Erin Akin Carroll

It has been such a busy week and most of it has revolved around Gamecock baseball and the winning of the national championship. It’s been hard to be productive because since Monday night we’ve either been watching a baseball game or celebrating! We are so proud of the baseball team and coach Ray Tanner. Todd is even saying that if we have another boy his name is going to be Tanner Carroll. We’ll see about that!

On Wednesday afternoon, there was a huge welcome home party at Colonial Life Arena (where the Gamecock basketball teams play) for the Gamecock baseball team. The place was full. I was thinking we’d just run in and do some cheers. But we ended up about 3 hours there watching the replay of the winning game against UCLA, cheering, and then listening to the coaches and players speak. Even Hudson loved it and was proud to be there!

We got to sit next to my former coworker and friend and her husband and they helped us keep Hudson entertained. He loved all of the excitement and cheering. This was the closest thing to a sporting event he had ever attended. It’s a shame neither of my boys were wearing garnet or black!

It was a little hot in the arena, though, so Todd’s body temperature was rising as he was wrestling Hudson. He got to sit in his own seat for a little while so his daddy could cool off.

You can see a little bit of the arena and see how many people were there. The Gamecocks had just entered the building with their trophy. Look at everyone holding up their cameras!

The Mayor, Steve Benjamin, got up to speak and told the crowd that an old-fashion ticker tape parade would go down Main Street on Friday to celebrate the victory! And Governor Mark Sanford wrote a letter saying that the Gamecock baseball flag would fly over the State House for the rest of the week. So exciting!

So today at 11:30, Hudson and I headed out and we picked up TC from work and went a couple of blocks to Main Street to watch the parade. We met up with a lot of TC’s former coworkers (who are still his good friends) and their families. Hudson was very excited!

“Hooray for the Gamecocks, Dadda!”

Coach Tanner, Cocky, and some of the 2010 National Champions

Hudson was loving it! And loving his little palmetto hat!

And a few seconds later… he tried to jump down off of his daddy’s shoulders. Yikes!

Gotta sneak in a picture of mommy. (I’m always behind the camera and there are probably 10 total pictures of Hudson and me together. Sad.)

The South Carolina State House with the Gamecock flag flying high on top!

After the parade, the parade-goers walked down to the State House. There was a huge crowd gathered at the State House to celebrate and listen to a few speakers that wanted to offer their congratulations. It’s so nice to be a part of a community that shows so much support for the University. We’re very proud of the team for their athletic accomplishment, but also because they had the highest overall GPA out of all the teams in Omaha. And all of the USC teams had the highest GPA in the SEC this Spring.

The Independence Day celebration started early this year! We’re excited about the weekend and spending some time at the pool with family.

I’m so excited about this giveaway, but I’m already completely jealous of the winner!

If you’re like me, you’re always juggling a million different things. From the handbag to the diaper bag to the camera bag to the baby. There’s always too much to hang on to. I love carrying my camera with me everywhere so I don’t miss a second of Hudson’s little life. But with a big Canon Rebel, my wallet, my phone, Hudson’s necessities, etc. and carrying Hudson, it’s too hard to juggle it all.

So, today, I’m giving away the solution to my problems. (And if anyone wants to get me my own for my next birthday, I’d love it!)

Kelly Moore Clark is the creative, incredible genius behind Kelly Moore Photography. She took our engagement photos, my bridal photos, and our wedding photos.

I grew up going to church with Kelly and she is just as nice as she is talented. I love being able to say “I knew her when…”

Now Kelly has gone above and beyond and created a collection of camera bags. These are gorgeous camera bags designed to be fashionable and functional for the professional photographer and the amateur mom photographer like I am! I give you the collection of Kelly Moore Bags. The bags are named after Kelly, her assistant Brandi (B-Hobo), and her husband, Kelly (Kelly Boy). Yes, her husband’s name is Kelly, too!

The bags have compartments for all of your camera needs. Or if you’re like me and your camera needs aren’t huge, there’s some leftover space for a sippy cup and a wallet!

Kelly Boy Bag

B-Hobo Bag

Kelly Moore Classic Bag

Today, I’m giving away a black Kelly Moore Classic Bag to one lucky winner!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling me why you’d love this bag and how it will simplify your life. Not to mention how it would make your life prettier! For an extra entry, you can tweet about the Kelly Moore Bag (and follow @kellymooreclark on Twitter). Make sure you tell me in your comment if you also tweeted about it!

The winner will be announced next week!

After one year of being a mom to the greatest, funniest little boy in the world, I thought I’d share my {real} experiences and let you in on what I’ve learned. I wrote a similar post a few months ago if you’d like to go back and read that one.

• The year started off with a tremendous amount of fear. I was so afraid of what would happen when I brought him home. Or what would happen when my mom went back to Texas. Could I take care of him by myself? How? I’m just a girl! How did I end up with a baby? What if I accidentally drop him or he gets sick? The level of responsibility is tremendous and I was terrified.

• I learned after two days alone with him that I am his mother. I know him better than anyone knows him. He’s counting on me and my primary job is to love and protect him. I can do that!
• But I do screw up. He rolled off the ottoman when he was 3 months old. Who knew he could roll over? No one knew until that minute! And a few weeks ago he practically leapt off the changing table. He cried a little bit and I felt terrible. But things happen and the guilt will consume you. And you don’t forget it for second when those things happen.

• Modesty goes out the window. There’s no time for modesty. I’ve already shown my goods to a room full of people, so at follow up doctor’s appointments I don’t get embarrassed like I used to. Or if my mom wants to see my stretch marks I’ll show them to her!
• Nothing grosses me out. I’ve been puked on, pooped on, peed on. It happens. I just hurry to clean it up and get the job done.
• There is no love like the one I feel for my child. And it brings into perspective just how much my parents love me. And then I remember the horrible way I spoke to them when I was in high school and the lies that I told so I could do what I wanted. I’ve probably apologized to my parents more in the past year for things that I did 10 years ago than I did when I was actually doing those things!
• Everything is seen through Hudson’s eyes. I get excited about the tiniest things that I’ve taken for granted over the years. Like a day at the beach!

• My best girlfriends are such incredible sources of strength and humor!
• I love having conversations that aren’t about babies, baby things, baby clothes, baby tips, baby ideas. Baby, baby, baby. It’s nice to take a break and focus on being Erin. The mom job is 24/7, so just an hour long break is always appreciated.
• I want to give Hudson everything I can, but I don’t want to lose myself. When he goes to school or graduates from college, I don’t want to be wondering where my life went. I want to teach him the importance of being an individual and having a strong identity.
• I am so appreciative of our family and the support that we have. We have been so fortunate to have so much freedom and time to spend time with just the two of us because of TC’s parents. They love Hudson and love us and we’ve had some great nights out with their help. I also have no idea what I’d do without the constant support and love from my parents. Even from 17 hours away, I know that they’re going to laugh at the funny Hudson story I tell them. And if I need help they’re there to give me advice. What wonderful friends they are to me!
• I have a deep respect for single mothers and single fathers.

• This year would have been completely different without this blog and the community that I’ve found with it. Mommy bloggers to share stories. Non-mommy bloggers to take me away and make me life. And my friends. So many girls have helped me share stories and also helped me “get away” and laugh.
• Every single month gets easier and more fun. You start sleeping longer. You can start going to restaurants again because they can eat table food and are actually able to interact with you.
• And don’t forget, “You can fight a bear for a little while.” Or in this case, a toddler! Some days it’s just a test of wills and we’re working on patience for him and staying strong for me. Each day is a new day!