Fall Frenzy!

 In our house we should be calling it "A Declan Frenzy!" He is growing like crazy and becoming stronger and faster... He can crawl. And by crawl I don't mean leisurely. He can book it, even across the wood floors. Fast enough that if you look down to eat a bite of your breakfast he is already around a corner. At our house we usually find him leaning over the bathtub or at the back door laughing at Lucy and Ramble. At my mom's house he goes straight for the house plants to play in the dirt, the back window to talk to the dogs or the stairs... He can climb stairs. The other day he climbed 21 stairs in under a minute. We were there watching of course. Also we utilize our many baby gates in all areas of the house. So before you go thinking "Geez, they let Declan climb the stairs, so dangerous." We keep most things blocked off and he is with someone all of the time!

ALL DONE!!!

On Thursday morning he started walking behind his walker. He moves efficiently and is quite speedy. Declan is also standing by himself and bouncing while standing. He is also taking steps from the coffee table to the couch. Getting braver every time and laughing at his successes! It is so so sweet!
He loves to feed himself! He will reluctantly eat from a spoon or from someone else feeding him, but he would much rather do it himself! This makes for extremely messy meal and snack times. However, it is adorable. The best is when he squishes bananas in his fingers and then proceeds to rub it right behind his ear. Right after that he does the sign for "all done!" Actually most of our signs are related to eating, thirsty, hungry, mommy's milk, more!

Being contained in the walker

He is also becoming quite the trickster. On our last three walks he has managed to throw something out of the stroller and I have missed it. Only later, like two miles later, do I realize its gone and have to retrace my steps. Lucky for us the Albuquerque walkers have been so wonderful as to shake off the blankets and leave them on benches or over the fence. I say it is Declan's way of saying "mommy move it!" and also expressing how much he loves to be outside.
The cold weather is moving into Albuquerque and it is fabulous! Although makes it hard to keep his little hands warm. Can't wait to play in the leaves later this weekend and to take him snowshoeing in just a few months!
Jonathan and I have decided to challenge ourselves with a Thirty Days of Thanks. Starting next week everyday is going to be a photo and a little blurb for what we are thankful for. Keep a look out for it! Also I know we have a TON of readers out there, but we only have our four loyal commenters. If you read please comment so I know you are reading!
Hugs and Kisses from the Maples!