So Peaceful

I love Carter's naptimes. And not only because I get a little time to myself. But I also love the moments right before he falls asleep. For the past few months, he has taken his nap in our bed everyday. I'm fine with that. I think he prefers our room because it's darker and our bed is bigger and more comfortable. So 99% of days, I lay down with him for a few minutes until he falls asleep (it helps speed up the process, otherwise he's jumping around, getting out of bed, laughing, you get the idea). He ends up cuddling right up next to me and today said "Mommy, pat me" which means rub my back. I was happy to oblige and within a minute, he was fast asleep. Oh, my precious boy, you are growing up too fast.

A Preview

of our new life and the beautiful scenery God created...

Big News!

There is a lot going on in our house these days. In addition to finding out we are having a daughter in just 19 short weeks, we officially found out today that we are.....



MOVING!

We are moving to Colorado towards the end of the summer. It is bittersweet for me as I will be leaving the only life/place I've ever known but it is an answered prayer. Other than the health and safety of my family, I haven't prayed this hard for something in a long time. I had been feeling that God was telling me that this move was going to take place and I waited for that promise to be fulfilled. We've been waiting for a while but today, it's official. God is good. I pray this opporunity will open up new doors for Theo. He truly deserves this. God is faithful to his children.

Since this blog is not private, I won't go into details into what Theo will be doing. But feel free to call or e-mail us and I'll share the goods with whoever wants to know. Just know for now, this is definitely a good thing and an answered prayer. I'm excited because I'll only be an hour away from my best friend! Carter is also excited about moving to Colorado but I don't think he understands the family we will be leaving behind. It will definitely be bittersweet. But thank the Lord for e-mail, phones, and airplanes! Expect a lot more blogging from me after our move as this will be the main way I share our daily lives with all our family and friends.

Please keep us in your prayers over the next few weeks. We have to get our house here ready to rent, find a house there, find doctors for me/baby and Carter, and Theo is having corrective eye surgery at some point. I will be 35 weeks pregnant when we move so I'll have to find a doctor and quick! Let's pray she doesn't make an early debut. If she's anything like her daddy, she won't :) It's going to be a fast and furious summer. But I can't imagine having it any other way.

A New Use for Pull-Ups

Enough said.




Toddler gangsta pose.

Carter's firsts

During our trip to Colorado, Carter had his first kite flying experience. Aunt Meredith bought the boys new kites and let them have at it. She was the only one able to actually get the kite up in the air.











He also got to see snow for the first time. I was a little sad that Theo wasn't there to share this experience with him but I'm sure we'll be seeing more snow in the future!







Carter is rearing back to throw a snowball in this picture. He had such a good time until he got cold!

Belated Easter pictures

I didn't have time to post much after Easter as we were busy getting ready for our big trip. Unfortunately, it was raining so bad and nasty all day on Easter but I finally found the one picture I took of Carter in his adorable little suit.



But we did bake Easter cookies and cupcakes that Saturday after we went to the egg hunt down on the boardwalk.









This picture is post egg-hunt. Was he worn out or what?!?



We had Easter dinner at some friends of a friends house. It was so nice and there was a TON of great food!

Big baby announcement, Colorado and more

Hi all! I know it's been several days since I blogged anything but Carter and I just got back from our fabulous trip to Colorado to visit my very best friend Meredith. We had a great time! Carter got off to a rough start leaving the Longview airport and screamed/wailed/threw tantrums for about 20 minutes straight and then he was fine. We were so excited to see Meredith and her family. Carter played well with her two boys with only the occasional "That's MY toy" from Carter. While we were up there, it snowed like crazy! I couldn't get over it. Once Carter got used to the snow blowing in his face, he ran out into it and even threw a few snowballs.....at me of course! I will post pictures later as soon as I dig my camera out of the bag. We had a great time. Thanks Meredith for everything (especially the Diego snacks of which Carter literally ate 8 packages yesterday!). We love you and will see you soon!!!

In other news, check out my pregnancy blog for exciting news about our baby. We had our ultrasound last week and I'm thrilled to let you guys know the outcome of that!

There is some other exciting news in the works but we aren't sharing it yet until we are a little more certain of things. But stay tuned.....this is a great time for our family right now. God is sooooo goood!

Pictures to come.....

Carter Cuteness Update

Every few weeks or so, I feel compelled to let you know all of the cute things Carter has been doing. Although the past few days he hasn't lived up to the Cute Carter name 100% of the time, I am choosing to focus on his adorable attributes.

What is the first thought that pops into your head when you see these photos?



If you were thinking Harley dude, then that is exactly what I was thinking!

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When he responds with a "yes ma'am", I just always say "That is such a good way to answer mommy!" And so now he says "Yes ma'am, das a good way ansur mommy" It's so funny.

Everywhere we go, he always stops people and says "Dese aw my eggo shoes" aka "These are my Diego shoes".

He knows all of his letters. He can sing "The Wheels on the Bus", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Jesus loves me", "Row row row your boat" and a few other songs.

He tries to count to twenty but sometimes says "twelveteen" and then repeats "thirteen" a few times before he says twenty.

He loves his Lego block and builds airplanes and submarines everyday. He also loves to paint, play with balloons, and loves being outside. We also have our own band somedays equipped with piano, xylophone, maracas, drums, and guitars. We are jammin.

Proud to be a Stay-At-Home Mom

I vacillated for months before leaving work whether I would truly be happy going from a full-time career to being a stay-at-home mom. The first couple of weeks were definitely a hard transition but I attribute that mostly to my never-ending morning sickness. Now, since that has resolved and I feel like a real contributing member of society, things are much better.

It is definitely more work staying at home than working 40 hours a week. Both are a lot of work, but being home is a different kind of stress and work. I have cleaned up more poop (not in diapers) the past month and more kitchen messes than ever before. I have lost my temper more times than I care to mention. I have put Carter in so many time-outs that I'm wondering if it is even an effective method of discipline anymore. I have been responsible for every meal Carter eats 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I am his main source of entertainment during daddy's working hours. I have had less free time since being at home than I did when I was working. I have used more bribery techniques that I ever thought I would have. As frustrating as some days are, the good definiely outweighs the bad.

For every pile of poop I have cleaned, there have been more times when Carter is really making an effort to potty train and gets so excited when he is successful. To watch him grow is such a blessing and privelege. For every kitchen mess to clean, there are many more moments of gratitude that we do have food on the table and that Carter is finally slowly starting to try new foods. Even though I have lost my temper several times, most of the days are filled with laughter. Although I am sacrificing most of my free time, it is so worth it to be able to spend my time with Carter. He amazes me every day. He is incredibly bright and has the most unbelieveable memory of any child I have ever encountered. He has a wonderful imagination and has really started trying to assert his independence. He loves playing and interacting with other children of all ages. And there is nothing sweeter than when he crawls up in my lap, looks into my eyes and says "I luh you mommy".

I am truly thankful for the opportunity God has given me to be a stay-at-home mom. I also can't write a post about this without saying how truly grateful I am to my amazing husband too because I could not have this opportunity if it weren't for him. He has provided such a good life for us and works hard everyday so that I can stay home. I consider it a blessing and privilege to be married to him and have children with him. I truly couldn't ask for more. I am blessed beyond measure.