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.

Copycat Carter

Carter has started copying things we do, including the funny noises we make.

On the last day of April . . .

. . . My true love gave to me . . .

. . . one empty bookshelf . . . .
. . . five tiny toes . . . .
. . . and a twenty minute nap . . .

Toy Box Fun

Diggin through the toy box,
"Mom, where is that one toy I like"
"Well, if you don't know, then I'm gonna climb in and find it."

The State of My Heart

I have had an achy heart for the past week or so. I don't need to mention what brought on the achy breaky but I thought it might make me feel better by posting this thought that came to me today.

Bad, crappy, massively painful things and events happen to incredibly wonderful people, they happen every day, in every place, at any age for no darn reason at all. No reason that I can figure out anyway. God knows for sure. I now realize that I am an over analyzing nut. And I don't need to try to figure out why "the bad" happens to the good or how to fix it, no matter how badly I want to. I do, however, want those "incredibly wonderful" people, and you know who you are, to know that a whole silly week later I am still thinking about you and I love you and I hope that you are better.

Got the crawling thing down . . .

Anniversary Trip to Dana Point, California

On Sunday morning we dropped Carter off with Grandpa and Grandma for a couple days and set off for some alone time. It was the first time in 8 1/2 months being away from Cubby and it was heartbreaking to leave. After a few tears in the car I was ready for the trip. I knew he was in GREAT hands but I was still going to miss the little guy.

So after a 4 hour drive we ended up at an Angels vs. Mariners baseball game in Anaheim. Mariners lost but it was still a fun time.

From Angels Stadium we drove another 40 miles South to Dana Point.

This is our hotel, the Blue Lantern Inn. It was incredible. A small hotel with 29 rooms. Very quaint and homey. They serve afternoon tea and yummy snacks and a wonderful breakfast every morning.

Here is our room. There was a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom. Fair warning, jacuzzi tubs only require a VERY small amount of bubble bath. No one told me this and I flooded the bathroom with bubbles. It took Jeff and hour to find me. Sorry. no pictures of that.
This is the view from our balcony. Just to our right was a great restaurant, Cannons, where we had a wonderful dinner.

San Clemente Beach

Monday, we took a small drive on the PCH. We stopped at a beach and walked for a while.
A picture of us, and my growing belly.
I sat at this bench not realizing the inscription. Married 70 years, this was only our 6 year but I can't wait for the next 64+.

At the Marina.

After our Anniversary dinner at Cannons. Thanks Mike and Amanda!

The Yard

Carter has a snack and watches Daddy do yard work through the window.

Mom, these pictures are for you. Here is the tree with the little white flowers around it. (Little white flowers is about as technical as I get, I don't know what they are called). Jeff did the blocks to make a little planter for me.
And here is the barrel with the flowers you bought. The boxwoods? foxwoods? are in the back. Some of the flowers bit the dust, probably because I am no green thumb, I think I killed them by looking at them.

Carter

"Let me up, Let me up!"

"Ha, gotcha Daddy!"

"Ok, back down on the ground to play with my new toy from Cousin Bree. Just my height!"

There is a new kitty lurking around our back door. Our cats think he is a pest.

Carter thinks he is great entertainment.
If only he could get that kitty, or the ones in the house, he would be happy.
A little Saturday morning milk beard.

J A J

(J)ust (A)sk (J)eff

Ok, so the power cord to the camera is still missing, BUT Jeff showed me how to load the pictures on the camera with the memory card . . . Duh!

So without further ado . . . More pictures of Cubby.

Waiting for his nighttime bottle. Such a patient little guy.

Easter Sunday outfit. He's just thrilled with it. Can you tell?

Playing with my friends, Dane and Aaron Jr.

I found an egg! (or two)

Is this it? What was all the hype about?

More pool time with Daddy. Fun in the sun.

M I A

The camera cord . . . missing, gone, disappeared, vanished, up and walked away . . . . Sorry Bill. And Mom. And Erin. And all those who have picked on me for the last week about putting up new pics of Carter. I actually have some cute ones, Easter and such but until I find that trusty camera cord I can't load them onto the Blog. I am searching . . . until then I hope this tides you over . . . if not you can always catch a plane . . .

Carter is remaining silent about the missing cord . . . upon being interrogated he promptly put his pacifier in his mouth and is remaining silent. It's possible he has stolen it. We will search his room and toy box.

Weekend Photos

Carter got his first dip in the pool this year, he loves the water.

Then the boys sat on the swing and watched Bryan, Loren, Shanda and Lyle play Bocci ball.

Before long, Carter was feeling a bit sleepy from all the activity.

Sleepy Sunday

Just trying to keep my eyes open . . .

Still trying . . .

. . . Ok, I give up, Nap time!!

Isn't Technology Fabulous?

Here is the 1st 3D Ultrasound of the newest addition to our family. For those of you who can't tell her head is at the top of the image, and her left arm is wiping her eye. Her little legs are all mixed up in the umbilical cord. At 12 weeks this is pretty impressive to be able to see so much.

In this image, her head is to the right. They were looking at the spinal cord and facial structure in this one. You can barely make out her little face (she's looking up) and cute button nose just like Carter's. She kept jumping during this shot, Dr. said she had the hiccups.