1 to 6.

Look at how he's grown!

apple pickin'

We escaped to Markham, Virginia to pick some apples before the season is over! My dad LOVES to make apple pies. He must go pick the best batch of Stayman apples- and he doesn't play around. We headed to Stribling Orchard and then over to Chataeu O'Brien winery. The weather was finally very kind to us. Love the fall crisp air. Colin needed a break from all that heat!

1/2 year.

1/2 a year has passed since Justin and I nervously walked into the hospital to become a family of three. I am amazed at how quickly a child can grow right in front of your eyes without you taking notice. From barely being able to see 6 inches in front of him, to us cheering when he followed an object, to him being able to make contact with a toy, to grasping, to smiling, to laughing, to sitting, to repeating words... nothing short of amazing. Really how on earth does all that happen?

His highchair arrived at the door RIGHT before dinnertime. Dad quickly put it together and I prepared his FIRST baby food. As to be expected he loved his squash. I don't think he is going to turn away any food. I mean come on look at him.
In between bites. Not sure if he liked this new plastic bib or food better?

Happy 1/2 a year to you Colin! It's getting harder and harder to leave you each morning.

wine and pumpkins.

With one more hot weekend we took full advantage. Went to Bluemont winery (a Smith favorite) and then went pumpkin picking. I had a hard time narrowing down the photos. We had a fantastic relaxing day! Can you believe it's October!?!

baby babble.

I can't believe Colin will be a 1/2 year on Tuesday. He has developed so much of a personality in these last few weeks. Look- he's already too cool to smile for the camera.

So this last week has marked the beginning of me asking myself "did he really just say that?" Case in point. He repeats "dada"- I'm serious. See for yourself! Yesterday Meghan and I were teaching him to make a fist ...open & close. Not even 30 seconds later he had it down. Whoa. Then I turned to Meghan to tell her something and I hear a loud, clear and big ..."BYE". It totally freaked me out. I guess dad will have to think of some other words to yell at the TV on Sundays.

camera stuff.

I just have to share this with those who have those big ugly ,bulky camera bags (sorry honey- I loved my big bag while it lasted). The Smiths gave me this gorgeous bag for my birthday and Meg, Ryan, Justin and my parents bought me a new lens I thought I'd have to wait for Christmas for :) Still hoping to get into that photog. class in a few months. Crossing my fingers!

little cowboy.

I love love love the fall season. My favorite and shortest time of the year. Not fair! But now I get to add more fun to my favorite season... a new wardrobe for this handsome man. He's pretty excited about it too :)

strollers.

Have I lost my mind- yes (my husband would tell you it hasn't come back since I found out I was pregnant). When we first registered for a stroller I thought I would be jogging away all my weight. "Luckily" I have a 20+ lb baby at almost 6 months and therefore got rid of my gym membership and am now selling my ever ambitous jogging stroller.

So I began my search for a new practical stroller that would hold coffee and my shopping bags rather than be paired with running shoes. When Colin was sick last week it led me straight to the store to buy the Peg Perego Pliko. ahhh. That would make him feel better :) But my heart was still set on the Chicco. Craigslist I went. Hello new Chicco and Peg Perego. I remember when dresses and coats were an obsession....