How Does A Dog Go?

Fun in the Water

We've really been enjoying the nice weather lately.

This past weekend Carter played in his blow up pool for the first time!

A little cold at first, but he quickly "warmed up" to it. HA!

Sticky Sucker

Carter had his first sucker at Uncle Andrew's birthday party last week. He absolitely LOVED it!! I sat right next to him and wiped his mouth with a wet wipe just about every 10 seconds... I figured if I cleaned along the way, it would be easier in the end. And, yes, it was. His hands were a sticky mess, but nothing a giant cup of warm water couldn't wash off! He looked like such a big boy eating his sucker!!

Too cute!

More Party Pics

Thank you to my wonderful Mother in Law for being my photographer for the day. Lord knows I wouldn't have had the presence of mind to take all these pictures!

Carter and his cousins

Carter and Gavin

Carter and Devin

Handsome little man!

Gorgeous Mia

Me & Ashley, Carter & Mia

Sweet little Olivia and my Mom

Olivia turned 1 the day after Carter!

Hayden is the funniest little boy! He HAD to be in the toy box

Devin thinks Uncle Eric is SOOOO funny

So happy to be playing with all of our cousins and friends

Pretty Presley (who will also be 1 this weekend)

BFFs Mia and Pres

Not so sure about the singing!

Giving it a little taste....

Hey, not too bad.

REALLY good!

Really starting to dig in

Oh my... what a mess.

Watch out for flying icing. This is why he needed a bath immediately after!

Sitting in his new chair for the first time

Thanks, Nana and Grandad, for my new chair. I LOVE IT!

Even Carter Loves GLEE!!

Party Time!!

Carter had a wonderful birthday party on Saturday. He got so many fun toys, books, and other gifts. He absolutely destroyed his smash cake. So much so that he had to take an impromtu bath in the clubhouse kitchen sink. My mother-in-law was my designated photographer, and I haven't gotten all the pictures from her just yet. So for now, I'll just post the few that I have from friend's and family's cameras.

Thank you, everyone, for coming!! It meant a lot to us to have you all there for Carter's 1st birthday! Also, we really appreciate all the help setting up, serving food, and cleaning up. You guys are the best!! It's nice to know how much our sweet little boy is loved!

Uh Oh!

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