Life

Family photo at the beach in Outer Banks

Visiting The Outer Banks in September

Last year when we were evacuated from the Outer Banks in early September due to Hurricane Dorian, we vowed to never visit in September again because of the high risk of hurricanes. So what did we do this year? We went to the Outer Banks in September, LOL. 

Family photo at the beach in Outer Banks

We were blessed with no hurricanes and a blissful week of rest and joy. We met my parents at their beach house in Kill Devil Hills and had such a lovely time.

The weather was definitely a mixed bag; the first few days were windy with rough surf due to remnants of a couple of hurricanes that thankfully didn’t hit the Outer Banks. The rest of the week was just right, though. Some sun, some clouds, high 70s and a calm ocean.

What we were up to all week:

  • Relaxing! Jimmy and I were in the hot tub every day, sometimes multiple times a day 🙂
  • Attending church. We visited Son Rise Church of Christ and also watched our home church’s revival via Facebook Live.
  • Playing at Dowdy Park. Sadie loved all the play structures there and so did the adults, ha!
  • Vlogging. I posted two vlogs from our trip; this one and this one!
  • Hanging out on the beach. Sadie was a little fearful of the ocean but loved playing in the sand.
  • Ordering in lots of seafood. A few of our favorite restaurants if anyone is looking are: Black Pelican, Awful Arthur’s, and Miller’s.
  • French braiding. Yes, I regularly braid six-strand challah bread, but just learned to french bread hair. 
  • Walking on Jeanette’s Pier. We saw a surfing competition the day we did this!
  • Visiting the Duck Boardwalk. Jimmy and I got Sadie her birthday gifts there (this book, this book, and this little toy) and grabbed some vegetables from a farmer’s market stand.
  • Playing mini golf. Jimmy and I went on a little mini golf date and he beat me!
  • Celebrating Sadie’s second birthday. Sadie turned the big t-w-o while we were away! We bought her a balloon at Dollar Tree and she has been playing with it ever since. 

Alright, enough typing. Here are a few photos!

Duck boardwalk in Outer BanksOuter Banks with a toddlerOuter Banks surfing competition at Jeanette's Pier in Nags Head North CarolinaGrandpa with toddlerOuter Banks fishing off of Avalon's PierDowdy Park in Outer Banks North CarolinaCouple sitting by pool in Outer BanksGirl holding cocker spanielGrandparents with toddler at beach in Outer Banks North CarolinaCute family photoOuter Banks North CarolinaMom reading to daughterDowdy Park Kill Devil Hills North Carolina in the Outer BanksThree generations of women braiding hairToddler playing with magnetic play house toySmiling husband and wifeJeanette's Pier aquarium

The Outer Banks are such a special place for us. I grew up visiting almost every summer of my childhood, Jimmy and I honeymooned there, went on a babymoon there, and now we take Sadie to visit as much as possible!

There’s just something about being near the ocean and having time to relax and not do much of anything that brings so much joy and refreshment to us. ❤

 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

Sadie at Two Years Old

We’ve got a two-year-old on our hands! Here’s what’s up with Sader Tot at age two.

Toddler eating snacks in bathing suit

Growth Sadie girl is 25 pounds (28th percentile) and 34 inches (64th percentile).

Wearing Mostly 2T clothes and size 7 shoes (her feet are big like mine, lol).

Personality Happy-go-lucky, cheerful, independent, and shy with strangers.

Toddler on Jeanette's Pier in Nags Head

Eating She nurses about four times a day and is a light eater with solids. She likes mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, chicken nuggets, yogurt, eggs with cheese, croutons, and smoothies.

Nicknames Sader Tot, Tot, and TT.

Sleeping Lately she’s been going down around 8 PM and getting up at 7 AM. She generally takes a nap after lunch for an hour or two.

Toddler at restaurant

Looks Like A mix of Jimmy and me and sometimes a bit like my brother when he was a toddler!

New Skills Sadie has been talking so much lately! It’s like language has started to click for her and she puts words together to make sentences and repeats new words we teach her. We started working on potty training and she was doing fairly well, but I think it was just too early so we are going to hold off for a little longer.

She’s great at feeding herself with utensils, goes up and down stairs well, and can wash herself in the bath. She started homeschool and has been learning colors. She knows a lot of sign language, too!

Likes School, stickers, balloons, our pets, her grandparents, wearing bathing suits, being chased, going to parks and playgrounds, reading, watching Clifford, picking out clothes to wear, putting on shoes, playing with baby dolls, puzzles, and play doh.

Mom and toddler smiling

Dislikes Getting in her carseat, being put in a stroller, having her diaper changed, being told no.

Favorite Products Reusable stickers, disposable placemats, fine-motor hedgehog, sippy cups, flashcards, arts and crafts book, hand sanitizer, potty, reusable water activity pad, and Biscuit books.

Notes She has a nasolacrimal duct obstruction which makes her eye look glassy and glazed over but doesn’t bother her otherwise. I also think she is getting her two year molars and they are a doozy, lol.

I can’t believe Sadie is two! At the same time, I can hardly remember life before Sader Tot. I’m so blessed to call her my daughter ❤

A Look Back…

Sadie’s Birth Story

Sadie at Six Months

Sadie at Ten Months

Sadie at 18 Months