The Cains

Monday, October 15, 2012

17 months - Caroline

Happy Happy 17 months Sweet C! We can't believe how independent and spunky you are sweet child! It seems like just a few short months ago that you were a tiny newborn - time flies when you're having fun - and that's your favorite activity these days!

17 months - October 15, 2012

Here are 17 wonderful things you're up to these days, with one to grow on (of course!):

you are SO much fun! You've got the spunkiest little personality - and we LOVE it! We must confess we weren't so sure "spunk" would be a word we'd use to describe you, but once again you've proved Mommy and Daddy wrong and it's good that you did! You need LOADS of spunk to get by in this family:)
you sleep well - you have your nights every once in a while like we all do - but you are a consistent 7:00 p.m. - 6:00-7:00 a.m. We'll take it! You still let us rock you most nights for a few minutes while we sing and even if you're still awake when we lay you down you don't cry. This has been a HUGE blessing. You've been this way since you were were about 8-9 months old.

you don't nap as well as you sleep at night - but that's okay. You average about 1.5 hours, but some days you're more in the hour range and some days you'll sleep 2 - we really love those days:)
you have an appetite like none we've seen before and we thought your sister ate well:) You LOVE food (you get it honest my child), but as you're aging you're starting to become a bit more picky. Your favorite foods at this moment: cottage cheese, mac and cheese, string cheese (do you see a pattern here?), strawberries, bananas, yogurt, spaghetti, pancakes and just last week we added pumpkin muffins.

your hair is getting darker and darker - however, there still isn't much of it. Poor Daddy:)
you now have 12 teeth! You just finished cutting 6 at one time (including two molars). We think you were a real champ. Mommy thinks it was your amber necklace that you wear (except when at school). We're real new-age around here these days. The looks your daycare teachers gave your Mommy when she told them what it was are looks to remember - they think your Mommy is a freak:)
you walk well - it's the waddle walk. We love it. There is nothing like a new toddler walk. Nothing. Your run, it's a granny-like run. It's adorable too.
you probably weigh about 26 lbs - Mommy forgot your 16 month well visit (oops!) so we go in a couple of weeks to get the recordable number, but for now we think you're close. You're still short and round - the perfect way for a toddler to be.
you're wearing 18 months clothes - they are a little long (hence the "short" part of your build), but you wear them well.
you ADORE Cain and Emma - you're growing on them as well. They tolerate you chasing them for hugs and kisses every morning. Sweet pups.

you are super mischievous - you love getting your sister all worked up. It's not in the least how we imagined you'd turn out, but for now you give sissy a run for her money and it's good for her:)
you are into EVERYTHING - like every other toddler your age. You love to make a mess. You can totally tell your path because you leave destruction no matter where you go.
you're a climber - have been since the early days. You still love to climb up on the table, squeal and giggle - Mommy and Daddy haven't had major strokes yet - as long as you don't become a jumper, we're good.
you've just gotten into baby dolls in the last month or so. You love to carry them everywhere. The morning rides to school are filled with you talking to them - you have serious conversations and often end up tossing one before it's all over. You love to push them in buggies, strollers, anything that rolls.
you and Sissy fight over the same doll daily. There are at last 25 dolls in this house and you both have to have Susie. We may cut her in half soon - the screaming and shoving war that breaks out is enough of a glimpse of what the teenage years will be like (over clothes we're sure) that your Daddy and I can only tolerate so much.
you're the youngest in your class, but you're a tough one. They call you "Scrappy" at school. Lovely. But, if you're getting bitten and pushed around daily, we're glad you're learning to take care of yourself.
you're the most beautiful, fun-loving, spunky, hysterical and sweet 17 month old we know. We're SO glad God blessed us with you.

"For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

3 1/2 years old

Catherine Ellis is three and a half years old today! Where does the time go? She's almost completely transitioned out of toddler hood into little girl world. She's a tiny version of what we can only imagine she will be as an adult. What a joy she is - she's full of life and love. She's a FABULOUS Big Sister - she's patient, kind and fun. Caroline adores her. I hope the bond that these two share will be something that spans a lifetime.

Catherine Ellis - 3 1/2 years old

October 9, 2012

So what is our adorable, tenacious and gregarious three and a half year old up to these days?:

she knows her numbers - well - she can count to 50 easily and recognizes most any sequence of numbers - this week she ran to our front door and said "Mommy we live at _____!" and sure enough she got it right!
she knows letters and can pick them out anywhere too
she's long and lean - gone are the chubby cheeks and round belly
she has hair - almost shoulder length hair! We thought this day might never come! Our newest adventure as been wearing bows and clips - these really make her look so old to me!
she has a song book full of songs and you will find her singing most any day - she has jigs that go along with those songs too - so her love for music and dance have continued.
she can work a playground all by herself - there is nothing she can't do without us
she potties, washes her hands, brushes her teeth and gets dressed daily by herself. Most morning she puts on her shoes too unless they need to be tied - we aren't quite there with that yet.

she really likes to color these days - so far we've only colored on paper and poster board because Mommy has all markers and crayons on lock down at all times:)
she still loves to cook - we made pumpkin bread and muffins over the weekend
she's a terrific big sister - patient (most of the time), a good role model and caring.
she's moved into Pre-K II at school - the Sunshine Friends. She seems to really like her "new" school which isn't so "new" anymore.
her reasoning skills are better than they were 6 months ago - consequences are something she grasps now - it just depends on her mood for whether or not she cares about them!
her memory is razor-sharp - there is no hood-winking this kiddo
she's a creature of habit - we must go the "normal" routes to school/work/Mexican or there might be a meltdown
she loves a puzzle and is dern good at putting them together
she's a runner - she LOVES to run - a lot of days she'll ask if she can just go run in the yard - and she'll take off doing laps. Today she ran around the track at the park with her Daddy.
she's still a good sleeper at home - bedtime is 7:30-7:45 p.m. and she's up by 6:45 - 7:00 a.m. most mornings

she doesn't nap well at school - most weeks she averages only one or two naps for the whole week, but on weekends she still naps well at home - her naps average 2 hours
she eats well most days, but she's not a great eater all the time. She has her foods that she loves: french toast sticks/bites, cottage cheese, all fruit, hot dogs, pizza, chicken fingers and fries (you know all that real healthy stuff!).
she's a great helper - she can help Caroline get in the stroller, chair, etc., she's my assistant grocery shopper and has graduated to pushing the cart through the smaller grocery stores, she helps unload groceries and clean up toys and most days is a lot of help.
favorite times of the day are still mornings and bath time at night
she's independent, sassy, fun-loving and sweet (she hugs all of her friends at the end of every day as she leaves)

Catherine Ellis - what a wonderful daughter you are - we are blessed to have you as a part of our family. What a ride this has been - thank you for reminding us why life is so good! We love you to the moon and back!

"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that...the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…"

Ephesians 1:16-19

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Family

As you can imagine, I've had a lot of time to think and ponder many things of this great life that we live. It will come as no surprise to you all that family has been one of most prevalent thoughts as of late. Family is so important. It's what life is all about. They are there when the times are good, bad, boring, fun, glorious, not so glorious and are truly what makes up the memories and experiences of a life. I am so thankful for my family. Not just my immediate family, but my extended family - everyone - blood relatives, married relatives and relatives of relatives. I grew up with a very small immediate family - mother, father and one brother. All of my grandparents were dead by the time I was in middle school except for my mother's mother - she lived until my college years. I have one aunt and one uncle - no cousins. My mother often laughs and says we can all fill up one small church pew and it's true.

I married into what I think is an enormous family - David has more first cousins than two hands can count - TWELVE! That is HUGE to a girl who doesn't even have twelve family members when she counts grandparents, parents, siblings and aunts and uncles. As you can imagine his parents are both from large families and have managed to stay close over the years. My mother was an only child and a majority of her childhood was spent with her mother, as her father died when she was 12 years old. With the absence of her father she continued to have close relationships with his family and still does to this day. If you were wondering where this rambling blog post was going .... its here: Mom has a first cousin by marriage that she is still close with and we don't see enough. So we visited Centre, AL - right outside of Gadsden and had a wonderful visit with Novella.

She and her son Mike were gracious hosts and let the girls play with anything and everything they desired. They even bravely ate lunch with us out on the town - a true testament of their love! It was a wonderful day and we're looking forward to going back soon. Thank you for being such wonderful hosts, Novella and Mike!

Novella and Catherine Ellis

Novella and the girls ...

Meme, Novella and the girls

Sweet C adored Novella - she didn't want to leave her lap!

Meme and Novella

Mike, Caroline, Novella and Meme - C has stolen Mike's glasses ...

Mike, Novella and M

Me and Novella

The best family shot we could get!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Happy Birthday Pop Pop!

Today is Pop Pop's birthday - man, do we love this guy! David has a wonderful father that continues living out his legacy by being a wonderful grandfather. The girls ADORE Pop Pop. As most of you know, Sam works in South America and is only home one week a month - but this doesn't stop him from being involved - he calls weekly to check in and a favorite activity for both girls is walking around talking on their toy cell phones to Pop Pop - if you ever ask, that is who they are always talking to. A wonderful example of not letting distance rule your life. That's one of many examples this man has passed on to his son and now his grandchildren.

I told David jokingly one day that I married him for his Dad - :) Of course there are many other reasons, but Sam Cain is a wonderful man of strong faith, big heart, lots of fun, laughter and joy and the most delightful Pop Pop in this world - we are mighty blessed to have him in our lives! Happy, Happy Birthday to you Pop Pop! We all love you so very much.

My favorite .... they were cracking up at Daddy ... (original artwork by Cat Cat)

The very first picture I snapped - typical that no one is looking, etc.

Childrenʼs children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Prov. 17:6

Friday, September 28, 2012

Happy Birthday Sweet Frances Grace!

Today my precious God daughter is ONE! I can hardly believe it! It seems like just yesterday she was making her grand entrance into this world - and grand it was baby girl:) I'm so proud of what a fun-loving, easy-going, nothing gets me down little toddler you are growing to be - your personality will take you far in life sweet child.

I pray that the Lord continues to bless you and keep you - that he continues to bless you developmentally and with wonderful friends (big and small) in your life. You have such a wonderful Mommy and Daddy and I'm honored that I too get to share in the joy of you growing into a fine young lady. We're going to have a blast!

May today be the beginning of another year filled with awe, laughter, lots of hugs and kisses, squealing and joy! We sure love you to the moon and back!

Love,
Gmama Meg, David, Cat Cat and Caroline

WATCH over thy child, O Lord, as her days increase; bless and guide her wherever she may be, keeping her unspotted from the world. Strengthen her when she stands; comfort her when discouraged or sorrowful; raise her up if she falls; and in her heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Splashing the summer away

It's been a while since our last posting -a month! I had neck surgery August 1 and I'm feeling better and better - thank you all for the prayers, texts, cards, food and for being such a wonderful village. God is good!

We had a "last hooray" play date before I had my surgery with my great Auburn gals and their children. We decided since it was mid-summer and no splash pad action had been enjoyed in a while that we'd head out to the splash pad in Gardendale. We love that place! It's well worth the drive and just what the doctor ordered when it comes to cooling off.

The girls had a blast as did I catching up with my girls - it's always so much fun to catch up while watching our children play - life coming full circle for sure. I enjoyed my last solo play date with the girls - I knew I would not be able to lift them for 6 weeks so I wanted one last time to have all the glory of motherhood to myself - for the time being:) It was perfect!

I'll let the pictures tell the story:

Ready for the splash pad

Scoping out the pad

Meeting a new friend

Catching water ... so much fun!

Playing, playing, playing ...

Someone eventually refused to wear her hat ...

Hayes and Catherine Ellis spraying the soaker gun

Sweet friends, Caroline (in the blue and yellow), Madeline (orange and black) and Catherine Ellis

Sharing the spout (Caroline and Catherine Ellis)

Big sister showing little sister how to turn the water on ....

Allison and her sweet girls - Madeline and Mary

Fun in the sun!

Caroline has been to one other splash pad earlier this summer, but if you remember she ate the entire time and cared nothing about the H2O. :) This was the first time she truly experienced all the water and she loved it - I hope you can hear her in the video - she's saying "oooohhhhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhhh" over and over and over. Pure bliss.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Swimming Lessons

Catherine Ellis took her very first swimming lessons mid-July. She LOVED them! It has made a big difference in how she 'swims' and her love of the water. She's never feared water, but now she's pretty fearless. She'll jump right in without her floaties - we're working on teaching her that just because you can jump in doesn't mean you can swim. She learned how to float, kick, jump in and the basic rules of swimming. It was money well spent!

I attended the very last session and she was nothing but smiles... until it was over and then she cried - huge alligator tears. She was not ready for it to be over or to tell Miss Anna bye. At first it was Catherine Ellis and three boys, but a second little girl joined her at the end. They were all so eager to swim. Miss Anna did a wonderful job - she was so very patient and calm. So if you need swimming lessons for your wee one - the JCC in Birmingham is the place! We're already looking forward to lessons next summer!