Week 51/52

RBM V is not here yet.  Caroline's school is closed until Jan 2.  We have an eventful week ahead of us.    I stopped her and told her before we walked out of her school's doors Friday evening that the next time she walks through those doors she would be a big sister.  I am so excited and thankful that we have made it to this point with no problems, and praying for a safe and healthy delivery sometime between now and Wednesday.  If he's not here by 5:00 AM on the 26th, we'll head to the hospital to help him along :).

Week 50/52

This was a great day :).  We did miss going around with daddy, who was at home working ALL day (appraisals either trickle in or all hit at once, and right when you are expected to have a baby they all hit at once, of course...not that we are complaining) to try to get caught up so that he doesn't have to be consumed with work if RBM V makes his appearance early.  BUT...C and I had some great time together and did so many fun things in one day.  She likes to "stay together" instead of going to school/daycare, and so today when we "stayed together" we started our morning by going to see Santa ride through Halcyon on a horse-driven carriage, followed by a girls trip to Waffle House, where we both had our own waffle and shared an order of bacon, then back to Halcyon to sit in Santa's lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas, next by granddaddy's to help him put together his famous pheasant casserole, by Academy to buy a birthday gift for Allie Tyner (happy #13), home to get ready for the party, off to party at 1:00, by PetLand to hold the rabbits and see the fish and doggies and many other animals when we got back into town, home to regroup and then one last outing to see the live nativity scene at Baptist East that night.  I am so looking forward to adding a 4th to our family within the next couple of weeks, but it is also a little bittersweet to enjoy the last few days of us being a family of 3 and our one on one and family of three time with our "sweet Caroline".  We've had a fun last 4 years and 2 months, and now we are ready for our new love to come and rock our world.  It's going to be great ;).  The doctor's gut feeling last Monday was that he would be here within the next 10 days, so if he is right, the next picture I post will be our new family picture!

Week 49/52

This one's favorite thing to play this time of year is "ornaments".  She takes a lot of them off of one of our three trees (big real one in den, small real one in living room, and little small white one from Santa in her room) so that any one time, you don't know which tree will be bare of ornaments and which won't be.  You can tell how far she can reach in the den because the tree will either be bare up to that point or weighed heavily with all of her favorites.  Many times they end up in a pile on the fire hearth but it's all good.  What fun is Christmas without playing with all of the Christmas ornaments if you are a child???  This is her thing and she talks to them and they talk to each other and have lots of great experiences.  Knock on wood, not one has broken yet :).  She's very careful with them.  I keep MY ornaments out of her reach.

Week 48/52

Baby shower time :).  I had 5 sweet friends throw a shower to help celebrate the upcoming arrival of our NEW BABY and it was a special day I will always remember.  They showered our family with sweet gifts to help us get going with baby and had every detail planned out perfectly.  The location was Cuco's Mexican restaurant, and the even was small, quaint, very laid back, and just all around perfect.  I enjoyed getting to celebrate with some family and friends whom I love but don't get to see very much because of busy schedules.  I did miss the few who weren't able to come, but know I'll see them soon!! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends to do such a sweet thing for our family.  The rest of the day was awesome, too.  We had family in town and watched cousins and grandparents play, and Alabama beat Georgia in a neck to neck SEC championship and will defend their national title in early January.

Week 47/52

On to the next week...Thanksgiving and celebrating Uncle Spence's birthday...# 25 :).  Happy Birthday Spence!  We love you!  Another birthday we aren't there to celebrate, but that is really important to us, is Aunt MaMa's birthday!  It's today, as I type this, so an extra special birthday shout out to Aunt MaMa today!  We wish we could be there to celebrate with you! And one last note...I have to mark this Thanksgiving as the one where I ate the least amount I ever have.  I guess I have something else taking up a lot of room in my stomach.  I fixed a plate full of food and could only eat half of it.  

Wek 46/52

The 17th of November was Cromwell's 2nd Birthday, so we went to Freeport to celebrate with him at his birthday party :).  I don't have any of the great pictures of all of the kids or him blowing out his candles yet, but this one of me and him suits me fine :).  I love him so much and am so happy he is 2!!!!!  Happy Birthday Cromwell!!

Week 45/52

First deer of the season.

Killed by:  Ben Moore
Where:  Union Springs, AL
When:  November 4, 2012
8 pt.
181 lbs.

SIDE NOTE #1:  The weeks left in the year are dwindling down and that means we are GOING TO HAVE A BABY SOON!!!  I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HIM!!!!  He is due to be here by the time I post Week 52/52, so I hope I can end with a new family picture for that week :)!!

SIDE NOTE #2:  Baby does have a name:  Randolph Benjamin Moore, V.  Baby does not have a nickname yet.

Week 44/52

Following our disney trip, of course Caroline was a Disney princess for Halloween.  Brett and Susanna brought over Body and Anna Kate to trick-or-treat and the kids got way to much candy for a pregnant woman to have in her house!

Week 43/52

This was a special, special week because we surprised her by picking up Maggie Lee and taking them to Disney World for Caroline's 4th birthday gift.  We figured with a newborn on the way, it may be at least a couple of years before we were able to go again, and we wanted to see the magic unfold for them :).  Maggie Lee had been before and was super excited when we told her.  She went to bed saying she was "dreaming about it already" (told them the night before).  Caroline didn't quite realize what she was in for until she got there and now that she has seen the "real princesses", I don't think she will ever be the same.  It was pretty magical!  This picture was after their special "Bibbity Bobbity Boutique" trip, which happened our first day there, followed by dinner, which were both her birthday celebration part of the trip.

Week 42/52

When I walked out of Home Depot with Caroline, she ran over to this lawn mower and screamed "A JOHN DEERE!!!"  I didn't realize she knew about different brands of tractors already :).

Week 41/52

This picture is blurry, but one of my favorites from Caroline's first trip to the fair.  She and G-bug jumped in this car, with G driving his "future wife :)" around and her practicing sleeping in the passenger side (she wasn't REALLY asleep) :).  Reminds me of Ben and I :).

Week 40/52

C's Birthday week ended up with a dove shoot with Daddy and Grandaddy on Saturday.  She came home one upset and tired little girl.  She had decided that she did not want daddy to kill the birds and that she wanted to fix them and send them back to their homes.  After we put them on the grill and she and daddy had a long talk about how Jesus gave us dominion over the fish and birds and put them on earth to provide food for us, and how it was the most natural form of eating and enjoying our food, and then subsequently TRYING the doves that she went with daddy to harvest, she informed us that she was ready to go again and that this time she was going to harvest one herself.  She really liked to eat the  doves and wanted everyone to try the bird that she and daddy brought home.

Week 39/52

Caroline's 4th Birthday was October 1, 2012, which fell on a Monday.  We asked her if she would rather have a party or go to Disney World, and naturally, she chose Disney.   So, when we were in Dothan the weekend before her birthday, we had a small celebration with some of our family, and her Disney trip is up and coming in the next few weeks (which she actually doesn't know is planned).  We will break the news to she and Maggie Lee (also going) the night before.  I know 2 little girls who are going to FRIEK out!

Week 38/52

I have had visitors this past week with me at work.  It all started with Georgie, whom Caroline wanted to take to school, but since the kids are not allowed toys to go in with them, Caroline insisted that she go into work with me and sit with me all day.  She also wanted her picture taken as PROOF (I am not kidding) that she was inside with me and that I didn't just leave her in the car.  She immediately asked me about Georgie when I picked her up from school and laughed and laughed at the picture of her sitting in my office.  This happened Wednesday, followed by Dora and Bunny on Thursday and Ellie and Peter on Friday.  They all had their pictures taken :).

Week 37/52

We made a trip to the doctor this week because Caroline got sick after she woke up and was not feeling well...BUT...it seems like almost every time she gets to the doctor's office, she perks up and makes me look like a crazy woman.  She was bouncing off the walls when we got there and it was all a fluke.  They couldn't find anything wrong with her and she had a good time hanging out with mom the rest of the day.

Week 36/52

Happy Birthday Chapman Evelyn Ming!  Our friends, Chase and Amanda Ming, and their son Grady (Caroline's best friend), welcomed a baby girl into the world this past Wednesday.  Caroline got some good practice for holding her baby brother and was so proud to hold baby Chapman!

Week 35/52

Happy Birthday Papa!  Tonight we are celebrating PaPa's 64th birthday.  Jim N Nicks bbq, pound cake and football :).  We are so happy to get the chance to celebrate with him and wish him lots more!!

Week 34/52

Caroline started her new 3 year class (late birthday on October first dictates that she will be one one of the oldest in her class...she'll be 4 Oct 1).  On her second day of Ms. Teresa's class, we took her to the new Waffle House that just opened up around the corner from our home.  Caroline at almost all of her waffle and a couple of pieces of bacon.  Then she asked me if we could go to the "cupcake house" after school :)...I think she means GiGi's :).

Week 33/52

Baby Boy Moore looked great at his 20 week ultrasound.  The tech saw no issues and he looked very healthy.  This is his profile pic :).

Week 32/52

19 weeks as of midnight tonight :).  If baby boy were to come 2 weeks early, then we would officially be 1/2 way done at this point!  Hard to believe that tummy is going to get A LOT bigger!

Week 31/52

Weekend at Haley and Espy's.  Spence lounging in the chair, Cromwell just doing his thing...probably with a piece of sandy food lying around somewhere that he will eventually pick up and polish off...ML and C coating each other in sand, Ben, Haley and Espy out in the water cooling off, and me taking a pic of my siblings and our growing family while we enjoy a lovely day at the beach :).  Just missed Dad, who didn't really feel like getting all hot and sandy :).  It's ok...we understood, Dad, but we DID miss you!

Week 30/52

Petronius Oil Rig.  Tallest free-standing structure in the world.

Week 29/52

It's a boy!!!!

Week 28/52

Trying to figure out checkers (using chess pieces).  Couldn't quite get the concept down on this game yet.  But she does have Memory down pretty good :))

Week 27/52

I asked Caroline if she could do her flip off of the diving board and she said "Sure, Mom.  It's my flip jump"  I figured it would never happen but she walked to the end of the board and without hesitation, dove off and flipped right under the water.  And yes, she did it again.  And again.  I love this picture.

Week 26/52

Snapper trip!  We decided that Caroline definitely counts for another 2 snapper (2 snapper/person) since she is too young to have to have a license anyway.

Week 25/52

This weekend I enjoyed celebrating my very dear friend's (Amanda Ming) upcoming arrival of her first daughter, Chapman Evelyn Ming.  We showered her with lots of good food and gifts and helped to get her ready for her Labor Day (ish) arrival!  She had so many sweet friends show up to help us celebrate. The hostesses and guest of honor (in the middle with the baby bump) are in the picture above.

Week 24/52

After choosing "pot-luck" when I went off as a freshman to Samford University, I met one of the sweetest friends in the world.  Even though it had been such a long time since had talked, Shannon and I recently got together and bonded all over again first in Nashville, and now at the beach.  Our families had a wonderful time getting to know each other and all of our girls got along great. It was a very special weekend and we couldn't have had a better time :)!  We look forward to getting to see them again before too long!  Caroline and Brooke (looking JUST like her mother and to be 6 years old July 6) pictured above.

Week 23/52

We had a visit in Freeport with Haley, Espy, MLL, CL. and mother while mom was on vacation.  The rainy weekend called for pedicures.  Special times for ML and CM.

Week 22/52

To be posted in about 3.5 weeks :)...

6 weeks later...

Most anyone who would look at this blog would already know, but we have a new addition coming and Due Jan 1 :).  I'm so excited that Caroline is going to be a big sister and I can't wait to have another little being to love and have love us.  I'm so thankful to have this baby on the way, and am praying for it to be healthy and strong.  I can't wait to see how it adds to our family :)!

Week 21/52

First billfish tournament on the boat.  ALMOST (even though I know it doesn't take the cake, it really was so close) won the tournament.  Memorial Day Classic Outboard Shootout in Orange Beach.  Caught a Blue Marlin, wahoo, and 2 dolphin.  I was very proud to see these flags flying when our team came up to the dock (Ben, Spence, Chase, and Kevin).  Apparently, video footage is extremely important in a catch and release tournament.  The Blue Marlin was "caught" (swivel touched the rod tip) but never broke the water and the non-polarized camera could not see through the water to see the fish, even though the boys could.  The video was reviewed over and over but you just couldn't see it.  BUT...a great, memorable weekend of fishing for this crew and an experience that will only make them better.  :)

Week 20/52

This picture is fuzzy, but this is my child flipping over the bars at her first gymnastics mini-meet.  Now THIS was impressive.  I loved to watch her tumbling, bar and beam skills.  It makes me want to get out there and flip on those bars myself!  She had a LOT of fun.

Week 19/52

Caroline had her first dance recital (had had one previously seen in a different post, but it was a practice recital midway through the season) this week and she was quite the proud dancer; however, she did her own thing a few times when the music got slow.  This one is not much for standing around doing the same move over and over.  I think the rough and tumble of gymnastics may end up more suitable to her.  We shall see...

Week 18/52

This picture reminds me so much of myself as a child.  I always had to get down as close as I could to see what was lurking under that water.

Week 17/52

While in Dothan, Mom and I went to Dillard's to see if I could find something to buy with a gift certificate she had given me for Christmas.  While we were shopping, Caroline was busy holding hands, with, talking, and skipping with this gal.  I guess she thought she was pretty or something :).

Week 16/52

Big weekend to play with cousins at the beach.   Will and Cora Lee had 2 other family's with a total of 10 kids.  Add Caroline to the mix and you get 11 rowdy kids from ages 3 - 11.  We cooked dinner Saturday night and these kids had so. much. fun!  It was neat to watch Caroline interact with these 2 older girls.  She really looks up to her older cousin Cora Ladelle :).

Week 15/52

Ben went turkey hunting in Kentucky this weekend with some good buddies and Caroline and myself joined PaPa and Spence at Cumberland's 50th anniversary of being acquired by Samford University. We saw PaPa's picture on the wall and Spence's name on the wall for a special honor as well. We are proud of our PaPa and Spence and had a wonderful, relaxing weekend (actually, Caroline was a handful, but she did have a little more caffiene than usually allowed...can't take your eyes off that kid for ONE second).

Week 14/52

He has risen! We celebrated Easter at the beach this year and visited Perdido Bay Methodist Church on Easter morning. We were lucky to make it after making a trip to the doctor in Fairhope Saturday with a VERY bad ear infection. Caroline was very sick all Saturday but after we managed to get her to keep her medicine down, she was finally able to get up the spirit to die some eggs. She felt MUCH better Easter morning and was quite perky when she found that the Easter bunny had come. Hiding eggs was a BIG deal this year...lots of fun!

Week 13/52

This was MY birthday week. I had a lot of family with me to celebrate 34 amazing years! I am so blessed :)!

Week 12/52

This week we made an ER visit when Caroline pulled the pins out of the 4 wheeler trailer that let the ramp down and it crashed down on her head and back. We had to make sure she did not have a fractured skull. She did not :).

Week 11/52

When we got back from Colorado, our purple iris's were blooming. Caroline was excited to have a flower for her vase (purple IS her favorite color).

Week 10/52

Ben and I took a day off from skiing to see how much fun snowmobiling would be. We had no idea it would be such a blast, but will be on our list of things to do in Colorado from now on. The views were beautiful!

Week 9/52

We were vacation bound this week! Ben and I were fortunate enough to leave toward the end of the week go to Colorado for the week and Spence was fortunate enough to be able to join us for 2 days of skiing. It was his first "real" ski trip and he did great! We had the best time hanging out. We even got to lounge in a hot tub (IN OUR ROOM!) while watching "Hot Tub Time Machine", one of all three of our favorite ski movies about some college friends who go skiing and have a magic hot tub outside their condo. It was a much needed vacation we were very thankful for :).

Week 8/52

Sunday we went on a quail hunt with MaMa and Zu and had a GRAND time. Showtime Plantation knows how to show you a good time and we appreciated the special Christmas gift from MaMa and Zu. This was Caroline's first quail hunt. Here she is with her Uncle Zu. Can I point out the camo hat and the princess purse? I love her style :).

Week 7/52

When Caroline had her tonsils out, PaPa gave her this little doggie. His first name was Tyler, which soon turned into Whaler (also PaPa's dog's name). He is just the right size to go everywhere she goes and we make his little head tilt side to side or say yes and no and she can't tell that our fingers are making it do it, so she thinks he can really move on his own. Because of that, he is one of her BEST friends these days. He even has to be buckled in the car seat with her when he rides with us.

Week 6/52

Happy Birthday Grandaddy! On Feb 11, 2012, we helped Grandaddy celebrate his 68th birthday! 68 years young! Happy Birthday!

Week 5/52

I may be the only person that grasps just how precious this moment was because I was the one that was with her, but this is the look of "mommy, I am really trying to turn my eyes to the camera so you can take my picture (she has turned her head but her eyes are the last to follow as she just can't quite pull them away) but I am really afraid I will miss something cute that these bunnies do. Isn't me smiling enough? I can't take my eyes off of them" (even though SHE asked me to take her picture :)). I love taking her to PetWorld and watching her eyes light up! She is an animal lover like her mom and dad :).

Week 4/52

Caroline had her tonsils out on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. She was such a trooper!!!!

Week 3/52

Tuesday we helped Ben celebrate 33 years of life! Caroline and I took him to Wintzell's for a special birthday dinner. He had a triple chocolate cake waiting for him at home for dessert. I am so, so very thankful that I was able to celebrate this birthday with him. I love you, Ben!

Week 2/52

Roll Tide...For 3 years in a row, the state of Alabama has been the source of the college football National Champions! Alabama, Auburn, and now Alabama again!