Don't blink!

You just might miss a year and a half of your life.

So . . . I actually stopped updating the blog because just before making my last post, I discovered I was pregnant with our second child. Yes, when Catherine was just 9 months, I learned that #2 was on the way. I had no spare energy for blogging. Or bathing sometimes. Well, that hasn't really changed, but I am going to try again. There's just too much happening that I want to hold on to, to remember, to record. I'm awful about baby books and such things. The one thing we do well is take lots of pictures. Lots. Anyway, I know if I can record anything that happens here, it will be better than none at all. Let's be real, I'll never blog like Big Jen (aka the Punisher). But I think I'll try again.


So back in March, we welcomed our second little girl, Caroline, into the world. She is a joy. So different from her big sister, but so wonderful just the same. Caroline would have done quite well with attachment parenting. As a nine month old (who is twenty pounds, by the way), her favorite spots in the world are on my hip or strapped to me in the carrier. Catherine never had much interest in being held, carried, snuggled. Our little Miss Independent, Catherine just wanted out from day 1. I already know Caroline will be affectionate and loving as she grows up. It's just how she is.

Here is Caroline at 7 days old. Caroline was born at 6 lb, 6 oz and well under 6 by the time we left the hospital. There were a few problems in utero that kept her from getting full nutrition, but they had no long-term detriments. She came out hungry! I know that there are lots of babies out there who have an even smaller start to life, but I couldn't believe how small and skinny she really was. Anyway, she's up in the 60th %ile for weight now and is much bigger than her sister was at the same age. She is doing great. The girls are crazy about each other. I love having two little girls!! It's so much fun!

Since it's the last day of 2012, I'll give you a couple of the highlights. In June, we traveled with a two month old and a nineteen month old to San Antonio to see Uncle David marry Aunt Liz. (Whew, it was as wonderful and as exhausting as you might be imagining...) At the end of July, Caroline was baptized at our church, Southwood Presbyterian. We celebrated Catherine's second birthday in October. Thanksgiving this year was spent at home. Uncle Josh and Nana came to enjoy the holiday with us. And we just wrapped up a wonderful Christmas holiday with Peaches, Grandpa, and Aunt Allison.

It's been a whirlwind of a year. Having kids creates a time warp. You get through, day after day, doing the same thing and then you look back and realize a month or more has just, well, passed.

The most recent family picture, on our way to the service Christmas Eve. I have to admit, I was actually wearing a pink shirt. I used photoshop elements to change it to match the girls' dresses. I just learned how to do that and I think it's SO cool. :) Happy new year to all.