Sunday, September 11, 2016

John Collins meets Granmom and Grandad

My dad's parents live in Tennessee and though we don't get to see them in person often, they get to see weekly pictures and be involved in their lives from a distance. It is such a blessing to me that they get to see how our family is growing and know that if it weren't for them, these little ones would not be here today. They are precious people with hearts of pure gold.  I took Caroline and John Collins to their home a few days ago. They had yet to meet John Collins and it was such a sweet sight seeing each of them hold him for the first time.
John Collins meets his Great-Grandmother! 
John Collins meets his Great-Grandfather! 
Caroline and Boom Boom 
Caroline found a new best friend! Cousin Presley was so sweet to share her ice cream 
Boom Boom's walker was a huge hit! 
Aunt Susan has a magical touch with babies! 
A doll in her arm and chatting it up with Granmomma. Typical Caroline :) 
Can you tell it was an hour past our nap time? Regardless, it was a great day spent with ones that we love with all of our heart! 



Soaking Up Summer

Spending the sweetest days with my little water lover at the lake have been a favorite this season.  Caroline LOVES the water and has no fear. Causes this Momma to have panic attacks but I am so glad that she isn't afraid.  I hope when I look at these pictures years from now all the memories of these precious days will come flooding back. I never want to forget them. 
I can almost hear her laugh when I look at this picture. So precious.
 
Loved a delicious brunch at Springhouse to celebrate mine and Poppie's birthday! 
Who doesn't love a baby boy in a bonnet? Oh my heart. 
Boat rides while watching Daddy ski are becoming our favorite. 
And what is a trip to the lake without Lollie's homemade "I-Keem." With each bite Caroline says, mmmmmm goooood. I agree baby girl. 

Happy Birthday to Mommy and Granmomma!

We had our annual birthday for my mom and me at Cheesecake Factory! Yes, we took a party of ten with four under 5 to a nice restaurant on a Friday night and we didn't get kicked out.  I call it a win :) 

I love that my mom and I share a birthday just one day apart. It has been a tradition for years for us to have a joint birthday celebration, blowing out our candles in unison. Couldn't ask for a better "birthday twin" than her.  Next year will be a big one, 30 and 60. I think that warrants a big vacay...sans baby :) 
All her grands ADORE her! 
These people make my world go round. 
Cutest cake! Thanks MC! 
We had extra help blowing the candles out this year. Sweetest birthday yet. 

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Days at Home with the Littles

My hands (and heart) are full on the days that I have both littles at home by myself. But oh what sweet times we have. I love how Caroline loves her baby brother. She points at him and says "Babyyyy" with the sweetest grin on her face. She rocks him in his swing and tries to sit in his lap when he is in his bouncer (almost giving Mommy a heart attack). She gives him many kisses and loves to point to his body parts and tell me what they are, especially his eyes (another heart attack...ha).  I am looking forward to the days that they can play together! I can already tell that there relationship is going to be so sweet and it's going to be so much fun watching it unfold.  Here are some sweet snaps of our days at home together. 
This kid loves to go to bed. We will say "Caroline, you wanna go night-night" and she repeats "night-night" gathers up all her "stuff" (lovey, paci, blanket, and bunny pillow), runs (like literally runs) to her nursery, turns on her sound machine, and grabs onto the rails of the crib giggling to get it. It is amazing.  
She got on the floor to play with baby brother all on her own! Such a sweet moment. 
John Collins first bath in the "big tub" and he wasn't sure what to think! 
Sweetest slumber during these newborn days
John Collins smiles the most when Caroline is in front of him! 
 Anna Scott LOVES LOVES LOVES John Collins. She is the BEST big cousin to the littles! 
We love going to the pool and looking at the fountains in the afternoons. 
 Fun visit to GG's house! They LOVE their Aunt Tracy! 
 We love when Will comes over to play! 
Played himself to sleep.....
May I forever remember these precious days at home. Some days are hard and at the end of the day I  may have a headache and a backache but oh how I wouldn't trade them for all the tea in China. These days are passing so quickly and I am trying my hardest to soak up each second, even the hard ones.