Quick monthly recap because it’s October 6 so it has to be done but I only have about ten minutes to do it (where does the time GO?). I won’t be linking to old posts like I usually do but I don’t think it’s very hard to scroll back as I haven’t posted much.

Reader

Apparently I only read three books in September. Two audio and one print. I knew I wasn’t reading much, but three books? Jeez. But hey, I actually reviewed two of them.

• Something Like Normal by Trish Doller (print)
• Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick (audio)
• The Registry by Shannon Stoker (audio)

Dancer

I am back in ballet class and so happy about it. My adult class is actually adults this year and she’s not holding back on us. I am usually hurting for a few days but I just feel home for that hour I get to dance.

Runner

I stopped running in August when the heat became unbearable. Then I was doing a different exercise plan so I haven’t picked it back up yet. But I am running a 5k the first weekend in November so I have about 4 weeks to get back in running shape.

Those of you on twitter will have noticed that I just started counting calories (because I can’t stop talking about calories). I’m down 2.4 pounds the first week, which is better than I expected. I am really motivated to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight (or at least close) so running will be a huge part of this.

Photographer

I am still taking photos and my camera is in manual mode 99% of the time. I even went on a photo walk with a bunch of other photographers last weekend. Pictures from that will be up on Wednesday.

Mom

E is 16 months old and still an absolute delight. He’s starting to be a real little boy that I can interact with a little and it is amazing. We had a few big “firsts” this month: first hair cut and first trip to the emergency room. E didn’t really enjoy either very much.

Time to wrap up September…

Reader

Oh my goodness. I felt like I was never going to read a book again for awhile there. It’s been a year since I went back to work and I still haven’t really figured out how to fit reading into the working mom life I seem to have stumbled into.

I read:

• And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (audio)
• Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman (audio)
• The Age of Ice by J.M. Sidrova (print)
• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (audio)
• The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson (print)

None of these jump out to me as a favorite, which may be why August was such a tough reading month for me.

I also reviewed Pure and Eleanor & Park and started the Bloggers Recommend Challenge.

Dancer

I made it to a class this month. Just one. But a real live ballet class. With plies and everything. And the fall session starts this week, so I am determined to get back.

Runner

After struggling through July, I basically gave up in August. When the feels like temperature rarely gets below the 90s, even after the sun goes down, and 5 nights out of 7 end up in thunderstorms, there just isn’t much to be done. I’m frustrated because I was just getting to the point where I could run for a half hour without stopping again and now I know I’ll have to start over. Again. But that seems to be how my running life works.

Photographer

Only two photo posts this month:

• Evan Exploring Tampa
• Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I’ve got the camera on full manual mode all the time now!

Mom

(Random thought: When I see the word “mom” and still picture my mom – it’s hard to apply it to myself).

Evan is 15 months old and seems to be learning something new every second. He can point to his head, shoulders, nose, and belly button when asked. He reaches for my hand when he needs help and will take my hand when I offer. He’ll give me a kiss on request. He says a handful of words, but he is wildly inconsistent with all of them except “uh-oh.” Everything used to be “cat.” Now everything is “doggie.” Including the cats. He can go up and down the stairs. He can climb up on the couch and safely get off of it again (we’re still working on sitting rather than jumping once he’s up there though). It’s so much fun watching him figure out the world.

It’s May 5. Probably about time to wrap up April.

Reader

In April, I read:

1. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg (audio) 4 stars
2. The Absolutist by John Boyne (audio) 4 stars
3. The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout (ebook) 2.5 stars
4. The Elite by Kiera Cass (audio) 4 stars
5. Drama: An Actor’s Education by John Lithgow (audio) 3 stars
6. Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauen Graham (ebook) 4 stars
7. Hand Me Down by Melanie Thorne (audio) 4 stars

Not a bad month, but once again the majority of my books are audio. I’ve GOT to find some time to sit down with a print book. Maybe on my new patio furniture?

I also reviewed Parlor Games; The Art Forger; The Pluto Files; Being There; The Life You’ve Imagined; and Scarlet and shared the latest on my TBR;

Dancer/Runner

I’m on hold for the moment. I’ve been having some pain in my left foot and the doctor told me I’m on injured status for awhile. So far it isn’t making me feel better, so I may just go back to running anyway. I’m sad to miss the Mother’s Day race I was going to run. The doctor also told me to buy new shoes – that part I like!

I did, however, post about my FitBit this month. I’m still trying to walk as much as possible.

Mom

Well, Evan is 11 months old and plans for his first birthday are well under way. I have no idea how this happened. He’s walking and talking (well, he says cat – or “tat”) and become a kid instead of a baby.

This month, I shared photos of Evan at the zoo and on Easter; a video of some of Evan’s very first steps; and before and after photos on our one-year home anniversary.

Reading/Blogging

In November, I read:

 All I can say, once again, is thank goodness for audiobooks.

This month, I reviewed:

• The Bird Sisters
• A Million Suns (Across the Universe series)
• Fallen in Love (Fallen series)
• Wolf Hall
• Messenger of Truth (Maisie Dobbs series)

Hmm…I should probably post reviews more often.

I also shared my Pin It and Do It wrap up , discussed my new book club, my experiences cloth diapering and breastfeeding, and 30 things for which I am thankful.

Reading My Own Books is still going very slowly. November’s book – yep, book – was If I Stay. I am now reading The Book Thief. I really might actually finish this three-month project with only three books read. But that’s three fewer books on the TBR, right?

Baby

Evan continues to be just an awesome little person. He is 6 months old, 28 inches, and 17 lbs 1 oz – tall and skinny. He is almost sitting and crawling, just starting on solids, and has 6 teeth. He finds sneezes and balloons hilarious and smiles all the time. And he just keeps getting cuter:

Other Projects

I am continuing with my photo a day project, and I’ve added a holiday themed one. You can follow them on Instagram or Tumblr.

I am also participating in Trish’s laidback Holiday Pin It and Do It. Posts to come.

Final note: I am going to take the blog down for a few days this week. I have a trial starting tomorrow and I usually hide it from the view of googling jurors. It’ll be back up in a few days – I promise. I will also be making my twitter account private temporarily.