Amelia = 2

Our sweet baby girl turned 2 years old on September 25th. We are so lucky to have this darling girl in our lives. She's sweet, sassy, kind, adores her big brother, daddy's girl at heart, and has such a free-spirit. She is definitely the light in our home and we love her to the moon! We had such a fun time celebrating her special day (with Ma & Pa in town too).

2 year old stats: coming soon (need to find them)
Weight:
Height:

A few things about Amelia...

• She answers to about any name we call her: Amelia, Mia Bee, Mia Bia, Sissy, Sis, etc. She's got a bunch of nicknames. 

• She loves to get messy while eating meals, playing outside, coloring, etc.

• Her favorite colors are blue and pink. She will always ask for either of those colors. 

• She is talking more and more. We love her sweet little voice. 

• She still has the best facial expressions. She makes us laugh every day with how silly she is. 

• She is very independent, and helpful too. She's so sweet and likes to make others around her happy whether that is by sharing or snuggling or doing her silly facial expressions. She's definitely an angel baby.

• She likes to run and be chased, likes to swing, and likes going down the biggest slides (the bigger the better for this daredevil). 

• She likes animals, but from afar. Her favorite animals are dogs or she likes to call them "dog dog." 

• She is still a baby at heart. She still has a binky and a bottle. I'm such a softy that I won't take them away (note: at 2 1/2 years old we finally got rid of the bottle, but no luck with the binky just yet). 

Dear Sissy,

We love you! You are such a firecracker and have a will of your own, but we love you all the more because of it. You make us better parents. You grew so much this year! We love seeing you absorb new things and say new phrases/words. We love the silly faces you make and how you make us laugh every day. You are such a sweetheart - we love how much you love your baby doll (you will make a terrific big sister). Thanks for being such a joy in our lives (and for keeping us on our toes). You are the best! Happy 2nd Birthday, angel baby. 

Love,

Momma & Dadda 

A few days before her birthday

How she looks in the mornings -- happy girl!

Shoe shopping with Ma 

Decorated birthday door

A little birthday photo shoot

That tongue!

That smile!

She loved her birthday gift this year!

Minnie Mouse car

new shoes from Ma & Pa

A baby doll from momma & dadda

With our birthday girl

Probably my favorite picture

Reminiscent of the exact face I made when meeting MY baby girl.

Video: Sissy opening present from Hudson 

This video cracks me up because Hudson is overly excited about his gift for her! 

Minne Mouse jammies 

So long to the Alexandriana Ward

In September, our ward (church congregation) dissolved and we were asked to join another congregation. There were rumors of changes coming, but I seriously thought they would just realign the boundaries and allow more to join our ward. However, that was not the case and our ward got dissolved along with boundary adjustments. This was a hard reality for our family and for many in our ward.

Our ward (which felt like a branch at times) was a very special one. Yes, it did lack enough people to help in various auxiliaries but my goodness -- Logan and I have never served as much or as diligently as we did in the Alexandriana Ward. It was a special season in our lives to be able to serve "Alexandriana style" and be able to work with some incredible people. We will miss it! With that, I was released as the YW President after 8 (short) months (and Logan released from the Elder's Quorum presidency). I'm grateful I had the opportunity to serve the youth. It was a wonderful blessing in my life!

We are now in a much bigger ward (our boundaries are HUGE) and we are making new friends. It's been an adjustment, but one that we know is part of Heavenly Father's plan for our little family while living here in Charlotte.

This was our last joint activity for the youth -- Pinewood Derby! 

So much fun! 

Hudson was able to participate as well with his dinosaur car. He got 3rd place and "the fast and furious" award. :)

Last activity with the YW.

We finished a sewing project and had a Chik Fil A dinner.

My two counselors (Laurelyn & Chelsea). I love these women and how much they have supported me the past several months. 

Last Sunday in Young Women's together

Hudson and his amazing Sunbeams teacher (Sis. Steele). 

The Alexandriana Ward

(Gastonia, NC stake)

  

Sky Top Orchard

We went apple picking mid-September. It was still very warm, but we survived and came home with yummy apples and pears!

We drove almost 2 hours away to the NC mountains (Flat Rock, NC) and it was so worth it. This place is amazing! We can't wait to make this into a tradition.

Hud and Mia

If you follow me on Instagram, you can follow #HudandMia.

I am really really LOVING this stage of parenting. Hudson is currently 4 and Amelia is 2. They are at such fun ages where they are actually starting to play together. Sure, they do fight and argue but oh the moments when they are so loving and sweet to each other melts my heart. They are such good buddies. I just bottle all this sibling love up and hope it lasts for years and years to come.

Adventure seekers (looking for bugs after church)

 Hudson "reading" bedtime stories to Amelia

Video: Hud reading to Mia. 

Prepare yourselves, this is just about the sweetest video you'll ever see. 

Video: Hud and Mia playing at REI.

Can't take these two anywhere together. :)