Snowpocalypse 2014

Well, we survived Snowpocalypse 2014! We thought you might look back on this story and chuckle (especially if you end up living somewhere that gets snow more than once every few years). Snow was predicted this past Tuesday and the city of Atlanta decided it wasn't that big of a deal. So, imagine everyone's surprise when it started snowing pretty hard and actually sticking mid-morning on Tuesday.  Still, everyone waited thinking it wouldn't be that bad. And then all at once the entire city (including the major school districts and most businesses) decided that it was urgent to get home immediately. Therefore, 5 million people hit the roads at the same time. I left at 1:45 since daycare was trying to close early and dad left shortly thereafter.  By 5:30 we still hadn't reached you. Thankfully, our friend from church had abandoned her car and walked to daycare to pick up her kids and called to say she would get you as well. They started walking towards their house and I finally made it to their house and started walking to meet you guys.  We walked home (still snowing by the way) and then Dad had run to meet us, but we ended up able to bypass the bad traffic and make it home the back way. We were so stressed and upset, but quickly realized how lucky we were since some people were still stuck in their cars on the freeways the next day!!!

After we calmed down, warmed up, and got a good night's sleep, we enjoyed the snow and the two days off together!

Freeze Frame...

This video captures several things that have captured our hearts lately:

1. your precious pigtails
2. your imaginative play (notice each baby is on a pillow going "nite nite"
3. your own spin on words as you begin to talk up a storm (Madisas is your name right now)

You fill our hearts with joy!!!

Christmas videos

We had a great Christmas this year! Grammy and Grandpa Tom were here and we went to church on Christmas Eve and then opened presents Christmas morning. You weren't sure of what was going on with Santa at first, but once you got into it, you loved your new kitchen and floor piano! We finished a great day with a yummy dinner (Uncle Paul and Shel joined us).

The video above is you coming down the stairs and seeing what Santa brought you.

The video above is you opening your presents from Grammy and Grandpa Tom on Christmas Eve.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0r3Mb5D2-4pbVZ6NHhxUl9TY0txZFIwOThpUk4tQmRFUmtv


The last video is of you playing with your new piano floor mat. It came from Daddy's phone and won't open in anything but Google drive for some reason, so hope this link works. :)

We love you so much and had such a great Christmas with you! We can't wait to create new memories each holiday season with you!!!

Five things to remember about right now...

1. You walking around saying "I see ya" and playing the game with your dolls and stuffed animals.

2. The look of pride on your face when you went pee-pee on the potty for the first time (12-8-13)

3. The look of wonder on your face when they lit the Christmas tree in downtown Alpharetta.

4. Your secret language, especially when you say "dubadubadubaduba" over and over again.

5. The way you put your arms in the air and say "hey" at the end of "Jingle Bells."



We took family pictures a few weeks ago and had so much fun at the photo shoot with you. Here are some of the pictures:

The Happiest Halloween!

This about sums it up: 

What we'll miss about this stage (17 months)

1. The way you say "peez" for please and just nod your head up and down when you are thanking someone.

2. You saying "babies" 100 times a day and putting your dolls in the high chair to feed them and put them to "bed" while patting them on their backs.

3. The way you run everywhere you go...you only have one speed!

4. Your alfalfa sprout of a pony tail on the top of your head.

5. Your face when you read a book...it lights up and you follow each word and picture with your eyes as you "read" along.

6. You picking out books by name or subject when we ask you to get them to read.

7. You liking broccoli over sweets (we realize this may change)

8. You sitting on your potty chair (fully clothed) and making a "ssshhh" noise like you are going tee-tee.

9. Your love for flipping off Daddy's lap/ riding Daddy like a horsey.

10. The way you ask for your "pass" (pacifier).

11. Your mischievous look when you are about to do something you shouldn't (like climb up the side of your high chair or go close to the fireplace)

Here are some recent pictures:

and a fun video:

Fall catch up...

It's already September and you are back in the swing of daycare. Your teachers put superlatives up on the door recently, and we were proud but not surprised to see that you were voted "most likely to be valedictorian." This will be fun to look back on when you are in high school (no pressure though!) :)

Football season is here and you say touchdown and put your arms up in the air and say "go Tigers!" You stayed with Aunt Stacey this past weekend while Dad and I went to the Ga/Clemson game and then Grandmommy and Grandaddy will keep you the last weekend in September when we go back for homecoming.  You love football and throw your little football to daddy and tackle him (although sometimes you get confused and tickle him instead).

What you are saying at 16 months: mama, dada, bite, dog, woof woof, up, down, this, in, out, baby, wa wa, bye bye, your version of I love you, touchdown, go tigers, hi, cracker, cookie, more, um, banana.

What you are doing: giving kisses and hugs around the neck, jumping into the pool, playing "nite nite," playing with Rocky the dog, using anything as a phone and talking, making imaginary food and giving bites, climbing up on things, knocking over blocks after stacking them, destroying puzzles and then giving us the pieces to put them back together, reading, singing all the time!

Our prayer for you at this stage of your life is that your playful nature continues forever and you enjoy your life and laugh as much as you do now! We love you so much!

This is you "standing like a flamingo" at 15 months.