Happy 16 Month Birthday!

It's hard to believe that Caroline is 16 months old today! It really seems like yesterday that we received her referral picture at a few days old. WOW! How time flies! We are so blessed to have her in our family. Caroline is so sweet and easy going. She loves ALL balls, loves to listen to music and adores the dogs. She is such a tough little cookie and rarely cries when she falls down. She loves playing in the dishwasher and enjoys banging the silverware together! As soon as she spots you, a HUGE smile appears on her face. She can light up a room with just her presence. At church on Sunday, a little old man said "You've cornered the market on cuteness!" We just smiled, because we are so lucky and blessed to have her home. I look at her every day and just thank God that He chose her and brought her home. Happy 16 month old birthday my sweet girl!

First Day of School

We decided to put Caroline in "school" down the street from our house. We enrolled her for two days a week, but being the first time mom, I didn't realize that parents put their children on "paid hold" until they are old enough to attend. Caroline is on the waiting list to attend the second day, but for now, she only attends on Tuesday mornings. She LOVES it! They have music class, art class, and it is perfect to help her with socialization. The only other time she really gets to be around other children her age is at church once a week. As a former teacher, I feel it is VERY important for children to learn to play and get along well with others. Back to her first day of school....she walked into her classroom and the other children were crying!! Caroline just looked at them and started playing with the toys. During music class, the others were still crying and Caroline was playing with her musical instruments. It was so funny! Today, when I dropped her off, she decided she didn't want to go. She stayed in the hall and started to cry. Her sweet teacher came out and asked her if she wanted to be her "big" helper and put some more toys out. Caroline looked up at her and then at me and grabbed my hand to pull me in the classroom. She then helped her get the toys out and I made a mad dash to the door. I asked the director to see if she was crying or looking lost, but she wasn't! She's such a big girl! I didn't take as many pics as I had planned on, but enjoy the ones I did take!

Guess who's trying to use the potty???

CAROLINE!! I can't believe it! I bought her a potty seat right after our Florida trip because she started sneaking in the corners to do her "business". So, I thought she was ready?? Well, after I bought it for her, all she wanted to do was wear the seat around her head! I put it back in the bathroom and "forgot" about it. Last week, she started showing interest in sitting on her potty, so we played the game all day (with the diaper on because it's a pain to take it off and put it on time and time again). Right before bath, she sat down without her diaper on and used the potty! I was SO happy, but thought it was a fluke. Yesterday, she used it twice and clapped after it each time! Last night after her bath, she immediately sat down on it for a few minutes. She got up, looked down in the potty and saw nothing. She sat back down on it and went "pee pee" in the potty! She started clapping and smiling! We all did the "potty dance"! I now have to go get a book on potty training because I have NO IDEA what to do! Stay tuned! :)

Time.....how you punish me!

No, the title of the post has nothing to do with me! It's all about HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH! Since moving to Atlanta, Tim has always wanted to go to Chastain Park and hear Hootie. But, for some reason, we didn't and now we just can't afford it after our adoption. Last week, I was talking with a friend and she mentioned that she had table seats for the Hootie Concert. I was so excited for her that she said she had two extra seats, would I like to go??? OF COURSE! I called Tim and he couldn't believe his ears! So, last Friday night, we sent Caroline to my sister's house and had a date night. The concert was AMAZING! We were so close to the stage that we could see the sweat! And goodness knows...they don't call it Hotlanta for no reason! The park is set up where you can "buy" table seats on the floor. It's known for bringing your candles, fancy dinners/desserts and wine. Hootie put on such a great show! We didn't want it to end! If you ever have the chance of seeing them live...go to it! Tim and I have been jamming to Hootie nonstop and little Caroline is really getting into his music as well!

Visit Trip to My Mom's House

EDITED: For some reason, blogger isn't cooperating and letting me post pictures...check back for pics later! :)


My sister, niece, Caroline and I went to visit my mother's house for a quick visit trip. She lives about 7 to 8 hours away (depending on how many stops you make). We got up before the crack of dawn to leave and made our ritual stop at the Waffle House! :) We had such a great time and enjoyed seeing my aunts and uncles. We also got to see our new blog friend, Chelsea. Caroline instantly took to her and loved playing with her! We only wish that Chelsea lived closer to us! :) We also had a nice surprise...my dad's best friend stopped by to see us! My dad died when I was thirteen and his best friend really was a HUGE influence in my life. We couldn't have made it without him! As a matter of fact, Tim and I were even going to name our "son" after my father and Joe. Having Caroline meet Joe nbrought back such a flood of emotions. He also happened to see Caroline the same date that my father died, July 26th. July 26th has always been a rough day, but now it holds a slightly different meaning. I'm glad that Caroline got to meet Joe.

My mom and stepdad, Gene, live out in the country. They have a LARGE lot and even have a garden. Caroline loved picking blackberries, peaches, and pears. She also LOVED picking the Japanese beetles off of the roses! My little girl loves insects! How funny!

I didn't take as many pictures as I had wished. I forgot to get my camera out of the bag for the most of the trip. So, enjoy the pictures that I did take.

Doctor's Visit Check Up 15 months

We went to our favorite doctor (Dr. Elaine) for our 15 month check up appointment. Caroline is perfectly healthy and developmentally on track. I was a little worried about her verbal development. I need to stop reading those stupid books that tell me what my child needs to be doing! Caroline weighs in at almost 25 pounds and is in the 75-95% for height and weight. Her weight is stabilizing and her height sky rocketed from her 12 month visit trip. We are working on her saying bye bye, she only waves. She has the "b" sound, but just smiles when I want her to say it! The Dr. says that she is just being stubborn! :) We are also going to be putting Caroline into a Kidsplay group two days a week for a few hours in the morning. I wanted to ask her opinion on it and she supported our decision to place her in the group. She said that it would be great for Caroline to get some more socialization skills since basically the only interaction with kids her age are at church once a week. So, we will be starting Kidsplay next week.

Catching Up...Music in the Park

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Music in the Park off the downtown square where we live. It was so much fun! Caroline loved the music and all the people! I walked her around the square and she had to stop and love on all the dogs. It was so cute! She was such the little ham...she would start waving and smiling at all the people. She loved the attention!! Once she discovered she could walk around, there was no stopping her. Tim and I had to take turns walking around the square because she no longer wanted to sit and listen to the music. At one point, we had to run after her because she decided she wanted to be on the stage! FUNNY!