The Power of Photoshop

We had Caroline's official 1 year photo session with our favorite family photographer, Gia Guidry, a couple of weeks ago.  I wish I could say that Caroline was a photographer's dream, but alas, my friends, she was not.  She started running fever a couple of days before the session and that fever turned into a full blown body rash complete with red spots and splotches.  It turns out she was having a reaction to the MMR shot she received a week prior.  We went ahead with the scheduled session and miraculously Gia was able to get some good shots.  AND, she was able to photoshop out the lovely rash that encompassed Caroline's upper half.

Here are some of our favorites (all copyrighted to Gia!):

This is pretty much how she acted the entire session.  She was a cranky pants that morning...

If you're thinking she looks a little stoned, you're right!  She had enough motrin in her to stomp out any fever.

Total Toot Twelve Months

I was hoping that our last monthly photo session would be our best, but my hopes and dreams were crushed!  Caroline was a total toot for her last session in her big, comfy chair.  In fact, it took two different tries and some help from Dad to get her to stay in the chair for more than a few seconds.  She's figured out how to get down so there's no keeping her in it now!

Here are some attempted pictures from her 12 month session:

The sticker didn't last very long!  Next time, I'm getting iron on stickers that don't peel off.

She got down and decided to half smile from the ground.

Just checking out the neighbors.  Wondering what Ashlyn's doing.

Baby booties!

We got Dad in on the fun and he brought the smiles!

One Year Wonder

Caroline is one! I can't believe my little bitty baby is a year old.  It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital.  Where did the time go?  It's been a year of tickles and hugs, laughter and kisses...I wouldn't trade it for the world! 

At 12 months, Caroline is:

- crawling on her hands and knees, finally!  She has no desire to walk.  She received push toys for her birthday, which she loves, so I'm hoping those will encourage her to walk soon. I'm so ready for her to romp around with her friends AND to move up to the toddler area at the gym's daycare.

- goes up stairs like a pro!  Luc installed a baby gate yesterday because she bolts for the stairs every chance she gets.  It's funny - now that the gate it up, she no longer looks at the stairs.  She totally lost interest now that her access is blocked.

- drinks whole milk.  Big girl! 

- eats whatever we eat.  She LOVED the pot roast I made last night.  In fact, she said "eat" for the first time when asking for more.

- talks, talks, talks.  She says Dada, Mama, juice, eat, nighnigh and bye. 

- trying to switch to one nap a day.  It's HARD!  She'll take 1 nap one day and 2 the next.  I think her little body is still adjusting.  I'm ok with 1 nap as long as it's long and she goes to bed early.

- playing alongside her friends at our Tuesday play dates.  She loves her friends!

Her 1 year stats came with a round of 4 shots and a finger prick...yuck! 
Weight: 25lbs 14 oz.  Off the charts.
Height: 30.5 inches, finally on the charts at 85%
Head circumference: I can't remember, but it's off the charts as well.

Here are some pictures of Caroline's life as a 1 year old:

Rough day in the jogging stroller.  She woke up when she smelled the swings.

This was a particularly fun day.  Not.  She was all kinds of sassy from sun up til sun down.

I was brushing my teeth and letting the shower warm up...I forgot to close the shower door!  She was soaking wet, but happy.

Minnie Mouse car! So cute.

"Grammy! Come get me!"

Throwing a fit about something.  I need to nip her fits in the bud ASAP!

Kisses! Birthday Dinner and 5 Guys.  She loves their grilled cheese.

Hot stuff on her new bike.  She LOVES it.

On the bike, again.  She had to taker her new puppy for a ride.

Swimming with her pal, Maddie.

"Mom! Can you please bring me my juice?"

Waiting for a turn on the slide. Look at that tushie!

She was trying to go up the slide so that she could go back down.  This was right before an epic meltdown.  I'll blame it on the 5 shots she got this morning and not the fact that she's getting older!

Tickled Pink

We had so much fun celebrating Caroline's 1st Birthday!  The theme of the party was "Tickled Pink", so all of the decorations and food were PINK!

Here are some photos from the party:

Pink food - so yummy!  The cake was from Ambrosia Bakery in Baton Rouge.  Becky and Steve picked it up on their way into Houston.  It's seriously the best cake ever!  It's light and fluffy without being too sweet.  Needless to say, there's none left.

My parents with their grandbabies!

Happy Birthday, little love!

She wanted to give her DaDa kisses!

My mom made the adorable dress Caroline is wearing.  She's so talented!

Little Bunny Foo Foo

Here are the rest of the pictures from the "Easter Mini" session Caroline had a few weeks ago.  She's such a sweetie!

My favorite. Just look at those blue eyes!

This is a picture of me wearing the same dress for my first Easter.  Aside from the arm rolls and the dress, I'm afraid Caroline and I look nothing alike.  She IS her Daddy's twin!