Maybe one of these days I will have time to return to blogging. 2011 has been an exciting year and we are really enjoying our new normal. Being a family of 4 has it's challenges, but we would not have it any other way! Anna Claire adores her brother and is growing up so quickly. Charlie brings such joy to all of our lives. Perhaps a NEW family blog soon? Stay tuned...
See below for cute holiday greetings.
After a loooong blogging hiatus, we are back! I am now in my 23rd week and feeling well. Anna Claire seems very excited about the baby in my belly and has finally accepted that she is, in fact welcoming a baby brother! We have decided for the most part to name this fella Charles Patrick and will call him Charlie. Charles was Brad's Father's first name and Patrick was my Dad's middle name, so this is a special combination for us and a way to honor them.
After a rough start to the month of February (I had the flu and was quite ill for almost two weeks)we are glad to see it coming to an end and are ready to welcome March and hopefully warmer temperatures. Anna Claire is dying to get outside and play and we could all use a little sunshine! Valentine's Day was a blast this year and Anna Claire loved all things related to "My Valem-times Day." She had a special outfit, including "sparkly shoes" donned with hearts. She really enjoyed her little gifts and making sugar cookies with me this year. Below are a few recent pics.
Today is my 31st birthday and it was a great way to celebrate by having an ultrasound and finding out that we are expecting a baby boy! Anna Claire isn't so sure about celebrating my birthday (every day should be her birthday!) and isn't convinced she is having a "brudder." She has insisted to most this week that she is having a SISTER! Hopefully the news will sink in before June. :-)
Christmas has an entirely different feel and meaning now that we have Anna Claire in our lives. The excitement and joy has returned to a holiday that has otherwise, over the years, been overcome by necessity and habit. We enjoyed every second of the season with our little one. She adored putting the decorations up and is obsessed with our Christmas tree as well as the little, pink tree that is set up in her room. She insists on having it on when she goes to bed each night. She has enjoyed all of the songs, treats and excitement that the holiday brings and just last week she helped me make "Ginger-man cookies" as she says.
Christmas morning she was shocked as she came around the corner to see what Santa had left. She loved opening gifts at home, at Grandmom's house and at Honey and Poppy's house... whether they were actually for her, was beside the point. This year she received a load of wonderful gifts including, Barbie's, a Barbie House,a Barbie car, a race track, a play dough factory, a princess tent, a stylish scarf, books and clothes... just to name a few! I think we have a lot to look forward to next year!
A picture paints a thousand words. Anna Claire simply does not like Santa! However, she did manage to ask him for a Barbie house, so she understands that he is the man that delivers the goods. Maybe 2011 will be our year with Santa?
Anna Claire is proud to report that she will become a big sister around June 28th!
On November 10th, my sweet and precious Granddaddy took his last breath. It has been a long and hard-fought battle and at this point, even through the sadness, we are all grateful that the suffering has ended. I am fortunate to have spent a lot of time with him over the years and most importantly, recently. He was the most loving, proud and supportive Grandfather and Great-Grandfather and I only wish that our future nieces, nephews and children could experience his love.
Our trip last month to Amelia Island will forever be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I am so blessed to have had a Granddady like JD Layton and I am so happy that Anna Claire was granted the opportunity to love him and feel his love.
Anna Claire had a wonderful Halloween with friends! This year she was truly amazed by the costumes (especially her own) and the act of giving and receiving candy. Holidays are so much fun! Below are a few photos from our fun dressing up and hanging out with friends. Pictured with AC are Lyla Welch and Sophia Williams.
We enjoyed a beautiful, fall afternoon together as a family at the pumpkin patch. Anna Claire was amazed by all of the pumpkins and fun things to do at the patch. It will be even more fun to return next year!
**I wrote this post nearly two weeks ago and had a hard time getting photos to upload... therefore a little delay. Unfortunately since our return, Granddaddy's health has declined sharply and we are grieving that his days on earth are numbered. I am so thankful to have taken this final journey with him to the beach so he could admire the beauty of the ocean, fish off the pier, be with family and play with Anna Claire. Those memories will be with me forever.**
I know it has been way too long, but we have been busy as usual. Thankfully we recently got away from the daily grind and made a trip south to Amelia Island, Florida with Honey, Poppy, Grandmommy and Graddaddy. What a great trip with the grandparents and great grandparents from my side! We had beautiful weather and made many special memories, especially with my sweet Granddaddy who is in the final stages of his very special life (damn cancer!) We enjoyed just being with he and my grandmother and spending time together as a family. MB, Alex and Chris were able to join us for a couple of days and it was great to have everyone together.
Anna Claire LOVED the beach. This was her second appearance on the beach; however the last trip AC was only 6 months old and wasn't really into it in the baby stage. This time around she loved the sun, sand and sea! She was fearless in the pool and in the ocean. In fact, the mighty Atlantic waves would crash upon her and she would laugh and squeal. We all had a fantastic time just watching her play. We returned home Monday and since then I have heard LOTS of stories about the beach, ocean, pool, sand castles and Grandmommy and Granddaddy! Did I mention that she is really talking up a storm? She is speaking in full sentences all of the sudden! While at the beach she grabbed my face one evening, hugged me and said "Ahhh. Don't be scared Mommy, it's just a doggy." There was no doggy in sight, but I had to laugh. Last night she told Brad after her bath "I want to go downstairs and see Mommy." We are really enjoying two so far and find that the tantrums are even less frequent than before as she learns to communicate for effectively. She was a trooper in the car (thank goodness) and loved being on vacation. She keeps telling me "Go back to my house. My beach house." I wish, darlin!
September 22, 2010
Anna Claire,
Happy birthday! I can't believe that two years have come and gone since we brought you into this world. Each day you have learned something new and found some way to insert an immeasurable amount of joy into our lives. We know that "they" say the terrible two's are the pits, but even with the occassional tantrum or act of defiance, you are a smart, sweet, funny, beautiful and amazing little gal. Lately you really love to dress up and adore anything that might be related to a "princess" way of life. You bounce, hop, run, skip and dance your way through most days. You LOVE a party and prefer to be around a group of people or your "friends." You are becoming more and more independent these days and you are really using your words. I hear, "I do it" or "Mommy, I can't do it" many times every day. But, you CAN do anything you want to do - Daddy and I will be here to help you along the way. Yesterday you told me "I don't wanna be two." I asked you what you wanted to be and you said, "three." That was quite cute, but if it is ok with you, I think we will enjoy each and every day with you. No need to hurry!
All my love,
Mommy
9-22-10
More birthday pics to follow...
Anna Claire is certainly a girly-GIRL! Lately she is obsessed with shoes, princess dresses" and just about anything shiny, fluffy or sparkly! If we are leaving the house she checks her hair for a bow and if I have forgotten it she will exclaim "bow, mommy!" Lately she has been interested in having her hair in ponytail or pigtails and even asks for "tail, mommy." I think we are in trouble! 
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