Only 10 Days

How time flies from 80 to 10 days left! I am sure all my want to get dones won't but I am sure all my need to get done are pretty much done.  My biggest girl is excited about her baby sister coming and my soon to be big girl still loves to give my tummy kisses and talk to her baby sister. Brooklyn still flashes her belly when asks where her baby is, which her big sister usually joins in on the giggling fun.

Emotions are all over the board these days. I am overjoyed as I think about holding my newest baby girl. I am a little scared when I think about the process of getting her here. I am hopeful when I think about the God who takes care of me regardless of my plan. I am overwhelmed when I think about 3 girls under 4 years old, but my heart over runs with blessings. The plan that this is my last pregnancy is very bitter-sweet. Sweet as I think of getting my body a little more back in order. Bitter as I think I will never carry a baby in my tummy again.  I am enjoying all the kicks and squirms...and no crying now, but I also look forward to the first cry, feeling those sweet little toes and fingers, and touching those squishy cheeks. It keeps me thinking about who she will look like and what her voice will sound like. What color will her hair be? Will she have hair? What color will her eyes be?

With only 10 days (or less) to go, I feel good but am a little slower each day. A nap is usually on my agenda, which some days I get and others we just fight through. Blood pressure has been great and not too much dialation up to this point. We go back to the doctor on Thursday for our final appointment before we go in on March 7th for our scheduled c-section.

Memories of today: Makena and I played catch with balloons after she got dressed in her Rapunzel dress and ballet shoes and had ballet class. She counted to 42 today only with the help of me transitioning from 29 to 30 and 39 to 40. Brooklyn walking around the house with her backpack on and holding her balloon, but of course there were no pants on and her hair flopping in her face. Also the giggly no pants girl running around "the circle" after dinner while Daddy prodded with "Where's Brooklyn".  Baby girl (no name decided yet) a few rolls and kicks, but no major contractions. We had a few of those last week after a trip to the aquarium with the girls.

Big Girls

Moments to remember. Last Thursday (February 7) was a big day for both girls. Brooklyn went pee pee in the potty for the first time. After many opportunities of sitting on the potty, she finally actually put something in it.

Makena learned how to add two numbers using her fingers to count them. It was fun to watch her learn how to put them together.

80 Days: Cherishing Everyday

My blog told me today that there are 80 days to go in this pregnancy. 80 days really?!? Yes this is already less than the 90 day plans we used to put together at work. What?!? I really have tried to take this pregnancy in a day at a time, but the days fly by faster than I can keep up. Relatively speaking this pregnancy has been pretty easy.  My body definitely shows signs that 35 is not the same as 25, wait I wouldn't really now what 25 feels like being pregnant. However, I have enjoyed the little flutters, along with the kicks and jabs that are well underway. I have continued to go to bootcamp 3 days a week and I think it has helped with energy. The 3rd trimester has brought some pretty severe energy loss, but I am still encouraged that I can do most of the exercises at bootcamp. We'll see how much longer I can keep going.

We are very excited that our third baby girl will be here soon.  We are hoping for a March 7th birthday but ultimately just want her to get here safe and healthy. It is hard to imagine what she will look like. Makena looks so much like me (minus the big blue eyes) and Brooklyn like her daddy, it is hard to think what this little one will look like or act like.  Last Thursday, she yawned the moment Dr. Ramos put the doppler on my belly. It was so cute and slow. She may have an 11am nap aready in her schedule.  Well I need to get in bed so I can get up for bootcamp. Praying for my baby's health and well being. Love you baby girl.

Stop talking

Makena was trying to pick out a dress to wear to dinner tonight and I guess I was nagging her (she is very particular about what she wears) because she told me to "stop talking". She wasn't looking at me so I wasn't sure what I had heard so I asked her what she said. She kinda looked back with her hand in the air and said "stop talking". She looked Luke it was stressing her out. I have to say I almost busted out laughing. I thought a 13 year old had moved into my 3 year old body. Seems as though we are going to have some lovely encounters in our future. Different method of parenting coming up. Love my big girl!!

Happily Ever After and I love you

Last Wednesday after bible study at the McCown's, I was putting Makena to bed and after we finished our prayer she informed me that she was going to marry Trevor and they were going to live happily ever after. Oh my sweet princess!

Brooklyn is just starting to really say more words (there is a lot of grunts and points in our world). She also love to give big hugs and smacking kisses. I was hugging her yesterday and getting lots of kisses and I was saying "I love you" over and over in between kisses and Brooklyn responded with "I u oo" with the same inflection I was using. Totally melts a momma's heart.

Trip to Granny B and Pawpaw's House

The girls and I met mom at the 281 cut off on I20 last Thursday to start their trip with Granny B and Pawpaw. They are scheduled to stay a week in Rising Star. So far Brooklyn has caught a cold and Makena is working her magic to get what she wants. Evidently, dinner on Saturday night in Cross Plains consisted of a few bites of pizza and a package of sour cream, which Pawpaw said put her to sleep. Guess that full tummy made her sleepy. Then they stopped by the store, Granny picked up some pudding and Makena proclaimed "I had a Great dinner.". She knows the drill. :) miss my girls but I know they are having a great time.

Helpers

My girls are turning in to quite the little helpers. Yes Brooklyn climbed up there and then big sis thought it looked fun. Don't worry this is not a reoccurring play place but it was pretty cute!

Last Day of Butterfly School

Today marked the last day for Makena at Butterfly School. She didn't seem to understand that it was her last day but I am sure she will miss it a lot...especially all the special time with her BFF, McKenna Fariss. Those girls totally crack me up. They chatter up a storm. I can't count the number of times Makena would put on a skirt or dress and say something like "I can't wait to show McKenna Fariss my dress or McKenna Fariss is going to love my dress." They have quite opposite personalities but such great friends. What a blessing!!

Tummy trouble

What I thought was a one time throw up mess in the car turned into a two day tummy bug. As we enter the garage at home on Wednesday after a wonderful morning at the library and duck pond Makena says "Mommy, my tummy hurts." before I know it there is vomit spewing from her. After getting her cleaned up and both the girls down for a nap I discovered Makena had eaten part of her Chapstick and therefore assuming our sickness would be short lived. After her nap, it started full force. Needless to say after a couple of days she now seems back to normal. Thankfully!!

Where has the time gone?!?!?

Five months, really?? I guess we have been a little busy and blogging was put on hold. So I am going to try to get caught up and keep up a little better going forward. So many events have happened over the last few months...Butterfly School, Ladies Class, Aggie Football, Coppell Football, Holloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, 1st Birthday, and Valentine's to name a few! Whew!!

This is a preview to Valentine's Day and very representative of our little ones these days. Brooklyn is a busy little bee and Makena is still my little mother hen. I absolutely love the laughter that I hear on a daily basis with my girls.

Brooklyn's 1st Birthday

Yummy yummy goodness! From the tips of my fingers to the tip of my nose.

Here is a  piture of our set up.

 Mom, Why don't we eat this much more often??

 Three of Mommy's Monday night girls: Katie Jenny, and Dana

Jack and Daddy

Jason and Cora

Peek-a-Boo

"Mommy I am all done with my nap." Brooklyn was on her knees wondering who was coming to get her today. It is amazing the difference just a week will make. She is going from sitting to hands and knees and then back to sitting. She can crawl in a circle but hasn't decided she wants to go anywhere too far away just yet. I bet in another week things will be different.

Makena's First Day of Pre-School

Makena is attending Butterfly School at Riverside Church of Christ this year. She was so excited about her school supplies and even more so about her cute little backpack and lunch box. Here Daddy is helping her get her backpack on. She quickly decided it was too heavy.

Isn't she the cutest!??! She seems like such a big girl for two years old.

We arrived at school at first a little cautious as she heard the crying inside the room. However, we managed to "sort" her backpack items (lunch, sippy cup, folder) at the door and then hang up her backpack inside. I gave her a kiss and she imediately saw the magnetic blocks then I was no longer "needed".

She had a great first week. She didn't potty at all on Tuesday, but didn't have any accidents. She also didn't nap but she napped when she got home. On Thursday she conquered the potty and naptime. Go Makena!! I have mixed feeling about my little girl being gone but know it will be good for her to socialize for extended periods of time.

Dreams by Makena

It seems Makena has begun to have dreams and actually be able to remember them. Yesterday she woke up in a panic that she needed her toenails and fingernails painted. This morning she woke up saying "Can't find Grannie B" over and over. I asked her if she had a dream and she said "Yes, can't find Grannie B". She was certain Grannie was here and that she was missing. I asked her later if she was playing hide-n-seek with Grannie B and she said yes. Not sure if Makena even knows what hide-n-seek is but evidently Grannie B was really good at it.

Brooklyn - 7 Months

My sweet Brooklyn Kennedy is 7 months old. She weighs about 15.5 pounds and is healthy.

Sleep: She is doing pretty good now. She usually goes down between 8 and 9pm and stays down until 5am or so. She eats then and goes back down until around 8am.

Mobility: Brooklyn is learning the inch worm. She rocks back and forth on her knees but doesn't go too far unless she is rolling. Just a couple of days after turning 7 months old she decided to pull-up from sitting to standing in her crib. Her crib has now been lowered. She can sit up very well but can't get there from laying down just yet.

Eating: She nurses 6-7 times a day and is now taking solid food twice a day. She doesn't really love just any food yet but seems to like green more than orange colored foods. She has had avocado, banana, brown rice, apple sauce, peas, carrots, squash, sweet potato, pears, green beans, and peaches.

Sister time: She loves her big sister almost as much as her big sister loves her. Brooklyn loves to see Makena's big smile every morning. Most mornings Makena wants to "go see sister" which means she wants to go sit in her crib with her and make her laugh. Such sweet giggles!! Makena is starting to take things away from her so we are having to manage that.

Church: Brooklyn has spent the last month or so in the nursery on Sunday mornings. She seems to like it a lot.

Favorites: Pink bunny blanket, lamb noise maker, bug toy

Teeth: 1 bottom (the very first one!!)

Long Weekend Away as a Family of 4

So really we are a family of 5 if you include Riggins but he stayed home for this trip. Last Friday we packed up (who would have thought packing for 4 would take so long) and set out for Horseshoe Bay Resort. It was a bit of a long drive for what was supposed to be 4 hours but we made it!

We ate at Pizza Hut in Marble Falls. As the waiter delivered the water, one glass fell over and splashed all over our sleeping Brooklyn. A few tears later she had recovered from the shock and was perfectly happy. The waiter was very apologetic and gave us a free salad. This stop marked Brooklyn's first time in a restaurant highchair. She looks like such a big girl and sat up so well.


Makena enjoying the crust and sauce. Yum!Then off to our room with a view...oh well it was a great price and we had our own built in white noise. Really I didn't notice any noise.

Brooklyn and Mommy ready to head to the pool on Saturday.

Pool time. Makena loved swimming and Brooklyn enjoyed floating.

Our Family of 4. Riggins would have had a ball in the lake.Nap time hair.

Down at the Big Pool...

Eagle Pool.


Hotel Pool...lots of fun with Daddy.

The weeble wobbles were fun in the water. Daddy got his workout.

Brooklyn hanging out...

Laughs and chuckles with Daddy.

I love Daddy!

Sisters...or best friends. So much fun in our future.

Makena looking at the lake at the River City Cafe in Marble Falls.

We enjoyed ourselves so much we stayed an extra day. We stopped in Burnett on the way home and ate at Storm's which was delicious.

As we approached Hico on the way home, a man flagged us down because an SUV had just gone off the road and flipped over a fence and he was not getting a cell phone signal to call 9-1-1. The SUV was smashed on one side, Don called 9-1-1 and quickly a sheriff showed up. By the time Don made the call and then got over the fence, a lady and child were climbing out of the car. Praise God they were ok.

Out of the mouth of Makena...

Before I forget, I wanted to capture a few sayings from Makena:

"My do it myself!!"

"Daddy Don"

"Momma T-NaNa", "Momma T-Ana"

She has become miss independent and wants to do everything herself. It usually includes doing things twice. Mommy or Daddy do it then it is done again because Makena wants to do it herself.

A couple of weeks ago we were sitting at the table and I asked Makena if she knew my name, so after going through my name and Daddy's name she was hooked. It always comes out at the funniest times. Like tonight she just randomly turns to her Daddy and says "Hi Don", then turns to me and says "Hi Tianay". She seems so big as she recites all of her actions of the day. She will walk through every step of the process of getting dressed and any other activity we have done during the day. So Cute!

Cosmic City VBS...

McKenna and MakenaKatelyn and Makena


McKenna, Heidi, Cooper, Sully, Katelyn, Caleb, Eagan, and Makena.

Ice Cream = Quiet 2 year olds

Ms. Chelsea helping with self-portraits.

Brooklyn and Daddy

Makena singing

Makena's first year in a VBS class was wonderful. I was fortunate enough to teach her class with a good friend. The week was so much fun. We learned about how awesome our God is. We can trust Him, count on Him, worship Him and believe in Him. Rather than meet during the day on Friday, Prestoncrest had a VBS Extravaganza to celebrate with parents. It included pizza, singing, and snow cones along with laser tag and other games for the bigger kids.

Makena had a great time but missed one day due to another "fever virus". She stayed home with Daddy while Mommy and Brooklyn went to VBS for the morning. Brooklyn spent time in the nursery with our amazing nursery staff.

Makena is known to be very quiet in front of others but she defintely takes in every little detail. She proved that once again after being very quiet all week in class. I was trying to get all the kids things ready to go on Thursday while the rest of the kids went to the auditorium and she was playing at the table. She went around to each seat talking to every person in class. She called them by name and somewhere in the conversation meantioned something that had happened that week. She gave Katelyn and Heidi frogs and Caleb his "daddy" toy. It was so cute! She and Katelyn became buddies because they went to the potty together. It is funny to hear potty conversations with 2 year olds. I love both of my sweet girls and I look forward to doing this for many years.

Catching Up

May was a big month for the Carroll family and it somehow flew by faster than I could keep up. I am going to post some updates over the next few days and will date them according to events in May. So if you keep up with us, take a moment to scan back a few post over the coming days.

I hope June has started off wonderful for everyone. June started paci free for Makena. She is struggling with naps a bit but overall doing very well. We are still practicing on the potty and I intend to start more intense training over the next few weeks.

Brooklyn was still not sleeping well until about 5 days ago. She has gone at least 5.5 hours for the last five nights with her longest being 10 hours. The 10 hour night had one paci fix and all was well with the world. Thank you God for answered prayers.

Makena and Brooklyn both had a "fever virus" this week. Some of our friends had it but for them it resulted in a stomach bug. Prayers are still with them as they get better.

We also have had visits from Grannie B, Grammy, Uncle Marcus and Auntie Amanda. So fun to see them for a few hours or a few days. We are looking forward to our summer and what the months will bring.

Weekend with Grammie and Gramps

What a busy month. We wrapped up the month with Gramps and Grammie...so FUN!

Gramps and Makena talking on the phone.

Grammie's Toy Tower...so fun!

Talking with Grammie.

Cuddle time with Grammie.