Fun photo contest

This was one of my best friend's wedding. Ali and Jay got married in the Dominican Republic. I love how happy she looks as they begin their new married life! This was also a new experience for me--my 1st destination wedding to attend and my first trip without my 6 month old daughter.

Photo challenge

I saw this challenge on McCall's blog and thought it sounded fun! I know I'm not the world's greatest photographer, but I love this picture of Caroline's 1st splash in her new pool.

Oh, how I wish I was creative...

I used to be, honestly. I'm not sure what's happened. I've really felt the need to find a creative outlet. I've considered cake decorating or learning how to applique. Any other suggestions or volunteers to teach me?? When I was visiting my family in Hernando, it happened to be the weekend of the A Fair. What is the A Fair, you might ask...well, it is a wonderful arts and crafts fair that happens every May. Booths are set up around the courthouse square filled with some of the cutest things you'll ever see and you can smell the delicious food they're serving up (yes, I did partake in some super unhealthy, but yummy, treats--a huge corndog, a funnel cake, and some fresh squeezed lemonade). There are also people that you know everywhere you look. I got to catch up with 2 friends from high school and meet their cute little ones. I remember going to the A Fair every year when I was growing up—including making a ton of balloon animals for our junior year fundraiser and working in our youth group's food stand. I have so many great memories of this fun event, and it definitely did not disappoint this year. Caroline and I got to spend the day with my 3 sisters, niece, and mom. It was wonderful! But, back to my original point, I wanted to share the great things that I bought that caused the creative bug to bite me!

Super cute pillowcase dress

Gator bow that Caroline won't be able to use for awhile. I also ordered a Gator outfit for next summer.

Diaper bag that hangs on the handle of the stroller

Love, love, love this picture frame!

My 1st Mother's Day

Since we were going to be out of town and away from Caroline on my 1st Mother's Day, we celebrated a week early. We pigged out at the Cheesecake Factory, and John gave me patio furniture for our back porch. He also surprised me with a card from him and one from Caroline on the actual day. I loved reading those cards (and one from my mom) but wished I was with my little girl on that special day. But, I will admit, if you can't be with your baby on Mother's Day, being at a resort in the Dominican Republic is a pretty good place to be!

my Mother's Day mimosa :-)

What a busy month!

Sorry I've been MIA for awhile. May was a crazy busy month! John and I took our first trip without Caroline (to the Dominican Republic for Alison & Jay's wedding), Caroline and I visited MS (super long drive to get there & a flight with an Atlanta layover to get home--she did great!), we took Caroline to the zoo for the first time, & Caroline had her last Level 1 Gymboree class (plus a few other things thrown in). I'll let the pictures tell the story of our fun month of May!

Oh, how she loves to swing!


Beautiful bride, gorgeous wedding!


Cocktail hour after the wedding


Caroline with her aunts (Roro, Alicia, & Andy), Grandmama, and cousin Erin at the A Fair.


My niece, Meagan, graduated from Ole Miss...and she's going to be a Speech Therapist! I'm so proud of her!


My friend, Nancy, and her new baby, Lauren with me and Caroline


1st clover necklace


Caroline's 1st mohawak!


Caroline wasn't so crazy about her 1st time in the big pool...can't say that I blame her--it was COLD!


Trying out her new sippy cup.


This is what happens when you blow raspberries into a spoon full of cereal...


We loved feeding the giraffes! Caroline really liked being so close to an animal.


Hanging out with the gorilla statue (thanks to the nice lady who jumped in and helped get Caroline to look at the camera!).


Loving her new giraffe we got at the zoo!



Here is Caroline and her buddy, Hunter. She is 3 days older than him, and they started class on the same day.



I put together Caroline's high chair yesterday. I thought feeding her cereal to her might be a little easier now (she's been on a cereal boycott since we went out of town).

5 months old!

5 month picture

Wow! Time really does fly! It's hard to believe that Caroline is 5 months old now (and on 5/5--how neat is that?). I am so glad that I have been able to stay at home with her all this time and see every new little thing she does. She is getting more fun everyday! Here are a few new facts about our sweet Caroline:

*She is starting to be able to sit up by herself. She gets distracted easily and starts to topple over...thankfully, Mommy is there to catch her!

*She is so nosy! If you lay her on her back, she does this pilates move where she lifts her upper body off the floor to see what's going on.

*She is a wiggle worm--especially when we're on the webcam talking to Grandmama and Grandaddy. It wears me out wrestling with her while trying to keep her in front of the camera.

*She does not like bananas! (see picture below) But I keep giving them to her!

*She grabs everything--hair, glasses, toys, Max's fur,remote controls, iPhones...

*She weighs 14 lbs, 9 oz.

*She eats 6 1/2 oz around every 3 hours and a little cereal (and banana) late in the afternoon.

*When she smiles, she smiles with her whole entire face and melts our hearts everytime!

trying to eat the sign


not liking these bananas


trying to help mommy with the spoon

This makes it real...

So, I'm going to meet with a lady who runs a home daycare tomorrow. This makes it really real that I have to go back to work. Don't get me wrong, I know I am extremely fortunate to be able to take 6 months off and only going back 2 days a week for now, but that doesn't make it any easier. I love spending all day with Caroline. I love seeing her learn new things--and it seems like she learns something new everyday. And, selfishly, I don't want someone else to see them for the first time. At my job, I get to play and help kids all day...and I can't help but wonder if I'll just spend the entire day wishing I was with my child instead of someone else's?