Weekend Fun

This past weekend we traveled to Mississippi again in order to check out temporary housing for our upcoming move. Believe it or not, we will become Mississippi residents in 2 1/2 weeks! On Friday, Pop and Mimi babysat Caroline and Will so Matt and I could go to St. Dominic and then view our new apartment on the reservoir. After Matt finished up with his physical and paperwork at St. Dominic, we grabbed a good lunch at Char, visited our new apartment, looked at the neighborhoods in Madison and finished up our day with some good Mexican food. While eating dinner, Matt and I realized that we were a little bored since neither of us had to care for a small child. Ever since we've become parents, we haven't had much alone time...but I'm sure that will change once we move and the grandparents are closer. I picked up a cute little horse pillow that will hopefully reduce all of the "head bobbing" Caroline experiences on the back seat as she tries to snooze on our long trips back and fort. As you can see from the picture below, Pop demonstrated how it works. She also got a few pointers on how to play the guitar and drums from her Uncle A.

Though Caroline was glad to see us when we returned, she was definitely not ready to leave. Will and Caroline made their first visit to McDonald's and then checked out Imagination Fun Station in Philadelphia before the rain set in and dampened their fun.

Saturday morning Matt and I went for a horse ride (thank goodness for sunny skies this time) before we all got ready to head into town for Ham Jam. After Ham Jam, we went to visit Mammaw and Pappaw and play on the farm. Mammaw babysat Will for us while Caroline and I went to a baby shower for my cousin's new baby. Nana and Papa Buddy came later in the evening for a steak dinner and birthday party for Nana. On Sunday, we enjoyed visiting some more and headed back home to Dothan shortly after lunch.

When we got back home, Caroline and I discussed our fun weekend during her bath. She quickly informed me, "I wanna go Mississippi again." I told her not to worry, she was about to become a Mississippi girl. This morning, she obviously felt she must share her thoughts with her Daddy and as soon as she saw him she said, "Daddy, go Mississippi again". Daddy quickly responded that it wasn't Mississippi that she loved, but rather that she loved being spoiled and treated like a princess when she goes to Mississippi. Well, maybe that is the case, but I think she is a cowgirl at heart and likes to get her hands dirty from that Mississippi red clay!

Healing Art Project

One of the last projects I am working on at the hospital is our "Healing Art" project. Since we currently do not have pictures in some of our patient rooms, we have decided to add a little cheer to our patient rooms by asking the "children" of Flowers Hospital (children/grandchildren of employees) to draw a "Get Well" picture that will then be matted, framed and placed throughout the facility. I volunteered my kids to do an example to display, and I think it turned out really cute, don't you? I just wish I could keep it!

Ready for church

This past Sunday, we were running a little late for church (go figure), so when Caroline volunteered to put on her shoes, I gladly took her up on it. Well, as you can see, what I had in mind for her to wear, was not exactly what she thought she should wear. Luckily, she did agree to change into her Sunday shoes without much fuss. I guess she really is a true cowgirl at heart!

It finally stopped raining Sunday afternoon, so Caroline and I went for our usual stroll with our babies. We typically do this on days I am at home with the kids because Will and Reese love to ride around. Caroline loves her baby dolls (especially Reese) and I often find her telling them something that previously came out of my mouth earlier in the day. Reese even goes to time out for being whiny at times. How funny!

A Touching Story

This past weekend, I happened upon a unique blog that impressed me so much that I thought I should share it. Please be aware that it takes a few minutes to read the story, but it is well worth it. Also, have a box of tissues nearby...even Matt got a little emotional over this one!

Reese's Doctor Visit

On Friday morning, Reese (Caroline's beloved doll) had her 2-year old check-up. Since Caroline went with Reese for her appointment, it worked out that the Dr. Sarah could see her too. How convenient! I am happy to report that both girls are in good health and are in the 50th percentile for their weight and 80th percentile for their height (which turned out to be a challenge to measure due to some uncooperative girls). Daddy was thrilled to hear that they are taller than the average for their age, as he is hoping Caroline is not vertically challenged like her mother. Unfortunately, we didn't leave the physicians' office without a shot, but both ladies were extremely brave and didn't shed too many tears! Let's cross our fingers and hope we don't have to go back for another visit until they're 3!

Caroline's Playdate

This past Thursday afternoon, my friend Brandi and her two kids came over for a visit. Granger, her son, is a few months younger than Caroline, and Zetta Grace, her newest addition, is just a few months younger than Will. As you can imagine, having four kids together at once within their age bracket makes for an interesting afternoon. Caroline and Granger really seemed to enjoy playing together, while the two little ones caught up on their sleep. Brandi and I even had a little time to catch up with one another. In the past, our conversations seemed to revolve around healthcare (Brandi, Matt and I went to grad school together), but now our conversations are predominately about our kids...imagine that! Anyway, I hope we can get the kids together again soon because Caroline was pooped from playing with Granger and went to bed early for a change!

Pretty Eyes

This morning as we were enjoying breakfast together, Caroline looked over at her brother who was sitting in his exersaucer and out of the blue said to him, "You have pretty eyes, Will...you really do!" I guess she has heard me tell him how pretty his blue eyes are in the past and suddenly noticed them as well. :)

Will's First Bite

Saturday night we decided to let Will try some tasty rice cereal. Believe it or not, he's already 5 months old, so it is definitely time to expose him to things other than milk. We've held off because he is obviously doing quite well on milk alone. His jersey cow must be top of the line. :) Anyway, he did quite well considering it was his first time with a spoon. I must admit that I didn't expect anything less from my little fellow, as I have felt all along that he would be a good little eater. I can only imagine how much he will eat when he gets in high school. We will have to open a home equity line just in order to pay for the grocery bill..hee hee. Anyway, Caroline decided she needed to take a bite of what her little brother was having, and since no harm could be done...we obliged. I wish I had gotten a picture of her face after she took a bite. It was very similar to the one taken when she ate peas for the first time.
In other news...this weekend it was rather yucky weather, so we stayed indoors for the most part. We did manage to go pick up some new shoes for the kids. They were so cute (especially Will's) that I had to include the picture.
Sunday afternoon Caroline, Mrs. Missy, Isabella and I went to "The Little Mermaid", a dance program performed by the SEADAC. We had a blast! The girls really enjoyed watching all of the bright costumed dancers while munching on Animal Crackers. Afterwards, they did their own little dance in front of the building while running from their mothers as we were trying to leave. Oh what fun!

At the car wash

So I'm a little late in posting these pictures...especially since the car wash occurred on March 23rd. They were so cute that I couldn't resist posting anyway. As you can see from the pictures, Caroline really enjoyed helping Daddy clean Mommy's car, and Mommy didn't mind letting the two of them get all of that yucky pollen off my ride.

And since I'm posting older photos...I need to post this cute pic of my Little Easter Bunny!

For Sale

Well, other than missing the friends we've made in Dothan over the last few years, the next worst part about moving is selling a house...especially when you just bought it less than a year prior. I will REALLY miss this house...it is my dream house (other than there isn't a barn with horses and cows out back. As of Friday, my dream house went on the market. Let's cross our fingers and hope it sells quickly and for a good price! :)

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig Jig

Well, if you haven't heard, Matt has accepted a position at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. We're moving back home! While I am very excited to be moving alot closer to both of our families, I must disclose that I am very sad to be leaving Dothan and all of the friends we have made over the past six years. We have been so fortunate to have worked at Flowers Hospital and to have had the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful people. Matt and I first moved to Dothan after getting married. We bought our first house here, welcomed two children into our lives and purchased our dream home only one very short year ago. We will always cherish our time here in the Wiregrass, but look forward to the opportunities before us in Mississippi. I'm sure I'll have more to say about our time in Dothan before the big move that is scheduled for the first part of May, but for now I will keep this little blog short and sweet. We will be living in temporary housing until our house sells, which hopefully will be a quick process. In the meantime, we'll be looking for another house in Madison, which is such a cute little town that provides lots of perks for families. Wish us luck as we start a new phase in our lives and go through the fun process of selling a house, moving 6 hours West, beginning new jobs and buying yet another house....all the while taking care of 2 little ones!

Retail Therapy

Yesterday afternoon after I got both of the kids in the house following our day at work and daycare, my perceptive little 2-year-old, Caroline, noticed that I wasn't myself. This is our conversation:
Caroline: "Mommy sad?"
I replied, "Yes, sweetheart, Mommy is a little sad today."
Caroline then said, "Mommy, want to go shopping later?"
Ahh...my little girl already understands how retail therapy can make the day a little brighter!