The Big 3

Three years ago to the hour I became a mommy when our sweet Katie girl entered this world.

This little girl changed my life and I can't believe she is already three years old.  For some reason I am having a harder time with this birthday than I have with any of the others.  I think it is because she now is more of a little lady than a toddler.  She can do so many things on her own.  We can have complete conversations and she asks questions and REALLY inquires about the world around her.  I have even noticed a change in her big sister attitude.  She likes to help Carly do things and is very patient even when Carly is pulling her hair or grabbing toys out of her hands. 

First Birthday

13 months

2 1/2 years old

2nd birthday

3 years old

Happy Birthday sweet girl!  We love you so much.

First Haircut

Even though Katie is almost 3 we have never cut her hair.  That changed last week when my big girl climbed up in the chair and very seriously sat there while she got her hair trimmed.  We just evened it out so you can't really tell but it sure makes it easier to brush.  

 

16 Months

Baby girl, you are 16 months old today and time is moving too fast.  You constantly want to be like your big sis and sit on the potty, use a fork and spoon, get your hair done, and try and put your socks on all by yourself.  We are seeing your little personality develop and it’s fun to see the differences between you and Katie.  While you are still our happy, sweet girl you also are getting quite the tude.  When you get mad or frustrated, you are very vocal about it and can throw quite the tantrum.  Most of the time you snap out of it with a clever distraction but occasionally nothing works and we have to just ignore you for a while.  

 You are walking and running all over but your favorite thing to do this month is climb up and down on the couch and into Katie’s bed.  You are quite the monkey and smart about it too!  The other day at Sharry’s you wanted to get up on the window seat so you figured out how to move the lego table over and use that as a step to get where you wanted to be.  You definitely know how to make mommy nervous!  

You are starting to talk more but still aren’t saying too many understandable words.  You make a lot of sounds and signs though so we can usually understand what you are trying to communicate.  Your facial expressions also say a lot.  You have perfected the scowl expression and go back and forth between that and your adorable gummy, two teeth smile.   

In the sleep department, you are still inconsistent with your wake up time.  Sometimes you are ready to go at 5:30 and other times you sleep until 6:30.  We have also made the transition from two naps to one.  There are some days when you still take a morning nap but for the most part you are down to one and it is usually a good 2 hour one which I love.  

You love playing with your big sister and there are times when I will just stop and listen to you both on the monitor.  Of course you have your moments and fight but we are working on sharing toys without hitting or pushing.  

Sweet Carly, we love you so much and are so proud of all of your accomplishments! And I just had to add this picture of Katie that I love so much.  You are growing up way to fast sweets Garner!

Potty Training - Take 333

We have been trying to potty train Katie for months now and have not had any luck.  She would have good days at Sharry's and then fall apart at home.  She would be excited to be a big girl and wear panties and then she would cry when we even mentioned the word potty.  She wanted to be like her big kid friends at school but then be content wearing diapers.  I told myself to be be patient and that she would do it when she was ready, but of course I was ready to be down to one diaper wearing child.

 

That all seemed to change yesterday at Sharry's when I arrived to pick her up and found her thrilled to be wearing big girl tinker bell panties.  She had been dry all day and Sharry and her friends were all very proud of her.  I sent Jeff a text on the way home saying "I guess we are potty training this weekend" and he responded with "oh shit".   I wasn't quite ready to do the whole panty thing but I also wanted to take advantage of the sudden enthusiasm.  So we got home and low and behold my big girl went potty twice without any resistance!

This morning I got the rags and Kids n Pets ready and we started up again.  She went potty and got to wear her big girl panties.  So far we have had two accidents but luckily she was wearing those training pants that are cotton and have an absorbent lining so the clean up was easy.  And the best part was she pooped in the potty which has been the biggest struggle of all!  She is one very proud little girl and I am one happy mommy.  Now, I am just keeping my fingers crossed the enthusiasm continues so I can say one down, one to go.... :)

Carly's First Birthday Party

We had a small celebration yesterday for Carly's first birthday with some close friends who are like family.  It was a lot of fun to barbecue and play out in the sunshine in our backyard. 

Our attempt to get some family pictures before the party started

Katie loved being able to reach the snack table and was able to help herself to whatever she wanted.  My sweet girl preferred to eat tomatoes instead of licorice....I love her!

Birthday girl had so much fun and she especially enjoyed blowing into the party favors

Our wonderful family friends, the Shaw's....very full and happy after eating a lot of Jeff's yummy bbq

And the most entertaining part of the afternoon was watching Carly eat her cupcake.  She ABSOLUTELY loved it and ate all of it in less than five minutes. 

 

Happy Birthday sweet girl!  We love you!

1 Year Old

Carly Girl, you are one now and your mommy and daddy can't believe just how fast this first year went! 

Right after you were born you snuggled into my arms and I nursed you easily and comfortably for almost an hour.  At that moment I had a feeling you were going to be my little cuddle bug and mommy was right (just like I will be many times in your life).

In the morning, after your bottle and before your big sister wakes up we love to cuddle on the couch and play on the floor together.  And speaking of sleep, the reason we have a good hour of one on one time is because you like to get up between 5:00 and 5:30 am.  Hopefully, you will go back to sleeping until at least 6:00 like you used to because it is hard getting ready for work in the mornings with you as my shadow.  However, daddy enjoys the early mornings because he gets to see you before he leaves for work.  Other than that you are a great sleeper and still taking two good naps a day and going to bed easily between 7:30-8:00.

Another major milestone you reached a few weeks ago was walking.  Now, you hardly ever crawl and when you fall down you bounce right back up and keep on going.  You have also figured out how to climb up onto things like your big sisters bed which is one of your favorite things to do right now.  You also love going up and down the little slide in the backyard.

Your sister and you are starting to play together more and I love watching the interaction between you two.  Katie is not always the most affectionate big sister but if you are crying and upset she will be the first to go up to you and offer a hug and a kiss and ask "why are you sad Carly?".   You LOVE her so much and have from the very beginning.  Katie was the first person you smiled at and even today you just laugh the moment she walks in the room.  One of my many favorite memories was when we were driving down to Sharry's and you started sticking your tongue out.  Katie thought that was funny so she laughed which encouraged you to do it more and pretty soon you both were giggling and having so much fun together!

Carly trying to steal Katie's hat

love the look on Katie's face

peace is made

especially when there are two hats and nobody has to share

Of course you have your arguments but that's part of life and hopefully you will grow up with a very close bond.

 Carly Barly, my little peanut, love bug, you are doing so much more than I can write about (because you just woke up crying) but let me just say this has been an incredible year!  You made our family complete and every day is a new adventure.  Thank you for making me a mommy to two beautiful daughters.  Happy First Birthday baby girl, we love you  so much!