Another major stage

So I don't forget:

SA and I were driving in the car Monday night after a dinner party with friends. She is really into telling stories, making stories up and sharing them and it is super cute and very funny. So, as we were driving she wanted to hear about the day that she was born out of my tummy. She then tells me after her birth story that she has a baby in her tummy. I explained to her that she did not have a baby in her tummy and she asked me "why". Thus began about 17 more "why's". It took about 5 why's for me to figure out that oh my gosh, my child is asking the "why" questions. So, we are here and they continue and I am having to use my already clouded brain/memory to give her explanations. And I am LOVING it~

Embrace the camera Thursday- December 16

http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/

I love this age

I have often debated in my head over and over, which age has been the best. So far, I like 2 1/2. I am sure that I will do this as she grows through each stage but the two's have been a lot of fun so far. One of the many things she has overcome is the fear of the potty. She woke up one day and decided that she wanted to wear panties from now on and it has gone so great, except one thing.... Pooping. Isn't this a lovely blog post topic? She was so scared to do that and would hold it for up to 8 days at a time. We did have to resort a few times to using an aid to help her because she was in so much pain. The ped said it was all a control thing. So after a few times of having to "help her", she decided to try going on her own. NOW she is fully potty trained. We are so so excited! She has had about 4 total accidents in her bed and doesn't have accidents in her naps or waking periods. She has done so great with potty training and we are very proud of her overcoming her fears of the toilet.

We like to go to this old timey park in Warrior and use their ancient slide and merry go round :)
She is a master climber and slider

One of the things that she attempts to be super good at is technology. She is all about looking at pictures on the computer and my cell phone. AND SHE KNOWS HOW TO GET THERE! Notice her outfit? She is really enjoying her two's, NAKED! When she is inside, at times she flat out refuses to wear clothes. So we allow it most of the time!

Another thing that cracks me up and has since the very beginning is how my child sleeps. She can definitely find a comfy position.. But does this actually look comfortable? It must be because she can work this position for most of the night.

Until next time. May you enjoy your days full of play, sleep and if you have children, the joys of their laughter.

paci

When you have a two year old, there are just a few things that you wonder if your child will ever grow out of. I have begun to question lately if she will be able to give these two paci's up...The logical part of me knows that she will, but here lately, I do wonder, but mostly, I think it is adorable how much she loves them. The last several nights I have asked her what she is thankful for in which she replies: "I am thankful for my paci's and my blankie"...This girl is for real! Here she is in her most recent loved position. Taking the 2nd paci and lightly brushing her cheek or nose.

And here she is in the old faithful position. Holding her 2nd paci with one hand and with the other, with 1 or 2 fingers massaging it or plucking it like you would a flower petal. Hopefully by her 3rd birthday, we will be able to transition to her only depending on God, her parents and her blankie.

Some fun times, part 2

This child loves to take a bath...

It's truly some of her most silly times!

The new umbrella that she had to go buy after last week seeing that other kids had their own umbrella's at church.. Oh the peer pressure for this $3.48 find.... :) This was an early evening picture after her bath and she had to go outside for a moment.. Of course, no pants... oooops.

This is her new facial expression.. It's called the "grumpy face".. She can do it on commandSavoring every last drop. She loves the rain and especially when she borrowed Georgia's boots for a week~ Time to buy her some of her own...

Hope your week is full of adventure and giggles like her's has been.. Love to you all!

some fun times, part 1

PEAR Pickin,
Our friend Tonya invited us and a few other friends to go pear pickin in Alabaster at one our Lieutenants house. She had a ball, lots of good times seeing how to pull the pear off a tree and how you can also just shake the pears off!
Sarah Avery and Cara DawnRunning around with Brodie

Sweet hugs from each other. They are just a week apart!

Another of God's wonderful little creationsGood times at Dr. Kyatt's office. SA loved getting her teeth cleaned and she especially liked using "mr thirsty". The expression you see on her face is one that I would like to continue to see in the future (hopefully).

And Action~ It's panty party time. This child loves the fact that she is out of diapers and into big girl panties. If this is offensive, please tell me and I will remove this picture.. I just think it is so fun to document these big moves to being a big girl.. She is really proud of herself!

We sure have had some great times around here. It's fun being 2 1/2! stay tuned for part 2...

Embrace the camera Sept. 2

Embrace my daddy
Daddy Matt and SA
This daddy loves to play and be silly with his daughter.

He is such a fun daddy who doesn't want to miss anything.

He helps her mommy so much by taking great responsibility with his daughter.

Most importantly he teaches her the truth's about God and his goodness.

Embrace the camera Thursday

Big independent big girl week~
First time polish 5 days straight!

Generation to generation

Just had to post this picture that Matt's cousin Rebecca took... How totally precious is it.. This is Pop and Mamee, Matt's lovely grandparents. They were out at the lake and Becca snapped this adorable shot.. Oh how we love them!

Avery is one very very loved and blessed child to follow an incredibly godly legacy.

Independence again and again.. and a little running too

A few weeks back, Matt's cousins Becca (below left) and Alli (next to Matt) were visiting from Raleigh. We so love when his family visits. We love to all group up at Matt's grandparents, Pop and Mamee (pictured below) house and enjoy each other. Lately, independence is showing up a lot at our house. In funny ways, scary ways and in some enjoyable ways. The other night I went to check on her before I went to sleep. And when I glanced in her crib, this is what I saw.. Her dipaer laying next to her and her pajamas back on just so.. I laughed to myself at first. Then I just put the diaper back on her while she was asleep. Since this moment, it has happened 3 days in row.. Thankfully, there hasn't been any tee tee accidents. When she does this in the morning, I take her straight to the potty.

During playtime, she has been creating stories for her toys and lining them up, organizing, take care of them and overall playing all by herself. Her favorites right now are her two princesses and prince from her princess castle.

This is her castle, and they were all sitting down for "tea"

She also has a little frog, and loves for it to sit on biggie frog.. Too cute!Her ideas make me smile a lot And this is the scary part. She is a RUNNER! It has been happening for the last several weeks. I have spanked, lectured, cried and worried over it for about 3 weeks now. Here is one of those moments at Matt's grandparents. He caught her in plenty of time because thankfully, he is way faster than her, and the fact that she was more worried about her backpack at the time.
This is coming back down the hill after one very upset Mommy and Daddy.

Parenting has been very challenging for several months as we work through these independent times. Thankfully, it is the Lord who is revealing to us needed answers..

But these times, make it all worth it.. We were making a dish to take to a friend's house. She is a pro at cracking open eggs. Don't you just love how she got ready for her cooking duties? Visor to keep the hair back and a sucker to enjoy!

Mixing up the spinach.. Good job SA... You are so big!

This is our life right now. Having fun discovering independence and also obeying Mommy and Daddy for it pleases the Lord.

Embrace the camera Thursday

Doing my best to show her big girls don't need paci's.

A Woodsy Adventure

A local city adventure with friends, nature and a Gogurt!

We met up with the Thomas family, Sherry, Mark, Lily and Elle at a new park (to us).

I love this pic of SA, Lily and Elle walking. They are so funny, SA was not going to let that gogurt Mrs. Sherry gave her out of her sight. And the momma of the group, Lily wouldn't be without her little stuffed animal, and the leader here is Elle. They were helping SA get up this huge boulder. Such helpers!

Relaxing on the rock! Look at those trees! And how bout those faces? toooo cute!

Happy to have a gogurt

Swinging like monkey's

So much fun. Oh how we loved being outside in the 105 degree heat.. ha! But for real, it is always fun to get together with friends like this and it is funny to see SA interact with kids that have siblings. The three of them are quite a team and they just loved on her and well they babyied her too. wink.

Little Mark was there but we didn't have any pics of him. I think he was off exploring with the other two boys that were there

whew, it is HOT

Ok, July has been so hot and it's hard to stay outside for long. This makes it challenging for a mommy of a 2 year old who LOVES to be outside. We have had to resort to inside play at all sorts of places the last month. Mcwane center, library, chick fil a, McDonald's, friends houses and pools, Barnes and Noble, and last but not least....our patio. It has a little shade in the afternoon, so at least the sun is not directly on us.. But, the sweat rolls down. August should be some of the same story. But it is fun and I love to do fun things with her.

This is her "cheese face" Here she is on her 2 1/2 year birthday.. Our sweet little growing girl.

Stay cool and active

Friend

This picture just makes my heart melt! They were in utero at the same time (different tummies :) and have loved each other since they were born! I am so thankful for the friends the Lord has placed in my life! I cherish those friendships and it's such a blessing to be able to lean upon them and vice versa through this earthly journey! I pray that SA and Georgia along with others continue to bless each other and grow in stature and knowledge of the Lord, Jesus Christ!

Reflecting

on the Lord. I don't know what my life/our life would be like if we didn't have hope in Christ. You have heard me say it before, but my job lets me see into the lives of people. Desperate, hopeless, dependent, angry, and so so much more.. In my life I have slipped so many times, but that hope is there, it's in Christ, my deliverer. We can share the hope in Christ, we can. Let's do it. No homework required.
Freedom, contentment, assurance, joy, purpose, and redemption. Share Him this week. I am going to ask the Lord to give me an opportunity.

Embrace the camera Thursday

Summer time

We have been fortunate to go to the beach 2 times this month. Once as a girls trip and the 2nd time with Matt, me, SA and Matt's parents, Marty and Debbie. We risked it eventhough our beaches are messed up by the oil, but it was worth the rest, relaxation and precious times as a family. My little one wouldn't look up at all, she didn't want to have a photoshoot

Daddy/daughter fun under the mushroom fountain

She is fearless in the pool, she loves everything there is about it... She doesn't want our help and she is really really beginning to swim, even under water... (Don't worry, Daddy was right there with his with arms to help)

It has been a great few weeks and we have had lots of playdates and good times. Come join us.

Its definitely summer around here.