my family twelve times | august

-- This month, I have my dear friend Ali to thank for these photos. It's hard to put into words how much I love them. (Check out Ali's website and blog. Her family photos will make you SO HAPPY.) Both Maggie and Caleb were especially happy that evening, and I think Tim looks so handsome. Also, I love that my sister-in-law straightened my hair. But the absolute best part of these photos is just the fact that all four of us are in them, and they were taken during this special time in our lives (before Caleb turns one and Maggie turns three). We'll never get this time back, but I'll love these photos forever.

-- This month has brought with it the promise of Fall. I've loved the mornings when Maggie, Caleb, and I have sat outside (Maggie coloring pictures on our sidewalk) and the air has been just a bit cooler. Like Fall is saying hello from a distance. I. Can't. Wait.

-- As we quickly approach Maggie's third birthday, I've tried to hold onto all the sweet two-year-old characteristics that I've grown to love these past ten months. She's always been incredibly verbal, and I'm impressed with the words that she pronounces correctly. That being said, I have found myself really enjoying the words that she mispronounces. Instead of "this" she says "wis". Instead of "animals" she says "amials". "Veggies" are "beggies". Sometimes, I pronounce words the way that she does, and Tim told me about a week ago that I really need to start pronouncing those words correctly. "She needs to learn how to really say them." He just smiled at me when he said it, and I smiled back. Is it wrong for me to disagree?

-- Caleb has had night terrors twice. Prior to these episodes, I'd only ever heard about what it was like. Man, it's awful. He just screams and looks so uncomfortable. I've read (and heard) that you aren't supposed to wake or coddle a child when he/she is experiencing one, but it's so hard. I've picked him up both times... I just can't help it.

-- Despite the night terrors, Caleb during the day is just delightful. He's pulling up and continuing to impress us with his mobility. He smiles easily and loves to laugh. Pretty much, he's a genius.

-- I've thought a lot about my job this month. I think I'm going to need to change a few things in 2011 (for the better, don't worry!). I really love what I do... but I need to be a lot smarter about my schedule. I'm sure I'll have more to say about this as the year winds down...

-- For the second year in a row, our family went to the Balloon Festival right outside of town. I have yet to organize the photos, but it was such a special day! Maggie experienced her first (tethered) balloon ride. So fun! She kind of enjoyed it. I think the best part for her was when we came back down.

-- Maggie really loves it when we read her books, but recently she's also started requesting that we tell her stories. Her favorites are always the ones that include a dancer, a princess, or a soccer player named Maggie. And after we introduce the first character, she always says, "What about Mommy, Daddy, and best-friend Caleb? Were they there too?"

-- Caleb is teething. Do you have kids? If so, you understand. I kind of hate teeth right now.

-- Lauren (my amazing intern and second shooter) is also my babysitter. Pretty awesome, right? She comes twice a week while I work in my office, and my kids just LOVE her. The other day, Maggie said to me (out of the blue), "I can't wait until I'm older and I can nurse all of Lauren's babies." I was definitely caught off guard with that one. What do you mean, Maggie? And she looked at me very seriously and said, "You know... how you nurse Caleb and Matt (my brother) nurses Sequoia (my niece)." I'm pretty sure I laughed for an entire day thinking about what she said...

-- Caleb has started clapping at really appropriate times. When Maggie dances around the room, he'll just smile at her and clap. It's not hard to see why she loves him so much.

-- The hair clip that Maggie is wearing in our photos is from Modern Bean. A new favorite, for sure.

-- Thanks again for the photos, Ali! You're amazing, and we love you. :)

-- This post was inspired by Tara Whitney.