ten months

Carter is the big 1-0 months!

Adventures in the 10th month:

-Spent much needed time in Mississippi.

-We survived the heat.

-You began eating everything that I do.

- You gave us your first belly laugh. Your great daddy was the first to get it and it was the most wonderful noise!

My most precious boy,

I can't believe we are in double digits. They have brought new meaning to our life. 

Your personality is shining. You love people. You are so happy when we are out and about. You grin at everyone and still will go to anyone that wants to hold you. If you do cry as I walk away, its because you are overwhelmed, which means you are probably tired. You are my loud talking baby boy. We say all kinds of things..Da Da, Ma Ma, La La, Na Na, Ba Ba. But mostly Da Da. 

You eat everything. Cheese toast, graham crackers, most vegetables, most fruit (blueberries especially), turkey burgers, chicken...you name it. Most meats I pinch off, but other than that, you are a champ at chewing. I never even flinch at what you can eat. You love yogurt! I would say its the last thing Ill ever feed you with a spoon though. You'd rather feed yourself. And you normally always take a poop break during your meal. Always a show. We nurse 3-4 times a day and you can go a very long time in between now, thanks to food!

You pull up on everything. We still have the one knee- one foot scoot going on. You've stood by yourself a few times, but you didn't know it. You climb up my legs to stand up most of all. Ill be fine if you wait until after a year to walk, but I don't think that will happen. You are a mover. From the time you wake up to the time you nap or sleep, you go 100 miles an hour. I play by yourself great. I try not to disturb you when you do that. I think its healthy for children to learn to play alone. Builds that imagination. 

You love bath time, though now you just stand at the side and throw toys out. Apparently the noise I make is hilarious when you do that and worth testing. You are a dream in your stroller. You are so curious about this big ole world and you just take it in. I love watching you learn. Our favorite thing is bouncy balls. You squeal when you play with them. You chase them all over the house. Thats what got your first belly laugh too. 

Lets not talk about the sleep because its actually going well. Ill leave it at that.

Carter, you are so special. I know that I'm your mom, but you amaze me. You are so smart and have such  sweet and social spirit. I have a feeling you have an extrovert side to you. I look at you and wonder what I did before you. Its a love I can't explain. I love the family that you have made us. You give us so much joy. I feel the bond we have and Im so proud of it. Even those whiny tugs at my legs pull on my heartstrings. We are in for some fun times as you grow. This age is so demanding, but its so joy filled and fun. You understand things. You have begun to know what no means and stop when I tell you to stop. You give me that little mischievous smile and I just try to keep a straight face while my heart flutters. I love your outstretched arms as I scoop you up. I love your huge smile you give me for no reason at all. I love how much you love me. Its a confidence builder for sure. I would say stop growing, but there has been so much joy that comes with each new week. I think you are pretty wonderful. Ive never known exhaustion or love like this. They kinda go together and the love cancels out the exhaustion. You make me love your daddy even more than I thought I could. He loves you so much. You light up every time you see him. I can't wait to see what kind of little boy you will be! Remember how much we love you. I don't think we will ever let you forget.

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

New Name and Look of "Anchored by Faith"

Welcome to my new blog! 

With this season of life ever changing, I really felt like a facelift for the blog was in order. I wanted something that showed my roots but could ride along with me with all the changes coming our way. Nick's cousin, Martha Kate, just redid her blog and I LOVED it! Please go take a look (Seasons with the Strattons) I got the name of her blog designer and emailed Rachel from Oh, Simple Thoughts that very second! What a joy to work with!! I gave her just a few details of what I was picturing and she quickly designed it! 

 As I was making a list of new names, The Hey Ya'll Diaries really stuck out to me. I got a little feedback from friends and family and they all agreed on this one. I feel motivated to blog again! It's always confusing when bloggers switch names and addresses, but hopefully I can make a smooth transition with this one. I just love that I still have all my posts from before. This is my scrapbook and I would have hated to lose all those memories!

So take a look around! I can't wait to get going with this design. It feels like a just got a brand new car!

Go over to the sidebar and grab my button!

Victoria

What's Going On- April 2014

This week has been hot. Its a different kind of hot though. My body isn't handling it well, at all. I'm thinking the pregnancy has a lot to do with it but my goodness. I thought if you lived in San Diego, you didn't need an air conditioner? WRONG! Very wrong. Our unit doesn't have one because we live one block from the beach. I am getting more ready everyday to move into military housing…but until then, Thank you, Lord, for a roof over my head! Please send a cool breeze or 1,0000.

This is gonna be a "what pictures are on my Mac and my phone" type post. The fun kind you just can't wait to read, right? 

Anyways, let's see whats been going on besides bump dates!

I should have gotten a better picture of just the Mommy and Daddy, but we had a surprise diaper shower for our friends Donnie and Jenny! Chloe will be here in the middle of May and we can't wait to spoil her!

My sweet husband battling till the end of the Dirty Diaper game! I'll spare you the pictures of the guys eating the chocolate out of the diapers. Ladies, if you have a couple's baby shower, make the men play this. Its the absolute funniest thing ever! They get into it and aren't scared to shout out hilarious answers.

Rosie has been just as cute as ever. She's still my favorite girl! She is thrilled that Carter is a boy ;)

I know I shouldn't be buying too many clothes for C, but when I think of little boys.. I think blue and white Osh Kosh overalls. Had to have them!

We celebrated our last "just us' Easter! We spent the morning at a Sunrise Service on the beach and then our normal service at church. My friend and I got a menu together a couple weeks ago for a Easter "team lunch" so we headed over there for a late lunch. Of course we had extra guys there which is always ok with us! We ate some yummy food and headed home for most likely a nap. Hey, Im pregnant. Mostly lazy, but pregnant is my excuse for now.

I haven't figured out my pregnant picture stance. I mostly feel awkward unless Im in my Baby Bumpdate Stance. Hopefully Ill figure it out before any baby showers!

Look at that belly! It looks so big from the top! And Rosie was cuddling with Carter. I bet she heard him…he was movin' and groovin' here!

That's been my life the past month! Ill be doing my 6 month bump date next week! This belly has popped in the last week! And we might finally go register this weekend! 

Here is a look at Easter last year. I got way more into the decorations for sure! And Rosie was just a babe! I miss that round puppy face! Gotta stop looking so I don't go buy another Cocker Spaniel this week!

Victoria

january things

Wait… wasn't my last post a recap? Oh well. I finally pulled my computer out from under the couch and decided I would write. This has by far been the slowest month of my life. Not bad slow, just a little boring slow. Nick is in training so I have lots of one on one time with Rosie and Netflix. The weather has been wonderful so I can finally say that I am really enjoying San Diego. I'll be honest. The first two months were hard. Really hard. But we found a church that has so much going on and the weather has been perfect. No more complaints here.

Highlights of January in no particular order:

- I found my new favorite thing to do ever. And it burns calories. Double plus. I have started SWIMMING a few days a week at the pool on base. They have lap hours throughout the day and I try to spend 40- 50 minutes in the water. Its outdoor and heated. Amazing. I love the feeling after I swim. My whole body is exhausted and all I want is pizza (Is that just me?..Or did everyone get pizza after a day of swimming when they were kids??)

-Blogger date! We went to a salon called Blo for a wash and blow out style. We had chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, and head massages. Perfect Sunday afternoon!

Left to right, Front to back

Katherine, Katie, Emily

Erin, Kara, Jessica, Elizabth, Me, Nicole, and Jordan

-My mom and brother came to visit! We did the SD Zoo and had lunch and dinner out at some good places. It was great for them to be here and I can't wait for them to come back in a few months. We don't have set in stone plans to go back to MS yet but we are hoping for June!

-Ok, embarrassing… I watched the Friday Night Light series on Netflix in about 7 days. Nick had just started training. I wasn't on much of a schedule. It is absolutely my favorite show that I have watched so far. Why can't Tim Riggins and Lyla Garrity's story just go on forever. Seriously loved it. And I might just restart it.

- Ladies Ministry at church held a "campfire on the beach night"! Complete with S'mores and worship music. It was like something you see in the movies. Fire pit on the beach. The Del in full view. Waves as the background music. Perfection.

- Ladies Bible Study at church started! We are reading and working through "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearn. Yep this book is going to flip my world upside down. And I have only read the first 3 chapters. If you need a good read that will transform the way you think, check this book out. He was the CEO of Lennox, yep your wedding dinner ware in your cute china cabinet, turned President of World Vision. Such a testimony of surrendering full control to Christ. I can't wait to dig in more.

- Rosie has been extra needy since Nick left. And she is super bored. We take walks most everyday and she loves it.

So I said it was a slow month but I just proved myself wrong. I think the first week that Nick started training seemed boring, but the rest of it has been a whirlwind. I hope to be on here more in the next few months. But until then, have a wonderful end of your January!

Victoria