Friday, February 7, 2014

Christmas 2013

Twas the night before getting on the road....
Driving to KY for Christmas...11hrs
Went to the Corvette Museum with Papaw
Cousin Mason showing T how to change a tire
All the cousins together
Arts and Crafts with Aunt Robyn
Caroline decided to do belly art
Snowman rice crispy treats
Much more fun to do art in your undies!
Caroline painting her snowman
All done says T T
Tillman thought that Santa loves sprinkles...
Trouble...Cell Phone and Credit Card
(and a mouth full of cookies!)
Tillman loves everything John Deere
Sea of gifts
Unwrapping...and unwrapping....
Missy in front of the tree
Back to the cell phone and purse
Biting on the head is so affectionate. 
Shaggy's bed must be the most comfy spot

Traveling back to SC with a pit stop
 at Ingles in the upstate
Edventure in Columbia, SC with cousins
:-)

Dress up in Snowville

Caroline showing the boys who is boss!
I'm pretty sure she is hitting in this shot.
This is all while we are trying to get a group shot.

Black Friday Find...

Our Black Friday Shoppers...House Shopping
The day before Thanksgiving, we had decided not to pursue a house we were to close on in 15 days. This home was in James Island, zoned to wonderful schools, 4 miles from my work....However, the cons out-weighted the good (believe it or not)!  The cons to the place just start at words like Wind and Hail Pool, Flood insurance, 1960s original structure, Mold....
Looking back, I'm SO GLAD we didn't pursue that home any further, however, if we wouldn't have pursued this home we wouldn't have found our dream home, as it went on the market the night before Thanksgiving!
Nick actually found the home. It wasn't even published on many sites yet. The Realtor didn't even know about it. Nick stressed to me not to disturb the Realtor on Thanksgiving, but late Thanksgiving night, I sent him a text about the house. He said that all systems were down, but he knew the agent of the home personally, and would call her to set up something.  We were schedule for a 9AM showing. Glad we didn't wait because there were 3 other showing that day!

We knew we had to act fast. We put in a full price offer (you know as frugal as I am...that hurt!).

Later that day, we were told we were in a multi-bid situation, and the other was a cash offer!  Yikes!  This is starting to get stressful!  We were asked to put in our best price bid, so we did just that.  Later we heard that they decided to work with us!

Things moved very fast and we closed on December 20th!  We hope this will be our forever home!


Here's the listing info:
A builder's vision went into every inch of this superbly crafted home in Carolina Bay's premiere community! Elevated with marsh views and a large, private backyard, this home has gorgeous curb appeal and a full front porch. The gracious foyer welcomes you with beautiful hardwood floors, which are found throughout the first story. Champagne and caviar may be appropriately served in the elegant dining room, with a tray ceiling, crown molding, wainscoting, plantation shutters, and a chair rail. Connecting the dining room to the kitchen is a Butler's pantry with Granite counters and glass front cabinets. The best of everything has gone into this stunning kitchen! Features include a large island with sink, granite counters, custom cabinets, 5 burner gas stove, built-in desk, warming drawer, tile back splash, SS Appliances, eat-in area, and a walk-in pantry. Open to the kitchen is the spacious family room, with a fireplace flanked by built-ins, large windows with Plantation shutters, and a ceiling fan. The first floor master bedroom is just fabulous! Awe-inspiring features including a tray ceiling, crown molding, plantation shutters, ceiling fan, walk-in closet, recessed lighting, private access to screened in porch, and a master bath that outshines the rest with double doors leading to custom cabinets, vanity with granite counters and double sinks, Whirlpool tub, ceramic tile shower, and a linen closet. Located on the first story as well, is a guest bedroom currently being used as a closet with custom built-ins, and a full bath with ceramic tile and granite counters. Enter a new dimension of convenience in your very own weight room/gym complete with full length mirrors and rubber floors! Upstairs you will find a nicely sized loft, three additional guest bedrooms with ceiling fans and walk-in closets, and two full bathrooms. The attention to detail throughout this home overshadows the competition. Restful scenes unfold daily in the large, fenced in backyard with marsh views. Relax and take it all in on the screened in porch w/ceiling fan, speakers, and a patio underneath. Top it all off with a separate laundry room, two-car garage with storage space, smart wiring for speakers, and an abundance of custom features throughout...and you have, simply put, "the perfect home". Come see the epitome of graceful living today!

Interior Details

3,094 sq. ft.


Exterior Details

0.26 acre
11,326 sq. ft.


Other Details

2011
2 Story

Caroline's Growth and Health since becoming a 1 year old!

Practicing her line-dancing in brother's boots
Caroline , our squealer, chatterbox, and good-eater has done a lot of growing since her first birthday!  Her curly hair has turned completely blond and the curls come and go based on the weather!  Her eyes are still blue (mommy just loves that!), and she is the ticklish little thing you have ever seen!  
Waiting on the doctor for another Rocephin shot...
The weather hasn't been kind to her this fall.  She has struggled with ear infections and nasty viruses. She had to get a 3 series Rocephin shot in the fall.  She officially hates the pediatricians office.  She is ok in the waiting area, but when we get to the exam room, she really lets loose the tears in fear of another shot. We have been to the ENT twice.  The ENT doesn't think Caroline will need tubes. She does, however, have huge tonsils. Tonsils are rated 1-4, and she is a 3.  Those may cause her trouble in the future with infections. She gets that honestly...as I had huge tonsils that were taken out as a teen.
Daddy's Mower....the kids climbing machine
Caroline has developed in so many ways since her 1st Birthday.  I think moving away from a bottle to a short time with a sippy cup, to now using a real cup at school.  Since her birthday she has moved up twice at school, and she is now in Ms. Rose's class.  This class gets to go outside, do extra activities (Gymercize), sit at a table to eat and play, introducing the potty, napping on a floor mat (no more cribs) and mommy and daddy don't have to put on booties anymore when we have to pick you up!!  We were trilled that she moved up since we were getting a report everyday at the other class that she was a "bitter!"  I guess she was bored, as her behavior has improved in this class!
Learning what the potty is all about
Caroline loves routine. She doesn't run to me when she is getting picked up.  She goes to the teacher, gets her paper, points at her coat for me to grab and put on her, and then she will go to the door and say "bye bye." Anything out of order will send her into a tail-spin! 
Her language has improved.  She catches on really fast. Tillman is even amazed when we hear here say words for the first time. Even though she can full enunciate the word, we know what she is trying to say...even short sentences. Some words and phrases: Thank you, See in this afternoon, Night night, Love you, oh and I'm sure I'm leaving a ton out!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, she knows how to kiss! So sweet, even if her kisses are slobbery and wet!
Out of school the Tues before Thanksgiving
Shopping at Publix and waiting on her Rx
Baby C continues to be a great eater!  She loves fruit cocktail (really, any fruit), squeeze packets of baby food, sweet potatoes, cereal, yogurt....really anything but tomatoes it seems!  She even likes meat.  If you have it in  your hand, she wants to try it!  She is also very good with a straw. This was a concept that took awhile for Tillman to grasp, but she has know how to do this before giving up her bottle.
Eating Daddy's bday cake and sweet potatoes
Since moving to our new house, Caroline has really gotten into pretending. She loves to play with the fake food, especially the ice cream cones. She puts them together and then enjoys "serving" them and pretending to snack on them. She also has begun playing with her baby dolls. She will hold them, love on them, and put them in the stroller to go for a ride.  She also loves to have a purse. She hangs it on the handle of the stroller and as she is moving she is saying "bye bye." Really anytime a coat or a purse is put on, she is really to go out the door!
Our sick Turkey on Thanksgiving
Caroline also enjoys talking on the phone!  When we call folks in the car, she is the first to wave, say "bye bye" and "Hi!" She has about 5 pretend cell phones and she enjoys those too. I think we are going to be in trouble when she is a teenager! Speaking of being in trouble...Miss Caroline can now climb out of her crib. She did it a couple of weeks ago.  She has put her leg up to get out since them but has fallen out again. I hope the first time scared her enough to keep her from doing it again, as it was a huge "thud" when she hit the floor.She seems to only try to get out of her bed when someone is in her room. If she is in there by herself, she generally entertains herself in the crib!
Head Circumference Chart
Growth and everything seem to be right on target. I don't think she is going to be extremely tall by any means. She already has my side of the family's long body and short legs!
Length Growth Chart
Caroline continues to be a blessing to our family. There is nothing sweeter than waking her up in the morning, and getting a hug!  Tillman loves her too, and he show it by singing Sweet Caroline to her often!
Weight Growth Chart
15 month stats