Olivia Turns 3

Well funny girl, much to your dismay you were only turning three this year. You want to do everything that your big sister does so you often act and think you are much older. Daddy was gone on your actual birthday, June 25 but we celebrated anyway.


We started the day with birthday candles in your oatmeal.



You said you wanted to hike at Dunbar Cave



We got Nerdy Birdy cupcakes.



You got a cute haircut.



 

The following weekend, when your daddy got home, we had your birthday party at our house. You love "camping" with your sister and dad so much that we set up a tent and grilled out hotdogs and smores in the back yard.

                                        





Summer Fun

Well ladies, we are coming toward the end of summer and I wanted to share some of our everyday experiences. With Nora being so young, your daddy being gone for six weeks, and your momma trying to get a handle on life with three littles, we have spent a lot more time close to home than we usually do. I think it has been good for us all to just enjoy what we have right here in and around our house. This will forever be known as the summer you older girls learned to "occupy yourselves".

 

Lessons under daddy's truck.

I coached the PreSchool CrossFit class one day a week.

Nora learned she loves to sleep on her tummy.

Nora also learned to love her baths.

Nora enjoys watching the big girls play in the back yard.

Art Camp with Chrissy at the kitchen table.

More time at the gym!

We even made it to the pool a couple times.

Nora's beginning

Well sweet girl I have known you for 12 weeks now and I love you more every day. Your pregnancy was so pleasant and I enjoyed being able to workout until the day before I had you. I didn't want to cook the first trimester so we ate out a lot but I didn't have any nausea. I felt best when I was moving but had more hip pain at the end than with your sisters' pregnancies. At 40 weeks in my pregnancy, your Chrissy drove up to our house in TN the afternoon of March 15. By that evening, contractions were getting regular and your daddy and I were heading to the hospital expecting you to arrive quickly. We got there at 10:30pm where a steady and painful labor ensued. Being it was the middle of the night, the hospital was quiet and we had an amazing nurse that helped make it a peaceful and natural experience for us. Your sweet daddy was by my side every contraction holding my hand for 6 hours. 

40 weeks pregnant 

Minutes after you were born at 4:41am. 

You look so small in all your clothes. 

Your sisters bring you flowers on our walks. 

Some of your first smiles. 

Sleeping snugly swaddled. Your favorite in the beginning. 

Back To It

Well somehow it's been over 9 months since I wrote about you girls. A lot has happened and I will never remember all I had wanted to write in those months. But I better get back to it now before more time passes. 

Charlotte's Mind

I sure wish I could get into your mind sometimes. You have been asking and saying the funniest and most random things lately. I figured you would want to read about the things you talked about as an almost 4 year old. 

Several weeks ago we went to a water park with our neighbor and her daughter. We had a blast swimming, sliding, and climbing in the water. On the way home you asked your dad why our neighbor had smaller breasts than mommy. Your poor daddy was about to bust out laughing but knew it was a serious observation and question. We told you that God makes us all differently and we are all wonderfully made. 

A day or two after that we had to stop by a sports store to get your dad a protection cup for combative a training. Of course you assumed it was a drinking cup and wondered what daddy was going to put in it. Oh geez... Your sweet daddy explained the whole thing and you were satisfied. 

Some other random statements while we were driving around town this week...

Mom, when I grow up and I am 5, can I have a pink motorcycle?

When I grow up I am going to drive and chew gum and Livi will ride next to me.

How can you be so insightful and absolutely true at such a young age? You amaze and entertain me daughter. 

Clemmons Family Beach Trip

We had one of our best beach trips ever last week. We went to Mexico Beach, FL for 7 days with 15 of us spread out in 7 bedrooms. The house was situated right on the sand, only steps from the water. You girls enjoyed the constant love and attention doled out by your great grandma, grandparents, great aunts, great uncles, and second cousins. You were the love and entertainment for the week. You two slept in your own room that had two boat beds just your size. Livi, you fell out of yours the first night, didn't make a peep, and had a bleeding lip the following morning. From there on out, I pillow sandwiched you in the bed. You both slept so well and mommy and daddy were able to get some extra sleep too. We loved seeing you play with your uncle Chris and his girlfriend Kayla. You also enjoyed a fun day with Gma and aunt T while mommy and daddy went fishing for the morning. Uncle Jeff and Charlie had a couple late night talks on the balcony including volcanoes, caves, and lightning. Here are some pictures we captured but come nowhere close to the memories we all came home with. 

The Big Bed Switch

You girls both got a "new to me" big girl bed! Olivia, at 20 months old, you were looking a little cramped in your crib. Charlotte was about your age when we switched her to a twin bed and she did wonderfully with the transition. We moved Charlotte's bed into your room and added the railing to keep you from falling out. You were so excited and said "mine? big bed?" over and over. Then we moved the full-sized guest bed into your room Charlotte. You were impressed that such a large bed was all yours and immediately wanted to jump on it. You have both done great with the switch and obediently stay in bed until a decent hour. Charlotte, you have a night light in your room, called a Sleep Buddy, that turns off at 7am, signaling to you that it's okay to get out of bed. Olivia, you like to roll around and play in your bed when you wake up and we come and get you at 7:00.