Oh Sweet Caroline, if I had written this post the day before your monthday I would have had not one single bad thing to report. Unfortunately, your 5 month mark seems to be the beginning of some serious teething as evidenced by constantly stuffing your hands in your mouth, drooling, refusing to sleep, an angry red diaper rash and the EXTREMELY LOUD SCREAMING that is totally out of character. After just one day I’m already banging my head against the wall and praying your teeth come in as quickly as your brother’s did.

But even despite the soreness in your gums you are still a darling baby. You were such a good sport at your Aunt Kristi’s wedding, even though we kept you awake for four days and handed you to countless strangers. I’m happy to report Kristi’s new in-laws passed the breastfeeding-coolness-test, and none of them even flinched when I nursed you – even sitting right next to me or during meals. I got to show off my magical baby-wearing skills when I stuck you in the sling at the reception and everyone commented on how much you seemed to like it (p.s. thanks for finally liking it!!)

You don’t have a real routine yet, besides sleeping 8 pm to 7 am with usually just one wake up for a feeding. Thank you SO MUCH for that. You usually take one long and two short naps during the day but it’s hard to predict when you’ll need them. I don’t feel like you’re constantly attached to my boob but if I count the number of feedings a day it’s close to every 2 hours. I’m a little nervous about getting you to take a bottle before August but we’re going to start working on it this week. I also bought you some rice cereal, which I’m hoping you enjoy more than Little Evan did. I can’t believe I’m already talking about solid food in regards to my brand new baby girl!

Some of your favorite things are your blankie, your swing, your brother, your daddy and standing up with our help. Your least favorite things include wind, the sun in your eyes, really loud noises, and waking up in strange places.

Happy 5 months Caroline!

5 Month Milestones (from BabyCenter, as usually)

Mastered Skills (most kids can do)
Distinguishes between bold colors – This isn’t really something I need to determine as something BabyCenter is just TELLING me she can do, right? Because I have no idea how to judge this.
Plays with his hands and feet – Constantly.

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)
Recognizes own name – I suspect she responds equally to “Caroline” “Baby Girl” and “Boogaboo”
Turns toward new sounds – Yes
Rolls over in both directions – She rolls back to front the SECOND you put her down but still has a hard time rolling front to back.

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
Sits momentarily without support – Yes, with “momentarily” being the key word.
Mouths objects – Constantly
Separation anxiety may begin – Definitely, and it sucks. I miss being able to stick her in the exersaucer and go do laundry for 20 minutes. Pretty soon we’ll be at “bringing her with me while I pee” levels of anxiety.

Have you noticed we’ve been in a celebratory mood around here? I don’t know what could have possibly given it away, besides maybe my endless posts about Evan’s 2nd birthday. I just really love any occasion that involves a good party. And who doesn’t? Dressing up and eating delicious food are two of the greatest joys of life.

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Little Evan is so lucky to have so many awesome friends. Because even though all the decorations and fancy food is for me, the party is still for him, and he LOVES other kids. LOVES THEM. He would spend all day giving hugs if his friends would hold still long enough – but he’s just as happy to chase them in circles while laughing his little red head over off and running like a weirdo. Seriously, the boy has the STRANGEST run ever. I should get it on video.

Here are some of the GORGEOUS children from our party. Seriously, how is it possible all my friends have such good looking kids?

Caroline wore polka-dots to fit in with our theme

A was really excited about the balloons

M had the BEST time in the ball pit. I should tell her mama to bring her over any time for more jumping.

Luckily the weather was nice enough for the porch swing. My friend Sarah's kids also dressed for our theme!

Running-start hug for my Aunt Susan. I was surprised so many kids wore the hats!

Tip toes to reach a balloon

T and his crazy hair in the ball pit

I know I've posted a zillion pics of J already but isn't this BEAUTIFUL? My dad took it.

C really enjoyed his fruit and veggies. His mama made him that vest!

N loved having her picture taken

And I recycled the photo booth from the circus party last year. I once again failed to get good pictures of everyone, especially with the weird afternoon light and the smallish backdrop. Next party I’ll use more fabric on a better-lit wall. If I can find one of those in my house.

Please note the headband I made that matches Little Evan's shirt. AM CRAFTY.

I have more, but I’ll save them for a Facebook album so people who’s kids are in them can steal and share them easily. Thank you so much to everyone who came! You made our celebration special!!

PREPARE FOR THE ATTACK OF THE 2ND BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

Sunday:

BJ's run for party supplies

I glued these to toothpicks, to make sharp pointy things the kids wanted to play with. Genius.

I tried out my cake recipe and disovered piping adorable swirls of frosting onto cupcakes is a lot harder than it looks

Monday:

My kitchen counters became ground zero for all the junk I needed to put away

I went to Joann's and did NOT buy the fancy bedazzler. It took a lot of will power.

Balloons for Little Evan's birthday photos

Tuesday:

I made a quick birthday shirt for Little Evan to wear to Stroller Strides

Celebrating his birthday by crawling under his dog instead of letting me take his picture

And then Little Evan refused to sit in his stroller for a picture. At least Caroline is still forced to pose for me.

Wednesday:

When you're 2, Mommy lets you play on her iPad. Sometimes. With a lot of supervision.

We went to Target & got Starbucks - Evan gets a cup of whipped cream so he doesn't feel left out

Caroline reminds me she lives here too by being adorable

Playing with his new Color Wonder finger paints. NON-TOXIC finger paints. Because yeah, he ate some.

Thursday:

The baking aisle is fascinating

His new favorite word is "Messsssss!" so he makes them just to say it

My parents came into town for the party & took us out to dinner. Little Evan was super well behaved.

Friday:

I tried to find a polka dot shirt/dress for the party and discovered I am WAY too old for Forever 21. Apparently 29 is when you stop being 21 forever.

He's blurry because he didn't stand still the ENTIRE DAY. No nap either.

We finally got the crib up in Caroline's nursery so she can actually sleep there (someday)

Saturday (Part 1):

It's a good think I started baking at 8 am because I frosted the cake at 1:45 - the party started at 2.

The remains of my cake, after the party. It was delicious.

Birthday spoils. We have such amazing and generous friends and family!

Saturday (Part 2):

My folks watched the kids so E and I could have a date night, so we went to Mohegan Sun Casino (5 minutes from our house)

This is The Atrium, the martini bar in the middle of the casino. The whole place is so gorgeous. (This pic is SOOC and by C I mean iPhone)

My 2 favorite kinds of food - fancy and Mexican - from Sol Toro

Our winnings! Ok, not really. We broke exactly even after an hour and a half of blackjack. That totally counts as a win though.

The casino also has Krispy Kreme. Best place ever? I THINK SO. I had a lemon-filled.

The week was totally crazy but Saturday was SO much fun it was all worth it. Celebrating 2 years of being a mommy (because, really, that’s what a huge birthday is when your kid is 2) followed by grown up fun (for the first time since I became a mommy) made for the best day ever. Even if E and I were both totally exhausted and came home at 10:30 to crash. I am so grateful to my parents & my Aunt Susan who came up to help. But now the crazy time is over and I cannot even describe to you how much sitting down and laziness will be occurring around here today. SO MUCH SITTING DOWN.

Did you take any camera phone photos this week? Link up with one or lots using the linky below and grab the code (so it shows on your blog too!) over at Amy’s . It’s really fun!

We are having quite a weekend, and by quite a weekend I mean dragging 2 kids all over New England doing a crap ton of shopping for house redecorating type stuff. I didn’t want to commit to furniture for this house if there was a chance we might be moving in the fall, but unfortunately E didn’t get the promotion he was hoping for and we’re here for at least another year. Which is bad for his career but good for our finances – selling right now would be a nightmare. But since we’re NOT moving we suddenly have a little extra money and a lot of extra motivation to spruce things up.

Also, new furniture always fits, unlike the jeans I tried on at Target last week. And even if I end up regretting the new rug we bought it won’t be as much as I regret the big heavy bangs I keep thinking about cutting myself. I’m so bored with this long, straight, boring mop on my head. It’s a true code red hair emergency around here. Someone hide the scissors.

Here’s what we all wore during Saturday’s shopping adventures:

Evan:

Shirt – Target

Pants – Hand me downs, I think they’re a brand from Walmart

Caroline:

Jammies – Carter’s (yeah, she slept ALL day so I didn’t bother with real clothes)

Mama:

Shirt & Jeans – Target

Sweater – Old Navy

Headband – Gussy

Necklace – Tiffany & Co, a gift from E two Christmases ago that I know he thinks I never wear so I’m proving I TOTALLY DO

Flip flops – Some beach store a zillion years ago and I am SO EXCITED it was (almost) warm enough for them!

New hair color – Feria, Pure Diamond Blond. Meh. All it did was make my roots a little lighter.

Coat – ModCloth. Isn’t it GORGEOUS? It’s perfect for spring and just so incredibly well made I die with happiness every time I put it on. I’m now totally obsessed with stalking ModCloth’s sale section.

Today we’re going to the big fancy mall in Rhode Island just in case the Apple store happens to get in a new shipment of iPads (ahahahahaha) and because they have a Pottery Barn, a Williams-Sonoma AND a Restoration Hardware. I’m going to die and go to housewares heaven. They also have a Delia’s, but I’m officially too old to shop there anymore, right? My 16 year old self is crying a little.