Fall Fun

Tonight, as we were playing out in the backyard, Travis brought up something that almost reduced me to a pile of soggy, joyful tears.  We were playing and laughing and "ROAR"ing each other when he said, "Carter, you are the joy we needed!"  How true that is.  Before the gift of Carter, we were a couple-not a family.  We knew we were missing something huge.  This little boy has brought so much love and joy into our home.  God is so good!!!

Carter loves his sandbox and asks after dinner each night to go outside to play in it.  He also talks about fast cars and dinosaurs nonstop.  We watch the movie Cars at least once a day and Carter can tell you the names of the T-Rex, Stegasaurus, Triceratops, and Brachiosaurus.  ALL BOY!

After each and every question that is asked, he will point to his cheek and say, "Ummmm....Uhhhhh..." and then answer.  I think it is adorable!

This boy LOVES airplanes.  We need to take him to an airport to watch the planes come and go.  It would keep him busy for days!  The guys were acting like airplanes in the yard.

Before we went inside for the evening, Carter and mommy spun in circles until we were dizzy.  It is a guaranteed way to get a belly laugh out of him:)

I love you so much, my little dinosaur!

Long Overdue Update

I am smitten with this little man! From the very beginning, I have repeated over and over, "This is my favorite age!" 2 1/2 is no different.
Carter and I had a wonderful summer. I am so blessed to have those weeks to share morning snuggles, non-rushed breakfast, and more naps than I care to admit. We spent a lot of time at the lake, hanging out with friends, and going on mini adventures.
Because I write this blog mainly to help remind me of all the cute things Carter does (an online baby book sort of) I want to jot down a few Carterisms I don't want to forget:
He'll say, "Hey mom. Guess what? I love you!"
His bedtime prayer goes like this: " Dear Jesus, thank you for friends, mommydaddycarter, blanket, fan..." and basically everything else he sees.
He loves to act like a t-rex.
He likes me to sing "You are my Sunshine" and asks me why the sunshine goes away.
He sometimes calls our pastor Jesus.
Carter is quick to point out the moon and stars and will tell you that God made them.
My favorite thing about Carter is that he loves everyone. He will chat and share hugs with anyone who asks.

I am soooooo lucky to be this boy's mom!

A really ridiculous amount of photos

It's been awhile...
Carter has turned two and had a Thomas the Train party.
We went on vacation to Pensacola Beach, stopping at the Indy Children's Museum on the way.
We celebrated Easter with Carter telling us that Jesus died on the cross so we could go to Heaven.
Above all, we have been going to the library, playing outside, and visiting with friends.
It is a wonderful time to be Carter!!!

Saturday Mornings

Ever since I can remember, Saturday mornings at my parents' house meant PANCAKES!  Thus Pancake Day has lived on at our home.  I love that Carter is old enough to help.  He sure enjoys eating them, too!

Hanging Out at Home

We are never home. No, really.  I mean NEVER home.  Try to call our landline.  You won't get us...ever. If I am not at work, I am always running errands, going to work at church, going to visit our friends, hanging out with Papa, etc....   This weekend Carter and I spent an entire day at home.  That is big for us.  We had so much fun!  Carter found toys he had forgotten about.  It was like Christmas all over again.  It made me realize that we need more days like that.

The weather was chilly, but sunny, and great for playing on our deck.  

  This is what he does when we ask him to show us his "face."

Later that night, we were sitting in the living room. After a few moments of silence from his bedroom, I went looking for Carter.  Here's what I found:

He said he was "rea a booookkk."

20 Months

I guess we skipped a few, huh?!  Life with a toddler is busy to say the least!  I am a bit sad that I didn't document all the little things, but I guess I can revel in the fact that I was so busy enjoying them that I didn't have time to write about them. 

Carter is the love of our lives!!!  I remember pre-mom stage hearing people talk about not being able to imagine life without their little one(s).  Yeah, yeah.  To be totally honest, I remember a blog somewhere on here about remembering more sleep, etc.  What I am trying to say is that I CAN'T imagine not having him to make my days so bright.  I am so in love with him and so greatful that God (and Rachael) chose me to be his mommy! 

Okay, let's think back to the last posting....I guess I have 4 months of catching up to do.  The best way to do this is to ramble.  Enjoy!!!

Carter runs everywhere.  We only walk when there is something cool to look at.  I am literally chasing him wherever we go.  He no longer walks with his hands up-now he bends them at the elbow and sticks them out in Chris Farley fashion.

He eats us out of house and home. I can't imagine the grocery bill when he grows up to be on the football team.  His favorites are fruit, McDonald's cheeseburgers, sweets of any kind, and milk.  Healthy, right?

Lately he has started watching "Thomas the train" but rarely is interested in T.V.  I won't complain, although sometimes it might be nice to have him occupied while I am cooking dinner.   He likes to "help."  We all know what that means....

Bathtime is still his favorite.  He soaks the entire floor and walls.

Carter is in LOVE with his Red Rider tricycle bike, Daddy, the dog, his tree swing, swimming, and Papa K.

He repeats everything!  My favorite things he says are "tur-tle," "bellybutton," (as fast as possible), "apple," and "love you."  He first few sentences were "I want Daddy," and "I'm reading a book." 

We are officially in a big boy bed now.  The other day he thought he was spiderman and crawled up and out.  So far, so good.  He hasn't figured out that he can come off the bed.  I think it's hilarious!

We are not sure how we will live during the winter, because this kid wants to be outside ALL THE TIME and mommy boycotts cold temperatures. 

I have to admit that I adore our daycare.  For those who didn't hear, we had a few little biting incidences (put together with the fact that they are pretty full and had to promote a few kids to the next room early) so Carter is now in the 2 year old room. They are so great at teaching him new songs and doing crafts with him.  He hears about Jesus and prays before meals.  He even gets to attend Chapel once a week.  He loves to fold his hands, listen to the prayers, then scream, "A-men!"  It secretly melts my heart everytime.  I am working on teaching him to say, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"  for the Christmas program since he is being demoted from baby Jesus. 

It was today in the grocery store that I realized that I needed to keep this up-to-date.  We were shopping and he waved and smiled and said hello to everyone we passed.  He brought so many smiles to stranger's faces.  One elderly woman even stopped to talk to us and held his hand.  He and I chatted and sang the whole way through the grocery.  He helped me pick out things and reminded me that I needed bananas (nanas). I am so proud that he such an outgoing, caring boy. 

Sometimes I think that I want him to stop growing so fast and I miss my baby, but then I remember all the adventures that are in store for us as he grows up.  We have been given a true gift and we are enjoying every minute of it.