big girl

Sometimes I can't believe how big this girl is getting.
And I think trying to keep up with her big sister
makes her seem even bigger.
But throughout the day during her many snuggle sessions,
I still feel baby soft skin and the faintest hint of baby scent.
I inhale and hang on,
scared that tomorrow it will be gone.
But for now,
it's here
and I can't get enough.

fourteen

At fourteen months, this McQuinn sister...

... is busy. I said the same thing about her older sister at this age, but she takes the cake. She doesn't stop moving. Unless she is sleeping or reading. 

... is my climber. Those little legs push and work their way on top of anything. We have temporarily moved the chairs from the playroom as Caroline has a way of ending up on top of the table when they are around.

... is little. I think she might be taking after mama with those short legs. We may be in 12-18 months for awhile.  

... loves music & dance. The second she hears music, she stops and starts her twirling, her signature move. Lately they have let her come into Lauren's dance class at the end and she is in toddler heaven. Although she hasn't quite grasped the fact that she isn't an actual member of the class. 

... is a pretty good eater. She is good at experimenting with new foods, but has a special place in her heart for carbs. Did I mention she is my girl?

... adores her big sister, her bunny, dolls, dress up, forward rolls at Little Gym and books. She's also a pretty big fan of Daniel Tiger.

... is a little shy, but warms up pretty quickly. Gives the most amazing open mouth kisses and is still my little snuggler. 

Caroline is ONE!

Despite my state of shock as to how an entire year has passed since we welcomed Caroline into this big beautiful world, it has.
And we have so much to celebrate.



At ONE year, our 'baby' Caroline...

... is so busy. She walks. She climbs. Did I mention she climbs? Girl has no fear. Standing on everything, especially her sister's rocking chair. She keeps all of us on our toes.

... can be found moving through the house with at least one item in her hand. This started a few months ago, but Caroline loves to hang on to something. A princess figurine, a spoon, her bunny, a maraca, whatever she can find. She hangs on and keeps moving.

... has 8 teeth.

... waves, a lot.

... blows kisses, shakes her head 'no', points & says 'this', and claps enthusiastically.

... adores her big sister, cuddles her pink bunny, can't get enough of her sister's toys or pop-up books.

... Caroline can bust a move and can even be heard singing along sometimes {that sweet sing song hum... may I never forget it}

... is known as the snuggler and the smiler in our house.

She is so loved.

And we are so, so, so, blessed to call her ours.

51 weeks

49 & 50 weeks

eleven months & 48 weeks

Eleven months.
I can't quite believe we're here already, yet I don't remember life without our Caroline.



At 11 months, Caroline...

... is a walker. She is up and all over the place. Her first steps were at about 10.5 months and the last couple weeks she hasn't stopped moving. We are all so impressed by her ability to get up and go from anywhere in the room and straight up from her knees.

...is busy. She's a mover. She can be found trying to keep up with her sister or play with the 'big girl' toys. She prefers to walk around with something in her hand, sometimes it's the dress of a doll, sometimes its a plastic chicken leg. And with quickly found out she really likes the stairs. If the gate is open that little gal will be up those stairs in no time. Thankfully we have no accidents to report at this time.

... has 5 teeth and the 6th could be here by morning. At 11 months, her sister had zero.

... loves table food. She wants nothing to do with purees and most green vegetables. Which breaks my brussel sprout loving heart.

... loves her pink bunny, kisses and hugs all the dolls in the playroom, plays a mean game of peek-a-boo, wishes she could play all the things her sister plays, has the best toothy grin, and is my sweet snuggly girl. She is a hugger and the feeling of that head on my shoulder... that is one I hope I never forger.

weeks - 45,46,47

it's been weeks since my last post
and
this little girl has grown.







oh, she walks too.

44 weeks

ten months

At ten months, Caroline Ann McQuinn...

... is a joy. She is so happy and sweet. Even the little growl sound she likes me make is adorable.

... is on the move. That girl does not stop. She is pulling up, cruising, balancing, and climbing all the time. She is quite mobile and will likely be more mobile in the near future.
**which is making these pictures harder and harder. Blurry options. Mama needs more practice.

... is a good little eater. She prefers table food to baby food purees, but when she is hungry she will eat it all up. She has also established a good relationship with the dogs, especially since she sneaks them food at least three times a day.

... adores her sister and her sisters toys. Caroline is tough, she can hold her own against her sisters toy stealing and general roughness.

... is a Mama's girl, smiles at strangers, but really likes her personal space.

... goes with the flow. She is along for the ride and doesn't seem to mind. With sisters school schedule, morning dance classes, and busy lifestyle, our schedule remains 'flexible' and Caroline doesn't seem to mind.

... loves music and dances, claps, waves, and bounces to the beat. Which makes dance parties in the kitchen a lot of fun.

... has 4 teeth. And loves to show them off. Can you blame her?

42 & 43 weeks

42 weeks & still playing with the blocks


Iowa

41 weeks & 3 years

This picture doesn't do much to describe our 41 week old girl.
But every other picture I snapped was blurry, because she can't sit still.
She tries standing,
she tries jumping off face first,
she plays blocks,
and shows off that top front tooth she just sprouted.

In the middle of Caroline's little shoot, I realized I never took a 3 year picture of Lauren.



I seized the moment,
one where she was willing and cooperative,
and snapped a picture.

I love it.
It captures my little Laurno at this very moment.
Her red runny nose, while she works on building up her immune system now that she's a big school girl.
Her shoes on the wrong feet as her independent streak leaves her doing more and more by herself.
Her unkept hair from a day full of play, movement, and an afternoon nap that we all took together today.

And if  you look closely, you'll see the hand of a 41 week little sister who can't get enough of this three year old.

I have a feeling this simple little photo will be a favorite of mine.
Not due to it's composition or beauty,
but its simple little reminders of a three year old girl.

nine months

We've reached the point where I see her first birthday approaching... fast.
I can't quite believe we're there, but rather than dwell on how fast the time goes, I am going to soak up the 3 months of official baby-ness we have left.

At nine months, our darling baby girl...

... is busy. Caroline is an active girl {just like she was in my belly}. She is now officially crawling, the bear crawl with belly off the ground, but also loves her trusted army crawl to get anywhere fast.
... pulls up on everything and is beginning to get her 'surf' on.
... really likes her sister & sister's toys. Especially the dollies. Big sister does not like this.
... currently has two little bottom teeth, but is working on the top teeth. See drool as evidence.
... has the best little giggle that comes out when being tickled or a really good game of peek-a-boo
... and her open mouth kisses. The best!
... has the cutest clap, is a total flirt, and has the best-est sweetest smile, that shines through her eyes.

39 & 40 weeks

37 & 38 weeks

It's football time, ya'll.

The Iowa v Iowa State game is the biggest college football game of the year in our house.
I'm not sure if my husband would completely agree with this statement,
but let's just go with it.
We started a tradition with Lauren and let her choose her game day gear,
Iowa or Iowa State.
For the first time in her life, she chose Hawkeye colors.

And her sister did the same.



At least they know how to pick a winner...

36 weeks

Summer of Sisters

You guys*...
This blog.

This blog is a little sad.
She's become a baby book/weekly baby scrapbook spot,
not the the family memory keeper that I aim for.

But I have intentions.
And a to-do list that will change that.

While I wasn't great at posting this summer,
I promise it was for good reason.












These girls.
These sweet, busy, curious, strong, and loving girls kept my hands full this summer.
And my heart...
well, it runneth over.
We made a lot of memories this summer and will share some highlight soon.

Big sister started school today.

She is going to a Mother's Day Out {MDO} program twice a week.
So this busy mama, finally found some time to take care of some of those items that never get crossed off her to-do list.
Like this blog.
As soon as I get over how quiet my house is on Tuesday & Thursday mornings,
this blog should be back in action.



* Or guy.
Dad?
You may be the only one still checking on us.
Thanks Dad. xoxo

8 months

At 8 months, our blue eyed beauty...

... is busy. She army crawls at a fast pace. She pulls up on everything and likes to let go from time to time to see what happens.
... has two bottom teeth, but appears to be working on more. The drool, folks.
... is a total mama's girl. We're working on this.
... loves to eat. She will take most anything we give her, especially if it's not pureed. Girl likes herself some real food. She was recently introduced to pickles and was all about it.
... takes two naps, when she can fit them in. Poor girl has spent the summer going with the flow. Today she had one nap after sisters dance class and at grocery store and the other before and en route to swimming lessons. And our sleeping through the night schedule is irregular. I'm blaming those teeth. Mostly because I'm scared if it's not those teeth... she's been up a few times lately.
... loves to clap, gets so excited when she sees her sister, is a total flirt, and is drawn to the dollies in our house.
...gives us a little growl lately. We're not sure where that came from, but she thinks its hilarious.

33 weeks, 34 weeks, 35 weeks

32 weeks

We are preparing for an end of summer trip to Tennessee.
A little sun, family, and lake time.
A girls trip,
a visit to the Bourbon trail,
and many memories to be made.

There should be plenty to share when we return
Like, maybe, what we have been up to the entire summer...

I'll be a better blogger when I return
{have I said that before?}

But first,
I have a flight to catch.
With both my girls.
And just me.
Matt's meeting us in Knoxville next week.

Wish me luck.

31 weeks