Timeless Tuesday: Let Them Eat Cake

Last year at this time, Caroline and her daddy were enjoying a nice piece of cake.

Uh-oh - Caroline got mad because her cake was ALL GONE! (Or was she mad because she had no hair?)

And one year later, she still gets mad when there's no more food.

Timeless Tuesday

Just one random school morning where I had to document her cutie little outfit! Taken one year ago today...my how time flies!!!

Paci-Free...Take Two

6 weeks ago, I blogged about weaning Caroline from the paci. In the beginning, we did pretty good. And then we went to Columbia a couple of times, baby shower, she got sick, mini-vacation to Atlanta & Auburn...we ended up NOT doing so good. As the weeks went on, she had the paci here and there...not always for nighttime & naptime - but here and there throughout the day. And that was MY lack of control, not Caroline's. I was weak.

Well, I said the entire way to Atlanta 2 weeks ago that when we got back to Myrtle Beach, the pacis were going in the trash. I was D.O.N.E with them. And on the way home I told Caroline "You use that paci all you want now because when you get home from school tomorrow you won't have it anymore!" Isn't that mean of me?

So, on Monday while she was at school and I was at home doing laundry, I searched the house high and low and threw them ALL away. Monday night was pretty bad - total of 30 minutes crying, didn't want to be held, didn't want to be laid down. She finally cried herself to sleep. Tuesday night? Not a peep!!!! Wednesday night? NOTHING!!! Thursday night? SILENCE!!! HOORAY!!!!!

Friday night? Not so good. From the time I picked her up from school to the time I almost had a mental breakdown, she cried and whined and wanted to be held. And all I kept thinking was "I can do this. I can do this. I can do this" We had mastered bedtime with no paci for 4 nights. Not ONCE did I ever think about her attitude otherwise. So, after 3 times of putting her in her crib just so I could check what was in the oven for dinner (and one 1 time of her throwing up during a crying fit in her crib), I caved. I was a failure. And I found the paci I hid for an emergency (BAHAHA!). Caroline took her paci for about 3 minutes, took it out to drink her milk and didn't have it again for the rest of the night.

Did she just need a fix? Was she THAT addicted to it? Who knows. The rest of the weekend was spotty - she did have it here and there...especially first thing in the morning when I needed her to go back to sleep while I got another 20 minutes of sleep (hey, every minute counts). But, now we're back on track. She has not had the paci at home since Sunday afternoon and she's been an angel.

On a side note - she still takes it at naptime at school. I think in the next week or two we're going to ask her teachers to throw them away, too.

I realize that this is much harder on me than it is on Caroline. I don't doubt that at all. But, this too shall pass and we will make the best of it. She's become closer to her lovey ("Fuzzy" as Daddy has named it) and has even taken to a doll baby, too. And she can sleep with those two as long as she wants - til she's 30 if she needs to!

Timeless Tuesday: One Year Ago - 8/10/2009

Wedding Bells

Last weekend, my dear friend Claire Chastain got married in Auburn, Alabama. For those of you who don't know, I was born in Columbia, moved to Jacksonville, FL in 2nd grade (ON my 8th birthday, thankyouverymuch...can you tell I'm STILL not over that?), then moved back to Columbia the summer before 7th grade. And Claire was my first friend at E L Wright Middle School. We were SUPER close and BFFs, but then her family moved to Auburn in the 10th grade. That was probably the worst day of my life (2nd to moving to Jax on my 8th birthday, that is). We have stayed in touch off and on over the years, she was in my wedding 4 1/2 years ago, and then she so graciously asked me to be in hers! Of course I said yes!!! I was so happy to see her and her parents this past weekend. I wish we lived closer together so we could do a better job of keeping up with each other (I know, the phone works just as well) - but I know she's in my life for a reason. Claire, if you're reading this - I LOVE YOU and I'm so happy for you!!! :-)

On Friday, we drove from Peachtree City to Auburn to start the wedding weekend festivities. It took us no time to get there!! Literally! With the time change, we left PTC at 10 AM and got to Auburn at 10 AM...haha! Anyways - Wally dropped me & Caroline off for the bridal luncheon first and I was a bit nervous for a number of reasons. 1. I wasn't going to know anybody there except for Claire and her mom. 2. Caroline has had some *attitude* issues lately (that's for another post for another time). So, any of you who have young children can probably agree - going to strange places can be a crap-shoot. Anyways, I over-reacted - Caroline was a DOLL. Performed on queue. Performed when you'd least expect it. Waving and giving knucks...I couldn't have been more relieved.

Friday night was the rehearsal & rehearsal dinner - again, Caroline was PERFECT!!!!!! What the heck??? Saturday was a long day of hair, make up, waiting, pictures, ceremony, more waiting, reception fun, eating...you name it, we did it. Wally had Caroline most of the day and, bless his heart, is actually REALLY good at getting her all dressed up to go places. She looked like a little angel...with a skinned chin from the Thursday before.

The funniest part of the weekend - when I took my place at the alter and Caroline says as loud as she can, "Moooommmm-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!" I'll never forget that for as long as I live. She just melts my heart.

the beautiful bride - she hasn't changed a bit!

me & the beautiful bride - yes, I was the palest one up there. and proud of it, too.

first attempt at photo editing...

OMG - there was this TINY little 3 month old baby, Morgan, at the wedding. she SERIOUSLY looked like a tiny little doll baby - reminded me so much of Caroline at that age...so tiny and perfect! doesn't Wally look good with two babies on his lap? (On a much more serious note, and I don't usually do this - but Morgan could really use your prayers - she has some health issues they are trying to work thru right now.)

See her chin?

I sure do miss these guys.

On the way back to PTC Saturday night. She just couldn't hang any longer.

Blalock Lakes

Last Thursday, the three of us headed to Peachtree City, GA to stay with my aunt Gayle and her wonderful family before we went to Auburn, AL for my good friend's wedding. That evening, we went to Blalock Lakes for BBQ and some fun pool time! Our friends, The Smathers, joined us since they live in the next town over. I was SO happy to have Brooke, Matt & Sadie there to play, too!!!

Blalock Lakes is just beautiful. I'd love to retire out there one day!!! We stayed around the pool area, but the places goes on and on with MANY things to do. The kiddie pool was actually too hot for us to stay in - who knew?? And the regular pool has a beach entry - were it gradually gets deeper the more you walk in. That's were we stayed most of the time so the kids could run around in the water. This was the first time Caroline has really enjoyed a pool! I guess we need to go there more often!!!

{photo courtesy of Gayle's camera}
Caroline went from fountain to fountain to fountain over and over again - and mostly put her face in each one.

"Ok, they're trying to take our picture. Let's act up and not smile for any of them."

"Hey! I thought you said you weren't going to smile!"

I think we waited too late in the day to get a picture of the girls in their matching dresses. By this time, they were all so tired and worn out. This picture was also taken right before Caroline skinned up her chin climbing up those stone stairs. Right before the wedding...