Thankful She is 3

Height: 3 ft. 1 in. (55th percentile)

Weight: 30 lbs. (45th percentile)

This little spitfire keeps me laughing and keeps me guessing. 

Things about being 3...

Anna Kate loves pretending. She has lots of pretend friends, she makes up elaborate stories, and she likes to pretend to be different people and animals. Her imagination knows no limits ... other than her big brother who makes no qualms about keeping her honest. He is quick to let anyone around know when she is not telling the complete truth. 

Anna Kate loves all things girl. Her favorite colors are pink and purple. Her biggest concern in life is that her hair grow to be long like Elsa. She sings the Frozen songs at the top of her lungs. She likes her finger nails to be painted and wearing her "jewels" and princess dresses. She can frequently be seen carrying one or more purses filled to the brim with the most random things. 

This little smarty pants knows her letters and their sounds and can write the letters A, H, T, I, and O. She counts to 30 mixing up only a few numbers along the way. The list just keeps growing. She also seems engineer-minded and loves to line things up or stack and arrange things.

My mom tells me frequently, "She reminds me so much of you as a little girl!" And is usually referring to something dramatic or girlie (or bossy) AK has done. Thanks mom. I have always heard that the child most like you is also the one you butt heads with the most. And that is the truth for me with this baby girl. She is teaching me so many things about myself, and even though that can be hard, I really love it. 

So, the birthday ...

The plan for Anna Kate's birthday was to have a pink tea party with her two best friends Henley and Mia. That was all she wanted. Sadly she woke up with a fever, so the party had to be postponed for a week. But by the end of the day, her fever was gone so I took my girl on a late night run for frozen yogurt. The intention was to have special one-on-one time together. But the whole time she kept asking if we could bring ice cream back to her Bubba so they could have it together. Trip ended up bringing her on his "mommy date" too for his birthday. So sweet. I love how very much they love each other.

Dear Sweet Anna Kathleen,

And just like that, you are a three year old. Although it seems like you have been three for a long time. My big girl. You get so so mad when your dad and mom try and keep you our baby. You are so independent most of the time, but when you are tired or hurt you will still curl up and let me hold you. 

We praise The Lord for the work he has already done in your 3 year old heart. How he has softened it. How he moves you to love your family and friends. How He inspires you to create and play. Our prayer is that He would continue this good work in you. That he would draw you to Himself. And that even as a big three year old, your life would bring Him glory.

You are more dear to us than you know. We love you unconditionally. Happy, mad, or blue.

17 months (and wearing both of us out!)

Wills is 17 months (almost one and a half!), but putting it in months still helps me feel like he is a baby. 

Truthfully he is a full-fledged toddler which I am remembering is SO HARD! Figuring out how to discipline in that stage when they are obviously understanding that their actions are wrong (example: pulling big sister's hair over and over), but they aren't quite big enough to communicate with verbally ... It's just so frustrating for everyone!

Mr. William is quite the strong willed child. In a different way than his big sister. He is like a bull that won't back down until he gets his way. Even when he is being sweet, which is most of the time, he has a rough way about the way he plays. 

He loves, loves, loves his dad. As far as I can remember he has become a daddy's boy at the youngest age.

Wills is fearless! He loves to climb things, but seems to have no understanding when he is about to fall over the edge! I am certain he will be my first child to see the ER. 

This little man loves all of his animals. Zebra, Kitty Cat, Horsey, Bunny, and Tiger. He sleeps with all of them every night and this reminds me so much of Trip with his monkeys!

It's hard to summarize how complex a little human is in a blog post. But, at least I recorded something! It's been too long. 

wedding cuteness

I wanted to post pictures of these two cuties before something else occupies my time. Hopefully I will have time soon to write in more detail about Collins and Ally's wedding. For now, I will tell (briefly) about Trip and Anna Kate ... the cutest flower girl and ring bearer I've ever seen!

These pictures are from the rehearsal. They were so cute and energetic during the rehearsal, especially Anna Kate.

 

 

 

 

 

There were a good number of people watching them practice their walk down the aisle. They did so well, we thought the actual wedding would be no problem.

Of course, come wedding day with the pews full of guests (nearly 400) with eyes all on them and music playing loudly, sweet Anna Kate looked at me in terror and grabbed my hand for dear life. Trip took charge, swiped the flowers from her hand and pulled her (while she pulled me!) down the aisle! She burried her head in my arm as the three of us walked toward the groom.

I was so proud of both of them despite being slightly embarrassed about my impromptu walk down the aisle!

good light, good moods

You know when the lighting is perfect for capturing the perfect picture, but the kids are just not in the mood? Or when the kids are being so cute, but you forgot your camera or the lighting is just terrible? Well, on this evening the two came together in perfect harmony and I got some of my favorite pictures (of Trip and AK especially). It also happened to be Wills' birthday, so the happiness might be due to the sugar overload!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Library Day

I thought it might be fun to document some of the more "ordinary" days of our week. We are currently doing homeschool preschool on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On those days we attempt to stay home for the first half of the day and accomplish a small lesson while Wills takes his morning nap. 

Every Thursday, we love attending our library's story time. The kids have come to love Ms. Constance, our librarian, and it is a fun way to make friends and have a consistent activity where the kids are required to sit still, pay attention, and follow rules.

On this particular day, the theme was apples. After story time, we went outside and had an "apple hunt".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wills: One Year

 

 

 

Development:

75th percentile for height and weight (22.5 lbs., 30.5 inches)

Teeth: 7

Walks, climbs, cruises

Just as chatty as big brother and sister but doesn't parrot

2 naps a day, Shares a room with Trip

Waves "hello", claps, plays peek-a-boo

Says: ha ha, "dis" for this, Mama, see!, he mimics some version of "I love you"

Loves:

His animals, especially big bunny from Mimi

Eating anything

Putting anything in his mouth

Throwing food and his sippy cup off of his high chair tray- he's so proud of this new skill

Opening cabinets and making messes

Stealing chocolate milk from big brother and sister

The (annoying) cat piano!

Peek-a-boo

Jumping and climbing on the couch

Hates:

If he doesn't get the toy or food/drink he wants or someone takes it away, he throws a huge fit!

Other than that, this boy is easy going and happy. He is loud but not typically fussy. He smiles all of the time and continues to be the most joyful child.

In typical 3rd child fashion, we didn't have a big birthday party for this precious boy. But we did a small family of 5 celebration in the back yard with cupcakes prepared by Trip and Anna Kate. Wills didn't seem to mind the low-key celebration and was already quite familiar with the cake eating ritual ... let's just say it wasn't his first rodeo. Trip directed the family in singing Happy Birthday 5 times. Wills was well-loved on his special day.

William Randal,

You bring such joy to our lives, and really to anyone who meets you. You are funny and cuddly and sweet and I can see even now that there is a light shining in you that draws others to you. I know that God has given you that light and that He will use you to accomplish His great purpose. He loves you so much. You are so precious to us and you have been a blessing to our family in so many ways in just one short year.

We love you little Bubby!