"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.
Fun Times at the Fair


Mia visited the East Texas State Fair last Sunday evening. Before then, I didn't realize East Texas was a state, but now I know. Anyway, she ate a whole corn dog (a treat which first appeared at the State Fair of Texas in 1942) and drank lemonade before riding two rides.

Left is a photo showing how she looked after eating that corn dog; she is blitzed! How would you feel after eating a treat that was 63 years old?

She rode a horse on the carousel and squealed the entire time, and then she rode on a circus train. I think she used most of her energy watching the people, though, especially the other kids. She really wants to run and play with them!


Above, we are on the carousel. Mia is naturally happy, but she literally squeeled on this ride.

Check out the pi-zissed look on Mia's face after being forced to get off of her horse. She is not a baby with whom one should trifle! I am making zombie-face in the attempt to mimic her.

Here are Stacy and Mia on the circus train ride. Mia was confused because I stood in a curve to get this photo, and by the time she heard my voice, they had passed.

The rhythmic "clank-clank" of the track, combined with the sounds and smells of other children partying like only children can, made Mia a bit...well...dazed...

So, we finally decided that enough was enough (and Mia was too small for any other rides), so we went to the house. Judging from the photo above, Mia had a great time at the fair. She sang and danced in her car seat on the way home, and nothing could disguise the drunken quality that this picture captures.

Technically, since you have net my baby and my wife, it is time for me to introduce myself; however, my cousin (who is my oldest friend) and his wife just had a baby Saturday, so I thought I would drop in a quick post with a link to her new baby page so you could all meet her. Be sure to look at her other photos and sign her guest book while you are there.

Here's her site: http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/t/taylorreed

And here's a photo of me loving on her yesterday:


We'll get back to me soon enough.