"Reasons to Survive November"

See how pensive Mia looks in the mornings!

Even in Texas, Autumn is a special time of year. The fresh smell in the air and the cooler tempatures sort of give people extra energy, and even as early as October, our thoughts begin to turn toward hot cocoa in front of a fireplace, and to the snow-frosted Christmas that inevitably arrives in our imaginations (though rarely does it really snow here).

Yesterday, Stacy, Suzy and I took Mia back to the pumpkin patch where we photographed her last year for her one-year birthday invitations. Suzy took tons of photos because Mia has already learned to ham it up for the camera, and she was really cute and cooperative. I will add sample photos soon.

Last Sunday evening, we went to Nacogdoches to have dinner with Brooks and Camille. Mia went to feed the ducks, but ate about as much bread as she fed, in typical Mia fashion! It was good to be back in Nacogdoches, even if we don't have a house there anymore. It was great to call that town home for a few years--there isn't tons to do there, but that just means you rely more on good friends to make special times.

Why waste yummy bread on ducks?

Left: Mia shows off her "Elvis" lip curl.

Mia is such a grown up! She is talking almost non-stop and sings and plays by herself a lot. She is doing well in therapy (both physical and occupational), though she still has a long way to go. Every day during the week (except for some Wednesdays), Stacy brings Mia to me at work, so Mia an dI get to eat breakfast and watch "Dora the Explorer" together before I take her to therapy or to daycare. Even though it is often rushed, that is precious time. She is a great friend, and cuddling and feeding her is a great way to get the day rolling.

Mia really looks up to her cousin, Kennedy. Kennedy is almost a year older than Mia, and she is smart and lots of fun. She will likely teach Mia how to walk, if we give her time--there's no telling what kind of trouble those two will cause, someday! Chad and I deserve whatever we got in that department....

Right: Kennedy demonstrates the art of writing to Mia.

By the way, today's post title comes from a poem by Tony Hoagland by the same name.