Sophie has been a year old for about a week now. I can't get over how simultaneously fast and slow that first year went. She walked many steps many times before her birthday, but on her birthday while camping she walked, fell, bonked her head and is now a bit more cautious. She will walk anywhere holding on to your finger though. All she needs is one, and she's delighted to show you around the house, pointing and babbling. So, she's not totally walking yet, but she's not not walking either. Who knows how long she will pause here. All I can say is, she can take whatever time she needs. I have much more toddler proofing to do around the house.

For her one-year birthday we packed up the family and went camping at Rose Canyon Lake. My mother came along, as did some good friends of the family. I can't think of a better way to ring in her first year than relaxing in the woods. It was much needed and it had been far too long. Sophie seemed to enjoy it a great deal, and was especially fond of all the rocks and dirt, and the tasting of as much of each as she could sneak before I grabbed whatever item it was out of her hand or fished it out of her mouth. I did a lot of fishing for rocks that weekend.

I am worn out today. The neighbors behind us are reshingling their roof, which means we get to listen to classic rock and hammering every day starting at five am. Add to that the restless night Sophie was having last night (teething, perhaps?) and you have a droopy Naomi. Methinks it's time for reading and rest. Here's hoping tonight is some solid sleep. Lord knows I need it.

Yesterday I was ridiculously productive. It was sickening, really. And I did it all with a very alert and very mobile almost-one-year old. I guess I'm professional grade now, eh? I have taken on a couple of social media clients to bring in a little cash, and so far that is easy enough and working out well. And somehow, someway, Ron stays busy with photography work as well. It's tough, but we are making this thing work.

In any event, the days march on, and we continue to survive. Many days, I'd say we even thrive. When I get enough sleep, the challenge to come up with new ways to support our family and raise the tiny one and encourage the bigger ones and feed them all and help them love to learn and know how to love, and guide them in whichever of life's season they are at -- on most days, it's fun, engaging, interesting stuff. On the off days, the tough days, the blue days, I just want some sleep and a hug. But that is how it is with most of us, no?

Sophie is a regular babbling brook these days. She's been giving her g-sounds a whirl, and the garbling sounds she comes up with are joyful music to my ears. She is now copying words we say, and has come out with a pretty good "baby," "dog," and "bye." She still says momma or mom most often, followed by dad and dadda. We are still working on sissy or Carina and Jamie.

Last weekend we went to Patagonia lake to scout it out as a potential location for her first birthday celebration. It was a fun trip and we got some great shots of her, but we decided Mt. Lemmon is more along the lines of what we were looking for. So the weekend after next, to celebrate her birthday, we will go camping at Rose Canyon Lake on Mt. lemmon. We have always been a big camping and outdoors family, so what better way to celebrate her first year on planet Earth? I can't wait.

And how are you all out there?

Wow. It's already September. I just returned from my 20 year high school reunion last weekend, and Sophie Dawn turns a year this month. If those things aren't cause for reflection, I don't know what is. I find it amazing even still that I am now a stay-at-home mother who has an almost one-year-old daughter. If you'd told me five years ago that today this would be my life, I'd never have believed you. And yet here I am.

Although my heart sings every day, I must also admit that life is not without its share of fears and anxiety. I second guess myself constantly, wondering if my choice of quality time with Sophie over financial security for the family is the right one. I have a close friend who works constantly but already has a house for her two baby boys once they are adults, who also has college savings started (if not complete) and can provide every single thing they need, without hesitation. We, on the other hand, don't even have health insurance. I can provide me, my love, and our simple home and life, but I can't yet promise a secure future. Hell, I can't even promise a secure present, except to say that, God willing, I'll be in it with my whole heart and soul.

The point is, my fear is, did I make the right choice? Did I put us in jeapordy by quitting my job? In my defense, the non-profit work that I was doing was never going to afford us a second home, at least not any time soon. But I could have at least provided health insurance. Expenses would not feel quite so daunting.

I don't know. All I know is that I am eating up every moment I spend with her, and I'm trying to use this time well. I don't know how much impact it will have on her in the long run to have me home for however long we can swing it, but I know it is at very least good for *my* soul. And it feels right. And Sophie is strong, happy, and healthy. She wakes up from a nap and picks up one of her books by the bed and starts turning the pages, pointing at things and speaking her gibberish language. I love it. She screeches and yells a joyous noise when she is excited. She climbs everything she can, and walks holding on to our fingers or her push toys. She loves butternut squash, warm apples, peaches, steamed carrots, sweet potatoes and most of all egg. She is still so excited to experience other babies that she mauls them and tries to eat them. It's adorable.

And on the 22nd of this month, we will head to Mt. Lemmon for a camping trip in celebration of her one year on this lucky planet. Thank God for that.