15 months

15 month check up stats

21 lbs 8 oz

31 in

my little one is turning into such a big boy! this past month it has amazed me how quickly carter has learned things and picked up on things and how much he understands. carter got his other top front tooth at the beginning of the month and since then he has had many firsts. he has started biting (ah!), he has had his first ear infection, but he has also had his first real thanksgiving dinner and his first trip to Disney World! we had a blast taking him to Disney and he loved all the things to look at, the music, the lights...and he did so good! he loves to dance and clap, when he hears music he turns his little waist and sways his head. he says uh oh all the time, especially when he drops his paci or loses a shoe. he is also doing great communicating with sign language and can sign besides "more", he can now do "please" and "all done". but his biggest accomplishment was right before thanksgiving when he started standing by himself! he will stand, balance himself and then clap for himself and sit down. such a little ham. we're looking forward to even more fun in the coming months.

I Surrender All

About two weeks ago, friends of ours at church lost their 21 month old son. He fell down the stairs and had a brain injury. The Drs tried to perform surgery, but he would not stop bleeding and they tried everything. Through a weekend of emotions, tears, and prayers his parents and family dealt with the fact that they were going to lose their little boy. They said their goodbyes, and two days after his fall he went to be with Jesus.

I won't write all the feelings, emotions, thoughts, questions I have had this last couple of weeks. All the things this family went through. But I will say that I am amazed at the strength the Lord gave this mother and father. The strength God knew they needed to make it through the first week without the love of their life. A week ago we celebrated the brief but bold and beautiful life of this sweet boy. He had the prettiest eyes and the biggest smile.

As I was dealing with the emotions in my own heart through this tragic accident the Lord spoke something very loud to my heart. The wednesday after his passing, as I was at church we sang the old hymn, I Surrender All. As I sang these words the Lord convicted my spirit...Do I really surrender all? Surrender every single part of my life to him? Or do I keep my own little handful of things Im not quite ready to give up. Do I surrender my son? Would I give up my one child for Him? Would I make it if the Lord wanted my son back?

I was reminded of Abraham and Sarah, who for so long wanted a child...and finally God blessed them with this gift. Imagine the joy! But then, years later God asked for this gift back. After they shared life together, celebrated milestones...God asked for this gift back. Abraham...sacrifice your son. Surrender your son.

How? How do I have the faith, trust and obedience to the Lord like Abraham did? To lay his very own son, flesh of his flesh on an alter.

This is the kind of faith, trust and obedience God wants from us everyday of our lives. Surrendering every part of our lives, big and small, easy and difficult. I know that our children our not our own. They are the Lords...but sometimes I'm pretty selfish.

God, teach me to be so obedient to you that I would do anything you ask of me, no matter how hard or how much it hurts. Teach me that no matter if I feel like it or like it that you are worthy of our sacrifice. Teach me to truly surrender ALL.

14 months

well the fourteenth month has been a fun one! but aren't they all. it is amazing me how much our little guy is learning. this month carter can identify Noah in his Noah's Ark. he also make s a motor sound when he plays with his cars and trucks. he loves to have the remote and point it to the tv like he is changing the channels. he recognizes our pictures, and family pictures. he saw Pop Pop's picture in the magazine and held it up to his face to kiss it. he is also giving "sugar" now....and its the sweetest thing when he leans in to kiss your face! he has had many firsts this month which include his first trip to the fair, his first taste of cotton candy, his first trip to gatlinburg, tn, and his first trip apple picking...whew, its been a busy month. it's also been a busy month for teeth! carter got his 2nd tooth and then 2 weeks late got his 3rd tooth and 4 days after that got his 4th tooth. so, we have been battling the teething monster, but are happy he's finally getting some teeth. there are a couple more coming in but haven't broken through yet. one of his favorite things this month include reading books...he loves to pick out his books and sit on your lap and read. and his newest word is "uh oh"! can't wait to see what the next months hold.

Multitude Monday

13. morning snuggle time with my little one
14. fall foliage
15. gatlinburg, tn
16. friends that renew and refresh your heart
17. laughs that make your stomach hurt
18. jaybird asking to take him to see the animals and holding his hand all the way there
19. my husbands goofy side
20. little man's 3 hr naps
21. admiring God's creation and His creativity
22. the blessing of family
23. a job that includes planning christmas events

13 months

12 month stats:

19 lbs. 2 oz.

28 3/4 in. long

sorry! i'm getting so behind on my monthly updates! well, as you know, carter has turned the big #1! i cant believe my little baby bean is growing up and looking and acting like such a big boy. he has dropped in percentages again on weight and height, but the DR is not concerned and said we will just keep on eye on it. carter is crawling all around as fast as he can. he is pulling up and cruising around furniture, windows, his cribs....basically anything he can get a hold of and move on. he walks holding onto our hands, but still no interest in walking by himself yet. he is cutting teeth, and his top gums are swollen, but no signs of any coming through yet. carters favorite word is still "da da". he loves his "da da", he always looks for him when we come home, and loves when he walks in a room. but he also loves his ma ma, just not as excited to say her name. but he loves to snuggle with ma ma in the mornings in the bed. we usually just spend a few minutes laying and playing together. he is trying to say a few other words like, banana "na na" and outside (which ive only heard once). carter has also made the transistion to drinking whole milk. it was tough to get him to drink it from a sippy cup for the first few weeks, but now he is a pro, and drinking more of it and from the sippy cup! and i can tell he's gaining some weight too :) we are really enjoying the fun little one that he is!