Annie is 1!

On 12.12.12 our little Annie girl turned ONE.  So hard to believe.

At 1 year she weighed 19 lbs 11oz.  

Somewhere between 12 and 13 months, we stopped formula and switched to whole milk.

Figured out she prefers sippy cups with a straw, so this week we have dropped the bottles and just use our sippy cups with straws.  

Foods she dislikes are scrambled eggs, avocado, and potatoes.  Seems to like everything else.  

Right now we are starting to drop our morning nap.  Some days she takes one and some days she doesn't - really just depends on our day.  Seems to work well for her though.    

Her favorite word right now is "whoa!"

She can also say mama, dadeee

She is very good at shaking her head for no when you ask a question and she thinks it is hilarious.

And my favorite is when she says, "eeesse" for cheese when I get out my phone for a picture.

On her actual birthday, we met Daddy for lunch and cupcakes. 

We really celebrated on December 2 though.  Annie's baby dedication was that morning at our church. So, afterwards we had family over for a small birthday and dedication celebration. 

Annie, you bring so much fun to our lives everyday. 

You are cute, charming, and mischievous.

When I tell you "no" you look right up at me with a big grin and it is hard to get frustrated at that look. 

You have always been laid back, chill, and easy going.  

You know how to raise your voice when you want to be heard though. 

Right now you seem pretty fearless and love to get into anything you can get your hands on.

You still do not have much interest in walking.  You will stand for a while on your own and then hit the floor and take off.  I think your little feet cannot keep up with how fast you want to go, so crawling seems better.  I think you will run before you walk.  

Although you are going through a stage of not liking to be dropped off in a nursery, you are super friendly.   You love to smile and wave at people.  You love to crawl up to new people in your music class every week.  

You love to clap your hands, play peek a boo, and shake your booty when you hear music.  

You love your Mimi and your Grandma

We are so thankful for this first year of your life.  You are sweet, patient, and very content.  I have loved having you as my "baby," but look forward to seeing you become a big sister and toddler this year too.  We love you to pieces Annie girl and cannot imagine life without you!  

Happy 1st Birthday!

2012

I will go back to Christmas and Annie's first birthday next, but first some highlights of 2012.  

In 2012, we adjusted to life with 2 kids and enjoyed making memories as a family of 4.  

February

Caroline and Annie were able to meet their cousins for the first time. 

Also, the first time Christian, Linsey and Natalie met Annie.  

Caroline 2 years 

Triplets 10 months

Annie 2 months

April

Brooklyn, Bates, and Gracie turned 1 on April 1, 2012.

Their first year of life was an amazing journey and we are so grateful for all three of these blessings. 

We loved being able to join them in Virginia to celebrate their first year.  

July

It might be silly to put a concert on this list, but going to concerts is something John and I have always loved doing together.  Seeing Coldplay in July was a highlight.  It was our 3rd show and they get better and better.  A must see.     

August 

Matt returned home from his 8.5 month deployment with the Navy.  

Thanks to my sister in law's flight benefits, I was able to make the quick 24 hour trip to Norfolk and see his ship come home.  It was truly an amazing experience.   

August

February 2012 was our 5 yr anniversary and we celebrated in August by taking a trip to Antigua.  It was a heavenly 5 days away and one of our most memorable trips.  

September 

Caroline started preschool 

September 

We found out we were expecting baby #3.  

We really shocked Daddy one evening after work with the news!

October

Caroline turned 3

December 

Annie turned 1

We are so grateful for these girls and another year of life with them.  

We absolutely love being their parents! 

We look forward to what God has in store for 2013. 

Happy New Year!

Roaring Gap Weekend

For some reason, pregnancy and blogging do not go well together for me.  I cannot get my act together to blog while pregnant, but I don't want to forget all the fun memories we are making right now either.

So, in an effort to catch up, I bring you a post from over 2 months ago. 

In mid-November, mom drove over from Bham and we all hit the road to meet up with Christian, Linsey, and the triplets.  We went back to Roaring Gap, NC.  Same place we met up last February when we got snowed in.  This is a place John grew up going with his family.  It also just happens to be exactly half way from Atlanta and Virginia (where C and L live).  

It is perfect spot to meet up and getaway!   

The weekend was quite busy with five mobile little ones all over the place.

It was still a great fall weekend and the weather was just right so we could be outside and play too.  

One of John's cousins has a farm down the road.  She had us over one afternoon to let the kids feed the animals.  All was going great until the carrot in C's hand dropped to the ground.  The donkey didn't know it and took a bite/nibble of her little finger.  It was bit frightening to look down and see your child's finger stuck in a donkey's mouth.  Thankfully it wasn't too bad.  John pulled it out quickly and after some bandaids, tears and candy,  she was good to go.  

It is actually a hilarious story now and Caroline is not scarred at all.  She loves to tell the story of "Apple Butter," the donkey who bit her finger. 

Thank God for tetanus shots too!   

Caroline was too busy playing and not in the mood for pictures.

The kids all love playing together!

We couldn't do these trips without Mimi!

We hope Matt and Natalie will be able to join us next fall!

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!