Caroline 2 months!

Our Sweet Caroline,

You're two months old today. In a blink of an eye you've grown from a snuggly newborn to a wiggly, squirmy, smiley two month old! You're smiling regularly at us now and I'm pretty sure your daddy and I both turn into big piles of goo when you do. You love your big sister Kendall and we're really working hard with her on boundaries. Her tongue may or may go too closely to your constantly open mouth. Yikes. You celebrated your first Halloween, helped your Aunt Beth and Uncle Lam move into their new home, celebrated your Nana's birthday, helped mommy decorate for Christmas, you also had your first date with your MiMi and GPop and Nana while mommy and daddy went to Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. We loved our night out but missed our sweet girl. You love being swaddled, looking at Christmas lights, being outside, your MAM pacifiers, and cuddling. You're liking bath time more and more and love when the space heater is on to keep you toasty warm while doing your baby massage. You are a precious gift Caroline and we love you to the moon and back.

Caroline's Highlights:

-8lbs 15oz
-22 inches long
-Eating 4oz of breast milk and then 2 1/2-3 hours later 4oz of formula until we can get you all caught up. Almost there baby girl almost there!
-Typically you sleep from 9-2ish we wake up and feed and then you sleep until daddy's alarm goes off at 6. Hoping to drop this middle of the night feeding once we get you all caught up. Mommy has to wake you up stinker.
-You nap in the mornings for a couple of hours, the early afternoon, and early evening right after daddy gets home.

These three are going to get in trouble someday! The big one being the ring leader. :)

Caroline and her baby BFF Shelby! These two were born a week and a day apart, Shelby's big sister and I spent a lot of time together--I was her nanny for almost two years--their mom and I found out we were pregnant the same week and our original due dates were only a day apart! Sweet sweet girls!

Caroline you've had a busy second month! In your third month you'll be even more busy, we love watching you learn and grow and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...My Wish List!

Participated in this link up last year and so excited to be in it again! These are a few of my favorite things that are on my Christmas list. 

I need a canvas of our sweet new family of three yes yes I do. 

These adorable Toms wedged booties. I love love love them and need them. Ok, maybe not need but really want them. :)

Because a girl can never have enough monogrammed items. 

Again with the monogram. Woopsies 

The babe and I need matching headbands.

Elise called this gift card the triple threat and I couldn't agree more. 

That's my wish list, bring it gift givers!

It's Friday..

It's Friday Friday Friday! We love Fridays around here, it means daddy stays home and plays with us all day! 

Lots of fun things happened this week! 

1) Momma got a big girl camera. Our point and shoot just wasn't cutting it anymore for Miss Caroline so we upgraded to a DSLR. We ended up going with the Nikon D3200. 

2) One of our local radio stations made the switch to all Christmas music some say it's too early, but this girl who has her Christmas tree up already says BRING IT ON. Judge away folks, judge away.

3) Y'all this momma melted into a pile of mushy gooeyness. 

4) So I ran out of mascara this week and went to Target in search of a new mascara to try. I picked up the ELF mascara for $3 and it's by far one of my new favorites. And for a lot less expensive like 6 times less expensive then my Merle Norman mascara. 

5) Today is my wonderful mother in law's birthday. We are about to shower, pack up, and hit the road for Hickory for a fun weekend of celebrating! So lucky to have an amazing mother in law to celebrate! 

Caroline's Newborn Session

Our sweet sweet Caroline....I promise not to upload all 63. ;) But seriously who couldn't use a dose of ooey gooey newborn preciousness. She's currently beside me a swaddled up taking a snooze in her rock n play but it's killing me not to scoop her up and snuggle her. Glad she'll be due to feed soon. 

We love you to pieces precious girl. We're so thankful the Lord chose us to be your mommy and daddy. I'm not sure either of us could love you more! 

Five on Friday and Happppy Halloween!

Happy Friday and Happy Halloween! Can't say I'm Halloween's biggest fan but now that we've got a cute little pumpkin of our own to dress up the next few years maybe I'll become a bigger fan.

1) Hi my name is Sarah and I eat a bagel or two a day simply because of this. Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese from Aldi. I blame my MIL entirely for this addiction...seriously when we were in Hickory a couple of weekends ago we were dipping nilla wafers and animal crackers in this stuff. It is so yummy. The pediatrician told me to up my calorie intake since Caroline hasn't been gaining as they would like. So a milkshake a day and pumpkin cream cheese it is. 

2) Shutterfly is offering 101 free 4x6 prints! Valid thru tomorrow. So this momma who just got her newborn session back is LOVING this deal! Details HERE!

3) Can I just say how happy I am to be back in regular clothes than maternity? I went in Old Navy yesterday and my natural instinct had become head straight to the maternity section. I got back there and thought what am I doing and headed back to the front of the store. I'm loving there clothes for fall especially this open front geo cardi! :)

4) Oh my mini you're finally starting to look a teeny tiny bit like your momma. Your facial expressions are 100% me. Look how precious this girl is? Seriously she's so scrumptious I could just eat her right up.---Ok not really but kiss those cheeks about 175 times a day. Yep I do that. 

5) My sister and her hubby are finally moving into their new home this weekend! So after the hubs finishes his golf tournament we're heading east to help them move in. I cannot wait for some sissy time and I know she can't wait for Auntie/Caroline time, which means this momma better start packing. 

Happy Friday my friends and Happy Halloween! :)

Caroline Vance One Month....

Our Dear Sweet Caroline,

You are one month old. It seems like time has passed so quickly but at the same time slowed down since you've been here. The first two weeks were such a blessing because daddy was able to stay at home with us. We spent our days cuddling and soaking in every. single. moment. You charm everyone you meet with you big blue eyes and your quiet personality (so far). You are such a GOOD baby. We've gotten way more sleep than I was expecting. You typically sleep from 9-2:30/3 we feed and then I wake you up again when daddy's alarm goes off at 6 to feed.  We don't go to the doctor until Monday so I'll be interested to see how much you've gained. So far you've been a great eater. You took your first bottle of momma's milk at 2 weeks and had no trouble going from the breast to the bottle. Even when mommy fed it to you, I've heard that can be difficult. Kendall is slowly warming up to you. She wasn't sure about the thing that was waking her up from her peaceful nights sleep, your sister is a diva. You'll learn. You sleep in your rock-n-play beside me we aren't sure when we'll transition you to your crib, momma doesn't even want to think about it. You're starting to smile and recognize our voices. I melted the other morning when I knew your smile was at me and not gas...again just like your father...

You are altogether perfect my dear, we love you so much and are so thankful that the Lord has entrusted us to your care. We dedicated you to Him since the day we found out about you. Our prayer is that you grow to love Him, seek His will, and trust in Him and that we guide you in that direction.

You love:
-Walks with mommy
-Mama's milk you typically eat every 2-3 hours during the day
-The noise from the hair dryer
-Lunch dates with daddy
-Your swing
-Being outside
-Lights

You do NOT love
-Diaper changes and bath time. You're just like your daddy, you hate being cold.

You my sweet girl have not gained an ounce since our last doctor's appointment. You're much like your momma and would rather sleep than eat. Apparently, you're not getting as much as I thought you were and since you're a sleepy eater you're burning more calories than taking in. SO we're supplementing with 2oz of formula after every other feeding. I've increased my water intake, started taking Mother's Milk and made some lactation cookies. They don't think milk supply is the problem so much as us sleeping through crucial night feedings. Hello multiple alarms during the night to wake us all up. It is so important that you gain right now so we're doing everything you can! You were getting enough to sustain you because you didn't lose any weight and you're staying plenty hydrated we just weren't gaining! Hoping on Monday you've gained a few ounces, that will make us all feel better.

We could not have asked for a sweeter girl, we're so lucky, and blessed that God gave us you!

Five on Friday!

I'm so excited to be linking up again for Five on Fridays! I missed them over the summer and during my blog hiatus. 

1) We got Caroline's newborn gallery in the mail Thursday. I was so excited I squealed in the middle of the driveway. I'm sure our neighbors think their new neighbor is batty. Oh well! Here is just a few I will share more later. 

2) Call me lame but I've actually been intently watching Dancing With The Stars this season. I get excited for Monday night's because of this show. It's official I'm turning into my mother. Slowly but surely. I love Janel, Alfonson (Carlton), and Lea from Back to The Future, and Sadie Robertson. I just can't get enough, someone please tell me I'm not alone and a major geek. 

3) We went to the pumpkin patch with my in-laws on Sunday. Caroline slept thru her first pumpkin patch experience but it was sure nice to be outside all afternoon and not to mention the beyond perfect weather!

4) Derik's new job allows him to work 4 10 hour days during the week and therefore has Friday's off. So we're taking a trip to the Tanger Outlets and do a little shopping. Loft, JCrew, and Banana Republic look out I'm coming for ya. Bye Bye elastic bands hello buttons and zippers. Huge bonus, I didn't get a chance to spend Christmas gift cards because a few short weeks later we found out we were expecting. Score!!!

5) So since I'm now a SAHM we've been thinking a whole heck of a lot more cost consciously. We actually started Financial Peace University Online. We've done a few lessons from Dave Ramsey before but haven't really followed thru as well as we should have been. However, this time we are! Here's to getting out of debt, saving money, and wealth building. It's going to take a heck of a lot of discipline, being intentional with every cent spent, and a lot less Target trips but I know in the end it will be so very beneficial.