Monday, May 16, 2011

Happy Birthday Carinna!

Dear Carinna,

Today you are TWO years old. I can hardly believe how quickly the time has gone! Lately I have been trying really hard to remember how you were as a newborn...but I have to admit...it's becoming fuzzy! That may be because Cooper is only 6 weeks old and I'm sleep deprived...but part of it is because I haven't discovered how to remember every detail of your life.



I do remember how tiny your features were when you were born. I remember looking at your impossibly tiny face and wondering what you would be like as you grew. I remember almost being afraid to have you because our family is so used to boys and I wasn't really sure what to do with a girl! I also remember that it took you months and months to sleep through the night...but then again...I remember not minding too much since it allowed me to sit and hold you in the still darkness of your room and soak up the feeling of your tiny little body while I could.


These days you crack us up constantly! You are such a ham and so dramatic...but in a good way...usually. You copy everything that we do and EVERYTHING that Caden does. It drives him crazy! I'll notice at various times throughout the day that you are watching every move I make and mimicking it the best you can...especially when it comes to taking care of your baby brother! You wish that I would let you care for him yourself...but you settle for caring for your babies. You are constantly wiping their bottoms, strapping them in the car seat or loving on them. You are certainly a little mommy!

A year ago I predicted that you would be a real talker...and I was right on! You love to read books out loud...you don't want them read to you...you want to read them yourself! You also LOVE to sing and dance! Right now your favorite songs are Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes (thanks to Aunt Jill), Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. You and Caden dance to the Imagination Movers songs all the time. Dad and I absolutly love to watch you dance...there is nothing funnier!

You still love to snuggle...and I am so very happy about that! We snuggle in the chair every morning and watch Elmo...it's one of the highlights of my day! You love to wrap your arms around our necks and squeeze as hard as you can! It's the best feeling in the world! Every time dad comes home you practically climb up his legs...you can't wait for him to hold you and throw you in the air...which is easy to do because you are still so tiny!


You are quite a fashionista too! You love to dress yourself...which can be frustrating at times. The following conversation can often be heard coming from your closet:
Me: Carinna, do you want to wear this?
Carinna: NO
Me: How about this?
Carinna: Ummm, NO
Me: This?
Carinna: no
I've learned to just not ask. But whatever clothes I put you in, you always accessorize! Hats, belts, shoes, jewelry...anything you can find. It is always fun to see what you will be wearing each day!

You're such a wonderful addition to our family! I am so thankful to have a sweet little girl...though I think you'll be tough enough to handle yourself with your two brothers. They better watch out! You're going to be bossing them around in no time!

I love you so much and am so thankful for you! I pray that you will continue to be the sweet loving girl we know you to be. I hope you will keep your adventurous spirit, your strong will, your loving nature and your spunk! I look so forward to seeing what your future holds...I know that whatever it is will be amazing!

Happy Birthday sweet Carinna Grace!

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

What we've been up to...

We've tried to protect Cooper's head from Carinna's "kisses"...which for some reason involve her forehead against his.
We've listened to many very long stories from the big brother. They range in topic from cucumbers to trains. Did I mention they were long...long stories? Many long stories.
We celebrated Cooper's "0" birthday! Cooper didn't care for the hats!
Big brother blew out the candle. Cooper didn't seem to like that either!

We've spent time in the swing...or at least Cooper has. The rest of us have been trying to make sure big sister didn't swing Cooper right out of the swing!
We've had meetings of the minds.
We've taken lots of photos!
Some of us have tried to wear pigtails...without much success!
We've eaten... a lot!
We have experienced new things...
...slept (some of us have)...
...snuggled...
...helped each other...
...smiled...
I would say, all in all, it has been a very successful month!

Saturday, April 30, 2011

One Month...

Today Cooper is one month old! The days fly by so quickly...which may be due to the sleep deprived haze I stumble around in!!

I had lots of plans for cute photos to commemorate this first month, but Cooper has been having tummy troubles all day. This was the best I could get from grumpy pants...
He still sleeps a lot. I can't tell if it seems like he sleeps more than the other two because he is actually sleepier or because I don't have the time to pay attention to his awake times!
His brother can't wait until he stays awake more. I know Caden will love it when Cooper is able to interact with him.
Cooper is growing rapidly! He is going to be a big boy! His feet are enormous! They are longer than my pointer finger. Most of our newborn socks don't fit!

Happy ONE MONTH birthday, Cooper!! We love you!

Friday, April 15, 2011

And then there were three...


On March 30, 2011 at 7:03 am - we officially welcomed Cooper to our family! He was a bit early but everything checked out just fine! He weighed in at 7 lbs 4 oz and was 20.25 inches long... which happen to be the exact same measurements as his big brother!

It was a long and hard labor and for several hours the night before I was afraid they might just send me home! Finally around midnight we were officially admitted and began the long night of no sleep.
He was worth it though!
He was not a fan of his first bath!
Later in the morning he had the chance to meet his big brother and big sister! This big brother is particularly fond of little Cooper!
This big sister likes to touch Cooper's eyes. It can be rather frustrating! She can NOT be gentle with him... she just gets too excited!
Sometimes she has to get in trouble for poking his eyes... it's not pretty!

When we got home there was a welcoming committee in the front yard!

They couldn't wait to get their hands on him!


He's a great baby and is certainly loved! I think he will fit in quite nicely!

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

This...

...pretty much sums up her attitude sometimes!

(And no, she does not take a paci... she found this and thinks it's funny to have it in her mouth.)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Imagination Movers Concert!!!

For months now we have been answering the daily question of "Are we going to the concert today?" Finally (thank goodness), we loaded up the car and headed to Grandma & Pawcaw's house this past weekend. Then... on Sunday afternoon... we drove to the Verizon Theater... and witnessed the concert of the YEAR!! (Well, at least the concert of the year if you're a preschooler!)

Can you see the excitement in this little face?
He had no idea what to expect, but man... he couldn't wait!!
The lights went out... the kids went WILD... and there they were! The Imagination Movers!!
They also brought Warehouse Mouse...
and Nina!
So fun... but there was more to come!
After the concert we went to a little room with several other families and waited to...
MEET THE MOVERS!!!!
They walked around signing autographs and shaking hands with the kiddos.
Then they sang us some songs!
The Choo Choo Soul group was there too (we didn't know they were coming... but they were awesome!!) Caden got a photo with Genevive! Exciting!!
Then we all got a photo with the Movers!!
(I am not sure what kind of camera magic they used to disguise my enormous belly!)

I have to say that I have never seen... or met... such an appreciative group of performers. These are the nicest, most sincere guys. It was for sure worth the money and we would highly recommend their concert to anyone! I really can't speak highly enough about them!

Now the daily question is "can we go see the Imagination Movers again today?"