Growing up....

So I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. I just put Carolina to sleep....and as I rocked her I looked down in amazement. I cannot believe a year has passed since she brightened up our world! What a difference a year makes. Our lives were full and busy a year ago....or so I thought. Then, we were blessed with this beautiful life. Being a wife and mommy was my lifelong dream. I have treasured every minute of my little one's life. Carolina is sheer perfection. She is a complete joy. If I'm having a bad day at work, I call mom and "talk" to Carolina, and I can make it through the day. Mom has been so good at bringing her up to see me often. My mom got to stay home with Ryan and I.....she worked until I was 6 months old. I think she really understands how hard it is on me to be away from her. If staying home was an option (and I'm searching every day to find a way) I'd be the first to sign up!!!!


Carolina came in this world quickly. She scared us a bit, but once she was here she had us captivated. I remember everyday of our hospital stay. The smile she gave the first night, how strong this little preemie was...she could lift her head the 2nd day. She had NO problems latching on...she was a pro from the first time on! I remember the sadness I felt when she had to be in the lights for jaundice.....I felt so helpless as she laid in there in just her diaper and screaming. I can't tell you how many times I just had to pick her up and hold her during those sessions. I was so lucky to be able to take 3 months off with her. That was my saving grace I think. I would have been an absolute basketcase otherwise! I have never enjoyed time at home quite like that...just quiet moments with this new little life. I had dreamed of this all my life. She was an answer to prayers....many, many times over. She has far exceeded those prayers by being better than I could have ever imagined!


She is now a girl with a personality...not a "milk/toast" girl for sure. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to let you know...just like her mama. She is talking so much, singing, walking, mimicking, just so dang cute! She says: mama, dada, bubba, light, byebye, HI, tick-tick, dog, go, nite-nite, cow, duck, OOOOOO-U, YEAH! and more


She sings (some words) and does the motions for: Row, row, row your boat, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Pat-a-cake, Head and Shoulders, OOOOO-U (ya know the kick off yell!)
She also: Loves to wrinkle up her nose and breath real heavy...she knows she's cute, Say hi to everyone that walks by, when the phone rings anywhere....any ring, she puts her hand up and says, "HI"!, she takes kleenex and spits her lips, like she's blowing her nose, gets into EVERYTHING, looks you straight in the eye when you tell her NO and does it over and over (Lord help us!), climbs like a monkey, moos like a cow, barks like a dog, meows like a cat (the cutest sounds EVER!), growls like a tiger (the most evil sound EVER!), she gives the best hugs ever, she has daddy wrapped with her little "pucker" lip.


She loves: Baths, green beans, bananas, eggs, canteloupe, watermelon, Mickey Mouse, Barney, Moonie & Grumpy, her brothers, Daddy, Mama (of course), filling buckets with toys and them dumping them out again, dumping our DVD cabinet, her binky, hugs, glasses, music...especially the song daddy wrote for her, cell phones, and keys


I could go on for days, and days about her. She is the light of my life. She has made life so much sweeter and at times more bareable! :) She has stolen all of our hearts. I just wish time would stand still for awhile...or just slow down a bit, but I can't wait to see what this next year holds!


Happy First Birthday sweet baby girl, I love you!

Happy Birthday Caraboo!!!!!