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Showing posts from January, 2012

Elmo Love

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Sarah Graves just loves Elmo!  Several of her birthday gifts were Elmo items.  She has just been thrilled to wear, eat out of, and watch Elmo as often as possible.   Grancy sent her some new rain boots and guess who is on them! Pops found her some Elmo pajamas and she couldn't be more thrilled that they have Elmo!  I am just glad to have another pair of Elmo pajamas to rotate. She received new DVDs from several people and that has been a huge thrill!  She asks to "watch Elmo" all the time!

Singing Sensation

Sarah Graves loves music and she has started to sing some.  Right now her favorites are "Happy Birthday" and a song from our new series in Music Together, "Trot Ole Joe."  Of course, she sings them with her own spin, but she has the right idea. Pardon my singing!  

Belly Shot!

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Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig , is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden. She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Spreading the News

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I pretty quickly suspected I was pregnant this time, so we knew pretty early on.  We wanted to wait a while to share the news with everyone, but by Christmas we just couldn't resist telling our parents and sisters.  On Christmas Eve we planned times to skype with Aaron's parents so they could watch Sarah Graves open her gifts and that seemed like the perfect time to share our news with them.  I made this sign for Sarah Graves to hold up and with only a little hesitation they caught on to the message. Christmas Eve my parents and Jeanne' came over and I wanted to tell them in a memorable way, too.  So, I got them in front of the tree for a picture and instead of say, cheese; I told them to say, we're pregnant!  Mom got it immediately and Dad and Jeanne' caught on pretty quick.     Their faces don't look as surprised as I might have imagined, but I think they were still processing what I said! As always, it's fun to share news about a new baby coming!

Party with Friends

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 Grancy and Gramma came to celebrate SG's birthday!  She was happy to pose for a picture in front of this Sesame Street backdrop.   The birthday girl looking so cute!  Sarah Graves and her party guests in front of Sesame Street!  Not everyone is smiling, but everyone is looking, which was a major feat for Aunt Nay with 5 toddlers. We had a craft where the kids made Elmo faces.  Using the glue stick was a big thrill!  "Sarah do this" was said a lot.  She was very proud of her Elmo face.  I wanted a picture of the three of us, but probably should have waited until after she got her cake!  She was quite excited to "Eat Elmo!"  She ate her cake, her ice cream, and I don't know how many of the cake pops! She enjoyed being with Aunt Nay Nay.  She will do most anything for Nay Nay!  I decided not to post pictures of her with all of her gifts, but I had to show the newest addition to our home, our Bitty Baby named Kate. Kate came with a backpack, clothes, and most

Two Years Old

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Before her party started we had time for Jeanne' and I to get some pictures of her in her birthday outfit.  Mom made her a shirt with Elmo and the number two on it.  I made the tutu to match and she looked so cute! She loved playing with the balloons and was so excited for the party.  I don't think she really understood what a birthday is, but I know that she felt special and knew everyone was making a big deal about her!

Party Details

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I picked out our theme as Elmo and I purchased some designs from Etsy and that was the basis for our party.  I made this Happy Birthday banner and included some Elmo faces.   Jeanne' made Elmo cake pops and didn't they turn out cute!  Sarah Graves loves these!  We made the wrappers for water bottles to include some Elmo there.  Pinterest was the source for this Elmo vegetable tray.  I was surprised by how many of the kids enjoyed eating the red and orange peppers and the olives.  Have no fear, Sarah Graves was not one of them!  We did a variety of appetizers that included meatballs in a raspberry & chipotle sauce, pigs'n a blanket, chicken nuggets, mini baked brie, party pizzas, and apples with caramel dip.  I love appetizers for dinner! The crown jewel of the food was by far the Elmo cake.  Lovie did a fabulous job making this cake!  It is just the sort of cake that I remember her making for me when I was little.  The frosting recipe is the same and to me it's

Birthday Celebrations!

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On Thursday Sarah Graves brought Birthday cookies as the treat at school.  She was so proud to be bringing a treat for her friends!  She walked around saying, "Sarah treat!" Her teachers made a big deal about her birthday and gave her a crown to wear and sang Happy Birthday to her! She was so proud to come home and wear her crown and continues to sing, "Happy to you, Sarah!"

Just Being Herself

This is Sarah Graves just being herself and what a cute self we think she is.

Belly Shot!

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Okay so this picture is probably a bit of an exaggeration because Aaron took it at a funny angle looking up at me and my bottom half looks big and my head looks a little small.  That being said, my belly is definitely sticking out much more quickly than it did the first time.  This pregnancy feels different.  With Sarah Graves I had no appetite in the beginning.  This time I have a few hours in the day when I feel a little nauseous and then by the afternoon I am starving.  I don't necessarily have a craving, but my stomach is just growling and I can't seem to eat often enough to keep it filled.  Just like the first time, I have little desire for sweets and they seem to not taste as good as I think they will.  Overall, I don't have anything to complain about and hope this second time goes as smooth as the first.

Baby Development

We are so excited to announce that a new baby Caldwell is joining our family!  We heard the tiny heartbeat this morning and that was music to this Momma's ears!  Although I know a lot more this time around, I have still been interested to read about what is happening for this little peanut each week.  I am about 10 weeks along and here's the description: Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature. He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy

Lazy Sunday

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We had a great time at home on Sunday afternoon.  It was rainy out and she had a ball playing with all the toys that stay in the basement.  This is such a sweet girl and so much fun to be with.

Disappointment

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We were all disappointed over the National Championship.  Give us a few weeks and we will be ready for football season to start up.

Facing Forward

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Sarah Graves is now riding facing forward and she seems quite content with it.  I'm not sure that she can see that much, but it's probably better than facing a seat. 

Po-Po

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We have new po-po (a.k.a. play-dough) toys from Christmas and Sarah Graves has been having a ball!  She loves to make shapes and roll it all different ways.  It is also funny to me that she never cared about stacking up blocks, but she really enjoys stacking up play-dough containers!  At least she has developed the skill. It's fun having all these new toys around!

Birthday Preparations!

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I have been really focused on getting ready for Sarah Graves' party!  Her love of Melmo made the theme an obvious choice, but there is so much to do with that furry, red monster.  I was really excited when I found this design for an invitation on Etsy.    Here it is: I can't believe I am planning her second birthday party, but we are looking forward to a fun event!

Toddler Conversation

Sarah Graves is talking so much more each day and she says some funny things and sometimes even knows she's being funny! Me: Sarah Graves, I love you so much! SG: I know. (looking over her shoulder as she walks away) Me: Sarah Graves, I think we need to change your diaper. SG: (with a big grin) Lovie poop! Me: Do you have poop in your diaper? SG: Lovie diaper POOP! Me: Lovie wore your diaper and pooped in it? SG: (starting to giggle) MmmmHhhhmmmm. Aaron: Did Pops have to change her diaper, too? SG: Uh-huh (looking around pleased with her comedic talents). Yes, most of our conversations at dinner include some reference to poop or pee!  It really is her favorite topic of conversation; even though, she does not want to change her diaper or try to use the potty.  The best is when she shouts out POOP!  while we're in public.  Good times.

New Year's Day!

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New Year's Day was another laid back day for us.  After church we came home and made a traditional New Year's lunch.  Jeanne' came over and we all cooked together making ham, macaroni and cheese, blacked-eyed peas, cabbage, and cornbread.  Sarah Graves thought the cornbread was pretty good.  We're not sure how much luck or money will come her way this year as she wouldn't consider the peas and cabbage! Our evening was spent playing outside enjoying the warm winter temperatures before the cold moved in.  We did her favorite things: sliding, riding her Barbie ATV, and drawing with sidewalk chalk. She uses a lot of concentration when riding her ATV!  She has a hard time remember to keep pressing the button to make it go.  Steering is something that we are working on.  She usually goes in whatever direction it is aimed in and just goes until she hits something!  She had a great time playing and loved having Nay Nay at our house.  As usual, if she's happy, we'