Baby on the loose!

My life will never be the same! I officially have 3 mobile children! Caroline started crawling and pulling up pretty much on the same day. She started at 9 1/2 months. I was not eager for this change to occur. She has pretty much been attached to me for the past 9 1/2 months. She loves being held, and I was happy to indulge her. Now that she is mobile, (she's super fast!) she is into everything! She has already discovered the wires to the Wii, the TV, and the TV cabinet doors. Looks like the cabinet locks are going back on. She is pulling up on stuff, and has been so brave to let go in her crib! Jason predicts she will try walking within the next month. I hope not!

This will definitely be a challenge for us. There is almost always something on the floor that should not be. (think small toys from older kids!) I have told them all along that once she starts crawling, they will have to do a better job of cleaning up their stuff. I pretty much had to tell Will that if he did not pick up his junk, she could choke and die. Maybe a little extreme, but I want him to know how important it is that his stuff stay where it's supposed to. Olivia is not into the Polly's yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she discovers those tiny things!

My days of plopping her on my bed while I get dressed are over. Now I put her down, and it as if she's thinking, "Ok, Mom has her shirt over her head, now is my chance to bolt!" I've caught her heel as she dives over the couch, (while I'm sitting there with her!), and the older kids have had to block her several times from getting too close to the edge of the bed. I'm not ready for this, but it's here, here in full swing!

The Great Debator

Ok, I think I've said before that Will needs to be a lawyer when he grows up. Seriously, the kid loves to debate...he might as well get paid for it right?

I'm not sure if it's his age or what but he argues with us about EVERYTHING! Some days it is incredibly frustrating...like today I told him we needed to go to the grocery store for a few things, and then go get our pizza for dinner. So we pull into Shop 'n Save, and he says "Mom, I thought you said we were going to the grocery store." Ummmm.... my response? "we are at the grocery store bud." Will, "No, we're not, we're at Shop 'n Save." Really? What do I do with that? I don't know if he likes to get a reaction out of me, but he seems to argue too when I ignore him. So I'm at a loss. If anyone has any advice, let me know! I guess we were asking for it when we named him Will, he definitely lives up to his name!

On the flip side, he is super thoughtful (when he wants to be!), and sweet. He will do stuff for us, just because he thinks we'll like them. If we are outside playing, he will bring out drinks for Olivia & I. He's funny, and loves to tell jokes. He has a great laugh, and makes us crack up when he laughs at his own jokes and stories. He can be a huge helper when he's in the right mood. He's super smart, and learns things really easily. I think he will do great in Kindergarten, because he loves to learn and ask questions. He is very social, and friendly. Anyone who knows Will knows that you don't ask him a question without having time for his response!

There are some days where I am at my wit's end, but I'm so thankful for Will, and wouldn't trade him for the world. I know one day he will be incredibly successful at whatever he does. Until then, I'm sure he will continue to debate his old mom!

My Sweet Caroline

*sigh* Caroline is 9 months old. It doesn't even seem possible that she can be that old already. She is my last baby and for some reason I seemed to think that time would go slower with her, but instead it has flown by. I don't remember time going this fast with Will & Olivia.

She is such a good baby! I'm not just saying that because I'm her mom. God has truly blessed us with her presence. Since the beginning, Caroline has been very content, and relaxed. She doesn't cry that much, and when she does, she is easily pacified. She is very happy and friendly. She started smiling at 5 weeks old, and they were real smiles. She began sleeping through the night at 10 weeks, which was much earlier than my other two. She put herself on a great schedule that worked out wonderfully for me, and she has stuck to it. She absolutely loves her brother and sister, and is mesmerized by them. She and Olivia are already like two peas in a pod. Olivia can get laughs out of her like no other! She has started waving, says "mama" & "dada", and is babbling all the time. She is on the verge of crawling...she's up on her hands & knees rocking back and forth. Don't get me wrong, she can get to where she wants to go by rolling or inching like a little worm. Her favorite foods right now are cheerios and bananas. She loves to be held (which I gladly indulge her in!), and is definitely a mommy's girl and that is fine by me!

Caroline was our surprise baby. We had not completely ruled out having three kids, but at the time we said we were good with two. God timing and plans (not mine!) are perfect, and he has made that evident to me time and time again. God knew that I needed this sweet little baby in my life, and he knew that I needed her then. I did not realize how much I needed her until she was here. She has brought so much joy to our family, and I cannot imagine our family being complete without her. God was with me through my pregnancy with Caroline, and through her delivery, (which will have to be another post in itself!), and I give Him the glory each day for entrusting me with one of his miracles!

I love you Caroline!