Major Catch-Up (and major growing up, too!)

It's been a really long time since I have posted an update. It is definitely harder to get around to these types of things with two kids. But, I do cherish looking back at the thoughts and memories, and hope Luke and Evelyn will as well someday, so I carry on (even if that means they are big-ole-get-caught-up posts like this one!). 

In the past two months, it seems like everyone has done some significant growing up (which is maybe part of why I'm too busy to write blog posts!).

Little Miss E is busy and on-the-move! She began taking steps last week, is feeding herself almost all of her meals, loves to explore (and get into things she should not!), and has begun communicating through some sign language. At her last doctor's appointment, she weighed close to 19 pounds and was in the 96th percentile for height!! She is already fitting into 18 month clothing and is starting to look less and less like my little baby and more like a toddler. (How in the world did this happen so quickly??). Last year at this time, we were still eagerly awaiting a match with a baby, and it is hard to fathom that our sweet Evie girl was not even part of our family yet.

Someone else seems to be maturing much quicker than his mommy is ready for, too! Luke no longer eats kids' meals when we go out to eat. He has a big appetite for both food and life! His first grade year has been a great one, and he continues to learn a lot academically, but we have seen the most growth in his social/emotional maturity. He is still our sensitive boy, but is able to control his emotions a bit more when things don't go his way or are difficult for him, and most often finds a way to talk through how he feels or calm himself down! He's been spending a lot of one-on-one time with his daddy, and enjoys doing grown-up boy stuff with him. He takes a lot of responsibility to care for his sister and is fantastic at it, and he is a little reading machine, plowing through an entire chapter book in a day or less!

And, one more "kid" got a little bit older recently. We were able to get out and celebrate Nate's birthday in October and had some friends over for an apple crisp treat. 

It is so fun to watch everyone grow, but goodness...this mama heart sometimes wants to just freeze them right where they are!!