Amelia = 18 months

We celebrated Amelia's half birthday in March. She's becoming more of a toddler (yikes) and less of a baby. She's such a free-spirit. Always running around like crazy, giving us sass, and trying to keep up with her big brother (which she does all on her own). We just love her and her little personality!

18 month old stats:
need to find them and will post later

A few things about Amelia (at 18 months):

• She still loves her "binks" and "bobba" (pacifer and bottle). These are the last two things of "baby" items she loves. I think it's going to be harder for me than it is for her to break her from them. It's just the last signs of baby Amelia and I just can't let that go.

• She is still a great sleeper. She takes an afternoon nap and sleeps about 10 - 12 hours at night in her crib. Not ready to make the transition to a toddler bed yet because, you know, we made that mistake with Hudson.  

• She is a social butterfly. She loves to play and interact with kids her age and even adults too. You can see her at church sitting with another family or couple. She's not shy in the least. 

• She loves to eat. Not a big meat eater, but she likes just about everything else. 

• She gets into EVERYTHING. She is super sneaky. She can open the refrigerator on her own. Sometimes she'll get into the hallway closet and pull all our shoes out. She's a mess most days, but a cute one. :) 

• She is not as chatty as Hudson was at this age, but she is getting there. Her favorite words: no, bobba, momma, dada, and go.  

• She is helpful. She is great at picking up her toys, setting the table for dinner, helping Hudson when he needs a tissue or a toy, and getting her diaper for me to change her. She's so sweet. I love it! 

• She loves to be at the park. Her favorite thing to do is swing. She can do that for hours if I let her. 

Below are some pictures from when she was 18 months:

 Not liking pictures

Her "cheese" face

Playing with a little piano at the antique store

I love shopping with my girl.

We went out to lunch together and sissy wanted to sit by herself.

Miss Independent.

Pretty happy to start nursery (church class for 18 months - 3 year olds)

About to eat snacks in nursery (her favorite part, of course)

cute kids on Amelia's first day of nursery and in their Easter outfits

It was also a special half-birthday for Amelia because Aunt Kate came home from her 18 months mission in Chile. We got to FaceTime (see screen shots below) with the family when they picked her up from the Dulles Airport. We celebrated Amelia's half birthday with ice cream (in honor of Aunt Kate too -- she loves ice cream as much as we do)! What a happy half-birthday for our sweet Mia Bee! 

So much joy!

It was so good to have Kate back. 

She came down to Charlotte a few days later and these two got to meet for the first time!!! 

Mommy/Son date

Side Note: I am so behind on blogging this year. This summer has been crazy busy. We really are in the thick of living life. I sometimes debate about whether or not I should keep blogging and documenting. It's this hard balance for me because I try really hard to live in the moment and be present. However, there is this HUGE pull in me to document moments and real everyday life. I love creating memories, but I also love having memories documented. I love looking back. I love looking at the moments that got me to here. This blog is a great outlet for me to do that (even though I am far behind in the documenting). Just thought I would throw that out there. I hope to one day be present in my blogging, but I also don't want to skip over things that happened in between (because I'm such a memory recorder). Bear with me as I catch up. 


I think we are going to make mommy/son or daddy/daughter dates a tradition every year (probably for half birthday celebrations).

Grammy Corbett is so good about giving the kids an Eric Carle book for birthdays/Christmas. It's one of her favorite children's author and my kids love those books (especially Hudson). You can imagine just how excited I was when I found out the children's theatre in Uptown was showing "The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites." I bought two tickets right away. I knew it would be a perfect show for Hudson.

We got semi-dressed up for our date. Hud was pretty excited (and me too).

We walked to the children's theatre (one of the many perks of living in the city) and watched the show. It was so fun. Hudson sat on my lap during most of it and gave me a play-by-play of what was going to happen after the caterpillar ate an apple, and then the pear, and so on.

We went to grab some ice cream at the 7th Street Market before heading home. Perfect date. Perfect afternoon with my sweet boy. Can't wait to do this again next year!

New calling

A few month ago (in February), I was asked and called to serve as the new Young Women's president for our congregation at church. This means that I work with the youth (girls ages 12-18). It has been a huge change and responsibility for me so far.

I won't lie. I was so overwhelmed at first. I felt so inadequate and basically at a loss for what I needed to do (mainly because I never did go through the Young Women's program as a youth). I prayed hard. We prayed hard as a family. I began to let the Lord work through me. What a powerful, humbling feeling I got when I realized that this is not my work to do, but it is His work to do. I am just an instrument in helping Him get it accomplished.

"There will be times when you feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone. The Lord will magnifiy what you say and what you do in the eyes of the people you serve. He will send the Holy Ghost to manifest to them that what you spoke is true. What you say and do will carry hope and give direction to people far beyond your natural abilities and your own understanding."

-Henry B. Eyring (Rise to Your Call)

The youth are remarkable. They have lifted me and inspired me in just the short, few months I have known them. They are an incredible force for good through their kindness, service, and examples. They have totally embraced me and I am very grateful for that. I am so thankful for the opportunity I get to work with them and learn from them.

Spa Night 

Mormon Prom

Our newest Mia Maid :) 

Planning meeting

Obviously, it has been a juggling act for our whole family. We are learning how to navigate it all. The youth in the church are so busy! There are so many activities, so it definitely keeps me on my toes. I do have to say that I am really lucky to have my little family, especially Logan. He has been a rock these past couple months. He's been incredibly supportive, patient, and encouraging (with a little tough love in between) as we have come together to make things work. I couldn't do it without him! I believe now more than ever that the more you serve, the more you love. I have seen that love grow tenfold as Logan and I have learned to more fully serve those around us and each other. I have also seen the Lord's hand as He has lifted our marriage, our family, and those we serve. What a great time in our lives!

"When you look back on what may now seem trying times of service and sacrifice, the sacrifice will have become a blessing, and you will know that you have seen the arm of God lifting those you served for Him, and lifting you." 

-Henry B. Eyring (Rise to Your Call)

Tommy in Charlotte

My brother came to visit us. This was the second time since we moved to Charlotte that he has visited us (he came for Christmas -- see here). I love it when we have visitors. I know that kind of thing can stress some people out, but definitely not me. I'll clean the house, block off my time to spend with them, and have a long list of all the things we can do. I seriously love having people in my home and I love it when people can make themselves at home here. We just love entertaining and showing visitors our city. So, yes, if you are reading this -- COME VISIT US NOW!!

We loved having Tommy here. It would be his last trip to Charlotte before his big move out west (more about that in later posts). We had a lot of fun with him in town. He's also THE best because he helped me with a few projects around the house.

taping Amelia's room to paint

painting 

One wall painted (more pics of Amelia's finished room to come)

Uncle Tommy came to watch one of Hudson's soccer games.

So fun to have my talented soccer-playing brother to coach Hudson along! 

Probably the highlight of his trip -- Lazy 5 Ranch.

This place is awesome. Highly recommend it to everyone!

 This guy kept following Tommy around. 

It was so funny to watch! 

Tommy made us dinner before he left. He's such a good cook! 

Steak, fresh steamed broccoli, and baked sweet potatoes.

Yummy!