I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.T.

I((I may or may not have had to look up the spelling of this word! Ha!))

My sweet girl is going to be 20 months old soon. I've stopped doing monthly updates, but I feel like she has changed so much lately! The biggest change... She wants to do everything herself... Including:

- she doesn't want help eating. She makes the most awful mess eating yogurt I almost can't stand it. She has more on her face than in her belly. But she will FREAK out on you if you try and help

- she is starting to protest what she wears. She wore rain boots every day this week. 

- she's obsessed with shoes in general. She wakes up in the morning asking for shoes and sleeps in them a lot of nights

- she also prefers to be naked. Like... Usually wakes up from nap time totally in the nude. Diaper included. Sometimes that is very bad depending on the contents. Sometimes I have to change the sheet. You get the picture...

- she loves to sing and dance. Her favorites are "Let it Go" and "the wheels on the Bus." She dances on cue and it's hilarious

- she's very loveable. She gives

Hugs and kisses pretty freely and loves to  get attention while at restarants and stores

- she can count two

- if you ask her how old she is, she will say "one!" And hold up one finger on each hand

- she talks really well. If I had to guess I bet she knows over a hundred words. She said her first "real" sentence a couple of weeks ago... She asked, "Poppa, where are you?" She knows a lot of animals and their sounds. 

-she's really into Gus. He's the third thing she asks for each morning... After her daddy and shoes. :) she calls him and pats her legs while saying "c'mere" 

- she also has a little bit of sass. She knows how to push our buttons and knows when she is misbehaving. She is so sneaky... I turn my back for a second and she's standing in the kitchen chair it has Opened the back door and is in the back yard! 

I would describe this age as more challenging than the others, but even more fun too. I find myself praying for grace and patience more as well as an extra dose of energy! She really is SO fun and I'm amazed and how much she is growing and learning. I also can't understand how my love for her grows each day. It's amazing!

18 months

I have a one and a half year old! 

-Caroline is wearing 12-18 month clothes. 

-I think she weighs around 25 pounds. (Total guess.)

-she repeats almost anything we say.

-she knows her whole family (grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunt) and calls them by name

- she is a great eater. She still doesn't drink milk, but loves yogurt, cheese, blueberries, mango, peas, corn, sweet potatoes, and peanut butter. She does not like avocado

- she loves Gus and is currently obsessed with walking him around the house on his leash

(Notice C in the background... She was so mad Gus was just laying down!)

-she loves being outside and riding in her wagon

- she says "amen" after praying

- her favorite book is "chicka chicka boom boom" and we read it at least twice a day

-she says please, thank you, sorry, I love you, and of course..." No."

- I love dressing her up like a little doll. She loves clothes and shoes but has started fighting the bows

-she finally has stopped crying when we drop her off in the church nursery

- little miss is really starting to have an opinion on things and is becoming more independent. She loves to run away from us. If we play outside in the front yard, she immediately starts running down the sidewalk. She also likes to feed herself. She dropped down to one nap about 2 months ago and sleeps from 12:30-4

Most days.

-my favorite thing... How you say "momma?" It's so sweet and southern and always in question form. I always answer "yes, baby?" 

Caroline,

You are the love of our lives! You are so much fun even on the "hard days." I love your independent spirit and my prayer is that God uses that to do His work. You love your grandparents and cousins and want nothing to do with us when they are around. You bring us such joy and I've been taught so much about Christ's love through being your mom. 

Love,

Momma

15 months * 12 month stats * MORE SNOW

Caroline is 15 months. Never mind that she will be SIXTEEN months in a little over a week. She is 15 months TODAY!  She is up to all kinds of things... its really amazing how quickly she learns. She is really talking well and says "thank-you," night-night," "NO," "please," "hello,""no," "go outside," and "NO"  Can you tell which word is her favorite?? It actually hasn't been as bad lately, but it never fails that we will be in public and she will shout "No NO!" to perfect strangers.


And because I didn't share her 12 months stats (oops...) here they are so my mommy brain can look back on them one day... I realize this was 4 months ago... but you know... its just been a hectic few weeks/months/year ha!

Weight- 18lbs (10%)
Height- 2 feet (45%)
head- 17.60 inches (35%)

Just yesterday, she started telling us when she was tired.  She kept saying "night night" over and over again until I finally put her to sleep. It was before her normal bedtime last night and nap time today... but sure enough, she went straight to sleep!  She doesn't usually cry or anything when we put her down, but she doesn't always go right to sleep either, and this time she did! Sweet girl was tired!

In other news, it has snowed A LOT.  So far, schools have been out for 12 days. TWELVE!! Many of those days my sitter hasn't been able to make it so its just me and C.  There are benefits to working from home, but if there were a negative... it means no snow days for me! I've had to work from home while also corralling a one year old.  Luckily, C naps for 4-5 hours a day (usually) so I actually get quite a bit done during those times.  I'm fortunate to work for a company that understands and doesn't give me too hard of a time.  Most people are complaining about the roads and snow but I secretly love it! I love being snowed in and being forced to cook, read, rest, and watch the snow. I think it's God's way of telling us to "slow down" and "be still."  A perk to living in Arkansas is that just as soon as you are sick of one season, it rolls over to the next. Spring will be here before we know it!

{Daddy had to work at home one afternoon because of the weather... needless to stay hes gone into the office ever since because he says he cant get anything done with us here! Rude!}

{ONE}

Who knew that my heart could grow so much in a year? It was already bursting at the seams when we found out we were pregnant on Valentines Day in 2012.

Then it swelled even more when we found out our babe was a girl in April.  

October 16, 2012 was the happiest day of our lives when we welcomed sweet Caroline Reese into our family. 

The last 12 months have been SO fun.  I can hardly get enough smiles, laughs, new milestones, cute outfits, and kisses.  It still amazes me how much growth and learning takes place in a year.  Our tiny newborn is now a petite ONE year old. She is full of personality and FUN. She is sweet and smart. I love her more every day.

We have had a lot of excitement over the last few weeks... our girl's first birthday party, first birthday, Halloween, moving, Thanksgiving, and in just a few days- Christmas.  We've jumped on a couple of planes in there too- one with just the husband to Vegas, and just this past weekend as a family to Austin,TX. Caroline has a mouth full of teeth, is learning new words daily, and just took her first steps this week {as an "almost" 14 month old.} I have much to catch up on, but I wanted to start with highlighting my girl's first year. She brings us so much joy and I thank God for her daily.

In Case You Were Wondering... A Steam Vac Review

It takes a one year old less than 3 minutes to squeeze out an entire tube of makeup foundation all over the carpet. It takes about 5 hours to clean up said mess- just in case you wondering.

I happen to know, because this is what happened at my house this week.  In the mornings, I often times will put C in my bedroom/bathroom while I get ready. I have usually showered by this point, but this particular morning I had not and decided she would be fine for a few minutes... I can see her from the shower... how much damage could she do? RIGHT?!?!?!

I get out to notice my foundation smeared all over C's clothes.  I then notice its in the bedroom. I didn't panic too bad... it was my fault for leaving her unattended and I didn't think it would be that hard to wipe up.  I scoop up C and strip her down and head to her room for morning nap (it was time anyway) and notice makeup ALL down the hallway You see, little miss had the tube in hand and crawled all over the bedroom and hallway. Every time she put that hand down, it squeezed out onto the carpet. This was a brand new full tube of waterproof foundation. Excellent.

I started to panic when my trusty Spot Shot carpet cleaner wasn't cutting it. This stuff gets up EVERYTHING. I immediately got C up and ready and decided to head to the sitter early (I usually let her nap first and then take her over after.)  I was going to rent a carpet shampooer from the store, but it was the same price to buy a steam vac. {P.S... I had to show the house to a potential renter at 1:00!! Less than 5 hours after the "incident!"}

I got the thing home and got to work putting it together. I decided on the Hoover Steam Vac. I got it at Walmart on sale.  It was not the most expensive, but not the cheapest model they had. Normally, I would have ordered something like this off of Amazon and read hundreds of reviews, but time was not on my side, people!  The unit was easy to put together... I'd say It took me 10 minutes to assemble and 3 minutes to mix the solution and I was ready.

At first... disappointment. The vac didn't touch the spots. I went ahead and went over the areas and emptied the dirty water container.  And then... excitement... at the GRIME that was collected. Lots of dirt, yall!

It was gross, but I love a good cleaning so it made me a little happy. Especially since we just bought a new place (more on that soon) and I was going to pay to have the carpets cleaned... I think at this point I'll do it with my new vac.  So... there were STILL spots and I STILL had to show the house.... panic started to set in! I was convinced I was going to have to hire someone or worse- replace the carpet! Then, I decided to do a good ole' vinegar/water solution instead of the included shampoo.  It got a little better... but still spots! And then... I got out trusty Spot Shot... sprayed... then sucked up with the hand tool. Voila! Like magic, the spots. were. gone. I was happy! I was thrilled! I may have kissed the vacuum!  I probably spent an hour total on the carpet, then another 30 minutes once I realized the Spot Shot was working. (There were a LOT of spots.) Finally, just in time for the potential renter to look at the house... except they didn't show. Grrrrr.

Here are some after shots:

This isn't how I pictured my morning, but I was thankful the crisis was averted! I'm sure this is the first of many shenanigans for Caroline. 

{This is not a paid review and 100% my opinion of this product.}

TEN Months

Little Miss is TEN months old.

 

Monthly pictures are getting more difficult. Caroline took off this sticker about ten times before I finally got a shot with it on.  She prefers to eat it than to wear it. :)

 

~ We are finally crawling! She started army crawling on Aug 4th and really got the hang of it by the next day. She hasn't stopped since and life is very different now.

~ the week before crawling, she got two teeth just a couple of days apart. She really didn't seem too affected.

~ Caroline fed her self for the first time last weekend. She had spaghetti and peaches.

~ Still wearing size 2 diapers

~ Still eating 7 ounces a day, 5 times a day with 3 meals

~ She gives kisses, high fives, waves bye bye, claps, and loves to scream.

~ She chews on her crib, plays in Gus's water bowl, and gets into everything. She is very mischievous. She has starting hearing the word "no"

~ She goes to most people without fussing, but she really loves her grand parents and Becca, her nanny

~ She takes 2 naps a day- 9 am for 1 hour and 1:30 for 2-3 hours. She sleeps from 8:00 pm to 7:30 am. Girl likes her sleep!

~ The spit up has all but quit! I finally feel like I can pack away the burp cloths and bibs!

~ C continues to be one of the happiest babies. She brings us such joy!

 

A Crawling Tutorial

Brother Gus has been trying to help sister learn to crawl.

 

NINE Months of Cuteness

You are nine months old!

 

You are full of life and smile all the time.

You have beautiful blue eyes just like your dad. I think you are starting to look more and more like him.

~ You do not have any teeth

~ you are not crawling, but instead roll to get where you are going

~ You are down to 2 naps a day... a morning nap at 9 am for 1 hour and afternoon nap at 1:30 for at least 2 hours

~you eat 7 ounces and take 5 bottles a day. We feed you pureed food 3 times a day.

~You have started drinking out of a sippee cup

~ you sleep all night usually for 11 hours.

~ You still do not like to be rocked at night, and instead like to just be laid down in your crib.  Your dad and I often will got get you up out of bed after you're asleep to rock you. Its about the only time you are still.

~You wave bye bye

~ you give hi fives, kisses, and clap when we say "yay"

~ you say "mama" and "dada"  You started saying "mama" first, the day after you turned 8 months old

~ you blow raspberries, click your tongue, and smack your lips

~ you spit up less and less each month, but still seem to have to change clothes (as do I) about 3 times a day

~ I can hardly believe you've been with us for 9 months! I just scheduled your 1 year pictures which is nearly impossible to fathom

~ you LOVE your grandparents.  You are especially attached to your Cece right now. When she is around, you want nothing to do with anyone else... including me!

~Last week, you started going to your friend Carson's house three days a week.  Kaitlyn has been keeping you this summer and keeps you and Carson over there on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  It's been great because I get a lot of work done on those days without having to leave the house.

~I say it every month, but you are SO happy. I feel so blessed to be the mom of such a happy, easy baby!

 

Happy 9 months, baby girl!

8 months old

I'm a few days late, but you're 8 months old and I fall more in love with you every day! You are sweet, fun, and seriously the best baby. We are clearly paying for your daddy's raising and not mine. :)

~ you are very petite. You are wearing mostly 6 month things, but have a few 3 month dresses you can wear. You still wear newborn shoes and some size 1. I didn't really realize how little you were until we've been around some similar aged babies lately.
~ You eat a 6 oz bottle 5 times a day and pureed food 2 times a day.  Your favorite foods are sweet potatoes and bananas but you'll pretty much eat anything. You still spit up, but it has improved. We change your clothes (and ours, ha!) 3 times a day on average.
~ you sleep from 8:30 pm to 7:30 am. You sleep all night. It. is. awesome. You are still pretty scheduled.
~ you wear size 2 diapers, though I bought a few cloth diapers this week and we're giving them a try
~ you have beautiful blue eyes, just like your dad. People are saying you're starting to look more like him though most people say you look like me.
~ you smile a lot and your new tricks include waving, saying "mama" (usually when you are mad,) and clapping. 
~ you are not crawling and still have no teeth. 
~ you and I took a trip with Cece this month to California.  You have now been to the east and west coasts.
~ You bring us such joy.

Seven Months

Sweet Caroline is SEVEN months old! I just keep thinking that every month, every milestone is the best and that she cant possibly get any more fun! She is the sweetest thing and it amazes me how I really do love her more every day.

 

.

~ you are very happy. You still only get fussy when you are tired

~you eat 25 oz of formula a day and 2 sittings of baby food (usually breakfast and dinner with a snack at lunch)

~ you take 3 naps a day. 9 am (1 hour), 1:00 (3 hours) and 6 pm (30 mins)

~ mommy went on her first work trip last week.  I was away from you for 3 days/2 nights and I couldn't wait to get home to you! Luckily with my new job I've been able to be home with you every day

~ You have really started babbling and have said "mama" "dada" and "baba" a couple of times after we say it, but nothing on your own

~ you sit up really well and it wont be long before you are crawling (probably sooner if I wouldn't carry you around all the time.)

 

~ you love to blow raspberries

~ you are not afraid of people and will go to anyone

~ You started going to the nursery at 5 months, but went to your first FNO this past Friday night. You did fine until the last 30 minutes and then apparently you had a meltdown.

~You are wearing 6 month clothes and can still wear a few 0-3 dresses. Almost all of your shoes are newborn.

~ We're so thankful for you. You truly bring us so much JOY!

half

My baby is 1/2 year old.  I know I say it each month, but its hard to believe.  I'm amazed about how fast time is flying by, which is why I took two weeks off from work to soak her up! (More on that later.)  She's just went for her 6 month check up on Tuesday, but she will be seven months old next week!  The pictures are from her actual 6 month birthday, though. :)

What you have been up to...
~ you starting sitting up unassisted on your 6 month birthday. You think you are pretty big stuff now.
~ You have really started babbling and most recently laughing. It's my favorite sound in the world!
~ You reach for things... especially your bottle.
~ You LOVE to eat.  You eat five 6 oz bottles a day and have 1 serving of pureed baby food.  Your favorites are sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, and pears.  Avocado is the only thing you really dislike.  Mommy is making all of your food and having a really fun time with it.
~ You still spit up after almost every bottle.
~ You are SUCH a happy baby. You only get fussy when you are tired.
~ You love being outside and watching Baby Einstein.
~You don't really cuddle. At night time when you are sleepy you like to be laid in your crib to go to sleep. This is great, but sometimes I just want to rock you and you wont have it.
~ You weigh 14 lbs and 25 inches long.  You are 10% for weight and 20% for height
~ You have basically stopped rolling over. I guess you have moved on to bigger and better things!

Each milestone you hit, I think "I just want to freeze time because it can't possibly get any better"... but it does! I love you more each day and I will always remember these days we've had together just you and I. 

5 Months

Yesterday we celebrated my baby's 5 month birthday!  It was the first beautiful Spring day and we spent lots of time outside working on the yard and then with a trip to Target. :)

We of course continued to take our monthly pictures and Caroline's little personality continues to come out!

- you had baby food (green beans) for the first time last week. Mommy made it herself and you LOVED it! You have also eaten sweet potatoes and apple sauce and loved it! 

- you have really found your voice and have started really babbling and even doing this screeching thing. 

- You still spit up, but it doesn't seem to be as bad since you started eating some solids

- You went to the nursery for the first time today. You did great, of course.

- You are so much fun and you are really getting a personality.  We love coming home to you each day and playing with you until we put you to bed at night.  You are so content and you don't cry unless you are tired. 

- We love you SO much.  Sometimes I honestly don't know how I will love you any more.  You bring us SUCH JOY!

4 Months

My sweet princess has lit up my life for FOUR months! She learned a whole host of new tricks this month including rolling over.  We went for her four month check up and everything was great.  

 

- you sleep from 8:30 pm to 7 am

- you wear 3-6 months clothes

- you smile, laugh and kick all the time

- you are happiest in the morning and right before bed, but you really only cry when you are tired

- you are not a great day time napper, but you sleep all night!

- you weighed 13 lbs 27 oz at your 4.5 month check up and were 25 inches long

- you were 50% for height and 30% for weight

- you turn your head when you hear us

- you starting eating rice cereal this month

- you continue to be our pure joy! We love you so much!

Look Who is 3 Months Old!

 

 You're the cutest thing I've ever seen.

You LOVE to smile and your little personality is starting to come out.

You love your "bunny blanket" and can't sleep with out it. You will sleep from 8 pm- 6 am each night. You play in your crib at night by yourself before you go to sleep.  You cry for us to come get you in the morning because you are ready to play.  

Mommy went back to work last week and you are doing great with your sitters during the day.

You are cooing and making a noise that sounds like E.T.  It's my favorite sound in the world.

You are an easy and HAPPY baby! You bring us more joy than we could have ever imagined.

You spit up EVERY time you eat.  You don't cry and are gaining weight just fine so the doctor said not too worry.  

You are still wearing 0-3 months clothes but will soon be too long.  This is your daily schedule:

 

 

6:00-6:30- you wake up on your own and I come get you and we play in bed with daddy

7:00- 5 ounce bottle

8:00- sitter comes and you play while mom and dad go to work

8:30- nap

10:00- 5 oz bottle/ play

11:30- nap

1:00- 5 ounce bottle/play

1:30- big nap

4:30 or 5:00- 5 oz bottle/ play

6:30- cat nap

7:00 5 oz bottle/get ready for bed

8:00- bed

 

Thanks for making these the best 3 months of our lives, Caroline!