BABY STEPS!!!! - Caroline's Walking

Monday, September 26th - Caroline, Katie and I head go to Monkey Joe's for a bit of fun in the bounce houses.  It was the first time that my girls equally enjoyed an activity like that (other then the pool perhaps).  Caroline had as much fun in the baby bouncer as Katie did in all of them.  She squealed, screaming with delight and kept squirming in my arms to go back in.  On video I caught her taking her first step from one side of the bounce ring to the other.  I wondered, was it a fluke?  Did the bouncer perhaps propel her step? . . . .No way says Sissy, she's now a walker!

Wednesday, September 28th - It should have been a beautiful moment.  I picked the girls up at three today for a neighborhood play date at our house.  We were playing in Caroline's room when she let go of her toy basket and took steps over to the chair so that she could play with the purse Katie was holding.  Katie who was tired from school, the play date and a bit hungry wasn't in the sharing mood pushed Sissy away causing her to fall down face first.   Adding insult to injury, I, who was also tired, hungry and now mad jerked Katie by her shirt sleeve away from Caroline, therefore causing her to fall.  So what started out as a wonderful revelation that our youngest can now walk on her own turned into me holding both of my girls sobbing in my lap . . .sigh.

I will follow up with saying Y E A H   S I S S Y!!!  We are so very proud of you!  Walking at 11.5 months, we always knew you were determined :). 

Katie, despite not sharing with Caroline in the story above I was actually extremely proud of you today . . .there were many times that I asked you to share on your play date, both with Chloe and Sissy and your did so each and every instant (even when I could tell you really didn't want to).

These were taken later today so that I could capture her early walking in some capacity.

I think I can get to the screen door . .

Let go and took a step . .

Steadying myself and balance check . .

Getting ready for another step . . .



Down we go . . .

 But NEVER down for the count . .up and smiling!

Saying Goodbye to William Francis Unser

Our plan was to fly down day early for our cruise and visit my Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary who live an hour north of Fort Lauderdale in Wellington.  As our departure date drew closer my uncle, who's been fighting cancer for the last two years, started to rapidly decline and lost his battle on Tuesday, September 13th.

Much to my relief the wake and funeral were planned for Saturday evening, Dave and I were able to attend, pay our respects and give my father any needed support.   Forever grateful to my mother for watching our girls so we could vacation in the first place, I felt horrible that she was unable to attend the services with my father.

What I've learned over the past year (this being our fourth family funeral), while always sad and sometimes untimely, it's always wonderful to see family and despite the reason we were together, I very much enjoyed the time spent with my father, Uncle Ted and Aunt Mary.

My Uncle Bill was a wonderful man, the life of the party, full of stories, full of laughter . .he will always be missed.

Picture taken, by Polaroid camera, at 1224 Southern Blvd circa 1964. 

Approximate ages, Bill 18 and Ray 23 - Brothers forever.

My father, Uncle Ted and myself at the service.



Katheryn Claire at 2 1/2 Years

What I've noticed about you lately:

• Nap/night time, there's a ritual . .
• Although you're only allowed them in bed you still love your passies.
• There must be stories read (we say two, but normally a couple more).  You go through phases on what you like - Madeline, Big Truck Book, Clifford, Bernstein Bears and Babar and we read those over and over again.
• All your "friends" must be with you, your three "Mickey's", Simba and a couple of dollies, complete with blankets for each of them (as they like to be covered up too).
• Your green and pink blankets that we tuck you in with nightly.
• Big kisses, little kisses, big hugs, little hugs . . you've become the queen of procrastination and we indulge, because we adore you.
• You've turned into quite the talker, we can't understand quite everything you're saying . .but you have stories to share and you sure enjoy telling them.  You must take after your mama in this regard.
• Officially 2 1/2 you can throw a fit that makes us cringe, leaving us shaking our heads wondering "what in the world?"  Some days you're ornery and cranky, some days absolutely perfect, sweet and loving . .we're assuming you're getting us ready for your teenage years!
• You LOVE Busch Gardens and talk about the theme park at least once a day.
• You talk about things being "open" and "closed" . . when we say you can't do something you'll get upset yelling "ice cream OPEN now."  We try hard not to laugh :)
• You can sing ABC's and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with the best of them!
• You love any one's birthday as you now understand what it entails - a song, cake and presents.
• According to your parents, grandparents and school . .you're one smart cookie.
• You're a wonderful big sister to Caroline and we can already tell that she wants to be just like you.

I can't believe you're two and a half, you amaze us daily and we're very proud to be your parents!

Top Five Things I Learned While on Allure of the Seas

5) Some times bigger is just better . . . . .

4) Ten pounds in one week can be easily (and enjoyably) gained.

3) For someone who normally works at home in sweats daily, I actually clean up pretty good!

2) Who knew we could be so adventurous at sea . . .

1) You can take pictures before dinner EVERY night and love them all!

Caroline Mackenzie at Eleven Months

What I've noticed about you lately:

• You love pasta in tomato sauce, really any regular food
• You've started drinking from a sippy cup
• You empty everything out of crib when you're ready for us to come get you
• You're right where ever Katie is, wanting to play . . .exactly how little sisters are suppose to behave. 
• You've just started free standing on your own!  
• You're starting to dance, bouncing and shaking your head when you hear music with a huge smile.
• You don't like to sit still when you can be on the move!

 

     

Labor Day 2011

In my humble opinion, we had an absolutely perfect Labor Day . .spent with Nana, PopPop, Aunt Tori, Uncle Jon & Aunt Michelle along with Cousins Brianna, Kayla and Hayden!   Family, good weather, great food and a pool, I couldn't ask for more.

First picture of Nana and PopPop with all of their grandchildren

Nana bought Caroline and Hayden a new walker, which Katie was happy to assist her Sissy with.

There was a lot of time spent in the hot tub!

Caroline with Uncle Jon and Hayden

Once donning on my bathing suit, Katie declared she was a princess and wearing a beautiful dress :)

Always swimming in her clothes (but only on Nana's watch :).  Katie had a blast playing with her cousins in the pool!

Smith Mountain Lake

I need to rewind a bit . .when the power showed no signs of returning the girls and I drove to Lynchburg for the week.  It was great to spend time with Nana, PopPop, Aunt Tori and of course . . .air conditioning!  Our next door neighbors (The Mooney's) also left Richmond to beat the heat and were staying on Smith Mountain Lake.  Since it's only a short drive from Lynchburg the girls and I packed up and headed their way one morning.  As we were boarding their boat I told Katie excitedly "Katie this is your first time on a boat!"  To which she responded, "Not first time, Katie go at Busch Gardens" - well Katie that is correct (in a manner of speaking of course).

Having never been to Smith Mountain Lake, I must say I was very impressed, beautiful lake and a wonderful trip!



I admit it, I was a horrible mother and did not apply Caroline's suntan lotion correctly.  I had never used a stick before, obviously I need to work on my technique!