12 month check up

We just got home a little while ago from Dr. Nail's office. Carter is now 20lbs 15oz and 30.5 inches long. That is the 25% for weight, and 75-90% for height. Not too bad. Other than than, Dr. Nail said that Carter's motor and social skills seemed to be excellent! He fought Dr. Nail pretty hard during the physical, screaming, flailing, and kicking like a mad man. Being held down isn't his thing. Also, he had to get a little prick in his finger to check his hemoglobin levels. The 'little prick' turned into a 'blood gushing and running all the way down the hand' kind of experience. Needless to say, Carter WAS NOT happy. His levels were a little low, so we are going to put him on a once a day multi vitamin. BUT, we have to go back in a month and do that all over again. Ugh! Poor little guy. He got THREE shots too, and after that, he was pretty much DONE. It was a rough visit for him! Next wellness check up will be at 15 months, with a hemoglobin check with the nurse sometime mid-May. Hopefully that goes a little smoother. Overall, though, he got an A+, and we are very thankful to have such a healthy and thriving little boy!

Birthday Fun!!

Carter and I went over to Nana's in the morning to hang out and play for a little while. After he took his nap we went and met Daddy for a birthday lunch. Carter had the usual.... ham, cheese, pickle slices, carrots, and some french fries. YUM! Then, he headed back to Nana's to play with Uncle Andrew for a while and an afternoon nap. He had a great day!! Thank you, everyone, for the sweet thoughts and birthday wishes! I still can't believe my baby is one!

After lunch at Red Robin

Birthday kisses from our daddy!

Such a big boy facing the front now!!

To My Prince, On Your First Birthday

Dear Carter,

Today you are turning one. I can hardly believe it! I've been thinking for a while now that I wanted to write you a letter for your birthday. Trouble is I'm not sure I know how to tell you all the things I want you to know. It's really hard to find the right words. So, I'll try.

The details of the day you were born are still so clear to me. I hope they stay that way forever. I remember looking up at Daddy just as you were about to arrive. Our eyes met, both already filled with tears, because we knew we were just on the brink of the most defining moment of our lives. And it was, without a doubt. I was grateful, proud, filled with love, excited, relieved, and terrified all at once. And I have felt each of those emotions every single day since then.

Watching you grow and learn and seeing how you discover the world each day brings me more joy than you'll ever know. With each new milestone my heart overflows with pride. But I find myself a little sad, too, because I want you to stay a tiny, sweet little baby forever.

This past year you have taught me so much. I've learned what it's like to truly put someone before myself 100% of the time, without even a thought. Your momma is a lady that loves her sleep and doesn't usually want to give it up. Each time I would hear your little cry in the night, I knew someone needed me more than I needed my sleep. Knowing that, I'd give it all up a thousand times over. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, really. I now know what it is like to love in a completely selfless way, so thank you for teaching me that.

You've given me a million reasons to love your daddy more and more each day. Knowing how much that wonderful man would give up for you and me both, it's amazing. He works SO hard to provide for us, and he never thinks about himself. It's you and me, always. I can only hope and pray that you will be EXACTLY like your daddy. You are his pride and joy, and to see how each of you light up when you're around each other, I know you will forever have a special bond. I love how excited you get when he comes home from work. There was never a faster crawling baby than when you hear that garage door go up and Stormie bark. You head straight to the door, and are SO happy to see your daddy every time! That makes my heart burst with love for you both, and is definitely my favorite part of the day. No doubt Daddy's, too.

I have so many hopes and dreams for you. I can't wait to watch you learn how to play catch and go fishing with your daddy. I look forward to seeing you become a big brother one day, and watching your love for a sibling grow. Daddy and I can't wait to take you on vacations to all kinds of wonderful places. I wonder what you'll be like as a teenager and, even further out, a man. What hobbies will you have? What sports will you play? What will you chose as a career? And a wife?? Oh, how will I ever give you to another woman?! Will you have children of your own one day? What will be your best, most vivid childhood memories? So many wonders I have. And I can't wait to watch it all play out.

Even though Daddy doesn't know I'm writing this, I feel confident that I can speak for both of us when I tell you these things. You are the light in our life, the cutest, funniest, smartest, and most precious baby little boy in the whole wide world. Neither one of us would be complete if you hadn't come into our lives. I hope that today, and each day of your life, you know that no matter what you do or where you are in your life, Daddy and I will ALWAYS be here for whatever you need, and that you are loved unconditionally, forever.

Happy Birthday, little man. I love you so very much.

Love always,
Mommy

Bouncy Balls & Dancing

This big bouncy ball has become a new favorite. It's replaced his balloon that he loved, oh, so much! And, he loves to say "ball" all the time, too. I have to say, it's pretty cute watching him chase it around the house going, "Ball..... ball.... ball!" I love how he even whispers it, here. =)



This is just too cute not to post, also!

Head Stand

Such a silly boy!!

Carter's 1 Year Pictures

Last weekend we met a sweet and fun photographer at the Arboretum to have some pictures taken. It was EXTREMELY windy (just take one look at my hair), and Carter got a little cranky half way through, but I think we still got some great shots. Here are some of my favorites.

Bittersweet

It's taken me a few days to get a grip and post this.

As of this weekend, Carter is officially weaned. It's a little sooner than I wanted (only by about a week), so I wasn't emotionally prepared AT ALL. He's been slowly weaning himself since February, and in the last few weeks we've gotten down to nursing once a day, first thing in the morning. My plan was to continue this until his 1st birthday, then make the switch. I had NO idea at the time, but Friday was it. Saturday morning he wanted nothing to do with me, he just wanted that darn bottle..... I was CRUSHED. I tried again later that afternoon and again Sunday morning, both times without success. So I made it official this morning. I knew I would be sad when the time came for it to be over, but I had no idea how sad I'd actually be. I just thought that I'd have to decide one day that it would be the last time. It never really occurred to me that Carter may decide when he's done, and that's exactly what he did. This weekend was rough for me, and this morning was VERY weird giving him a bottle as Eric was leaving for work. I'm sure it will feel normal in no time, but until then, I hope I'll be just a little less sad about this each day.

I am very proud of the fact, though, that I've never had to give him even one ounce of formula. In fact, I still have enough stored in my freezer to get him to his 1st birthday. That is a huge accomplishment, and I'm happy I could do that for my little man. Not to mention the fact that we saved an estimated $1500 dollars in formula costs for the year!!

Carter.... right now Mommy is sad this phase of your life is over, but I'm proud of you (and me) for sticking to it for one whole year. You're such a big boy, and I'm positive you're going to love WHOLE MILK!! =)

Happy Easter!!

I can't help but remember that last Easter weekend I was huge, swollen, and about to deliver a baby within 24 hours. We spent that Sunday day at my aunt's house with family before heading to the hospital late that afternoon to be induced. Carter was born at 12:36 pm on Monday.

THEN
This was the last picture taken of me before labor started. 

It pains me to look at this picture of myself... WOW!

This Easter Sunday was in many ways a repeat from last year. Same Aunt's house with the same family members and similar weather, subtract one ginormous baby bump, add one perfect and beautiful almost 1 year old little boy. The similarities from this year and last year are so meaningful to me given how special each of the times in my life were. ♥

NOW
We couldn't be happier!!! Love our little family!

Friday afternoon and all day Saturday were spent at Eric's parent's house with them, Eric's grandparents, sister, and our nephews. Carter had so much fun playing with the twins and spending time on the farm.

Playing around on the pier.
The boys did a little fishing, Mommy watched.

Splish splash

Carter and his great grandparents

Carter and his cousins go for a ride around the farm

Visiting the cows with Grandma

Stormie had to join them

More fishing and playing down by the lake

Carter had so much fun swinging

And crazy Uncle Eric chased the twins around.

They laughed and laughed... so cute!!

We had a great weekend spending time with our families. Hope you all had a wonderful Easter also!

Ewwwww.

We will now be making sure certain doors are kept closed.

Carter's Balloon

Almost 3 weeks ago, Carter went to Mia's birthday party and left with a big, pink balloon. The next morning it was no longer up in the ceiling, but on the floor instead. I cut the ribbon off, and Carter began playing with it like it was a ball. He has chased, grabbed, bounced, and thrown this balloon every day, all day, ever since. It brings him SO much joy, and I just can't bring myself to throw it away. It has been slowly shrinking and shriveling up. To say it is kaput is an understatement. I know his time with the balloon is coming to an end very soon, so this morning I took some pictures of Carter and his favorite pink balloon.

Yes, I know it looks red. But I promise it was dark pink when it was blown up big full of helium!

You can finally see his two little teeth in these last two pics!

(I think if you click on them, you can see the larger size)

So long, pink balloon. Carter will miss you!!