6 months of Axel

I've gotta get a 6 month picture of Axel in before he is 7 months old!  This time of year always seems to fly by for me.  October here was glorious.  Too bad I was sick for two weeks of it.  But we are finally better and have tried to enjoy as much of the sunshine as we can.  Now on to November which is full of exciting times for our family.  Axel's adoption will FINALLY be finalized this month and I'm looking forward to the holiday season.  What is your favorite part about this time of year?

Falling in love with fall.

It is fall everyone.  In case you missed it.  I love summer its no secret.  But I'm a sucker for the change of the seasons too.  And transitioning in to fall has been really easy for me this year.

 It has something to do with boots and sweaters and cozy drinks...

Soundtracks for the season that just make you feel fall in your heart...

Cooler days to get outside with my guy...

Soup and football...{this one is yum and so easy.  also I might be a seahawks fan.}

And weekends like this.  

How could I not fall in love with fall?

First Grade!!

There she goes.  My kid, off to first grade.  We are in our second week of school and loving everything about first grade.   Her teacher, eating lunch at school every day, science and the monkey bars are all of her favorite things about being back in school.  

She gives it two thumbs up.  

What my little girl is made of.

Ivy turned six.  How can it be?  Birthdays make me so sentimental.  We took our birthday adventures to the mountains this year.  Why is it that the mountains always feel like home?  

This girl grew up the day Axel was born.  I've watched her this summer blossom as a big sister.  I've also become keenly aware of how much she is affected by the things I do.  How who I am is shaping who she is.  It is scary and awesome.  

I hope I can teach her to be better than I am. 

 In our adoption profile I described Ivy as being part princess, part pirate.  She is the best of both worlds.  The things my little girl is made of.  Be still my heart. 

It is magical to me to think of all the things she is capable of becoming. 

Courage.  Sacrifice.  Determination.  Commitment.  Toughness.  Heart.  Talent.  Guts.

Thats what my little girl is made of.

Three Months of Axel

Oh Axel.  You and your wiggly ways.  You are finally sleeping through {most} nights which makes me so happy.  I finally feel like I am coming out of zombie mode.  The chubbiness and the giggles make me swoon.  We need to work on getting you some hair but I think you are perfect just the way you are.