Beach Boys (Part One)

Theo had the opportunity to go to Florida for a work-related class this month. Carter and I headed down there for Memorial Day weekend after making a pit stop in Baton Rouge to stay with my dad. I will admit, Friday night through Saturday afternoon, it rained the whole time and I was feeling a bit discouraged. For weeks, I had been anticipating how fun it would be to finally take Carter to the beach for the first time and was afraid my plans would be squashed. Saturday was not a good day for us. Carter was driving us both crazy and I’m sure that was largely in part because he was totally out of his element. Saturday night on our way out to dinner, we made an impromptu stop at a beach for less than 10 minutes and Carter freaked out. We didn’t have bathing suits or anything. We only wanted him to put his feet in real sand and he was not having it. I remember asking Theo was it wrong for me to be frustrated with Carter. Sunday, it was raining again so we went to church and by the time we were finished, it was beautiful outside. We seized the moment, drove down to the beach and spent three wonderful hours there. I managed to escape with only minimal sunburn and Carter did fine as long as we didn’t make him go in the water. Once I let my expectations go of how “perfect” this trip was going to be, I really started having fun and Carter did too.





Monday, we went to a smaller beach and again, Carter was a little leery of the water. But after about an hour there, he insisted we go for a ride in a kayak. A kayak of all things! The boy who didn’t want to go within 20 feet of the water wanted to ride in a kayak! So we all put on our life jackets and away we paddled. It was so much fun! After that, Carter was all about going in the water and didn’t want to get out. I’m amazed at how God even answers my little prayers. God knew how important this was for me to be able to experience this with our family and God allowed it to happen.






After Saturday, Carter has really done well. He’s a little wild at times but he’s a two year old BOY!!! Monday, I took him to the local science center. It was nothing to write home about but it entertained him for a little over an hour. We ate lunch at this smoothie/deli place, headed back to the room for a nap, and then hit the grocery store. We met up with some friends of ours who are here for the same class for dinner. Tuesday we went to the circle store, met up with friends, had lunch and went to a little water park. I mean water park as in spray fountains not big giganitic water slides. Carter was having fun until he collided with a girl and hit his head (his second head injury of the day. What can I say, the boy is clumsy like his momma!). Then he wanted no more of that water park.





I'll write more and post pictures of the rest of our trip later. It's late and I am soooooo looking forward to sleeping in my own bed sans Carter!

Beware of the Wild Animals

We finally made it to the zoo today. There weren't too many wild animals other than Carter :) Just kidding. He did really well surprisingly. He was a wild thing when we went to the Montgomery zoo but he was much better today. We went with some friends of ours and both of the boys passed out in the car as we were driving home. It was so funny! I was ready for a nap to but I'm not near as lucky as Carter.









Right now Carter is wearing his life vest/bathing suit combo and drawing on his Diego magna doodle. It is quite a site. He is obsessed with this new bathing suit thing I got from my mom last night. I'm surprised he didn't want to wear it to the zoo. He had bacon and eggs for dinner tonight and I hid corn in the eggs for the second time this week and he ate it! It's my own version of Deceptively Delicious.

Walk Down Memory Lane

Today, I decided to break out the video camera and record Carter singing his favorite songs. Then I couldn't help but watch all the videos we had recorded of him starting from February (when Carter learned how to crawl out of his bed) all the way back until the day he was born. I watched them in reverse chronological order. Carter got a big kick out watching himself on the camera. He especially liked watching his first birthday party and kept wondering if he had anymore presents to open. I didn't record too much in 2008 unfortunately. The pressure of working full time and being a full-time mom got the best of me I think. But today, I am making a commitment to record more of our memories. Goodness knows I have plenty of still photos but there is nothing like watching Carter in action and hearing his sweet little voice.

I put him down for his nap before I watched his birth on film. Somehow, I don't think he really would have appreciated watching that. I have only seen it once (on my first mother's day) and it still brings me to tears. I fell in love with my husband all over again watching him be so sweet and supportive during the birth of our firstborn. It was so amazing to watch him during that whole life changing and life giving experience. It is so amazing to see how delicate we both were with him as a newborn and now knowing what a rough and tumble toddler he has become. Carter was so tiny. I'm amazed to see the little man he has become.



We also captured on video Carter's experience with his first formal photos from the nursery. I had forgotten the outfit my mom bought for him came with a bonnet and you could tell, he was NOT happy about wearing it. Even now I'm laughing hard because I know one day he will say to me "Mom, how could you put me in a bonnet of all things!" We ended up not ordering any of those pictures from the hospital so he's lucky there is no real proof of that anywhere in the world except on our video!

I can't believe we are about to experience all of this again in just a few weeks (16 to be exact). How did I get to be so blessed? It's a good thing I'm already pregnant because if I wasn't, I would be having bad baby fever right now! I am so thankful for the life God has given me. Even though my life isn't perfect, it's the perfect life for me.

Splish Splash

I will confess, I woke up in a less than fantastic mood this morning. Carter has been taking forever to fall asleep at night. I think this is largely in part to his two to three hour naps late in the day. He didn't finally fall asleep until 10:00 last night. He didn't cry very much but he would not go to sleep. Then at 12:30, he woke up crying so I finally gave in and brought him to bed with me. Then at 6:00 a.m., he fell out of our bed. He went back to sleep without any problem but I couldn't fall back asleep. I am tired.

We did Souper Saturday this morning. Carter was very well behaved. We had a good time visiting our old friends. I will miss them dearly once we move. After Carter's early and short nap today, I set up his frog little swimming pool outside and he spent almost an hour splashing around. I think he's preparing himself for the beach. I think he enjoyed spraying the water hose more than anything though! Watching him play definitely helped me snap out of my funky mood. :)






I also ordered his bedding today. Finally, literally after months of searching for airplane bedding but not wanting to pay the pottery barn price, this is what I ended up with. You can check it out here.
Unfortunately, the quilt hanging on the wall is what I really wanted. The website had it on there Thursday but today, they sold out of it. Bummer! Oh well, I'll keep checking with them and who knows, maybe someone will return the quilt and I can snag it. Wishful thinking probably but a girl has gotta try!

Jumpin Jupiter: Take 2

It's Friday. This is the day I usually try and do something really fun with Carter. Although we get out of the house most days, Fridays are reserved for some good quality time together. Last Friday's quality time consisted of us bonding over shopping at Target, Kohls, and Penneys. What can I say, the boy loves to shop!Today we went to Jumpin Jupiter. I don't think we had been there since I wrote this post. Of course, there was a field trip there (why does that seem to happen to me wherever we go?) but it made it more fun. I think we would have otherwise been the only people there. I'm expecting Carter to take a good nap today after playing/bouncing/climbing/sliding/falling hard for two hours today.

Kris Kross will make ya JUMP! JUMP! (Anyone besides me remember that song?)



Evolution of the slide:







On the agenda for the weekend....Souper Saturday with church tomorrow morning and then no big plans for the rest of the weekend. I suppose I should get ready for our trip but I'll more than likely wait to the last minute to start packing. Maybe Theo is starting to rub off on me :)

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Carter has been doing the funniest and cutest thing this week. He pulls his sock off and says "This little piggy went to gwoswee (grocery) store. This little piggy went recycling. This little piggy went shopping. This little piggy went home!" It is absolutely hysterical to watch him. I'm telling you, this kid doesn't miss a beat!

Park, library and carrots

Not much new going on here. I'm going to try and be better about posting what our family has been up to. Just the day to day stuff. I want to make it a habit when we move so all of our out of town family and friends can keep up with us.

This morning, we headed to the park and it was perfect weather. It was a little overcast so it wasn't too hot and there was a nice breeze. The slides were wet from the rain last night (or this morning, I'm not sure). We spent the time builiding sand castles. I can't wait for Carter to put his feet on real beach sand. I think he's going to love it. Afterwards, we headed to the library and spent an hour there reading books and playing cool games on the computer. The ladies at the library think Carter is just the cutest thing. Oh, and at Sci-port yesterday, one lady commented "His dad must have really curly hair". I didn't know what to say! Uh yeah, sorta was all I managed to get out. I'm sure daddy's hair would be very curly if he didn't keep it so short :)

Carter had chicken (surprise!) for lunch and he even at carrots! I couldn't believe it! Of course I had to bribe him, but hey, whatever works. We're now watching a Diego DVD until naptime. I think tomorrow I'll take him back to Jumpin Jupiter. We haven't been there in a while and I know he would have a good time bouncing around.

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On a different note, I finally rented P. S. I love you. I have heard mixed things about it but I really liked it. It made me cry like a baby so I was glad I watched it by myself. If you are in the mood for a good tear-jerker chick flick, rent it. Plus, it has Denny from Grey's Anatomy in it. *Sigh* Denny was one of my favorite tv characters. I don't watch Grey's Anatomy anymore but I did love it back in the day.

Yard Work

This weekend, our neighbors were outside doing yard work. Carter insisted on being a big helper. Unfortunately, I couldn't convince him to work in our yard! I couldn't resist taking pictures of him playing in the dirt. He's such a BOY! I took these pictures using my new camera lens (*aka* my early birthday present). They are unedited so you could see just how cool my new lens is.








And my favorite picture:

Boys and their dirt!

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. I haven't done not me Monday in a while. It feels to get some things off my chest!

I did not eat chocolate cake for lunch yesterday just because it was Mother's Day and I didn't care!

The chocolate cake was not in addition to the fudge brownie cheesecake I had eaten the night before when my husband and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary!

I would never laugh hysterically while Carter attempted to pee standing up this week and accidentally sprayed himself in the face!

I guess to pay me back for laughing at with him, Carter did not decide to pee all over my pants when he went to the bathroom at the library. I did not have to spend the rest of the morning with pee on my leg. Yuck, who would do that?

Yesterday Carter did not urinate all over the bathroom and run out screaming "That's hillarious!"

Happy Mothers Day!

This day of the year has become more special to me now that I am a mother. I always enjoyed honoring my own mother but now I feel such a sense of pride to belong the the sisterhood of moms.

This mother's day is bittersweet for me as I realize this is the last time I'll celebrate it with my mom close by. I have shed many tears today when I think about how different my life will be after we move. I am thankful God is giving Theo and I the opportunity but it will be hard leaving my family. My mom and I have always been close and I absolutely love spending time with her. Besides my husband and child, she is my favorite person to be around. I don't know where I would be without her presence in my life. I love you mom more than you will ever know.


I wouldn't be a mom if it weren't for this little guy.


Carter got me a funny card this year. It said "Mom, if you don't have the hardest job in the world, then I want to know who does." On the inside it says "And I'll tell dad to put his hand down!" I laughed at that! Motherhood is the hardest yet most satisfying thing I could ever do. I am so happy God blessed me with children. I am also thankful God blessed me with a wonderful husband to be the father of my precious babies.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there, especially all the wondeful moms I know! I pray God's richest blessings over all of you!

Anniversary Date

Our dear neighbor watched Carter tonight (and also last night for about an hour just because) while Theo and I went on our anniversary date tonight. It was the perfect date. We went down to the boardwalk and had dinner at the Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro. We got there right at 7:00 and were told the wait was 30 minutes. But then I asked if we could sit outside and we were able to be seated right away! The weather was nice and breezy, compared to all the mugginess that's been looming for the past few days. They even had a guy there singing outside and playing his guitar. It was fabulous!

Theo had this for dinner.



I had this.



And this for dessert. You can't go to the Cheesecake Bistro and not eat cheesecake!


Afterwards, we walked around for a little while and visited shops we can't normally go in because of Carter (i.e. stores with lots of bright colorful jewelery b/c he pulls things off the shelves/walls). Then we headed home. It was so nice to celebrate our anniversary with such a great date.

Five Years Ago Today....

I married my best friend and the man I had prayed for my entire life. I always knew I wanted to be a wife and a mom and Theo made both of those things possible for me. I truly can not imagine my life any differently. Don't get me wrong, being married is not always easy. Lord knows we have had our share of trials and fights but at the end of the day, I can't imagine being married to anyone else. Our love for each other is unconditional and I know our marriage was a gift from God.

We had a wonderful wedding ceremony and our close friends and family were there to celebrate that day with us. We were married by our favorite priest in the most beautiful church in town. That night, we hung out with Theo's out of town family and friends for a while. Then the next morning, we were on our way to Jamaica. We were blessed enough to stay at this tropical place and it was the most fabulous honeymoon in the world! It's been my favorite trip we've been on so far (Europe and Hawaii were definitely close seconds but our honeymoon was soooooo much fun!)

So on our fifth anniversary, I am grateful that we have made it this far. Theo's parents have been married for almost 40 years and are an inspiration to both of us. I'm especially grateful this year to be pregnant again and bringing a new miracle into this world. Happy Anniversary Theo! I love you more today than the day we got married.

Out and About

After being cooped up in the house most of the day yesterday (although we did venture out to Chick-fil-A last night for dinner and then to Wal-mart), Carter and I had a busy morning. We headed downtown to the public library. Carter hadn't been there since he was a baby. We could only stay 30 minutes because that was the parking meter limit and I was parked too far to keep walking outside to feed the meter. Then we went to Barnwell Art Center and Carter walked around in the conservatory, which he called a rainforest. Then we walked a little farther and Carter played in the water fountains. I did not have my camera this time because I was afraid it would get wet. But Carter still managed to have a blast. He kept saying "Mommy, take my picsa (picture)!" It was so cute.

Tomorrow, my amazing husband and I will be celebrating our five year wedding anniversary. I will post more on that tomorrow.

For now, I'm off to play with Carter and google a tilapia recipe for dinner tonight!

Bubble Boy

What can I say? Carter LOVES bubbles. I love bubbles too except the sticky mess that is often left behind. But that doesn't stop us from bringing out the bubbly at least a couple of times a week. Yesterday was a beautiful day so we went outside after naptime, blew bubbles and then went for a walk. I, of course, had my camera in tow and snapped these pictures. Also, this afternoon, I discovered Picassa, a free online photo editing program. Wow, this stuff is cool. Anyway, so I decided to repost the same pictures.....before and after, so you can see the difference a little touching up can make!

























Today, it's storming outside so we are already suffering from cabin fever and it's not even lunch. I may venture out into the storm and take him to Sci Port but that would mean I have to get clothes/make-up on and actually go out in the rain. So we'll see. Hopefully tomorrow will be prettier.