Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Rhett 15 Months old & These Days with Ava

He turned 15 Months old this week.
He started walking this month! 
Says ma, mom and mama often.
Nods for yes and no. 
Loves to wave and say Hi and Bye to people, even complete strangers we pass by.
He starts repeating "woo, woo" every time he hears a dog bark. (which in this house can be often)
Has 8 teeth. 
Lowered his crib to the last notch.
Still on two naps but might be getting ready to drop the morning one.
Sleeping all night most nights.
Loves to cuddle and will pat our backs when we are holding him.
Favorite foods are still avocado, mac and cheese and milk.
Likes to take a crayon or marker and hold in his hand to scribble on paper. 
Loves to be outside or in water.
Enjoys playing with a ball.





These Days Ava you are loving doing art projects. 
You have an art bin that you love to get down to paint, cut and glue creations. You love to make creations to give to people. 
We pass your preschool often as it's near our house and you get pretty upset at times asking me "why must school have a summer break!" and are so eager to return in the fall. One day recently you asked if your buddy Izzy could go to your school and I told you she will probably go to school on her side of town. Then you contemplated the idea of going to school where she does but you decided you weren't use to those teachers and would miss your school too much.
 It has been interesting watching you navigate social settings and relationships - as the apple doesn't fall far from my tree in that department.  I find you are very thoughtful in your interactions, prefer familiar settings, close relationships within smaller circles and at times need to recharge in low energy settings. 
We went to a church gathering this week at someone house. You made friends with one of the adult ladies there and you came to me excitedly to tell me that I will be so proud that you "got use to her". That's your introvert lingo for making friends. Yesterday we were at a restaurant meeting a friend of mine for lunch. You were going to go play in the play area and asked if any of your friends would be there. I told you no so you proceeded to tell me a well thought out plan you had for maybe finding another little girl that was playing alone that maybe you could "get use to" and maybe you could play with other little girls but told me now more than 3 I think. 
My prayer is you will embrace who God made you to be, you already make a very loyal and loving friend to others as you love so deeply and with such kindness. I pray many will be blessed by knowing and receiving the love you have to give. 



Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Fourth with the Family


We went to Houston for the 4th this year for our Annual Bell Bash. I loved the lack of plans as mainly we just enjoyed a slower pace with one another leaving plenty of time and space for lazy swims, watching babies play and lingering over meal time conversations. I find too often holidays become frantic with more doing and less being. I loved this holiday felt like we accomplished just the opposite and that in itself ironically takes some intentional planning. 




Man time on the drive way? 

We got to soak up time with our newest spring additions to the family Emilia and Hudson born just about a month apart.

It's hard to say what Rhett loved more the pool or the fireworks. 

lots of cousin time

Meeting Hudson.
Her other favorite thing to do besides pool time was baby lovin time. 

"pop-pop-pop"

His firework face.
 He loved the boom of the fireworks- sister does not.
They are both so alike and so different too. I
 love  this time of discovering who is, who is going to be - even in the smallest of ways.

Saturday Snoozing

Water balloon fight preparations

Warming up for the big game

lots of swim practice time

songs with meme

Some of my favorite worship times are family worship,
Sunday we enjoyed family worship before we hit the road. 

It was nice to have a Sunday morning to not have to wrangle my children during the service.
It was a beautiful way to end a great time together.