Our Sweet Daughters are ONE!

Well sisters, we made it! Today we celebrate your ONE year birthday! Your daddy and I are beside ourselves happy with the two of you. You girls make our family complete. You are precious, beautiful, funny, smart and all wrapped up in such a little package! You each barely weigh 15 lbs. and still fit into your size 6 mo. dresses. But what you lack in size and weight, you make up for in personality!

Caroline Elizabeth: You are definitely the big sister! You are adventurous and the first one to try out new things. You are a mischievous little spit fire and often take things from your sister, just to make her mad. You are normally first to go to sleep at night and first to wake up in the morning. You love new places and new people. You have no fear of strangers, and love to go for rides in the stroller. You are the first to crawl to daddy the minute he walks in the door. If he doesn't reach down and pick you up, you cry until he does. Caroline, you are fearless and gentle with a little hint of spice - and I love it!

This was the first time we saw you and heard you cry:

Carleigh Kay: You are such a sweet little thing! You have fit so nicely into your role as the baby sister. Whatever Caroline does, you follow right along. You are a little more hesitant in new places, but I love it because it means you let me hold you longer! You will sit and read a book all by yourself. You make up words as you look at the pictures. You did this in the bathtub last night for a good 10 minutes. Your favorite toy is your brother's green Rody horse. You giggle and scream when daddy puts you on it. You love music and will dance anytime you hear it. By far, your favorite person is your Pops. If he is in the room, he is the only one you want - you even pick him over me! I don't mind it so much because I think it's special to have a grandpa that knows and loves you so well (lately sister has taken a liking to him too - you two are going to fight over him one day!). Carleigh, you are independent and tender-hearted with a twist of drama - and I love it!

This was the first time we saw you and heard you cry:

Our first family picture!

The day we took you home:

Oh sweet girls, words cannot describe how much you have changed our lives. You have taught us that we are capable of so much more than we thought. We love more deeply and laugh more loudly because of you. We've learned that when it comes to our family, it's okay to say no to other things. We are so much more content with nights at home with just the 5 of us. You have shown us that saving for college, and weddings is a must do! We never thought we would make it past the all night feedings, or having 3 kids in diapers, or learning how to get out of the house with everything we need - but you know what? We did it! We made it through and it has been a joy!

One of the best parts of having you is seeing you with your big brother. He loves you more than he can even say. You two squeal when you see him in the mornings, and he begs to go into your room to get you up. We pray and hope that the 3 of you grow to love and trust each other in deep ways.

We have a special birthday celebration planned for the two of you this weekend. We plan on giving and receiving lots of wet, open-mouthed kisses. Those seem to be a favorite thing to do these days.

Happy birthday Caroline!

Happy birthday Carleigh!