Christmas Card 2011-Blog Style!!

This free picture collage made with Smilebox

Dear Family and Friends,
As another year is coming to a close I reflect on what this year has brought to our family. We have had a blessed year! I am thankful for the lessons, challenges, joys, and life that 2011 brought to us.

Kevin continued working very hard with his practice and we saw it grow throughout the year. In October he was offered a job working with one of the best chiropractors that does the type of Chiropractic Kevin specializes in. It was a job he couldn’t turn down because of the experience he will gain working with this doctor. We are excited to move to North Carolina and start this new season but also sad to close his practice here and leave family and friends in Florida. When Kevin was not in the office working he enjoyed playing golf and traveling to Dominican Republic. He also took a trip to Italy but unfortunately got sick and spent his time in the hotel. He’ll just have to go back and take me this time!!

I am still teaching my childbirth classes and enjoying it so much. I love seeing the couple’s faces as I educate them on their options and know that they are knowledgable in what they need to do in order to get the birth they want. I am also pursuing another passion I have which is photography. It’s something I have always wanted to do and I am finally beginning. And of course, my very favorite job is taking care of our two little girls. I love being home with them to teach them, nurture them, and spend as much time as possible with them. It’s a full time job to say the least but these are the best days of my life!

Ayda has had a big year. She became a big sister in the spring and started school in the fall. I think it is safe to say she loves both. She adores her baby sister and never had any issues with the transition. As for school, she begs to go even on the weekend! She also spent lots of time at the beach this summer which she loved as well. She is such a fun little girl and getting so big so fast. Her laugh is contagious and she just loves life.

In March we welcomed our second daughter, Hadley, into the world. Once she decided to come, she came fast! After a 3 hour labor Hadley was born at home into our arms. She too has been such a joy to our family. She is much more laid back than Ayda was but this girl is more persistent. She will keep me on my toes I’m sure. She is learning to get around already. I have had to thoroughly baby proof the house because she will find a cord or outlet to play with! She adores Ayda and laughs at her all the time. She loves to snuggle which I can’t get enough of. Overall, she is a happy baby and we are so blessed to have her.

As a family, we had a fun year. We went to North Carolina with my family, Hilton Head with Kevin’s family, and spent time in ATL with my dad, step-mom, sister and brother. Transitioning to two kids took awhile to get used to for Kevin and I but we enjoyed the blessings that came with the new chaos! Now we are looking forward to moving to North Carolina at the beginning of 2012. I am anxious to get there, get settled and get Ayda into her new school.

We hope that 2011 has brought you good health, joy and happiness as well. We wish you and your family a happy holidays and new year.

Much Love,
Kevin, Rebekah, Ayda, and Hadley

Keeping Busy!

After Ayda's birthday weekend we have settled back into our normal routine...except we have been missing one thing...Kevin/daddy! This is the longest stretch we have gone without seeing each other. I can't say I am a fan and it is only day 5! I won't lie I am counting down till he is back down here for Christmas and then we will all move up to NC together at last. I also know that the girls and I must keep busy so that time will not drag on. So we have had fun finding little activities to do that are cheap, fun, and at home (save on gas!)...

Since we are not decorating the house this year for Christmas I decided to bring some Christmas cheer in the form of crafts. We made Christmas tree pictures with their feet. Ayda thought it was hysterical that I was painting her foot and it tickled!! Hadley just kept trying to eat the paint brush!

 We also made a wreath for the door! I love walking up to the front door and seeing their precious little hands! This might be my favorite Christmas in regards to decorations! Fun memories to make with them, easy to store, and just so cute!! I have some other ideas but am spreading them out across the next couple weeks!

 Hadley has found time to sleep and catch up from a busy weekend. She was no where near being on her schedule all weekend so she has enjoyed the quiet and time to rest! I do my chores while she naps!

 In the mornings while Ayda is in school Hadley and I have gotten in the routine of playing on the floor. I drink my coffee and eat breakfast while she crawls all over me and plays with her toys. It has made for some sweet time to snuggle, giggle, and improve her pulling up skills!

 Digging through her toy basket!

 I think this is the face of "put the camera down already!"

I saw this idea on a blog I follow and thought it was really cool. I knew Ayda would think it was great!

 You use milk, food coloring and soap.

 You put the milk in a bowl. Ideally something flat and wide. We didn't have a lot of milk so I used something pretty shallow. Probably would have been even better if it was deeper but we were limited on milk (the only reason we had some in the house was from making cupcakes for Ayda's birthday!)

Then put a few drops of food coloring (different colors) in the middle of the milk.

 Drip some soap into the milk/food coloring and watch the colors go crazy. It was so cool! Ayda was so impressed and then thought the "picture" it made was beautiful! 

 Our finished product! It was pretty neat I must say!

Ayda requested to wash the dishes in the sink after lunch. I would love to think this will last for years to come...haha. Of course I handed her a sponge with soap and let her go to town. She actually did a really good job! She would wash and rinse and then I would put them on the drying rack. Who knew washing dishes could be fun...I love my 3 year old!

  She got serious about washing my coffee mug. She said it was very dirty!

 And she was very gentle while rinsing it off.

So we are staying quite busy around here! Tonight we are having dinner with a friend and I can't wait. Everyday this week I have taken Ayda to school, come home, picked her up and come back home for the day. To go out for dinner and talk to an adult will be quite refreshing!! And we have some very fun things planned for this weekend. Of course I miss Kevin terribly and I'll be honest life is so much more fun when we are all together. But as he said the water takes forever to boil when you are staring at it and that is so true. So we are keeping busy till Christmas! 

Oh yea and eventually I'll need to start packing. Now that does not excite me at all! Must find the motivation! haha!!

Hadley is 8 Months!

I'm about a week late with this post but the picture was taken within a few days of Hadley turning 8 months. So here's what you're up to these days...

+Not sure how much you weigh but you definitely filled out some this month. 

Your little cheeks are a bit chubbier!

+You are wearing 6-9 month clothes except your onesies are still 3-6 months.

+You are in size 3 diapers and on the middle snap in your cloth diapers still!

+You have 3 teeth and one on the way. You look so stinkin cute with them!

+You are sleeping about 8-9 hours at night, unless you are cold or teething. 

(You now have a space heater in your room to help with that one!)

+You are crawling EVERYWHERE! You chase me around the kitchen/living room because you want me to pick you up. You are quite persistent too!

+You started pulling to a stand. You are not cruising yet which is fine with me!

+You love eating! You enjoy feeding yourself (no pureed food for you) anything I put on your tray. And it is messy! But so fun to watch you try new things!

+You are still pretty laid back but you have definitely figured out how to get my attention!

+You are playing more with your sister which is sweet for me to see. She loves you so much!

+You love toys with lights and music. 

+You are smitten with your daddy. He's been out of town a lot lately 

but when he's home you just love smiling at him. It's so sweet!!!

+Though it is not as often you are still our snuggler. 

You would probably let me hold you all day if I would. 

 +You are just a sweet little girl. You make me laugh just from your goofy faces and persistent little personality. You know what you want and you are determined to get it! 

Happy 8 months baby girl. It's been another fun month of watching you grow, learn and explore. You have a few bruises on your head to show for all the pulling up and moving around. You are a blessing and joy to daddy and me. We love you!

(Ayda at 8 months)

Happy Birthday Ayda

Ok so I had planned to do a post each day this weekend. Well our feet hit the floor friday and we have not stopped since. I think this is the first time I have sat down at the computer since my last post! So here is a longer post to honor our big 3 year old!!

I can't believe that Ayda has been in our family now three years. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. The emotions, exhaustion, excitement, love. Everything. It was a cold rainy day in Atlanta but our apartment was warm, cozy and peaceful. It was perfect!

Ayda has taught me so much. Mostly about my shortcomings and how I need my Lord to get me through each day of parenting.  I have loved every second of the last 3 years though. I never knew I could love someone this much. And not to leave Hadley out...that has just doubled since she was born 8 months ago! Amazing! Ayda is so fun. We certainly did not have a year of "terrible twos" this past year. We have had fun, learned a lot, and she has kept us entertained! We are so proud of her!

I thought it would be fun to take a picture of her with Tommy the Monkey. For those new to the blog I did monthly picture of Ayda and Tommy her first year like I am doing with Hadley. It was funny to see her sitting with Tommy the other day!

And to conclude here is a slideshow I put together! Im signing off to enjoy the day with the birthday girl! I'll hopefully get her party pics up sometime this week when things settle down a bit!

Ayda Grace Turns 3

I always get a bit sentimental the week of Ayda's birthday. I'm sure I will with Hadley as well but we haven't gotten there yet...check back in March! I remember Ayda's first birthday and being a little emotional the whole weekend. And each year it gets a little better I suppose, but I am still quite reflective on this little life God has entrusted us with. So in honor of a special little girl's birthday I am going to post something each day about our little darling. Forget the fact I am way behind on this blog...she will come first! 

Today I took both girls outside to burn some energy/take some pictures. I think we were successful with both! And in true Ayda fashion she completely entertained Hadley and I! I was able to catch a little glimpse into her crazy personality!

 Life is a party...and she loves to laugh. And when she gets into a good laugh it is quite contagious!

 Her eyes sparkle all day and truly catch the curiosity she has for her world. She has always been our explorer.

 She has her moments of being contemplative and serious. 

 But more often than not you will find her being quite silly and making us laugh!

 She is gentle and kind, especially to her baby sister.

 And at the end of the day she finally lays her head down and rests. 

Ayda made me a mommy. She has taught me so much about myself...good and bad. She keeps me on my toes. I love this girl!