Caroline on a swing

Okay...I've done it again! I've loaded up my camera with pictures and haven't uploaded to my blog. Life has been so busy. I've got pictures of a birthday parties, a wedding, Davis being happy Davis, an Easter Egg hunt, kids in Easter clothes, swimming lessons, Caroline in her big girl bed (that's right...big girl bed). We've been super busy. No, let me rephrase that. I've been so busy that the last thing I want to do at night is hop on the computer. I'm coming around. Brantley is back in town (was in NY) and I should be able to have some more "me" time. YEAH!!!! Keep you posted.

We are on night 3 of Caroline in her big girl bed.

Stats:
- 1 nap in 2 days (fighting naps and currently sleeping on the floor next to her bed..smart mommy has baby gate at her door)
- 1 night she was up until 10 pm talking and bouncing around her bed, yelling out "MOMMY", and then fell asleep at the baby gate and I transferred her to her bed
- 2 nights to bed by 7pm and slept until 7am

Why did we move her? She was hurdling the crib rail on several occasions. Her weight on the crib was causing the side rail to pop out. NICE! I really didn't want her breaking her arm or knocking out her teeth. Plus, the crib was borrowed and I didn't want her scratching it. Okay....I just wrote all of that to reassure me that I've done the right thing. Ummmmm...still not sure.

Meanwhile, my friend Catherine took these photos of Caroline on Tuesday. She emailed them to me so I had easy access to share with you. They are so cute I just had to share. They were taken at an a park in Windermere Downs. Caroline posted up on a big kid swing and hung there for most of the time. We also did an Easter Egg hunt with the play group. Fun times. Enjoy these!

INDEPENDENT!!!!

Caroline is such an independent child. She insists on doing EVERYTHING on her own. Brushing her teeth by herself, getting up into her carseat by herself, getting dressed by herself. These photos are of Caroline insisting on buttoning her own sweater. This is just so jaw dropping to me.

Bowen on the other hand is quite the opposite. If he doesn't have to do it on his own...he won't. We are actively working on getting him MORE independent. He could take a few notes from Caroline. He has recently noted that he's a baby, too! He's feeling the pressure to be the big boy in the house.

THE party!

Caroline had a wonderful 2nd birthday party at My Gym. She was surrounded by her friends and family. I think every little one had a great time and probably slept like champions after they left the party. It was go time the second we walked through the door and the kids were non-stop party animals until we left. Thank goodness for venues like My Gym!

If you couldn't guess from the photos...Minnie Mouse was her theme. She's crazy about some, "ME Mouse". "Me Mouse" (all 4 of her dolls) go everywhere in the house that she goes. I think what was so special about this theme is that I had the very exact birthday theme when I turned two. Awwww!

Weekend Long Celebrations

Of course, birthday pancakes!

Bowen enjoying Caroline's birthday present (kiddie roller coaster)

Birthday Princess

Again, working on blowing out candles...

but not as much fun as eating the cupcake!

Caroline Turns 2 Tomorrow!!!!!

My sweet baby girl is turning 2 tomorrow. That just makes me so sad. Time has FLOWN! She's so independent, beautiful, and SMART! She's our little wild child. Caroline runs circles around her brothers. Literally runs circles around them. And she's fast!!!! We'll celebrate her birthday tomorrow with a casual trip to the park and lunch. Sunday we're heading to MY GYM to give her a big bash with her friends. She's going to just live it up in that gym. Climbing and running is right up her alley!

I knew I'd be busy tomorrow celebrating our little girl and our anniversary (oh yah...our anniversary:)) so I thought I'd post Caroline's bday wishes today! Love you Sweet Caroline!

PS
Thanks again Abby for your photography! Starry Eyed Photography!!!!!

Davis Gets Baptized

Davis was baptized yesterday in Tampa at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. It is such a special place. We were married there and now have had all three children baptized in the church. I promised Father Reese that this was our very LAST ceremony in his church. He said that he remembers our wedding like it was yesterday. He was blown away that we were celebrating our third baptism.

It was SUPER special and I'll need my family to fill me in on what was said during our service. Bowen was AWESOME! Davis was an ANGEL! Caroline was in need of some serious holy water! She was filled with energy (a nice way to put it). I had an enormous purse filled with tricks. I pulled out every trick in the purse with no success in entertaining her. Brantley and I sighed a HUGE, "AMEN" when the service came to a close.

We just couldn't be more blessed. They keep us on our toes and we love them so much!

Little Blessing

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Tampa



Kodak Moment. Caroline DID NOT SIT STILL during the service. This was it!

Lowry Park Zoo with Uncle Matt

Uncle Matt and I took Bowen and Caroline to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa this past Saturday. The kids had a blast. Bowen was so interactive with the animals and just couldn't get enough of the zoo. We saw every type of animal. I don't think we missed an inch of the park. Ice cream eating, monkey watching, giraffe feeding, and camel riding were on Bowen's list of favorites at the end of the day. Caroline enjoyed walking from cage to cage. The simple things still excite her. She was so worn out, she didn't make it out of the parking lot without falling asleep.