April FUN

April has proven to be one of our busiest months... spring break, birthdays, first communion prep, school activities, and the normal everyday stuff.  There was hardly a day that wasn't packed with something! 

The girls were excited to see their school sign show up! 

We soaked up as much park time as possible. 

Even this little lady has learned how to keep busy at the park (in her pjs and all). 

Audrey is still loving everything about school! 

Emmerson's class was excited to see the author of their favorite books.  Dan Gutman came to visit our neighborhood bookstore. 

Sweet Caroline is almost always strapped on someone.  She literally just hangs out and tags along. 

Which wears her out! 

Last minute egg dying. 

Emmerson had a couple friends over for a birthday playdate. 

These two...

She is always looking for something to get into. 

Kickball has started again...but this is my only proof, a walk to one of the games. 

Caroline turns 1

Our sweet girl is already turning ONE!  This has been by far the faster year yet.  It blows us away that she is already one because it feels like we just had her, yet its hard to remember our family without her.  She is SO adored by her sisters and anyone that meets her.  She is easy going, all smiles, and just all around enjoyable to be around.  She still doesn't eat much table food or eat much at all.  She still prefers liquid meals and would rather starve than take a bottle.  She is standing, cruising, walking behind push toys, and taking a few steps here and there.  We think she will be be a true walker any day! She says- Mama, Gaga (daddy), yuck, uh oh, more, Bear bear (claire), ball, Ba-Ba (blanket), and dog. This girl loves her blankets and her bed!  She takes 2 good naps and sleeps 12 hours a night.  Her and Audrey are still great roommates.  If it were possible to have twins 5 years apart we would be sure that her and Claire were just that. Everything about Caroline is just like Claire as a baby! 

We put her to bed at her normal bedtime but we went in and got her up at 9:50, the exact minute she was born.  We have always done this with our babies.  Caroline popped right up, was all smiles while we sang to her and loved on her and then went right back to sleep.  This sums her up perfectly!   

Emmerson, Claire and Audrey had a special sign waiting on her in the morning.  They were so excited it was a Saturday so they could spend the whole day with her. 

She was happy to see all of us and loved the singing and attention. 

We went to the zoo.  She loved it! 

She pointed at everything and kept saying, "wow". 

The baby orangutan was born about a month before Caroline so we have loved watching her grow.  She was cuddling with her Mama and we couldn't get enough of watching her. 

The girls like to pretend that this spot is the castle from Beauty and the Beast.  So there is always a quick break for a very fancy dance! 

She was asleep before we were even out of the zoo parking lot. 

After a quick nap it was time to celebrate with a treat. 

It was all fun until she got messy.  She never tried one bite (as we assumed it would go). 

We think she had a great day.  I know we had fun celebrating this sweet baby. 

Here is a side by side of Caroline and I at about 12 months. 

12 Months of pure JOY

12 months is busy and so fun! 

She could stand at this door and look for dogs all day long! 

She can finally keep up outside now. 

Any time you look at her this is the face you get! 

She will disappear and it gets very quiet.  I always know this is one of the first places to look.  She loves to play with the house alarm. 

We are desperately trying to get her to drink milk out of a sippy. 

It's time to lower the crib!

She is so close to walking.  She will take 5-6 steps before she remembers she is fast when she crawls.