Giving Season

Christmas is upon us and I can't help but think of the real reason we celebrate such a joyous holiday. I am forgiven and redeemed by my huge God and am so undeserving of His many blessings. This year I feel a draw to celebrate His birth outside of myself and my own family. Be it a maturing relationship with my Savior or the added pressure of raising girls in a take, take, take world, or the need to share the many blessings we have, but I'm on a mission to deliberately give to others each day.

One example of how we brought joy to someone who often goes unappreciated, happened a couple days ago. As I pulled into the grocery store parking lot with you girls, Charlie saw the Salvation Army bell-ringer and said, "I give money and ring bell?". I told you yes, you could give some money but you would have to ask the man if you could ring the bell. While I parked, you practiced what you would say but of course, got shy as we walked up to the bell-ringer. You dropped your money in and tilted your head down but cut your eyes up as you said, "I ring bell?". I had to tell the man what you said because you wouldn't speak up any louder. He smiled big and handed you the bell to ring a few times. You were so excited but of course, wouldn't let on around a stranger.

As we went into the store, I saw the man duck into the lobby where it was warm...it was in the 30's outside and he was bundled up. That's when it hit me, this man needs something to warm him up and I can help! While in the store, I grabbed a big pack of Hot Hands hand warmers. I gave the man a couple packs as we left the store, knowing he could put them into his pockets to warm his hands while outside ringing that bell. I'm keeping a few packs in my purse from now on to hand out as I see people who need some warming up. This time I capitalized on a golden opportunity to think outside of "me and mine" to serve someone else. I feel like I miss SO many of these chances and am determined to change this. I knew I would need an external reminder because I can be so naturally selfish. I found a bracelet I never wear, in the bottom of my jewelry box and wear it daily as a reminder to myself..."Who have I served or what have I given today?". I aim to bring joy to those I encounter and use each opportunity as a learning experience for Charlie and eventually Olivia. I hope to engrain in you girls, the importance of sharing your blessings and the natural drive to serve others.

Miss Personality

Olivia,

You're getting such a sweet little personality these days. You're going on 6 months old and are figuring out how to make fun sounds with your mouth. You continue to be a happy baby girl and love nothing better than to smile at anyone who will look at you. Thank you for the joy your sweetness brings me.

Here you are blowing raspberries...and spitting...and drooling. You're really good at all of these now and do it when you're happy, tired, hungry...anytime really!



Here is your loud cackle that you do when you're really excited. You're learning to express yourself outside of a grin or giggle. 

Olivia's 5 Months Old!

Olivia,
As of this week, you have gotten quite mobile for a 5 month old! You have figured out how to roll from back to front and back over. You're stringing these rolls together and covering the spread of a blanket to get to toys you want. This tells me that if I haven't already, I must be diligent about keeping a hand on you while on the changing table. You love playing with toys, looking at books, or laughing at your sister while on your belly.

You're also getting so strong that you can lean forward in your bouncy seat. This evening, while sharing dinner conversation with Charlotte and I (daddy was on TDY to Ft. Bragg), you about leaned out of your bouncy seat. This is my signal to keep the seat on the floor only and move you to a highchair while at the table.

Trying to jump out of your bouncy seat.



"What Mom? This is fun!"

We are also officially kicking off your solid food intake. In the last few weeks I tried giving you small pieces of banana or avocado and you just spit them out. I haven't been in a rush to regularly feed you solid food because it is such a mess and you're doing just fine with milk. However, we need to practice...you keeping it in your mouth and me making it a part of our daily routine.

Your daddy was brave and held you while I fed you.

 

You seemed to really enjoy chewing on the spoon.



Touching Everything

Olivia,

Your skill right now is touching everything you see. It is so fascinating to see you focus in on something and become still as you reach out and touch it with your fingers. If I'm holding you and put a drink or food to my mouth, you try to reach out and grab it. I hold you at the dinner table and you pull the table cloth. In the bathtub, you love for me to pour water on your tummy while you try to grab it. You're beginning to play by yourself some when you have toys to reach for. When there are no toys in sight, your feet are always fun to grab. Here are some pictures showcasing your curiosity.

Learning Everywhere

Charlotte,

You're growing up so fast right before our eyes. The conversation you are using is becoming more and more adult-like. Your daddy and I look at eachother after you've said something and wonder where you learned the phrase. It's amazing how observant you are; you pick up so much from those around you. Here are some of your latest phrases.

"Ummm, yeah." or "Ummm, sure." (In response to just about anything. We are really working on "yes ma'am, yes sir" but it's tough when we say this phrase to you all the time.)

"What color you want?" (When we're coloring or when you have several things of different colors. What's funny is that if we don't say the color you want us to have, you give us the pre-determined color anyway.)

"Maybe have a couple yogurt raisins?" (You asked me this in the car on our way home from church.)

"My turn to..." or "I do by me self." (You are very focused on doing things by yourself and get very upset if we try to help or do it for you. To name a few, get on the potty, climb into your booster seat, close the door, turn the top on your cup.)

"What's that called?" (This is probably why you know so much. You ask this when you encounter something you don't know yet.)

I'm amazed at how smart you are, Charlotte. I find myself having to extend my questioning and add to the skills I throw at you. You know all of your letter names, nearly all the letter sounds, square, rectangle, circle, oval, diamond, triangle, octogon, 15 colors, AB patterns, count to 15, recognize numbers to 10.

Olivia Found Her Laugh Box

Silly Olivia is laughing all the time now. It began with grins here and there, turned into smiles at the sight of another face, and has morphed into cackling laughter whenever anyone gives you any attention. You bring so much joy to all of us.

Halloween

We made it through Charlotte's third Halloween and Olivia's first. Charlotte, you were just 2 months old on your first Halloween. We dressed you up as a ladybug and went to a neighborhor's house for a party. You did not enjoy the costume and ended up out of it and back home pretty quickly. But at least we got one picture!

The following year we experienced our first Halloween in Clarksville, TN in our awesome neighborhood, Poplar Hill. Charlotte, you were just over a year old and didn't really get the whole Halloween thing. You helped us hand out candy and went to bed early. Your silly daddy loves to dress up for Halloween and was "Mr. Ladybug" to go along with your butterfly costume.

This year we had to use the "divide and conquer" approach. Your daddy took Charlotte out for trick or treating while I stayed home and passed out candy because Olivia was already asleep for the night. Though we did get some pictures of you two while we waited for daddy to get home.

Once daddy got home, he and Charlotte took off down the block. I stayed home and handed out candy to the droves of children who live in our neighborhood. After awhile, daddy brought you back and let me take you out with our friends, Laura, Brian, and Braden Major. You had a ball trick or treating with your buddy, Braden. You two held hands and talked about the scary houses and how to say "Trick or Treat" when you get to the door. You've grown SO much in the last two years. I am amazed at what a little girl you have become!

 At the end of the night, we let Charlotte pick her favorite candies out of her bag. You chose M&M's and gummy snacks. We put the rest of your candy in our bucket and handed it back out to the kids who were still trick or treating. You were very sweet to hand out your candy to other children. We love you girls and can't wait to experience so many more fun holidays with you.