Caroline is 3!

My first baby turned 3 in October.  What a fun celebration we had!  A pink party at the park and our favorite Jalisco's mexican dinner as a family.  

This girl is so fun.  I am loving age 3 so far - just the right mix of little girl and big girl if you know what I mean. 

She is my buddy and my helper everyday.   

A fun mix of timid/reserved and then all out spunk and personality.   

She truly has such a sweet spirit.  I see it the most in wanting to listen and obey - she is my rule follower.  Of course, she isn't perfect.  I see that sweet spirit just as much when she messes up and gets in trouble as when she follows directions perfectly or loves and shares with Annie.  It is an amazing thing to watch your child (even a 3 yr old or younger) want to do the right thing, but struggle and sometimes give into their own desires.  I am grateful the Lord gives us this picture through our kids.  I know it is what He sees us doing all the time.  It is a great way to show Caroline grace.  To correct her and love on her.  To let her know we all (especially the rule-followers) mess up.       

She loves her sister and loves to be a big sister.  At first she wanted a baby brother this go around, but nowshe wants a sister.  "Then, I will have two sisters!" she says.  We will see.  

I love seeing life through her eyes.  The innocence and simplicity is such a good and refreshing reminder.  

Her imagination constantly entertains me.  I love to peek in on her playing.  

What she loves: Monkey George (aka Curious George), spaghetti, cookies, Annie, her school and the Turtles class, any kind of tiny toy -an animal, a car, hello kitty, anything miniature really,  water and orange juice, crafts, painting, climbing, talking, The Bearenstein Bears, music/dancing, her friend, Harper, t-shirts or "comfy clothes."  

She cracks us up these days with things she says.  Mostly because she repeats phrases that adults say.

Some of my favorite quotes: 

"Let me tell you something Mommy.  This is not going to be funny."

"I am a big girl.  I am getting old."

When cooking in her kitchen for me, "You need to be very patient."

"You are so sweet to me, Mommy"  

"Boys go potty standing up, but girls go potty sitting down."

When talking to Annie:

"You are so precious, Annie"

"No ma'am, Annie"

When Annie is crying: 

"I know, Annie, I know.  We are almost home and I know you are hungry."

"Annie is getting in the cords"  Or "Annie is going up the stairs"

A couple months ago we were in the car listening to an old David Crowder song, and C said,

"God and Jesus are really sweet to me.  And God made me.  And he cares for me.  He loves us!  He loves us!"  

Some of the sweetest words I have ever heard her say.  

The things she doesn't like: loud noises (specifically the vaccum, hair dryer, or yard blower), being in trouble, blueberries and strawberries, taking risks, to be told no, Lion King and Nemo.

Caroline is kind, pleasant, flexible, and easy to be around.  

"Joy and song of happiness"  is the meaning of her name and I truly couldn't put a better description around her.  The last 3 years have been true joy for us and we cannot imagine life without her in our family.  

Happy birthday to our favorite 3 year old!  We love you!

Baby D

A few weekends ago our friends all hosted a baby shower brunch for Mark, Kristen, and Baby D at our house.  Mark and Kuz are such special friends (and family) to us.  It was a wonderful morning celebrating them and baby boy due to arrive in late August.  We CANNOT wait to meet him!  

Roaring Gap

Two weekends ago we had a really special weekend.  

We met up with my family in the mountains of NC at a place called Roaring Gap. 

Roaring Gap is a special place to us because John has been going there with his family for years and we have been together a few times.  One of those times being the 2nd part of our honeymoon. 

This time it was special because we didn't see my family over Christmas.  

Because Caroline and Annie got to meet their cousins for the first time in person and not over skype.

And because the last time John and I saw the triplets, Bates and Brooklyn were still very sick in the hosptial.   

We missed having Matt there as he is deployed with the Navy right now.  But, my new sister in law, Natalie, was able to join us.  She truly wins family member of the year!  She just jumped right in - always helping and always had a baby in her arms.  Such a trooper!  

Our days looked like this (below). Sprawled out across the the den talking, kids playing, eating, and enjoying the mountain views.

Watching Praise Baby

Natalie meets Annie

And Christian too

Caroline loved having so many little ones around and getting to be the "big girl"

I love these sweet girls!

We may not live close to each other, but I hope these kiddos will have wonderful memories together over holidays and vacations.  

Our nights were a little more peaceful.  And Annie got some solo attention when the others were in bed.  

Then, on Sunday it snowed!  Not like snow in the south with just a few flurries.  Heavy snow all day long!

It was even more beautiful to see on Monday with clear skies. 

So grateful for these three precious miracles and for our time together!  We cannot until the next trip this summer!

Reality, New Years, and a Haircut

Well, we are adjusting to our new normal around here with 2 babies.  John has been back to work this week and I am trying to get into a routine day to day with both girls.  Some days are easier than others.   Many days I just have to laugh at the end of the day.

 

My first day with both went something like this: We had two friends come to visit. 1 poop explosion all over me and Annie. 1 meltdown/time out for Caroline. Only 30 minutes all day of TV for Caroline (I honestly thought I would need it more and probably will many days - don't judge).  I didn't eat lunch until 3:15pm, but I did manage to sit and eat it alone!  30 minutes of peace and quiet was more than expected.  Oh, and I never managed to get Caroline dressed all day.  It was a pajama kind of day!

In other news, John and I actually got a date last weekend.  We spent New Years eve at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl to watch Auburn play against Virginia.  John took Caroline to fanfest during the day.  She had a blast looking for the Chick-Fil-A cow and watching the Auburn band play.

I could just eat up her cute little legs in this picture!

We had a great night with Mark and Kristen and spending a few hours away from little ones.  Oh, and Auburn won!  Thank you mom for babysitting! 

New Years Day, my friend Anne, also known as, "Annie" was in town and came to meet little Annie!

And this week, we FINALLY took Caroline to get her first real haircut.  She was in desperate need of a good trim and shaping up a bit.  And thankfully, those sweet curls in the back are still there!