** NUDE JACKET EPISODE!!!**

I want to start off by saying, Holland is me made over. She may look like her daddy, but her little independent spirit is completely me.

Holland now has a new (and not so cute) night-time habit. When I go get her from her bed in the mornings, she is completely nude and lying in tee tee. I thought I wasn't getting in there early enough and she was retalliating by adding to my least favoite chore of all, laundry. Come to find out, she likes to sleep in the nude. Hah. So now I put her to bed and check on her before I go to bed to make sure she's dry and covered. She's usually already done her business, so she ends up lying in bed with daddy while I change the linens. One night she slept with us and woke me up at 6:15 (alarm was set for 7:30). She says, "mommy, where did kitty cat go?" We go back and forth that kitty is night night--as should we. Nonetheless, we were up and getting ready for the day early that day. After a few loads of laundry and a bath, it was finally time to go to mammaw's house. I'm running after her with her jacket saying "Holland, it's cold outside-we need to wear our jackets." She replies with "nooooooo mommy, nooooo mommy." I had to take myself out of the situation for the safety of my daughter and myself (if you have children you may know what I'm talking about). I was turing off all of the lights and getting the house ready to lock up while I'm still telling Holland to get her jacket on. She finally comes trotting into the kitchen ready to go...with her jacket on...her life jacket.

She really is my child.

A beautiful October wedding

My older brother, Eric, got married this past weekend in Ringwood, OK. It's alright, I had never heard of it either. It turned out to be a tiny little town that had nothing to offer...except this wonderful little winery right outside of town, on the main road, past the water tower. As funny as is sounds, this place really was the perfect setting for this cold October weekend. I'm a horrible mother and didn't bring my camera in, so I'm relying on the one my mother took. Holland was the ring bearer, so I had my hands full. My favorite part is when it's Holland's time to walk down the isle and instead of dropping the autumn leaves on the floor like she was supposed to, she was picking them up and putting them into her little purse. She is too darn cute. Here is a little picture of Holland and the best man, my little brother-Nathan.

Holland Audrey Hammett

I wanted to take time to just write about my love for my little miracle. Holland Audrey just turned two last month. Things stay hectic around here while I try to finish nursing school. Lately I've noticed a change in our relationship. She is by my side anytime we're together. It's taken me a little while to notice it, but she is always there. She says, "mommy, ah help you." She pulls up a chair to the counter while I'm cooking dinner to help. She's on my hip while we're doing laundry. She likes to put the detergent and the clothes into the washing machine. After she closes the lid she claps and says "good job." When she gets out of the bath she doesn't want anyone but mommy to get her jammies on and to brush her hair. I help her brush her teeth, but she likes to do it herself most of the time...wonder where she got that? Tonight as I was holding her and singing "you are my sunshine," she gives me the biggest hug and says "wub ee mommy." That translates to "I love you, Mommy." Then she takes my face and says "eyes." We do butterfly kisses with our eyelashes. Just as I thought I was filled to the top with love for my daughter, she hugs me again and gives me the sweetest kiss on the cheek. "Wub ee mommy, night-night." So she snuggles up with her little lamb pillow, pup-pup, and her blanket. Looks up at me and says, "night-night, wub ee mommy."

That was an hour and a half ago. My heart is still fluttering right now. It is incredible that I was chosen to be her mother. I am so humbled everyday.

Surprise...we're still here.

Obviously I'm not great at keep this blog updated. The good news is I only have one more semester of school!! I will graduate December 20. The bad news is...not really anything. I think all will be great after this semester.

Holland is doing great. We've been pacifier free for about a month now. I'm hoping she'll be interested in potty training next. Her mimi and pawpaw (my parents) got her a little kitchen set for her birthday. It is the neatest thing. The little burners light up when you turn it on. She loves "cooking" in her room. She surprises me everyday with the new words she's incorporating into her little vocabulary. She can name just about any color I can think of. I try to get her to count but when I start off at one she is only interested at ending with "two, three!!" She will start montessori school in January. I think she'll love it. Then next fall it will be time for DANCE!!! She's been working on her moves since she started pulling up on furniture.

Here are a few of Holland's 2 year pictures. Enjoy!

Horsie kisses

 

We went to my dad's company crawfish boil at one of his co-worker's house. They had all kinds of animals including horses and cows. Other than the crawfish, Holland's favorite this was giving the horsie kisses.

More pool time

 

I can hear her squeals of joy in this picture. I can't get over how fast she is growing up. Our little girl will be two in a month!

Trying to stay cool!

 

Uncle Brady and Ben got Holland this blow up pool for the backyard. It has been a lifesaver for this Louisiana summer. I don't ever remember it being this hot so early. She loves splashing around, especially when Scout joins her.

My first 5K

 

My father-in-law and I ran a 5K for Shelby's Wish. Yes, he beat me. I was extremely proud of myself for actually finishing it though. My time wasn't great but my goal was to finish without walking. Hopefully I'll keep getting stronger and make running a habit like I used to.

Miss Flexible!

 

She likes to show off her panties.

Easter weekend

 

We went to Ms. Cindy Hale's on Saturday before Easter. She had a jumper in her backyard for the kids. I was surprised how well Holland played with the big kids. She was upset when I made her come out to eat lunch!

 

The sound of the go-carts scare Holland. She didn't like that I was in one so she cried and cried.

 

See, here's Sarah passing me. This was only at the beginning of the race too!

Mommy can still have fun!

 

We went to our nephew's birthday party this past weekend. Sarah and I decided it would be fun to ride the go-carts. Mine was pretty wimpy though. I had it floored the whole time and people kept passing me...I think the look on my face explains how I felt about that.

Night Night...again

 

We were at Uncle Ron's house for a crawfish boil. She found his guitar case. She curled up in a ball and closed the lid saying "night night."

Hula Hula

 

She's doing a little dance and song for the camera. This is a little outfit that her Aunt Sandra brought her back from Hawaii.

Smelling the flowers

 

Holland smells the flowers and then says, "mmmm."

Wishbone

 

Holland and I split the wishbone while cooking dinner over the weekend. She won.

Night Night

 

We have a chest in the living room that holds our blankets. Holland got her teddy and lamb pillow out of her bed and crawled into the chest. I couldn't resist this picture.

Hard working lady

 

We all worked took advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend and worked in the yard.

My first tootsie pop

 

Mommy wasn't so excited about the stickiness, but she sure loved that sucker!

FOUR!!

 

She's practicing her golf swing really hard so she can play with daddy one day. Hopefully we'll find another sock by then. The one she does have on is mommy's and she put it on all by herself.

 

She's just lounging in the massager watching television.

"Cheese!"

 
Here is a great example of the head tilt.

Spaghetti Night!

Our famility LOVES spaghetti night. Not only is is quick and easy for mom, but dad and Holland love eating it. It seems as though every picture I have of Holland facing the camera, her head is tilting to the side. When she sees a camera she cocks her little head to the side and says, "cheese."

Here's our little stinker taking a bubble bath.

MELMO!!!

I've really been enjoying these couple of days of mommy and Holland time. My break is over tomorrow, and I'm just not ready to go yet. Nonetheless, Holland and I were reading a book this morning about Elmo trying to find his way back to Sesame Street. All of a sudden Holland points at Elmo and says, "Melmo!!!" It was too cute. The book also had ducks in it and Holland told me that they say, "cack, cack, cack." It seems like yesterday that I was so worried that she was not ever going to talk. I love when she proves me wrong.

View from the cabin

 

holding her first worm