SO major

Even though I feel like I lose a few brain cells after watching it, I love the Rachel Zoe project. I feel a little sad for her because her career is #1 instead of family and friends, but I love watching the fashion part and seeing the looks she puts together. In true Rachel Zoe Piperlime fashion, here are my fall boot picks:

17 months

Hey chicken,

You are growing up so fast. This age is a bit of challenge for me, but a lot of fun too. You are becoming very independent and learning how to do more and more things. The biggest change in the past couple of months has been your vocabulary and your mobility. You are walking faster and can almost run now. This morning you climbed onto your little chair all by yourself! You can go down the stairs with the help of my hand or the railing. You're getting faster at climbing...you went all the way up our new stairs yesterday without any help! 

I'm going to list all of the words you currently say so that you can look back on it one day:

Mommy

Daddy

Poppy (the Grandpas)

ba (ball)

ba-ba (balloon)

ca (car)

baby

book

hat

gee (key)

sta (star)

bok (box)

apple

cheese

bu-bu (blueberry)

ra-zee (raisin)

cookie (I did NOT teach you this one)

water

doggie

ber (bear)

Elmo

nose

hair

sue (shoe)

this

that

happy

dirty

stinky

hot 

cold

wet  

bye-bye

no-no

ka-koo (thank you)

You are very curious and want everything identified by pointing and saying "that?!" You love to help around the house. Yesterday you helped me sweep and you always help me with my socks and shoes before our morning walk. 

You love Elmo. I usually let you watch him in the morning so I can make breakfast and have a cup of coffee (Mommy is not a morning person). You LOVE balloons. Completely obsessed. Lately it's been a challenge to take you to the store because you go nuts over them. You like to draw and color...yay! Grammie gave you your first set of crayons so we've been coloring together at your little table. It's my favorite activity to do with you. You still love music. As soon as you hear a song come on, you either start bouncing, swaying your head, or spinning around. Either way it brings a huge smile to your face. You love to be outside. We've been going for a walk every morning and you always fall asleep because it's so relaxing to you. Yesterday we all went for a walk with you in the backpack carrier and I've never seen a bigger smile on your face. You looooove your Daddy. To the point of pushing me away whenever I come around you two. 

You have finally figured out how to purse your lips like a fish for kisses instead of giving open mouth kisses. It's so cute. 

I am so proud of you. Yesterday was your first time in the church nursery...first time with complete strangers and you did great. They said you were an awesome kid and didn't cry at all. It made me a little sad because you didn't even look back at me...went straight for the toys! But I'm proud of you for being such a little man and being so independent. You are definitely a people person like your Daddy. Probably could make friends with a rock like him. 

I love you more and more each day and you have my heart forever.

Love, 

Mommy

i love fall!

nature's bounty

This morning we walked over to the park to check out the farmer's market. There's only one other farmer's market that I know of in the city and we're thrilled that the other one is within walking distance. It was a gorgeous fall morning and it felt wonderful to finally put on a sweatshirt! 

I thought it was only going to be a fruit stand or two, but there was about 20 booths, live music, food trucks and strollers everywhere. After sippin' on some java, we stocked up on organic veggies and herbs. I think we'll make a pizza tonight with those fabulous juliet tomatoes and fresh basil. Mmmm. After living in Nigeria for two years where the tomatoes always looked like prunes, this is pure heaven. 

We also stopped by the Montana Gold Bread Co. booth (they have a store in Carytown) and after listening to a totally unsolicited sales pitch from a bystander on those garlic knots, I was sold. He said you don't even have to heat them up...just put them in your mouth. Yum.

out of africa

I am no longer a "diplomatic housewife," so I had to switch up the blog again. What is this, the 4th one? I'm sorry. Hopefully this will be the last one...unless we move...again. 

We are thrilled to be back in the States and in our first home as a family. I am totally in love with my new house and neighborhood. Calder and I have been walking every morning and it's just gorgeous. No two houses are alike and it has that Norman Rockwell charm. We've already met 6 of our neighbors...I don't think we met one neighbor when we were living in DC. I just love it. 

We were all set to go to South Africa, but something in us longed to unpack our suitcases and stay awhile. After much prayer and consideration, we decided to make the move back home. We are so excited!!