Calla's First Birthday Party

We had Calla's first birthday party on March 22. The Sunday after her actual birthday (which was Saturday). The theme of the party was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." I got crafty--thanks pinterest--and made a few little decorations. (Nothing to stress myself out!) But I have to say I think it's the cutest birthday theme I've ever done--completely loved it!! 

We had a caterpillar "Watch me Grow" display. A caterpillar on her high chair. And a caterpillar spelling out her name on the cake table. Calla had an appliquéd caterpillar onesie. We also had a smash cake and cupcakes in the shape of a caterpillar. The rest of the decor stuck with the color theme--red, green, and yellow. 

Friends and family gathered to help us celebrate. All of Calla's grandparents, aunts, uncles, and first cousins were there. The kids had a great time playing. The highlight was definitely Calla digging into her smash cake--girl is an eater and she loved it! 

She wasn't too into her presents. She'd pull out some paper, then hand it to you and be done. Mommy helped her open. And then Augusta and Maddie assisted as well. Her favorite things she opened that day were her babydolls. She also loved the water table we got her--though we didn't try it out till much later! 

The mark of a good party is when everyone crashes afterwards. And guess what? That's exactly what the Goolsby's did! Hope you had fun little one--it was a great first birthday celebrating one of our favorite little girls! 

Calla's Smash Cake Session

Calla had a homemade smash cake and smash cake session, and I think the photos turned out beautifully. Not only that but Calla had a blast eating cake and making a huge messy--on her self and in my hallway. 

Mommy made the two layer cake (box mix) and butter cream frosting (which both girls loved!) from scratch. Then I decorated it with confetti sugar sprinkles. Sorry, Calla that it kinda looks tragic, but it def has the shabby chic feel I was going for. 

Calla is wearing a Matilda Jane Antique Ellie top as a dress. Her headband is by a local woman with a shop called MaeleeRoo's. Backdrop is a throw made by one of Chase's former colleagues that was actually a baby gift for Augusta. Now I'll let the pictures speak for themselves! (These are only pics from my phone--will have to upload camera pics later!)

Calla is One!!

My, oh my, how time has flown by. As I write this post, I'm holding a one year old in my arms. My baby girl is growing up!! 

Again Calla hasn't changed much this month. I would say the biggest changes have been in speech/language. Calla is now using more words, besides mama, dada, baba, and bye bye. She now says ball, bite, iPad, and pop (for popcorn or pa-Paul). She also says something that mocks the inotation of thank you. 

Calla loves to wave and clap. She loves interacting with others and she especially loves words with motions. Songs make her so happy too. She likes singing along with someone, even if it's just the music she'll chime in. This is definitely one of the main things that engages her. 

Calla is still learning to drink from a sippy cup at this point. She does well with it, but sometimes wants to drink so fast that she gets choked up--not used to the quick flow I guess. But she's doing great with straws so we may jump straight into draw cups and see how that goes, skipping spout sippys all together! 

Calla still loved to eat, that hasn't changed at all. Lucky girl got to have two cake smashes to celebrate turning one. One was just for photos and the other was at her party. She loved both of them and had no problem digging in and getting messy! It was so fun to watch! 

Your favorite things this month are: baby dolls--you have gotten so into them. You hug them, carry them around, and give them kisses. It's so precious to watch. Going to the baseball games (and watching basketball on TV)--you have become fascinated by balls. Maybe you'll be our little athlete! Being passed around--you like to make the rounds, but only for a minute. As soon as you realize you can go to someone else and it's okay, you want to go back to whoever had you! You also love dancing along with your sister, riding on your riding toys, and of course snuggles. You are definitely my little snuggle bunny! 

Dislikes would only be having to be in the car for long periods of time and not getting your way. (But that's everyone!) You are such a happy girl, Calla Jane and a true blessing to our family. We thank God for you every day. We can't wIt to see what year two holds! We love you pretty girl! 

Feeling nostaligic

How can it be that my babies are growing so fast! Augusta Kate is already three and my precious baby Calla is about to be one! In. Less. Than. A. Week! 

Life flies by so quickly, it's crazy. Cannot believe a year ago we were a family if three just waiting to meet their newest addition. And now we are a family of four on this journey we call life with a three year old and a basically one year old! Craziness!! 

Thinking about mommy-hood, here's a little something I wrote and saved shortly after having Calla...pretty much nothing has changed, these are still some if my favorites. And definitely favorites from when my girls were much smaller. 

My favorite things about being a parent to an infant and a toddler

5. Being so important/needed--right now, my kisses make everything better. Mommy snuggles always calm the tears. They want you to pick them up and hold them safely in your arms. I don't know what I'll do when their family is no longer the center of their world. I love them relying solely on me and my husband. It is an awesome responsibility. One that we don't take lightly. It is work, but I wouldn't trade it. I love changing the diapers, fixing their meals, and getting them ready. Life has surely changed, but it is for the better. Parenthood is an amazing journey, one I'm so blessed to be on. 

4.watching them grow/change--this is seriously the most awesome thing. Our God is truly amazing and how he created us is nothing short of miraculous. Seeing a tiny blip on an ultrasound, change to a baby with moving limbs. Then to give birth and see an actual tiny human that was actually inside of you--crazy! Then they're here and they grow and change so fast! They can't do anything then all of a sudden they're rolling and scooting. Then you turn around and they walk! Or they go from just staring, to smiling at laughing at you. And as a speech therapist I have absolutely enjoyed watching vocalizations turn to meaningful utterances and then to actual speech and sentences! I cannot put into words how amazing this whole process is!

3.experiencing world through their eyes--this is one of the coolest things ever. It's like bringing magic back into your life. Everything is shiny and new again, everything is amazing! Seeing them light up at the littlest thing is so incredible! They see a butterfly land near them and it's spectacular. Watching dust particles in the light streaming in is like hearing a secret. The reactions are priceless. And so are the conversations they bring. And when they discover--and actually enjoy--things that you find cool (or did as a child) incredibly awesome on another level. 

2.little moments of quiet--so at this age, sometimes little moments of quiet are the best. They're rare, but that's what makes them so special. It's at these times you (mostly) get those good quality snuggles. And you can sit and reflect. You can study their little faces. Watch how they take in their surrounding (whether a book you're reading or a conversation going on around them). You can hold their little hands, that will grow, but still hold your heart forever. You can look at their precious feet and count the toes that will physically carry them through life. You can tell them how special and incredible they are, and hope that as the years go by they will cherish the memories of these moments as much as you. And maybe, just maybe, they'll never be too big to snuggle up with you and just be quiet together. 

And that leads us to number 1! 

1.sleeping baby snuggles--since they were infants, both girls have bed shared. I wouldn't have it any other way. They are only little once. No one goes to college still needing to sleep with their parents. But again, they are only little once, so let them be little. And if you've ever cuddled with a baby, especially your own, this one really needs no explanation. All the little things mentioned in number 2, definitely can be done while snuggly sleeping. And seeing a baby smile and laugh in their sleep? So worth every hard moment you've encountered that day! 

Seeing how my littlest is about to enter the toddler years, felt like a good time to finally get these mommy-feelings posted. I love both my girls so much. Thank you both for making me a mother. For growing me, challenging me, and ultimately shaping me into. the person I am today. I love you snoogies!! Mwah! 

The Big Snow--2015

This past week something magical happened. It's one of those Mississippi rarities that happens only every several years, and when it comes it brings stirs up feelings that make you feel like a child on Christmas morning. Can you guess? Well if you read the post title you already know! It snowed!! 

And I'm not just taking about the usually Mississippi slush we commonly get. And also not talking about a dusting that barely covers the grass. Our yard turned into a beautiful "Winter Wonderland" (Augusta's description). We got about 5 inches of powder. 

School was cancelled for Wednesday and we patiently (or not so much so) waited for the accumulation to begin. We tracked our radars and kept up with social media and friends around town to see if it was doing anything anywhere yet, we peered out our windows and waited. First the sleet started. Then snow mixed in. Then finally it changed to big fakes. The biggest this Mississippi girl had ever seen. It was absolutely gorgeous. We had to go outside and just look up--it was crazy! 

Once the ground was covered and lunch had been eaten, we went out to play. It was Calla's first snow, and Augusta's first "real" snow. They were both amazed by it. Calla grinned so big at the falling flakes. And Augusta loved walking around in it and how it crunched under her boots. 

Chase helped Augusta "sled" by pulling her around in an old wheelbarrow bed he'd attached to a rope. He pulled her all the way down to Gammie's and Pap's. They came out and we had a mini snowball fight. Then she did more sledding. Calla attempted to walk, but it was so feel she couldn't get her footing--she wanted to be down in it so badly though! 

The next day was round 2. Snow had quit falling a little after dark. School was cancelled again so it was all about playtime. We got up early, we out and made a snowman and a snow goose. Augusta made Chase clean off her trampoline bc she couldn't jump with the snow piled on it. She also did some more "Sledding." Gammie also made some snow cream--a rare treat that we're still hoarding away in the freezer! But mostly we just explored our world of white before it melted away. 

Most of the snow was melted by that evening. And Chase was back to work the next day. But we sure enjoyed our mini winter vacation while it lasted. Cannot wait for the next one!!