Memorial Day

Carter, Auntie Kari and Bree in the pool. It was a nice 95 degree day and the kids loved the pool.
Some Grandpa time.
Carter floated in his boat for quite awhile. Smiling at everyone.

Where does the time go?

It wasn't all that long ago that we brought a very fragile, breakable, completely dependant, or so we thought, little baby boy home from the hospital. So tiny, we thought moving him would break him. He cuddled with his Auntie Erin for hours and she didn't even have to hold onto him. He would just lay against her and snooze. I found one of his extra newborn diapers today and can't believe he's already in a size 3. The newborn size looks so small now. He had to eat every 2 hours and cried just as often. He woke in the night every couple hours. Jeff and I took turns rocking him back to sleep after midnight meals. Going out to run errands was a huge ordeal. Took 2 hours just to get ready and then we still wouldn't have what we needed. Smiles were rare and priceless.

Now, almost 10 months old, he has been in the world longer than he was inside my belly. Carter babbles up a storm, BA-BA, MA-MA, DA-DA, HI, BA-NAAAA (Banana?). He recognizes family and looks for his daddy in the morning when we come down stairs. He likes to talk to Grammy and Grampy on the phone. He loves the kitties. He crawls. He stands with help and walks between furniture. He is trying to stand on his own now. Carter has 2 teeth, and tries to feed himself now with his spoon. He feeds himself finger foods like bananas, crackers, pancakes, etc. (By the picture below you can tell he misses his mouth a lot) He squirms out of my arms and you have to hold tight or he will jump. He reaches out for us to cuddle. He sleeps through the night. He smiles all the time but now when he finds something funny or sees someone he likes, they aren't rare but still as priceless. His infancy is speeding past. How is this possible when the days seem so long but the months fly by?

Where does the time go?

Carter and His Walking Toy

Carter is getting his legs to work more everyday. Just a couple weeks ago he would just crawl over to this toy and push it, now he stands up and walks with it.

Check out the new fashion statement too: One sock rocks! He usually takes one of his socks off in the night and so when morning comes he is ready to show off his new style.

Baby Boy Shepherd #2

Here's a 4D ultrasound side profile of the little boy on the way.

These were taken at 18 weeks along (2 weeks ago)
Regular Ultrasound, here the Dr was checking his facial structure. Perfect palate, ear, nose and chin.
Another 4D Ultrasound, pretty amazing at only 18 weeks.

Friday Funny . . .Thanks to Grandma Vi for the Giggle . . .

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes (You MUST read them aloud)

English = Chinese

That's not right = Sum Ting Wong

Are you harboring a fugitive? = Hu Yu Hai Ding

Small Horse = Tai Ni Po Ni

Did you go to the beach? = Wai Yu So Tan

I think you need a face lift = Chin Tu Fat

It's very dark in here = Wai So Dim

I thought you were on a diet = Wai Yu Mun Ching

This is a tow away zone = No Pah King

Our meeting is scheduled for next week = Wai Yu Kum Nao

Staying out of sight = Lei Ying Lo

He's cleaning his automobile = Wa Shing Ka

Your body odor is offensive = Yu Stin Ki Pu

Pregnancy Q & A - So Funny, I stole it from another blog

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Mother's Day

Auntie Erin visited.
Cuddled with Mommy.
Swam in the pool.

That was the day.

To My Everything

Absolutely LOVE this song.

To My Wonderful Husband, in this crazy life and through these crazy times . . . it's you, it's you. . . . you're my Everything.

Piano Man and Naked Butt

Jeff is teaching Carter to play piano.
Carter doesn't care that he isn't wearing any pants.

(But he will when I show this picture at his graduation.)
I hope Jeff isn't teaching him to play "Tinkle Tinkle, Little Star."

Darn, another boy...

I was in Flagstaff Arizona for the week on business when Renee called to give me the news on the "development" of our little girl. Dad's response? I was so disappointed I went shopping. I think Carter knows he's getting a brother now too....

The Story of the Little Girl Who Grew a Penis . . .

Yep, you guessed it. An ultrasound today revealed a little more than we expected. Our little girl decided she'd rather be a boy. I guess you can never count on 90%. We are very happy that Carter will have a brother. Double trouble. Bunk beds. Soccer games. No weddings to pay for! Send back the pink bedding, more blue coming our way.

The Ultrasound tech was scanning the baby when all of a sudden I saw something that looked out of place. (Pictures to follow shortly) She said, oh so sweetly, "Do you know what you are having?" I thought, "Well, yeah. The Dr. said last time it was a girl." But as obvious as it was I responded, " Well, that's certainly a boy." No mistakes, our thoughts of pink ribbons and lacey dresses quickly changed to race cars and fire trucks. The Dr. came in and confirmed the obvious. (He was certain he had told me only 80%) I remember a figure like "between 80 and 90%." But it doesn't matter now, we are having another boy!!! Good thing we found out before Erin and I painted the nursery..... which was planned for this weekend by the way.

Anyway, the little guy measured just on target 18 weeks and 1 day. "Healthy, good heart, brain function, good organs, no deformities, active" I have to admit the word "Healthy" was all I wanted to hear. Girl. Boy. . . . doesn't matter. Healthy. . . . 10 fingers, ten toes . . . squirming around . . . music to my ears.