Enough said

I really think the picture says it all. There's just something so sweet about the early smiles!

Who would have thought...

If you had asked me when I was growing up if I would ever enjoy gardening, cooking, sewing, knitting, etc. I probably would have laughed at you. Growing up, Mom worked out of the home doing sewing for people. She is a phenomenal seamstress. I never took the time to learn from her while I had a great opportunity. Now she gets calls about how to fix a seam, hem pants, or about a new pattern. We are even talking these days about how to make custom breastpads for me! We got a good laugh at some of the patterns we attempted. I even have a good garden growing and this year I'm working on learning to can some of the products. I would love to have a supply of green beans and marinara sauce to pull from all winter. Well, I think this might be the year. My grandmother gave me a hot water bath and I tried it out last night. I got some good strawberries and made some strawberry jam! Here are the results. There were 4 jars, but I had to open one and try. I need to get some of the smaller jars so they aren't so big. Anyways, maybe at the end of the summer, I'll be able to can all kinds of stuff!

How long will it last?

That's right, I'm talking about this sweet picture. We took this before church on Mother's day. Jack was so sweet and cuddled up to Caroline and put his head on her's. I'm loving it! Also, every night before bed he has to make sure and give Caroline a big hug and a kiss. He's protective of her when people try to look at her reminding them that she is "my Caroline." I just wonder...when is he going to change. I hope not anytime soon! We'll enjoy the sweetness between them right now. Caroline is also smiling some. Her first good smile was at Jack. He gets down in his face and talks to her. I think she really responds well to him. He is able to help me sometimes and calm her down while we are trying to get ready. It's definitely an adventure getting ready to go somewhere!

If you can't tell, this picture was Tommy's idea. He likes to pose Caroline with different objects...remember the dump truck picture!

Jack loves Thomas the train. We loaded up early on Saturday morning and went to a yard sale that advertised Thomas trains. Those little engines at the store are $15-20 each....that's for one! I got each little engine for $2. That is a great deal. Jack had so much fun with them. I just wish we had more time to hit the yard sales again. I have enjoyed the couponing and saving that way though. It's definitely addictive!

new tubes!

This past week has been a bit busy. Jack went in for his 3rd set of ear tubes! Who would have ever thought that would have happened. I heard stories about people's kids going in for mulitple sets, but I never thought we would have been one of them. So, that makes for his 4th surgery (heart, tubes, tubes/tonsils/adnoids, tubes) all before the age of 3! I'm making sure to save all of these medical bills to show him one day! Whatever we have to do to help keep him healthy though. Hopefully this set will get him through. The doctors have said that usually around age 3 the ears are more developed and can work better on their own.

The day of surgery was great. Fortunately, my mom, Grammy, was able to come in and help with both kids. Since I am nursing, Caroline had to be there as well. I'm still trying to figure out this whole running errands with 2 kids deal. It really makes me appreciate my mom more who had 3 under the age of 5. I'm definitely beginning to think that 2 is enough for us!

Anyways, Caroline is doing great as well. She went for her first check-up and set of shots on Friday. She is weighing in at 9 pounds 11 ounces...that's the 65th percentile! Her head circumference and length are the 50th percentile. This is new for us! Jack was always around the 3rd or 5th percentile on weight. He better eat up or Caroline is going to catch him. Jack weighs around 24 pounds on a good day! Caroline has also seemed to settle in a bit better. I think she was experiencing a big growth spurt a while back which made her very unhappy. She was hungry all the time and couldn't get comfortable. She now is content to play some and is really giving a lot more smiles. Jack really adores her and helps out a lot with her. They are fun to watch.

Everytime Jack holds Caroline now, he says "take a picture." I guess we better stop taking pictures every time they are close!

Enjoying the cute girlie outfits! Church morning.

Trying to share his new bowling game.

Where has the time gone

Well, it's been crazy around here. We are pretty sure that Caroline has decided to have a bit of colic. Her crying is really something else. Poor Jack, when she starts crying in his crib, he'll offer to go get her for us (don't worry, we don't let him.). She breastfed, so I was hoping that would reduce her chance of getting colic. I am wondering if I should change my diet a bit to see if it will help. Anyone have any suggestions of calming those babies with colic?

So, that's been taking a bit of a toll on us. Other than that, we've been enjoying a bit of warm weather and had a great time down at Jack and Linda's in Lexington for Easter. They are so sweet to invite us down there to join them. Here are a few pictures of the last few weeks.

Sharing tummy time

Working on enjoying tummy time

Nice busted lip!

Easter egg hunt with friends

Playing after the hunt. Of course, Jack wants to push everyone!

Caroline and me at Easter. She's wearing one of my little dresses!

Lexington egg hunt- Jack was really into it!

New pictures

Caroline is now 2 weeks old. Our house has been exciting for those 2 weeks. Jack is adjusting and realizing that his sister is taking some of the attention from him. That's causing a bit of behavior problems, but nothing too bad. Just testing Mommy and Daddy. Tommy and I are adjusting to short stretches of sleep every night. Nursing is great, but it really takes away that ability to tell Tommy it's his turn to feed! Here are some fun new pictures of the last few days.

Daddy snuggles

Learning early!

First bath

First hair cut

Jack's become a real ham for the camera

Sweet moment between brother and sister. Jack loves holding Caroline.

Grammy came and made life a little easier for several days!

Daddy's idea. Good thing Jack was sleeping!

Caroline Comes Home

Here are a few pictures from the last couple of days.