Father's Day 2015

Father's Day 2015 was a success.

I got to spend the morning with my wonderful husband, who is an amazing father. I don't know what we would do without all of his support. He is our rock. & I fall more and more in love when watching him and Caroline together. 

He went and played golf the rest of the afternoon - it's what he wanted to do today, 

so that's what he did!

My dad and brother came over to Alabama for the day. It was their first time seeing our new house. 

We went and explored Downtown Fairhope and then went into Daphne for lunch. 

I think I found my Thai food hot spot. [Nothing will ever replace The Thai House back home, but if I can't have it- then Bangkok Thai House is my place.] It was delicious. & we finished up our day with the U.S Open. 

I hate saying bye, but obviously I had to let them leave me - they had to drive back to Niceville. 

Caroline and I took us a bubble bath - full of all the foam letters and numbers you could imagine. We counted and spelled out all kinds of words - she thought it was fun. I know this because of her laughter. She thinks it's extra funny to spell her name.. not sure why - but I'll go with it :)

Then my husband returned from his day of golf and we had a relaxing evening cuddling on the couch watching Modern Family. [These are the moments]

Perfect Day. 

Those Pregnancy Surveys

So since we just found out that we're expecting baby #2

I figured I'd do one of those "pregnancy surveys"

You know the ones.. The ones that everyone does.

1.) When did you find out you were pregnant? Friday June 5th 

2.) How far along are you? Not exactly sure- we haven't been to the doctor's yet- but according to the BabyBump app, it looks like I'm about 6 weeks. (could be right, could be wrong)

3.) Your due date? Like I said above, not exactly sure yet- but it looks like February

3.) Do you think you're having a boy or a girl? I think it's too early to go one way or another

4.) Think you're having or are having twins/multiples? They don't run in my family so I would say most likely not

5.) If it's a boy, what will you name him? He would be a III of course :)

6.) If it's a girl, what will you name her? That's a secret for the time being! But trust me, I've had a possibility list going for quite some time now!

7.) Have you gained any wieght, how much? Literally just found out and I've been working out sooooooo I've been working on losing weight. 

8.) What are you craving? No real cravings yet. 

9.) What food do you hate? Nothing yet and I hope it stays that way

10.) What are your symptoms today? I've just been really sad and emotional- that's all though. 

11.) Have you had a scan yet? Not yet but we're scheduled for July 1st!

12.) Have you bought anything yet? What? Too soon for that! But, I've got my eye on some things

13.) Is this your first baby? If not which number? This will be baby #2. Caroline is going to be a big sister :)

14.) Are you single, married, or engaged? Married to an amazing man & an even more amazing daddy

15.) How old are you? 25

16.) If he's a boy are you going to have him circumsized? That's not even a real question, I'm sorry. Yes.

17.) Are you going to breast feed? Absolutely. I plan on trying to do the same I did with Caroline. But I won't starve my child either, so if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. 

18.) How are you feeling today (emotionally)? Excited. Anxious. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. But mostly excited. 

19.) How do you plan on giving birth? Naturally? C-section? Drugs? No drugs? Sue me for saying this, but I will definitely be getting the epidural. [everyone has the right to go through child birth however they choose] 

In Other Big News!

My last post was filled with news

& great news I might add.

Well now I've got more for you. 

So we moved in on Tuesday,

want to guess what happened on Friday?

Due to a certain amount of uncontrollable emotions, (I'm talking tears left & right)

and my husband will tell you, a little more moody (than usual)..

I decided to take one of those tests.

You know, the one that says Positive or Negative at the end?

#pregnancytest

:)

Well.

We got a big ol' +

That's right. We're on our way to baby #2!

Obviously I haven't been to the doctor yet (but I have made my appointment) so we don't have an exact due date or know exactly how far along I am 

BUT

according to the wonderful apps you can find in the iPhone app store it looks like I am 6 weeks today. So we found out at 5 weeks & 4 days. 

& the app says our due date is February 3rd! 

We're pretty excited!

So I wanted to share the news!

Here goes another adventure :)

Big News

We have finally done it. 

The day we have been waiting for.

We have a house. #homeowners

We close soon. #nextweek

And we are moving! #onclosingday

We couldn't be more excited. 

It has been 6 months since we have been on our own as a family.

[Grateful for the in-laws for putting up with us for that long,

Husband, Wife, Baby & Dog]

^ They're troopers. 

Needless to say we're counting down and the days are lasting twice as long as usual.

Haha.

I'll be packing if you need me ;)

See ya on the flip side!

Fairhope, Alabama - here we come!

Birthday Party Success

I'm happy to report that Caroline's 1st birthday party was very successful.

We had it in Brewton and my MIL & FIL's house. (greatly appreciate them allowing us to use their home for this special occasion).

Everything was pink & white in honor of our sweet girl.

We had friends and family come from all over. -Brewton, Niceville, Nashville, Cullman, Atlanta, Crestview, Andalusia, etc.- Caroline is so very loved & they made it known. 

We catered - apps on apps on apps. Haha. And let me just say- they were a huge hit. We had very little left over. Maybe I should post some recipes? (at a later date)

Caroline's party even had an after party- with even more friends. A "porch party" as Joseph calls them.. which are always a good time.

Caroline went from noon until 9pm without a nap. No tears, no fussiness. She was passed from person to person for lovin' and didn't complain one bit. She's a social butterfly.

So very thankful for everyone that helped make Caroline's first birthday special. We are so grateful for each and every one of you. It was so good to see everyone!

Caroline's First Birthday

Our little bambino is no longer a baby.

Happy birthday to our sweet, smart & beautiful girl, Caroline Ann.  

You were born January 23rd, 2014. & at 7 pounds & 2 ounces, you had our hearts. 

This year has been nothing short of amazing. I never understood what women meant when they said "you'll never know a love & bond so strong until you hold your child in your arms." 

Now I get it. 

Caroline has turned our world upside down- in all the best ways possible. 

We have had many adventures. Everyday starts a new one. 

Watching her grow has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. 

Watching her discover & learn. Watching her explore. 

Looking at her face and seeing "the wheels turn" brings a smile to my face. 

Caroline, you made me a mommy. You're the best part of me. 

 

The 12 month picture is the last of the monthly pictures. If Caroline only knew, she would be celebrating. She hates them. I'm talking red face, cow tears kind of hate.

Fun Facts About Caroline:

• weighs 22 pounds & 6 ounces
• is 29.75 inches long
• has 6 teeth - 2 on bottom, 4 on top
• loves breakfast smoothies
• drink through a straw and off the side of adult cups (still refuses a sippy cup)
• high fives
• blows kisses
• says hey, bye-bye, Da Da & Mama
• does the hand motions to "the itsy bitsy spider"
• crawls up your leg to be picked up
• record of 15 steps by herself
• does the "roll 'em up" motion during "Patty Cake"
• loves Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First & Jake the Neverland Pirate
• happily eats broccoli, spinach, rutabagas, and peas

Baby's 1st Christmas

Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday's from our family to yours!

I hope everyone had a magical holiday celebrating Our Lord & Savior, we certainly did!

We spent this special time with both sides of the family.

Christmas Eve we went to the Candlelight Service at the First United Methodist Church.

Now I've been to Christmas Eve services before, but I've never seen anything like this. 

I loved it. The music and the readings made me feel even more joy for the glorious season.

I was moved. Don't laugh. I really was. 

I'm thinking this will be our Christmas Eve tradition. No matter where we live.

Christmas morning, goodness it was exciting. Watching Caroline take it all in was the best. 

Santa came to visit Caroline at her Sassy & G's house. She was in awe. 

I really don't think she knew where to go first. Her head was flipping back and forth as she scanned the room looking at all her new things. 

Let's not fib- her favorite thing was the wrapping paper. And anything that wasn't hers.

And of course, Christmas morning isn't complete with out a breakfast casserole.

Late Christmas morning we were in Niceville. (we're all about seeing everyone on the Holiday's)

We had Christmas morning all over again, and Santa even stopped in at Nonnie's house. :)

Again, Caroline crawled around from toy to toy checking everything out.

This child is so spoiled, it's unreal. 

Same as earlier in the day- the boxes and wrapping paper were probably her favorite.

Then we had a Christmas dinner, family and friends came over to join in on the amazing meal my mom cooked. 

This woman should seriously be a chef. I've considered hiring her to cook for my family personally. 

Yeah, she's that good. 

And of course, the following Saturday we had Turner Christmas! More "Food & Family." Turner Holiday's are always fun. Nana's house is filled to the max with aunts, uncles and cousins - and now the next generations :)

We had such a great Christmas. Another successful 1st for Caroline. The best part about it was being surrounded by everyone we love. 

It was a Christmas to remember. Happy Birthday, Jesus <3

11 Months Old!!

Caroline is 11 months old!

I cannot believe we are here. 

This is the last month we will be able to call this little one an infant.

And then.. she's a.. sniff sniff.. toddler. :(

These months went by so fast. 

I always find myself looking back at her pictures..all the way back to the day she was born. 

It amazes me to see the transformation she has made.

She was a dark haired, light eyed little beauty when she was born.

Now she is a light haired, color changing eyes cutie.

I wouldn't change anything about these months. 

To watch her grow has been the biggest blessing of all.

I love being able to teach her things and then watch her get the hang of it.

It's like something just clicks and then boom- she's doing it all the time!

I've said it once (or twice) and I'll say it again,

this girl is so freakin' smart. 

And on another note- did you notice the prop in the picture above? Joseph's glasses.

Yeah. She wouldn't sit still for the picture. Girlfriend does not like laying on her back.

So we improvised.  

Fun Facts About Caroline:

• weighs 22 pounds
• is 29 inches long
• says Mama and Hey
• waves hello & bye-bye
• loves yogurt melts
• can climb up and down steps
• loves meeting new people
• beats on everything like it's a drum
• crawls to meet mommy and daddy whenever they come home
• can stand up on her own without touching anything
• claps at the right parts during "If You're Happy & You Know It"
• has now been to seven different states: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina and North Carolina

Santa!

We met Santa today!

It was such a great experience.

Joseph and I had a whole lot of fun waiting in line in Pensacola for just about 2 hours.
Caroline played with us, some other kids and looked around the whole time. We did quite a bit of people watching at this prime location. She was just as happy as could be!

We thought she might be getting tired towards the end of our wait. Like she was ready for a nap. Naturally, we began to start thinking that this situation could head south real quick.

We weren't sure how she would react to Santa anyway. I mean we have an almost 11 month old baby meeting this giant bearded man in red. It could get crazy. 

Like everything else though, she amazed us.

She loved him. She sat down as happy as could be on his lap and just looked at him. She checked him out up and down and then even played with his beard. When she felt comfortable enough, she looked at the camera and gave us a big smile. #moneyshot

She was the cutest, most well behaved child in that line. Success!

We love Santa Claus!

Thanksgiving

There is so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and everyday.

I'm so blessed to have a wonderful husband who is so loving and an extremely great father. I'm so blessed to have such a healthy and beautiful daughter who calls me Mama. I'm so blessed to have such understanding parents and a brother I can confide in. I'm so blessed to have such great in-laws that took us in for these next couple months while we house hunt. I'm so blessed to have such true friends that I can laugh and cry with and that take me as I am. I'm so blessed to have my fur baby, who comforts me in sickness and health.

I'm so very thankful for each and every person in my life. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

This year we were so lucky to be able to spend Thanksgiving with everyone.

We started Thanksgiving in Niceville, surrounded by friends and family - minus my daddy, who might I add was missed dearly (but I still got to talk to him a lot throughout the day). Then we finished up the day with another Thanksgiving in Brewton - surrounded by more friends and family.

We even got to have Thanksgiving a 3rd time: Turner Thanksgiving. Joseph has such a larger family that it's hard for everyone to get together on the actual holiday. So they have their very own Turner Holiday's. So we had that on Saturday :) More food & more family!

It really is wonderful being back close to everyone. It makes these special days that much more special.

Caroline's first Thanksgiving was a success. She had some mashed potatoes... how she felt about them is still up for debate ;)