Carter's Photo Booth

Friday night I went on a quick girls' overnight, and I apparently left my computer out within Carter's reach. I asked Scott what time Carter woke up on Saturday, he chuckled and said he wasn't exactly sure. I said, "Uh oh, what did he do?"
Apparently, Carter's become computer saavy without us even knowing! He opened every application on my computer...even the photo booth! Here are pictures he took of himself and even attempted to email...all while daddy was still snoozing.
Sneaky, sneaky...

Happy Valentine's Day!

From our house to yours, we wish you love! :)

Steady Beat

Carter's still loving his drum set from Santa. He likes to play a "steady beat." Enjoy!

Long Time, No Write...

Sorry for the lack of updates...it's ended up being a busy few weeks!
We continued our potty training efforts, and Carter is officially "potty trained"...at least enough to go to preschool!! :) We are thrilled that he started a new school this week, and he seems pretty excited too! Still working on making it through the night...and probably will be for awhile...but we're just so excited he's able to wear big boy pants now! :)
Last week & weekend ended up being busy as some of our relatives from KY came to stay because they were without water and power due to the ice storm. Carter enjoyed getting to hang out with his cousin, Ethan...the two even went to get a haircut together. We feel blessed that our family is close enough they were able to come down for a little warmth and fun!
On a separate note...Scott just filmed Carter playing the drums...I'll try to post a video soon!

Whatever it Takes

Despite reading several websites, suggestions from pediatricians, and stories of what worked for friends regarding potty training, I've come to the conclusion that it's all dependent on your child being ready and having the motivation/desire to use the potty. My sis and I had a great chat last week about it all, and she was so right...you just have to find what works for your own child.
We've tried gumballs, switched to smarties, promised a trip to Jump Zone, blown bubbles, made up a potty dance, even thrown McDonald's in the mix...but the biggest motivator has been Carter's own desire to be a big boy. As such, I am thankful to report that Monday's "scoreboard" included 4 accidents, Tuesday's only 1, and so far today 0!! That's even with a good nap!
We're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!! Thank you for all of your words of encouragement this week. Please pray that if Carter returns to school, he won't revert to needing pull ups. If I had it my way, he wouldn't return to school, we'd just go ahead and apply for the preschool...but that's another prayer request in itself. :)
I know reading about potty training can't be all that exciting, but thanks for sticking with me and praying us through this week. Your prayers have certainly been felt!

Rough Start

Well, I got pretty hopeful after yesterday's successes, but am trying not to be discouraged by this morning's start. We're 1:1...1 successful potty time to 1 accident already. Please keep praying for the successes to far outweigh the accidents!

Sunday Scoreboard

Yesterday was a GREAT potty training day! We're so proud of Carter! Here are the final scores for Sunday...
Successful Trips to Potty 9!!
Accidents 2
Proud Parents 2
Happy Boy 1
Please keep praying! Your prayers have certainly been felt!

Potty Scoreboard

Well, the day has had its ups and downs. We're trying to remain positive and hopeful that Carter will "get it" this time around. He's been a bit more feisty than normal today, which is a factor we hadn't totally accounted for. :) Whew, this parenting thing is a doozy...but great all at the same time.
So, the scoreboard version of the potty update essentially is as follows...
Accidents 8
Successful Trips to Potty 4
Pooped out parents 2 (pun intended)
Energetic 3 year old 1
Future scores to follow! Please pray the number of accidents don't stay on top... :)

Potty Training Round 2

Well, our efforts over labor day were unsuccessful, so now that Carter's officially 3 we are setting aside this weekend to give potty training another go!
We'd resigned to the fact that it'd be difficult to do until the summer when I could stay home with him; however, with some concerns related to his current school and a strong desire to move him to a preschool we decided now's as a good a time as any to give it a second go. We have new motivators to try and are praying that he'll get it this time. In all seriousness, we appreciate your prayers over the weekend as well. Boys are hard to potty train, but we're hoping Carter's ready and bright enough to figure this out.
When we started talking it up earlier this week, he seemed excited. Unfortunately, he's not been so thrilled about it this morning. I want this to be a positive experience, so please pray for patience! :)
We'll keep you posted...in the meantime, you know where to find us!

Let it Snow!!

Greetings from Toledo, Ohio!
We awoke this morning to snow on the ground, and one really excited 3 year old! Needless to say, it was only a matter of minutes before he was asking to go outside to play. So Carter and I bundled up and headed out for a morning of fun...
We started with target practice by throwing snowballs at the trees, then we had a snowball fight of our own! (Well, some were just snow chunks...Carter hasn't yet mastered the art of forming snowballs.)
Next, we made snow angels side by side. Chilly, but beautiful. Then we waddled along the sidewalk like penguins.
Finally, Carter had the same experience I had exactly 10 years ago when I came up to visit Scott in Toledo...it was his first training in how to shovel snow off the driveway and scrape snow and ice off the cars. Fun, fun! Not too bad if you only do it once a year...but sure makes me thankful to be a southerner!! :)
Here are a few pics of us in our snow gear this morning, and a couple of Carter at Nanny's house last week with his second cousin, Ethan. They are just TOO cute in their matching PJ's, so I wanted to share this pic too!
Happy New Year!!! Love to all!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!

Christmas morning is extra special at our house...not only are we celebrating Christ's birth, but it's also Scott's birthday! Happy Birthday, Scott/Daddy...we love you!!! We've sung happy birthday, presents have been opened, and now we're enjoying some time together listening to the musical musings of our 3 year old drummer...Santa has made our son's year! Video footage coming soon...

Santy Claus

Two of the oddest traditions we have as parents...
1. Telling our kids not to take candy from strangers, but getting them all dressed up and taking them door to door asking for candy from strangers on Halloween.
2. Telling our kids not to talk to strangers, then putting them on the lap of a complete stranger, not to mention old man, for a quick photo op at Christmas.
Odd but at the same time these are traditions we want Carter to experience! :)
So, tonight we braved the mall traffic and sub-freezing temperatures to stand in line for close to an hour so our sweet little man could tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Afterwords, he kept telling us that he and Santa were buddies, then stood at a distance waving and blowing him kisses. The twinkle in Carter's eye, excitement in his voice, and complete awe at the sights and sounds of Christmas made the wait well worth it!
We know that Christmas is not all about presents and Santa, and we read the Story of Christmas to Carter nearly every night. Even still, we don't want him to miss out on some of the wonders of being a child...the mystery, excitment, and thrill of this season.
May our response to Christ's birth be like that of Carter's to Santa tonight...may our hearts flutter, may our eyes twinkle, may we be filled with such joy we can hardly stand still!
May the joy of knowing Christ be the greatest gift you receive this season...
Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Carter!

It's hard to believe it, but our sweet son turned 3 on Monday. Even before he was born, other often well-wishing parents would tell me to enjoy every minute because "It all goes by so fast!" It sounded so cliche then, and yet now I am realizing just how true it is. I find each day I want to just soak up every moment with him and hope that the memories held in my mind's eye will forever remain as clear as the day they happened. Some of our most precious times together may not ever be captured on camera...bedtime prayers, snuggling at 3am (love it, but also ready for more sleep!), the first hug after Carter wakes up, hearing him say "I love you, Mommy."...just to name a few.
We celebrated Carter's birthday with family this year, deciding we weren't quite ready for the friend party...maybe next year?!? I hate that I didn't get pictures from his actual "party." As luck would have it, our camera battery was dead! So, the birthday pics on here are from his birthday dinner at Mineo's and first ride on his new bike...enjoy!

Hamming it up!

Cheese!

Carter and Daddy

A REAL bike! :)

Packages and Bows!

This Christmas is already such fun with Carter. His eyes light up at the sight of Christmas decorations, he claps as we turn on the Christmas tree lights, and he cheers each time the Grinch's heart grows! It does feel a bit like we have a cat in the house, though. Why? Well, you should see Carter creep up to the Christmas tree and begin batting at the ornaments.. .
Last night as Scott and I were filling our supper plates, Carter was upstairs and it got suspiciously quiet. I called up to him, "Carter, what are you doing?" His reply with great joy in his voice, "I'm just opening my Christmas presents!!" I scrambled up the stairs and quickly pried the box from his sweet hands. Patience will be a difficult virtue to teach this Christmas!

Carter at Ally's house

Braxton, Adaline, and Carter--CHEESE!

PRECIOUS!!!

Warm Up and Foul Shots

As promised, an update on how Carter's been spending his time. The video's a couple of minutes, but worth watching all his moves! I'm saving this one for when he plays in the National Championship for UNC!!! :)

Holidays for Heroes

I'll get back to my usual Carter blogging soon...but for now, I want to encourage you to help spread holiday cheer! Specifically, please take a moment within the next week to mail a card to one of our many deserving heroes serving our country.
The Red Cross is sponsoring "Holiday Mail for Heroes." The mailing address/info you need can be found on their website. Please join me in thanking those who sacrifice so much so we can enjoy the freedoms and security we so often take for granted.

Deadline...

Sorry for not blogging much this month. As most of you who read this know, my Jan. 15 deadline for my current freelance project got bumped to Dec. 1...resulting in a month of frantic writing and little time for blogging or anything else really! :)
We hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! More soon...

Tick, tock

That's right...the countdown to Christmas has begun!
Don't believe me? Check out the display at your local Walgreens (or ask Carter!).
I innocently went into Walgreens in search of a toothbrush for Carter, when bombarded by twinkling lights and a large Snoopy clock counting down the days, hours, minutes, even seconds until Christmas. My heart began to beat a little faster as I scanned the store...instantly, thoughts of Christmas cards, gift lists, and a plethora of other "to-do's" ran through my mind. Can it really be so few days until Christmas? Has it always felt this rushed? It's not even Thanksgiving yet, after all.
Even still, I'll soak up every bit of it, because this truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
Click on the link below if you need to give your own to do list a timeline...
http://www.emailsanta.com/clock.html

"Look Mommy--a hat!"

Those were Carter's words as he ran into the kitchen while I was fixing dinner...with his batman underwear on his head. I LOVE THIS KID!! :)

"I'm Batman!"

We hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! Ours was fun as we celebrated Don-Don's birthday at my sister's house. Happy Birthday, Daddy!! We love you!!! :)
Carter had been afraid of his Batman costume (really just the muscle part) until it came time to put it on last night. Something about being a super hero and people giving out candy must have convinced him it was okay. :) Anyway, enjoy the pics from our Halloween fun!

Check out that six pack!
Who is that masked man?

The most beautiful gypsy and adorable Batman
you'll ever see!

Best buds...Carter and Braxton checking out their loot.

Batman and the Birthday Boy
Happy Birthday, Don-Don!