Caroline is 8 months old

*I have abandoned the foot picture header for your monthly posts. You're just way too squirmy now! I could barely get you to stay on the chair for your monkey picture. You dove over the arm and I barely caught you. I'm going to need an assistant from now on. Also, you usually wear a white onesie with the month sticker, but I couldn't find the 8! 

Dear Caroline,
You are 8 months old today, precious girl! You're supposed to be the baby, but you're getting really big, really fast. We are shocked with each new milestone you master because we still see you as our bitty baby. SLOW DOWN, okay?? Here's what you're up to...

* When we're eating, you watch every bite. It's clear you wish you had what we're having!

* You started feeding yourself puffs, and you like them A LOT.

* Although you were already on the move, you are officially crawling on all fours. You're not super speedy yet, so that's nice! You crawl straight for the fireplace screen, Kirby, Kate's toys, and computer cords. You get redirected about a million times a day.

* I couldn't believe this when it first happened, but you're already waving. I started waving to you when you were in your high chair, and you started waving right back. At first I thought it might be a fluke, but you kept doing it.

* Another shocker was when you played peekaboo with me. I was showing you how to hide your face with a blanket, and pretty soon we were taking turns peekabooing!

* You REALLY want to be standing and walking. You try to push up off the ground to a standing position. Of course it doesn't work, but you try so hard!

* You're pulling up, and your legs are getting stronger each time you do it. We had to lower your crib mattress since you can now stand in your crib. Aren't you too young for this??

* I love how when I walk you upstairs, you know you're about to take a nap, so you start sucking your thumb or finger. You are usually a great napper (as long as we keep to your schedule).

* You're always moving. Even in your highchair you're kicking a leg or flailing your arms. Like your sister, you're not turning out to be much of a cuddler; you won't be still for 2 seconds together. Too much to see and explore right now, I guess!

* We're still having bottle issues. Big time. You typically drink about 15ish ounces per day, and you're supposed to be in the 24-32 ounce range. I took you to see your doctor today just for peace of mind that you don't have ear infections or any other physical reason you're not eating. You don't. You just think you're a big girl already, and you're feeling very done with bottles. (I have to literally pin you down to try and get you to drink anything.) I have no idea how you're as big as you are. It's a huge mystery to me!

I'm leaving soon to meet Daddy in France for a European getaway. Your grandparents are going to take good care of you, I know, but I'm still sad to leave you and Kate. At the rate you're going, you'll be walking by the time I get home. You're going to change so much in a week!

Love,
Mama and Daddy

Stats:

weight: 20 pounds, 12 ounces (official)

length: oops; will add later

clothes: 6-12 months

diaper size: size 4

sleep: 7pm-7am

naps: 8:30am-10, 12pm-2, and sometimes 4-5

feedings: 7am, 11, 3pm, 6:30 (very inconsistent on how much you'll take per bottle); 2-3 solid food feedings

Previous monthly posts: Caroline is 1 month old | Caroline is 2 months old | Caroline is 3 months old | Caroline is 4 months old | Caroline is 5 months old |Caroline is 6 months old | Caroline is 7 months old

friday phone dump 1.27.12

I know I'm posting this a day late, but I'm going to date it for yesterday anyways.

feeding herself puffs | dandelion macro (w/ magnet lens Keaton got me) | slide
watching for horses, cows, and camels on our drive to school | window light | asleep | allergy skin test - not so good
cuddling after skin test | staying entertained for 4.5 hours at the allergist with stickers, | books, | watching movies,
and eating fake ice cream cones (ironic!) | hint of a rainbow | first PB&J - turned out it didn't sit so well on the tummy :( | new t-ball set

Okay... this one's just so cool, I need to show it bigger...

iPhone | Instagram

Missing Caroline?

A certain sister has been hogging the blog lately with all her birthday business! Caroline deserves a little blog time, too, so I snapped some pictures of her to share. She's changing so fast these days. I go to get her from a nap, and I feel like she looks different just from when I put her down!

And although she's been mobile for a while now (rolling, sliding, scootching, slithering), Caroline is now crawling on all fours. She was going for Kate's necklaces, and Kate said, "Oh, no! Caroline's crawling!" That about sums it up. :)

During the little photo shoot, Kate asked to get on the bed too, and Caroline just died laughing at her big sister and kept lunging for her. Kate quickly wanted down again.

friday phone dump 1.20.12

photo editing | bouncing | flying | birthday princess
balloons | clouds | first time in a restaurant highchair | well-behaved | caroline & mommy
all hands on deck at bath time | cuddling w/ blankie and doggie after blood draw (for allergy levels) | yummy toes | fell in drum | pouting
big girl | peek-a-boo | dirty face | Daddy's home! | Kate & Daddy
caroline at the wheel | watching Tangled | copy cat | Vegan chocolate pudding | asleep

iPhone | Instagram

Kate's Farm-themed 2nd Birthday Party (Part 2: The Party Girl)

Link to Part 1 (decorations)

Kate sure enjoyed being the center of attention during her farm birthday party! She played with the balloons and with the new stick pony she named "Pony Max." She kept pointing at the colorful "cupkates," but due to her allergy, she had her own vegan chocolate cake. She didn't mind one bit. (Helps that she's never had the real thing, I guess.) She did mind when Caroline kept trying to grab for it, though!

Next she opened presents and excitedly exclaimed, "A BOX!" after ripping the paper off each one. :) Kate received a dress up set from her aunt/uncle/cousins which was a huge hit! She was so proud of her pretty princess accessories.

I found the girls' party clothes at Old Navy. I thought Caroline's little red gingham dress perfectly fit our farm themed party, and I was sad they didn't have them large enough for Kate too. The little cherry top with jeans was darling on her, though.

I know I'm going overboard on the pictures, but it's really hard to narrow it down when they're of your own kid! :) My personal fave is the one of Nick blowing out Kate's candles. I love how she's looking up at him!

And if this wasn't enough pictures for you, there are more... 

Kate's Farm-themed 2nd Birthday Party (Part 1: Decorations)

January is a tough month for birthday parties since you usually have to stay indoors. Last year we had lots of friends and family over, and while it was fun, it felt tight in the house. So we decided to keep things simple this year and just have family over. It ended up being a very small crowd - just the four of us, our parents, and my grandmother. As for decorations, I still wanted to prepare a party table, but I didn't want to go overboard. Kate LOVES farm things, so I knew the theme would be a hit. 

the goods...
Paper straws - Etsy (The Party Fairy)

Invitation and Party Printables - Etsy (Stockberry Studio)
Decorative hay bale - Michaels
Bushel baskets - Hobby Lobby

The invitation (address line removed)...

And way too many photos...

Here's the full Flickr set...

Stay tuned for part 2 (pics of our party girl) at her farm birthday party!

friday phone dump 1.13.12

row1: Caroline & Daddy | swinging | sliding | Mommy & Caroline flare | branch, sky, & moon
row2: drive by | Caroline grabbing for Kirby | Kate's kitchen | Caroline moving to snuggle with Kirby | Caroline going for Kate's doll | spaghetti face
row3: to-do | Kate offering the bottle to Caroline | new lens | shopping cart | watching Toy Story | pigtails!

iPhone | Instagram & Hipstamatic

Kate's 2 Year Portraits

This didn't go very smoothly. Let's just say there was lots of mud involved. I managed to get a few cute ones, though!

These plus a few more on Flickr...

Kate is 2 years old

Dear Kate,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, precious one! You are TWO years old today. In the car a few days ago I told you it would soon be your birthday and you asked, "Presents?" How did you know that?? Yes, there will be some presents for you, but I just want you to know what a gift you are to us!

You've been doing and saying some pretty darn cute things lately, and I need to list them out for you...

* We read together every night before bed, and Gingerbread Baby (by Jan Brett) was a December favorite. While we read one night, I decided to stop mid-sentence to see if you could supply the correct word. You could. I stopped again and again, and you knew the missing words. Incredible!

* You are starting to sing!! I've been waiting forever for you to try! You learned the tune of "The Blue Danube" waltz from Little Einsteins (your new favorite show, by the way), and you get it stuck in your head a lot! You pound out its rhythm on your drum and even sing it in-tune sometimes. Just yesterday you started singing "B-I-N-G-O" for Gram. You only sing the letters part and clap like crazy, but it's a start!

* Sometimes when you laugh (or start to pretend cry), you cover your mouth. (See pics below!)

* You've been your happy self again lately. I wonder if it has something to do with your language development. You're not frustrated with that barrier all the time. And while you're still in a mommy-phase, you haven't been so clingy lately.

* You're repeating everything we say now. I love it when I pray with you, and you repeat me.

* Your new favorite TV show is Little Einsteins. While you're not completely over Barney, we have had a nice break from him! We were in the car with Gram the other day, and I asked you, "Which kid plays the instruments?" You said, "Quincy!" Gram then asked, "What instruments does he play?" I thought you probably wouldn't understand the question, but you replied, "Horn, trumpet, drum, violin." I shouldn't underestimate you!

* You still hate to "perform." When I ask you to sing or dance or do some other cute Kate-thing, I get rejected. You shut down when I start trying to video you doing something cute. I'm going to have to hide the video camera so that we can document your fun personality!

* The other day I asked you, "Kate, what swallowed Jonah?" You said, "Jesus!" We'll work on it. :)

* We went to the allergist a couple of days ago. No answers yet. We have to do a blood draw on Monday followed by a skin test and "food challenge" appointment in a couple of weeks. I really hope it comes back negative. I want you to be able to have normal food!

* "DRUUUUUMstick, where ARRRRE you?" is your favorite phrase (except insert whatever item you want). You started this when we were at Nana and Pops' house for Christmas and we lost the Joseph piece to the nativity. You hunted high and low and with a sing-songy voice called out to him, "JOOOOseph, where ARRRRE you?" Now it's your phrase for any toy or misplaced item. I hear it a bajillion times a day, but it never gets old. It's so cute to hear you say it in your sweet toddler voice.

This is the last of your "monthly" posts and elephant pictures. I plan on just sharing the cute things as they happen now, and I'll give another formal update when you're 2 1/2!

Kate, you are a blessing to us and those around you. You are a remarkable TWO year old!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Official Stats
Weight: 29 lb, 3 oz (75th%)
Height: 34.8 inches (75-90th%)
Head: 18.8 inches (75th%)
Clothes: 2T (and some 3T pants)
Diaper Size: 5
Sleep: 7pm-7:30am
Nap: 12-2pm
Teeth: 16

Caroline & Daddy

After my daily postings, a whole week of blog silence has made me feel strangely guilty! I have a large picture share to make us all feel right again, though!

I actually took this little series a week ago, on January 1st. Only today did I pull them off my camera card! A little camera break has been good for me.

This was such a sweet moment between daddy and daughter. I had a hard time culling it down any more than this, so just scroll through quickly.  :)