Christmas Eve 2013

We started a new family tradition in 2010, Carousel's first Christmas with us. Every Christmas Eve we go to the zoo where we can share the Creation story which leads very nicely into the first sin- the Fall of man. So when we celebrate Jesus's birth the next day, Carousel will understand why we needed a Savior in the first place. Christmas morning we have a birthday party for Jesus, complete with cake, (come on, cake for breakfast- what kid wouldn't want that?), and we save gift giving for later that day (if we even do that).

 

With all that said, on Christmas Eves 2011 and 2012 we missed our zoo trips. It is hard to keep this tradition when there is no zoo nearby, (we started this tradition when we lived in Houston).

 

However, this year we were able to go to the Fort Worth Zoo. :)

 We sure do love our elephants!!

hippos are behind them...

 the sun was impossible that day!

 This little guy is a Sloth Bear. Could there BE a better name for him? ;) Notice his tongue hanging out? :)

 with the zebras

 lions behind...

Feeding the birds:

 Notice what is really cool about this pic? Look in the right top corner... ;)

 our favorite letter :)

 

 

We ate inside a really cool place:

 (and yes, we had to eat Burger King! lol)

 

I'll leave you with some zebras :)

Model Behavior

Day 2 of Carousel modeling an outfit from her grandma. Tomorrow I will post about Christmas Eve followed by, you guessed it, Christmas on Tuesday. :) Hopefully I won't be playing catch up much longer after that. :)

I know she is mine, but man, she is gorgeous!

And yes, she is even sweeter in person! :)



Wild Horses

After Houston, we went to San Antonio, and then to Dallas. Today and tomorrow, I will post mini photo-shoots of Carousel modeling outfits her grandma bought for her. :)

Family Christmas 2013

Here is post one of my Christmas catch-up!

 

Every year my mom's side all comes together to celebrate as a family. I failed in the photo department this year, but at least I got a few of Carousel. :)

 Carousel and Bristol in their matching outfits, and Tiana happened to match too. :)

The next morning- Carousel and Bristol in their matching PJs, with their elephants, Dumbo and Emma Kate. :)

Carousel and Santa my mom showing off one of the gifts Carousel made for her- Carousel's MistleTOES. 

A Dilemma Worth Having?

After Carousel's big fight when we put her back in her room on Monday night, it has been smooth sailing since!

 

BUT she is sleeping all day!

 

The first few nights I put her down at/after midnight, so her sleeping late was expected. Last night I put her down at 10, so I would expect her up between 8-10. Well after waking at 11, I decided I needed to check on her.

 Y'all, I woke her up! After 11 am! (she posed like she was sleeping...but check out her eyes- she definitely just woke!).

 

I know I shouldn't complain, I mean I did get to sleep in past 11 today! But, every night she has slept alone, she sleeps all morning, and I tend to wake her. I want her to wake on her own, and of course, I do not want to leave her laying in bed all day if she is not sleeping. And since her sleeping/lethargy is my biggest sign of a head issue, I need to know what is going on!

 

So tonight, after having her for a little more than 3 years, I finally got a video monitor.

 

This will definitely help me not stress out at night and it will help me discover what she does in the morning. :)

 

I asked what she wanted to do and right away she wanted to play with her toys:

 Jersey loves Carousel's toy nook too! And can you tell Carousel just woke up? lol

 Playing with her Princess Palace Pets.

 Each pet comes with her own brush, and Carousel made me match each animal and their brush so she could brush them all with their own brush.

 Just a few of the pets with their brushes: Pocahontas's Raccoon, Mulan's Panda, Aurora's Cat, Jasmine's Tiger, and Tiana's cat. :) If you love Disney Princesses and animals, you must get Princess Palace Pets! :)

 

Then she wanted to play in her kitchen, and of course eat cake. :)

Welcome 2014

Last night I kept Carousel up till midnight and did a photoshoot in the first minute of 2014!

 

She got to wear makeup for the first time. :) She has been begging for some makeup lately, (which is funny since I never wear makeup! lol).

 

And yes, I got choked up as we watched the clock turn to midnight and then I started to shoot our makeup wearing 4 year old princess. Emotion hit out of gratitude that we get to spend another year with our beautiful girl. My dream come true!

 

Oh, and I forgot to mention something about 2013... Carousel didn't have one surgery! First year ever!

 

2009: SB closure surgery and 1 Brain Surgery (she was born 2 weeks before the new year)

2010: 1 Brain surgery (before she came to us)

2011: 3 Brain Surgeries

2012: 2 Brain Surgeries

2013: NOTHING!! (a few hospitalizations but no surgeries!)

 

So while 2013 wasn't my favorite (wasn't my least favorite either), we have to celebrate the year of NO surgeries!!

 

Without further adieu, Carousel at her midnight shoot:

 Her fro is really coming in and I couldn't be happier. I LOVE IT!

 When I dressed her she said she needed a necklace. So, I grabbed her my Christmas present- her heartbeat on a necklace. :)  More details later. :)

 Makeup, y'all! :)

 

 

And for your terror:

 My camera caught this of Carousel moving her eyes- she looks like she is wearing monster contacts. lol

 

Then this morning we did another photoshoot, since it is still the same day as last night. :)

We wish y'all a happy 2014- we can't wait to see what God has in store for us!