Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hulse and Olivia's First Christmas and their 11-month birthday

Hulse and Olivia,

Your first Christmas was so much fun. I've always heard that Christmas is so much more fun with kids and I totally agree. Even though you didn't quite get it yet, you seemed to really enjoy all the attention you were getting. My heart is so full this year with memories of a first Christmas with you and our family and friends. I want you both to know the childlike joy of Christmas. I want you to know the fun and magic in cookies, trees, ornaments, lights, cold night air, reindeer, cheer, and of course Santa. These things are all so wonderful and I know that you will come to know your own special Christmas magic in years to come. Sweet babies, I also want you to know the joy in a Savior who loved you with such an unnameable passion that he sent his ONLY son to this world to save you from your sin. He sent that son knowing that in the end he would have to die to give that salvation and yet He knew there was no other way. And you know what? He would have sent that son even if it had been just the two of you that needing saving. The enormity of that sacrifice is more than enough reason to celebrate Christmas all year long! But we can't leave the tree up all year, so we'll say good bye to your first Christmas and wildly anticipate the many more to come.

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15



In other news, you both turned 11 months on the 26th. (How can that be possible?!) Things are wild and crazy around our house these days. You are both so mobile now that if we turn around for even a second the toilet paper is off the roll, the trash is turned over, or you're eating the cat food. I know we're in for more and more of that to come. You are both awesome eaters and are pretty much done with baby food and eating what we are for meals. That's been nice on the wallet and baby gear factor of not having to lug jars and utensils everywhere we go. You are also done with the bottle and using only a sippy cup for milk or juice. I think this will be nice when we hopefully try milk in another month or so. You are such big kids to me now. I know you're still my babies but everyday you do or say something that makes me think that you're so big.

Olivia,
you have morphed into our laid back child. You're easy to please, easy to smile, and a sweetheart. You are good about playing by yourself but you really love your big brother and want to play with him when you can. You talk all the time but your real words are mama and dada. You say something with a B sound and are starting to do an N sound as well. You are ever so close to walking. As soon as you get the nerve to let go and try it you will be gone. You've got 3 teeth now and are a good little eater.

Hulse,
you are such a mess. You are a little high maintenance at this time and are prone to a little fussing if something isn't happening just like you think it should. You don't always want to share with Livi and sometimes that causes a little sibling argument. You're a talker as well and say mama, dada, and uh ohh. You also know that when someone sneezes people say bless you so you've decided that anytime someone says bless you you'll fake sneeze. That little trick has been killing at the family get togethers! You're a little behind your sister in the mobility department but are practicing walking everyday. You've got 3 teeth and another top one peeking in. You're totally into food of any kind and get super excited when it's time to eat.



Monday, December 14, 2009

Quick Changes

Hulse and Olivia,
you have been up to so many new things it's hard to keep track. It's hard for your momma because I'm always excited about what you're doing but sad because it means you're leaving another stage too quickly. You both saw Santa for the first time and did pretty well. No one had a meltdown, but you were too enamored with the jolly old elf to look at the camera. You are also both way into people food and getting ready to leave the jar stuff behind. Saturday I couldn't believe that I was making a grilled cheese and cutting up a banana for my babies, they just can't be that big!

Hulse,
Your new tricks are waving and saying "uh-oh". There is a little boy at daycare who just learned to wave and I think he taught you. You haven't quite mastered hi or bye-bye yet but you'll throw that little hand up when we save wave and go to town. Saturday night you were pulling all of the contents out of my sock drawer and you dropped a pair of socks and said "uh-oh". I couldn't believe you were using it in context but you were and have done many times since then when you drop something. What a genius baby!

Olivia,
You are also waving but you're main new trick is cruising everywhere. You've been cruising around the ottoman for a while now, but now you can go from the ottoman through the kitchen and out the other side. It's going to be no time before you're walking baby girl.










Monday, November 30, 2009

Thankful for 10 Months

Hulse and Olivia,
you were 10 months old this Thanksgiving day and are up to something different everyday. You are both crawling everywhere and getting into everything. Neither of you like to sit these days and prefer to be on the move or standing up.

Olivia, you are cruising around the ottoman and walking really well behind your lion toy.

Hulse, you're still working on the foot placement for the cruise but you can do a few steps.

Both of you are kind of clingy right now, not with mom and dad but with people in general. You don't really want to be alone at all and prefer to be played with nonstop. You have both started eating the lunch at school and have tried all kinds of new foods. You both ate well at Thanksgiving and loved the dressing, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. You are both doing well with the sippy cup, and we will start in January really trying to get away from the bottles as we move toward milk for both of you. Everyday you bring a new challenge, but you also bring a new joy, and we love you.



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Today I'm thankful for...

prayer. I'm never in a more calm steady place than when I'm praying. It is such a comfort to have God's ear anytime I need it or just want to talk to him. I am also thankful for the power of prayer and the countless things I've seen it do in my life and the lives of so many people.

Monday, November 23, 2009

October and November Pictures

A little Hulse and Livi Update

I haven't really updated on what the kiddos are up to these days so here goes. Hulse has decided that he wants to crawl and he's going at it with gusto. He gets up on all fours and he's off. It's so funny now to be in the kitchen and here those little hands hitting the tile and he's there. I keep saying over and over again, things are never going to be the same. He's also decided to spout not one, not two, but three teeth. I think he's trying to rush it so he can get a happy meal. Olivia is still scooting around and hasn't really tried to crawl yet. She is however a great little "walker" she love to hold on to your hands and go. Maybe she's going to skip crawling and go right to walking! We've also been trying a lot of new foods. They've had mashed potatoes, green beans, dressing, cheese, oatmeal, and chicken nuggets to name a few.





On another note, today I'm thankful for people who are willing to help. We just wrapped up our holiday food basket and Samaritan's purse box collection at church and I am always astounded by the love and generosity that people display. I'm thankful that there are so many individuals who give up themselves to help those who need it.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Today I'm thankful for...

email, Facebook, blogs, and any other medium that makes it easier to stay in touch. In the business of life I may not talk with someone every day, but I can always shoot a quick electronic message or check their blog and be connected to the people I love.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Today I'm thankful for...

the Weekend. I love spending the weekend with my family and always look forward to some good quality downtime. Even If I have errands to run I love knowing that the time belongs to me. I'm blessed to not have to work on the weekends and enjoy my hubby and babies.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Today I'm thankful for...

my health. I come from a line of pretty healthy people and I'm hoping I got those good genes! I am truly thankful to be a fairly healthy individual with a healthy husband and 2 healthy kiddos. I know how blessed I am to live in a country where I have access to resources like doctors, hospitals, and health insurance (for now!) that help me be as healthy as I can be.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Today I'm thankful for...

laughter. It's so much fun to laugh! I honestly believe that laughing is great medicine. A funny movie, story, joke, or listening to my kids giggle can just make my day.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Today I'm thankful for...

the opportunity to travel. Whether it's to Branson or on a Caribbean cruise I'm thankful to have to opportunity to get out and see places from time to time. I've always been a "goer" and love to get out and see places. I think I love to travel because it makes it so nice to come home!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Today I'm thankful for...

stability. I am so blessed that in a world of shifting sand to have stability in my life. First of all I the stability of having my life built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Because of that firm foundation I am also blessed with stability in my marriage, family, and finances. Stability is a fading commodity in this world and I am daily thankful for the solid things in my life.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Giggle Box

The kids are pretty ticklish. They also love standing up holding on to things. So while they were distracted, I thought it would be funny to tickle them. It was definitely funny.



Did you notice how the moment that I stopped tickling they immediately quit laughing? Those two are hilarious.

Scooting

A lot of effort for such little movement; but it's progress.

Today I'm thankful for...

The freedom we have in this country. I'm especially thankful for the sacrifices made each day by men and women in the military to ensure my freedom. A freedom I've done nothing to deserve but that is extended to me anyway. No problem that I may have is comparable to the war they encounter on a daily basis.