So tomorrow brings us the month of October- perhaps one of my favorites of the year. It's now officially fall, all things pumpkin are back in style, and autumnal decorations are in full swing. It's also host to one of my most beloved holidays, the day I married my best friend, and the moment I found out I was pregnant with my little love. Not a bad resume for one little month. And while I'm happy you're here, October, I can't deny the beauty that was our September. We celebrated a wedding, showed our girl her first apple orchard, enjoyed a few final beach trips, took a much needed vacation out east; and in its final days decorated our home all-fall-like... And Maddie seems to approve.

For the first several months of her life, if not the first year, I was Madeline's blankie. She had plenty of real life blanket options- hand-knit ones, quilted ones, cotton ones and plush ones- but she was never really interested. Rather than warm up to one of those beauties, she preferred to cuddle her mama. And I happily obliged. But in the last few months this little lady has taken quite the liking to her blankets- one in particular, in fact. 

If you're new around here, let me take a moment to introduce my first born. While not my biological child, this fur baby we call Henry was perhaps my first real love. For many years I happily referred to him as my soul mate. In terms of dogs, you just can't get much better.

He's a love. He's protective- but only when he needs to be. He's easy. He naps and chills. He's active when you want him to be. He's cuddled me through Sunday Scaries. He was my baby when I struggled to be a mom. 

When it comes to baking, I'm a "the simpler the better" kind of gal.  Meaning most of the time, if not all the time, you can find me baking some kind of cookie, or a simple bar, or brownie variation. Cakes, pies, and tarts, as delicious as they may be, simply being too intimidating for this novice baker. But with a kitchen full of freshly picked apples, I wanted to venture beyond my comfort zone and try sometime new.

So when I found the rustic, freeform pastry known as the galette, I knew it was the perfect way to spread my baking wings.

By now you've probably realized that I'm a fall lover, through and through.

I love the season's crisp air. The decorations- from burnt orange flowers to white pumpkins and multicolored ghords. The tasty treats- football food; all things pumpkins and apples and spice. The coziness of its sweaters and scarves; the transition from flip-flops to booties. And excited anticipation of some of my most favorite holidays.

Before I had MM I had a very specific vision of how I'd dress my mini. I pictured a trendy little girl clad in gender-neutral tones and cool Marc Jacobs-style prints. And no pink. None. So I guess if memory serves me,  I more took a firm stance on how I was not going to dress her: No pink. No frills. No lace. No Peter Pan collars. No prep. Nothing girly. And in the end, this list of "no's" couldn't more accurately describe my daughter's entire 'drobe- the contents of which scream "Little French Girl" much more than the kidchella-vibe I had envisioned.

Now that my mini is essentially a toddler- one with a lot of energy and very little desire to nap- I rely on our daily acitivities big time. Maddie loves getting out of the house and exploring- exerting that energy, meeting new people, seeing new things, and learning about her ever-growing world. I sometimes forget just how amazing it is to watch her see something for the first time- like a turkey gobble as it wobbles right before her; a llama kissing its mama; or a cow licking its nose. 

When I was pregnant and it came time to register for my shower, I was clueless. Beyond a car seat and stroller, there were so many "must haves" that I was in the dark about. With a little research, I unveiled a whole world of newborn essentials- from Diaper Genies and Mama Roo's to Nose Freidas and Baby Bjorns. Yes mamas, we need things like this for our bundle of joy. But we also need a few of the more beautiful but oh-so-necessary trinkets for baby- burp clothes and bibs, blankies and booties, onesies and sweaters. And when celebrating a mom-to-be, who doesn't love to add a bit of luxury when showering the ones we love?

A few short months ago we ventured out west to visit family in California's wine country. It was beautiful as always, and as I mentioned before, it was a pleasant surprise to find the trip to Napa just as enjoyable as ever with the addition of our Madeline. The week was spent at the beautiful Carneros Inn- lounging, eating, visiting, and of course drinking lots of wine.

If you follow along on Instagram, you may have noticed we've spent the last few days exploring East Hampton with family and friends- cozied up in the most spectacular cottage, indulging in amazing food and drink, and excitedly awaiting the nuptials of a very dear friend.

Most of our family has never ventured out this way- including our MM; so we've taken this joyous occasion as an excuse to enjoy all things Hamptons.

I think its safe to say its official: My baby girl is growing up. Sure, she'll always be my baby in the figurative sense of the word; but literally speaking, it would appear I have a full-blown toddler on my hands. One that wants to "go-go-go" from the moment she wakes up- and she tells me just that. Each and every morning. And just like any transition over the past fifteen months, this one took a growing pain or two; before I realized that her fussiness was, in fact, boredom.  And seeing as we've found ourselves in those last few weeks of summer where everyone seems to be on vacation and baby classes have yet to start, we have been filling our days with as many homemade activities as we can.