THE TURNER FAMILY

Hannah’s 3rd Birthday

2010-03-08T13:12:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was Hannah’s 3rd Birthday, but we celebrated all weekend long. We started out by taking chocolate donuts from Krispy Kreme to her preschool class on Friday morning.

Hannah enjoying her birthday snack at school

“Going on a Bear Hunt”

Hannah and Mrs. Karen

Hannah and Mrs. Whitney

Nana and Pops came up on Friday afternoon to help with the girls and celebrate too. Saturday was Hannah’s day. She chose to go to Chick-fil-A for lunch and then to Build a Bear at the mall. We ordered pizza from Mellow Mushroom for dinner and had a princess cake and ice cream for dessert. She loved her new “big girl” flower car seat from Nana and Pops and the princess tricycle from Mommy, Daddy, and Caroline!

A New Normal

2010-03-05T06:43:00.001-08:00

Caroline and Hannah (1 month)

Slowly but surely life has achieved a new normal around our house. The adjustment from having 1 to 2 children is definitely a big one and one that I had trouble with at first. However, after convincing myself that life would indeed go on we have conquered those fears and life is getting into a new routine. Hannah loves her little sister and loves to help, especially with baths. We have been so fortunate that she has adjusted so well and really can’t complain at all. Caroline has finally figured out her days and nights and usually sleeps very well, getting up only once in the middle of the night to eat. Sam is back at work full force and had a difficult rotation to jump back into. He works very long days this month but is still always excited to see all 3 of his girls whenever he does get home. We are gearing up for Hannah’s 3rd birthday this weekend. She is oh so excited and it’s hard for me to believe that it has been 3 years since this precious child came into our lives!

Caroline comes home and meets her big sister, Hannah!

2010-02-02T19:15:00.000-08:00

We brought Caroline home on Sunday, January 31st around lunch time to meet her big sister Hannah for the first time. Hannah wasn't able to visit the hospital due to visitor restrictions because of the swine flu. She had a great time spending the weekend with Nana and Pops and was so excited to meet her new little sister. We had to take a picture of the hospital in the snow. Afterall, how many NC babies are born in a snow storm?

It started snowing right after Caroline was born.

Hannah see's Caroline for the first time.

Hannah proudly holds her new sister.

Daddy, Mommy, and Caroline are finally home.

Pops, Nana, and Caroline

Our sweet girl!

Baby Caroline is here!

2010-02-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

Caroline Stewart Turner joined our family on Friday, January 29th at 4:31 pm. She was 7lbs.13.5oz and 20 inches long. She is already such a sweet addition to our family!

7lbs.13.5oz, 20 inches long

Caroline and her proud Daddy!

Caroline and Mommy!

Nana was there too!

Pops and Caroline!

One Week To Go......

2010-01-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that one week from today, Baby Caroline Stewart Turner will be joining our family (if not before)! We are all so excited for her arrival and have been busy getting ready to bring her home. I think Hannah may be more excited that her Nana and Pops will be coming to keep her for a few days, but I'm happy that she feels she is getting to do something special. She's already made her list of everything they are going to do while they're here. Let's see.... I think they'll be going to the playground, mall, Krispy Kreme, the ice cream store, and oh Costco too! I'm sure we'll have a lot of adjusting to do when the new baby comes to live with us but I know Hannah will be a great big sister. Fortunately, daddy will be home with the three of us for a whole week! We also look forward to having Nana and Aunt Creight spend some time with us as well.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2009-12-31T10:46:00.000-08:00

I know it's a little late but, as Hannah likes to sing...."Happy Birthday Jesus"! It was such a blessing to be able to spend an entrire Christmas day as a family! Sam ususally ends up working at some point on Christmas day but he was able to be off the entire day this year and we loved having him at home! He did have to leave us Christmas night be on call all weekend though. Hannah enjoyed seeing her Nana and Pops, Uncle William, Great grandparents, as well as my aunt, uncle, and cousins. Her sweet uncle William went on a search for water guns, the only thing she wanted for Christmas, and she loved all four of them!!!! Santa brought her a dollhouse and some things to take care of her babies while Mommy will soon be taking care of baby Caroline. Her excitement and joy were contagious to all around her and she was so precious when she first saw her toys. She would open and play with each gift before rushing over to another and really seemed to enjoy herself this year. It was such a blessing to spend the most meaninful Holiday to our family with family and friends! We hope that you all had a very Merry Christams and a Happy New Year!

Hannah made sure Santa had a snack and a note!

Hannah and her daddy opening her waterguns.

Hannah was so excited about her new dollhouse!

Hannah and Nana playing with her Tinkerbell Tea Set.

A White Christmas......

2009-12-31T10:20:00.000-08:00

This was probably the closest we will ever come to a white Christmas in NC. The weekend before Christmas we were surprised with 6 inches of snow that fell over Friday afternoon and evening. Though Sam had to work all night Friday night, he made it home for a few minutes to enjoy dinner and then was able to sleep while on call so he could come home and play in the snow on Sat. with Hannah. Hannah loved the snow this year and was much more excited to put on all of her gear and get out and play, this was a big change from last year when we went to Montana! She couldn't wait to get outside and was eager to go sledding down the big hill with her daddy like the neighbors kids and build what she liked to call a snow queen.

Hannah’s visit with Santa at school

2009-12-20T20:41:00.001-08:00

Hannah enjoyed her visit with Santa at preschool.

Hannah seemed to enjoy her visit with Santa at preschool much more since Mommy was not around. Her teachers said she was just filled with utter joy to see him, which you can see all over her face. They also found it hilarious that she told him all she wanted for Christmas was a water gun to play with in the bathtub like the one my grandmother gave her to play with. She was also just as joyful tonight when she came downstairs after helping her Daddy wrap presents and proudly announced, "Mommy, we made you a TV.” Guess she gave that one away! I don’t think she’ll get to help wrap anymore presents.

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Holiday Traditions

2009-12-13T18:04:00.000-08:00

As Christmas quickly approaches, we have continued several of our family traditions this season. Christmas is always a special and exciting time for us as we celebrate the birth of Christ with family and friends. However, it has been especially entertaining this year to see Hannah as she now understands what is going on around her and begins to participate in our traditions.....putting up the tree, visiting Santa, wrapping gifts, and playing with the "unbreakable" baby Jesus. Oh and we can't forget singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" at least 20 times a day as well as watching "Dora Christmas" and "Rudolf" over and over. Thanks for the movies Mom and Dad! As you will see, she's not much for smiling in her pictures anymore. When we visited my family over Thanksgiving she became good buddies with her Aunt Creighton (my younger sister). She refused to let anyone do anything for her besides Aunt Creighton (and occasionally Nana) and even insisted that she sit with her in Santa's lap. It was quite difficult to put Aunt Creighton on the plane back to Chicago and explain that we wouldn't be seeing her again for quite a while. We do call her often though and I always love hearing her converstaions with Hannah. We're still waiting on that red headband Creight..... :) Aunt Creighton and Uncle Justin let Hannah have some of her Christmas a little early so that they could celebrate with her since they won't be making it to SC at Christmas this year. Hannah loves her new American Girl Bitty Baby and "baby Abby" now goes with us everywhere. Their matching PJ's are a big hit too. Last night we celebrated with some good friends. It was a special time together and Hannah was ecstatic to get a new Snow White dress, slippers, crown, and wand. She just didn't understand why she couldn't wear them to church today. I feel so fortunate that Hannah is loved by so many!

Hannah, Aunt Creighton, and Santa

An Attempt to Blog

2009-12-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

In preparation for our new little one, I thought it might be a good idea to create a family blog. This way family and friends can keep up with us all in one place. Just a few notes about our family these days if you haven't seen us lately.....

Sam is currently in his 1st year of a 3-4 year cardiology fellowship at Wake Forest University
Baptist Medical center. Yes, he is now officially a quadruple deacon spending undergrad, med school, residency, and fellowship at Wake. We have truly been blessed that God has allowed us to stay here throughout all of his training. He is enjoying finally being able to concentrate on the heart, but we are not too fond of the long hours that he is required to work right now.

I (Kristen) have been fortunate to be able to stay at home for the first time this year. While I do miss being in the classroom, I wouldn't trade my time at home with Hannah for anything and look forward to our new arrival.
Sam and I have both been truly blessed to be a part of the opening of our church's 2nd campus, Calvary West. We both serve on the Praise Team and have enjoyed singing again and doing it together.

Hannah will turn 3 in March and has grown up so quickly. She goes to preschool 3 days a week and has such a sweet personality. She never ceases to amaze us at just how quickly she learns new things and is eager to explore everything around her.

We are expecting another baby girl Jan. 29, 2010 and can't wait to meet baby Caroline!

The following are just a few pictures of us recently.....

Hannah loved to cheer for the Deacs!

Our family vacation to Disney World in Oct.