Sunday, May 27, 2007

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?

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

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, May 18, 2007

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

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

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.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

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.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

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....

Thursday, May 10, 2007

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.

Monday, April 30, 2007

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 . . .

Saturday, April 28, 2007

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."

Thursday, April 26, 2007

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.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

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!"

Sunday, April 15, 2007

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.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

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.


Tuesday, April 10, 2007

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.

Monday, April 02, 2007

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.