And Then Came Ben

I am uber proud to announce a new addition to our family... the handsomest little fella you'll ever see... Ben Carter Barton! Ben finally made his entrance into our lives on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at 3:34 pm. He broke the family record by weighing in at 9 pounds and 10 ounces! He was 20 1/2 inches tall. Mommy was, simply put ... amazing! Daddy was awesome as he multi-tasked the whole day. While assisting Mommy in all her needs, Daddy kept everyone updated with texts and short visits in and out of the waiting room. Caroline stayed with Mimi and CaCaw and came to the hospital after her nap. She was a little confused and overwhelmed with all the excitement but soon warmed up to her new little bubby. It was a great day to welcome our Ben into the family.

Three Days to Go....

Mommy went to the doctor last Thursday in hopes that Ben would come on his due date Friday, the 22nd. The doctor said Mommy was fine, Ben was fine, and for her to come back on Monday! If Ben hasn't arrived before Wednesday, we will meet him then! We're on pins and needles, waiting for the phone call to tell us that it's time to go to the hospital. Caroline doesn't know to be nervous! She is carrying on as if there is nothing happening....she gets up, goes to school and has great fun! Mommy said when she gets home, she is hon-geee! Looking cute and going to school every day will wear a girl out...especially the being cute part!

Valentine's Day

 

Caroline enjoyed her Valentine's Day by spending all day at school with her friends. As you can see, she was dressed for the occasion, complete with her sparkly, red shoes! Mommy said Caroline brought home a huge bag of goodies! Chocolates, candy, cards..you name it, she had it! 

Later that night, Caroline's coughing woke Mommy and Daddy. They went to her room and found that she was coughing and wheezing to the point that it was hard for her to breathe. After a call to 911 and the hospital, they loaded her up in the car and raced to the emergency room where she was admitted to the hospital.

Caroline was given a breathing treatment and had an iv inserted. She nurse who worked on the iv said in her 21 years of nursing, she had never seen a child not cry during the procedure! Our baby girl is indeed a little trooper!

Daddy stayed with Caroline while I took Mommy home for a few hours of sleep. On Friday morning, Mommy and I got up at six to go back to the hospital so we could be there when the doctor made his rounds. As soon as the doctor came by, Mommy and I went to the doctor in PB for Mommy's visit, which was good. We then went back to the hospital to be with Caroline and give Daddy some relief and lunch! Caroline finally went to sleep and took a long, much needed nap. Around six, the doctor came by and gave the good news that she would be released. Caroline was exhausted and ready to go home. Mommy said Caroline slept all night in her own bed, without making a move!! When I talked to them early Saturday, Caroline was having breakfast and feeling good which is the best news a Tesh could get!

Small Wonders and Big Wishes

Last week, Mommy received a call from the daycare center saying a space was available for Caroline! So Mommy and Daddy went to meet the teachers and look at Caroline's classroom. On Friday, a tearful Mommy took Caroline to her classroom for her first day. Caroline didn't hesitate...she went right in her room as if she owned it! Around 10:30ish, I went to pick her up before lunch time. As I went in, I saw sweet little Caroline thumbing through a book, while standing with some of the children. She turned and saw me and said, "Tesh, Tesh!" ...this grandma welled up, swelled up, and picked her lil gal up! Caroline's teacher said she was perfect!

When we got home, Caroline said she was hongee, so we had an early lunch with snacks. (Daycare will work up an appetite!) After a waay too short nap, Caroline woke up while Daddy was home for lunch. Since he saw the brownie cake we made for his birthday, we decided to let him enjoy it early. (so we could get a bite too!) It was a good day bringing the first of many changes in the life of Caroline! What a precious little girl she is!

Sick Little Girl

On Friday, Caroline and I made Mommy birthday cupcakes and a cake for her birthday on Sunday. Caroline enjoyed eating the stray sprinkles as I put them on the cake. After we ate lunch, Caroline just wouldn't give up, she wanted a kuu-caake. Curious as to how they tasted myself, I split one with her! The stinker didn't like the texture of the cake and quickly spit it out. The icing was her favorite as she licked it smooth off! (I'm guessing the texture wasn't to her liking. I thought it was pretty good!)
When Mommy came home from school, we s'prized her and lit a candle on a cupcake. Caroline (Mommy) blew it out and made a wish. Caroline enjoyed the excitement and couldn't stop asking for caaake.
What was supposed to be a festive birthday weekend for Mommy turned somber as Caroline suddenly became ill. She developed a fever, and began to cough and wheeze with each breath. As Sunday wore on, her temp went higher and her cough was frightening. Mommy and I gave her a tepid bath to cool her off and she seemed to enjoy the quick soak. As the evening went on, Caroline's temp went quite high, prompting Mommy and Daddy to take her to the hospital. After several test, x-rays, and  swab, the diagnosis was bronchitis. The Dr gave Caroline a shot and some prescriptions and they went home.
Mommy stayed home from school Monday to take care of Caroline and rest a bit before her own Dr appointment at 3:30. Mommy sent me a message after her appointment. Ben had turned and is now in the correct position! The news was the answer to many prayers for Mommy and Ben! Now, we have to work on getting big sister well so we can welcome lil baby Ben home...hopefully soon!!

Ben Got Showered

The sweet ladies from MES hosted a shower for Ben and Mommy Thursday, Jan. 24th. Mrs. Libby's room was sweetly decorated and full of the nicest gifts ever! As the teachers filled the classroom, we enjoyed some DE-lish cake and punch. Mommy opened the many gifts as Caroline entertained the guests. Caroline also did her best to wrangle a pair of scissors from a little desk! After some gentle but firm convincing that she didn't need the scissors, Caroline settled for some books from Mrs. Libby's library! It was a wonderful shower and thank you ladies for being so generous and kind in welcoming our baby Ben in such a special way.
On Sunday, Mommy's friends gave Ben a shower in the home of Mia and Mason Scogins. The table was chocked full of tasty delights... meatballs, cupcakes, fruits and dips, and outta this world good punch! As Mommy opened gifts, the ladies pinned Ben's new outfits on a clothesline strung across the windows! It was the cutest thing!! I appreciate the sweet girlies in Mommy's circle of friends, they know how to shower a boy for sure. Our BenBen is going to be the best dressed little man on Windy Hills!!

Twenty Months and Counting

For the last two weeks, I haven't been able to download photos to the blog using Internet Explorer. This has made Precious very cranky. It was suggested this week to download Firefox and try it from there. Well duh...wish I had thought of that sooner! Anyway, it worked and I'm back in bidness!!
Can you believe how Caroline has grown? It's just mind boggling that she will turn two years old in four months! Our Caroline is so comical, animated, funny, expressive... Each time I'm with her, she says or does something that is just brilliant! Words flow in garbled sentences, most I understand. Some are open to interpretation!
Caroline enjoys her stuffed characters, especially Kitty Tom and Pooh. They get hugs, kisses, and taken to bed for naps. Caroline dances and sings to her favorite cartoons and she can identify her favorite characters on M M Fun House, Little Einstein, and Doc McStuffins.
Granny says Caroline mimics her when folding towels. Granny snaps the towel into the air to straighten it to fold. Caroline does the snap and shake with a dish towel, sock, or whatever she can grab! She looks like she is waving a flag!
My special time with Caroline is when she wakes up too early from her nap. I try to get her to sleep longer by humming and rocking her back to sleep. Sometimes she will go back to sleep. Other times, she tries to fool me and I figure it out as she begins to hum with me...and that's the sweetest music to my ears.

Happy New Year Errybody

Bringing in the New
Year in style, baby!

Has this year has flown by or what? I've spent the last hour or more looking at pictures and organizing them. It's taken me way too long to do this because I can't help but stop on each one and recall the day and what we were doing in the picture.

Our Sweet Caroline has matured into a funny little girl, she's no longer my cuddly arm buddy but she does give the best hugs and kisses in the kingdom! She is comical, loving, and independent. Matter of fact, she's so independent that she somehow got herself out of her bed this morning! Mommy woke up to Caroline saying, "Daddy's lotion." She's not sure how, when, or what time Caroline got out of bed but Caroline woke her up holding Daddy's lotion! Mommy checked Caroline over and she was fine!! (Thank goodness!) I'm thinking a bed will be lowered tonight!

As I reflect back on the year, I have so much to be thankful for. Looking forward to the New Year, I get to add another great blessing, our baby Ben. I feel bad that I haven't given him the same blog time as did for Caroline... I promise to do better in 2013! God bless and best wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy New Year!
Please see the new video at the top left, Jabber Bath!

Oh Christmas Twee ...

What a wonderful Christmas we had with Caroline this year. The weather outside was cold, rainy, and a wintry mix was on the way. Inside, spirits were high and Caroline was in rare form. We arrived to a house filled with the aroma of Daddy cooking a bigger breakfast than Shoney's! We were treated to waffles, homemade biscuits, sausage, bacon, and my fav...apple butter! I ate way too much as I watched Caroline wrangle a waffle with her fork! I was dee-lish!
When it was time to open gifts, Caroline was Santa's little helper. She passed out gifts and assisted the recipient in opening them! After the cleanup, Mommy and I saw Caroline walk over to her new kitchenette  and put a cup under the faucet. She pretended to fill it with water then she took a chug as if it were full of Evian! We looked at each other with eyes wide and said, "Did you see that?"
Everyone was full and drowsy which was such a nice way to spend the afternoon.....on the sofa and in our recliners! It was a great day!
A few days after Christmas, Mommy and Daddy took the tree down while Caroline was napping. Mommy said when Caroline came into the living room, she looked around with a bit of confusion. SOME body done stold her Trissmas twee! Guess the strewing of the newspaper was pay back for the missing tree! That'll teach'em, huh?

Christmas is Coming!!

It's officially Christmas! Caroline saw Santa last night at the Country Club! He was there to make sure all the children had their list sent in so the elves could pack his bag with the right toys. Caroline sat in Santa's lap for a bit and Santa gave her a farm animal puzzle complete with sound. I think the best part of the night was playing with Jack and the other kids that were waiting to see Santa. I'll get the pictures from Mommy and post them soon. They are pretty cute!

We had a good day today at Windy Hills! We played beauty shop and Caroline got piggy tails. She wore them til nap time then they came down! Papaw and Granny came for a visit and brought her a coloring book with a special mess proof marker. When Caroline saw the marker and book...visiting hours ended. She really, REALLY likes her colors!!  

 

A Little Under the Weather

Caroline likes to empty
her toy bin and play inside it!

Nom, nom, nom...lovin' her
kone on the kob!

Taking meds like a trooper!

Caroline woke up this morning with a nasty little cough so Mommy quickly made an appointment for a visit to the doctor. After a thorough check up, Caroline was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. The doc sent Caroline home with a few prescriptions to knock out the old croupy cough. Later in the evening, reports came in saying although Caroline felt yucky, she was very good and felt well enough to play a bit and watch her favorite cartoons! Get well soon Caroline...Santa is coming!

Caroline is not happy that
safety locks have been
installed on her favorite
spice cabinet.

Hint to Santa -
Caroline is making her
list from the
Toys R Us flier.

After she learns to use the
tools of the trade, Caroline
plans to cook !

 

 

Happy Facksgibbin Errybody!

This week Caroline is 18 months old! She's no longer a baby but a very independent young lady. Often times when we are together, she starts a conversation. I listen as close as I can but I just can't make out all of her words. That's when my 'tending' skills come in handy, I 'tend I understand and talk back as if I DO know what she's saying!

I won't have access to the internet for a day or two so I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for.... Jeff and Lindsey for the wonderful, loving home they give to Caroline... Mimi and Papaw who help take care of our lil' girl....Granny and Papaw who spoil Caroline perfectly....Pop who let's me work part time so Caroline can keep me! I'm also very thankful that we are getting our little boy in February! The list goes on and it just gets gooder and gooder! Thank you Lord for ALL of our many blessings.

Week 25.5

It's almost week 26 and Bubby is growing by leaps and bounds, reaching nine inches in length and passing the pound and a half mark. Experts say that our little Prince is the size of an eggplant! Under his skin, capillaries are forming and filling with blood and by week's end, air sacs will develop in his lungs, getting them ready for that first breath. Mind you, those lungs aren't ready for prime time just yet — but they are developing surfactant, a substance that will help them expand after birth. And speaking of breathing, Bubby’s tiny nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open, and his vocal chords are getting ready to roar and in time, Bubby will be jabberin' up a storm, just like his big sis does now! In addition to all this totally amazing news....guess what? Bubby is growing more hair — and if we could see it, we’d now be able to make out its color and texture. I hope his hair is as pretty as Caroline's...but in a boyish way of course!

Twick or Tweet

Minnie Mouse came to Windy Hills for Halloween! Mommy ordered Caroline a costume of her favorite, well, one of her favorite cartoon characters...Minnieee! At first, Caroline wasn't too jazzed about the costume. She didn't like it and wouldn't wear it very long. When Halloween arrived, Caroline wore her costume proudly and Mommy said Caroline wore the Minnie ears all evening long! She was just too cute!!
For the weekend, Caroline and family made a quick trip to see baby Wyatt, Chloe, Livi and Lily. From what I saw, everyone had a great time and Wyatt was a perfect little doll..I can't wait to get my hands on him AND our own little man doll coming in February!

Bizzee Weekend for Caroline

 

Caroline had a great weekend, filled with fun, family, and laughter! She was blessed early Friday with a brand new friend, Wyatt Blake. Wyatt is Chloe's new baby brother, and a very handsome lil man he is. We were so excited to hear the news that Wyatt had arrived. Our phones were buzzing and pictures flying. Congratulations to the Keeth-Hart families! Us gals down here in LA (lower AR) can't wait to give him a hug and a lil peck on his cheek!

Saturday was a full day for the Windy Hills kid. It began bright and early when Daddy called to say he bagged a big buck! Mommy and Caroline went to see the huge deer and take pictures. Later in the day, the whole gang, including Caroline's sweet cousins from NA, Livi and Lily, met at the Punkin Patch and enjoyed the outing. It was cold and breezy but that didn't stop the girls! They had a great time together at the patch!