Cara is weaned

It's sad and happy at the same time. I stuck with it and I'm one of only 17% of nursing moms that make it to the year mark. It was a goal I set and hoped my body would keep up with, and it happened. I think Cara is healthier for it. It was hard at times, but besides 6 hours as a 4 day old newborn when my milk wasn't in yet, (she had about 3 ounces of formula over 6 hours), she never had a drop of formula. I'm very happy that she easily transitioned to whole milk and last night was the first night we put her down without nursing. Don't get me wrong, she's sleep trained and goes to bed awake, but I still liked my alone time with her. I had scrapbook night here last night and Eric put her to bed with no problems. As a mom, it's very freeing (IF we went places at night, we rarely did before I put her to bed) and at the same time, she's growing up so fast which makes me sad!! Just thought all would want to be updated ;)

The party

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Originally uploaded by mistylnewsome.

Click on the picture to see some pics a friend has sent me, I can't get mine off my camera yet, we can't find the cord. She wouldn't really eat the cupcake until we broke it apart for her. She had a great time, even though it was raining and we couldn't get in the pools. She got lots of great outfits, books, puzzles, bath toys, etc!! We're leaving tomorrow for Dallas after church and staying till Wednesday. We can't wait to see everyone up there!

Stats

Here are her one year stats:
weight: 22 pounds 13 ounces (75%)
height: 30 1/4 inches (75%)
head: 17 3/4 inches (75%)

Doctor says she looks great. She was a trooper with a prick to her right forearm and both legs! She hasn't even acted like it hurts sine we got home.

Congrats to my cousin Mandie

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Originally uploaded by mistylnewsome.

My cousin (my dad's cousin's daughter) Mandie Leigh Eichenlaub. She had a beautiful baby girl today (bailey's birthday!) at 10:19 am. She was 6 pounds 12 ounces and 19 inches. She named her Lillie Elizabeth Eichenlaub, which spells LEE (a family name). This was a blessing because she has been in the hospital for a week and a half with pre-eclampsia. She wasn't due until 7/16, but they knew she would be early, and she was a great weight!! Congrats Mandie and hubby Caley! This picture is one of us from last year at a baby shower, holding a picture of little Cara Leigh! What a difference a year makes.

Happy Birthday our sweet Cara Girl!

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Originally uploaded by mistylnewsome.

Today she turned one. We had our playgroup over to our neighborhood pool, and we provided juice boxes and I made cupcakes and the icing from scratch!! :) They were yummy. Thank you to all who attended, there were about 20 friends there. Then we came home and got ready for our big 'photo shoot.' We went to JC Penney for her 1 year portraits, and we took the dogs!! It was hilarious, but we got some good shots. Not too many with the actual dogs in them :) We'll post as soon as we get them. And I'll post some new ones of today shortly. We love you Cara Bell. We can't even imagine what our life would be like without you in it. We are so blessed that God sent you to us for this short time here on earth.

Update on Gift Ideas

Lots of people have asked me what to get Cara for her birthday. Here are some ideas if you so wish to read:
1) 18 months clothes. She still fits in 12 months, but I have a feeling she won't by the end of the summer. (no swimsuits, she has TONS for this summer)
2) bath/swim toys. She LOVES the water, and if we're not in our 2 back yard pools, we're at play group in a pool or at our community pool.
3) Signing Times dvds. We're borrowing volume 1 and 2 from a friend, and she LOVES them Update - my friend just asked for them back for her brothers baby so we will not have any now (did I mention she can now sign bird, train, fish, night night, milk, hi, all done, etc.) I'd prefer the Baby Signing Times which you can see on the link here. Please no baby einstein, we have TONS already
4) Anything Leap Frog. I have a friend already getting her the fridge phonics alphabet, but besides that anything is good.
5) Astros gear
6) Anything learning related. She LOVES books, so any board books (besides brown bear - our entire family has that memorized) and hungry caterpillar, she has that.
Hope that helps!

Back from the River and Happy Birthday Eric

Hi again! I will post pics as soon as I download them from my camera. We had a great time at the river, but let me back up a little bit. I taught 25 entering first graders with my good friend Sterling Greene June 4-8 at our church, Kingsland Baptist. We had over 1,200 kiddos come!! It was so much fun, and challenging. I STILL Have the songs stuck in my head.

Then Friday, as soon as it was over, Eric, Cara and I headed to the Frio river to catch up with my folks, Bailey, Matt, and the Luxtons (Tommy, Kristal and Hailee). We stayed until yesterday and had such a good time. We floated a couple times, and took Cara down to the shallow part of the river to play. We got back mid-day on June 13th, which was Eric's 28th birthday. We went out eat at Hasta La Pasta last night with his folks for his birtdhay. Like I said, it's been crazy. Today was a laid back day of hanging at the house. We went swimming after Cara's very good 2nd nap. Plus, after waking up every day of vacation at 6:30, she slept till 8:15 today, hallelujia! Anyways, her big 1st birthday is coming up next week, along with Bailey's 24th! We have lots to celebrate this month! I have found out 3 friends are pregnant within the past 3 weeks, it's baby boom season again! Anyways, hope that you are all well.

Oh yeah, the reason that I posted....lots of people have asked me what to get Cara for her birthday. Here are some ideas if you so wish to read:
1) 18 months clothes. She still fits in 12 months, but I have a feeling she won't by the end of the summer. (no swimsuits, she has TONS for this summer)
2) bath/swim toys. She LOVES the water, and if we're not in our 2 back yard pools, we're at play group in a pool or at our community pool.
3) Anything Leap Frog. I have a friend already getting her the fridge phonics alphabet, but besides that anything is good.
4) Signing Times dvds. We're borrowing volume 1 and 2 from a friend, and she LOVES them (did I mention she can now sign bird, train, fish, night night, milk, hi, all done, etc.) Please no baby einstein, we have TONS already
5) Astros gear
6) Anything learning related. She LOVES books, so any board books (besides brown bear - our entire family has that memorized) and hungry caterpillar, she has that.
Hope that helps!

Oh, I forgot!

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Originally uploaded by mistylnewsome.

Yesterday was very eventful. My friend Amberly, who if you search old blogs, I had asked you to pray for because she had cancer, came to visit. She is cancer free, and brought Cara a 1st birthday present. Also, our friend Crissy Dazey from good old BU was in town with her son Drew, so she came by for a visit and the kids got to meet and play in the gameroom. Here's a picture of the duo!

YEA! VBS, Frio here we come!

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Originally uploaded by mistylnewsome.

Just a quick update. Here is a cute picture of Cara from last Sunday after church. Aunt Bailey gave her this cute dress she got when she worked at House of Hattan. I've been working at our Vacation Bible School all week at church with my good friend Sterling Greene. It has been so much fun, and so TIRING. We really have a great class of kids. 25 entering first graders. I've learned a lot about me, Sterling and our friendship in the process, and it's been a blast. After tomorrow's VBS, Eric, Cara and I leave for the Frio to hang out with my folks, Bailey, Matt, and the Luxtons. We'll post pics when we get back. We return on Eric's birthday, so be sure to wish him a happy 28th on the 13th! :) Love, Misty

Funny video

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Cara does this funny thing all the time, only when she's in her high chair, and we finally caught it on tape! My mom says I (Misty) used to do this when I was little too...it's too funny!

11 month portraits

I have posted her 11 month portraits on our flickr account, go check them out, they are too cute. I also had one taken for Father's Day, that Eric keeps trying to find....I will post it once I give it to him! :)