19 Months

19 months has come and gone in the blink of an eye - now that the girls are closer to 2 than to 1 it may be time to start planning the second birthday party! Haha not quite yet, I'm not ready for them to get even a month older let alone turn 2. There are so many changes happening now it seems every day there is something new I can hardly keep up.

Olivia ~ Miss. Independent has taken up residence in our home this month. She loves to do her own thing and if you try to help her in anyway she will let you know that is not how it's going to be. She loves to feed herself not just with her hands but with her fork and spoon. She mostly drops it off the spoon as she tips it over on the way to her mouth. I will say she is getting better with more practice and should have it down in no time. On the topic of eating she is pretty much become picky and doesn't want a lot the normal favorites. So its like a game of charades trying to figure out what she wants to eat. Words are coming easier to her this month but some are still a little tough to understand. We are practicing every day and I just love to hear her say new words. We have been swimming a few times over the last few weeks and Livy just loves it, she is a little timid at first getting into the water (could be the water is still a little chilly) but after a few minutes she is loving splashing and even jumping in. We can't wait for the summer and all the fun it will bring. I feel as though I say this each month but this girl is still the little observer - as can been seen from the majority of her photos. I can't seem to get this girl to look at me when there is something else going on around her. She has to know what every one else is doing, because it may be better than what she is currently involved in. She runs around this house giggling and letting her sisters chase her. Her little run is to die for. She loves the dogs and can often be seen holding onto rocky's tail as he walks around the house. She loves to call for Bella when we are calling her to go out; she also loves Bella's slobbery kisses. Olivia loves to hang out with her daddy and daddy is often her first choice of a snuggle partner. She loves to play with weygos (Legos) and her little people; I can't tell whats worse stepping on the legos (The bigger ones of course) or the little people. I love watching her and Charlotte play with the people it reminds me just how old they are getting.
Miss. Olivia sure has changed over the last few months and the changes just keep on coming. This little peanut sure makes our hearts happy. We love you little one.

Charlotte ~ Also, Miss. Independent (not quite as much as Livy) she loves to try and dress herself, drink out of her own water bottle and feed herself. She is a little better at getting her food into her mouth with the spoon or fork than Livy and she gets so happy when she has done it without dropping her food everywhere. This one still loves to eat pretty much anything but if she sees her sister not eating something she is more than willing to give it up. Charlotte likes to scream to try and get the things she wants and we are working very hard to change that method of communication. It's a slow process for sure. She loves to repeat words that we say and I know its only a matter of time before we slip and she repeats one of our not so appropriate words.. oops. Charlotte loves to run around the house and hide behind anything she can find... to pop out and say "pak-a-boo" (peek-a-boo). Rolling around on the floor giggle with Livy is another favorite of these two. She also loves to throw any ball she can get her hands on and she is throwing with both her left and right hand. She also eats with both hands so we don't know what hand she is leaning towards using "officially". Charlie loves to help everyone with everything and anything they are doing. She is little miss nosey and wants to be involved or the leader of anything happening. This little one is very much a mamas girl and if you try to take her when she is upset she is going to tell you "no-no-no" with her little head shake. She loves to dance and has added a few new arm moves to her signature butt shake. As soon a she hears a song she is ready to get down. She also loves the "weygos" and her little people, plus her play kitchen. She loves to pretend she is washing her cup and cook up some yummy food in her microwave. She loves to play with her sisters or anyone that will play with her. Running around, getting tickled, laughing, and just plain being silly are her favorite things. We love to watch her change each and every day and the love she give us is nothing short of amazing. We love you Charlotte.

These two were the surprise of our lives but we couldn't imagine our lives without them. Everyday is a new adventure and we are loving learning and growing with them. The fun they have with each other is so entertaining and I love the love they share. Born together Best friends forever.
We love you baby girls.

F-A-M-I-L-Y

The last few weeks have been exciting and busy for our family so I thought now was a good time to share. Around mid-february my mom came to visit from Pennsylvania, a welcomed change of weather for her! The kids are always so spoiled by her when she visits and they of course love it. Each one is wanting grandma to herself to love on and snuggle. She didn't just come for a visit; she also came to run her second half marathon. My mom had just turned 60 that same week and she had a goal to run the half marathon in less than three hours but specifically 2 hours and 45 minutes was her ultimate goal. Kendal, Madison, and I were there to watch her finish and when I saw her coming towards the finish line my skin was covered in goosebumps and tears filled my eyes. I have run my share of races including a half marathon as well as a full marathon and there is nothing like crossing that finish line. But to see my mom complete her goal left me with an enormous amount of pride... when I turned to see the time as she crossed, 2:45 was displayed on the clock. She did it, she finished in the time she was aiming for; a huge accomplishment. Seeing her after the race with the biggest smile on her face was perfect. When it was time for grandma to leave it was certainly a rough day, it always is, but many memories were made on this trip and we can't wait for the next one.

My sister in-law and I hit up the Maroon 5 concert! We had an amazing time!

Yesterday, Kendal and I spent all day at the Gulf Coast Odyssey of the Mind competition. ALL.DAY. According to my FitBit we walked over 5 miles, over 12,000 steps and burned over 2,000 calories! Phew, I am tired all over again. This was Kendal's first year participating and I have to say this girl conquered some of her fears from doing things on her own (with no one she knows around) to speaking in public. Her team did an amazing job - each of the team members (except one) also participated for the first time. Although they didn't place their effort was amazing and they worked so hard for the last few months. I love that Kendal decided to participate and I am so impressed with how she changed as a person. She's very excited for next year and Madison is looking to join as well. 

Next up some mommy and me time for Madison. Madison is so much like her daddy spending alone time with her is often like spending time with her dad. There is never a dull moment with Madison, always joking laughing and being just plain silly!! 

And perhaps the biggest surprise of all my little sister got engaged!! I can't even put into words the excitement I feel for this news. Her and her boyfriend have been dating for nearly seven years and while they both have been asked several times (A LOT OF TIMES) when they were going to get engaged they stayed true to themselves and did it on their own time. More about my little sister and my relationship in an upcoming post. But for now.. this girl inspires me to be a better person, mom, daughter, wife, and sister. Her hard work and dedication is what we wish for our family and I could not be more proud of her. 

We've had  busy few weeks but the happiness meter has been off the charts.