All about Amelia Kate these days...
She is two years and nine months old now. She weighs 27 pounds, her head is taller than my kitchen countertops, and she wears a 4T and size 9 shoes.
She has 20 teeth. She loves to brush them with her toothbrushes and "push-paste." She unfortunately also loves to bite with them. (We are working on that nasty habit, for which Jack Jack is most grateful.)
She will eat anything. I mean...the child will eat anything and everything. However, she does have favorites: raw carrots, straw-babies (strawberries), blueberries, any and all meat, noo-laws (noodles), water-welon (watermelon), cheery snows (Cheerios), sweet tea, and muk (milk). Oh, and don't let me forget shrimp. Loooves shrimp. In fact, she told everyone at Christmastime that Santa was bringing her shrimp for Christmas. :o)
She had her first "sick" doctor appointment just before Christmas. For a mild case of swimmer's ear. Bless her heart, she just loves bathtime.
She loves for us to read books to her. That one took a while, now she begs for it. :o)
She can write the letters A, X, M, W, and O. And she can count items up to 30.
She is the perfect mix of girl and tomboy. She adores her Barbies and always wants to wear my jewelry and wants her nails polished (even though she is not allowed yet). Yet, she is always more than willing to play with the boy toys and dig her hands in the mud. And she can (and unfortunately does) take down boys twice her size.
She is all potty trained up! (Except nighttime...which she is about 75% there.)
She has an iron will. I'm talking, hardcore IRON will. But she also has a momma that's ready! ;o)
Even though she is sometimes strong-willed and oftentimes wild enough to shoot at, she is always my sweet girl. She is a great big sister (little mother) to Jack. Despite the occasional "love" bites, she is very protective of him.
Just Jack...
He is 9 months old now and weighs 22 pounds. He is wearing a size 2T in his clothes and a size 4 on his feet and a size 5 diaper on his hind end. He has actually lost 2 pounds since he has been so mobile lately.
He stood up in his crib before 6 months, which had me fearful that he would walk early. Thankfully, for me, he is still just holding onto things and walking around. He will stand up without holding onto anything. But now free steps yet. Phewww.
He has liked everything he has tried in the food department so far. I hope he is as good an eater as Amelia!
He is still breastfeeding strong! :o)
He is MINE! Our little family totally plays out the dynamic of "Daddy's girl and Momma's boy." Amelia is all about her daddy. But, honey, Jack Jack is momma's. :o) I do promise I won't raise a wussy momma's boy. I fully intend to raise this son to be an loving and thoughtful and faithful gentleman for his future wife!
Both of my babies will probably never know how much I love them. They will probably never know how much I pray for them. I want them to know Him, love Him, obey Him, and serve Him every single day of there lives. And to have that deep-down burning desire to do all that. :o) I decided a long time ago, before Amelia was even born, that I was raising my children not for this world, but for another. By that, I mean that I want to do my VERY BEST to teach them God's laws and how to follow them in this world. I very much know my children will one day need to know about the sinful ways that exist out there that way when they enter it, they know how to guard themselves from it. I don't have any intentions of "sheltering" them or "putting them in a bubble," but to teach them and expose them to things at appropriate times. I want them to serve God in many ways, especially by being compassionate and loving and "radiating peace" and just jumping at the chance to help the broken people that God will put in their paths!
What a wonderful post! I just want to "snuggle wuggle" (as we say around our house) your little Jack Jack!
Posted by: Erin | February 04, 2010 at 12:20 PM
How sweet! Jack Jack weighs almost as Amelia Kate! Wow! Thank you for updating us on the sweeties!
Posted by: Farrah | February 04, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Beautifully said Katie!
Posted by: Kristen | February 04, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Hi! Can't remember if I've ever commented before or not? But I've been reading your blog for awhile and love it! :)
I couldn't agree with you more about raising our children for another world. It's extremely overwhelming but very encouraging to know that we're not in it alone! Great job raising your babes for the Lord!! :)
Posted by: Ashley | February 04, 2010 at 01:15 PM
Could your kids be any cuter? Seriously. Amelia Kate is just beautiful. I wonder where she got her love of sweet tea? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it? And of course Jack is darling. Pete nursed for 15 months (and would still be nursing if I would let him:) Boys love their momma's.
The end of your post nearly made me weep. I love that you pray hardcore for your kids. I pray daily for my children, their spouses, their future teachers, friends, choices...everything. I so badly want above all else, Godly children. Whew.
Have a wonderful evening:) xo
Posted by: Maria Hanson | February 04, 2010 at 01:20 PM
So cute!! I love reading your blog and reminiscing!! My kiddos, Emma and Aiden, are 23 months apart and are now 5 and 3, respectively. It just brings back such great memories even though it wasn't too long ago. And they seem to have the same personalities too. Definitely Daddy's girl and Momma's boy and Emma is just the right mixture of princess and mudpie maker too. We are working on Aiden's mixture. He enjoys playing with Emma's princess stuff a little too much for Daddy's comfort! We'll get there though. He has been throwing his Spiderman at Emma's Barbies lately so maybe that is a good sign! ;) And one last thing... I can't remember if I commented about this before, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your neiman marcus bars. OMGosh!! That was my birthday cake request!! :) YUM-O!!!
Posted by: Leigh Evans | February 04, 2010 at 01:22 PM
What a sweet post. Those are some lucky children to have such a great momma!
Posted by: Teresa | February 04, 2010 at 03:24 PM
Your are to be commended for taking a stand for your principals,beliefs and desire for your children to follow suit...They have so much to be thankful for! Very cute too!
Posted by: Red Felted Heart | February 04, 2010 at 03:34 PM
This post totally made me cry! What a great Momma! I am a new reader, and LOVE your blog!
Posted by: Susan | February 04, 2010 at 03:34 PM
This post was so sweet! And this is not to say that your son isn't cute, but that picture of your daughter is STUNNING!
Posted by: Jessica | February 04, 2010 at 06:15 PM
so sweet!!
Posted by: Lindsay Markert | February 04, 2010 at 09:36 PM
What a beautiful post! Your children are absolutely adorable and just by looking at the pictures you post and how you talk about them, full of personality!
I have a feeling Anna Claire is going to be a Daddy's girl as well.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Sarah | February 05, 2010 at 04:28 AM
What a great thing to do...writing out all their current "stats". I have found that I always tell myself that I will remember all that stuff when they get older but then realize I have already forgotten some things! I am loving that Jack Jack wears the same size diapers as my AF! :) And GO AMELIA...potty trained yayyyy!!!
I absolutely loved what you wrote about training your children to know that they are not of this world. It's so true and it's something that God has been impressing on my heart (at age 30)! I've been really aware lately that this is not my true home and that certain discomforts or challenges are to remind us that we need our Heavenly Father and that someday we'll be with him in our real home.
God Bless Amelia and Jack!!!!!
Posted by: Bri | February 05, 2010 at 04:31 AM
Good post! This aunt thinks they are the blackest, also. But you forgot to put that Amelia can sing just like Ariel. HAHA! And that Jack can magically make a sticker disappear for a day and then it shows back up. BWAAHHAAAHHAAA!!! Besides those two little details, its perfect.
Posted by: Kelly Jo | February 07, 2010 at 05:38 AM
What a great post.
Posted by: Stephanie | February 12, 2010 at 08:22 AM
My youngest is Jack as well. Love the name. I couldn't agree more with your thoughts on raising your children to follow God's laws. One of my greatest prayers in life is that I show my children the blessings of following God and fearing Him. I know I fail so many times and it's so encouraging to hear/read of others endevouring to teach their children the same things. Thank you again!
Posted by: Jill | February 15, 2010 at 09:35 AM
I found your blog....somehow, and love it! I live outside of atl as well and can so relate to all of your "southern-isms" =)
your kiddos are beautiful and this post just touched my heart. my libbi jane is not much younger than your jack (she will be 8 months next week) and this just warmed my heart to know that there are other mothers out there that want to raise their babies for the Lord. God Bless you and those sweet sweet babies!
Posted by: Amy | February 18, 2010 at 01:34 PM
just found your blog the other day - can't even remember how i found it - oh yes the Nester (your faux-bricks!) just wanted to say that i am blessed to read your posts and really grateful for the way your heart is focused on the Lord. thank you for reminding me that we raise our children for another world, not this one. good perspective. i am a stay at home mama to four. i will have two in school this coming fall (1st and 1/2 day kindergarten) and two at home (almost 4 and almost 2). it will be a special time with my boys. blessings to you this day!
Posted by: esther | June 07, 2010 at 03:23 AM
I happened onto your blog by looking up the crow saying. My grandmother used to say it. I have to tell you, your children are really beautiful. Just a comment from a momma/grandma. 7 kids and 14 grandkids.
Posted by: karal | September 04, 2010 at 01:20 PM