The Growing Caldwell Family

We had Sarah Graves' big birthday party on Sunday.  She was so excited that Lovie, Pops, and Aunt Nay could be there.  A lot of her friends were able to make it too, which also pleased her.  She would have like it if all of her extended family could be there, but we were excited that GG made the drive and brought my Aunt Rosalie with her. Her friend London came. So did her friend Allie. and her friend Bria The weather was a little overcast, but nice for the kids to be able to go out and play.  I hadn't anticipated how much they would want to go outside. Ms. Jennifer came and did music with the kids and their parents.  I think everyone really enjoyed it and I was surprised how many of the parents got into it, too!  Of course she performed Sarah Graves' favorite, Trot 'Ol Joe.  She also performed some other favorites of ours and some of our current song collection.  Then, she led us over to sing "Happy Birthday"! ...

We celebrated Sarah Graves' third birthday on her actual day at home with Lovie, Pops, and Aunt Nay.  We had a fun party that included waffles and bacon for dinner and cupcakes and ice cream for dessert.  SG and I had a blast making the cupcakes together, which made it more fun to share them with everyone.   As much as I would like to hold onto her baby days, this part is pretty fun and I am trying my best to embrace it. These are the cupcakes that we made together with peanut butter frosting!   She has been wanting a robe and was so excited to get one!  Some of her other presents included a train from Aunt Nay, a new backpack and lunch box, some spring clothes, diapers for Kate, a carrier for Kate, and a new nightlight.  

We had a warm day and Aaron took the kids out for a little while and they had a blast! He loved his swing, which was a little surprising since he doesn't care much for the indoor swing.  I think we will have many more fun days ahead outside playing. She was so excited to swing with her little brother.  She now knows how to pump her legs a little to keep the swinging motion going! She loves to climb up in the fort part of her swing set, too!  

Just took my big girl to the dentist. This was her first cleaning and it was scared. She got scared and wouldn't open her mouth. It took a lot of coaxing and hand holding, but we got through it. As a reward and a way to make it a fun memory, we are having breakfast together. Pancakes and grits for this big girl!

The other day her teacher told us about SG reading to the kids in class. Here is the picture she took of SG reading to her friends and they were paying attention! She likes to read to us at home too. Maybe she will be like her Grancy, Granma, and Aunt Ardie and be a teacher.

It just doesn't seem possible that my precious newborn has grown into a darling little girl. This morning on the way to school she excitedly exclaimed, "I'm THREE!" As though she just realized it! Now bring on the cupcakes!

It is hard to believe that a year ago today I posted  here  that we had just heard Charlie's heartbeat and knew he was on his way to meet us.  Aaron and I both knew deep inside from the start that it was Charlie who was coming to us, but I don't think we could imagine how wonderful this little guy would be!  We are very blessed.

When your child is an infant, I think sleeping and eating are the two biggest concerns.  Fortunately, right now Charlie has eating down pat.  Sleeping on the other hand, well that eludes us much of the time. I think he has become more social now and doesn't want to sleep in our arms like he did a month or two ago.  Getting him to go to sleep at night can take time and staying asleep is a whole different story.  I don't believe that crying it out is healthy for babies for physiological reasons and for psychological ones.  Their blood pressure goes up and we know their stress hormones rise when left to cry for periods of time.  And from the very start I have worked to build his trust that I will meet his needs, all of them.  If I suddenly quit responding to him because it is time for sleep, I erode that trust and I believe that trust is important for his attachment. My goal is for him to go to sleep in his bed at a reasonable time like 7:30 and sleep t...

We took SG for a little trim.  She hates having her hair brushed and I was hopeful that a trim would make it a better experience. She picked the airplane for her seat! She gets so serious in situations like this; I think she is a little nervous.  

All of SG's friends at school are turning 3 by March, so we have a birthday party to attend pretty frequently right now.  She loves getting to go.  This one was for her buddy Jude at Kangazoom.   She also had Mickey Mouse painted on her face! She bounced and slid all over having fun with her friends.  They were all excited to have pizza and cupcakes!