks, a mailman and camellias! I was fascinated with the realization of how cool it is to actually have a play date with a little miracle. Way to go baby L! Thanks for the hunt this morning....sorry we didn't catch a little dinner.

Happy 1st Birthday baby L!

Wow - I see this little guy every three months and what a jump from 9 months to a year! He is scooting all around and so much more sure of himself these days! His birthday is St. Patrick's Day so the theme for his parties from here on out is set. However, they did make mention of his 21st birthday.....that will be one to monitor...or chaperone...or something!

Mom and Dad pulled together a laid back gathering to celebrate Baby L's 1st. The invitee list? Everyone who came to the hospital a year ago. Perfect. Happy Birthday sweet L! I can't believe it's been a year....I'll see you in 3 months!

Dwelling on King Street

Seriously....it's one of my favorite stores in Charleston. If I were to win the lottery tomorrow - my house would be redone immediately with design and furnishing help from Leigh at Dwelling. When we first moved into our house, my husband gave me a "house warming" gift....it was a gift certificate to Dwelling. He knew I would never give myself permission to treat myself to a new piece of furniture after just building a house. Thanks to his thoughtfulness, I now have a handsome bed, my favorite mirror and a beautiful mirrored credenza which all changed the personality of my house. It's also a great spot to get a wedding or house-warming gift.

I spent some time with Tim and Leigh last week - what a fantastic mix of modern sleek with traditional classic.

Catwalk for Kids

I know I've been talking a lot about the MUSC Children's Hospital.....but I really do enjoy giving my time up there. When you've stood over your baby in NNICU....whether the problem is big or small - it's huge to a mama. Sooo, I enjoy giving back to parents and patients up there.

This morning I was up there while Mary Norton (you may remember MooRoo handbags) helped local celebrities design handbags with the children. These will be auctioned off tomorrow at the Catwalk for Kids show for Charleston Fashion Week. There were a few cast members from 'Army Wives' ...musicians Edwin McCain, Darius Rucker and Dean Felber.....Darcy Shankland and Ayoka Lucas from Charleston Magazine...Brett McKee, the chef from Oak Steakhouse...Ovie Mughelli from the Atlanta Falcons and others. The children had a BLAST putting together feathers, jewels, fabrics and trim to make all sorts of beautiful bags. I'm excited to see what tomorrow's auction brings!

UPDATE: They made over $200,000 for the pediatric oncology department! Incredible!

Baby M in Palm Beach

I just returned today from a long weekend in Palm Beach, Florida. I went down to help celebrate and document sweet baby M's christening. I was there from Thursday to Sunday, so I got to experience the day-to-day with him. What a special little munchkin who could not be more laid back or happy.

Despite the inclement weather, his initiation into the church went off without a hitch - no crying. And, when the priest finished giving him his holy bath, he offered a little grin in exchange. The service was followed by a beautiful lunch which filled the house with great friends and family. What a great weekend! (Here's a sneak peek....not sure what's up with the two-toned text)

My new calling cards!!

I think you know you love what you do when you keep tracking the shipment on your new calling cards....(I mean really, business cards people!) But, I must say, I'm EXTREMELY happy with how they turned out. My new friend at pixelimpress was very patient with me and I am digging my new gift certificates as well (...kind of like a 4th grade love note "will you go with me, check yes or no")!! Thanks, again, Pam - I LOVE them!

Looking forword to tonight....it's off to the ballet with my daughter - Girls' Night Out!

On a funny side note - at least once a day I get a comment or confusion about my name. People are forever looking for the 'guy', Travis. I once had traded phone messages (yes, waaay back when a receptionist took a message on the pink little form "While You Were Out") with someone and finally, we connected on the phone and she was so taken aback that I was a girl...she got the giggles. Bad. She couldn't recover and had to hang up and call me back. I thought it was hysterical.

Then there's that time when I was serving dinner at the Children's Hospital....and this parent wanted to personally thank us so she asked us our names. It got to me and I told her....and she looked at me like she was scared. "FOR REAL? No way....come on, tell me your real name." This went on long enough for me to have to pull out my driver's license and for her to call her husband and tell him the big news that she had met a girl named Travis. And then she says, "No, I'm not gonna ask her that!" .....I pulled it out of her..."He wanted to know if you used to be a man."

So fast forward to today and I'm getting my haircut by this person with crazy red hair sort of bob length but frizzed out, hoop earrings and a headband.....and I notice her name tag says, "Anthony" so I'm j-u-s-t about to say, "Oh, you've got a man's name too?"....and I notice a little stubble, and just as quickly I catch the middle name on the cosmetology license which says, "George"....and then, as deep as Barry White, "So, what do we want done today?" I guess the moral is...don't judge a book by it's cover...or headband....