Wake me up when September ends

Remember that song? Years ago, my boss and I would say it was our theme song each September, considering all that the month typically entailed for those of us working in education. In my work life, it has meant the start of another school year complete with long work days.

Nearly all of September has passed and I barely sat down to blog this month. I also took fewer than usual photos this month. Yet I find myself asking where the month went so quickly. As the last days of the month are upon us, I thought I'd recap the month with its highlights in a few photos I managed to take (albeit with my iPhone).

Breakfast dates --since Brandon started his new job last month, we have enjoyed weekends together as a family. His previous job required him to work various weekend days and we're so grateful to be able to go to breakfast on a Saturday or stay home and make pancakes. Our weekends have been more about rest and together time, which has been a blessing.

First steps --Maggie took her first steps this month and hasn't looked back. She's trying to run lately and gets around a little better each day. She has had her fair share of bruises from falling, but that doesn't slow her down. I love watching her walk with such enthusiasm.

Taking time to "be still," even in the midst of life's stuff --I plan to write more about this, but Maggie sitting in her toy box sums up the month. We have a lot of stuff (both physical and mental) and as much as I'd like to get rid of the physical somedays most days, because it (often literally) trips me up, I am learning to be content with what we have and where we are. To be content with an unfinished doorframe in the living room and toys strewn about the living room after Maggie is in bed and Brandon and I spend an evening catching up on life or watching a TV show.

What have you been up to this month?

Maggie: 14 months

She's becoming less of a baby and more of a little person each day. I know it's only natural, but I'm just in awe of watching her discover the world.

Maggie is also quite chatty at home. In public or at a friend's house, this is not always the case. She acts shy, which surprises her mama.

It has grown increasingly difficult to get a good photo of Maggie. Remember when she used to sit in one place AND smile (or at least look pleasant) for photos? Here's one of her in the chair I used to photograph her in monthly, but she climbed out before I could get a photo.

Speaking of getting around, when she was just 14 months (a week ago), Maggie is standing and since then taken her first steps and is now walking. She is now walking almost everywhere. She loves her newfound mobility. Can you tell?

Something you may not be able to tell from the photos is that her vocabulary now consists of:
bye-bye // mama // dada // no // go // uh oh // bubble // ball

Maggie's likes:

• walking on her own
• playing with a ball and saying "ball"
• dropping things over the baby gate and saying "uh oh"
• holding and "reading" books

Maggie's dislikes:

• having the dog lick her face
• different foods from day-to-day (we were spoiled previously by her goat-like eating habits)

We are so grateful for each day we get to be her parents. To hear her giggles and listen to her vocabulary develop is pure joy! 

Maggie's monthly updates:

1 month // 2 months // 3 months // 4 months // 5 months // 6 months // 7 months // 8 months // 9 months // 10 months // 11 months // 12 months // 13 months