WOW Wednesday (WithOut Words)

WOW Wednesday (WithOut Words)

He Even Does Dishes...

Carter is always helping me unload the dishwasher, so I thought I'd let him take a whirl at loading it too.

Not too bad...He'll get the hang of it, girls!

The First Haircut

I'm sure you're expecting to see pictures of my little man, but did you expect that you'd see this...?

Her before pictures:

The first snip:

Showing how much was cut:

All done:

Yes, our little Hailey Bug got her first haircut at 3 1/2 years-old. (Just like her older sister!!) For those of you who know me personally, you remember my girls were born with a full head of hair. And they both had highlights!! (SO...NOT...FAIR!!)

Carter on the other hand, well...he was only 13 months when his hair was cut for the first time.

Carter's before picture (what a mess!!) He looks tired because we had to wake him up to cut his hair:


The first snip:



Making progress:

The after-shot:



The following Friday with his hair all styled up for the rehearsal dinner:

(My sister's wedding post to follow in the next few days)

May 5, my sister, Laurie, came over with her daughter Emma, my Dad and Tanya. While Dad and Tanya kept up with the kiddos, Laurie cut hair. First mine, then Hailey's, and last Carter's. She was one busy haircutting lady. I am so fortunate to have a sister talented enough to trust to cut not only my hair, but my precious babies. She said my kids are very easy when cutting their hair. They sit amazingly still and don't fuss. What a blessing!

Don't my kids look great?!

Strange, but true!

This past Easter was Carter's first Easter. It's odd because we celebrated his one-year birthday two weeks prior.

I remember last year thinking he might be born on Easter. I was really hoping that wouldn't happen because I really wanted to celebrate the day with my girls. I bought them pretty dresses and special matching hair bows that I searched high and low for -- I couldn't wait for Sunday so I could "doll them all up." (Shoot -- That's something I look forward to every Sunday!)

Hot Rod didn't actually believe me at first. It wasn't until I "Googled" the date of last year's Easter that he was convinced. (It just doesn't seem right, but since the date of Easter moves around so much, I guess it happens from time to time.) I saw a picture from Easter last year of a cousin's little girl. There I was in the background - belly big as a blimp!

We had a nice day, despite all the rain.

After church services, we headed to the classroom hallways to hunt eggs.

(Little man just wanted the stuff in the eggs!! - Smart kid...)

We filled our baskets and hunted down the Easter bunny for pictures.

(Just look at Carter eyeing the Easter Bunny's candy basket!)

We had a fabulous devotional and activity to complete with our family provided by SonKids.

Once we got home, we did a quick last minute touch up of the house and then I started cooking my Cherry Surprise - Yum!! Not long after Hot Rod's family started to arrive. We had a great feast and a nice time visiting with family.

And it wasn't too bad being cooped up in the house all afternoon!

10 things I'm thinking on the 10th

1. I don't like cleaning. I like my house to be clean, but I don't like to do it. Funny, once I get started, I get on a roll and it's fine. I just need the motivation to get moving. Since Easter is this Sunday and we have the big backyard, the festivities will be here. And honestly, I'm excited about that. I love having people over! (You know, it makes me clean - kidding! kind of...) Anyway, we purposely bought the house we did on the lot we picked so we could have people over. I actually wouldn't mind having people over at least 3 weekends a month. I think that qualifies me for crazy benefits.
2. My kids have a ton of toys. I mean a TON!! What kids in America don't, right? Well, they love to pull all the toys out and play to their hearts content. And they play really well together. (which is fantastic) BUT, when it comes time to clean up - LOOK OUT!! All the sudden the mound of toys which is insufficient at keeping them busy enough to not be bored are TOO MUCH to clean up. How, I ask you, is that possible??? I'm thinking I might buy a Mary Poppins costume and work on my magic. "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go do--wn, medicine go down. Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down. In the most delightful way. For every job that must be done there is an element of fun, you find the fun and snap the job's a game..."
3. I think my son is going to be six foot tall. At just a year old, he's already 31 inches tall. Isn't there a rule that says at two years of age, you can double their height to figure out how tall they will be when they grow up? If so, we're well on our way. Maybe when he finally starts walking I will buy him a bat and work on his baseball skills.
4. The hubs just told me I complain a lot. I didn't think I did, but now he's got me self-conscious. So, every time I start to open my mouth, I stop and ask myself, "Is this a complaint?" And he has me worried...Do I really complain THAT much?!?!
5. I'm looking at my little boy standing in the middle of his toys shouting at me. (Something in baby gibberish only he truly understands) And he's smiling. He squats down, stands back up and shouts. Now, if he can do all that, why does he refuse to walk? Yesterday we played outside a little while after bagging all of Daddy's yard clippings. Carter decided to crawl off our blanket and toss my shoes onto the patio. He's a pretty smart little boy. He knew that if he crawled on the concrete, it would hurt his knees. So, he crawled on his hands and his feet. It was pretty funny! Again, why does he refuse to walk? Silly boy!
6. I think I might be nearing the end of the morning sickness - YAY!! I still get sick if I eat anything sweet. But, boy does it taste good going down. I just pay for it later.
7. I'm really looking forward to feeling like going to the gym again. Hopefully, Carter will do better with the girls who "work" in childcare at the gym. (And yes, I use the word "work" loosely) I want to workout thru this pregnancy so that after the baby comes, it's not so hard to get my shape back where I'd like it to be. I think I've been a little "relaxed" with the first three babies. I keep watching these shows like "The Biggest Loser" where they show before they got big pictures and it scares me to death. Some of these people were pretty small before they put on all their weight. Now, mind you, I've never been even the least bit large, but I feel that way. Don't throw anything at the computer or leave mean comments, but I used to be a size 2/4 before I had babies!! WOW!!!
8. I've had a hard time finding Easter dresses this year. I've been to Target and Kohl's which is where I usually find good dresses and came up empty handed. Now, I did find some possibilities at Target, but I didn't buy them because I always find adorable dresses at Kohl's. NOT this year! Kohl's was a total bust! Oh, except the Easter bunny found some Hannah Montana pajamas for Maddie. OH!!! Boy moms, where in the world do I find nice clothes (for Easter, Christmas, etc...) for Carter?? I really wanted to buy him a nice new outfit to wear on Sunday and I can't seem to find anything (in his size 12m - 18m) that will look nice. And can anyone tell me why people insist on putting gray and tan together...? Am I the only one bothered by that? UPDATE: Went shopping Sat. night with the hubs and found several dresses for the girls at Kohl's (different location this time) I even have dresses for the girls for July 4th!! YAY! Hailey came out with 5 dresses since they had so many cute ones in her size for only $10. I was also able to find a nice button up shirt for my little man. Oh, and I got $10 cash for every $50 purchased that I could spend at Kohl's next week. Doesn't get much better than that!
9. I don't think there is a Kmart within a 100 mile radius of my home and yet I see their commercials daily. Do you think they forgot to stop airing the commercials when they moved out of town. Nah, me either, but do they really have to tease me with the great prices. Don't get me wrong...I didn't shop there when they were here, but it still just seems mean to air them here.
10. I decided to allow anonymous comments on the blog. I just thought that maybe one day some of you secret readers might want to come out of hiding and at least tell me your first name. (blogrollofpatience? - I'd love to visit, but I don't have access) Or perhaps relatives might want to comment without having to sign up for a Google ID??? Really, I just love comments. I get excited to see how many people visit per day, but comments are really where it's at! Sometimes, I wonder if I set up my blogroll too well and people just like to use me for a springboard to all our mutual friends' blogs...which is okay. That's why I did it - for myself - and for you! Anything I can do to make your life easier!! LOL~

On this Good Friday, don't forget to thank the Savior for His sacrifice -
HAPPY EASTER!

I can't believe it's already been a year!

One year ago Sunday, Hot Rod and I headed to the hospital to welcome our baby boy. And at that point...he was just that: "Baby Boy" (or "Peanut" as I lovingly referred to him) That's right, we still had not picked a name for him. Does that make us bad parents?

Some of you probably remember the survey we sent out asking you to vote on your favorite name. We had such a hard time deciding. And I'm not really sure why. We had it narrowed down to three names: Carter, Braeden, and Timothy. When we arrived at the hospital, we still couldn't choose between the first two. Which is funny because if our first child had been a boy, the name we had chosen was Carter. But for some reason, we just couldn't land on a name.

We decided to wait and see what name he "looked" like more. And then, he came along...

Our precious little man, Carter Wayne!! All 8 lbs. 5 oz, and 21 inches of him.

Over the past year, we have enjoyed watching him develop into such a funny little guy. He has the best personality.

Carter's favorite toy (besides Daddy) is his pack of baseballs that Daddy bought for him. What an arm this little guy has. He can throw a ball dead on almost every time. He even throws from across the room. (Hey, Astros, start saving up! This one's gonna cost you!!)

You know one thing I've noticed is when a boy picks up a toy car, he automatically makes that "car sound" Vroom, vroom! My son is no exception. I am not kidding!! I never taught him that. He just does it. He even does it when he rides around in his new car he got from Poppy and Nana for his birthday. Cracks me up! (Just look at the way he waves every time he passes someone by...he does it EVERY TIME!!)

One of the funniest things that I think Carter does is "the blank stare." Most of you guys who know him personally have seen this look. It's hilarious. I mean holding him and watching grown adults (what other kind are there, right? anyway...) try out their best material to make him smile, only for him to give them "the blank stare!" And when I say best material, I mean they are making complete fools of themselves jumping around making silly faces and noises. And there's my little man...blank stare!! At least it makes me laugh.

He's still not walking. He will stand and he's started to attempt to take steps. He'll even walk across the room holding someone's hands. But he refuses to take off on his own.

It's so hard to believe how quickly this year has passed. It just seems like he was hardly even a baby! I promised myself when he was born I would enjoy every moment. I wouldn't wish for him to hurry up and pass hurdles. And I think I did pretty good. But, it happened anyway. My baby boy just kept growing up...and he hasn't stopped yet!!

One Child's Loss is Another Child's Gain

Sort of...

Friday night, Maddie lost her first tooth.

Saturday, Carter's 8th tooth broke through!

On Saturday morning, Maddie checked under her pillow where she had left her tooth (safely placed inside a ziplock bag) She was so excited to find in its place a ziplock bag of coins! She had over a dollar and was beyond thrilled.

Imagine her surprise when she found out that the Tooth Fairy left her tooth under Mommy's pillow. You see, the first tooth that a child loses is important to Mommies and if the Tooth Fairy were to take it and leave, Mommies would be sad. She found it amazing that the Tooth Fairy could reach under her pillow as well as Mommy's pillow and neither one of us felt her do it!! She is one sneaky little fairy.

Later in the day on Saturday, Carter pulled my finger into his mouth and bit - OUCH! (of course.) I thought that tooth was never going to come in. He has been biting me so much lately (on my shoulder, my arm or just about any part of me that was conveniently near his mouth), I was starting to think maybe I was just a big chew toy.

But we're good now...until next time.

Put Your Head on my Shoulder....OUCH!

Yesterday I discovered why Carter has been chomping my shoulder and gnawing on his hands all the while drooling down his chin and pouring from his nose...(sorry, that's probably gross and could be a little TMI)

TWO NEW TEETH!!! He now has two more teeth on the top on either side of those famous "two front teeth" This brings his tooth total up to seven.

He will eat about anything within reach. Or at least give it a good try. It's amazing how quickly he can take down the food. Why he's not a big chunky baby, I'll never know. Perhaps he's just too tall or maybe too active.

I guess I won't be buying baby food much longer. If only I didn't have to buy any more diapers. Is he too young to potty train...?

I Promise it's Still Winter.

There's an old saying I'm sure gets used many places (especially in Texas): "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes...!"



Well, over the past few weeks, it's been back and forth between hot and cold temps. By the time we get comfortable with the "perfect" weather, a cold snap blows thru (usually following a good rain) giving Carter and Mommy a case of the sniffles, runny noses and so on...



Today was one of the better days. In my opinion, it was about perfect --- 70 degrees, partly cloudy, slightly windy. The pictures speak for themselves...


Yes, as a matter of fact, we did stay in our jammies all day.

I think this one looks like the kids are all fighting over who gets to climb the slide first. LOL!!

The girls enjoyed the see-saw (a.k.a teeter totter)

The trampoline (I finally found something positive to the net being "broken" - Never before have I gotten good jump action pictures - But, I'm still upset with the yard guys, don't they do that for a living? Shouldn't they know how to move a trampoline without pulling it apart?)

Carter had plenty of toys to keep him occupied.

The puppy (okay, he's 8, but he's still little like a puppy) relaxed under my chair. Not too different from where he'd be if we were inside.

And Mommy? Well, I started on a new book.

I finally caved. After hearing about it EVERYWHERE, blogland, facebook, friends, family, television, I bought THE book. It's been sitting on the shelf in the study since sometime before Christmas and I decided I could take it no longer. I had to see what the fuss was about.

I get it.

Tall and Skinny

The girls and I took Carter for his 9 month appointment today.

(the above picture shows off his 5 teeth!!)

Dr. Bel checked him over and was very impressed with his development. According to "the list" he should be (and is) sitting on his own, crawling, pulling to stand, using words with multiple syllables (MA-MA, DA-DA, etc...), waving, responding to pictures, picking up things with thumb and forefinger, holding two objects in hands and hitting them together - well, that's all I can remember.


He eats like a champ! There is nothing he won't try. It's funny, though...when feeding him, we always know what he likes and doesn't like by the faces he makes. This little man has more faces... We're finally starting to get him to drink from a sippy cup, but he still gets choked a little.


On to the real reason you are all here...His current stats are as follows:



Height: 29 1/4 inches (90%)
Weight: 17 lbs 13 oz (10%)
Head: 45 cm (40%)



Like I said, tall (no idea where that comes from) and skinny (wonder where he gets that? LOL!! What can I say, he IS MY boy!)


He LOVES his bath time:

Check out his mad splash skilz:

And I should add...lately, he has become SO kissable. He's gets in these moods where he just gives kisses non-stop. LOVE IT! I don't even mind all the slobber (from teething) and snot (from all the weather changes.)

WHAT was he thinkin'?

This picture needs a caption, any ideas??



When Maddie was born, Hot Rod's cousins Melani & Curtis gave us the cutest, most cuddly pair of pajamas. Since they were not gender specific, all three of our children have worn them. In fact, Carter has them on in the photo above. I'm kind-of thinkin we might need to replace them...what do you think?




And while we're on the subject of Carter, I feel like I should mention he has added a couple of new teeth to his collection. So now he has both his top two front teeth. (the left one came in on Saturday) On Sunday, another one on the bottom popped thru. I noticed it while we were driving through Prestonwood looking at Christmas lights. That brings our tooth total up to five. He's eating anything he can reach to put in his mouth. (Which is not necessarily a good thing. He has an attraction to shoe strings!)


BTW - if you are in Houston, you should really check out the house that has the lights set to blink with music. I could just sit and watch it. Plus, they have a Santa that moves around in the window. That's pretty neat too.

The girls have asked Hot Rod and me if we can do that to our house...I told them, "we'll see." (Such a typical Mommy answer -- LOL!!)

Up High, Down Low, In the Hole...

I forgot to mention that Carter has gotten rather good at giving "FIVES"

He doesn't care if it's high or low, just don't expect him to stick his finger in a hole 'cause I think he's still too slow.