Sibling Love

Charles has been so sweet to Frances ever since she was born...here is one picture of his love towards her.

And these are a few of my favorite things...

Okay, I'm copying my friend's blog and procrastinating on cleaning our house, but I thought I would let you in on a few (or more) of my favorite things...some of these I received over Christmas and have come to love in my daily routine and others I've used for years...also on a daily basis!

My first favorite in no particular order is my new electric toothbrush. Call me strange, but I've always been into toothbrushes. Charles' dentist hooked me on this one for Jacob and me, and we got one for Charles that has Wall-E on it. It has a timer that lets you know after each minute has past so you can make sure you have brushed for two full minutes, and it feels so good on your teeth!

My sweet sister-in-law gave me the Dirt Devil Kurv for Christmas. I have replaced my old broom and dustpan with this awesome vacuum. I sweep up everything from crumbs under Charles' chair to hair in the bathroom. Highly recommend...

Yes, this was a huge Christmas present from my dad. After researching double strollers almost daily since Frances was born, I decided on the Phil & Ted's Four In One Sport Buggy Stroller - with the doubles kit. I know it doesn't look appealing for the toddler or baby in the back seat, but Charles and Frances have both sat back there and love it. It's great for maneuvering around Charleston's skinny sidewalks and into tightly spaced stores. Even though Jacob won't admit it to loving a stroller because he thinks we have way too many, he is a fan too.

Jacob's parents gave us a few of these books the past few Christmases, and Jacob and I have come to love them. Barclay brings new insight to scripture and we have gotten so much out of each one of them. As the wise wikipedia states, "the books go verse by verse through Barclay's own translation of the New Testament, listing and examining every possible interpretation known to Barclay and providing all the background information he considered possibly relevant, all in layman's terms. The commentaries were fully updated with the help of William Barclay's son, Ronnie Barclay, in recent years and they are now known as the New Daily Study Bible series."

These Stephen Joseph backpacks are so adorable. This is the one that Charles has, and I plan on getting his name personalized on it. Tres cute!

This hummus is yummy. And Charles loves it - healthy way to get protein and I can usually get him to dip veggies in it - double whammy!

This cd was given to me by my dear friend for Charles' birthday. I love it and cannot wait to get a few more of their cd's. Charles is always singing and he loves this cd as well.

December in pictures

All 7 Townsend grandchildren - notice Charles is the only boy!

Cowboy boots

Sweet Frances at 5 months

Uncle Jim (my brother)and Frances

Uncle Jim and Charles swinging on Christmas Day

James Island Christmas Lights - notice Charles' shiner still glowing

Our little sweetie

Bathtime girl!

Here are a few pictures from December. We had such a nice Christmas...not too rushed or hectic, allowing us to focus on Advent. After returning from Pennsylvania, we had some nice times in Charleston including the most relaxing day at the beach during the 80 degree weather. Now I realize why I love it here so much. We gathered with our neighbors to drink hot chocolate and sing Christmas carols to the elderly in the neighborhood - which is an annual event with over 20 children participating - have I mentioned how much I love our neighborhood?! The week before Christmas, we went to a spectacular light show on James Island. It was great to have my mom and brother here for a while and to be able to attend our first Christmas Eve service at our new church home. We then went to Jacob's family in Augusta after a quiet New Year's to celebrate his 31st birthday.

Charles is so much fun these days. He is officially potty trained - I can't believe how well he has done with only a few accidents in the past two weeks. I never thought I'd be able to have a potty trained boy at the age of 2 years and 2 months, but I am so proud of him! Singing his ABC's and Jesus Loves Me are some of his new tricks along with counting to 10, but always omitting 4 and 7. He's major into anything with wheels - trains, plains, bulldozers. He loves, loves, loves his Baby Frances and enjoys making her laugh.

Frances is sweeter than ever. She loves laughing at Charles and watching every move he makes. She needs her beauty rest - still napping 3 - 4 times a day. She has now started going to the church nursery, so I feel she is such a big girl! I love her smiles and making her laugh. She is almost ready to sit up - she does the little tripod action. I cannot wait to see how her little personality will develop over the next year. I think she will be one little laid back cucumber!