A little man at 18 months

Dear Little Man,

You are 18-months old today! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. Last night I was really getting on to you for throwing your food on the floor. I made you pick up every piece and put it back on your plate. I was trying to be so stern with you, but you kept looking at me with your big blue eyes and I just wanted to give you a big hug and a kiss. You are strong, physically and mentally, and I know you're going to keep me on my toes. You bring so much joy into our lives. Here are some of the things I want to remember about you at 18 months:

• You go to sleep most nights about 7:30 and you wake up around 7 a.m. (actually you wake up around 5 a.m., but we give you a cup of milk and you play for a bit and go back to sleep). Usually you are so tired at night from playing all day long that you go right to sleep. 
• You are so, so strong. The other day you pulled a cable outlet completely out of the wall behind your crib. You love to climb stairs and play, play, play outside.
• You are starting to talk more all the time. You call Alli "Ya-ya." Other words you say are "Momma, dada, ball, bubble, and book." I'm sure there are lots of other words you're trying to say. We're learning your language :)
• You don't care much for television or videos. Sometimes you'll watch for a few minutes, but you'd rather be playing.
• You eat most things now. You love fresh fruit, peas, chicken, hot dogs. We haven't really found much you don't like at this age.
• You love your sister. You like follow her around and play with whatever toy she has. She loves you too. The other night we were at Chik-fil-A and it was so sweet to hear her taking care of you in the play area. 

Little man, it's not an exaggeration to say my heart bursts with love for you. I can't even contain it all. We love you, little man!

Fro-yo with Momma

Moving upstairs

A little over three years ago, I walked down a long hallway at church and dropped my baby off for the first time in the nursery. A few months later, I left her for the first time with people I didn't know at her little preschool. It was hard, but each step of the way God has provided amazing teachers for her who have loved her and have seen in her all the amazing things we see. 

This morning at church, Kate moved to a new class, upstairs. Tomorrow morning at school, she moves to a new class, upstairs. I don't know why, but this just feels like a big step. Like everyone else in her life is seeing what I see, that she's not a baby anymore. Not even a toddler. She's a little girl. 

She rationalizes. She takes care of her little brother. Tonight in the bathtub we had a conversation about compassion. She wants to wear pink shoes and a dress to school because that's what the other little girls wear. 

I can't lie, I'm not ready to let go of the baby years yet. I miss her chubby little cheeks and fingers. But I'm already seeing the amazing plans God has for her life unfold and I can't wait to see what He has in store. So let's do this, God. Let's go upstairs. 

Kate with her little friend Isabella (left) when they were two. They're still in the same class and still great buds!

*Update*

Here they are this morning! Big girl and boy heading upstairs to their new classes.

Making memories

One night at the beach, we had the chance to take some family photos. It was such a beautiful night!

The whole family

John Parker chilling out

Kate and Dottie 

Uncle Dave and Aunt Lisa 

Kids must so confused when you let them get nice clothes dirty during photo shoots :)

Dottie and Ditto 

Momma and her girl

My dad and brother. Two great men!

My not-so-little brother

Dottie and John Parker

A stunning sunset 

Ana Maria Island

The wedding was great, but this picture of John Parker pretty much sums up how tired we all were. Luckily, we headed to the beach for a few days of fun in the sun!

We stayed in Ana Maria Island, near Bradenton. It was a beautiful little inn right across the street from the beach. Our rooms opened right onto the pool deck and one of our units had a great balcony where we could watch the sun set. It was beautiful. 

Our rooms.

On our first day there, Uncle Dave and Aunt Lisa chartered a boat for us to all take out together. I was a little apprehensive about taking the kids on the boat all day, but they did so great. We had an unforgettable day. We cruised around for most of the day.

We stopped for a while to fish and play in the water.

John Parker took a great nap.

And we pulled up to dock at a great restaurant for lunch. It was such a fun day. 

On the second day, we played most of the day on the beach. Kate has been apprehensive in the past about playing in the water, but she loved it. She played with Aunt Lisa for the longest time and loved splashing in the waves. 

John Parker took another long nap. Something about the water just knocks this kid out. 

He woke up in time to get some quality play time in. 

He spent some time hanging with Uncle Dave when we headed inside. 

Sweet Summertime

So as to not lose my sanity, there are a few promises I've had to make to myself. One is to never apologize for how long it takes me to update this blog. Life's been busy with lots of fun and good times, so I'll try to update over a few posts. I'm taking a little bit of time off this summer and it's been so great to spend extra time with the kids and Fred. We started the summer off with a fun trip to Florida. The last time we went was Christmas and we all had a stomach bug. We didn't get to see many people. This time was so much better.

We started with a visit to our dear friends in Tallahassee. This is Fred's best childhood friend and he and his sweet wife have two little girls. The kids had fun playing together and we all had a great time visiting.

We headed on to Central Florida for Uncle Earl's wedding. What a happy day!

Things you miss when everyone is well

Kate's been under the weather for the past few days and, as such, we pretty much laid low this weekend. She's not sick very often and I'd never wish for her to be sick, gut I was thinking this weekend about what we would have missed out on if she hadn't been sick.

• Watching Toy Story 3 ten times. I know you think I'm exaggerating, but I'm really not. I know this movie by heart now. I think my favorite part is when Barbie and Ken meet for the first time, "I love your leg warmers!"
• Extra snuggles and hugs. Cleaning a child up repeatedly in the middle of night seems to endear you to them in a special way. Kate's been very giving with her hugs. 
• Appreciating sleep when it comes back. I think we had started to take sleep for granted again. This weekend was a good reminder of how wonderful a good night's rest can be.
• The preciousness of seeing your child bounce back and be her normal healthy self. Seeing her run around the yard, pick on her little brother, eat two hot dogs for dinner and want to stay up late.

May those of us who have healthy children never, ever, ever take their health for granted. I see and hear of families with children who suffer from all manner of illnesses and I know "but for the grace of God go I." 

A girl and her mom

Yesterday, Kate gave me a cookie she made for me at school for Mother's Day. Then she asked if she could please eat it.

Motherhood can be a thankless job. But there is something just so special about the bond between a girl and her mom. As I sit next to my girl typing this while we watch Toy Story 3 for the zillionth time, I think about the things I want to teach her that I've learned from my mom. Things like:

• It's okay to be different. When you follow your instincts and the Lord's guidance, it's okay if that takes you in a different direction from other people, including your friends. 
• If you take care of yourself and live a healthy and balanced life, you only get more beautiful as you get older. I'm still trying to learn this one, but my mom is a great example for me. I think she gets more beautiful each year. 
• Don't take yourself too seriously. Laughing, dancing, and being a little silly are all important parts of life. 
• Don't let yourself get caught up in gossip or other things that aren't your business. I've really learned from my mom that there is nothing to be gained from this. Focus on your own life and let your words about others be complimentary. 
• Love your man. There is no one my mom would rather spend time with than my dad. Growing up, my brother and I knew we were important to my mom, but when my dad walked in the door he had her undivided attention. He still does. 
• Cheer hard for your team. My mom is very loyal - to her family, to the Gators and to her colleagues. You have to keep cheering for your team even when they're losing. If you do, you get to cheer the loudest when they start winning again. 
• Love the Lord, with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. My mom and I have started memorizing scripture together in the last few years and I think she'd agree that it's been one of our favorite journeys together. 

Mom, I love you. I hope when Kate grows up she'll love spending time with me as much as I love spending time with you. 

Happy Mother's Day!