Happy 9th Birthday Caroline!

On this day 9 years ago, my baby girl was born at 1:17 PM. She was the only one of my three children that I did not find out the sex before the birth--and we were positive she was a boy. Her grandmother Debbie could not contain her excitement over the first birth of a girl in the family in 47 years and headed to the mall, eager to buy everything pink in the tri-state area. And while my princess does like everything "girl"--hairbows, fancy clothes, lots of shoes--she is also decidedly tomboyish--climbing trees with Garrett, riding bikes and scooters, getting into wrestling matches.

We celebrated Caroline's birthday by taking her two friends--Lauren J. and Lauren B.--to "Art From the Heart" paint your own pottery center. They spent two hours painting a clay piece of their choice, which we will pick up in a week. We then headed back to the house for make-your-own-pizza, Carvel ice cream cake (with chocolate crunchies! Aunt Carrie is soooo jealous!), opening presents, playing outside, watching some movies, and finally a sleepover in the middle of the living room floor. Lauren B. and Caroline working on a dog bowl (LB) and "ice cream" bowl "(CW)
Lauren J. and her dolphin figurine

Garrett was meticulous in his work on the dragon figurine. He took way longer than the girls to finish up!

Caroline did a complicated stripe pattern of blue, purple, and green. This is supposed to be a small mixing bowl, but Caroline said "Un uh--it's MY ice cream bowl!"

Edward sighting! Emily posing with her favorite vampire.

Emily is also a fan of "Team Jacob". Here is she thinking "Oh....those precious lips..."

Yup, werewolves are cool too!

Hour 2.....still hard at work.

The baby was fantastically well behaved and was a greeter for everyone who came into the shop. I think the shop owner wanted to steal her, glaze her, and keep her forever.

Cake Time!

Making a wish....

Morning after....Garrett and I got Caroline a game called "Hedbanz". You put a card on a band around your forehead and ask Yes/No questions until you guess what's on your card. It was hilarous! "Is it an animal?" "Do you write with it?" "Is it metal?" "Is it pink?"

Visit from the Teething Fairy

Emily has been teething for the past two months: gnawing on every toy in her reach, drooling constantly, etc. I wasn't sure if she was ever going to get some teeth...until this morning! She had a fever yesterday and was very cranky. We took her to the doctor, who said that she probably had a virus. I stayed home with her today, and her fever was pretty much gone by noon. I noticed that her mood was much better, too. Lo and behold, she grabs my finger and chews on it and I feel actual teeth! TWO! She has both of the bottom ones coming in at the same time! It's very hard to see on the pics--I wish I had an expensive camera with much better resolution! But in person, you can see the little pearly nubs sticking out of her lower gum.

New Set of Wheels

Nope, not a minivan, even though we're exploding out of the Subaru--Emily's walker arrived! I had bought one from a big box store when she started to get bored with just an exersaucer and swing. But it was very tall, even on the shortest height adjustment--her feet dangled 5 inches above the floor! I went online and read reviews (probably should have done that first) and found that many people scored it low for that very reason. Some of them had 9 month olds who still couldn't reach! Emily isn't the tallest in her age group, so I figured it could be a while til her toes hit the floor. I didn't need another toy that just holds her, I wanted something that she could scoot around in. So I actually did my research first this time, and I found many great reviews and comments about the Chicco walker (comes in Splash (circles) or Sea Dreams (fish)). It was a little pricey for a walker, but my kids are not early walkers, so she should get several months of use from this thing. It also seems built to last, so it should go the distance. And she LOVES it! The keyboard, the songs, the sounds, the lights, all of it...she is just entranced by the thing! And she figured out how to push her toes on the hardwood floors and made it down several feet of the hallway by herself the first day!

So many choices.....so little time til naptime.

Hmmmm...I'm digging this horn button.

See my feet? Flat on the ground! Not like my other stinky walker...

I look like I'm blowing raspberries in this picture, but I am actually squealing with delight! Emily has learned a new "I'm having a great time" screech that probably sounds similar to a dog whistle.