Precious moments I don't want to forget

Unfortunately, there are moments that can't be captured with a camera. Trust me, I would capture them if so ;) Now that Karson Jane is starting to talk and form these adorable little sentences, I know I MUST right them down so I don't forget them. Goodness gracious, her voice is so freaking adorable. My favorite "melt me straight into a puddle" moment...

While in the Outerbanks, we get to share a bed and snuggle every night. I give her a bottle at bed time every now and then (whoops) because it helps her sleep. She's sipping on her bottle staring at me right in the face. I'm obviously staring right back thinking "jeeezeee is this kid every going to close her peepers?!" . Her eyes start to get heavy and she whispers "mommeeee" in the softest most pure little voice. I respond back with "yes, baby". She goes "hiiiii" and then touches my nose. I know, it's kind of weird. But I melted. I melted real quick...right into a puddle. To hear her little whispers of "mommmee" make my heart skip a beat. I couldn't help but smile followed with a little giggle. As soon as I giggled, so did she. Sweetest giggle ever.

Now that she is learning this whole talking thing, we OFTEN get the giggles together when trying to fall asleep. I love that she thinks I'm hilarious. Probably because I know I'm not, but she totally thinks i'm the funniest person ever. 

Another funny moment: After she learned what a "chip" was and could say "chippppeeee" she just says it all the time now. 

We were again lying down in bed and does the usual whisper "mommeeee"?? And I say "yes Karson....." She smiles and says "chippeee!" I of course laughed. Sorry girl, no chips for you ;) 

Favorite words:

Chippy (Chip)

Cowwieee (Callie)

Cookieeeeee

Unca Jonnn  (Uncle Jon.... she LOVES to say his name)

GAMMA (grandma)

PoppEE (Poppy)

Milky

Cheese

NO! (well...what toddler doesn't love that word)

Poopeeee (I know my kid is weird, but she loves telling everyone after she's taken care of business)

Baba

Do you see the trend here? She likes to add an EEEEEE at the end of everything.

Karson Jane: Beach Session in the Outerbanks

As we are leaving her 18-month well checkup, her doctor says on his way out: "Alright Miss Karson, next time I see you will be at your 2 year check up!" My jaw dropped. WHAT? In a few months she will be TWO? How is that even possible? She's my little newborn baby that just came home from the hospital with me! Uhg, I hate that time flies. I hate to think like that, because I know how lucky we are that we are getting to celebrate these milestones with her. We are fortunate that she is growing to be a healthy and outgoing baby girl. 

I was so excited when her 18-month milestone landed during our vacation at the beach. Either way, I knew I'd be taking a million pictures, but I'm glad we could document this time while being here at the beach.

What does Karson love?

-Being outside whenever possible (rain or shine)

-Speaking of rain....girlfriend LOVES her rain boots. She wakes up in the morning and goes straight for the boots. Wears them during breakfast, around the house, running errands. She's obsessed. I obviously think it's quite adorable.

-Mickey Mouse. She loves Mickey and Minnie. Actually, she loves all the characters. She can spot them out anywhere and she begins to squeal "MICKEYYYY!" 

-Talking. She is starting to form mini sentences and it is so sweet to her voice. 

-"MommEEE!" Not to toot my own horn, but she's attached right now. She loves her daddy, but she's totally going through the mommy phase. Can't say I hate it.

-The water. While we have been at the beach, she is happiest in the pool or the ocean. We are going to start doing toddler swim lessons when we get home. She has no fear of the water (or anything for that matter) and it will make me feel better knowing she will know the basics when we are around water this summer.

-Books and stickers. Books...that's great. Stickers...what a MESS this is. I find stickers on the bottom of my feet, in the sleeves of my shirt, on the dog, in her sippy cups, and anywhere else you can think of. 

This will go down as my favorite picture of Karson. It shows off her personality perfectly. Smiley and on the move. 

I love watching her little personality grow. She is turning into a sweet & sincere baby girl. It is far more important to me that she learns that her beauty on the inside will take her farther in life than any type of physical beauty. Unfortunately, the world is filled with a lot of mean and a lot of hate, but I know her beauty on the inside will impact the world in a better way. How could that contagious smile not???

  

Berkeley's First Birthday: A beautiful vintage floral party!

It is crazy (and sometimes a little sad) how quickly time flies when you have children, but we are so lucky we get to celebrate these memorable milestones with them. Lauren has spent a long time planning this beautiful first birthday party for Berkeley and you can tell by every last detail how much thought was put into everything. As moms, the first birthday is so important to us. SO many people ask why and it's really hard to put it into one answer. Outsiders looking in think it is so silly to throw these crazy parties for our one year olds who won't even remember it. I think this day is so important to us because the first year of being a parent is so challenging, scary, joyful, and rewarding all at the same time. It kind of feels like you have a blindfold on the first year and every little moment or situation that occurred, you were being blind sighted or learning something new as a parent. So many i's to dot and t's to cross along the way that come along with all the "rules" you must follow or the other moms will sit back and judge this or that. There is just something about getting to that one year mark that brings all sorts of emotions to the surface. You can finally sit back...take a deep breath, and just say "whew...I did it". Sure, there are parents of 16 and 17 years old reading this right now laughing and thinking "oh my honey, you have 17 years to go until you feel like you can breathe again", and that too, is very true. Until then, we will continue to celebrate every birthday and every milestone of our children and be thankful for the years we have with them <3

Well, here she is...the birthday babe! Miss Berkeley <3 

Her momma did an AMAZING job planning her first party

xoxo, Jessica

Rachel: Maternity

How stunning is Rachel? She is beautiful inside and out and I have had so much fun getting to know her. You will be seeing a lot more of her and her sweet family in June once the little miss gets here :) Oh, and in case you didn't know....she is SUPER mom. She's a military wife, has three little boys, and her fourth is only weeks away. I admire her and the love she puts out for her family.