Walkin', Talkin' Baby

Caroline has moved, sigh, from infant status firmly into the early stages of toddlerhood. Watching her walk around like a drunken sailor on shore leave, arms raised up and askew in an effort to maintain balance while she squeals with laughter is only our first clue. It's also the constant babbling in an effort to repeat everything we say to her, her ability to understand what we say to her, her hugs that she is starting to give out freely, and the kisses she's blowing us. Here are a few most recent pictures.

My first vinegar french fry...mmm-mmmmmmm

Getting ready for my first SC State Fair!

At the park with mommy

Mimi's glasses fit me!

Wild Wings with Mimi

FOUND!

With mommy and daddy at Halloween Trunk or Treat

My first Halloween

On the carousel for the first time

At the fair, riding the elephant with daddy

Blurry, but it's me! Girl in motion on the swing!

Summertime to Fall....

Thanks to my in-laws and co-workers for pressing me to put up some additional photos. They all think Caroline is still 9 months old. Not much going on except watching her grow like a weed - she crawls like the dickens and has taken her first few tentative steps, can stand on her own when she wants to, displays an affinity for cheese (she takes after the women in her life), has all her teeth coming in seemingly at once, still sleeps fitfully, and pretty much displays the strong-willed stubborness that her mom and dad probably gave her.

Here are some pics of the wonder-child - blood relative to her cute cousin Nathan DeSanto in New York (congrats Angelique and Bill).

Caroline is now a year old - happy, healthy, smiling - and full of the will to test mama and dadda at every turn.

At the lake...

Low ridin'...

Waterpark with Mama and Dadda

Bathtime!

Girl with her hat on

Leapin' Lizards - AWESOME indoor playground

Standing on her own

First time at the beach (Flagler Beach, Fl.)

Down at Nanna and Poppi's house

First chopped veggies

First Carolina game...future Gamecock cheerleader

Exploring all the places she knows are off-limits

Caught in the act

Birthday girl

Birthday with Aunt Marcie

Another birthday pick

Cake on the face...mmmm-mmmmmmm

First swing ride in the park

She's loving it

Eating the smash cake

Tot Trade picture

9 Months! ...and counting

Lot's happening, no time to write it all down though. I wish I could remember all the cool moments and funny things our 18 lb. little person does every day, but we accept it's enough to remember what we can, take pictures often, and just roll with the punches. There are a lot of punches to roll with.

What's the wonder child been up to since the last post (waaaay back in May)? Since then we've...

Sold our house and moved into an apartment

Had tubes put in her ears (no ear infections since!)

Lived through her hand/foot/mouth illness (high fever, some barfing, and runny poopies) which she considerately passed to her mom

Enjoyed watching a virulent stomach bug get passed along from her to her dad, both her grandmothers, Chris, Aunt Marcie, and lord knows who else - her mom and grandfathers seem to be immune

Watched her crawl all over the place and start trying to pull herself up to a standing position; her dad has put outlet protectors on all the outlets

Got her pointing at the fan when you ask her where it is

Lived through another teething bout (her top rabbit teeth are coming in)

Had mom visit Angelique in NY (for her baby shower...they're expecting in August!) and left dad in charge for a weekend (the horror! the horror!)

Watched her win a popularity contest that allows her picture to be in a brochure for a children's consignment sale expo

Started giving her finger food (Gerber Graduates Banana Puffs - thanks Michelle!)

Had her Christening - on Father's Day no less - making my first a special one

Watched her class at Trenholm Road take part in its "Spring Fling" extravaganza

Begun weaning her - her world changed Friday, June 27 when her mom and dad began allowing her to cry herself out (first night: nearly an hour beginning at around 3 AM; second night: 7 minutes beginning around 4 AM ;since then, it's hit/miss but nothing too long). We've discovered she is now testing us, trying to "game the system" and get her way...for example, last night we gave her the bottle then Jessica nursed her to sleep. Tonight she refused the bottle, in anticipation of Jessica nursing her. So, she's asleep in Jessica's arms, refusing to nurse any more, yet the moment Jessica moves to put her in the crib she starts crying. Fortunately she's also aware we now mean business and she only bawls for 5 minutes or so. Yes, we are enjoying our sleep better, thanks!

Donned her waterproof pampers and bathing suit and introduced her to the pool. Have lots of video and some pictures (see below). As much as she loves bath time, we think she loves the pool as much or more

Enough with my ceaseless prattering! On with the pictures...

Last days at Keenan Drive - a future Terrier to the core:

Hanging out with Poppa at Keenan Drive...ask him how sore his knees got that day:

Getting better with the sippy cup at the apartment:

With goofy dad, I'm sure I will embarrass her multiple times when she gets older, and probably will enjoy every second of it:

All wrapped up in the purple towel:

Hanging out with Auntie Marcie:

Like Mimi, like baby:

Ahhh, a nice, comforting pillow of belly fat to lay upon:

Poppy and his chin feathers keeping her attention:

Spring Fling at Trenholm (Blake is to her immediate left):

Getting ready for the christening - cute outfit:

Almost ready!:

On the steps of the church:

The family on the church steps for the christening:

Reverend Horne walking Caroline up the aisle:

Up at the altar:

Nana, Mimi, and Caroline at the restaurant on a rainy day:

Playing in the pool - AWESOME!:

Can NOT get enough of the pool...she has ceaselessly been asking us to take her back:

Check out that new chopper on the upper right...:

...makes it a lot easier to chew her Gerber Graduates with:

All gone! (almost!):