Easter 2013

The Israel family had a wonderful Easter this year!! 

On Monday, Caroline painted some Easter eggs that we hung all over our kitchen.  She is such a fantastic little artist these days.

On Wednesday, Caroline had her class Easter egg hunt and party.  Both girls had such cute spring outfits with bunnies on them.  Sadly, it was so incredibly cold and they couldn't wear them :( 

Waiting to go into big sister's class

So excited about the eggs that she couldn't wait to dig in!

It was such a fun party!  I love getting to watch Caroline play with all her school friends.

The rest of the cold week was spent indoors.  We made Easter cookies, painted, did play doh, watched movies, and just about everything you can think of.  This was one worn out mama!

On Saturday evening we had Adam's family over for Easter dinner.  We had the most delicious food, great wine, and great company.  I didn't take any pictures because we were having such a great time.  When we woke up on Sunday morning, we saw that the Easter bunny came to visit!  He left such wonderful things for both girls.  They both got a new bathing suit, matching dresses, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, bunny ears, a Dr. Seuss book and candy.  Caroline also got a new responsibility chart, magnetic dolls, a frisbee, Dora panties, a slinky, and window stickies.  Ann Parker got some new baby food and a new ball toy.  They racked up :)

After playing with their Easter things, we got ready and went to church.  We enjoyed a lovely Easter brunch at The Club.  It was finally a beautiful day, so we got to go outside and see the city.  The Easter bunny was there and Caroline had her picture with him.  She loved it!  Ann Parker wasn't so sure, so we didn't make her sit with him.  After we came home and changed, we dyed eggs and made cupcakes that looked like little chicks and then went out to Chelsea to visit Andy's family.  By the time we made it home, everyone was exhausted!  We had a great weekend!!

Eleven Months Old!!

Eleven Months Old - March 20, 2013

The countdown to toddlerhood is officially on.  In just a few short weeks my baby will be ONE!!!  But, we must continue on with her 11 month info first...

Ann Parker can WALK!!!!  She is still crawling, but the girl can stand on her feet and take steps!  She took her first few steps on March 28 and has been walking here and there for a few steps several times a day.  I am sure that she will be on the run soon.  She is eating table food at each meal and snack now, only having a little bit of baby food each day.  She loves cheese, cheerios, macaroni and cheese, eggs, broccoli, squash, and peas but will eat almost everything we give her.  She still has a bottle 5 times a day and now two of those are whole milk.  She took to it just fine, even though she had a bit of a milk sensitivity as a baby.  Hooray!! 

She sleeps from 7:30-7:00 with a one hour nap during the day (most days).  She loves bath time, bubbles, any type of ball, playing in Daisy's water bowl, peek a boo, and Mommy.  She is such a joy to be around except when she's tired or hungry - then you better cover your ears because she squeals very loudly!! 

She is still wearing a size 2 diaper, but we just got our first box of 3's and she will start wearing those once she finishes up the last of the 2's.  She is mainly wearing 9 month clothes but can fit into some 12 month and some 6 month.  She is in size 2 shoes (in most brands).  She still doesn't have much hair so she can't wear cute little bows just yet but my girl looks pretty good bald if you ask me :)

She can say "mama" and "dada" although I don't think she knows it's us yet, she just knows that when she says that, she usually gets our attention and we get her what she wants.  She babbles a lot but doesn't say any real "words" yet.  I hear this is normal for second children, but I still get anxious for her to start saying words! 

She has four teeth (top and bottom front teeth) and I don't think she's cutting any more at the moment.  We usually know since she has had a difficult time with teething.  Her lack of chewing teeth hasn't stopped her from gumming though lots of food.  She is one hungry little girl. 

Happy 11 months precious girl.  We love you so much and cannot believe how quickly this past year has flown by.  I am so sad to see the baby days go, but I am so excited to see the toddler days come.  I am so proud of the sweet little girl you are becoming and watching you grow is truly one of the greatest blessings in my life.

Sooooooo happy

Caroline will often ask me if I am "sooooo happy." Today I was watching my two girls play together and I couldn't help but think about being soooooo happy. Three years ago I would have been sitting at a desk at I job I didn't like working for a boss who I didn't like even more. Fast forward to today and I am at home with two beautiful girls - singing, painting, reading, dancing, playing, and laughing. Yes, Caroline. Mommy is "soooooo happy." And I have you girls and your daddy to thank.