Carter - 2 years old

My firstborn is two whole years.

As I write this a couple of days before your actual birthday, I remember exactly how I felt on the days leading to your birth day. I was uncomfortable, waddling around, in between wishing you would arrive NOW and wanting you to stay in there until I was a little more ready. 

4:30 pm on August 22 happened and we packed the car to head to Balboa Naval Medical Center to meet you---not without a burger on the way! Is that why you love "fwys" so much?

That person on August 22nd seems like such stranger to me now. I wasn't "this me" until I met you. You opened our world to selflessness, joy, laughter, tears, and loving a little soul more than we could ever understand. You made me love your daddy deeper and fuller than I could the years before your birth.

August 23rd, early in the morning was the first time I heard you cry. A part of my heart escaped my body and now I watch it run and play everyday. You are a part of me and I finally understand How Deep the Father's Love for me is. But just like you will never grasp how much I love you, I know I can never grasp the depth of God's love is for me. Its unmeasurable and infinite. Remember that.

My favorite things about you are:

You call people by name. "Thank you, Mama. Thank you Dada." Sometimes you get really ahead of yourself and call us opposite (depending on what track your little mind was on and who is in your line of vision) but ALWAYS correct yourself. "Hi Friends" at the gym is another popular one. You love to hop. You're favorite thing right now is Choo choos and Mickey Mouse. We rode the train twice this week and you had a ball. "Ride twain?" is now what we hear all the time. Your favorite books are Brown Bear, 100 First Animals (which you know most and their sounds), and any pop up book.

You are a little ball of energy. There is no sitting still. Even when you are super tired and snuggle with me, that little leg is kicking through the air. You still love me to "shhh" as a rock you back and forth before nap time or bedtime. By the way, you nap like a champ. 12-4pm most days! You sleep through the night and Bibby even told me you giggle uncontrollably as you sleep (she loves to sleep with you when she visits!) You love bath time and could play in there forever. You love to call Pop Pop on the toy phone, too! You LOVE your daddy. It's playtime non stop when he is home from work. Daddy's face lights up whenever you are awake. He always has time for you. No matter how long of a day (or night when you can't stay asleep), he always gives you his full attention. You will snuggle with him when Im away and I love walking into watching y'all together. You always ask for our hands and drag us all over the place.

I think you are a genius, but I am your mother. You can count to 12 and you totally get the concept of what you are saying. You can almost sing your full ABCs (you started learning with "QRS" somehow) and know Twinkle Twinkle by heart. We are learning Jesus Loves Me and you always pick up at "Yes, Jesus Loves Me!" and sing the rest of that chorus. This week, you have picked up on so many new words and phrases. You repeat most things I say and Im learning what I sound like for sure! We can give you simple directions and you follow them easily! "Go throw this away" or "Go find so and so" and you really do it! You are going to be such a big help in a few months.

One funny thing is that we are learning that you call most men "Nick". At the restaurant last night, every time our waiter brought you something (chips and salsa mostly), you would say "Thank you, Nick". Also, one morning I asked you if you wanted a piece of toast. Now overtime you want pizza, you say "pizza toast?". I don't know how you got there, but its really funny.

Your not so favorite things are:

The walk down the hall to nap time. Doctor visits. Being in your carseat after I put the car into park (and now you say "Alright!" Every time I park, like its time to get out of the car). Lots of different food.  You are a bird, dinner time is not the easiest right now but we are all working through it. Im sad to say you are beginning to not like any smocked outfits. You'll grow out of this phase right???

Carter, you are a happy little boy. You have a joy that shines through you and you brighten every single day. I'm so glad God saw us fit to take care of you and enjoy you while at our temporary home. I pray for your salvation early in life and that you always follow Jesus with a joyful and humble heart. You teach us so much every single day. You are our daily reminder to cling to Jesus. I love everything about you and the journey you have taken us on so far. I can't wait to bring New Baby home to you. I pray the first days are sweet and that we soak them up as a family of 4. I also am excited to enjoy these last 12 weeks with just you. You are my favorite little Carter in the world. You are special and I will always choose you over and over again.

Fingers go straight to face when I pull out my camera!

Not so happy with the flash

eight months

Carter is 8 months old!

Adventures in the eighth month:

-Bibby came for a visit!

-We celebrated your first Easter!

- Learned to crawl!

Carter,

My sweet boy is on the move. You went from swaying on your hands and knees to crawling all over the place in about 2 days time. I didn't realize you would change so much so fast. Sometimes you seem to stay at one step forever...other times you seem to skip 3 steps. You follow me all over the house. You are fast, too. I think what I want to remember most about your crawling is your one leg and one knee combination. You must think that using your right foot to crawl will get your there faster. Rosie isn't thrilled at this new skill. She does bring you her toys to see if you will chase her though. Your hands are still a bit too rough for her taste, though. You think she is the funniest and she got your first belly laugh. 

I just realized you don't cuddle as much these days. You always cuddle before naps and bedtime but other than that you want to play and move. Even sometimes before naps you arch your back and want me to put you in the crib. I do and you go right to sleep. Little stinker.  I'll be honest...sometimes I miss the days when I got tired all I would have to do is nuzzle you up to my side and we would fall asleep. You have been a champ at sleeping in your crib, but thats the only place you want to sleep now! The other night, you didn't have the best sleep time in your crib or while I was holding you. I finally got you to sleep beside me in bed and sleep from 430-630. It was wonderful to have you beside me again! You go to sleep anywhere between 7-8 pm and sleep until 4 am when you are ready to nurse. Most of the time you sleep until 615 after that. The past couple of mornings its been 5 am though. I think Im about to see your top teeth come through and that will explain the waking up at night part. 

We are on the go all of the time. I love the days we stay at home, but you are such a social butterfly that sometimes you seem to be happier out and about with people. You smile and cough at everyone to get their attention. You rarely cry in public. You have started to realize when I take things away from you, like keys... You get a little irritated at me then. You grunt when you aren't getting your way completely but mama knows best, Im sorry! I normally say, "Carter, you are going to be ok" in the calmest voice possible and you look at me like, "Hmm...thats not the reaction I wanted so I guess I'll calm down". You reach for me when I put my hands out to pick you up. You get so excited.

You still love that paci. Praise the Lord for that magical thing. I buy a new pack all the time. We can't have too many. When I am carrying you up the stairs, Ill stick to paci in my mouth to carry it, and you think that is just hilarious. You try to grab it from me to put it back in your mouth. Today at lunch we figured out a new game where you try to put the paci in my mouth. I get a pretty good laugh out of you then. 

We finally have a very normal nursing schedule. Its just about every four hours. I didn't realize how much we nursed the past 8 months until it evened out recently. Wooh, I don't know how we did it! Now that you eat food, you go longer which means nursing sessions go way better. You get the job done, no playing around. You know when you are done and sit straight up ready to play. Im getting a little sad that our year of nursing is coming up fast. I will miss it so much once we wean in 4 or 5 months....Im being a softy about it so we will see how it goes! I know once we stop that I will be sending you with daddy a lot and y'all will be best friends. Im so excited for that but I also want you to stay my nursing baby forever!

Our days consist of playing, napping, eating, Stroller Strides, MOPs, and bible study. We stay busy and you are easy to take everywhere. You will go with anyone so I pass you around once we reach our destination. You have the absolute best personality. I couldn't have made up a little boy like you. You are my biggest dream and my favorite miracle! I know you will do some big things. I love you so much, Carter! I hope you know that without me even having to say it. But don't worry, I still will :)

Poor bud has a nasty rash around his mouth we are dealing with today. I've been using a coconut oil mixture with Doterra's Lavender, Melaleuca, and Frankincense. I expect it almost gone by this weekend!

Click for 7 months

six months

Our six month old!

Adventures in the sixth month:

- Mimi and Grandaddy came to visit you! It was Grandaddy's first time in California so you had to show him the ropes.

- We celebrated Valentines day in Newport Beach/ Laguna Beach.

- We kept busy with MOPS, bible study, and Stroller Strides. You are so good in the nursery at church! Thank you, Lord!

-You tried out avocados and sweet potatoes. I can tell you will be a foodie like your mama.

- We had a half birthday party, because why not??

Here we are, Carter! Half a year ago I was holding you for the first time, counting your fingers and your toes, seeing the miracle before us. You are so much more than I ever could dream of. I honestly don't remember what I thought you might be like. I don't think anyone can describe the bond between a mama and her baby boy. God made that relationship special. 

Our routine is nothing special. You wake up, eat, play, and sleep. After 2 hours of awake time, I put you down even if you aren't whining. I know if you start rubbing those eyes, we might not get the best nap. We try for 3 naps a day if we are home all day long. My most important nap that I want you to take is between 4-6, that way you will be awake to play with daddy when he gets home. If we are out, you nap when you want to in the carseat and Ergo. You have been doing so good in the car! If I keep you topped off, you are just fine sitting in there playing with you feet or whatever toy I could find. 

At 5 and a half months, I really felt like you were ready for a small amount of food for practice. You lean forward whenever food is around. You sit up all on your own. And you still weren't sleeping through the night. Now we get 5-6 hours of sleep verses 3-4. Those messes you make are precious. Daddy finally gets to be involved in feeding time and y'all have so much fun with it. 

You are sitting up all by yourself, rolling everywhere, and planking nonstop. I see you trying to pull those knees under you so Im thinking crawling is just around the corner. You don't have to though! I promise I won't make you :) Rosie is your ultimate goal in crawling. Im going to have to keep a close eye on you soon so Rosie won't be terrorized all hours of the day. You already try to pull up to stand when Daddy holds your hands while you are seated.

Your eyes are big and blue! The 3 things people talk about are your eyes, your lashes, and how all you do is smile. I think Im the only one who sees you cry...and thats normally when we are along at home and I walk away from you. How rude of me!

You love your paci and use it to sleep and in the car seat mostly. I can hand it to you and you figure out how to stick it in your mouth now. You love to be rocked. You are in 6 and 6-9 months clothing. Now that we have started food, I think you might chunk up a bit more. Im still waiting on a tooth, but you drool like crazy. And you love your frozen teething rings. I got a mat for the bathtub and you sit up all by yourself and play play play.

Carter, you are a special boy. Not because anything you do (even though they are wonderful and I so enjoy watching them) , but because God made you! I pray you love God for the same reason, who He is, not what he does for you. He has already blessed you more than I could ever imagine. I try to look at you and see what will be sent out into the world in 18 years. This is the biggest, most joyful job that we have ever taken on. You have a giant spirit. I love playing with you but I absolutely melt when you settle down to cuddle. Those squishy cheeks. And legs. And wrists..yes you have squishy wrists!

We also had a half birthday since we never know about this military schedule! Here are some pictures from it.

You are just my favorite little boy. I can't wait to see you grow this month. I know your little personality will be even more fun than it already is. 

Love you, C Man!

Click HERE for 5 month update

three months old

Our squish is 3 months!

Adventures in the 3rd month:

- You were The Very Hungry Caterpillar. You were so. dang. cute.

- Moved into military housing. You have so much room to start crawling and walking in the next year! 

-Your Bibby came for a second visit.

- You drove across the country for your first visit to Mississippi! Everyone gets to meet you soon!

Carter man,

Our smiling baby boy! Your personality has bloomed this last month. You always have smiles for me. Even while nursing. Sometimes you get too distracted and want to talk instead of eat. I do love our conversations. You seem to be telling me some BIG news whenever you get to cooing. I can just see you in a couple of years using your imagination and telling me all about it with those arms flying through the air. 

So sleep. I mean you do. But almost every night we are up at 1 or 2, 4, and then for the day at 6:30. You are hungry every time you wake up and cry.  You always nurse back to sleep though. I love the feeling when you put all of your weight into my arm bc you finally fell asleep. Its my cue to put you back to bed, but sometimes I wait 5 more minutes and enjoy that time. If you cry again 30 minutes after we nurse, I will stick the paci back in your mouth. That normally helps. I like/dislike the paci. It works. BUT....it wakes you up when it falls out of your mouth at night. 

Still not loving tummy time, but not many babies do. I think you will start liking it more now that you are holding your head up a little better. I think you haven't figured out that you actually are holding it up more on the floor. You get frustrated and that hand goes straight to the mouth. You are a pro at sitting on my hip now. 

You love lights. And now mirrors. Tonight I held you in front of one and you thought your reflections was some pretty funny stuff. You are starting to think Rosie is funny too. Whenever you nurse, she wants to be by my side. You pinch her with your feet and she doesn't even budge. You think your Daddy is pretty funny. Ya'll can sit on that couch like pros. I love that little bond that is forming.

You are fitting in 3 months clothes. Not many 0-3 anymore. And you are ready for size 2 disposables. Your cloth diapers fit way better and don't look so bulky in clothes now that we are past NB and 0-3. Those thighs are chunky and wonderful. You have the sweetest double chin. And those cheeks. Oh those cheeks. 

You cry when you are hungry and are whiny when you need a nap. Other than that its mostly smiles and drool! You are a pretty easy baby. We love when you hold onto our finger to fall asleep. You take a deep breath if we blow in your face, its the funniest thing ever. You always smile when we say "Hey Carter!". We still are having great morning talks. Thats my favorite part of the day. We go on runs with Rosie and you normally stay awake to take in the outdoors. Me and you both like the Errgo carrier. You have started to stay awake in it more now and just take in everything you see. You still need your swaddle for a good sleep or nap. In a couple of months, Ill be transitioning you, but for now, swaddle works. You still have that new born reflex that wakes you up.

We love you so much, little boy. You brighten our life in the best way. I can't wait to see all the new things you do and learn this next month. It'll be my favorite, Im sure!

Click for:

2 month update

two months

Carter man is two months old!

Adventures in the 2nd month:

- We took our first zoo trip! Mommy has a year membership so we have decided to put it to good use. You slept most of the time but woke up to see the polar bears.

- Gave us your first real smile. I happened to have my video camera out too! What a smart little guy!

- Started cooing. My heart was mush.

- Went to your 2 month check up. Shots went as well as they could. I prepared to nurse RIGHT after and it did the trick.

- Kissed our daddy goodbye at the airport for the first time. You didn't know, thank goodness. But Mommy did and it was no fun.

-Slept through your first drive in movie.

Weight: Almost 12 lbs

Height: 22 1/2 inches

Little Boy,

What was it like before you? It's already hard to remember. You've opened a new part of Mommy's heart and turned your Daddy into an ooey gooey (Manly!) mess. Even Rosie has fallen under your charm, little man. She stays close to the two of us. You're little coos and goos make us smile every time. I never get tired of it.

You sleep in your own crib for 6- 8 hours (lately)! Maybe I shouldn't say that out loud. Its been wonderful and makes for a happy baby the next morning. We stay in bed oohing and going for a good while. I take too many pictures and send them to too many people. You have been fine when I set you down on your play mat or swing. That's been a big difference since last month!

Those big round eyes are turning to the best color blue! You have started really looking at me and doing it very frequently.. When you do, you normally always smile that sweet smile. It's almost like you get so happy that you have to look away again or your little heart might burst. I feel the sam way ;). I always ask for your sugars and for now I get them whenever I want! I love seeing emotions in your little eyes. I thought I would have a serious baby forever!

Some mornings I wake up and see that I have a completely different baby than the day before. You are growing right in front of my eyes and you change day to day. You love smiling at the crosses on the wall. And if I start your baby mobile and let you stare at it, I can put you in your crib for a few minutes so I can sneak a chore or two in. You watch every move I make. And you know more than I think you do. I love this little relationship that is budding between the two of us. It gets deeper everyday and I really will never get enough of it. I realize that every new stage will be my favorite.

You and your daddy are a pair. You will sit with him in a way that you won't sit with me normally. Just laid back on the couch with not a care in the world. I love it. I'll be honest, some days when he comes home, I almost toss you to him. But its only because I need a tiny little break for my back. I secretly want you right back after I hand you over! You talk to daddy so much! Even on Skype, you carry on the cutest conversation. I know you know your daddy. You get a very peaceful look when you are with him. He just thinks you are the greatest. I can't wait to see the relationship you two will build.

You survived your two month shots and were back to normal Carter a day later. It hurt your feelings so bad that something hurt that much. We nursed right after that stinky ole shot and you instantly calmed down. You ran a very small fever and slept pretty much the rest of the day and night.

You still love to be swaddled tight and to be carried around in the Moby or baby carrier. I can always get you to calm down when I do one of those three things. I love watching those tired eyes get heavy when you get sleepy. You normally yawn every time I put the swaddle on you. You are such a smart boy!

So pretty much, Carter, we are smitten. This is exactly what we prayed for, even more to be honest! We think you are a cute little guy and love every moment we have with you! Thank you for being exactly YOU! I pray that you know God made you YOU for a very special purpose. You are HIS and we just are happy to be a part of HIS. I can't wait to see all the new things you learn this next month. I just know it will be my new favorite month ;).

And now, too many pictures.

Click for:
((1 month update))