Don't underestimate your 3 year old

Tonight as we were putting the 2 little ones to bed we pulled out the scriptures. Kirk started off by asking "Who built a boat". Of course we didn't expect an answer and I was just about ready to answer when Carter responded "Nephi". I stopped, picked my jaw up from the floor, and starred at Kirk in amazement. Did he really just say that? Do you mean to tell me that while they are jumping on the bed, running around screaming, and playing, they are actually getting something out of this thing we call scripture reading!!!

Happy Birthday Carter (2 weeks ago)

Things I never want to forget about Carter...

Lately when he has been choking/coughing we hit him on the back. The other day he started coughing and I look over to see him wacking himself on his bum- hilarious.

Carter is addicted to treats. He has known the sign language for treats since he was about 12 months old (which is your finger touching your cheek). He has modified his treat sign and sticks his finger in his ear.

When I say "a birdie says tweet" he automatically puts his finger in his ear for a treat.

He always shares snacks with Emma- ALWAYS!!!

He has peed in the potty about 5 times. Now we will just have to work on not playing in the water.

He has graduated from his crib to a regular bed (he learned how to climb out of his crib)

Sometimes you think he is coming to give you a big kiss and instead you get a big lick.

Kirk gave me a blessing and Carter crawled up on my lap and put his hands on my head too.

18 months- hip hip hurray!

Carter had his first day of nursery a couple of weeks ago and he went in without any crying. He did well for the first couple of weeks and has now decided to cry- poor boy! Granted it is during naptime and lunchtime, I would probably cry too. As soon as church is over and we peek our head in the door to pick him up and he runs towards us crying. Better luck next week.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas (inside)

One of the many reasons why I love shatterproof ornaments.

The Christmas tree ornaments spend alot of time on the floor or in a grocery cart, but every once in awhile all of the decorations will be on the tree at the same time, usually at night when everyone is asleep. Nevertheless, it is beginning to feel like Christmas around our house, except when you step out the front door and feel wonderful 70 degree weather.

Good Times

Not a day goes by where we don't laugh at something our children have said or done.

My mom brought cupcakes over and we set them on the counter. Later, Carter climbed on the barstool and onto the counter and partook. He was so proud of himself when I found him.

Yesterday, Kaleb was pretending to be blind during dinner (not sure why). As dinner went on he tattled on something he saw Katelyn do, and we reminded him that he was blind. He quickly replied, "I was, but Heavenly Father and Jesus healed me".

Thumb vs. Pacifier

It is official... Emma sucks her thumb.

However, Carter still prefers the pacifier, even if it is pink and not his.

Oh how I love you, let me count the ways

Reasons I love Carter:

• if you make eye contact with him as you casually walk by he will hold his cubby little hands out for you to pick him up. Oh I LOVE that boy!!!

• He is so gentle and cute with Emma. He likes to push her in her swing and just look at her. I left him in the room by himself for about 5 seconds while she was on the floor and when I came back he was leaning over with his head on hers. They smile at eachother and it reminds me that they have been friends before.

• He never tires of playing with tupperware or climing in the cupboard and closing the doors. And it is especially fun when his sister plays with him.

• He only has 2 tiny bottom teeth at 15 months, and he has the cutest giggle!
• He can say "more" (usually while eating treats, or fruit) and "uh oh".

• If the bathroom door is accidentally left open you will find the toliet paper completely unrolled and he will be in the bathtub/shower playing and eating soap.

Carter had his 15 month dr. checkup and unfortunately the dr. gave us a black mark on our chart when we had to report that Carter still drinks from a bottle. He informed us to get rid of them ASAP and that our family should do a "good-bye ceremony" by throwing the bottles in the garbage and waving good-bye to make the transition less traumatic. I thought that seemed a little extreme and knew Carter would adjust just fine if we skipped the ceremony and just eased him in a sippy cup. He woke up from his nap and I gave him his sippy cup of milk... he cried and cried until I finally gave in and put the milk in a bottle which he happily drank. Looks like we will be having a good-bye bottle ceremony soon (but not too soon)

He weighs 23 lbs and is 30 1/2" tall

Merry Christmas

Look at these awesome Christmas photos.  The photographer is amazing and the kids are darling!  I couldn't be happier with them.  I just wanted to share them with everyone.  

Carter was a little sad which is very ironic because he is such a good baby, but everytime we get his pictures done he isn't a big fan- oh well.  

6 months

Being 6 months has brought on some new things for Carter.  He now eats rice cereal, and tonight we mashed up a peach to add a little flavor to his cereal.  

He also got his haircut.  Dad took the clippers to the top of his head and Carter didn't mind one bit.  I held him and he just looked around and played while dad did the work.  

He also got more shots and now weighs 17lbs 6 oz.  He is 26 1/2" tall and his head circumference is off the charts at 18 1/2".  All of our children's heads were large.  We like to think they are just smart.  

Halloween Part 2

Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Superbaby had a great halloween. They got loads of candy which we will all enjoy. Now I can clean up my laundry room from all that costume mess and move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Carter is 4 months

(Carter at 3 months)

(Carter at 4 months)

My little baby is now 4 months old. I can't believe how time flies but at the same time it feels like is has been in our family forever!!! He is the greatest little boy. He is always smiling, sleeps through a noisy house, goes to bed around 8:00pm and wakes around 7:00a.m., and pretty much just goes with the flow. His coos and laughs instantly make us smile. How blessed we are to have him in our family. The kids love to pick out his pj's every night and pretty much adore him and would do anything for him. Same with Mom & Dad.

At Carter's 4 month appointment he weighed in at 14#6oz and is 25 1/2" tall. He is in the 75th% for his height so hopefully he grows up to be tall like his daddy.

Halloween sneak preview

We were getting a little excited for Halloween and got out some of the kids old costumes. We were thinking about dressing Carter up as Raggedy Andy and so we dressed Abby up as his side kick Ann.

mama said there would be days like this...

Do you remember this old song??? Today was one of those days. It started off with Kirk going to the dr. for strep throat and a weird eye infection (his eyes got so puffy with junk coming out of them). Then I was suppose to watch my friend's child while she went in to volunteer in our children's classroom (we switch off every other Monday) but of course I totally spaced it and was just hanging out at my mom's house. Then Katelyn tripped in our entry way and split her forehead open so Kirk took her to Urgent Care that is just a block from our house. It was 8:15 when they walked in but they stop taking patience at 8:00. So Kirk ran to the store and got a butterfly bandage and worked his medical magic.


However, the day was actually filled with good things too. Kaleb got his first free book at preschool for reading 100 books. Carter held a toy and put it in his mouth for the first time. And Katelyn came home from school with her bottom 2 teeth loose.

Carter's Blessing Day

Carter was finally blessed. We decided to do it in our home because Jeanna and Jason would be in town. It was so nice to be surrounded by family and friends. Carter did great. However, his pacifier did fall out onto the floor during the blessing. Luckily, our home teacher reached down, picked it up, and put it back in before Carter could complain too much.

Where is Thumbkin?

Carter found his thumb. He was sucking on it like it was a bottle.

Camera shy

At 7 weeks Carter started to smile. I have been trying to capture his sweet smiles ever since with no success. He smiles for me tons and is such a happy baby but every time I get out the camera he gives me blank stares. Even though this isn't quite a smile he is still pretty cute.

At his 2 month appointment he weighed 11-8 oz. He is between the 20-30th percentile for his weight, height, and head. Our doctor's office has 2 scales side by side and a little girl was being weighed on the other scale while I put Carter on his scale (with his diaper off of course). You guess it, he peed and barely missed the girl's head. I laughed and quickly put the diaper back on!

Welcome

Our 2nd beautiful boy is here. After 4 weeks on turbuteline to stop my contractions and "bedrest" (aka taking it easy and no shopping) Carter was born 2 weeks early. He fit right into our family. He weighed 6-7oz which is one oz less than Kaleb and one more oz than Katelyn. His height followed the same pattern at 19" (Katelyn was 18" and Kaleb was 20").

The delivery & epidural went well. No spinal headache this time- Yeah!!! He is so sweet and we love having a baby around our home. Kaleb was even willing to give up his McDonald toy car to his new brother. And Katelyn decorated Carter's new room with pictures and welcome signs.