Christmas 2013

 Madeline Christmas Running of the Hounds 2013 

Our Christmas Tree 

Caroline 2 months old 

Dear Madeline and Caroline,

  

     This Christmas was the year of many firsts for our family. The first time celebrating in our new house, the first time as a family of 4 and the first time that we could see the joy and excitement in Madeline's eyes. Mimi (T) and Da came over for Christmas eve dinner which was nothing short of amazing! We set cookies out for Santa and of course carrots for the reindeer. Daddy fell asleep watching a movie so we got up really late and put together your kitchen from "Santa" only took us 4.5 hours!! The look on  your eyes when you saw the tree lit up with all the presents under it, made the lack of sleep completely worth it!

   After opening presents we went your other Mimi's and Pawpaws house to open many gifts, followed by an afternoon at Maws surrounded by family and joy!

We love you both! Love, Mommy and Daddy 

    

Caroline's Birth Story

 Our last photo as a family of 3 

 Caroline Marie Oct.17.2013 10:40 pm 

 Big Sissy Madeline meeting Caroline 

True Love 

Dear Madeline & Caroline, 

       Well we finally got scheduled for an induction date on Oct 19th 2013 and your daddy and I couldn't of been more excited! We were finally semi settled in the new house, and now we were just waiting for ms. Caroline to arrive! The week before the induction we decided it was best for us to stay in Loudoun County close to hospital just in case she came early! I was trying everything under the moon to induce labor: Fresh pineapple, Spicy Food, Hot baths you name it, I tried it. On October 17th I woke up and went to work like any other day, and started feeling contractions all day. I wasn't sure if they were real so I didn't want to get to excited. I called your dad and I drove myself to the hospital after work. The nurse said my contractions were close but that I would probably be sent home because I was dilating fast enough, I was only 3cm. After walking the halls for 2 hours and your daddy sitting my by side she said that I was going home. I couldn't help but cry, I was in so much pain and I knew that you were coming today! The nurse called Dr. Mills who delivered Madeline, and I told her I didn't want to go home just to come back in the middle of the night. Once I was all hooked up to the machines, and officially checked in all the family came to visit. By this point it was almost 10pm so I told everyone to go home because they said that Caroline wouldn't be born until the next morning or at least after midnight. Well... after 20 mins of pushing Caroline Marie was born a happy and healthy baby at 10:40 pm weighing 7 lbs 13 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. 

       Love, Daddy & Mommy 

MOVING!

 Our official first home together! Oct. 4th 2013 

Maddie helping pack up the old house 

   Dear Madeline Grace, 

      Looking back at the month of September 2013 it was a total blur, things were happening so fast! We got approved for our new house and found out that we would be closing on October 4th. As of Oct 1st I would be full term, meaning that you baby sister Caroline could arrive at any minute. To make it more interesting? The weekend we moved, I also had a wedding order for the bakery, and trying to bake while the entire house in boxes and 9 months pregnant isn't the easiest of tasks. You have been such a doll with everything going on and all these new changes. I see a lot of myself in you sweetheart, very easy going and go with the flow. Our house in Stephens city couldn't be more perfect, its huge! Lots of space for you and sissy to run around and play. Plus the neighbors daughter is only 11 days younger than you! I love you baby! 

        Love Mommy & Daddy 

20 Months & the loss of Gigi

 Having fun in Williamsburg 

 Hanging out in a box 

 A WAGON MOMMY!! 

Madeline & Gigi (May 2013) 

Dear Madeline Grace, 

  

    This month has been beyond busy for our family, we went on a mini vacation to Williamsburg with our good friends Joey & Summer. It was nice to step away from all the craziness at home and to actually have time to spend with your daddy. In the mix of being almost 9 months pregnant we found out the offer that we have on a house in Stephens City VA went through and we are MOVING in just a little more than a week!! So we have been busy packing up the entire house, planning a yard sale, and making sure we are saving every cent we can to make it all possible. 

Your mimi flew out to Seattle the day after Caroline's Baby Sprinkle to go see Gigi, who wasn't doing very well. As much as I wanted to be there with her and the rest of the family, it just wasn't possible with your sissy due in just a few short weeks. Mimi called Sept 23rd late at night to inform us all that Gigi had passed away. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever heard, as she was one of the most caring and loving people that I know. She taught me almost everything I know today, and I am who I am because of her. I have fond memories of growing up at her house playing in the snow, going down town to go shopping and most of all baking. I hope that I can re create those same memories with you and your sissy. We love you Gigi and please watch over us and protect our girls. 

Love, Mommy & Daddy 

18 month

 Loving the Beach 

Walking in the ocean with Daddy 

Baby C at 29 weeks 2 days 

Dear Madeline, 

   

        We took our annual trip to the Outer Banks this year the first week in aug and you slept pretty much the whole way. We were hoping since we left at 5:30 AM that it wouldn't take ALL day to get down there but we didn't arrive at the house in Corolla till 2:30 PM. The week was filled with lots of home made food, and I finally learned how to make maws rolls! First we were worried that you wouldn't enjoy the beach since you don't like sand but you did great once you warmed up it you were running all over the place with daddy. Your vocabulary is expanding, seems everyday you learn a new word! At your 18th month appointment everything went according to plan, your right on track for growing. We are also in the process of cutting your bottle out, yesterday was day 1 and you did great, no tears at all! Since you love to swim so your Mimi T enrolled you in swim lessons back home, we go every sunday and you now know how to blow bubbles and go under water. You also love to jump in the pool all by yourself! 

Yesterday we saw your sissy at the 3D/4D Sonogram place and you walked around pointing at the screen saying baby! We can already see the love that you have for her when you kiss my belly and give her hugs. Only 10 more weeks and she will be here!!

     Love, Mommy & Daddy

18 months

 Great Wolf Lodge June 2013 

 Daddy & Maddie at Great Wolf Lodge 

 Loving the POOL! 

 Happy Fourth with Sean! 

 Picking Blueberries in Leesburg 

FIRST Nationals Game 

Dear Madeline Grace, 

     Summer of 2013 sure has been a busy one and the DC area hit triple digits last week so it was super hot! Over the past month you have been on many adventures. In june we took a mini family vacation to Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate Abby's 5th birthday! It was a blast,  you spent every minute that we were there playing and splashing in the water park that was indoors and outside! Your such a trooper on car trips, as you usually just sleep the whole way! Fourth of July was spent with friends at the Leesburg Parade, then we watched mini fireworks at their house. You weren't a big fan of the LOUD and BIG ones, seems your just like  your momma when it comes to loud noises. Unfortunately papa had to work, so he wasn't able to join us that day. The best part of summer is all the local berry picking that we can do, you love blueberries so I had to take you to a local farm in Leesburg to get the last of crop for the season! Yesterday was your first Nationals game! You had a great time clapping for all the players, even though we lost 11-0 you still had a great day with your Mimi and I. Hoping we can all go again this season with your papa as he has to work so he wasn't able to join us. Next week we are packing up and heading to the Outer Banks!! Your going to love a week in the pool! Hopefully you will learn to like the sand! 

Love you sweet girl! Xo, Papa and Momma 

17 Months

 Strawberry Picking at Wegmeyer Farms 

 ALL ready to pick strawberries 

Welcome! 

Rows and Rows of Strawberries 

Caroline Marie at 20 weeks 

Crossing her legs just like her BIG sister does! 

Dear Madeline Grace, 

      Happy 17th month birth day sweetheart!! I can't believe that in just one month you will already be 1 1 1/2! Seems like you were just born! You are truly a blessing from above! You officially are walking all over the place and dancing up a storm! Its hard to keep up with you and all your energy these days! Summer just started and it has been great having more down time with you being able to take you for ice cream or to take you to the pool! You also love to ride your bike up and down the street! Hopefully the weather will stop being so crazy so we can spend more time outside! We had your sister's 20 week sonogram appointment which for some reason you weren't crazy about! You screamed the whole 30 minutes that we were in there! Which totally isn't like you. Every day you point at my belly and say "baby" then you give her a kiss! I can't wait to watch the two of you girls grow up together! 

     Love, Papa & Momma