One year Photo Shoot

I took Caroline to a group "one year" photo shoot that was set up by one of the many talented Moody spouse photographers in this area. It was so funny to see a group of the same age kids and how they reacted to each other. She did REALLY well on her individual photos (like the one above) and smiled her cheeks off and didn't move an inch. I was one proud mama. Then came the group photos with a big "smash cake" and all of the babies sat around the cake. She, again, didn't move and just sat still and watched the madness ensue. All of the other babies dug into the cake, flung icing around...one little girl even put a nice icing handprint right in the middle of C's back. But, my baby girl would have NO part of that messy disaster. So, she spent the entire time just staring at the other babies and didn't smile much. It was a lot of fun, though, and I'm glad I took her to it because I love the pictures. She had her one year check up last week and her stats are as follow:

31": 94%
22 lbs: 76%
18.25 head circumference: 83%

So, she's still very proportionate and still on the tall side. She's started walking as long as she can hold at least one of our hands. She waves, says hi, mama, dada, and night night, does "arms up", high fives, and loooooves to clap and dance. She has 6 teeth and loves to brush them with her little toothbrush. She eats EVERYTHING, ALL. THE. TIME. If we're eating, she wants some of whatever it is we have...no matter what it is. I made some pretty spicy Tikka Masala (Indian food) last week and of course she was begging for some, so I let her try it, thinking she wouldn't like it. Wroooong. She ate a quarter of my bowl. So, I'm thankful that she's not picky so far. Her favorites are bananas and broccoli. One quick story before I go start getting ready for the work week (ugh), we were at our friends' house (Cyndi and Adam) last week and their daughter Aly came and cuddled up in my lap. Ooooohweee Caroline got mad. She crawled over and was whining and kept trying to push Aly off of me. I could not stop laughing. I have NEVER seen her act like that before. She'll share toys, food, etc...but NOT her mama, apparently.

She's...*gasp*...one

I know, I know. I haven't blogged in a while, ok a REALLY long time. We'll get to that at a later date. The important part right now if for me to blog about my sweet, baby girl turning one rightaway!! I feel like it was literally last week that I was in the hospital, laying eyes on her for the very first time. People told me for the 10 months leading up to her birth that time would take on a new meaning when I had my first child and I never really listened. Well, I'm here to say...anyone who says that is absolutely correct. Some days, I wake her up hours after she's gone to bed because I miss her and I know she's changing, even in her sleep, and I don't want to miss anything! (this is bad, I realize, but she goes right back to sleep once I've gotten my fill) This has been the most challenging and rewarding year of my life and I just feel so lucky to be Caroline's mother. She's sweet, has the cutest crooked smile and HAS to smile at everyone that pays her any attention, and has such an infectious giggle that will make you do ANYTHING to get her to giggle more (which is usually pretty easy). She has a great disposition and for the most part only cries when she's ready for bed, plays independently, is incredibly smart and observant, and LOVES people. Happy First Birthday, my sweet Caroline Grace, and I hope this next year goes by MUCH more slowly!

Christmas card

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

My 2011 Christmas card from the always user friendly and reasonably priced Shutterfly!

I don't care who you are....that's cute.

Fall Festival

The Forced Smile

Today we went to a small fall festival they had in town to raise money for a speech therapy service.  We made it kinda late, but we enjoyed our stroll and took some "fall" pictures since the weather has cooled off this weekend. (Thank you, Lord!!)  This is my absolute favorite time of year and I am currently obsessing over what costume to put my little cutie in this year.  Side note obsession: Pumpkin.  Any and EVERYTHING pumpkin. 

I'm 8 months old!

Got the after vacation blues...

This picture REALLY makes me miss being on vacation. We're going to buy tickets this weekend for our Christmas trip to Maryland. Can't WAIT! I hope it snows again!