To my 2 year old

My baby is now a little boy.  In every sense of the word.  He has grown up.  And I have such mixed emotions about the age.  As his mom, I definitely think I cried more at this birthday than his first.  He is just getting bigger and learning so much so fast, but I love it, every minute of it.  I love everything about this gift of mine. 

I love the way he twirls his hair around his finger. I love the way he twirls my hair around his finger, and how when we are on a road trip, and he's really sleepy, and he can't reach me, he asks for "mommy hair". I love that whenever daddy is laying on the floor its an open invitation to pounce on him, wrestle with him or ride him like a horsy. I love that he says "excuse me" or "bless you" whenever he or anyone else coughs or burps. I love that he sleeps with 28 animals (okay, slight exaggeration) and has to have them each in the perfect spot before he can go to sleep. I love that when he wakes up in the morning all I hear is him talking to his animals and singing songs. I love that he likes to "tickle, tickle". I love that he loves to read, even if he now wants to "do it" by himself. I love that he likes to find things, his favorite being the moon. I love his innocent smile. I love that he loves his "cherrro" (our dog) and terrorizes her like no ones business. I love that when we say the blessing, everyone must have their hands folded, and he doesn't understand if someone doesn't. I love that he gets tickled at himself. I love his sweet laugh. I love that he has a sensitive heart. I love that he always goes to the cabinet, grabs his lunchbag and says, "bye-bye", heads to the door and then wonders why I won't open it for him. I love that he always wants to know what everyone "says" (ie. "whats daddy say? whats goofy say? whats car say?) I love that when he eats something he likes he says, "taste good". I love (ok...learning to love) that he runs everywhere...nothing is a walk, its full speed ahead.  But I do love that when he wants to walk, he has to hold hands. I love that he always wants his daddy, esp to play basketball with. I love that the nursery workers tell me he points out the Bible in the storybooks. I love that he dances. To anything, all the time. I love that he sings and hums and gets songs like, Twinkle, Twinkle stuck in his head. I love that he asks for a hug, and after the hug, he asks for a kiss.  And I love that he makes a noise everytime he kisses. I love that he's curious. I love that he's cuddly.  And I love that he's mine.

Thank you Jesus for this gift. and for giving him to me and his daddy to raise.

24 months

(Birthday cake face!)

28.5 lbs (57%)
33.5 in (34%)

Carter has reached the big 2!  Wow.  How time flies and will continue to fly!  This will be my last monthly update, however I will continute to share about the life of my little Sugar Bear and everything he is doing and learning.  This past month has been incredible.  Starting off with his 2nd trip to Disney world!  He absolutely loved it. He loved it last time, but was still a little too little to take it all in....not the case this time!  He still talks about everyone he saw and what he did.  And the highlight was seeing him so happy and excited.  Thanks to my sister and bro-in-law for the invite and accomodations. This month instead of saying "mama" and "dada" he has started saying "mommy" and "daddy". He also has moved into the stage of "I want..." and "I do it".  He has definitely become an independant little thing. He knows so many more songs like Whole World, Jesus Loves Me and anything on his cd's in the car :) He has also started humming which is so cute. He know his shapes and his colors, so next up is learning his letters.  He can also count to 13. He got his 14th tooth...so we are almost there!  He has had his two year well check up and we have a very healthy little boy, who the dr says is also advance in his speech.  We are so proud of our little guy and having so much fun with each new season.  Happy 2nd Birthday Carter!

Summer Travels (Part 2)

June.

Our travels continued in June. We had the awesome honor and priviledge to travel down to St. Pete's, FL to be a part of the wedding festivities for our friends Shaun and Dayna. Here is a picture of the lovely couple.

We enjoyed a child-free few days on the lovely white sand beaches. It was my first time to the gulf coast and I fell in love!  The day we arrived we spent the afternoon in the warm weather, swimming and basking in the rays. It was a beautiful weekend.  Here's a shot of us on the beach at the rehearsal!

The ceremony was so nice, elegant and picture perfect.  Beautiful! 

The reception was on the top floor of the hotel, overlooking the blue ocean.  Shaun and Dayna's first dance!

Parents of the groom :)

Me and Tamra!

The wedding was late morning followed by a lunch reception, so the evening after the wedding we spent on the beach, enjoying each other, the weather and the sunset!  Here is the new family.

It was a very nice few days eating yummy food, enjoying the pretty beaches, spedning time with great friends and celebrating a new marriage!

23 months

I know!  I'm so bad! This post is a month late. The 23rd month was so fun!  We have really been enjoying our summer and watching our little boy learn and grow.  He only gets more fun! Carter is so funny, he loves to laugh at himself and anything else he deems as funny. He is very comfortable around those he knows and a little more reserved around those he doesn't.  He is such a loving little boy, but as tough as can be too!  Right now he loves to sing.  He has learned, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and sings it all the time! It's like it gets stuck in his head.  Other favorites are still, Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children. He knows/identifies some colors - purple, orange, black and he knows/identifies some shapes - triangle, heart, star. This month he has started saying, "ma ma" with everything.  "Eat, Mama. Cup, Mama. Play, Mama. Do it, Mama"..everything.  I know it was a stage or habit bc he would even say it to Daddy and grandparents.  It was cute though!  He also began to put words together to make phrases and even says his own mealtime prayer now.  He is learning so fast it amazes us!  Oh, and he finally grew some more teeth!  His bottom two front teeth (beside his bottom middle two) and one of his "I" teeth came in..so 3 more to go! Can't believe he'll be 2 in a month. 



Summer Travels (Part 1)

Oh my has it been a summer for traveling! It has been super fun, but kept us very busy! I thought I would share with you a little piece from all of our trips :) So here is Part 1.

May.

The first weekend in May mommy and Carter went to see our besties in Atlanta. We went with Aunt Tracy to see Aunt Tara and the boys.

We arrived on Cinco de Mayo so the first order of events was to find some Mexican food! Here are the boys in the backseat rockin the sunglasses.

Then, Thursday night, Davon stayed home with the boys so we could have a girls night! And oh what a night. Out for coffee and dessert and then a midnight movie!



Friday morning Aunt T made the yummiest pancakes with strawberries and whip cream. Delish!

Then the rest of the morning we stayed around the house, catching up, chatting and letting the boys play outside. They had so much fun running around together.

Unfortunately, this was also the day of Carters big injury. We both cried buckets...but thankfully I had great friends there to take care of us :) And Carter was a trooper.

Friday night we did a little shopping and came back early so the boys could get in bed. But our night didn't stop there. We made sure to sneak in yet another chick-flick thanks to movies on demand.

Saturday morning we got up early to go see Jay play Tee ball! He did so good and was so happy we were there to watch him :) We were happy to be there.

After the game we went by the church where Davon works so we could get a tour and hear all about his job. Afterwards we headed back to their house so we could hit the road back home. It was a really great weekend catching up and being with dear friends.  Thanks for letting us be house guests. Treasured times!

The next weekend in May we traveled up to Virginia and spent the weekend with my sister and her family. We already had plans to be at a conference in Maryland the week after, so we went a few days early to see them.

The first picture is everyone outside playing in the bubbles. Then a pic of Carter and his cousin enjoying their snack.

After we spent the weekend with family, we drove up into Maryland for a 3 day conference. The hotel we stayed at was surrounded by shops, restaurants and this nice pond. Carter of course loved it, and loved the ducks.

Its always nice to visit family and the conference we attended was refreshing and really needed.  Another great weekend!

Then, the next weekend mommy got a mini vacay with some fabulous ladies! Daddy and Carter had a weekend together while mommy went to the mountains. It was such a nice weekend. We just relaxed together, told stories, took walks, ate WAY too much food. It was such a blessing to be able to be away for a few days with ladies who love the Lord and love each other. I am so honored to have awesome friends and ladies surrounding me who lift each other up, pray for each other and truly love each other. Here is the group.

May was a fabulous month for traveling...lots of great weekends. Stay tuned for Part 2 and Part 3!