Summer so far.

Dear Sarah,
The purpose behind this blog is so you will actually write about the events taking place in your doesn't slow down not even for a minute life. You really need to be better about updating!

-Now that the mental note is out of the way, how about a summer recap? We've been pretty busy the past couple of months! Since Memorial Day is the "official" kickoff to summer I'll start there! Memorial day was spent in Hickory with Derik's family! We hung out by the pool, ate a lot of yummy food, got to sleep in---thank you Nana---I even got to take a nap. That was absolutely glorious.

We also celebrated the wedding of Ben "The Real Deal" King and sweet Kayla. Friends are the family you choose and I'm thankful we've chose the group of people! We were missing a few but college would have not been the same without them!

The next weekend we spent at my parents house. Usually Caroline and I just day trip it there--it's only a 40 minute drive from our house--but often times we're so rushed so we decided just to spend the weekend there. Family time is always good for the soul!

We took Caroline to one of our favorite local spots Blue Ribbon. She enjoyed purreed peas. ;) 

Caroline learned how to take selfies. 

We then journeyed to West Virginia to see Derik's family that lives up there. His parents were the only ones to move away to North Carolina. We don't get up there as much as we'd like to. We really enjoyed our time. We ate a lot of food, spent the day on the river, and spent time with the people we don't get to see nearly enough! 

Then we hit the road again for Hickory to celebrate Kinley's 2nd birthday, Minnie Mouse style!

She is proof of God's grace and His faithfulness to those that love and wait on Him and His timing. My sweet sister in law had quite the time getting pregnant and Kinley is such a blessing!

We packed our bags again and headed to Charlotte for a few days! Derik had a conference so Caroline and I got to hang out with Auntie Bina, Jack, and Sam. We loved spending time with them! They are both so sweet to Caroline and dote all over her. It's the cutest thing. 

From Charlotte we went to my favorite place in the world: Ocean Isle! We got to spend a few days with my family. We ate way too much, I actually got to read (for fun), laid out on the beach, and again got to sleep in. Thanks Gammy! We played on the beach and Caroline was way more interested in eating the sand then anything else. At one point I looked up and she had a shovel of sand straight to the mouth. Holy Momma child. 

Here are the tricks Caroline has developed over the summer so far: 

Pulling up on everything. If it's not moving (sometimes it is moving) you pull up on it. You're going to give me a stroke. 

Kendall is such a patient dog with her. She just lets C do whatever, it's the cutest thing. 

9 Months Old.

Caroline,

I know I say it every month but I cannot believe that yet another month has gone by. This month you became even more mobile than last. YOU ARE SO FAST. Daddy and I can hardly keep up with you. You're doing this crazy crawl and no longer scooting. Still no teethies, I swear you've been working on them since January and nothing yet. Your mood doesn't seem to be affected by them but your gums have been swollen for a while now and you gnaw on everything. You're doing this crazy thing and boycotting your crib lately. You sleep much better in the pack n play. I'm not fighting it, so your pack n play is set up in your room in front of your crib now. Your sleeping which means mommy and daddy are both sleeping. I call that a win, we'll tackle the crib again after summer vacation! I started planning your first birthday party. I've been in denial but it's going to be here before we know it. We also scheduled your one year old photo shoot. I just can't. You're our greatest joy and biggest blessing! You are one of a kind my love, we love you to the moon!

Mommy and Daddy

9 Month Stats--Just left your well check!

You are 15lbs 12.5oz--moved right on up to the 12%! Woo hoo!
You're 26 inches long-7% you're our perfectly petite little lady

--You take a 6 ounce bottle 4 times a day---you're still our spit up queen.
Eating--You are currently eating 3 meals a day. Oatmeal and fruit in the morning, veggie/fruit for lunch, veggie for dinner. You eat blueberries, pears, bananas, apples, peaches, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, peas, and love gumming puffs!
Tricks--You love to wave, clap, talk, yell DA DA DA DA DA which you did so lovely at the doctor's office this afternoon!
You're finally getting the hang of self feeding. You enjoy playing and feeling the different textures of your food.
No teeth yet but I'm pretty sure that won't be the case soon.
Waving BYE BYE and saying HEY! :)
You love being in the pool with pap and daddy
You also love our FaceTime dates every morning with Gammy!

Nicknames-TC, Monster, Muffing, Punky Brewster, Punks, Baby Care.

The baby bunny is 8 months old!

Caroline,

You are eight months old. I can't believe we are slowly creeping towards that one year mark. Mommy and daddy both aren't ready to have you as a toddler. Stay our sweet precious baby love forever, please! You are truly our greatest joy and biggest blessing! Each night after I finish nursing you I pray over you and praise the Lord for giving us you! Your personality is really starting to shine through and you are so funny. Everyday is different and we never know what to expect next!

Eight Month Highlights

Estimating you're a little over 15lbs. Still our teeniest girl. But you're growing and thriving so the doctors aren't concerned!

Scooting almost crawling. You haven't quite grasped the crawling part yet. You don't have any problem getting where you need to go. You're so fast. I left you in the middle of the room the other morning to brush my teeth and you met me in the bathroom before I could finish. Stinker.

Still no teeth but after last night I think they are coming soon. You're a little cranky pants but we still love you. I'm sure it doesn't feel good. We're sorry pumpkin. :(

Pulling up on EVERYTHING furniture, my legs, the dog--if she doesn't scamper away quick enough--basically if its not moving you try to pull up on it.

You love pears, bananas, squash, peas, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and are getting 4 5-6oz bottles of formula and still some breast milk.

You take after your momma and are affectionately called the spit up queen. Seriously we never take a bib off of you unless it's for a quick picture. I do so. much. laundry. Luckily, it's a chore I don't mind.

This month we got to see your Nana and Pap a lot and you finally enjoyed playing in their pool. You love watching your cousin Kinley play and we talk often about how much trouble you two are going to cause in the years to come. We celebrated my first Mommy's day and our home was dedicated to raising you in a Christ-centered home. We also chose your life verse which is 1 Peter 3:4. In a society that focuses so much on outward appearance we want you to be reminded that it's not about outward beauty, but it's about the beauty that is within you. It's so precious to us and to the Lord. You also had your first Memorial Day weekend and laid a flag at your mommy's dear friend's grave who was killed in Afghanistan in 2008. He's our hero! You are growing faster and faster everyday and we love watching it all. You're so much fun baby girl and we love you more than you can possibly even begin to imagine. But as much as we love you, Jesus loves you more! Mommy and Daddy.

Over half a year...

Our sweet girl,

You are now 7 months old. That big one year old mark is edging its way closer and closer. Mommy isn't ready and sidenote neither is daddy! Each day with you is different and I love that! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to stay at home with you. I get to watch you learn and grow. You're so observant and just take it all in, I love watching you experience things for the first time. You're sitting up now for long periods of time. You're slowly learning how to sit yourself up. It's a little harder if you're coming from being flat on your back. Speaking of that you HATE being on your back these days. This makes diaper/clothes changes a little more difficult as before I can reach over and grab a diaper you're on your belly.

This month you celebrated your first Easter, stuck you tootsies in the sand for the first time and LOVED it--just like your momma--,you enjoyed being outside and supervising mommy and daddy doing yard work, spent your first multiple nights away from mommy and daddy, 3 to be exact you did just fine mommy barely survived.

We fall more in love with you every single day and it's truly an honor being your mommy and daddy. We praise the Lord for you our precious gift.


You're doing great with solids. So far you've decided you don't like peas, you love sweet potatoes, bananas, squash, and oatmeal. We're doing a food a week!

You've also learned how to blow bubbles and enjoy doing so with not only slobber but food as well. Last week you, mommy, and the dog were all covered peas. 

You also took your first trip to the ZOO. You weren't interested in any of the animals but we had a great day with family.


-Thanks to an icky rash in your diaper area we made a trip to the doctor you are the teeniest girl weighing in at a whopping 13.8 pounds. Making you in the fourth percentile for weight.

-Size 2 diapers

-6 month clothing

-5 6 oz bottles a day. You've picked up your momma's reflux gene. We call you spit up queen. I do laundry too many times during the week, you're so worth it though.


-Crawling is in our very near future and baby proofing needs to happen. NOW.

You got to see your Auntie Jess twice this month. Mommy was just as excited as you were.

The day we all wore peas. Mommy doesn't like peas either, I don't blame you sweet thing.

We got to have a special lunch date with pop! He found out that he doesn't have to continue chemo treatment. Praise the Lord!

 

We love you to the moon baby girl! Thank you Lord for this precious gift!

Four Things

Four Nicknames

Sarah Bear, Legs, Sarrow, Sis

Four Jobs I've Had

Sales Assoicate-Bridal Mart, Nanny--Kano Family and Gravely Family, Wife and Mommy.

Four Movies I've Watched More Than Once

Steel Magnolias, Love Actually, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman. 

Four Things In My Purse

Paci's, Keys, Wallet, Lip gloss.

Four Books I Would Recommend 

Redeeming Love, The Help, Love and Respect, Captivating

Four Cars I've Driven
Nissan Maxima, Ford Explorer, Toyota 4Runner.

Four Places I've Visited

Chicago IL, Punta Cana Dominican Republic, New York, DC

Four Places To Visit On My Bucket List

Greece, Italy, Spain, and England.

Four Of My Favorite Foods

Pasta, Chocolate, Ice Cream, and Pizza. 

Four TV Shows I Watch

Scandal, Downton Abbey, Golden Girls, and 19 Kids and Counting. 

Four Things I'm Looking Forward To In 2015

Family time, growing my Stella and Dot business, beach trips, and celebrating life with the ones I love!

Easter 2015

One of my favorite times of the year is Easter. Maybe it's the dawn of the new season, the extra family time, or remembering why we celebrate it in the first place. Praise the Lord He rose just like He said He would. That's the incredible thing about our Savior, He ALWAYS does what He says He's going to do. Pretty amazing right? That a man who was blameless, sinless, perfect, and holy took it upon Himself to die for me. What a beautiful gift, what a wondrous love.

Good Friday 2014 vs. Good Friday 2015. 16 weeks pregnant. 6 months post baby. INSANE. How has it already been a year. Oh yeah and the previous year was our bachelor/bachelorette weekend. Wrap yo mind around that one, because I'm having a hard time doing so. 

This Easter we spent it at one of our most favorite places Ocean Isle Beach! We packed up a loaded the car Wednesday night so we could hit the road early Thursday morning around her first nap time. She only slept about an hour but was a champ the whole car ride! Daddy played golf once we got down there and I hit up the grocery store with my mom and aunts. Pop-Pop was on C duty. We came home to find them both fast asleep in the recliner. Such a win. We took a nice two mile walk with cousin Elana. We had a yummy dinner, put the babe to bed, and spent time with everyone.

Friday was absolutely GORGEOUS! High in the mid 70's, loads of sunshine, and a nice breeze. We took another walk. Mommy and daddy got some alone time and explored the beach. Then took a nice nap in the Eno outside on the deck. It was phenomenal. We also took Caroline on the beach for a little toes in the sand time. This isn't her first time on the beach but it was warm enough this go around to let her enjoy it. I think she's going to be a beach bum like her mommy and daddy.  We then went out to eat for a big family dinner at one of our favorite restaurants Boundary House!

Saturday was kind of cloudy so us girls went to see Cinderella, if you haven't seen it yet I suggest you do! It was amazing! Again, pop-pop was in charge of Tiny Child. Pop got some quality snuggle time with little bit and I don't think either one of them was complaining one bit. Derik got to play golf again, the way to his heart is through a golf swing, I'm convinced. 

The Easter bunny came to visit! Ok, 4 bunnies came to visit her and we've yet to see Nana Easter bunny. Let's face it. The girl is rotten. She was way more interested in the tissue paper, mommy may have been a little more excited. She also enjoyed eating the bunny. Please excuse the no shower look, this was around 7am. 

It was a wonderful weekend, we had the best time. We laughed so hard, ate way too much, and we got to sleep. We had certain baby-nappers come in our room when someone would wake up. Thanks MiMi and Pop. We slept in until almost 9 and it was glorious. I hope all of y'all had a wonderful Easter weekend! He has risen indeed!

Sarah