Three!

On this morning, Bailey asked if he could hold Caroline while he was watching his morning show.  I did not have time to supervise this activity because as usual we were already running late.  But I couldn't resist his sweet pleas or his lovingly proud face.

Then naturally Ainsley started whining because she wanted to turn holding Caroline for a snuggle and a picture too.  So, we played pass the baby.

Sometimes it is still hard for me to believe that we have THREE kids.  When did I get this old?!?  Regardless, I pray that they always love each other this much.

Caroline's First Bites

A few weeks ago I gave Caroline her first taste of oatmeal.  She was about 5 and a half months old and was starting to wake up more at night and was wanting to nurse more frequently, so I figured she was telling me that she was ready for some more food.  And she was!

George thinks these pictures are so gross but I just love that sweet messy face!  Since this, she has had sweet potatoes, carrots, prunes, butternut squash, apple sauce, and avocado.  The only thing that hasn't gone down smoothly has been the avocado, which made her gag and throw up twice.  So we are holding off on that one for awhile.

  

I think those chubby cheeks say "Yes please and thank you!!"  ;)

Just so I remember...

... what that sweet little head looks like bobbing up to see who has come to pick her up from her nap.

 

GSB 5 Year Reunion

At the beginning of May, George and I went back to California for his 5 year business school reunion.  It was hard for us to make the trip happen - I waffled back and forth on things for months (!!!) and then it felt like we had to move mountains to actually make the trip work.  We ended up leaving Ainsley and Bailey in TX with our wonderful nanny/helper Sydney and then took Caroline with us and had a friend's sitter watch her in the evenings so we could go out.  It felt like a lot of prep work just to get there - so is the life with three, I guess - and it was only the second time that we have been away from the big kids for two nights and the first time we have been so far away.... but we had an amazing time and I'm so thankful we were able to make it happen.

The trip was exhausting with non-stop activity and visits with friends that we haven't seen in years but it was so wonderful.  Those two years George and I spent in CA, were such a gift.  It was a special time in our marriage where it was just the two of us and it was an exciting time of exploring what we wanted the next step of our lives to look like.  Going back brought back a flood of memories and emotions but above all we both felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.  So much has happened since those carefree days - both good and bad - but even with the challenging bits, we have been so blessed beyond measure and I don't want that to ever go unnoticed or forgotten.  I kind of dragged my feet when we had to leave Palo Alto and I thought that going back might be a little bitter sweet but it was surprisingly reaffirming of our choice to live in Austin and all that goes with being in TX.  Even though I give this state a hard time, I am thankful for all it has provided and how it continues to bless our family.

This trip was Caroline's first plane ride and she did amazingly.  She wow-ed us the entire trip with her flexibility and I'm afraid we pushed her to the limit every single day.  The picture above is of us leaving this amazing carnival that the school puts on.  Just as we got there and as I was bragging about how incredible she had been, she pooped all over herself and me! All over!  And of course I didn't have a change of clothes for either of us and we were far from our car and our hotel.  But I changed her diaper, put on her jacket, wrapped her up in a blanket and held her next to me to cover the poop all over my shirt.  HA!  But it worked!  And before long, she fell asleep in board daylight in a super loud environment.  Still amazing, even though I was covered in poop!

Bailey's Last Day of School

This is Bailey's last day of school for the 2014 school year.  Oh boy, was it easier to take pictures of his sister!  These were the best pictures I could get even if it does look like he is holding himself in the only picture where he is actually smiling.  ;)

Mini Me

When I came down stairs the other morning wearing this skirt, Ainsley exclaims "Ooohhhh Mommy!  I LOVE your skirt!"  Then she ran off and came back a few minutes later wearing the same exact thing.  She was so proud of herself to be matching and looking just like me.  It was adorable and I love that she wanted to be just like me.  I know these days won't last and I'm thankful.

I asked George to take a picture and Bailey was feeling left out so we let him jump in the mix too.

I love these two so much!

Big Brother Love

This is a common scene around here lately.  I will often look over at Caroline and find Bailey snuggled up on her belly.  At first I worried about him leaning and putting weight on her, but she doesn't seem to mind.  Then I worried about her pulling his hair, but he doesn't seem to mind that either - in fact, at this point, he thinks it is funny.  Neither of these things will probably last, so I was thankful to catch these sweet shared moments on camera the other morning.  Bailey loves his baby so completely and it makes my heart so happy.