Caroline's First Birthday

So here's the "scoop" on Caroline's State Fair of Texas birthday party. I hired a photographer to take pictures of the party. Something I'm so grateful that I did but is definitely testing my patience. I'm still waiting to see them...It's really hard not to bother her when I want so badly to nag her about when they'll be available.

So here are the ones that I took. We had a wonderful time and so did Caroline.

Party favor buckets. So that all the children could fill them with the prizes they would win on the Midway.

The gift table with Caroline's One Year picture to the left.

The balloon arch...the entrance to The Midway.

The food and beverage tables.

I'll post more once the professional ones arrive...promise...this is a teaser anyway!

First Texas Tech Game

As a parent there are many "first" that you get the privilege of experiencing with your children...first smile...laugh...word...All of which I have experienced with Caroline, BUT one of the best "firsts" I got to experience with my daughter occurred Sunday, September 5, 2010...we got decked out in our finest scarlet red and black and watch her FIRST TEXAS TECH GAME together! It couldn't have been more perfect!!!

Texas Tech is a tradition not only in my family but Kyle's as well. I would say having my aunts and uncles all attend the same wonderful university as my parents is somewhat of a tradition and Kyle's parents, his brother and sister all attended Tech. Some might say we bleed red and black! Heck our brother-in-law, Jeff, is already talking about us going in together to buy a house for Olivia, Elizabeth and Caroline...All I can say is Watch out Lubbock...The Haley and Blair Girls are heading your way...in 14 short years (Olivia will be four this year and you know Elizabeth and Caroline will definitely be visiting)!

BUT I suppose that Sunday was such a special day for me because Lubbock is where I met some of the best friends of my life. Which in turn makes the memories that much sweeter. I can only hope that Caroline will enjoy Lubbock as much as I did. And who knows maybe she'll sport a crown around like I did...one can dream right?

Future Red Raider

Please notice that she's got the phone in her hand because she's calling home (not to ask for money but to simply chat)...we'll be that close :)

Tuberville or was it Tupperwareville

Sunday while everyone was watching Tommy Tuberville lead Texas Tech to a victory Caroline found her Grandmommy's Tupperware drawer and she had a blast! Here's the proof... (please note she had to change out of her smocked Texas Tech dress because it was inhibiting her crawling)...

Needless to say Grandmommy's Tupperware drawer will never be the same or as neat again!

Swimming at Nana's House...

Is ALWAYS a good time. Can't you tell?

I mean look at that smile...

Regardless of how much fun was being had...there was no way she was letting go of the tupperware top.

A day in the pool must be followed by a "dip" in Nana's fancy bath tub with Cousin Olivia.

Nana's tub is fancy because it has light therapy. Notice the changing colors in the various pictures.

Look at those two bottom teeth...

If you can't tell Caroline had a blast and so did Vivian. We'll be making the trek back to Tyler for Labor Day weekend. More time in the pool for sure!

Dallas + Casey + Multiple Consignment Shops = a WONDERFUL TIME!

This past weekend Casey and I met up in Dallas to hang out before Henry makes his debut in late October, if you didn't know Kyle and I both think Casey is "single white femaling" me (I mean first the hair color and then the pregnancy with a due date only 2 days off of Carolines, she's also due on Kyle's birthday for crying out loud).

Casey had put a lot of thought into the weekend and I can't tell you how much I appreciated it. She even went so far as to plot our destinations on a map. I became a little frightened when she sent me a message telling me that maybe we should just pack snacks so that we don't have to stop for lunch, this from a pregnant woman!

We met up at Clothes Circuit, an adult consignment store in Dallas, off Preston. It was a great consignment store. I was able to find some great things none of which I needed and of course returned to their original rack because these days all I can think of is diapers, formula, daycare, clothes for Caroline, etc (Casey will be there soon) so I sort of feel guilty for buying stuff for me. I've dubbed this feeling "motherhood." With that being said, Casey was able to find lots of good stuff. Although we almost came to blows over an orange Tory Burch tunic. I plan on stealing it for next summer when she's back to being a size 0 and the larger size, that will remain unnamed, doesn't fit her anymore.

Then lunch at Mi Concina. Casey was kind enough to let me indulge in TWO margaritas in front of her. She is such an amazing friend. Lunch was great. Then more shopping.

We continued to shop around the rest of the day making it to some other stores and a couple antique stores. Nothing really amazing to report except that antique dealers in Dallas have lost their freaking minds. People go to Canterbury Court located in my wonderful hometown of Corsicana, Texas, if you want beautiful English antiques. Don't get completely hosed in the metroplex.

Then we were off to Snyder Plaza to a childrens consignment store, thank you Diana. Of course we were off to a CHILDRENS consignment store and I have to admit that I was secretly excited to get there. I have a sickness/addiction, and the sickness/addiction manifests itself in the form of smocked dresses, bubbles or rompers. I don't even know if there is a known cure...maybe the cure comes in the form of my daughter outgrowing the appropriateness of these outfits. Well until that time comes, I continue to feed my addiction. At this particular store my "fix" was cured in the form of a smocked navy gingham dress that had snow white on it feeding some deers, cuter than it sounds, a purple corduroy smocked dress with frogs dressed up as ballerinas and then a smocked hula girl bubble. As you can see this trip should hold me over until I can get my next "fix" at Hock Your Smocks in Shreveport next weekend! I try to avoid paying full price when satisfying my addiction as you can see.

Then we ended up at Northpark. It was LAST CALL, how could I be in the same town and NOT go, and I needed/just had to find this...come on guess...navy blue daisy smocked dress. They didn't have it in Caroline's size in Houston. Well guess what I hit the jack pot...24 months, because she's a little larger and I want her to be able to wear it for awhile. Also got some Kissy Kissy outfits for now. Can't pass up $12 Kissy Kissy...if I did they would lock me up...it's a crime to pass up such a good deal...literally!

After Neimans it was time to get Casey a cupcake. We found a cupcake and Casey enjoyed her fancy La Duni cupcake. I was strong and only ordered a coffee (I still have some Caroline weight that I'm lugging around that ABSOLUTELY MUST vanish before October 15th...I simply refuse to still have the extra 10 pounds at her party!). Well the coffee was ordered and they told me the total $6. Are you kidding me? When I received the coffee it was worth every single penny! FABULOUS. If you have $6 to blow I highly recommend the vanilla latte at La Duni.

Then we were both exhausted. Casey was a trooper the entire day. She seemed to be the one encouraging me to keep moving. We finally made it to the hotel around 7. Christopher David is the sweetest husband/future father EVER he got us a hotel room. So sweet and thoughtful. We were both exhausted and didn't feel like going to a restaurant so take out Campisi's it was. We drove to pick it up and I was constantly on the search for a gas station that sells liquor. For those Dallas residents following my blog we were at the one on Campbell so you can understand my problem. I was able to find one with the assistance of the cashier at Campisi's. Thank the lord. After a day full of shopping this woman need a glass(es) of vino!

We got back to the hotel ate our pizza in our beds and talked until midnight. Hanging out with Casey at the end of the day was the absolute best part of the day for me. I have made new friends, friend can be plural if I've only made TWO new friends right?, in The Woods but none compare to my Shreveport friends especially Casey (don't worry my Woods friends don't even follow my blog...that's how close we are)!

Here are some pictures from the weekend...

Casey ripped her skirt from all of the serious shopping.

Henry's loot. Check out those adorable flip flops! I can't wait to see his little feet in them next summer!

The next morning we woke up and made it to Bread Winners for breakfast. It was of course delicious. The next time I'm going to go on a Saturday morning when I don't have to drive 4 1/2 hours with my daughter because I'm most certainly going to partake in the frozen strawberry limeade with vodka. Doesn't that just sound perfect?

I can't wait to see all of my Shreveport friends next weekend. I am really excited that almost all of them will be joining me in the wonderful world of motherhood. I have to admit that it can be the hardest club to get into BUT it is the absolute most rewarding thing I've ever done. I can't wait to finally meet Henry, Charlie and Martin Twin A and Martin Twin B (in birth order of course). What a fabulous fall/winter it is going to be to meet these wonderful miracles! That's FOUR FABULOUS excuses to visit Shreveport. Love you ladies and see you in a week!

My Little Hula Girl

Caroline kept tugging at her ear so I stayed home on Monday and made an appointment. Come to find out her ear isn't healing the way the doctor would like so we're on new antibiotics and meeting with a specialist on the 16th. SO I got to stay home. She was in a great mood so I thought dress up. Caroline's Aunt Julie bought her this adorable hula girl costume and I've been meaning to take pictures of her in it but just never got around to it...no time like the present.

Look at those two bottom teeth. Her top two are coming in nicely. Before I know it her entire mouth is going to be full of teeth and she'll look even more grown up (then she does in this itsy bitsy bikini top).

Outside getting some sun on the balcony

Let me out of here...

Hula girl outfit off and about to get dressed for the doctor's appointment but she began climbing up my leg. I swear this child has spidey skills. Pray for good news at the doctor's appointment on the 16th.

Don't worry the hula girl outfit is on loan to Caroline Elizabeth Bowman...hopefully Laura will post some adorable pictures of her Caroline in it soon. I can't wait to see her Caroline in it...not only do they share a monogram (how Southern of us) but they obviously also share dress up clothes!

No words necessary

Well maybe a little explanation. I snapped this picture quickly but Caroline woke up anyway. I could resist. It was so precious...A little girl and her grandmommy taking a nap

NINE Months

Here are pictures from our own personal 9 Month photo shoot. As you can see, it didn't go over as well as the 9 month shoot with Shalonda.

What is this thing?

It looks like a 9...could I really be that old?

I'm so over this...

With an ending like this. I'm thinking it's best to stick with Shalonda!

DIVA

So Caroline moved up to a new classroom recently at school. To say that I was reluctant would be a huge understatement. I did NOT want my baby to be too big for the infant classroom. Who were they kidding she wasn't ready to be in the room with TODDLERS...kids that were walking. Well after a conversation with my mother I realized that Caroline was in fact ready to leave The Dogwood Room, otherwise known as the infant room, and move up to The Oaks Room.

After a two week transition it was time to make the move. Her teacher, Ms. Karen, was so sad to see her go. Ms. Karen really liked waiting to see what Caroline would be wearing each day. She referred to Caroline as a DIVA. So much so that it is a wonder that Caroline knows her name...its was DIVA this...DIVA that. Well on the last day Ms. Karen gave Caroline a gift. I opened it at home because I was a little afraid of what might be in there and I didn't want it to be awkward you know. So I opened it at home and I found an outfit fit for a DIVA. It was the sweetest thing...here's a little background...Ms. Karen has two children of her own and then she has custody of two of her brother's children...so that's a total of four children on the salary of a daycare teacher. So you can see how incredibly special this outfit really is...

So blog readers...I need help coming up with the proper thank you gift. Get your creative thinking caps on and leave comments about good gifts.

Here's the two of them....

9 Month Appointment

So yesterday we had your 9 month appointment. I can hardly believe it. Here are the hard core statistics...

28 1/2 inches long - 95th percentile

23 pounds - 90th percentile

Your iron levels were a little low so we're on the iron supplements and we'll reevaluate the situation in 3 months at your 1 YEAR APPOINTMENT!

Things you are currently doing:

pulling up on absolutely everything, I mean girl you will use your spidey skills and pull up on a flat wall, you yank the spoon out of my hand...you are painfully independent, you LOVE your poofs, you are meserized by the door stop and the sound it makes, you can make this weird feed back noise by grinding your teeth together (it was a scary sound at first I thought you had some metal in your mouth...your father had been watching you), you love your tunnel, when you wake up, before you even open your eyes, you grab for your crib railing and pull yourself all the way and then open your eyes and are always so happy to see me, you crawl with one leg sticking out, you are starting to partially stand...and then fall, you absolutely HATE the word "No" (you must really be my daughter, you are in love with Vivian (wish she liked you as much...the pulling her hair doesn't help), you have started to cuddle with me when we rock at night (a personal favorite...please don't EVER change this), there are so many changes...they seem to occur daily.

I can't believe that you are 9 months old!

Tunnel of Fun

Thank you Ikea...for $20 you supplied my daughter with endless hours of tunnel fun.

This is just about the only "still" picture I got because in the rest she was going full steam ahead!

And back again...this continued for several minutes!

Tea Party with Grandmommy

The other day my Mom came in town to see Caroline and they had a tea party. Vivian eventually joined in as well. As you can see, everyone had a fabulous time.

Please read this...

and think if there is anyway that you can help...be it financially or through prayers for Lindsey.

http://apostolobenefit.webs.com/

Current Obession

I really really want this pillow right now...I want a bunch of them but this one will suffice for now...

Look it has all the highways that I spend the majority of my time on...honking...cussing...and dreaming about wine!

Well this pillow will have to wait in line because I'm going shopping for fakes, that's right ladies I'm talking Gucci and Louis, this weekend down on Harwin (thanks to Katie for giving me the "low down" on where to go) with my bestest.

Yes, that's right Houston...Ellen and Kristen are footloose and fancy free i.e. no children and no husbands for one night...one might refer to it as bliss (only because we'll get to see our kids and husbands in the morning)!

Saturday can't come soon enough! (but I'll also be ready for Sunday to see my little crawler)

P.S. They also have glasses and they are much more affordable so they'll be coming to live in The Woods sooner then the pillow sadly.

Father's Day

Early Saturday morning we loaded up EVERYONE and EVERYTHING and got on the road...headed to the farm!

We got to the farm and hung out with the fam all day. It was so hot that we thought that Caroline might enjoy a dip in the princess pool.

Check out the inflatable fish that her Grandmommy bought her. She loved them obviously.

Well it was too hot for the adults outside and the mosquitoes at the farm could quite possibly carry Caroline away...so what was the logically solution...Put the princess pool in the dining room and let Caroline enjoy the water while we enjoyed the air conditioning.

No water yet...but having a blast!

She really loved that fish!

In came the water...YEAH!

Give me that water hose.....

Now it was off for Vivian to have fun popping/eating bubbles. I wish I had taken a video of it.

Then Sunday we went to church with my parents and then hit the pavement back to H-town.

As you can tell we had the most fantastic first Father's Day!