BIG MIRACLE......BIGGER ADVENTURES

Happy FALL and HALLOWEEN!!!! BOO :)

2009-11-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

We had the best month of October that I can ever remember. Cara has been happy as a clam, friends have been around, festivals have been glorious...and to top it all off..HALLOWEEN was an absolute blast!!! We had friends over for Halloween, the adults and kiddos chomped on Pizza and Candy and the girls and little Aiden trick or treated to about 8 houses or so. Ohhhh and the dessert, dirt cake.....yum yum yum!

Enjoy the photos...as we had a fabulous, wonderful, great, month of October! Heres to many many more memories on Halloween and every other holiday!

A GLORIOUS DAY AT THE PARK~

A WONDERFUL DAY AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH~

CARVING A PUMPKIN WITH DADDY!!!!~

TRICK OR TREATING with Miss Emily and Little Aiden~

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A Beautiful Day with Beautiful Little Ladies

2009-09-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

Maclay Gardens.....What a gorgeous day it was. The girls had a great time running around, "swimming", playing, eating and just goofing around. I love seeing Cara play with other kids and see the world through their eyes :)....

Thank you Mesa for taking such beautiful shots. Here is a shot many months ago at Cara and Emily's first visit to Maclay Gardens together.

I love this girl

2009-09-19T17:39:00.000-07:00

There just arent words to say how much I love her...and am sad that she is growing up so fast :(...I want to bottle some days...and well, some days...I am glad they are over....,

MAN I love this girl!

Its been a while

2009-09-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

ALOT has happened. Cara is 16 months old...WAAAAAH where does the time go? I am pregnant with baby #2 (Due March 5th 2010)...several of my friends have had babies and/or are expecting babies soon...and Cara continues to amaze us each and every day.

Life as SAHM mom gets better and better each and every day. I have reached out to friends, have joined MOPS and made a concerted effort to get Cara involved with as many things as she is interested in and trying to keep a little bit of my previous self. As much as I love being a mom, I am a wife, a friend and a daughter amongst other things. I love being a mom of course, but have enjoyed branching out a bit and enjoying nights out and friends outside of Cara.

As of today our little chatterbox is saying the following words...and using them in the context that they are supposed to be which is amazing within itself.

Apple
Daddy
Mommy
Ginger
Gone
bye bye
Night night
Elmo
Milk
BA BA
Flower

Her voice is so sweet and she continues to be so loving and so very sweet that we just cant get enough of her. Here are some pictures from recent trips or just some that I love.

July 4th 2009

2009-07-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at New Smyrna. Cara was loving the flat beach with lots of room to play. POPS came down for a couple of days and of course, she LOVED that. This was Cara's second 4th of July...man how times change :)

Last July 4th

2009-07-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

THIS WAS LAST YEAR'S July 4th pic...omg....how has she grown so big so quick :).....New pics of this years July 4th to come......CANT WAIT!

ALOT OF FIRSTS

2009-07-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

Cara took her first Train ride, and her first carousel ride....and they were a BIG HIT!!! Cara was WAVING at the crowd...and the crowd was waving back...seriously, she had her own cheering squad! What a big girl, and she is so happy! Happy to be anywhere and do anything! I love my easy going girl :)

Fun with Cousin Leah and Grandma in Mickey Land

2009-07-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

We had a great time with Grandma and Cousin Leah at the Marriott World Resort, and of course a visit to Downtown disney and other various spots. Leah was great with Cara....and CARA LOVED LEAH....someone who will read books to CARA for hours is a-ok with her! We only wish Leah lived closer!

Its bitsy teeny weeny....BIKINI :)

2009-06-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

I am blogging this so in ten years, Cara and I can look back at this photo and I will tell her this was her first BIKINI...her belly sticking out and all...I love this girl.... and I love the bikini on her! I hope she loves her body 10 years from now as much as I do....

The last of Fathers Day

2009-06-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

It was a great day.....I am so pleased to have my dad, my dad's dad, and brian all in my life :)

Father's Day x3

2009-06-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day X2

2009-06-21T19:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Today was Brian's second Father's DAY...WHOOO time flies when you are having fun! We went over to Leanne and Eric's house and ate, swam...had fun :) and of course, celebrated Fathers Day with my dad, brian, and my dad's dad!!!

Heres to many many many more!

102 degrees. what shall we do???

2009-06-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

Cara and I made a visit to Trousdell pool to swim, with the rest of Tallahassee. It was a success, we cooled off, ate an ice cream cone, and came home and took a good nap :) It was a fun day, just mommy and Cara!

CAMPING=WATER FUN

2009-06-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

Its impossible to sum up our camping trip in one little picture collage....but it does sum it up in a way...great friends....good company, nice visitors, cute girls...and lots of yummy food including smores :)

Thank you Mesa, Will and Emily for making our trip AWESOME! Cant wait for the big changes coming for the next camping trip :)

Love HER

2009-06-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

I found this pic in one of my files, and this sums up my life these days. I am madly in love with my angel...and honestly, nothing else in the world really matters but our life with Cara!

Chillin at St. George

2009-06-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

This was Cara's second MEMORIAL DAY...WHAAA...cant believe it. Her first memorial day, she was a tiny thing, helpless and sleepless...YES I DO REMEMBER :-0

This memorial day was different, we took her blowup pool and her umbrella, and she had a blast, playing, splashing, walking, digging...what a life she has!!!

Cara's First Boat Ride....and visit to Little St. George

2009-06-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

Cara went on her first boat ride. It was a success...sort of. She HATED the life Vest, but loved digging around in the ice chest. We put the boat in at apalachicola...and then mozied over to Little St. George. It was a gorgeus day and we cant wait to go back and let her swim. The water was still a bit cool. Cara still has so many firsts and I am so proud to be able to share our busy/outdoor life with her!

Top of the Morning to you

2009-06-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

Good Morning WORLD! This is one of CAra's favorite things to do in the morning, is look at the storm door. She is really interested to see the "DATS"....Cats :-) They never seem to fail her in the mornings :-)

Its a Phase...all a phase

2009-06-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Cara went through a phase where she was NOT HUNGRY at ALL....so....for dinner, we would try anything. And Chocolate Pudding won on this day!!!! SHE LOVED IT...and we were glad to see her eat something other than formula.....its always a big mess though ;-0 Awww...there are always baths...let em get dirty!!!

WEEE RIDE

2009-06-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

Cara got a Wee Ride for her first birthday, and to say it was a success is an understatement....she LOVES it and her and brian are gone for hours in the afternoon on it. Thanks Gramma and Grampa Draper...

Maclay Gardens

2009-06-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

What a nice park and a nice day....

CARA'S PERFECT....but you knew that already :-)

2009-05-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

Today was Cara's one year checkup. I still remember bringing her there the first few times and she was so small and I was so scared she would get something, and here we are a year later, and she has only gotten sick once. Good parenting??? or good luck??? I am pretty sure it was luck, and I a bit of germaphobia that I have!!!!

She is perfect said the doc!!!...She weighs 23 pounds and is OFF THE CHARTS FOR HEIGHT...she is not even on the growth chart anymore for her age at all. (where does she get this from???) Her head circumference is also off the charts, but surely its just all her hair !!!! HA HA HA

She got 4 shots and mommy had an organic lollipop waiting...those tears went away quick once she saw that!!! I would say this was the best visit she has had for shots. She cried for sure, but the tears went away as soon as the lollipop made its arrival. I am going to always offer her something sweet after every doctor visit. I remember my mom always did and my grandma did.

So all in all, Cara's perfect....but you knew that already...didnt you???? ;-)

MIRACLES Happen Every Day

2009-05-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Miracles Happen Everyday, and we know that Cara is our miracle. It goes without saying that she has changed our lives in so many ways. I have learned to love harder, cry harder, laugh harder, and even try to live better. All through the eyes of my angel!

Happy Birthday my angel. I love you to the moon and back!

~mommy

ANDDDDDDD SHES OFF :-)

2009-05-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

Well, between the week of April 25th and now, she is walking, everywhere......its so very very cute. She walks to me, and hugs me, and follows me from room to room...

IT IS SO STRANGE to have someone in your kitchen walking around with you!!! HA.. Heres a little snippet of my almost 1 year old...walking and gabbing .....OMG, she is going to be 1 soon!!!!!

SOME Bunnies Love Sweet Cara-1st Easter

2009-04-17T05:52:00.000-07:00

Cara had a great First Easter with lots of family, food, fun and CHOCOLATE~! Her Easter Bunny sang the song, "I love you a Bushel and a Peck.,....." and it certainly goes without saying, that our life is that much better and we love her more than a bushel and a peck!

2009-04-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

WE HAD a great time at the beach....more to come ;-)

TWO CUTE CHICKS who LOVED the Easter Bunny!!!

2009-04-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

Mesa and I took Cara and Emily to see the Easter Bunny. As much as I thought Cara would scream, she did not let out a peep. In fact, the Easter Bunny was A HIT. We might even go see him again just for the fun of it!

Springtime Tallahassee 2009

2009-03-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

We had a great time with Melissa, Quinny and Tom at the Springtime Tallahassee Parade...to say the crowd was sparse was an understatement, but that was a good thing.....because the girls caught all the beads, candy and the limelight....I am pretty sure there wasnt two prettier girls there....TO TOP IT ALL OFF...they had a great time!!!

2009 has been fun already, cant wait to make so many more memories....

MMMMMM ICE CREAM

2009-03-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

ICE Cream is definetely a success...she wanted to EAT the spoon :-)

More FUN!

2009-03-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

SO MUCH FUN!!!!

2009-03-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

FIRST time in the baby pool, and it was a total success. She must have spent an hour playing, splashing, getting in and out, in and out, in and out, in and out.....ha...in addition, mommy was so worried about her getting sun, but the baby sunblock worked!!!! and her hat, and her sunglasses :-)

Oh and thanks to daddy for shuttling hot water from the sink to make it all possible :-)

BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND....Pretty BABY :-)

2009-03-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend had alot of firsts for Ms. Cara. Her first swimming pool experience. Her first ice cream at Aunt Ebby's on the Island...(a favorite ice cream shop of mom and dads), a first view of sea gulls hovering the house. She had a great time with Grandma as well. Each day with Cara gets more fun, and viewing the world through her eyes definetely makes life that much more enjoyable.

Georgia Girls

2009-03-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

We met Emily and Kaleigh and their moms in Thomasville today for a little retail therapy, and some good country cooking. Each playdate is not complete without a visit to the park, and this time (well everytime) the girls didnt dissapoint. They played so well, were happy, and are loving this weather!!!! Emily pushed Cara, Cara pushed Emily....so well behaved. Ms. Kaleigh is walking so she is everywhere. I think Emily and Cara will be there very very soon :-)

Thanks to Mesa and Tina for a great day!!!!

HAPPY 10 Months my SWEET ANGEL

2009-03-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

Our little girl has gone from a babbling little infant, to a big girl. Brian and I were in shock this weekend as she was "Walking" around the backyard pushing her little car. WHEW time flies when you are busy and having fun.

I love so many things about her, but mostly, I love how she is so very sweet...she nuzzles me, hugs me, crawls as fast as she can to whatever room I am in, wants to eat whatever I am, wants to be wherever I am and most of all smells just like a sweet baby.

Motherhood has good and hard days, but never bad days. Being Cara's mom is the greatest gift I could have ever been given and I feel so blessed each and every day that she was chosen just for me. God knew what I needed at that point in my life and I am thankful each and everyday for her.

CARA-I love you more than words, I love you to the moon and back, I love you so very very very much!

MA MA MA

2009-03-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

Its hard to hear, but if you listen closely, Cara is calling MA...MA....MA MA....you wanna talk about the sweetest words a mom could hear....and it was her FIRST word nonetheless....

This was recorded through her video monitor...but you get the idea!!!

Cara NO NO

2009-02-25T17:08:00.000-08:00

Cara's new thing...is to shake her head when I say no no...which IS ALOT THESE DAYS!!...Poor thing. However, today she said her first real word. MA MA....Ha...I am so proud!

Fun in the SUN

2009-02-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Today we finally are making some headway in our yard after....well....lets just say about 9 MONTHS or so of NEGLECT :-)....anyhow, Brian was tilling the back flower beds and saw this black widow....red hour glass on the abdomen....oh MY...the rest, is just cute RANDOMNESS :)

Happy Sunday!

My Sweet PICKLE

2009-02-22T13:20:00.000-08:00

As if there was ever any doubt, I am now 100% sure she is MINE!!!! My girl loves pickles. I got the idea from Mesa who said Em loves Pickles, and well we thought we would try...IT WAS A BIG HIT!!! Kept her busy for at least 30 minutes or so........oh, she is a girl after my heart!!!

HAPPY 9 Months my little burrito :-)

2009-02-18T13:54:00.000-08:00

GOSH, it seems like yesterday I was in the hospital having major surgery and giving birth to what would later become our little burrito (only way she would sleep for 3 months)....to now, a busy busy busy little girl, crawling, cruising, chatting, playing, splashing and most of all loving little angel! It has been a busy 9 months for all of us, and it has just now hit me harder than ever how deeply in love I am with this little girl and cant imagine a day without her.

We have so many hopes for her in the future, but more than anything, we hope that she is happy, healthy and thrives in this world....

Cant wait to make more memories

2009-02-18T05:17:00.000-08:00

CAN you see my teethies......I have 3 on the bottom on two emerging on the top...I wont let you see those unless you tickle me :-)....

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE??

2009-02-14T14:56:00.000-08:00

Cara's first Valentines Day was a good one. The weather wasnt nice, so we didnt get to go to the Junior Museum as planned, however, she got a new Love Bear and of course, everyone loves a heart shaped bootie :-)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

2009-02-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Family....beautiful friends, awesome weekend...what more could you ask for! Thanks to Mesa, Will and Emily for making out weekend "rock"

Heres to many more memories~

Beach Weekend 09

2009-02-09T07:29:00.000-08:00

We had a great time, with great friends at St. George this weekend. Of course, we had lots of photos and an even better photographer :-)....of course cute girls make it easy to photo!!!

*PS-for my family who looks at these pics. Click on the pics for them to get bigger :)

Bundle up!

2009-02-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

Baby----its cold outside. Even the poor kitties water froze...no worries though, daddy and cara curled up with a good book...and this morning...Cara wanted to go outside so bad...but it was 14 degrees...whoooo

2009-02-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

ITS big news around here everyday when daddy comes home....so Cara Waits...and she WAITS...and then finally he shows up...oh happy DAY

2009-02-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

We had a great weekend with Granddaddy and Grandma from Ocala. They came up to see what all the fuss is about with our crawling, cruising, busy little girl is all about....and as expected Ms. Cara put on a show. Brian's dad is not in great health so it was so nice of them to make the trip! Cara loves all the attention and of course loves her grandpa....

2009-01-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

A BEAUTIFUL DAY With BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS AND EVEN CUTER LITTLE GIRLS! We had an awesome picnic out at Maclay Gardens with Ms. Emily and Mesa....wow..what an awesome day!

Thanks Mesa for the photographs! Your Da BEST!

Good Sunday Reading

2009-01-25T17:25:00.001-08:00

We think this is a good learning tool at an early age...dont you?

Moving and Grooving

2009-01-25T17:20:00.000-08:00

Standing is all the rage...and well, that is all she wants to do. Stand on me, on Brian, on ginger, on things she shouldnt try to stand up on!!! Shes busy and you better be ready, cause she is ready to be moving and grooving!

My How Times Change

2009-01-22T07:20:00.001-08:00

Well, as important as our wedding day is to me...and Brian, we have a new big picture to go up there...

my how things change!

2009-01-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

Well, Cara likes the big girl tub...she just cant figure out where in the heck the water goes :-)......I have to watch her like a hawk, but the tub is of great fun to her. She still likes her big yellow duck tub....What?!??! You dont have a yellow duck tub...its all the rage :-)

Cara Mini Vaca

2009-01-08T05:49:00.002-08:00

These are pics of St. Augustine. That flower with the bananas, was a banana bloom. IT WAS HUGE and gorgeous. I have never seen anything like it. Of course, Ginny was peeking out our balcony...shh...noone saw her :) and the basket of eggs, that was at the reinactment museum which was AWESOME...and those are GREEN EGGS! The chickens lay green eggs..!!!! Last, the tree with the green things, is a persian lime tree...the museum gave Cara one and I squeezed it when we got home and made salad dressing...DELISH!

We left on Thursday, New Years Day to travel to Ocala, Vilano Beach and St. Augustine for a mini vacation, and to also see Brian's parents (gma and gpa). We had a great time in all of the places. Cara was happy to go and see new things and was a joy to be around! We snuck Ginger in to the hotel at Vilano Beach...she looks like a baby under a big blanket :-)...the beach was beautiful. We ate at the Columbia restaurant in St. Augustine...WOW, it was AWESOME. Cara grabbed a handful of sand as expected, and loved the waves!

Growing!!!!

2009-01-06T04:58:00.000-08:00

SHE IS GROWING UP SO FAST....We had to lower her crib last night...I went in to get her after her nap to find....her smiling mug :-)

CONVERTIBLE

2009-01-05T05:37:00.001-08:00

We think every girl needs a convertible! Dont you??? Cara sure thinks she can drive...and Gma just might let her have it one day ;-O)

Cara sat down with grandma and thought she could drive...in the driveway!

DADDY FUN

2008-12-31T04:51:00.000-08:00

Daddy was off work, and we had a great day at the park! As you can see, Cara is a daddy's girl!

Love ya daddy!

2008-12-26T07:48:00.001-08:00

We had a great day on Monday before Christmas with Mesa, Emily, Cara and I in Thomasville. We shopped, and ate, and the girls talked and ate :-)...It was a great day with great friends. Not to mention 50% off Christmas stuff!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T07:30:00.001-08:00

Wow. Christmas was a great day. With this being Cara's first Christmas, it was truly the best one yet. We have so much to be thankful for, especially considering that we never thought that such a beautiful baby would join our lives. Thanks to all of you for sharing in our JOY!

WELCOME

2008-12-23T04:31:00.000-08:00

This is Cara's big spot for adventures...stay tuned. MORE TO COME!