Celebrating Fat Tuesday

Andy and his Daddy went to see Friday the 13th. So Caroline and I decided to join Tomi Jean and her family for family night at the Club. Caroline was on her best behavior! Even though we were pushing her bedtime, she smiled and enjoyed the company. She loves for Jack and Grace to talk to her. Her little face lights up and she laughs, laughs, laughs!!!! Everybody got some loving. Uncle Greg had some beads and Caroline wanted to put them in her mouth of course. So Uncle Greg decided to put them on Caroline. She loved them!


Since Andy wasn't with me, I needed some "extra" help taking care of Caroline. Grace makes the perfect babysitter. She played with Caroline and entertained her while I fixed my plate and also while I ate my meal. (Which was super yummy... a great salad bar, steak soft tacos and key lime pie!)


It was a great night. Thanks Tomi Jean for asking us to join ya'll! We had a wonderful time!

24 weeks

We have had a very interesting week. We have learned a lot about parenthood and all the decisions that come along with it. It has made us realize what a sweet, happy baby we have. When Caroline isn't sick, she sleeps from 6:30pm until 6:30 am, only waking for a paci. She rarely fusses or cries. We have settled into our "new routine" and take forgranted her goodness. We feel very blessed that this is the first sickness (other than RSV) that Caroline has had. (Side note... this ear infection was harder on her than RSV.)

We think we are on the mend. Sunday night was great. She went down around 7 and slept until 4. While 4 am is not a happy time, it's much better than being up all night. Friday night, shortly after I finisehd the last post, we decided it was time to get some sleep. I put Caroline on my chest and turned the lights off. We got settled in and she looks up at me with those big glue eyes and started jabbering... I tried not to laugh but she kept on. She put her hands on my face and kept jabbering, almost like wake up Mommy, I am not tired. (Sage, I didn't make eye contact.)

We are looking forward to a great week and hoping that our baby girl is over her first ear infection!

12:34 am

So Caroline and I have been awake for the last 3 hours. She doesn't know what she wants and her parents don't have a clue either!!! Andy has been up with us most of the time but after two and a half hours we decided that someone needed to get some sleep. We have rocked, we have walked, we have sang, we have played, we have sat on the couch, you name it we have tried it. Nothing... At one point tonight we even tried putting her in the bed with us which is something we NEVER do. With the two of us, plus Caroline and Lucy, we had a bed full. Our queen bed is not meant for 4 people/pets... So now she is sitting in her bumbo playing with her flower chime garden toy. I am hoping that sometime really soon I will get to go back to sleep...maybe...

Our first ear infection

Caroline has been a little under the weather the last few days. She has had a runny nose and a low grade fever. This afternoon when Andy picked her up, Mrs. Susan said that her fever had spiked and was 101.5. YIKES! We tried her pediatrician's office, couldn't get anyone to answer, so Andy decided to go by. To our surprise, they said that they could see us right away. We waited for about 20 minutes and were called back. A short time later, Dr. E came in and checked her out. One look at her right ear and the verdict was in... an ear infection. So have we an antibiotic and some ear drops. Tonight while we were trying to give her the meds, she cried and cried. It was pitiful! I felt so sorry for her... But we also feel extremely blessed that it is minor and that hopefully we are on the road to recovery. We put her down for the night a few minutes ago and will see how the night goes.

23 weeks...birthday parties, Valentines and family

We have had a pretty busy week! Mom, Aunt Lill and Uncle Ed came in Friday night. Aunt Lill and Uncle Ed were on their way to visit family for my cousin Lila's Christening. We enjoyed Friday evening and Saturday morning with them. This was Caroline's first time meeting Uncle Ed and it was love at first sight! Caroline thought he was pretty funny fellow and gave him big smiles. She took her Saturday morning nap in his arms. All was well with the world.

"I love this man...Thanks for my beautiful furniture! Mommy says I need to be extra nice to you..."

cozy as can be...

Look how long she is getting to be!

Giving Aunt Lill some good love!

Mom and Aunt Lill

Caroline's good friend Griffin turned 2 this past weekend. We were invited to his Pancakes and pajama birthday party. What a great idea. Griffin made some awesome pancakes and gave us a batch to bring home to make for ourselves. They were YUMMY!

Caroline and her future boyfriend Tyler... Boy do they move in quickly these days!!

Caroline enjoying some time with Mrs. Angie. Who knows, might be here future mother in law!

Caroline and Tyler having a serious conversation before they were interrupted.

Caroline having lots of fun with Granny and the flower chime garden.

Caroline got her first taste of baby food. We started with peas and she did pretty well. There were some interesting faces at first but they got better. It's still pretty early in the process so hopefully next week will we have more to update on.

Introducing baby food

We introduced Caroline to cereal last month. She has done so well with eating and truly enjoys her food. It's now time to start with baby food. There sure aren't a lot of choices for stage 1. Does anyone know the difference between stage 1 and stage 2? Also, how do you adjust her bottle and cereal amounts? She gets a 8 oz bottle with 2 tablespoons of cereal at 7am and 12pm. She gets a 5 oz bottle with 2 tablespoons of cereal at 4pm. (two separate things, cereal with spoon, formula in bottle.) Then after her bath and before bed she gets an 8 ounce bottle with 1 tablespoon of formula mixed together in the bottle. This works really well for her. I am curious as to how I introduce baby food. I mixed some peas with her cereal yesterday (one dish) and she did really well. This morning I gave her peas again and she was not excited. So do I give her cereal for breakfast without baby food until she starts veggies? Lord knows I had not idea introducing baby food would take this much thought. Maybe I am making too much out of it...

All this said to say I would love some ideas, thoughts, tricks, advice, etc. Anything would be appreciated~Rita

My first Valentines gift from Caroline...

So you know you have crossed over to Mommyhood when you receive a gift like I did this Valentines and COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!!!! Several years ago my parents bought me a bike. I have enjoyed riding it but it kicked my butt! Last year while riding on the rail trail we discovered that my back brakes were stuck which made my ride so bad. I have wanted to get the brakes fixed but have been a little occupied the last few months. So Andy took my bike on Monday, without me knowing, and got it serviced. When Caroline and I got home this afternoon my first Valentines gift from Caroline was waiting for me on the front lawn. It's a trailer to go behind my bike.

I am so excited because now the whole family can go for a bike ride! After Caroline's afternoon meal, we decided we should try it out. Guess what... we both loved it. I look forward to lot's of afternoon rides together and I am looking forward to some great exercise. Thanks Daddy and Caroline!

My favorite Valentines gift!!!

Enjoying our first ride together...

Caroline LOVED it!

22 weeks!

Yesterday was Caroline's 5 month birthday! I am completely amazed at how quickly time is flying by. Caroline is growing so quickly and every day it seems like she is doing something new. She is trying to pull herself up when we change her diapers. When she plays on her play mat now, she reaches for and pull the objects hanging over her. This weekend she LOVED playing with a flower chime garden toy. She had to push the flowers in order for them to "sing."

She has the sweetest smile and laugh ever. It just melts my heart. This past weekend while away, I got up with her on Sunday. It was still dark outside so I put her in the bed with me in hopes to allow everyone else a little extra sleep time. She curled up beside me and just cooed. She put her little hand on my face and just rubbed it. I loved every minute of it.

Last week was pretty crazy. My mom was in the hospital and we were staying at Andy's aunts house. Then we left to go to the beach for the weekend. Baby girl lived in her car seat and pack n play. She adjusted so well to both places. I was so proud of her. Lucky for us, she slept the entire trip both coming and going. It was great!

We have spent a lot of time outside this weekend. The weather has been great! Caroline enjoys strolling and we are so thankful that it's getting warmer outside. The longer days are also helping.

Caroline's hair is getting longer and thicker ON TOP ONLY. It almost looks like a wig. It's curly, thick and long on top and straight, thin and flat on the back. It's long enough now to get tangles...

Motherhood is getting easier for the moment. Caroline is at a great age. Who knows what the week holds in store?

This is what I found yesterday morning when I went to get Caroline. She has become very attached to her lovey. If it's anywhere near her, she is asleep in minutes. She loves to put it over her face which scares the beegeebees out of me.

Caroline and I made cookies for her friends. She actually helped me decorate them. She wanted to be held so... I held her while I decorated them. Cookie decorating is a little harder than I thought.

An Island getaway with our friends

This weekend Andy, Caroline and I headed out of town for a weekend with our friends Chris, Dargan and Clara. We had a great time. The weather was just perfect! It was sunny and about 65 on Saturday. We went to the Tanger Outlets early and then took a nice stroll for lunch. The place we were staying had a great trail across the street. We put the girls in their stroller and walked about a half a mile to a little shopping center for lunch. The fresh air was great! I so wished we lived somewhere that had trails close by. I would love to be able to walk to the grocery store or to the park. We took Caroline to the beach for the first time. I think she loved it. At least we hope she did!!!

Saturday night was pretty laid back. Caroline went down around 6:3o and the rest of us went out about 9. I guess all the relaxing makes you tired. We got up this morning, packed and stopped by Panera Bread for breakfast. We had Cinnamon Crunch bagels with cream cheese that we awesome! I can't wait to get another one, maybe after I meet my Weight Watcher goal... The traffic coming home was great. We made it back by 12 and had the afternoon to rest and relax.

It was definitely a much needed weekend away. With everything going on this past week, it was nice to rest and relax. Thanks Chris and Charissa for allowing us to use your place, we appreciate it more than you will ever know!

Our place

Caroline slept the entire 3 hours there and back. So sweet...

Caroline loved feeling the sand in my hand. We can't wait for this summer!

Caroline and Daddy on the beach

Caroline enjoyed a "picnic" lunch at the outlets.

Both girls fell asleep at lunch. They slept the entire way back.

Sleeping at lunch... So cozy...

Clara and Caroline playing together...

Clara brought one of her favorite toys, the Flower Chime Garden. Caroline LOVED it! She played with it all weekend. She entertained herself with it while I showered on Sunday morning. We definitely see one of these in Caroline's future!

21 weeks

We are having a busy week! Granny is in the hospital, we are staying at Aunt Tomi Jeans and Uncle Gregs while they are at Disney. More to come next week...

A much needed weekend away...

Friday afternoon I headed to the beach for a girls weekend. A group of my friends from college and now "mommy" friends decided to get away for a weekend of fun. Originally I was only going to stay for one night. After talking with my husband and other friends, I decided to stay the entire weekend, both nights! :-0) It was wonderful!

Friday night we got checked in and headed out for dinner. After a nice, quiet dinner we went back to the hotel and enjoyed catching up. Given the fact that Andy and I get up at 5am every morning, I was ready for bed at 10:30. However, I was scared if I went to bed I would miss something. Finally by midnight, I just couldn't do it anymore. I headed for bed and the girls decided they were going to watch Mama Mia. Who can go to bed with that coming on. SO I decided I would stay up for the movie. An hour and a half later no movie and I am DONE. I don't think I moved until 5:30 when I got up to use the bathroom. Back to bed I went, so excited to know that I wouldn't need to get up in an hour for the first feeding. We had room darkening shades and I didn't know anything until around 9:15! :-) Oh my it felt so good!!!

We showered and enjoyed a day of eating, shopping and catching up. It was so good to see everyone, especially those I haven't seen in years! We enjoyed a yummy meal at Carolina Roadhouse and headed back to the hotel. Around 11 I decided it was time to hit the hay. I didn't sleep near as well but it was still nice. Guess my body isn't use to two great nights in a row... We got up this morning, showered and headed home. It was crazy. I had a great time on the trip but as soon as we got back in to town, I felt like I couldn't get to Andy and Caroline fast enough. We are staying at our Aunt's house for the week and it felt like it took an hour to get here!

I was so happy to see my baby girl and my amazingly wonderful husband. As much as I enjoyed the time away, which was wonderful, I did miss my family. I guess it really makes me appreciate both of them a little more. I also realized I was back to laundry, feedings and being a mommy again. It's crazy how quickly you change roles...

Andy did a great job while I was away, although I knew he would. I couldn't ask for a better husband and father! I am very thankful that I can leave and know that all is well. Angie, thanks for asking us to come down and as always being the life of the party! Catherine, Amanda, Rhetta, Christy and Beth, thanks for some good laughs and a relaxing weekend. You girls are amazing!