A little independence goes a long way

As always happens - we've found some sort of rhythm.  It's not always perfect, but it's something.  In the beginning of September we went to the beach for four days with my sisters.  It was great to spend some quality time with the Aunties and Safia loved the beach.  

The rest of the month flew by . . . not sure what we did, but we were constantly busy.  Safia's getting bigger and sillier every day.  She's starting to talk more and do more things on her own.  She's dressing herself (as you can see from some of the outfit choices below) .

She's starting to pose for the camera . . .

She loves to draw . . .

and she's learning to drive - well at least she thinks that she should be  . . .

And she loves to hang out with her dad . . 

We got her a play kitchen so she's been cooking up a storm.  We've all also discovered the fun of boxes - she now has a summer home and a two room condo (pictures to come)

It's hard to believe that she's already 18 months old.  Just yesterday she was so little and needy and helpless . . . 

now she's still needy sometimes, but not as often as she was before.  She's still has her moments of helplessness, but those moments are interspersed with giggles and adventures and independence and a whole lot of learning . . . she's pretty amazing and it's been a heck of journey, and it's just beginning. 

Summertime and the living was easy

Safia at 16 months

All smiles, almost all the time

August has turned into a hard month for us.  August used to be a time for vacation, a time to savor the end of the summer.  But since we’ve moved to Georgia, it’s been a time of transition - a time to figure out how to balance all aspects of our lives, how to manage our time just a little bit better – maybe.  What it has turned into is a time to survive, a time to get through, a time when we all have to reach a little deeper to just get through the day, the week, the month.  September, which for so many people is a time of new beginnings and transitions is our time to breathe a sigh of relief that we made it through August, to re-group, maybe, and to figure how to get through yet another school year.

Lunch from El Sol with the Golden Gate
Bridge as our backdrop - doesn't get much better

The rest of our summer ended amazingly.  We spent almost two weeks in California, visiting friends, celebrating love, eating really good food, exploring, and drinking more than our fair share of really good wine.  We made our way back to Georgia for a few days of calm before the storm.  Then on August 1, Rube went back to work.  It was that much more difficult for him this year because he and Safia had such an amazing summer together.  They went on adventures, they played with friends, they learned an amazing amount, and, really, they had lots of fun.  I, meanwhile, got a lot of work done and got to meet them at the pool most afternoons.  It was a pretty great situation all around. 

Breakfast

Safia started daycare full time when Rube went back to work.  It’s been an adjustment for all of us, with just enough guilt on my part to keep me questioning it, but she seems to like it, and I’m still getting work done, and Rube is teaching.  All good things.

We’re settling into a routine, getting things done and trying to remember to take care of ourselves in the process.  Easier said than done, but little by little we’re figuring it out.  We went hiking in Tallulah Gorge to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary, Safia hiked almost half a mile before she got tired and got into the carrier.  We’re also exploring Athens’ kids offerings, like jumping on giant inflatables and swinging on trapezes.  We’re mainly trying to keep our heads above water, and if I do say so myself, we’re doing a pretty good job.  But we’re definitely looking forward to September when things settle down a bit…maybe. 

Trapezee!

I call this her Georgia girl with flare outfit
She wore it for her Aunt Shell's graduation party

 

Helping building a hanging bed for our screen poerch

Getting started early on her social justice research

This girl loves her daddy and loves hats!

Her first camping trip - a practice run for
our California camping trip

Nothing like a peanut butter sandwich

Enjoying the view

Reading in the tent

She's a Georgia voter!

Everything tastes better when you drink it out
of an umbrella straw

California hiking

California tomatoes and California hats!  Thanks Aunt G!

Wine tasting!

It can be cold in California in the summer!

Hiking in Tullulah Gorge

Our little tree hugger

Safia's first hiking trip - she walked
almost 1/2 mile before we had to carry her 

The treasures on the trail were almost
as fun as hiking!

I knit Safia this dress . . . 

and I sewed her this one!  Kinda proud
of myself!

Backyard pool time!

Her bathing suit doubled as a purse all summer long

Tired little girl

Hanging with Aunt Molly and Uncle Dr. John

We just got back from a long weekend at the beach with my sisters.  But they're so special they deserve their own post . . . hopefully I'll get on that one soon!