SNOW February 2012

We were so excited after a nice mild winter to have one good snow this year. When the flurries started Sunday morning Amelia was so excited and ran around saying "It's snow time!" We ended up not getting to play until the next morning when it warmed up a bit and by then we have a good 6-7 inches. Amelia was very excited about the snow, but was not real happy that she could not walk in it. Everytime she would take a step and sink down she would say "help me, I'm stuck!" She still looked super cute in her little hand me down snow suit though.

Amelia ended up really enjoying the snow after most of it had melted. She wanted to go outside and "crunch it" any chance she got. A couple days after the snow when she got up from her nap and looked out the back door she said "Oh no mommy, the snow is melting! Can I go check it out please?" She cracks me up!

2 and 1/2

It is so hard to believe in a few days we will be halfway through Amelia's second year! Already this age has brought so much change and growth. We have reached a stage where Amelia is constantly talking! Whether it is singing a song, playing with her toys, or asking constant questions from the time she wakes up until she is alseep she is never silent! I love hearing her little voice and even all her questions. I can't help but think she is just such a smart girl. Her memory and associations amaze us as well. Micah calls her mind a steel trap and it is so true. Something we may just mention in passing does not go unnoticed. She remembers everything! We are taking advantage of that memory and teaching her lots of bible verses and songs. I pray that those words will be etched on her heart for years to come.

These are fun days with our girl. We love to play outside and go for long walks any chance we get. Amelia also loves to play with play doh and her kitchen and dressing up. We still watch Dora more that mommy and daddy would choose, but she also loves Diego and Busytown. Amelia continues to thrive on routine. She is very particular about things being done the right way and if we are not doing it that way she is sure to tell us. Micah recently asked her where she got all her bossiness from and after a brief pause she said "um, Kroger." She really keeps us laughing with her constant commentary on life. We are so thankful for our sweet girl!

Fall Fun

One of the best things about living in Central Virginia is the wonderful fall season. Not only is the weather close to perfect there are so many ways to enjoy it. Some of Amelia's favorite activities have been going to the zoo, a couple of different apple orchards, the corn maze and just being outside at our local parks and trails. I love to see all of these things through Amelia's eyes. What can seem like such a simple thing can bring her so much joy. She loves to hold on to at least 1 or 2 leaves when we take a walk. She is quick to point out the trees! and mountains! And animals of any kind are always a hit. I am so thankful for these days with my girl!

Myrtle Beach 2011

We had such a wonderful time at the beach with our cousins and grandad! Amelia loved playing in the sand and "swimmin" in the pool. It was a great opportunity for the girls to play together and Michelle, Danielle, and I even got away for breakfast and a walk one morning. The weather was absolutely perfect. Not too hot, and great for playing in the sand all morning.

Amelia is at an age where she is not at all interested in sitting still for a picture so most are action shots! We managed to get this one family photo.

Taking pictures of the girls on the beach was quite an adventure. We did get some good ones though!

Amelia is still talking about the beach, sand, and ocean and cannot wait to go back next year!

2 years old

Dear Amelia,

Mommy cannot believe that you are 2 years old! Your second year has just flown by. Daddy and I  love to see the little girl you are becoming. I really enjoy this stage of life even though it does have it's fair share of tantrums and fits. I am amazed every day at all the new things you are learning and the way your vocabulary is developing. You are quite a talker and we love to hear all your new words! Some of my favorite phrases are "I love you mommy"  "I hold you" and "bye, I see you later". You also think thank you and your welcome are all one phrase and will say "thank you your welcome mommy" Every morning when I get you out of bed you go through a run down of the family "Daddy work. Aunt Chelle work. Mommy home. Mimi home." You love to do things on your own and a phrase we here very often is "Mimi do it!" You love music and anytime you hear it you like to dance. Which pretty much consits of spinning in circles. Two of your favorite songs to sing are your ABC's and Jesus Loves Me. You also love to "color pictures" and ask to do this at least once a day. You also love to identify your colors- like "purple cup" or "pink pants". We love to play outside and your favorite things to do are run and climb. Anytime I ask if you want to go play on the playground you say "I run" and "I climb". You love all your friends and talk about them everyday. Alot of times during "naptime" I hear you in there  naming all of your friends and cousins. You still love to eat and ask for snacks all day long! I guess you got your love for food from mommy and daddy. Your have recently developed a love for Winnie the Pooh and I could not be more thrilled! You love all your "pooh babies" and carry them around all day. You also constantly want to watch a Pooh movie. You also still love to watch Dora. In the mornings we always read our "bibles" together. I love this time and pray that God will give you a heart for Him. Anytime you see a bible you say "Jesus!" We also pray together which always end with a very loud "AMEN!"

For your birthday we were at the beach with your cousins and grandad and you had such a good time. You were so excited about the beach, sand, and ocean and talked about it for weeks before our trip. You loved playing in the sand and "swimmin" and even warmed up to the ocean on our last night. You adore your cousins Telepy and Piper and still ask for them every day. You say "Telepy and Piper home" since that is where I told you they are.

You really do amaze me everday . The things you understand and remember just astonish me. God is teaching me so much through your little life and Daddy and I are so very thankful for you!

I love you,

Mommy

Easter 2011 (whirlwind GA trip)

We had a jam packed Easter weekend. We got to see lots of family and a few friends, meet Piper and Eli, participate in 2 Easter Egg hunts and go to church with Jared, Hope and Crosby. It was a busy, but fun visit!

Catching up

Once again I am catching up-this seems to be a pattern! I am happy to report that the ear tubes were a success and we have slept through the night more in the last month and a half than we had in the previous 18 months! YAY!






Spring has come to Virgina and we are so thankful to see the trees blooming and leaves turning green. Amelia loves to be outside! We like to take walks and go see the ducks at the pond. She also enjoys climbing to the highest part of the playground and giving mommy a heart attack. I cannot believe how well she gets around now! Running, climbing, up and down stairs. She seems to be an adventurous little girl-I am afraid she may be like her mommy.





Amelia is talking so much now. I am amazed at all she picks up! For example, one day while we were walking a school bus drove by and I told her it was a bus several days later we passed one while driving and she said "bus"! I could not believe she remembered that. She knows alot of her colors and can say some of her ABC's. She will also count to ten with me. She loves to say all of her friends names Libby, Jacob, Toto, Crosby, Penelope, Aunt Chelle. She asks for food by name and lets me know if she does not want something! In fact, her favorite word is NO! She says it so cute that we have a hard time not laughing. She has even started saying "no mam" when she does not like something. I think she has heard me say that a time or two!
Another funny thing we have noticed is how much Amelia likes order and routine. Alot of times when playing she will pick out all the same color of something (blocks, balls)and only play with one color at a time. She also likes to identify who things belong to like if she sees Micah's shoes she will say "dada dada". It also important to her that we all sit at the same place at the table for dinner. She does like for us to switch things up. It is also very important to Amelia that we stick with routines. I am afraid she may have gotten that from me too!



I love this age! I think the more we can communicate the more fun it is. Looking forward to the days ahead!