15 Months

I believe I missed cataloging Ellie's 14th month of life, so I'll catch you up to speed on this past month.  Ellie has really picked up walking and keeps right up with Jackson.  (And he even will imitate her awkward waddle, which just cracks me up.)  She also has this crazy dancing, whether she is deep leg squatting/plie-ing, or shaking her head side to side, waving her arms, kicking her legs, she does it when I sing or when I play music.  Cracks.me.up. Eats anything and everything (see below), and is finally weaned (cue "hallelujah" chorus), as of March 14th.

Here she is downing some good ole' Papa John's.  When Papa John's is at our house, we usually have silent dinners.  Lovely for me!  Ellie is "helpful" in that she will take Jackson his sippy cup, or give him his lovey.  She uses voice inflections just like Jackson, also cracking me up.

At her 15 month check up yesterday, she weighs 21 lb, 12 oz (40% percentile), 30 inches long (40-50%), and looked well (minus the bronchiolitis she has had for 2 weeks, cutting 5-6 teeth right now, and clear fluid build up in her ears, thus a ripe candidate for an ear infection.  So her pediatrician started her on Amoxicillin.  Maybe this will alleviate her screaming at various hours throughout the night?  Poor baby and poor mama).

 Remember this snow?  Well, not a few days later we had gorgeous weather and enjoyed running around in short sleeves.  I also drove the kids to Birmingham for a quick get together with friends and family (and no, me and my 2 very dearest friends literally did not plan on dressing our boys alike.  I guess great minds think alike?!)

Jackson, Ford, and Thomas at the library.  They are best buds, just like their mamas. I pray they'll always be

Oh hi, that's me.  Headed Uptown (what Charlotte calls their Downtown.  I know, we're cool like that) on a much-needed date with my man!  Thank you to YaYa (Andy's mom) for putting the kids down to bed so we could get out and try a restaurant called Rooster's.  I love that Charlotte is big on farm-to-table restaurants, and I look forward to trying all the great restaurants around here.

 A boy, a horse, and some lovely sunshine at Anne Springs Greenway, across the street from our neighborhood.  We have enjoyed leisurely hikes, checking out Billy Graham's great-grandfather's cabin (that housed 11 children!) that has been moved to the Greenway, crossing bridges, and getting outside on the sparse days of warmth.  Come on spring!

This nugget of curls has given me a run for my money and kept me on my knees in prayer in regards to his crazy little 3 year old outbursts/whining/disobedience, etc.  WHAT happened to my complaint first child??  This (VERY DIFFICULT) stage lasted about 4 weeks, and we've seen the light and I have my sweet toddler back (for now).  He so loves his sister, and when I subbed at his MDO the other day, Ellie was in the 1 year old class and they were at gym time together.  He proudly showed the teachers his "did-turh" and even asked for her when they had to go back to their separate classes. He is my helper (when he wants to be), and loves to dance, even stripping off his diaper and singing "shake your booty" for our giggles and laughs. He is talking up a storm, recalling memories and events that happened weeks ago.

In regards to our time here in Charlotte, we really are enjoying it (although I know Andy is NOT enjoying tax busy season.  Then again, neither am I.  Come on April 15th). Our neighbors have been sweet, I've enjoyed meeting friends that you all have set me up with, and we have enjoyed visiting different churches.  Looking forward to all the Lord has in store for us here.

Signing off for now to demolish my ironing pile.  Happy week!

"From the ends of the earth I will cry to You when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."  Psalm 61:2

Note: A few weeks ago I was having an incredibly frazzled morning.  I had both kids in the master room with me, while I was trying to straighten my hair, put on make up, get ready for the day and for Jackson's MDO family chapel (ironic, I know).  I could hear Ellie rummaging around in my drawer and called for her to come to me.  She crawls over with a Bible verse on a notecard: "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." Psalm 16:5  How sweet of the Lord to remind me of His perfect plan for me, even when I was lamenting my "lot" in life.

Snow

 Right before bed time, and he had fun with the first flakes falling down

A few weeks ago, we got our small share of the snow that seemed to hit the rest of the country.

We bundled the kids up and headed outside for a few minutes.   The kids enjoyed it (although it looks like I'll be buying gloves for Jackson for next winter. Poor guy was stuck wearing my small gloves and his little hands were freezing).

This past weekend, out of nowhere, Jackson kneeled at our coffee table, looked up at the ceiling with tightly closed eyes, clasped his hands, and said "Pees God, pees snow. Pees snow in my mouf."  (no idea where this last sentence came from).  A precious first prayer, especially since he has always told us he doesn't know how to pray.

He repeated this same prayer today before going to Mother's Day Out.  Precious, and hysterical, at the same time. And...he took his first shower, by himself, tonight. Our master shower has these 5 crazy shower heads that shoot everywhere, and Jackson thinks it is the greatest thing ever.  So, Ellie and I supervised him from the outside of the shower while he took his first solo shower.  (I know these memories don't have anything to do with snow, but I have to write these little funnies down or I will forget them.)

I've also tried to ask Jackson what he is thankful for, and although he doesn't fully get it, his response is always "God," and when prompted to say more, "Jee-sus," and this past weekend he was thankful for the "boy who cut my throat." (aka, our neighbors, whom we love and have older aged boys...I believe this cutting of the throat happened when they were all playing swords or pirates or something.  Jackson has been talking about it for days.)

And starting the end of last week, Ellie really picked up her walking, averaging about 5-8 steps, and she is so proud of herself too.  I still get tickled when I'm putting away dishes, and all of a sudden I see this little head over the edge of the counter.  I suppose I'm not used to her being a "big girl" and standing up for extended periods, before taking her steps.  She thinks it is fun/funny to take quick steps on the carpet and body slam on the thick carpet.  Thank goodness she doesn't do this on the hardwoods.

 Breakfast pancakes with this 3 year old

 Picking him up from MDO

 THREE!

We celebrated Jackson's birthday weekend at the Carolina Aviation Center. Behind us, in the family pic, is the fighter jet they used in Top Gun. Andy and Jackson are posed next to the US Airways "Miracle on the Hudson" plane, which is now permanently housed in this Charlotte museum. We all had fun seeing the many planes!

We are slowly getting settled into our home.  I say slowly because it has been such a cold winter and everyone has been housebound.  Whenever it is sunny and semi-warm, I race outside with the kids and dog and soak up a few minutes of sunshine and meeting new neighbors.  Very much looking forward to spring.

Snow part 2:  Two days ago, the snow came raging down in the "historic" ice storm that is hitting the South.  I thought 2 weeks ago we had alot of snow. Nevermind . This is nuts.  And I'm stuck at home with a 3 year old and a 1 year old (Andy is in Greenville all week).  Stir-crazy has taken on a whole new meaning. :)

Can't see my snow boots.  I took all these pictures yesterday, and we are currently getting more snow. 

We are having fun!  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Book Nerd Alert

With Andy working long hours and being out of town often, I've been reading up a storm when kids are napping or after they go to bed.  It's my "me" time, how I relax, and how I end up going to sleep at night. Here are some books I've read lately:


"Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell
*while not the best written book, it is a must-read for all; the sacrifice the Navy SEALs make for our country is astounding. I can't wait to see the movie



"The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" by Syrie James
*a great read, based on historical facts of Jane Austen's life



"Moby Dick"
*I'm still working through this; this classic is mentioned in countless novels, and I'm surprised I've never read it before



"David and Goliath" by Malcolm Gladwell
*this is on my list to read; Andy just finished it and really enjoyed it



"The Bloodletter's Daughter" by Linda Lafferty
*reminiscent of Ken Follett; a slightly dark novel but so intriguing and I couldn't put it down



"These Strange Ashes" by Elisabeth Elliott
*a re-read for me; a great and quick read of her memoirs as a single missionary in the jungles outside Quito



"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne
*absolutely phenomenal and heartbreaking book from the perspective of the 9-year-old main character who is living in the main house right outside of Auschwitz, and he befriends a 9-year-old Jewish boy on the other side of the fence



"Washington's Secret Six" by Brian Kilmeade
*great historical novel on the spy ring that helped us win the American Revolution



"This is the Story of a Happy Marriage"
*Ann Patchett's newest novel



**disclaimer...this list makes me look incredibly dorky!  People often ask me when I read.  I have to read at night to wind down from my day, whether it is a paragraph or several chapters.  I also read some when the kids nap.  If I don't slow down when they nap, it can lead to a long day (especially because Andy is working longer days and usually comes home after the kids are in bed).  Dorky or not, that is what I do for "me" time. Here are some great quotes on reading, to show I'm proud of my love of reading!  :)

“It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.” ~Oscar Wilde

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” 
― Charles William Eliot

“We read to know that we are not alone.” 
― William Nicholson, Shadowlands: A Play

“Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.” 
― Gustave Flaubert

“The world was hers for the reading.” 
― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn