Finally...SNOW

We have been waiting and waiting for snow. Last weekend we got a very small amount. Today when we woke up we were very surprised to see all the snow. After having a birthday celebration earlier in the day, we came home to give Carys her very first ride in a sled. She loved it. First her daddy pulled her and then it was mommy's turn. She was quite the trooper. We were probably outside for a whole 15 minutes, but it was 15 minutes full of FUN!!

Red Violet

Look at me...I'm trying to color!!

Are you admiring my lipstick?

It's Red Violet by Rose Art and it tastes

TERRIFIC!!

My mommy said she is so glad it's washable!!

Havin' a Ball

"Hi everyone !! Look at me!! I'm having so much fun playing."

Mmmmmmmm...chocolate

Today we started Carys back on her multi-vitamin per her doctor. For months now she has refused to take a bottle or anything that remotely resembles one , which made it difficult to get her to take her vitamins. I have tasted these and they are dreadful!! I was trying to figure out what I could do to cover up the taste...juice hasn't worked, applesauce hasn't worked the past..so tonight I decided to try chocolate pudding. So far so good. She made it a challenge to feed it to her, but I won, I think!! Her face tells a different outcome!!!!
This week she had her one-year well baby check. She weighs 20 pounds 1 ounce and is 28 inches long. When I told her doctor how often she was still nursing she said that I needed to cut out a feeding and give her more table food. I didn't know how this was going to work, but it is getting Carys to eat more table food. I never thought that I would make it nursing this long, but I have and I'm so glad. I love the closeness that comes along with nursing and feel so fortunate that we were successful at it. I spent the entire time Carys was hospitalized connected to a breast pump...and continued pumping until July when she was able to fully transition to nursing. Now I have to cut out one of our cuddle times and that makes me sad. Our baby is getting bigger which is exciting...but I'm going to miss some of the little baby things.
If anyone reading this has some suggestions of yummy, easy food to feed little ones, feel free to comment. I really would like more ideas for breakfast.

Princess Carys invites you...

The Princess had her big party on Saturday, December 30. Little boys were to come dressed as handsome as a prince and little girls a pretty as a princess...and they did. We started off with Carys singing Happy Birthday to Carys and presenting her with her very own princess crown cake. She didn't dig into the cake like she did the night before. I think there were just too many eyes on her. We are starting the tradition that our children get to have dessert first on their birthday and then their meal. I think this is fun.

We then proceeded to watched a video of Carys growing over her first year titled "Watch Me Grow". If I can figure out how to do a link to view it online, I'll post it. After the video we ate and socialized followed by Carys, with help from her cousins, opened gifts. I think her first birthday party was a success...even the cake...which I made. I didn't realize what I got myself into. It was stressful, but lots of fun. Thanks for your help Christine. Each year I'm going to attempt to make the birthday cakes. What can I say...I'm a sucker for frosting.

I'M ONE!!

Carys turned ONE on December 29. Here daddy and I were remembering where we were last year at this time and how far our family has come. Carys came into this world with so many uncertainties. She only weighed 2 lbs 12 ounces and was severely bruised. She is now 20 pounds. She spent 70 days in the NICU hooked up to so many machines that monitored the functioning of her body, assisted her in breathing and fed her. Now she is free to move all over the place, feeds herself and babbles up a storm!! We are blessed with such a wonderful daughter and thank God for her daily. Her grandparents, along with Christine and Taylor were all here to celebrate the day and to share memories. Taylor helped Carys eat some of her cake. They loved it and had fun making a mess! After eating the cake like they did...it was bath time and time for bed.

Merry Christmas

Carys loved opening all of her gifts and she got plenty of them!! We started Christmas day out at home. Santa brought her all sorts of goodies...Mommy and Daddy did too. One of her big gifts wasn't wraped and she just kept looking at it with a look like...when do I get to have that one. After opening gifts at home, we went over to her Grandpa and Grandma Davis's house for brunch. Carys enjoyed watching all of her cousins opening their presents which made her take time opening hers. After spending a few hours at the in-laws, we came home. I made Christmas dinner for us along with her Grandma Barb and Grandpa Greg. Once again, Carys was blessed with more gifts for her grandparents. This was a long day making it full of tons of memories!! We had a wonderful first Christmas with our little princess!! I think we need to buy stock in batteries and wrapping paper.