Tea Party Anyone?

These pictures were taken by Surita from Surita V. Photography. I am so excited to share these! Here are some of my favorites from our Tea Party themed session (Just in time for Amelia's 2nd birthday which is only a month away!!)

It's The Little Things - Finally Sleeping?

Today I'm linking up for the very first time with Jess from Sadie Sky Boutique and Ashley from Words about Waverly for their 'It's the Little Things' linkup! 

Amelia has now slept THROUGH the night for two consecutive nights. I am ready to jump for joy! She has always been a terrible sleeper. I've tried the cry-it-out method but it's just not for our family. The one time I tried to get her to cry it out, she screamed until she got sick all over herself and her bed. Clearly she was not happy about it. 

The hardest part about our sleepless nights is having to wake up at the crack of dawn so I can drop her off and hit rush hour traffic and make it downtown on time! Being a full time working mom of two is a tough job. I spend most of my day away from my kids. We're on a pretty tight schedule once we all get home. My husband cooks dinner while I get the kids settled in and Benson and I start his homework. Once we eat dinner it's bath time, brushing our teeth, book and then bed. All by 8:30, no later than 9:00.

I usually hit the sheets right after them because I'm just way too tired for anything else. Amelia will wake up at least once a night and then we're back at it again the next day.


SOOOOOO, I am so excited that she's finally getting the rest she needs.I couldn't believe it so woke up just to make sure she was ok! I feel like we're at the front door of sleeping all night! Even if it's just a couple nights, I'll take it! I'll never take sleeping for granted, ever!

I'm excited about this link up series. Life happens way too fast so it's especially nice to reflect on the things that keep me moving. Thanks Jess and Ashley!

Amelia - 18 month check up

So I wasn't able to get Amelia into her check up until she was just shy of 20 months! My big girl is growing so fast!(At least I got her to the doctor, am I right?) 

Height: 32in (Just 1in short of door knobs! - I'm in trouble)

Weight: 25lbs (but feels like 50lbs)

Teeth: 10 and cutting 2 more molars

Clothing size: 2T

Shoe size: 5/6

She is a firecracker! She reminds me so much of me (heh). She loves loves loves to dance. She'll break it down anytime, anywhere to any rhythm. So far she's been really outgoing. Loves to venture off and explore. She's fearless, to say the least! I can already tell she's adventurous and loves a good adrenaline rush. It's so fun to see the differences in personalities between my children. Benson is still in his own world but Amelia is constantly reminding him that she's here! She loves to annoy her big brother. She'll sit on top of him if it means seeing what he's doing on the iPad. She's too much to handle! They've been playing together more. Now that she walks runs, we have so much more fun at the park, jumpy places, the store...even at home! I feel like we're constantly on the go! 

Amelia is talking more and more. She's still doing most of the signs I taught her but now she's saying 2-3 syllable words. She loves to listen and sing along to nursery rhymes. Her favorite over played song is Monkey's Jumping in Bed and If You're Happy and You Know it comes in close second. It's so cute to see her try and sing along. She's able to count to 3 and she can say "A, B, C & D". She's comprehending more and more of what we say and ask of her. It's so fun!! 

She loves learning about animals. She loves to look through her animal book and learn about the sounds they make. It takes me by surprise when she makes an animal noise especially when I didn't even know she knew it. The other day we were watching a commercial when a horse came on the screen and she kept saying, "neigh neigh". It amazes me, the knowledge she soaks up! She also loves to cuddle stuffed animals. Her favorite is her monkey. She brings it around everywhere. Everything about this stage is so much fun! I love seeing her mind work to comprehend what we say and to see it all in action when she says things all on her own!

Snowpocalypse 2014

We rarely get snow in Georgia but when we do, it's insane. The last snow storm that hit us, we were snowed in for almost a week. So when the meteorologists reported that it was going to snow, I'm sure most people didn't acknowledge it because snow never sticks here but low and behold, we got 2 inches of snow! And with the circumstances that came about, people were in gridlock traffic for hours, away from their homes and families. Children had to sleep at their schools. We were fortunate enough to be home together. I made my way home from downtown in terrible traffic but I'll take the little 2 hr drive over being stuck all night. With my lack of survival skills, I would have died. (maybe not die, but you know.)

This was Amelia's first snow and Benson's third snow experience. They had so much fun playing outside. I was just telling my mother in-law, who lives in MA, that I wish we could have brought the kids to visit so they could see snow! Benson was on the verge of tears when I made him come inside and take a break. He didn't even care that I had a warm cup of hot cocoa waiting on him. And as for Amelia, we've officially begun the I'm so mad at you limp body tantrums. So we had to first chase her and then carry her inside. Frozen toesies, fingers, and cheeks for both babes. 

 

The next day we slid in a laundry basket down our icy street. That's what happens when you have no sleds, toboggans or disks available!

Finishing up 2013

Before I get into how eventful and fulfilling 2013 has been, there are a couple of special moments i want to recap that have come and gone.

Family holiday photos (Sims Lake Park -Suwanee, GA)

Amelia WALKING finally! She took her sweet time, but by 17 months, we officially have a full-time walker! Here's an action shot. She's running after me hollering "mommy!"

Benson turned SIX! I took the day off, made "reindeer food" for this classmater per his request, and got to spend the whole day with my favorite little boy! 

and of course our very Merry Christmas. 

So here's to a new year and more memories!

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving holiday always seems to come and go so quickly! Nonetheless, the 4 day weekend break was much enjoyed. We hosted Thanksgiving this year, and as with any family gathering, had a great time. My family is so young and fun. We're so untraditional and make the best of any situation. That's why they're the best!

We had my whole family (my dad's side) over for Thanksgiving dinner. We have a potluck style Thanksgiving, where everyone brings a dish. I could definitely tell that everyone was on a health kick this year with the lighter dishes and healthy renditions of the traditional sides. Everything was so yummy. By the end of our second third plates, we were all ready to pop!

After dinner we all sat around for laughs, pulled names for our annual Secret Santa, discussed our plans for our themed Christmas and of course, looked at the ads for shopping that many of us partake in the next day, or if you're an extremist, later that night!

I'd say the night ended earlier than what we usually can stand. Eric and I did a quick clean up and passed out. Benson had lots of fun with his cousins and KO'd as soon as everyone left. Amelia on the other hand was over tired and was the crankiest/fussiest baby EVER. She took the longest time to go down. (Promise to self, NEVER let that baby skip nap time!)

All in all, I'd say we had a successful holiday and cannot wait for Christmas! Our decorations are up and we've already bought some of our gifts. Holidays are so much more fun when you have little ones, that's for sure!!

With my parents and brothers

 

This is such a special pictures. My grandmother and all her children! (First photo with all of them in almost 2 decades!)

My WHOLE family. Can you believe they all fit in my little house?

 

 And out of all the pictures, I didn't get a single one with just the 4 of us. Boo!

Weekend Recap: Camping!

If you didn't know, we are a camping family! The boys, especially, love being outdoors and living it like survivalists. We try to take as many trips as we can fit into our schedule through the fall/winter. And even in the freezing cold, we still manage to make our way up to the mountains for the weekend. There's something about being away from the rest of the world and surrounded by nature, breathing in that fresh air that is so calming and relaxing. I'm talking real camping. No water source, no electricity, no out houses, nada. Just you, the land, your tent and a fire! Add s'mores and cider beer and we are golden!

So this weekend we had our first camping trip of the year, sans baby. We went with a couple friends to Wildcat Creek right near Lake Burton (just 2 hrs north from where we live). Of all the places we've gone camping, this has got to be our favorite campsite. We are going back in two weeks but this time WITH Amelia. We'll see how we survive with a baby in the woods :)

The boys gathering wood for the fire

Starting our fire

Wildcreek does offer a campground with a bathroom, but it was closed off thanks to the Government Shutdown