Hi. We are still here in case you were wondering...

Hello! It's been FAR too long since I've posted anything here! We have had a crazy 7 months since our last post and finally feel like we're back to "normal" - whatever that really is!

Here's a brief, quick update:

In the midst of our house-building process that began the week after Christmas last year, we sold our house in April to a great couple and were able to stay there through the end of June. When it came time to pack up and move, our new house wasn't quite ready, so we loaded up a couple of Pods and had the privilege of spending five weeks with the Northcutts, our dear and precious friends that we consider mentors. (Or as Janie would rather hear, more like our older brother & sister.) They had cleared out bathrooms, bedrooms and closets and let us take over. What a blessing it was! The kids absolutely loved being there, and it was such a relief to not have to move twice. We moved in to the new house in August and while we miss our roommates, it's great to be in one place without our belongings spread all over the place! Both of our parents were wonderful and allowed us to store lots of stuff at their houses, we had stuff in Matt's warehouse at work, plus the Pods. Yes...we have way too much stuff.

The kids are doing great, growing faster than we can possibly fathom! Carter is in preschool and is doing so well. He's so smart - we are constantly amazed at the way his mind works. And boy is he funny!! He is unusually tall for his age, so when he acts like a three year old (for those of you with three year olds, you know exactly what I'm talking about) we get some funny looks. He's got the sweetest heart and is so compassionate with friends, family and especially his little sister. He's still crazy about Thomas the Train, Cars (at our house, Lightning McQueen is also known as Rusty), and sports in general, and he loves to cuddle up and read. Lately he's had quite a fondness for Pinkalicious - we didn't think much of it until a friend at church sent us a picture of him one night while we were at Bible study. He was dressed up like a fairy. Proud moment for the Moores. I look at him with amazement - how did my sweet baby boy grow up so fast to the point I can hardly carry him any more? His speaking skills are incredible - we carry on adult conversations. It truly seems like he's grown up overnight.

And then Miss Campbell. We are having a blast with her! She's really coming out of her shell and literally she's changing every single day. She has been our late bloomer; she had no desire to walk until she was 17 months old. We laugh about it now, but over the summer we had the kids in Mother's Day Out one day a week. Campbell was in the toddler class, where she was right in the middle of the kids, age-wise. After 3 weeks of MDO, they asked us to keep her home for the rest of the summer because she just wasn't ready for the toddler class. At that point she still wasn't walking, needed more than one nap a day, was hardly talking, etc. And of course there wasn't a baby class for her to go to during the summer session. So when it came time to start back in the fall, she was put in the baby class where she could go at her own pace. She did great in there, had the most amazing teachers, and really blossomed. Last week they moved her up to the Toddler class and she's loving it! Her new teacher said it really is amazing how much she has developed since July. Campbell adores Carter and it has been so fun watching them play together. She's crazy about dogs - any time she sees one she yells "Puppy! Puppy! Puppy!" and has a slew of doggie stuffed animals that she takes with her wherever she goes. I'm a bit concerned...she's developed a real liking for shoes. Ha! And she's just the opposite of Carter - she's very small for her age. We are in a constant battle with her hair - it's a mullet. But she has these sweet curls in the back that I don't have the heart to cut off. Thank goodness the top is finally starting to grow and we can somewhat hide the reality of the mullet. For parents who thought that they wanted all boys, she sure has changed our minds. We love having a daughter and a son!

Well, that really wasn't quick or brief, but hopefully it gives you a slight glimpse into our lives these days. Here is a link to my friend Amanda's blog - she took some family pictures for us recently and our pics went up today. I think she did a great job capturing us. http://eikonart.blogspot.com/.

And maybe I'll post again between now and the next six months...

Happy Birthday Campbell and Carter!

Last month (yes, I'm very late posting) we celebrated Campbell and Carter's birthdays together. I figure it won't be much longer that we can have one party for their day-apart birthdays since they're different sexes, so we made the most of it this year! We are so blessed to have so many family members and loved ones that love our kids endlessly!!
I know I'm partial, but how cute is she?!
And my oh my, what a handsome three year old Carter is!!
Our sweet baby girl right before she dug into her birthday cake. Now, every time she sees cake, she literally dives for it and will scream and point until she gets some. She definitely inherited my sweet tooth!!

Carter and Campbell, you bless our lives more than we could ever express. We are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents - we cannot possibly fathom the fact that the love we feel for each of you is just a fraction of what He feels for each of us. The way you love each other melts our hearts each and every day. Thank you for being the greatest kids we could ever ask for!!

Our Baby's Growing Up...

For months now we've avoided (or at least tried to...) the comparisons between Carter and Campbell in terms of when he did this, when she did that, etc. We know our kids are unique and exactly how God designed them to be. Carter just happened to be our early bloomer, and sweet Miss Campbell is content with not rushing things. She was nine months old before she started crawling, and now at 11 months old, she has perfected her version of army crawling and is one fast moving little gal! She has had no desire at all, in any way, shape, or form, to put weight on her legs. Until this week. And now, watch out. She wants to stand all the time! Balance is still an issue, but she's quickly improving. Last night she was at LifeKIDS while we were at LifeGroup and she pulled up for the first time...twice! She did it again today for my Mom. I still haven't seen her do it. Maybe tomorrow...

Here she is showing off her new skill:

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

This week we celebrated Matt's 31st birthday. Carter worked very hard decorating Daddy's cake - footballs and football helmets are sprinkled on the top. And he picked out the candles himself and couldn't wait to blow them out for Daddy.

Of course I wasn't successful in capturing a picture that was good of all three of them at once, so here are a couple where at least 2 of them are looking at the camera!

Matt will not be happy with me for putting this picture on here of him, but I love the way Campbell is admiring him. She lights up when she sees her Daddy. I am so thankful that my babies have a Daddy that loves them more than life itself!!

Our New Cousin, Chesney Ann

Yesterday, January 13, our first cousin, Chesney Ann was born!! What a fun day we had at the hospital...seeing Aunt Brookie and Uncle Chris as they prepared for the birth of their baby girl, playing with Gran and Papa, eating you name it...cookies, apples, gummy worms and starburst, and much more!! It was so fun!!! But the best part was seeing Miss Chesney for the first time. She is such a perfect blend of Brooke and Chris. She has his gorgeous dark hair and eyes and has her mommy's chin and lips. Carter is so very excited to have a cousin and I'm thrilled for the kids to have a buddy so close to their age to grow up with!! I didn't have my camera handy last night, but we got to see them today and I got some cute pics.

Here she is:
And here is Carter talking to her:
Reality is sinking in...my baby doesn't look much like the baby any more!!!
I have to tell a story with this last picture. Brooke was changing Chesney's clothes to get her ready for her newborn pictures. The sweet baby didn't care much for that and was crying that sweet baby cry. Carter was really bothered by her crying and wanted to help her stop, so I suggested he sing her "Jesus Loves Me". She was laying on Brooke's bed and Carter was standing at the end of it facing her. About halfway through him singing, she stopped crying and just stared at him. My precious boy was so excited that she stopped crying when he sang that he went on to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and the "ABCs". I think he's going to be as protective of Chesney as he is of his little sister. Oh how I love that boy. Here she is right after he sang to her:
Chesney Ann, your Uncle Matt, Aunt Katie and cousins Carter and Campbell love you more than anything and can't wait to get to know you better! We have so much fun ahead of us!!!!

A Christmas Picture...or documentation of sibling rivalry!

On this day, the kids were dressed and ready to go with Pops and JJ/Janer (my parents - and yes, my mom's name changes back and forth depending on the day) for the annual OPUBCO family Christmas party. While we were waiting for them to pick the kids up, I decided I would capture a shot or two of them in front of the Christmas tree. The shots I got were not quite what I had intended, but our life captured, nonetheless. I will narrarate (and think) for the kids as we go:

Me: "Carter, please scoot closer to your sister so I can get you both in the picture."
Carter: "I not want to, Mom."
Me: "Well then would you please at least put your toy down for the picture?"
Carter: "Not a day, Mom." (translation: Not today, Mom)
Campbell: Why should he get to have all the fun with the toy?? What about me?! After all, I'm the one with the giant bow on my head...
Campbell: Look, Mom!!!! I got it and I was so fast he didn't even know what hit him!
Carter: "No sister!!" You just think you've got my toy. Maybe if I smile while ripping it from your hands Mom won't get mad...

Me: BUSTED!!!
Carter: Way to go sister, now we're in trouble for fighting.
Campbell: Way to go bub, had you just shared with me from the start we wouldn't be in this predicament. She's not going to get mad at me, look how cute I am!
Carter: "Mom, sister's on me." Get off my leg you little thing!!
Me: "Carter, do not push her. I'm coming to help."
Me: "Now sit still for just a moment longer. Hey there...look at me!!"
Carter: "CHEEEEEESE" (When do they stop saying this for pictures?? And who taught him to say cheese in the first place?!)
Campbell: You want me to do what?! I think this bow is cutting off circulation to my brain...
Campbell: He's finally gone! Now I'll ham it up for you, Mom!

Edited to add: Notice all the ornaments hung in a giant cluster above Carter's head? He was such a good helper when we decorated the tree!!