One Year Checkup

Yesterday Caroline went for her one year checkup. I can remember so clearly taking her to the pediatrician for the first time when she was only 5 days old... Caroline did a great job! She got 3 shots and while she did cry, it wasn't for very long. They pricked her finger since last time we were there (last month when she had a virus) she was a little anemic and she did well with that too. She weighed 19 lb. 12 oz. (25th percentile), was 29.5 inches long (75th percentile), and her head was 17.5 inches around (50th percentile). She's been growing at about the same rate since she was born, so everything looked great as far as that went! She's meeting all her developmental milestones including:
walking
pointing (she's trying to get it!)
saying basic words (mama, dada, bye-bye)
waving
clapping
blowing kisses (she doesn't have it all the way yet but she's close)

Her clogged tear duct that she's had since she was 5 days old is still clogged. She gets a "goopy" looking eye every now and then. The doctor told us that they don't do anything until a year since it usually clears up on its own by then. Caroline's hasn't cleared up yet so we are going to see a pediatric opthamalogist in a few weeks. She will possibly have to have it opened surgically (very minor procedure). Adam had to have the same thing done when he was a year old as well. Although it's less than ideal, we are looking forward to having it gone for good!!

Other than that, everything was perfect. She's a happy and healthy, long and lean little girl!

Trying to leave when they brought in the shots!!!

Birthday Dinner

On Caroline's actual birthday we had a special dinner, since I decided that we had not celebrated enough. I made some of Caroline's favorite foods: chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, and broccoli. I was very proud when she ate all of the broccoli first!



After dinner it was time to open presents from Adam and me.


We had already given her the Cozy Coupe and it was a big hit!


She also got a rocking horse that neighs when you press its ear.


And little mailbox.


Some Zutano overalls, alphabet blocks from PBK (both not pictured) and the cutest pair of squeaker shoes!!


We played with all of her new toys and enjoyed being together before it was finally time for her to go to bed. It truly was a wonderful day and the perfect start to year number 2!!

Party Time!! (Part 3)

Last of the party posts...here are some pics that I left out!!

I had such a fun time decorating I decided to decorate every room - including C's room, the guest room, and the bathroom!! We hung things from the ceiling that led to the bathroom.


We had people put their bags and purses in the guest room. While they were there they could look at pictures of Caroline and Daisy.


We also hung a banner in the guest room.


We had pretty pink guest towels in the bathroom.


As well as cute pictures of Caroline.


Even C's room was turned into a party!



We were all exhausted after the party - especially Daisy! Begging for food and attention can be quite tiring.

Party Time!! (Part 2)

Before the guests starting arriving, we changed Caroline into her party outfit. I had a tutu dress with a dog applique (also wearing a tutu) made in the party colors. I did not try it on her before her party day, but thankfully it fit perfectly!! When we put it on her she got so excited!





We took a few quick family pictures before the guests starting arriving.


Since it was such a beautiful (although very hot) day, friends made their way outside to play cornhole and to play with the birthday girl!!



When it got too hot, Caroline made her way inside to show Raughley her sister Daisy...


to eat goldfish with Mimi...


and to play with Robert (who shares the same birthday!).

Before long, it was time for cake! I was hoping that Caroline would get messy with her cake and she didn't disappoint!









After cake, Caroline changed into "party doggy."




After an afternoon full of fun, the party came to an end. As guests left, we had "doggy bags" for them to take home. I baked and decorated cookies, which were quite yummy if I do say so myself.




After everyone went home, we were left with a mound of gifts, a book full of messages, and a lot of cupcakes! I am so happy that so many people came to share this special day with Caroline. I hope that when she looks back at her book in years to come, she will know how much she is loved. I hope that the signatures are from people who will also sign the guest book at her wedding one day. Adam and I feel blessed to have such a wonderful family and such amazing friends. We couldn't have asked for a better party for sweet one year old!!

Party Time!! (Part 1)

On Sunday, the day before her actual birthday, we had Caroline's birthday party. It was so much fun! I had seriously been planning her party since she was about 6 months old. I had been joking with Adam that we would have to wait a while to have another baby because I needed lots of time to plan a 1st birthday party... In the end, it all came together and was a huge success! Our house was PACKED. We are so lucky to have friends and family that love our sweet Caroline! I took a bunch of pictures before the party and only a few during the party because I was having so much fun! Caroline had only taken a short nap and didn't want to eat lunch so I was pretty sure that she would have a major melt down during the party, but she seemed to have a lot of fun as well - which was the whole point.

We had balloons on the mailbox, letting everyone know where the party was!


The banner on the door


Our foyer table


Close up - the sign says "Please sign Caroline's birthday book. We are so doggone happy you are here!" When I was pregnant with Caroline, we gave the baby (since we didn't know boy or girl yet) a few Dr. Seuss books for Christmas. Last year, for C's first Christmas she got a few more Dr. Seuss books so it's become a little tradition. We thought it was perfect to have everyone sign Dr. Seuss's Happy Birthday to You. We plan on giving the book to each of our children on their first birthday. (I also sewed the table runner!)

As you turn to the left, you walk into the kitchen. I put up some pictures of Caroline and Daisy over the past year.


The banner in the kitchen


The kitchen table. I put my pregnancy journal and Caroline's hospital album on the table for people to look through. Also, there are a few of the professional pictures hanging on the ribbons in the window. The first was my maternity phtotos, the second is C's newborn pictures, and the third is her 6 month pictures. All the pictures were done by Brandon and Stacey Gresham and they will be doing her one year portraits soon!


We also had a bowl of puppy dog ears for guests to wear.


You simply must wear dog ears at a dog party!


The only thing in the kitchen that I didn't get a picture of was the drink station. We had wine and cherry limeade punch inside and water, beer, and soft drinks outside. We put the punch in our punch bowl that we got as a wedding gift - it was the first time that we had a chance to use it and it looked beautiful!

The spread (with Daisy underneath, hoping that food will magically fall on the floor). I put little signs by some of the food. A couple of them said what the item was, like "Puppy Chow" (chex muddy buddies) and "Doggy Treats" (pretzels with kisses on top) and some told a little story - "Caroline loves snacking on goldfish and teddy grahams and specifically requested them at her party." Yes, I am nerdy...no need to tell me.



Caroline's smash cake.



Daisies in Daisy's treat jar! Also, that is Caroline's baptism candle. It was lit during her baptism and when they presented it to us they said to light it every year during her birthday.

Since it was such a special occassion and such a special candle, we broke out the nicest stuff we had!

Balloons and flowers in the living room. On the coffee table I put her album of "firsts" for people to look through.


Side table had a newborn picture, her hospital bracelet, and her album of ultrasound pics.


On the way to the back yard, I used Caroline's keepsake silver cup to hold a pick rose. Trinity United Methodist and Haleyville United Methodist displayed roses to announce Caroline's birth one year ago!

Balloon tree


Blanket and toys for the little ones


Tables for the big ones


More balloons


Cake chair


Sign leading back into the house