project 365: May Mosaic

AMAZING photographs by Jennifer Strain

from Jennifer Strain, the founder of my Lens Baby play group...

I am thrilled to my toes (which I still can't quite feel)! Thank you for these treasures.

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{happy birthday, Caroline}

It's hard to pick a favorite picture for the day, but I love this one of our little monkey's chubb-o cheeks squished against the swaddling. We just want to eat her up!

Introducing Caroline Grace Carlson

Caroline is here! She is an absolutely beautiful baby, if I do say so myself. Here's the shocker, though... she has dark hair! Even to have hair is a shocker, but to have inky dark hair makes it doubly so. We think it suits her. We think she's perfect.

Comparison to Kate as a newborn: the exact same weight, same steely blue eye color, and same chubby cheeks. With that, the similarities seem to stop. Being a planned C-Section, Caroline was delivered easily and without much trauma to her. Poor Kate had to go through a long labor before she was finally taken by C-Section, so she was more blotchy and bruised. Poor Kate.

Caroline was so alert in the O.R., and she kept her focused gaze on me the minute she was placed in my arms. Nick noticed immediately that she has tremendous head strength (the nurse said so too), and when I put her on my shoulder to burp her, she can lift her head up. Way to go, Caroline!

Here's how our day went down...
4:00 am Woke up and got ready to leave.
5:30 Arrived at hospital where they immediately began prepping me for surgery.
7:15 My doctor arrived; she said I was actually having contractions 5 minutes apart. I didn't even realize!
7:30 Wheeled down to O.R. where I received my spinal block/epidural combo (least fun part), and they started surgery. It took longer for the doctors to get her out than Kate because of the scar tissue from Kate's C-Section. I wasn't full-out crying, but a steady stream of tears kept coming. It was from the emotion of it all, yes, but it was also from the anxious feeling of being completely helpless and unable to move my body. Nick held my hand, and dried my tears as they came.
7:59 After some serious maneuvering, they pulled Caroline out! They commented on her size, and how difficult it was to get her out even via C-Section. They immediately noticed her pink super-chubby cheeks and her cute little ears. They held her up over the curtain for one brief second for me to glimpse her precious face for the first time, and they took her to a corner of the room to get her stats and check her. Nick went along (with the camera, of course). Meanwhile, the doctors sewed me up. While they discussed their kids' summer plans, I was trying desperately to hear any bits of news from the far corner of the room as to what my baby looked like. I heard snippets like "more hair than Kate," but I wasn't getting the details I craved!! It felt like it took forever for them to finish with Caroline and finally bring her to me to see her properly and kiss her sweet face all over.
8:45 All done! They wheeled me to the recovery room where I stayed for 2 hours. Nick called our families, and I was able to breastfeed Caroline for the first time. A sweet nurse gave her her first bath. Then my mom and dad were allowed to come back (one at a time) to see their Caroline "number nine" (9th grandbaby)!
10:45 The nurses prepped me for moving to my postpartum room. When we got there, it took several more minutes for the L&D nurses to relay my info to the postpartum nurses.
11:20 Our visitors were admitted to the room, and I got to see my first girl, our Kate. She immediately found the gift on the floor (tissue paper is always fun), and opened it. It was a stuffed lion from her new little sister! Kate began her "roars" and didn't stop! She didn't realize that Caroline was a living being... until Baby finally made a little squawk. Kate was suddenly very interested, and she decided that Caroline was worth taking a further look at. She noticed that she had a nose... and noses are for picking these days, so pick she did try! After that, Kate quickly became more interested in the millions of things in the room she could explore. Overall, it was a successful first introduction. Kate wasn't Caroline's only visitor, though. Also admiring Caroline's cute nose were Gram and Grandaddy (my parents), Grandmother Mead (my grandmother), Nana (Nick's mom), as well as Jennifer Strain with her daughter Hayley (friends of ours from Lens Baby). Jennifer also brought her talent and her camera and snapped some AMAZING photographs of our little big bundle of joy. I will share a few of those in another post in a minute.

Since our guests left, Nick and I have been bonding with our "monkey," our sweet Caroline. Nick is an amazing daddy. Unable to really do much to help myself, Nick has sprung into "Daddy Super Hero" mode! Even now, he's watching a swaddling video he found on YouTube to remind himself of the proper way to bundle our girl. I love this man so much!

Feedings are going pretty well, but she's been a real sleepy-head for most of the day! This evening, my dear friend Melissa came to visit, too. She enjoyed her Caroline time!

What a completely different experience this has been so far! I am tired, yes, but I'm not completely out-of-it and exhausted like I was after a long labor and C/S with Kate. I feel more confident, and I'm really enjoying our sweetheart. I know my feelings could change at the drop of a hat, but I'm sure enjoying these moments.

Welcome to the world, Caroline Grace.

These are some of the pics that Nick and I took...

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{practicing}

project 365: special announcement

Since I know you wait daily on pins and needles for my pic 'o the day, I wanted to let you know that I may not continue to deliver on time as we adjust to life with a newborn and a 16 month old. I will continue taking daily pictures, but they may not get posted with the promptness to which you've grown accustomed. :) I may have to play catch-up every few days and post a batch at a time. We'll see how the transition goes!

See you later today with #150/365, and we know who will be the star of #151 tomorrow!

First Letter to Caroline

Dear Caroline,

This is the first of many letters I will write to you as you grow. You will have no memory of these young days, and my memory fades so quickly that we will both cherish the documentation these letters provide. This first letter comes to you just a day and a half from your birth.

A few notes about my pregnancy with you... 

• I found out I was pregnant with you on September 22, 2010. Kate had just turned 8 months old! Daddy and I were excited as we hoped God would add to our family soon, wanting our children to be close in age. We also felt nervous and overwhelmed that Kate would still be a "baby" herself when you would arrive.
• I was sick for the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. I took medications to stop the nausea. (With Kate I wasn't sick at all.)
• Braxton Hicks contractions started early with you, as they did with Kate, at about 18 weeks.
• We found out that you were a GIRL on January 3, 2011, when I was 18 weeks along. Daddy knew you'd be a girl, but I thought you'd be a boy since I wasn't sick with my first pregnancy. I was thrilled to know you were a girl; you and Kate will share a neat bond.
• We decided on your name when I was about 20 weeks pregnant. I always knew I wanted to use my grandmother's name for one of my girls. You're fortunate to be named for two of your great grandmothers; Caroline on my side, and Grace on Daddy's.
• I had all the normal aches and pains of pregnancy: heartburn, sciatic pain, sore hips, etc. It was hard at times with Kate being so active to keep up with her. 
• I didn't have much swelling with you at all! My rings didn't fit, but other than that, I don't think I retained much water at all. (Very different story with Kate!)
• Since Kate was delivered by C-Section, we decided early on that you should come that way, too. Your birthday has been planned for several months! You don't seem to want to come any sooner. Thanks for sticking to the schedule!

I feel you now, moving inside me, pushing your boundaries as you run out of room in my belly. I feel like I've been pregnant for such a very long time, yet I somehow can't believe the date we've anticipated for so many months is almost here! But God has been anticipating you even longer, sweet child...

 For you created my inmost being; 

   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

   your works are wonderful, 

   I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you 

   when I was made in the secret place, 

   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed body; 

   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
{Psalm 139:13-16}

We can't wait to see you; to count your tiny fingers and toes, to smell your sweet baby smell, to kiss your sweet head, to hold you close. 

We already love you so much, Caroline.

Love,

Your mama (& Daddy, too)

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{rubber ducky, you're the one}

Just a few days ago we transitioned Kate from her ducky tub to the full bathtub. The ducky has made a FUN addition to the play room!

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{saturday morning goodness}
Kate wanted to sit on the stool next to Daddy this morning. She enjoyed going through the contents of her diaper bag and especially enjoyed pulling out the Epi-pen. (Eek!) Time to put the bag away. Cue the crying.

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{just playin' outside}

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{kid in a candy store}

Kate & I had an errand to run in downtown McKinney today, so we stopped at Mom & Popcorn for a sweet treat. I wish I'd had the nerve to take some pics inside the store; it's really the cutest place ever! Maybe next time.

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Accompanying video clip today... be sure to scroll down!

{mirror, mirror}
This is how Kate entertained herself this morning while I was getting ready.
(pic and video taken w/ iPhone)

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{easy entertainment}

Kate loves to watch the pictures change on the digital frame. She wants me to name each person, but she gets most excited when she sees Dada!

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{coloring}

Check out this girl's expressions...

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{final stretch}

This is our last week before Caroline arrives on the 31st (unless God has other ideas).  My mind is racing trying to think of everything I should do this week to be as prepared as possible. While I can think of a few important to-dos (like final grocery shopping), I think the most important will be to rest as much as possible. I caught Kate's cold, and I've just felt crummy all day. Hopefully we'll both kick this quickly so that we will be germ-free for Caroline!

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{date night}

Nick and I enjoyed a dinner date to Rick's tonight. We figured it's going to be quite a while before we can go on a date again, so we splurged.  :)  Thanks to Aunt Mindy for babysitting Kate!

(iPhone, Hipstamatic app)

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{rainy day}

"Hello, Rain"
by Mary Ann Hoberman

Hello, rain,
Hello, rain,
Dripping down
The windowpane.
You are wet,
I am dry.
You can't wet me
Though you try...

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{photo booth}

Kate woke up with a cold this morning.  (Explains why she's got her finger up her nose in shot #1!) She wasn't her usually sunny self today. Let's hope she gets over this fast!

taken w/ iPhone IncrediBooth app

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Scroll down for a video highlighting some serious Kate cuteness...

{yes, another highchair picture}

Kate is (sorta) using a fork!

Here's a video I took yesterday... gotta love her enthusiasm!!

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{it's "go go" time}

I pushed Kate around (briefly) in her Cozy Coupe today. She kept yelling, "go go!"

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{on daddy's shoulders}

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{tricycle envy}

We spent a good portion of the afternoon in the front yard hanging out with our neighbors. Kate was sure eyeing this pink tricycle, and I don't blame her! Isn't it so cute? We'll blink, and she'll be old enough to ride one.  *sigh*

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{backyard blossoms}

What a gorgeous day it was to be outside!

Kate is 16 months old

Dear Kate,

I’m getting teary writing today’s post because this is the last time I’ll do your monthly post about you as an only child. In a bit over two weeks, you’re going to be a big sister. It will mean big changes for our routine, and I worry about how you’ll transition. Daddy and I have been praying for you, though, and we know that God goes before us! And when I’m feeling that mommy-guilt over spreading attention between my two girls, I will remember what a precious gift we’re giving you in your sister, Caroline.

It astounds me how fast you grow and develop, even day by day. There’s so much you understand but still can’t communicate yet. Here’s what’s been going on with you...

• You love to climb up on and race across the couch. You have no sense of the edge, though, so we have to be ready to catch you!

• I noticed right after you turned 15 months, you started babbling constantly. So cute! I wonder what you are trying to tell us. You still ask, “‘‘iss?” about a million times a day to hear what things are called. Often, you know what they are, but you ask anyway! These are the new words you’ve added to your vocabulary this month: hat, moon, clock, hanger, heart, frog, food, roar (for a lion), belt, and bye. Again, you just say the beginning sounds of each of these words, but the doctor said that counts as a word! There are many other words that you’ll repeat after us, but these are the ones that you’ll come up with completely on your own. We’re getting closer with “mama.” You’ll point to me in pictures and say, “mama,” but you rarely name me “mama.”

• You think it’s great fun to knock on doors, flap your arms when I say, “fly like a bird,” give hugs to your baby doll and find her belly button, find your belly button, lift Mama’s shirt and find her belly button, take lids on and off of containers, clap when songs are done, and talk on your pretend phone. 

• You love playing outside with Daddy. (Mama’s not able to chase you around like he can!) And big news... you got over your fear of the Cozy Coupe and your wagon. You like to ride in them now!

• You are still a great sleeper and always go down without a fuss. We had to remove the bumper from your crib because you started stepping onto it. Not only was it getting smushed, but it got you one step closer to the edge of the crib. When you wake up you will sometimes mess with the teething guard fabric that Velcros across the front rail. One day I went in there to find you’d removed it, and you had chewed your crib in several spots across the front. You had wood finish around your mouth and on your shirt!

• You got your first molar. Boy, that was rough!

• Sometimes you’ll pick up Kirby’s toys (gross), and I tell you, “go give it to Kirby.” You walk the toy right over to her and lay it down. You are so smart!

• You are getting to that stage where you’re frustrated when you can’t do something by yourself. Usually it’s when you can’t reach or open something. You start whining and doing a fake cry. We’re working on, “Help, please!”

• During meals, you like to watch the bird feeder we installed right outside the kitchen window. I thought it might make a good distraction for you as you’re cooped up in your highchair for meals, but sometimes you get so excited about bird watching that you refuse to eat. Backfire!

• Your appetite seems to have decreased since last month. I attribute some of that to the teething going on, but it’s been harder to get you to eat what I think is a full meal. You still eat baby cereal with applesauce mixed in for breakfast because I can add in about 6 ounces of soy milk to it. I want to make sure you’re getting the calcium you need! I tried to give you adult oatmeal, but you didn’t like the texture. For your other two meals, we usually start with a meat like turkey or chicken, give you a couple of veggies, and end with a good portion of fruit. You ate brownies for the first time this month and loved them! I was surprised to see there were no milk ingredients in the mix! Lucky you!

• You like getting out of the house to do errands. You get excited when I tell you that we’re going to “go in the car.” In fact, yesterday we were just lounging at home, and you went to the garage door, reached for the knob and shouted, “go, go!” Apparently you needed to get out of the house. I have times like that, too, Kate!

You are at such a fun age, Munchkin, and we enjoy you so very much!

Love,
Mama and Daddy

Stats...

Weight: 25.5 pounds

Length: 31 inches

Clothes: 18 months, a few 24 months
Diaper size: 4
Sleep: 7pm - 7:30am

Naps: 12pm-2pm
Teeth: 9 through

Flying like a bird

You love climbing on these 2 steps before the baby gate. I prefer you stay off of them, please!

Funny face... you really do like edamame!

Look at all that hair!

Locating your belly button

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{duet}

Kate got to see her cousins today!