Fall

I can't believe how fast October has flown by and how little time I've had to document our everyday life here on the blog.  School continues to be so busy for me as I'm still learning a new district and school, but I am really truly happy where I am this year and am so so thankful.  And when I'm not teaching, I've been really working on growing my little photography business.  

I've been catching up with my old co-workers these past few weeks...who I miss dearly...and several of them have asked me the same question.  "What do you think it is that's made you so much happier this year?" I have to admit that the past few years had been an incredible struggle for me.  And it hasn't been until we made our big move home that I've realized just how unhappy I really was. 

 I feel so at peace where we are now.  I take deep breaths of fresh air as I leave for work in the morning and it just smells like my childhood. It's the leaves...the piles of leaves and their familiar fall smell. And when I walk into my school it feels like my old elementary school and I remember my teachers and how I loved school and I feel happy again. I'm finding my place in this new community and it feels good. For me, being in a place that feels safe and comforting is my happiness.  I'm not sure why I could never make Denver my home...why I felt so incredibly uncomfortable there.  That's me though. I am a homebody through and through. 

I feel like these past few months have allowed me to find myself again. I left myself here ten years ago when I went off to college and we are finally reunited again. 

Hello me...I've missed you. 

And at the same time I am reinventing myself as I've joined a new school.  You start at the bottom again and work hard to prove yourself and show those around you that you were really something else at your old school. It all takes time and for once I don't feel a sense of urgency.  I have time.  I want to grow and learn here, make my mark here. 

It's been a beautiful fall.  The mornings are cool and crisp and afternoons are warm.  Yesterday we woke up to snow and a thick fog covered the ground. It was so eerily beautiful as the bright orange and yellow leaves were magnified against the hazy background. I sat in my car for a few minutes before walking into school. A few minutes of serenity before heading into more wild and excited school days.  "MRS. WOLFE? DID YOU KNOW THAT TOMORROW IS HALLOWEEEEEEN?????" :) 

Today we celebrated Halloween as only an elementary school can do :) We had a big school wide costume parade and a class party...smoking cauldron filled with punch and cupcakes that will dye your mouth bright green for centuries.  Everdeen pranced around in her cow costume and was as cute as could be!

Now we are heading into November (my birthday month!).  This year is flying by oh so fast, but I think that's what happens when your heart is happy.

Happy Fall friends!

{43/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: You are one big snuggle bug lately.  I feel like my heart might burst when you choose me for one of your special little hugs :)

   

 Linking up with Jodi :)

an extended weekend

We had three glorious days together.  The extra day off from work was exactly what I needed...especially after two 12 hour conference days with parents. 

I love when Everdeen and I can have some time alone together.  When I can finally feel like a mama...where my sole responsibility is taking care of her.  I realized this weekend that it was exactly a year ago that I cried my way back to school after my maternity leave.  I'll admit that it has gotten a little easier, but oh man.  Somedays it feels like my heart is literally breaking as I say goodbye to my little girl.  Somedays I feel resentful and angry that I'm spending eight hours a day with other people's children when my own baby needs me.  Somedays it just feels so unfair.  But then there are the days where I get up out of bed and it doesn't hurt as much and I can kiss her goodbye without my eyes filling with tears.  I'd say I'm making progress :)

We woke up Friday morning to our first real snowfall of the season. The bright leaves were still poking through the blanket of snow and by late afternoon the snow had begun to melt. 

We slept in a little later than normal and Everdeen peeked out the door to see what the snow bears had brought last night :)

We ventured off to the library and got a new card for our neighborhood library and toddled in and out of the stacks until we got hungry for lunch.  We spent the rest of the day napping, playing, and doing some much needed chores around the house. It felt so good to finally get caught up on some things.  

On Saturday, we enjoyed hanging out at the coffee shop with Nana and some good friends and then waited anxiously for Martin to get home from work so we could head off to a little pumpkin patch at the local nursery. They had a toddler corn maze, petting zoo, and we got to take Everdeen on her first hayride.  

 And that brings us to today...a cold and rainy autumn day. We snuggled inside most of the day, being silly, and laying on the warm laundry fresh from the dryer.  We headed outside for a little walk before dinner to finally get some fresh air.  Everdeen found some puddles and thought it was awfully fun to have leaves thrown at her.  My little family just makes my heart melt.

{42/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: We spent our weekend going on a special adventure together! You love exploring and learning about this world around you.  

   

 Linking up with Jodi :)

{41/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: At Grandpa and Nana's new house. There are so many new things to explore!

   

 Linking up with Jodi :)

{40/52}

"a portrait of my daughter, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Everdeen Kate: We are starting to enjoy these cooler fall days. In fact, two days after I took this picture we were watching snow fall from the sky.  I wonder if you notice the world slowly changing before your eyes into an autumn bursting with warm and vibrant colors? 

   

 Linking up with Jodi :)

a little toddler room

If you've been following along with me for a while you know that we had been apartment dwellers for almost 9 years and have recently moved out of a tiny one bedroom apartment into our first home! Yay!  To say that we are enjoying our new home is an understatement :) I've been so excited to finally be able to share snippets of our new space.   

The one room that is complete, is Everdeen's room.  When I was pregnant I ached to be able to create a special space for her.  We crammed her crib and changing table into our bedroom and I hung a few pieces of my favorite art work up that I hoped would one day grace her nursery walls, but it really just wasn't the same.   I know that having a fancy nursery is not important and I loved every single moment that our sweet girl spent in our room with us.   In fact, even if she had had her own room, I'm pretty sure she would have co-slept with us for her first year anyways.  

When we moved this summer I began to wonder how we would both adjust to our new sleeping arrangements.  Our first night in our new home brought on a slew of emotions. We laid Everdeen down and tiptoed out of her room.  I remember standing at her door trying to fight the urge to drag her crib into our room.  That night our room was extra quiet and empty feeling.  I could no longer hear the constant and slow breathing coming from across the room.   I remember getting up several times to check on Everdeen those first few nights.  Making sure she was okay in her new little room.  I'm sure every mama gets up once in a while, just to check and listen for those reassuring baby sounds.  

* * *

I wanted Everdeen's room to be peaceful, happy, and bright.   Here's what we started with...yucky ugly blue carpet and beige walls.  We replaced the carpeting throughout the house and had everything painted a crisp, bright white.

And Voila! I think it is now the perfect place for our little girl :)

A few of the accessories

Foot Stool

Curtains

Flower Crown Print

What a Wonderful World Print

Live in the Sunshine Print

Elephant Print

Butterflies