Memorial Day 2012

I hope that as you grow up in our family, your dad and I are able to respectfully teach you what Memorial Day is all about. Yes it means you're off school and that dad is out of work for the long weekend and that might be all the holiday is to most of America. But as a military family, we can't help but to remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. To stop and put yourself in the shoes of the spouses and kids (several who we personally know) who lost their husband and dad to war really puts the holiday into perspective. Your dad and I chose to honor those soldiers with a Crossfit workout called Murph. This is a workout created in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, age 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan on June 28th 2005. It consists of 1 mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 air squats, and 1 mile run. Since we were out of town visiting family and couldn't participate in the event at CrossFit SolaFide, we decided to do the workout together at Boiling Park in Canton, GA. You have the option to partner during this workout or do every rep by yourself and that is what we committed to doing. I am mentally weaker than your dad and 1/3 of the way into the workout I asked him why we didn't split the reps between the two of us. He somberly responded with, "Because there's a man who can't do any of these reps and his family wishes he could." Needless to say I toughed it out without another complaint. Your daddy is such a strong man and provides such stability and love for this family.

It was brutal but we got it done side by side...every rep.

Once we finished this doozie of a workout, we headed back "up the hill" to Chrissy and Poppie's lake house. Gma and Papa had made it to the house by then and you girls were in heaven with both sets of grandparents with you for the weekend. We really enjoyed getting away for the weekend and being able to relax with our family.

Family lake time!

Too precious for words.

Forgot to mention the epic blowout that Livi had in her car seat and PLAYED in!
This was the most still you'd ever been during a diaper change and I was thankful for it
as I changed you in the van. It's like you knew how gross it was. Had to wash your whole car seat.

Developments Every Day

What an exciting phase of life we are in right now! You girls amaze your dad and me every day with the new things you learn to do. When your daddy comes home in the evening, I have to catch him up on all that you did that day. Here are some of your recent developments...

Olivia is saying "bye bye".

Olivia's favorite word is "ball".

Charlotte's first time up to bat.



Charlotte's developmentally appropriate drawing of the family.
Circles for head and body with limbs coming out and a face with eyes, nose, and mouth.



A Week in Your Lives

I managed to snap some good pictures of you girls this week. I looked back on the photos and saw your beauty, creativity, seriousness, emotions, and your determination. This is a pretty good representation of your typical week at 11 months and 2.5 years old. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that there are some difficult times between all of these beautiful moments. But when I'm managing an emotional melt down, changing diapers and wiping bottoms, rushing you to bed for your much needed nap, or quickly getting dinner on the table for hungry girls...I just don't have time to grab the camera. 


"Dad can I play in the rain?"...."Sure baby."

 

Sunday morning before church...

...playing on the back deck, looking beautiful!

LOVE your new scooter ("roller skate")

Very serious!

Couple days of severe allergy/sinus junk.

Livi getting more mobile

Plank high fives at your first Crossfit Preschool class.

Quietly playing "together" while I get us packed to drive to Chrissy and Poppie's house.

Copy Cat

We are being watched! Olivia, you are picking up so much around you! You're not even a year old yet and you are trying to participate in life with us. It is amazing to see such a little person try to use objects the way we use them. Here are some examples:

Hair bows go here but I can't get it to stick!!

Daddy's hat goes on my head.

Sunglasses go up here somewhere, right?

You couldn't get them on but sure look cute with some help from sister.

The top of the pot goes right here!

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!