Alive & Well

The other night my sweet friend Emily reminded me I needed to blog. I haven't been hiding in a turtle shell the past few weeks. We have lots to blog about: LSU football, a trip to the beach, birthday play dates, visits with grandmothers and life in general.

We returned from our trip to the beach (beach blog to come soon) Sunday and are heading out tomorrow for Baton Rouge. Until the real writing comes, here are a few hello's from some very sweet girls......

The first of many birthday celebrations for her 2nd birthday

Anna Caroline...... truly a sweet heart!

Turtles

I have always liked turtles. Loved finding them in the woods when I was a little girl. Will never forget watching the Sea Turtles come out of the ocean and lay their eggs. What about the huge turtles you see at the zoo. My sister even had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle party.

Today I wanted to be a turtle. There has got to be something so nice about just tucking your head in your shell when your scared, tired, overwhelmed, you get the picture. I could have used a turtle shell the past couple of days.

With Mary Stewart on the verge of being two and on the verge of cutting her two year molars, the days have been long. Top that with a 12 week old baby and a daddy out of town, there has been more than one occasion of just wanting a shell to duck myself into.

I remind myself that this is a season. It is not the end all. As a friend recently posted on face book, "The days are long and the years are short." These are all things I know to be true. I also am reminded that I've never done this before. It is trial and error. But I will rest on the fact that there is nothing else I would rather be doing (except in mid melt down tantrum mode, then there are ALOT of places I'd rather be).

As much as I so desperately wanted that turtle shell to duck into, being a mother is a sweet privilege.

Finally!

Finally a sweet picture of our Anna Caroline. Today she is 12 weeks! After looking at some pictures from a few weeks ago I can say, she is really growing! Here is a little recap:

12 Week Stats:

Weight: not sure, somewhere b/t 11 & 12 pounds

Height: not sure on that one either

Diaper Size: 2

Clothes Size: 3 months & fitting into some 3 to 6 months!

What Anna Caroline Likes: This week I broke out the baby gym (I think that is what it is called, basically the toy where she lays on her back and there are all kinds of stuffed animals dangling from it). She is mesmerized by it & even starting batting at some of the animals!

What Anna Caroline Dislikes: When her sister cry's. Today I noticed as Mary Stewart started crying, it was like it almost scared her & she started crying (with a puckered out lip of course). As Mary Stewart cried louder, so did Anna Caroline.

Best Moment of the Week: I am loving how nice & easy bedtime is going. Anna Caroline is a great sleeper as long as she isn't up too long! I am thankful for children who thrive on routines (even when they are little).

I continue to be amazed at what a laid back baby Anna Caroline is. She truly is so content. We are thankful for her!

Just What I Needed

Mauree, Holly, Virginia, Kim

This past weekend was just what I needed, & I didn't even know I needed it! My sister & 3 of my very dear friends from college came in for a long girls weekend! Matthew kept Anna Caroline & Mary Stewart for us Friday night & then Saturday morning he & Mary Stewart headed to Camp D. Thank you honey for such a sweet time with my friends!!!
I've said it before, but there is something so easy & refreshing about old friends. Friday we stayed local & enjoyed drinks at The Strand & then a great dinner at Simpatico. For my Marietta friends- you must go try the peach sangria!!!! Saturday we headed into Atlanta & shopped! Saturday night we ate in & laughed & talked & traveled down memory lane ( I knew scrapbooking in college would pay off!!!).
It was hard to say goodbye this morning, but a little easier knowing I'll see them all next month!
Thank you girls for making the road trip!!
I have to mention that Anna Caroline was an absolute gem shopping on Saturday!
Thankful for such sweet friendships that just continue to pick up right where they are left!

Happy Friday

Hope you have a good one!

Then & Now

Today Anna Caroline is 11 weeks (I promise I will start blogging on something other than my child's age)! I started going through all my photos on my iPhone- it's super hard for me to delete any of them! It's so hard for me to think about "back then" especially when "back then" refers to Mary Stewart as a babe.....
Then:

Mary Stewart at about Anna Caroline's age!
Now:

Anna Caroline showing off a smile.

Then:

Mary Stewart (a lil bit older)
Now:

Anna Caroline

Our cup continues to runneth over!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Anna Caroline 10 weeks

It's true. I already see it. All the great and wonderful things you did for your first child, it just doesn't seem to happen with the second (I had to pull a photo off my i phone of AC from this week in her pj's- where are the pics on my good camera in her sweet outfits- point proven) My intentions are there, I promise. My sweet friend Amy has a great blog and just had her first a few days after Anna Caroline. I am going to copy her format in hopes of doing a better job of documenting Anna Caroline.

Ten Week Stats

Weight: 10 lbs. 16 oz.

Height: 23.25 inches

Diaper Size: Size 1 or 2

Clothes Size: Size 0 to 3 months

What Anna Caroline Likes: She is so content all of the time!

We are so blessed. This week I broke out the baby bath tub and started doing her

nightly bath in the tub rather than the sink. She loves stretching out in the water.

What Ann Caroline Dislikes: I really can't think of anything

she dislikes....except when her big sister lovingly pokes her in the eye.

Best Moment of the Week: Anna Caroline had a 6 hour stretch one night.

I am praying this continues.

This has been our first week of "normal" life. There have been no visitors. No extra help. I am pleased to say we are more than surviving, but I am actually enjoying my sweet family. Matthew has done a great job of rearranging his schedule to be home in the evenings to help. That has truly been the key to our success.