A Little Des Moines Overnight "Vacay"

Okay, so this wasn't really a true "vacation"- we stayed one night and left before naps the next day- but it was still crammed full of friends, family and laughs.  My dear friend Lindsey and I decided to make the best use of my time off while I'm job searching and take our kiddos up to Des Moines (about 3 hours from Kansas City) with our kiddos to visit our friend Katie and her kids.  Lindsey has Sofia (2 1/2) and Henry (10 months) and Katie has Jack (2) and Wilson (4 months.)  With Caroline, we had FIVE kiddos under 3 sleeping under one roof (are you surprised Katie's husband stayed at his parents to allow us a girls night, ha!)  In addition, Chris's sister Courtney stopped by with her husband and three kids to see us (Riley, 5 years; Walker, almost 3; Maggie, 19 months.)

Jack, Wilson & Caroline

Caroline, Riley & Jack (Riley's biggest fan all night)

It's amazing we got them in one spot for a group shot.  Mind you, it only lasted about 10 seconds and Wilson's face is a little blocked!  Clockwise from left: Walker, Caroline, Riley, Jack, Maggie, Sofia and Henry

Sweet Maggie

Jack and Sofia playing in the barn

Ireland brothers: Jack and Wilson

It was a madhouse, and Caroline tuckered out early.  I realized how little noise Caroline is used to being the only child right now, and she was a little shell shocked from all the noise and kiddos getting in her personal space.  Although when we had ALL EIGHT kids running around it was a little overstimulating for all of us!  I am so excited to have her be around kids more often in Kansas City so it becomes a little less overwhelming to her . . . we're hoping she won't be the only child in our house forever (don't get any ideas, she won't be getting siblings anytime too soon!)

Not So Sure About This Stuff!

Caroline had her first taste of solids on Sunday- rice cereal- and she wasn't quite sure what to make of it.  Since our initial try she has started really enjoying it.  We'll probably try to add in some tastes of veggies next week!

5 Months Young!

Our happy girl is getting so big!  She loves to eat and is turning into quite the chunky monkey.  She is giggling and "talking" more than ever.  Caroline is also quite the observer.  We notice when she meets new people or in a new place, she is usually really quiet while she first looks around and takes it all in.  We've got to get one of her giggle fits on video- they're the best.  However, Mommy and Daddy acting like complete idiots is usually the catalyst for one of these.   We're not sure if we're prepared to show you how pathetic we get just for a giggle from our peanut.

We're all in Kansas City now and it still feels a little surreal.  We are living with my parents until we find a place here.  We will be renting our home in Arizona for now, not wanting to sell in this market.  We hope Gigi and G-Daddy can handle 2 adults, 2 dogs and a baby for a month or two!

Videos!

Chris started his job and Kansas City on Monday and it is going great so far.  I am finishing up work this Friday and promptly flying out with Caroline and my mom to our new home- Kansas City.

It's been crazy packing and moving the last few weeks, so the blog has been the first thing to suffer.  Caroline is babbling a TON and continues to be so fun!  She is now rolling over- it felt like she took forever to start.  I know she needed a little extra time because she was a preemie, but she has finally got the hang of it instead of just falling over.  This probably was a blessing with all the chaos of moving . . . Caroline being mobile with the amount of stuff we had all over our house could have been trouble! 

She will now try to hold her bottle and can occasionally do it for a few minutes by her self.  She's babbling a ton- we got a little on video, but it's hard to catch her because she gets distracted by the camera!  She is doing tons of consonant and vowel sounds and blowing raspberries at us.  We are starting solids next week, so I'm sure we'll have some fun videos of that.

 Rolling Over