Quick Beach Trip

I managed to squeeze in a few beach pics from the fastest trip there I have ever taken. We took CR down to meet K's parents during Spring Break and decided to stay overnight with them.

I hate I was missing my other child in this pick...this would have been a good family pic

Beach bound

Loved the sand between her toes...she is her mommy's girl

I hate I didn't get a pic in her crab outfit (applique shirt that a good friend made). It was adorable! She wore it down to the beach, but unfortunately we didn't make it out to get pics while she was in it.

A view from my favorite restaurant at the beach...Gulf Stream Cafe

The marina beside my fav restaurant...it is so relaxing!

Little C liked it too!

Froggy Fun returns

As we do every year, we enjoyed our annual frog (I mean Spring) festival

Easter

Watching every move her bubbie makes

Not so sure about the flowers

Nah...it isn't too bad

Who says girls can't play in the water...even in smocked dresses?!

Thanks Mema for making them laugh...otherwise I wouldn't have gotten a pic together with them smiling and both looking up at the same time

My sunshine girl...wearing a handmade smocked dress from a dear lady that works with my mom. She is currently battling cancer and this is her "therapy". She does an amazing job and we are blessed from her work!

And of course the boy has to get in the water!

But I did manage to get a few good shots when he wasn't being full blooded boy!

And he even picked up flowers for me...he really does have the sweetest heart

and LOVES his sister!

I promise he is not trying to choke her, he was just loving on her (and no this wasn't asked of him)

Her "stash" from her bunny bucks after her first Easter Egg Hunt...she did great

gathering her eggs at the hunt...she knew exactly what to do with them

Caden enjoyed himself too!

Baby Dedication

Carragan, today before God, family, and our church family, we dedicate your precious life that God has given to us. We promise not only to provide you with the needs to survive in this world, but more importantly provide you the truths of God. We promise to demonstrate God's unconditional love to you, so that you may know of his unfailing love. We will teach you His word so that you will know how the paths to take in life. We will provide you with experiences to help others, so you may show God's love. Carragan, our prayer for you is that you will live an abundant life that shines for Christ!

On the Move

She's on the move and gaining speed daily! Although she has taken a few steps here and there (and took her first steps the same place I did...my grandmother's house), she now knows she can do it and is starting to prefer it over crawling. Now that the weather is nicer outside, we have been going outside a bit more. I truly feel that this was her turning point...she has reason to walk. I refuse to let her crawl on the ground (yeah I know...bad mom) because I don't want her to ruin clothes and shoes, so I made her walk holding onto my hands or pushing a toy. It didn't take her long to realize that was not going to cut it...she couldn't do all she wanted to do and keep up with her brother.

So now she is venturing out more and more each day, gaining more confidence with each step. She makes a bee-line to the steps inside, so I am so thankful that some dear friends, and neighbors, of ours let us borrow another gate (thankfully it fits perfectly since they have the same house as us). She has to also wear her "special" shoes still inside too. I really feel like this was another reason she finally started to take off. Another dear friend, and neighbor, loaned me stride rite walking shoes. I REFUSED to buy any of these because they are the ugliest shoes and very expensive (especially since I will not let her go anywhere in them). Just as my friend/neighbor told me, they have done the trick in getting her to walk!

So we are off...!

Out of Hibernation

Finally signs of Spring....and I am coming out of hibernation with my blog (and about the same goes for my life as well). It seems like I have been horded up forever, weathering the snow and rain! It's about time I changed my blog from "Happy New Year's" to pretty colorful flowers! I am looking forward to the new life, colors, energy, and excitement that Spring brings! Praying it brings colorful days ahead!

*Stay tuned for some posts as we venture out of our dens!

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl!!!

WARNING: Long post, but hopefully it is something she will cherish in years to come!

How can it be a year has passed since this day of your bold arrival?! It seems just like yesterday that I was pregnant, walking around 4cm dilated for weeks, and wondering if you were going to come out on your own, or were we going to have to make you. And then, you did....and boy did you ever! You decided to make your grand entrance into the world and and into my heart forevermore! At 12:30PM you broke my water while I was in my classroom causing me to panic because of the mess it made and the fear of not being able to get to the hospital in time. Thanks to Mema and campus security guards/golf cart, we made it to the hospital with plenty of time to spare. However, you made my labor so easy until the last hour that I didn't have time to get any pain meds. And then, all of a sudden (although the last 15 min. seemed like eternity), you were here...all 6lbs 2 oz...you were the prettiest doll I had ever seen! This year of watching you grow and change has been amazing...thank you for how you have blessed our lives!

You finally have teeth! We call you our little jack-o-lantern because you only have 2 teeth, one on the top and one on the bottom. But boy to you know how to use them...as your brother says..."you can tear some food out the frame"

You are so curious and getting very courageous! You can climb from the bottom step to the top of the playroom steps without stopping and get so very proud of yourself for your accomplishments. Although you are not walking yet, I am expecting it any day (although...don't rush...mommy is in no hurry).

You have quite a personality these days and love to make us laugh! You are also becoming very "chatty" and make me wonder if you are going to talk more than your brother. You know lots of words and it seems like each day you pop out a new one. Some you are saying now:

-fav is "now" (when you get finished doing something or when something is complete)

-your fav character is Mickey ("K") and you love to watch him on TV, look at pics, and love on your stuffed ones.

-Granda

-bread

-banana "nana"

-"bubbie" for brother

-"bye-bye" & "go bye-bye"

-apple

-cracker

-love u

-"errio" for Cherrio

-"hey" & "hey there" (in the cutest southern accent...wonder where you get that?)

-"pa" for Pop

-girl

-baby

-mama

-dada

It is funny how most of them deal with food...since you LOVE to eat! I haven't found much of anything you don't like and you are a really good eater with everything, but these days your fav seems to be spaghetti and your yogurt melts. These make you say "nmm, nmm" with each bite.

Your favorite person is still your brother...you love to play with him and he makes you laugh the hardest. You are also still a mommy's girl, which I love (except when mema is around...then you choose her most of the time). You love to play with a phone and "talk" and your other fav toys are your tea set and push car (and anything your brother is playing)

You still can't stand your bows and shoes...I still have to re-dress you anytime we go anywhere because you always can't off your shoes and pull out your bows. Your hair is growing faster now and it seems it may get some curls, although it can be unruly at times.

You are such a gentle, self soothing, and self-entertaining little girl. You enjoy the simplest of things. You still are an AWESOME sleeper (although I wish I could get you to sleep in a little later). You still LOVE your crib and love to just lay in there for a while when you wake and play with your blankie or few toys. You have decided to turn your mattress into a trampoline at times though which has resulted in us moving your crib down to the lowest level.

Your thumb and rabbit blankie are still very dear to you. You must have them to sleep or when you are upset (both of them...not just one). You love to rub the rabbit's ears while you suck your thumb. You know the difference between the real one and the backup (which is identical). Mommy is getting nervous about the thumb sucking since you have caused a dry rash on your finger because of it and even your nail is becoming a little indented. But it brings you much joy, so how could I possibly think about taking it away right now?

You love your babies too. Just the other day, I caught you trying to feed your doll a Cherrio. It is so precious to watch you with your babies.

You don't like grass or anything too fuzzy! And you are still very head strong and don't mind letting us know when you don't want something or think you can "tell us" what you want to do all the time. When we take you from something that you want (even though you can't have it), you have started to swat at us and throw a fit. We have got to work on this so it doesn't become a problem later on.

You love music and dancing...anytime you hear it, you start to "move". There is even one children's songs CD in our car that if you are upset, all I have to do is turn it on, and you become silent. You like to rock too...so I am excited that you are getting a mini rocker for your birthday.

We are working on getting rid of your bottle, but you like it a little more than your brother.

You are such a joy in our life and feel it with sugar, spice, and everything nice! I thank God daily for you...my doll!

Happy 1st Birthday...may the next year be as fun as the first! LOVE YOU!