November

The season is in full swing here at the end of November, and it's been an eventful month for us. Aside from the usual holiday hubub, we've also had a big family wedding to celebrate (see a few pictures from the wedding here).

Madeline continues to impress us daily with her intellect. She can express herself with accuracy in almost every situation, using five- and six-word sentences to convey action, emotion and nuance. Even the words that she would have no reason to remember come out in the proper context days later.

The same is true with her books - she's familiar with them after the first reading, and she can recite several phrases per page of her favorite books. She sometimes sits and reads for 30 minutes or more, and I love listening to her read aloud, and realizing where she is in the book from the words and inflections she's using.

Her counting is coming along, although she seems to have forsaken the number three. Madeline counting sounds something like, "one, two, four, five, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine," getting hung up like a broken record on the "four, five" segment.

Here are some pictures from this month:

Madeline explored the live oysters on display at the Urbanna Oyster Festival.


Barely awake, Madeline clutched Debby the doggy during a long car ride.

Madeline enjoyed being showered with leaves in the backyard.

Madeline shoots the breeze with friends and family on the porch at Grandma's house on a pleasant fall weekend.


Clowning around.

Madeline proudly shows off her half-marathon finisher's medal. She spent much of the morning calling herself the "champion" and offering high-fives.

Spending a lazy fall afternoon on the front steps.

After mastering the skill of walking along the railroad tie on the edge of our driveway, Madeline looked to mommy for assurance before jumping off the side.

Making the leap.

Pleased with her success.

Madeline cautiously investigates a large slug. . .

and then reaches out to touch it.

Grasping on the kitchen counter for a tasty snack.

Madeline enjoyed helping us decorate the tree, and is a huge fan of Christmas music. She dances and sings along, and her favorite song so far is "Jingle Bell Rock."

Here's an outtake from Madeline's holiday photo shoot. Stay tuned in late December for Madeline's annual Christmas portrait!