4th Birthday Celebrations

We have spent an entire week celebrating Carly's fourth birthday.  We celebrated with each side of the family over the last two weekends.  On Wednesday we celebrated at home.  Carly wanted Jon to bring home spaghetti and breadsticks.  We had Fazzoli's and cupcakes for dinner and then opened her presents.  She finally got the bike she had been asking for.  She was pretty wobbly the first night, but she has really improved quickly.  By spring I am sure she will be cruising.  For now she can ride in the basement. 

Happy 4th Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Carly Grace!

Wow - our baby is 3!  It has been kind of crazy the last couple of months.  I have seen so many changes in Carly, and they have happened so quickly.  Since Thanksgiving it is like she has completely transformed.  All the physical baby-ish characteristics have disappeared and this little girl is now living in our house.  Granted, the temper tantrums are still lingering, but she is such an individual with her own feelings and strong opinions.
We have celebrated with cake and ice cream and made a trip to Chuck E. Cheese tonight.  Of course, candles were also mandatory.  Carly is quite taken with candles and getting to blow them out.  Watch out if you get in her way!  We are so blessed and thankful for our two healthy kiddos. 

Happy Birthday, Jon!

Happy 31st Jon!  Today we celebrated Jon and his birthday.  Carly and I made and served him breakfast in bed.  It was hilarious watching them have breakfast together.  Carly loved it and you just knew it was because she was doing something she wasn't normally allowed to do.  They cuddled and ate their bacon.  This year had to be better than last - Carly and I came down with the flu on his 30th.  It was memorable, but not in a good way. 

Good Weekend

This weekend my parents came to visit on Saturday and spent the night. They took us to dinner for my birthday and spoiled Carly. They showed up with Krispy Kreme donuts and a Happy Meal - two of Carly's favorites. Now Carly will ask for donuts for breakfast all week thanks to Grandma. We hung out at home and watched some basketball. It was a really great weekend.

I included a few pictures from the last couple of weeks. One Sunday morning while Jon and I were cleaning up breakfast, Carly decided she was going to stand in the chair and eat cold leftover gravy. Doesn't that sound disgusting? She thought it was great fun and it kept her busy.

The Birthday is Over!

I'm not sure, but I think Carly's birthday was more exhausting than Christmas. The celebrations are finally over. Yesterday we celebrated with Jon's parents, Chris and Becky, and Charlotte and Charlie. We had cake and ice cream and more presents. Carly was thrilled with everything, except the birthday song. Every time we tried to sing to her she would yell, "Quit that!" She wasn't as interested in blowing out the candles this time around, I guess it had lost the appeal. She had a great party though, and was worn out by six that evening. She took a cat nap in the chair while I was cleaning the kitchen. That was amazing because she never falls asleep that way!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Carly Grace!

Wow! It is so hard to believe that Carly is 2!!! I guess time really does fly when you're having fun. It's probably not hard to believe, but it has been an emotional week, knowing that my baby is turning 2. She is no longer a baby, but a fast-growing little girl with a strong will and mind of her own. She brings us more joy than we could ever have imagined.

We have been busy celebrating, starting on Saturday with my parents at their house and then Chuck E. Cheese. Then, tonight with homemade pizza, cake and ice cream, and her new red wagon. I think Carly was very pleased with her present. Jon had to pull her around the basement and help her in and out countless times. She had a blast!

Carly is 1!

Carly's 1st birthday was Sunday. On Saturday evening we had a little party with our parents, brothers, and sister-in-law. We enjoyed dinner, presents, and cupcakes! I think Carly was a little unsure about the cupcake when we placed it in front of her and left her in total control. She enjoyed smashing it more than eating it, but it was quite a sight.


Luckily, on Sunday it was nice enought to get outside for a few minutes and snap some pictures in the front yard.




Then we headed to the mall to conquer the carousel. We each rode with Carly once. It was so fun watching her study the carousel and all its lights and movements. She is such an observer. After her ride she sat still on our laps and watched the carousel for a long time. It's not often that she sits still on our laps anymore, so we enjoyed that moment probably as much as the ride. All in all, it was a great weekend. I just hope the next birthday doesn't come around as fast as the first. It's so hard to believe we have a one year old!!!