Happy Birthday Hannah…3 years old!!!

It is absolutely unbelievable that my precious firstborn is 3 years old!!!  At this point, Hannah's imagination is in full swing!!  She loves playing make believe with about anything, from baby doll play, to play houses, to cooking, to talking on the phone, and just about anything else.  She is often running away from giants, hanging out with her "girls", driving her car to the store, and doing her daily routines with her baby dolls.  She makes up songs, and is constantly singing both real songs (country or "christian") and sometimes made up words to real tunes.  She is so funny, creative, smart, emotional, serious, and silly.  Hannah's memory absolutely amazes me as she retells stories from past events, her daily activities, and even just as she repeats things that I have told her.  Hannah is very conversational, though very apprehensive in new situations or among new people.  She gets a little overwhelmed in social settings like the playground or her YMCA class, but quickly comes out of her shell.  She has begun to be more daring at the playground and is really good at climbing and going down the slide.  I love watching her little mind work and how proud she gets of herself when she does something new or hard all on her own! She reads her books constantly and either says exactly what they say verbatim, or makes up new words and creates her own stories.  She has named her baby doll, "Baby Caroline" and is such a good little mommy to her.  She loves to watch Curious George, Super Why, Cat in the Hat, and Peppa the Pig.  Her favorite movies are Tinkerbell and Cinderella, and she LOVES to reenact the scene where Cinderella dances with the prince, runs away, loses a shoe, and then when the slipper fits her after trying it on the stepsisters first.  Cinderella is by far her favorite princess, but she loves them all.  Purple has become her favorite color, and for the last six months has been asking for a purple birthday cake with jewels on it.  Luckily our local Harris Teeter did a fabulous job making this sweet little dream come true!  Hannah definitely dreams of being her mommy, through caring for her baby to putting on "deodant", high "wheels" and jewelry.  She loves to be outside and dig in the dirt, or play with chalk, or go to the playgrounds near our house.  She has started swinging on the big girl swing and really does an awesome job balancing.  When outside, she loves to squeal and scream at the top of her lungs!  She loves people and GOING!!!  Everyday her first question when she wakes up is either, "where are we going today?" or "who's coming over today?".  I think her favorite friend is her cousin Molly, but she loves all of her friends and talks about people constantly!  Leading up to her birthday, she liked to tell Daddy and I that she was "growing up on us" and how she "wasn't going to be 2 anymore".  Another thing she often says is, "that's SO siwwee" (silly).  It's really cute and she says it about just about everything!  She still wants to be "hold", and loves to snuggle with her mommy and daddy.  She still loves to suck her thumb and touch her belly button, and while she is growing up and knows ALOT, she still gets confused about brothers and sisters, often calling Ethan her "sisser".  We love this sweet girl and all of the things she tells us about.  She is sweet and caring and very polite!  Happy birthday my sweet 3 year old!!

Dancing in her new Cinderella dress the morning of her party.

Opening presents on her actual birthday.

Happy Birthday Ethan!!

It is absolutely crazy that a year has gone by since I first held that tiny BIG baby in my arms.  As I reflect on this past year, it truly is a whirlwind.  I look at pictures and almost can't remember that little guy because I'm so used to who he is now, but at the same time, it seems like only yesterday when Hannah would ask to hold him every morning on the couch.  It also seems like he hasn't changed much appearance wise  since about 6 months old.  It's definitely true that with your younger kids, you think of them as babies much longer!  He is a super happy little guy that eats well, sleeps well, plays well, and is very good at letting you know what he wants!  He smiles or excitedly grunts at everyone and everything he sees.  He goes crazy over dogs and gets so excited but nervous at the same time.  He feels the same way about the "dragon" outside of the grocery store that kids get to ride for a penny.  His favorite things to do are push toys around, or put any type of toy into any type of container and take it out again.  He dances to music, has a shy face, laughs, and gives you big crocodile tears if you tell him no.  He can climb up the stairs like a champ, but has not quite gotten the hang of coming down.  He wants to be every where his mama and sister are, and is crazy for his daddy.  He loves to be outdoors and can't stand when blinds are down or curtains are closed because he always wants to see outside.  He is still only standing, and has not gained the confidence or daringness to try to walk.  His favorite foods are apples/applesauce, bananas, cheese, potatoes, and raisins. He's not crazy about meat but will eat it.  Black beans are a staple protein around here!  He loves having licks of mommy and daddy's ice cream, and has now begun demanding a cookie when we pass them in the grocery store.  He is nursing 3 times a day but is losing interest.  He loves milk, so I think he will transition off of any nursings soon.  He's got a smile that could melt even the hardest heart and wins people over everywhere we go!!!

At 1 year our little man weighs 26 lbs and is 32 inches tall.  He is still in the 12-18 month size but is mostly wearing 18-24 month clothes.  He is such a little light in our house, and brings us so much joy!  At his baptism, Aunt Catherine gave him a little ceramic wall hanging that says "I thank God every time I think of you" which is from Philippians 1:3, and it is just so true!

I completely forgot the monthly sticker picture, but these first three pictures are of Ethan on his actual birthday.

And these following three pictures are of Ethan at the kids joint birthday party a few weeks later.

May

What a whirlwind May was!!!  The month started with a weekend trip down to Carolina Beach.  Daddy was working in Wilmington, so we headed down at the end of the week.  We had a great time playing in the sand.  The beach was warm, but the water was cold!!  It was actually perfect weather because it just felt nice all the time!!!  We enjoyed the sights and ended our trip in the scenic town of Southport, NC.  We are excited to live in Charlotte and have access to so many different NC and SC beaches!!!  The middle of the month was spent mostly just enjoying the outdoors.  We went to lots of parks and started getting some our summer play things out.  Then, right before Memorial Day, we had a lovely visitor!  My best friend from Mississippi came for a couple days.  Hannah had a blast with Lauren and so did I!!  It is always so special to spend time with her and I'm thankful that she came.  Then we headed to Lake Lanier for Memorial Day. We had a great time at the lake with my parents!!  Hannah loved riding the tube for the first time and Ethan did surprisingly well with the life jacket.