2. Last month I found myself craving the local paper over breakfast. So I grabbed it. And thus began my morning newspaper-with-breakfast ritual. I’m old.

3. Yesterday I clipped an article for the newspaper. I’m definitely old. But for what it’s worth, the article was on the American Cancer Society’s need for 300,000 participants in a historic study to try and understand ways to prevent cancer. Participants are asked to commit to periodic follow-up studies over the next 20-30 years. I hate cancer, so I think I want to do it. What about you? Check it out here.

4. Speaking of cancer, I’ll be joining with my awesome, world-changing friend Amy this weekend for Huntsville’s own Cookies for Cancer bake sale. If you’re local, have sugar craving and a desire to kick childhood cancer’s behind, won’t you join us at both Huntsville Mellow Mushroom locations from 1-6 this Saturday?

5. My Mother’s Day was lovely. Like a dream, really. When I was growing up my mom always told my sister and me that all she wanted for her special day was for us to get along. I don’t think she ever got her wish. I think it skipped a generation though because that’s just what I got on Sunday. A day of two sweet children, loving on each other and me. Pinch me!

6. During our dream day (which has since vanished into a puff of smoke and whining children) we snuggled on the couch and plowed through a few episodes of The Cosby Show. Did you know that Hulu Plus has the entire series on it? We’ve started at the beginning and the kids are SO into it. And I love it because I feel like I’m sharing a piece of my childhood with them!

7. After swearing off long runs and races until the Fall I just registered Brent and I for the Cotton Row 5K on Memorial Day. Then the kids will follow up with the 1 mile fun run. Anyone else planning to hit the pavement on the first day of summer fun?

8. I am editing my little fingers off trying to get Chicago (and Huntsville) sessions out the door. As in right now. Editing. My fingers off. In between posting a ToT, of course.

9. The constant editing is pretty much directly responsible for me getting rehooked on Grey’s Anatomy. If you know who dies in the finale, please don’t tell me. I watch on Hulu so I’m weeks behind!

10. Cottage countdown: T-9 days. Holla!

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And I’d say that’s just about right,

if you have a Mom like mine.

But I think it’s worth adding,

that home is also wherever your Grama is,

If you have a Grama like hers.

(Mother’s Day shout out to all the wonderful mothers in my life, who teach me each day what it means to be a WOMAN – my mama, my MIL, my grama, my aunts, my sister, my SIL, and my sweet, sweet friends. I love you guys. So much.)

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In other words,

it’s utterly exhausting.

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I tried the one training wheel trick mentioned by a few of you and it worked like a charm!

It took her about 10 minutes of riding with only one before she got the hang of it and asked me to take it off.

Although I don’t actually have any pictures of her riding solo. She is still a safety conscious little thing and mama had to be close at hand.

But she can do it.

That’s one more first behind us.

And if you ask her how she feels about it. I’m pretty sure it would look something like this…

Way to go girlfriend.

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2. Although I could have done without forgetting my entire overnight bag at home. To include makeup, toothbrush, deodorant…pretty much anything that belongs on my body but is not clothes or shoes. I discovered this unfortunate packing error at 11:45 p.m. on the evening before my sessions were to begin at 8 a.m. Needless to say my morning Chicago sessions got an up close and personal look at the real Erin Cobb. I felt like a Dove commercial. Minus the radiant natural beauty.

3. I didn’t take a single dSLR shot for fun on this trip. I got a few with my iPhone but for the most part I was busy soaking it all in. We did an architectural boat tour and then we ate. A lot. Also, we took an elevator to the 96th floor of the Hancock building to have a drink at their skyscraper bar. We were only planning one drink but it took two before I felt comfortable just sitting there. 96 stories is HIGH!

4. Whenever Brent and I have an opportunity to soak up time alone like we had on this trip I find myself so relieved at the reminder of how much I really, really like that guy. I tried to tell him that but it didn’t come out right. I think I ended up saying something along the lines of, “I love trips like this because they remind me that I actually do like you.” Wife of the year right here.

5.  I sent off my Cutco knives today to be sharpened after about two years of saying I was going to do it. Sometimes the little tasks in life absolutely paralyze me.

6. I’m trying really hard not to think about it (lest I get too excited) but the Cottage officially becomes home to ECP in two(ish) weeks. EEK!

7. I’m SO excited to share more about the Cottage once we move in. I’ve been discreet about sharing pictures because it’s actually the home of one of my clients. When we bought it we continued to honor their lease until their move out date, which is why we’ve waited this long to transition the business.These months have been good though…they’ve given my ample opportunity to stalk Craigslist for furnishings and Pinterest for design ideas.

8. I’m thinking of just doing some basic running maintenance during the summer. Just three miles a few days a week. I’ll probably train for another half marathon in the Fall but our stifling summer heat just leaves me feeling super unmotivated to run much from May-August. I’d love to hear about what workouts are working for you right now though. I need a good idea for something I can pick up for a few months during the summer that will keep me out of the heat but in some semblance of shape.

9. Sarah has been hosting a book class in her room over the last two weeks where she has been teaching every member of our family how to make their own books. She even created a syllabus in painstaking detail that lays out the plan for each day. So far we have covered making our own covers, numbering pages, and writing our own stories (after she insisted we be inspired by the example she created for us). My book is called “The Disappearing Pizza”, Brent’s is “Cupcakes in Space”, and Ephraim’s is “Dark Vader”. Book class is fast becoming my favorite part of the day.

10. On that note, this girl is headed to bed. Thanks for reading. Sorry for the lack of links this week!

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because in my mind,

this is the one I see.

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2. On Saturday morning as the race was starting I’ll admit I felt a bit lonely. Everyone was there with their team/friends/running partner and I was there…again…alone. I actually love training alone but come race day I always think it might be nice to have someone with me. But then when I met up with my family after the race my mom pointed out that as they were tracking my progress my start time was exactly 7:17. Which is the time Sarah was born. And I swear to you that I see that number at least once a day in some way, shape, or form. And I know it sounds cheesy but it always reminds me that I’m not alone. Which was extra awesome on race day!

3. Speaking of runs, my friend Heather Armstrong is on a team who is taking on the monumental challenge of running the Hood to Coast. Hood to Coast is a 197 mile relay and Heather’s team – the Dixie Daredevils – are running as a fundraising team for the American Cancer Society. I’m so proud of them! On June 21st the Dixie Daredevils are hosting a screening of Hood to Coast (the movie) which documents the experience of four unlikely teams who participate in the relay. I’m so excited to see it! If you’re local mark your calendars for the event at The Monaco. You can get your tickets on the Dixie Daredevils blog! (And I hear tell there will be a raffle of goodies before the show starts, to include an ECP gift certificate…)

4. As of late last week I’ve chosen a digital designer for the super secret project(s) I have up my sleeve. I couldn’t believe the pool of talented people who applied! I’m thrilled with who I’ve chosen and we’ve already hit the ground running. You’ll be hearing more about all of this in the coming months. =)

5. My Granny‘s antique glider set has been ailing in my backyard for the last several years. I tried to get a couple of local auto body places to take a look at it but no one was willing to take on such a unique project. Then Sunday night I was trolling Craigslist for Cottage finds when I came across a beautiful set that was similar in style and era. The poster mentioned that her husband had refurbished it. I immediately sent her an email asking if that was something her husband did regularly, and if he was willing to take on another one. And I think he is! I’m SO excited!

6. Ephraim asked me the other day where his “bottom tooth” was. He seemed perplexed when I pointed to the bottom row of teeth in his mouth. And after a little coaxing I realized the poor kid thought a bottom tooth was a tooth…on your bottom! (And I think he was beginning to wonder why HE didn’t have one.)

7. Did you see my sweet baby Jude on the business blog yesterday? He’s such a big SWEET boy!

8. Speaking of business, I’m planning to send a newsletter out in the next week or so announcing two summer travel dates. I’ll be taking a very small handful of sessions in Isle of Palms, SC and Dayton, Ohio in July. Keep your eye out if that’s something that interests you. You can sign up for my newsletter list in the sidebar of my business blog.

9. Today is the first day of my favorite month – my birthday month! I’m a huge fan of my birthday. =) In fact, one of the only times I can remember being disappointed in my (future) husband was when I realized how little birthdays meant to him. Devastating I tell you. Thankfully he’s come around in the (almost) 15 years we’ve been together. But I digress. May is my birthday month and in honor of my upcoming 32nd I’m going to be giving away of TON of my favorite things (like, 32) at the end of the month to random Facebook fans. If you don’t already “like” Erin Cobb Photography on Facebook, now would be a very, very good time to do that!

10. I already have a super great, growing list of awesome prizes but if you have something that you’d like featured in the giveaway, shoot me an email and I’ll see if I can work it in (erin at erincobb dot com). I always like to support all you mom-treprenuers out there!

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This is one of them.

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