First Signs of Fall

So here in the Metroplex, it feels like an Indian summer. Today we had a cooler day, but it still topped out in the 80s. Fall....WHERE ARE YOU?!?! We are all ready for a change of season!

Today, I was thinking about how last October James was not here yet, and how this is his first Autumn. What a difference a year makes and how life can change from one year to the next! Fall is my favorite time of year. I just love the feel of the crisp, cool air. I love the smell of apple pie baking and cozy crock pot meals. I love pulling out the sweaters and putting my flip flop feet back into some real shoes. I love carving pumpkins, and all the Halloween traditions that go along with it. I love that it is finally time for high school football and SEC football. I love finding the few North Texas trees that actually change color, cooking a big Thanksgiving meal and spending extra time with family. I am so excited to share this fall with James!

We have not really had any cool weather YET, but I think Fall is waiting for us right around the corner........Halloween-themed clothing has made an appearance at our house! Fall can't be too far off!

9 Month Stats and Updates

Daniel took James in to the doctor for his nine month check up a couple of weeks ago on one of the afternoons that he was off. I missed the appointment because I need to save my days until Daniel gets more vacation time in January. I hated missing the appointment, but was glad to hear the visit went well. So here are the stats on our little man.....22lbs 2oz and 30 inches long. That puts James in the 95th percentile for height and the 75th percentile for weight. Oh, and his noggin! He is in the 97th+ percentile for head size, so the trend continues. James got a good report, but the doctor told us that he might be suffering from a few minor allergies leading to his puffy eyes in the mornings.

James is busy cutting another tooth and is really into finger foods right now. Somedays he eats so many cheerios I think he might turn into one! I guess we have come to the end of homemade fruit and veggie purees. We will have to look up some of the toddler foods in his cookbook. James is also getting pretty close to walking. While cruising along furniture or the wall, he will let go for a second and take a step or two on his own before grabbing ahold again. He will also walk along if you hold on to his hands. It is so exciting! A new development, that we knew would come sooner or later, is stranger anxiety. When new people talk to him, he gets a scared look and puts his head down on our shoulders. So sad! What happened to our social butterfly? I am sure he will be back in a few months....

Oh! I almost forgot! I am blogging on our brand new Macbook! Loving it! I finally got Adobe Photoshop and can't wait to use it in my scrapbooking. Gotta run for now, heading out to a family picnic for Daniel's job. Looking forward to a fun day......it is BEAUTIFUL outside today. It will be nice to spend some family time together.

9 Month Photo Session by Nell

Yes, it was recently time for James' nine month photo shoot with his favorite photographer....Nell from Cowtown Camera Girl! We decided to have Nell come over and just snap photos during a normal afternoon at our house. It went so well! Now I will always have these wonderful reminders of what life was like at our house in the fall of 2008. Our boy is growing like a weed and seems to grow even overnight! We are getting a kick out of watching James discover the world around him. It seems like every day he amazes us with something new. On Saturday he said his first word, "Bye", and even waved at the same time (although his momma thinks he might already have said "book" and "out" but no one was around and everyone thinks his momma is crazy!). We were at an engagement party and he overhead a party goer saying goodbye to a friend. James chimed right in with his own farewell. Too cute!



James is just becoming such a natural in front of the camera and was really interested in the big lens on Nell's fancy camera. I can't say enough good things about her photography and love seeing my little guy and our family in her pictures. I am so glad that Nell and I met while we were both working at the same school, and that she has gotten so many priceless pictures of our baby. Something about her pictures is just special. Check out more pictures from this latest session at Nell's photography blog at www.cowtowncameragirl.blogspot.com
If you are in the Fort Worth area and are looking for a family photographer, or to get maternity shots or even portraits done, I would suggest you check her out at www.cowtowncameragirl.com and tell her the Duffys sent you! You will NOT be disappointed! I can't wait for his 12 month pictures! What kinds of things will James be doing by then? Thank you Nell for incredible shots and a wonderful photograhy session as usual! Can't wait to scrapbook these. :-)

Daniel has been promoted!

Daniel has been promoted to Interim Manager, and he will be an official manager after six months! Daniel has been waiting for this for a very long time and we are thrilled with this opportunity. Daniel has worked very hard to get this position and I am so proud! He will be managing the team on an evening shift and working four evenings a week, plus attending extra trainings and meetings for a while. It will be an adjustment for our family, but one we are facing with a positive attitude. We know that this will lead to great things for us in the longrun. It also means that soon Daniel will be keeping James home with him one day a week while I am at work. He can't wait to spend the whole day with James. Way to go Daniel!!!!! James and I are so lucky to have you as the man of the house. It is hard to find someone who works harder or does a better job taking care of their family than you do. We love you so much.

Oh James can you please......

STOP GROWING?!?!

You are getting so big! What happened to my tiny, helpless baby? He has been replaced with a long-legged, on the very verge-of-toddlerhood, hilarious, strong-willed, increasingly independent, feisty 8 month old! I simply could not adore you more, my sweet little boy. But I would love it, James, if you would just slow down and quit growing up so fast! I am not done babying you just yet.....