Shoes Shoes Shoes!

I'm pretty sure it's official....Charlotte walks in heels better than I do. You go into my closet nearly every day and pull out my high heels and clop around the house. You even RUN down the hallway in those things. Then you kick them off and go for another pair. Now understand, you wear these things more often than I do. I might wear a pair of high heels once every two weeks and that's a generous estimate. God made you this way because you certainly don't get this girly tendency from me. We will see how this love for shoes manifests throughout the years, but for now we are just enjoying how cute you are in your mama's shoes!

Rustic brown for your everyday errands.

Black patent leather for those fancy occasions. (Even has the foot turn!)

And of course your summer wedge.

Olivia's Eye Appointment

Hi joyful, smart, beautiful baby girl! A few months ago I noticed that your left eyes just didn't look quite right. I couldn't quite put my finger on it and asked your Chrissy what she thought. Being an artist, I knew she could pinpoint what was going on. Your left eye seems to drift inward sometimes but isn't very noticeable. I talked to the doctor about it at your 9 month appointment, which went great! She saw what I was talking about and referred us to the opthamologist at Ft. Campbell. Although I realized the range of possibilities (from simply growing out of it, to needing to patch one eye, to sight loss), thankfully I didn't give it another thought in the 4 weeks between the appointments. Today was your appointment with the specialist and I was surprised that you were not the only child in the waiting room. You met a little boy around the age of 4 who was being seen for his hearing. His speech was so delayed, that he was more difficult to understand than most 18-24 month olds. He was a happy, friendly little boy who liked playing with you but I couldn't help but think about the struggles that he has ahead because of his hearing problems. It all became a little more real to me then as I waited for your name to be called.

You can see the slight drift in the left eye. (Somebody was apparently spitting her water out onto her shirt)

I answered all of the doctor's questions, summarizing that you have had a very healthy life so far, as you squirmed in your stroller. Next, you sat in my lap while the doctor performed a few tests to see how you were using each of your eyes. When your right eye was covered, you still tracked objects with your left. Next, the doctor covered the left eye, the one that drifts inward. When the drifting eye is covered, sometimes it turns inward further, signaling that the brain is not using the weaker eye and that sight loss is imminent. Thank the Lord, your eye stayed strong and did not move inward!! Then she dilated your eyes to check the strength and if there is a need for glasses. Again, she saw nothing out of the norm for your age! I am so relieved that there are no major or underlying problems with your beautiful eyes. The doctor was so impressed with how well you interacted with her and thought you were very smart! We will go back in a few months to check to see if it has gotten any better or worse. As your mother, I can't help but to want the smoothest, pain-free path in life for you. But I realize that so much is out of my control and that bumps and struggles are certain. So instead of worrying over what might happen and stressing over what is happening, I will do my best to prepare you to handle life with grace and maturity and trust in the Lord.

Spring Happenings

With high temperatures ranging from 40 to 80, it is definitely spring here in Tennessee. We have all been battling some tough allergies as the warming temperatures beckon us outside. Olivia and I have both had sinus and ear infections but are on the other side of some sleepless nights, thanks to a couple rounds of antibiotics. As we spend more time outside, Charlie, you have rekindled your love of watering plants, flowers, rocks, ants, and herself. We plan on putting in a small garden in the coming weeks and I know you girls will enjoy the watering and eating our vegetables. Olivia, you have many cute spring outfits, but you require baby leggings to keep your knees from getting skinned up while crawling around outside. You like to pick my flowers and ride in the Cozy Coupe. You're both getting so big so fast!

Going for a morning drive.

Getting really good at eating solids...when you're not tossing them on the floor.

You girls are hilarious in the Jeep.

Sweet moment of you two playing in PJs and tutus.

Can't wait to see what else the warm spring and summer months bring!

Easter 2012

What an Easter weekend we had!! We were honored that Charlotte was asked to be in a friend's wedding as their flower girl this weekend. You were excited about the dress and shoes for weeks before hand. You tried them on countless times, talked about being a flower girl, and even thanked Jesus for RaeAnne's wedding and for flower girls in your prayers.

You were ALL about getting a little makeup with the bridesmaids.

You sat so still while RaeAnne curled your hair.

You were over the top at the rehearsal and dinner.

Beautiful flower girl!

The kids in the wedding with RaeAnne and Tom.

You headed straight for the fountain after pictures were over, took off your shoes, and splashed your feet!

Feels sooo good!

Just before the wedding. Dancing (then swinging) with your daddy.

We had a great time and you girls did awesome!

Who can wear a pretty dress without twirling?

We got home on Sunday and got you girls down for naps while daddy and I got unpacked. When you woke up, the Easter bunny had dropped off baskets and left a few eggs in the front yard. We did our own little Easter celebration before heading to a big get together with our small group from church. The Underwoods hosted us at their beautiful home. We had an AWESOME time hunting eggs, hanging out, and sharing food. Great weekend with you girls and our friends!

Checking out the Easter baskets. Livi woke up just after and enjoyed hers too.

Lil girl sitting in the sunshine watching big sister hunt eggs.

You had a hard time thinking to look up to find them. We had to help you a little.

Bliss....marshmallow stuffed eggs. You found all 10 eggs and ate all 10 marshmallows right away!

The kids of our small group.

Checking out the goodies inside the eggs.

Such a blessed family.

Olivia Developments

Olivia's just over 9 months now and doing more every day! We have been working on your baby sign language. I have been impressed with how quickly you have picked up "more" and are inconsistently using "all done", "water", and "eat". You are a fierce and intense little person and the sign language is definitely helping your frustration level since you are not able to speak words yet.

I am loving seeing you focus in on a task that you find interesting. Usually, you take all the magnets off the refrigerator and feel accomplished. Now, you're trying to figure out how to put them back on! You worked at this one for a long time...putting it up the wrong way, it falling off, and trying again and again. You finally mastered it and I caught it on camera.

Talented Girls

I am so blessed to be able stay at home with you girls every day. Your daddy works very hard and without complaint. He is so thankful that I am teaching and loving you two all day long. What's nice, is that he recognizes the difficulty of my "job" and thanks me often. I'm not sure what I would do if I missed your developing personalities and talents during the day. Here are some of your recent tricks:

Olivia plays peek-a-boo very well and thinks it's quite funny.

Charlotte is practicing her jump rope skills with daddy. A life vest adds to the difficulty. We wondered if she picked this practice up at our gym, where we sometimes wear weighted vests.

You girls love the musical instruments. Charlotte is now trying her hand at singing while playing.

Gma and Papa Visit

Boy have we enjoyed having Gma and Papa in for the weekend. The last time they had seen you girls was Christmas and they just couldn't stand it any longer. They came up Thursday night and stayed until Sunday afternoon. We are so thankful we live close enough (7 hours) for them to drive up and see us!

With the warm weather, comes my little hose monster.

Daddy and Papa worked on my flower bed for me! Beautiful day!

Olivia's getting really good at standing up on everything!

What would yard work be without a wheel barrel ride?

The garden fairy came and decorated our front porch for spring.

Olivia's classic sleepy sign: middle fingers in mouth and snuggling burp cloth. Gma said daddy did this too!

Chasing a kids fishing lure as I reeled it in. Apparently great fun!