Is it the pigtails?

I wish I could tell you how many times Matt and I have looked at one another this weekend in the
'what are we going to do with her?' way
or
how many times we've tried to keep a straight face when trying to redirect her from all the trouble she's getting in to.

She's busy,
and silly,
and daring,
and independent,
and oh so cute.

Maybe I need to stop putting her in pigtails...
then it might be easier for me to tell her no.

Probably not, though.

seventeen

At seventeen months, this sweet Caroline...

...is continuing to be a busy girl. She keeps us on our toes as she is for sure a fearless female, just like her sister, but with a knack for climbing and testing her boundaries.

... always has something in her hand. Loves books, puzzles, baby dolls, and little princesses and Daniel Tiger's crew. She also loves to dress up and play with her sister. While I am amazed at how much they 'fight' {sharing is a big topic at our house} I am even more amazed at how they play together and how close their sisterly bond.

... has the best giggle. LOVES high fives & kisses and wrinkles her nose in the cutest way that makes her mama melt. Goodness, we love her.

... is still a good eater. If she's hungry enough she will eat the veggies mama gives her but prefers fruit and anything considered a carbohydrate.

... is picking up more and more words. Each day I feel like a new one becomes distinguishable and we all love cheering her on!

... has moves. This girl can't hear a beat and not move. We get a big kick out of it and can't wait to see what her future holds.

sixteen

At sixteen, this little miss...

... is so busy. I know I write this every month, but she's not slowing down. See how she is posing with 13 months. She switched the blocks before I could take the 4 steps to take the picture. And we had to take sister to school, so she wins.

... has more teeth. We've got our bottom molars and are working on our top, for a grand total of 10 {this top ones haven't cut yet, so they don't count} Just for reference, sister had 7 at this age.

... loves books, Daniel Tiger, baby dolls, running, playing outside, her bunny, dancing, goldfish, her dogs, and sister.

... the girls are starting to play more together, which gives me all the feels, until it takes a sharp turn and the crying starts. The fighting is starting. Lauren, our leader, likes Caroline to do exactly what she wants, when she wants. Caroline has a mind of her own. And doesn't have words to share that.
So, she bites.
Yep.
Twice. Both times have been in a form of self-defense... Lauren wouldn't leave her alone. She gave a couple warning shrieks and then went for it.
Kinda freaking out...
I don't want a biter.


... is really getting into puzzles, which makes my teacher mama heart happy. She knows her eyes, nose, mouth and toes, babbles with the best of them, and seems to be learning something new everyday.

... is still a bit timid when meeting new people or in new surroundings, but once she is comfortable, watch out! She runs into her sisters school to pick her up each day, is a busy little birdie at Little Gym, tries to break into the room Lauren practices in at the dance studio, and just started swim lessons last week. While I had to hold her back from jumping in the pool during her sisters lesson, she went right in the pool to Miss Paige, practiced her scoops, loved to jump in, and even went under.

... is still my snuggly sweet baby, despite the impending toddlerhood that awaits us. Based on those little fits, my days are numbered.

Tea for Two

Tea parties are a daily occasion at our house.
The location, flavored tea, dress code, and accompanying delicacies vary,
but there is always a little girl or two,
with a grin and some imagination.






A few weeks ago, Lauren and I attended a real tea party.
A local tea room hosted a tea an 'Adorable Doll Party',
so we helped Lauren's doll of choice, Payton, get ready and headed out to a little mama/daughter date.

When we arrived, Payton had a special seat with her own tea cup & doll sized appetizers.
Lauren had her very own tea pot, filled with pink lemonade.
We enjoyed our tea followed by soup, sandwiches, and even some dessert.
Lauren helped Payton,
poured a lot of pink lemonade
and wore the sweetest smile all night long.




I'm adoring this sweet little phase we're in.
What do I love most?
More than the sweetness of the tea party,
the gloves,
the hats,
the little sandwiches & cakes,
I love the moments.
The interaction.
The sweet giggles and memories made.

When sister joins us my heart melts a little more
and I think two things.

1. These are the moments I never want to forget.

2. Little sister can drink some tea.

fifteen

At fifteen months, this little sweetheart...

... still can't sit still. Unless she is reading a book. Or watching Daniel Tiger with her big sister. She's a big DT fan.
... loves to dance. Has a signature spin move and spends much of the time at her sister's weekly dance class trying to get in the door.
...is working on a set of bottom molars. Poor dolly. We are hoping this is the cause of the recent 'whiny' behavior. Because if it's not, we may be in trouble.
... shows more and more personality. While she is still sweet as ever, she is showing that she can hold her own. We had an biting incident last week. During a wagon ride. Big sister wouldn't keep her hands off her and after numerous attempts to let her know she didn't like it, those big little teeth found a way to make it stop. Mom is hoping both sisters took a lesson from this and this was an isolated incident.
...says 'Mom, Dad, & more' and babbles, but has herself convinced that she is speaking just as clearly as the rest of us.
...is so independent. Wants to walk/run everywhere, has to go up & down the stairs herself, and is quite the little helper during clean up.
... has no fear. As much as I love having a play set in the backyard, this girl will give you a heart attack. And she thinks it's funny.
... adores her big sister and wants to do all the things she does. This includes, but is not limited to tea parties, blocks, riding a scooter, coloring, & dolls.
... still loves her bunny & now has two. During Christmas break, we had a missing bunny and mom immediately ordered another. I didn't realize there were numerous sizes and a much larger bunny greeted us. Char got to the tags before I could return them and Caroline discovered big bunny who was just as sweet at little bunny. You should see her snuggle both of them...

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. 

thirteen

Oh, thirteen months.
We officially have a one year old in the house.



At thirteen months, our dear sweet Caroline...

... doesn't slow down. She is on the move, all of the time. She climbs, she walks real fast, and she's into everything.

... loves to play outside. Swinging and sliding are her favorites.

... has no fear. Which causes this mama a lot of anxiety. This little girl will climb anything and is constantly in search of a way to stand on top of tables. Oy.

... well maybe some fear. She is a bit bashful... she's a total flirt until you get too close. Then the stank eye comes out. We just started class at Little Gym. She loves to work on her forward roll, but isn't crazy about anyone but mom assisting her.

... is still the best snuggler. Her hugs... the best. And now she is all about those open mouth big kisses.

... is a good little eater, but still has her moments. She loves blueberries, bananas, chicken, and grits. A great snack day involves some Pirates Booty. And she would rather feed the dogs the majority of vegetables that come across her tray.

... loves her bunny, is so sweet with baby dolls, and plays doctor with her sister and loves to wear the stethoscope.

... speaking of sister. Adores her. And tolerates all the choke holds and tackle hugs.

... when there is a quiet moment, she can be found in her bedroom, reading her books. Just like another sweet little girl in this house.

Lauren is 3!

It's hard to believe we've got a three year old in our house.
A little girl-
with any trace of baby-ness or toddlerhood fleeing fast.

While that leaves this mama with a heavy heart,
seeing who this sweet girl is becoming brings a new joy everyday.

This parenthood thing is bittersweet.



At three, our sweet Lauren...

... is active. She likes to stay busy and loves to talk about her busy days. She is currently in MDO, two times a week, take dance once a week, and fills the rest of her days with walks to the park, projects, puzzles, and her love of books.
... has a great imagination. Dress-up, pretend, and role-play has all started at our house. We've also got a song writer on our hands. Lauren likes to make up songs to sing and loves classic favorites like 'Wheels on the Bus', 'Skip to My Loo', "Twinkle, Twinkle", and 'ABC's".
... calls herself Laurno. Consistently.
... has started the fiercely independent phase. And oh boy, her strong willed attitude is really coming out.
... is a leader. She knows what she wants and she isn't afraid to tell you. This can also be seen as 'bossy', but we try not to use that word. Future #girlboss.
... has an infectious giggle, adores her little sister, is still working on sharing though, loves Disney & books {two of her mama's favorite things}, lights up when her dad walks through the door, loves sausage, to talk, play with her friends at the park, and is a deal maker (Is that a good deal, Mom?)

She fills our hearts with love, tries our patience daily, and has taught us more than we ever imagined possible in the last three years.

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