Caitlin's Baptism

We baptized Caitlin earlier this month at the church where Jason & I were married. She wore the same baptism gown I had made for Cooper, however my mom added a little lace to the bottom. We thought it wasn't quite girly enough...although Jason always thought it was too girly for Cooper.

Bridget gave Caitlin two headbands when she was born that I absolutely love. She knew I wanted something in white for her baptism and something else I could use for newborn photos. I'm making it my personal mission to make sure she has something in her closet to match them for at least the next year.

I was a bit nervous before the service. I just knew, as I did with Cooper, she would wait until the white dress was on and decide to...go. I worried the entire time we sat there waiting for Cooper to be baptized and he spared me. Caitlin, however, did not. And she waited until the sermon, right before the baptism. Jason headed to the nursery with her for a quick change and I sent my sister to help. Thankfully, the Huggies saved the day and we were good to go.

We asked Rachel, Bridget & Bear to be her Godparents.

Cooper wasn't too thrilled with the picture taking process. He knew there were cookies waiting for him after church.

After church, we had everyone over to my mom's house for lunch & cupcakes. Of course, I had to make peanut butter & jelly cupcakes.

Caitlin had a wardrobe change after the church service and I am pretty sure this is my recent most favorite photo of her. I love the headband...the pearls...the smile!

12 Weeks Old

I can't quite get over how much Caitlin has changed in the past few weeks. She's gotten so much bigger, smiles all the time and laughs now. She also talks quite a bit. Jason and I both remember Cooper smiling, but hers is more of a cheesy grin that cracks me up. Like she can't believe you're smiling back at her or that she just did something.

Cooper loves to be in photos with her.

The Dragon Circus

Cooper started talking about a dragon circus months ago - possibly a year ago. One afternoon, he started telling us a story about his circus that was filled with dragons and how he would ride the dragons. Imagination is awesome. When Jason and I saw that the theme this year for the circus was dragons, we both wanted to take Cooper.

I had planned a "date" with Cooper for a Saturday morning. My plan was to take him to the movies, but at the last minute, our free sitter (Aunt Sassy) asked to come over so we jumped on the chance to take Cooper to the circus.

Jason and I decided to keep the plan a secret until we got to the circus.

He was a little hesitant at first - telling us he didn't want to see real dragons. Once we explained that the dragons were like floats in a parade, he was a bit more relaxed.

We let Cooper have a snack before the show started and he chose a snow cone. I asked several times what he wanted because I knew as soon as he ate the snow cone, he would want the cotton candy. And I was right! We also let him pick out a t-shirt to take home and wear to school so that he could show his friends.

I can't remember if I've ever been to a circus, and Jason knew he'd never been. We all really enjoyed it - I loved the elephants and the boys loved the motorcycles.

Also, my cell phone takes better photos than my point & shoot camera in these situations.

11 Weeks Old

Caitlin is such a smiley baby, we just love it. Unless she's hungry. If she's hungry, she's MAD. Very mad. Cooper gets the biggest kick out of her smiles and it means so much to him when she grins at him. He's been more involved in playing with her the past two weeks, now that she's so responsive, and I have to remind him not to be so rough. I think he gets so excited he forgets that he can hurt her.

I also find it very hard to believe that at this point with Cooper I was still home on maternity leave. I feel like I've been back at work for months, not weeks, and we're getting settled into our new normal. I won't say we have a routine, because I feel like every minute of every day is chaos. Controlled chaos, but still crazy. I've always said I do better under pressure!

Party's over people...

Phone Friday

We went to my mom's earlier this month to baptize Caitlin. Saturday morning, the guys headed to get BBQ from Snow's. Rachel, mom and I stayed home and I'm pretty sure we devoured what they brought home in less than 10 minutes.

Caitlin was all dressed up for her baptism. I cannot get over how grown up she looks in this photo - I'm just in love with it.

Cooper got himself dressed for school one morning and picked out this shirt. Pops brought it back a few years ago from New Orleans. It speaks the truth.

Caitlin's bathing suit is getting snug and I happened to see this one on sale at Target. It just jumped right into my cart.

 Last weekend we took Cooper on a surprise date. He was so excited on the way there...

And found out that we were going to the circus!

Intermission at the circus.

Last Sunday I promised Cooper a trip to the pool, only if he took a nap. He carried all of his stuffed animals into the guest bedroom and opened the umbrella. I've been trying to explain bad luck to him, but he's not getting it.

 These two...I can't get enough of them!

 

This little girl is 11 weeks old.

10 Weeks Old

Caitlin is on her second week at daycare and I think we've settled into a good schedule. She's drinking 12oz each day, naps off and on and is even smiling when I drop her off. Ms. K mentioned one afternoon that she rarely cries - only when she's hungry!

We typically come home, I'll start dinner and then stop to feed her before either finishing dinner or letting Jason take over. Her last meal for the night begins around 9pm and we put her to bed about 10. A few nights this week she even slept until 6am!! It was a little unnerving to hear the alarm go off before I'd heard her talking!

Cooper insisted on being in 1 photo this week. They were both moving around like crazy though!

9 Weeks Old

This week Caitlin started daycare. I won't lie, I was pretty sad to be missing my days with her. I knew she would be in good hands since Cooper went to the same classroom and the teachers are mostly the same. However, I would miss her dearly!

We started the week by sending 12oz for her to drink. I realized that morning that we'd forgotten her probiotic, so I ran up there after lunch to dump it into her last bottle. Only to walk in and hear her crying. Loud. I wanted nothing more than to pick her up and take her home, but I resisted. I gave them the probiotic and walked out the door. And didn't cry.

Ms. K is her afternoon teacher and also works in Cooper's room in the morning. She did tell me that he heard a baby crying in the 1 year old room and told them that it was his baby sister and he needed to go check on her.

Pretty sure the photo shoot was over at this point...

Center of Attention

Last Sunday, we were visiting my mom and went to her church. The pastor mentioned that the following week we would be baptizing Caitlin Elise Love. Cooper looked up and said "he knows my baby sister!"

When the Children's Sermon started, Nana managed to talk Cooper into going to the front for the first time ever. He was also the only child up there. Jason and I cringed. First, Cooper told Pastor about his Bible Buddies - a dog tag like necklace he got from VBS. Then Pastor told him about the story for the day. He mentioned that in the story, Jesus was looking for a place to lay his head. He asked Cooper if he had a place to sleep.

Cooper told him that he slept in his bed upstairs with monster truck sheets. Then Pastor asked if he prays before bed - yes - and in the morning. This is where I started to sweat. I waited on him to tell him no because we're always running late or that mom is in a hurry. Nana waited on him to say that he can't come out of his room until his clock turns green. Fortunately, he didn't air our dirty laundry and just said no.

My mom said that everyone in church just loved his one man show. Unfortunately, he didn't want to go back yesterday since there were quite a few other children up there.

Phone Friday

Caitlin has finally started to smile more and I love these little grins.

She was all dressed up for church in an outfit handmade by a friend.

As I mentioned, Cooper loves it when she wears shoes. We only have a few pair that fit, but he was tickled to see her in these for her 2 month check up.

I cannot decide if I like her better in yellow or red. But they are both her color.

We spent a weekend at my mom's and Bear, Bridget & Adalynn came over to swim. Bear started tossing Cooper across the pool and I caught this photo. I can honestly say none of us thought he was this high until we saw this!

Caitlin is two months old!

I love how they are holding hands here.

Caitlin started daycare last Monday. She looked about as thrilled as I did.

Another smile...and some crazy hair.

Happy 4th of July! We spent the afternoon outside watching Cooper play and work.

My sister came over Friday to take Cooper for the day. She helped out by getting Caitlin dressed for school. I wasn't surprised to see her come out wearing sparkles.