10 months

Time is marching on and Caroline is 10 months old today.

Updates from this month:

• New foods - whole milk yogurt, blueberries, "puffs", Cheerios, black beans, cheese, hard boiled egg yolk.  We are trying to get her to feed herself more, hence all the new finger foods.  Typically the dog ends up with more of it in her mouth than Caroline does.  C did really well with blueberries last night - mixed with oatmeal and cooked whole feeding herself.
• First trip to the state of Louisiana - last weekend we went to Ruston, LA to visit Aunt Julie and Uncle Zach at their new house.  Lollie was also in town.  We had a great time!
• A favorite - the color orange.  We knew Caroline seemed to prefer orange colored foods (carrots, sweet potatoes, squash), but we have now also noticed that she gravitates toward her orange toys - half circle in the shape sorter, ring from the ring stacker, cup, shaker, and the actual orange from her play food basket.  You can see her attachment in the pics for this month.
• Mobility - Caroline is letting go of support more often and standing independently for longer periods of time.  She is able to walk across the room assisted by holding one hand.  She has taken one step by herself at different times but is still a little unsure.  She usually resorts to crawling because she knows she can get there faster.  I don't think it will be too much longer before she gets brave.
• No real change in her clothing or diaper sizes.  Her eyes are definitely no longer just blue.  They have little bits of green/brown and the left is changing more than the right.  Still just half of one tooth on the bottom. 
• Caroline has stayed healthy, praise the Lord, through a very rough winter.  There has been a lot of flu and stomach virus going around.  Will and I ended up with the stomach bug...not fun.  If Caroline had it then she started it and had a mild case.  She threw up one time in her bed, had a few runny diapers, fell asleep in her bouncer that night, but nothing more.  She never acted sick.
• Milestones - waves bye-bye and gives kisses on command (when she feels like it)
• Is not attaching to a "lovey".  Have tried to give her a small stuffed bunny at bedtime for comfort but she is not attaching.  C can be very cat-like at times.
• Dislikes - rice, banana, having her nose wiped, being rocked, going to bed
• Likes - bath time and washing the duckies in the bath book, buggy rides at school, freedom to explore, seeing Penny Lane in the mornings and evenings

Caroline,

You are so bright in intellect and spirit.  It is a joy to watch you navigate life.  Some say you look just like Daddy; others like Mommy.  You know what you want and can be impatient.  You are stubborn.  I'm afraid that comes from Mommy and Daddy.  On your good days and your bad days, if you look like us or not, Mommy and Daddy love you and we want the very best for you.  Mommy worries that I am not getting it right or that I am going to mess you up.  Know this, Mommy does and will mess up, but no matter what you are loved.  Even better than our love is Jesus' love.  He loves you and He gets it right every time.  He gave you to us and we must look to Him to raise you.  We have nothing without Him.  Look to Jesus, baby. 

All our love, bear.

Mommy