366 days old

April 25 James turned one. It feels like yesterday I was waiting at the hospital for him to be born and right as I was about to leave my brother called my dad from upstairs, where we'd been all day, saying Jess was having a C-section.

I'll never forget my brother in scrubs, crying on my dads shoulder as pure joy overtook him. And of course the nurse had to physically kick my mom and I out of the room so they could start the journey of bringing my nephew into this world.

366 days later and my love for him continues to grow.

coachella

Four nights and five days of desert heat, sleeping in tents, music, friends and a memorable time.

This was my first, and not last, trip to Coachella and as much as I enjoyed the camp ground atmosphere. I'm not opposed to renting a house or busing it to a hotel next time.

I wish I would have documented all the eccentrics I was able to meet and see along the way... but that's another log for another day.

red sox

Baseball season is back and of course Mike can't contain his excitement.

Smalls, Mom, Mike and I went to the Nationals v. Red Sox game. The weather was perfect and Boston won!

cherish your mom

Thursday afternoon I got a call that my friend's mom had passed away from liver cancer.

Through the extremely sad, but at moments celebratory of her life, funeral, I couldn't help but look around at all of our wonderful friends that taken off work and time out of their busy lives to come and support a grieving friend.

Most importantly, this tragic event forced me to reflect on how unpredictable life is and how lucky I am to have my mother alive, well, and and such a staple in my life.

It's depressing how it can sometimes take something so sad to remind you to be grateful for your loved ones and to never take a day, or even a moment with them, for granted.

And next time your mom calls, or wants to get together, do it. Be thankful that you still have that option.

single one last time

Almost all of my college roommates/sorority sisters are engaged and we got the chance to reunite (we are all spread out from Pittsburg to LA) and celebrate Kristi's single life one more time together in DelRay.

I am proud to call her one of my good friends and the picture below gives you a small glimpse as to why. She is a blast in a glass and as her lime green cozy reminded us all, she loves to constantly show off her favorite dance move - "party in my pants." Love this girl.

petting zoo

Mom, Smalls and I took James to the petting zoo and he was in love with everything he saw. I, of course, was in love with him.