My One Year Old

Yesterday my baby boy turned one year old! It really does not feel like we have had him a whole year, yet it is really hard for me to remember life before him!

When I found out I was pregnant, I was so excited! I knew that I would love being a mommy, but I never really knew how great it really would be. Every day with Carter has been filled with a new challenge or adventure.

Carter amazes me every single day. I remember when he first rolled over and I thought THAT was a great accomplishment, and now he is walking all over the place! I swear there is not an ounce of fear in that boy.
He is so curious and gets into everything. They say your house is never the same after you have a baby, and boy are "they" right! But, I really wouldn't have it any other way - well, I must admit that I am looking forward to the day that he can help clean up!

Though he isn't much of a cuddler, he gives the sweetest kisses! If someone was keeping a count of how many times me and Corbin have asked that little boy for a kiss, it would probably be embarrassing. But seriously, we cannot resist!

Carter was super tiny when he was born, and though he has almost tripled his birth weight, I'm pretty sure that he will always be a petite fella. Everyone tells me how small he is, but I just see him as SUCH a big boy. He is growing so fast and that is no surprise considering how much he eats!
I may be a little biased, but I certainly think that our little man is SO smart! He is great at repeating what we say - some of his favorite words are "ball", "tree", "bubba", "dada", and he also likes to sing "lalala". He also is VERY fond of music and will dance as soon as he hears some.

It is not very hard to get our little man to smile. Show him some attention, and his eyes will just light up and he will give you the sweetest grin. He may even give you the touchdown sign and he seems to think that is ALWAYS appropriate even if there is no football around!!

Carter also loves the company of other kids! He especially loves the big kids. Good thing, because he is completely HANDS ON when other children are around. Unfortunately, he often goes for their hair! He will play with anyone and I know he will be a great big brother one day!

As you can tell, I think the world of my little boy. He is the greatest blessing and just another form of proof of God's love for us. It seems that my love for him continually grows as each day passes. I am so very thankful that Corbin and I were chosen to be his parents and I cannot wait to see him grow and learn and change as time goes on.

Happy Birthday, Carter Ross! You are loved more than you will ever know!

Carter's Got Rhythm

This is what I walked into one morning. Carter was bustin a move to Nick Jr. So funny! Love that boy!

Baby's First Thanksgiving!

Oh how I love me some Thanksgiving! I was super excited for Carter to experience everything that comes along with it! This year we traveled to Chattanooga to visit Corbin's brother and his family. I was most excited to have Carter play with his cousins. The last time we saw them, he was only 6 months old...not quite the playing age. Though he was feeling a little puny (and grumpy), I'm fairly certain he had a blast exploring Aunt Nicole and Uncle Phil's house and playing with ALL the new toys!


This toy below was one of Carter's favorite. He would push that lion all around the house, not stopping for anything...or anyone. Such a big boy!



I love that Carter and his cousin Brenna are so close in age and I hate that we don't live closer. I have a feeling these two will be good friends!


Carter thoroughly enjoyed his first Thanksgiving meal of Turkey, Sweet Potato Casserole, Squash/Zucchini Casserole, Dressing, and Macaroni and Cheese. I am surprised at how much he ate - probably because he isn't used to such variety.

Though all three of us ended up sick, we enjoyed hanging out with family and NOT working. The older Carter gets the more I realize that he has NO fear. That kid will climb, lunge, crawl into anything. He is definitely ALL BOY and will probably cause me to die an early death. But I must admit it is so much fun to watch him have fun!


We had a great Thanksgiving and I hope everyone else did too!! I cannot go a day without realizing how extremely blessed I am. I love my little family and cannot thank God enough for the two great guys that he has put in my life.

The Return of the Bad Blogger

I know, I KNOW! I have been absent for way too long (so my mother has told me on many occasions), but I have excuses! You see...we have a lot going on around here.

I am working hard to plan Carter's first birthday party, shop for Christmas, AND keep up with my wifely duties. Also, we've been out of town for Thanksgiving and will be heading out of town this weekend too for the ACC Championship in Tampa (Go Tigers!).

Oh, and have I mentioned that cute boy above? Well HE is taking up quite a bit of time as well! Carter is super mobile now and can crawl at the speed of light. He's been sick for about a week now, but finally seems to be getting over it. I've suctioned enough boogers to last me the rest of my life, I think! He's so pitiful when he doesn't feel good, though.


I cannot believe that our little man will be a YEAR old in just a few short weeks! Our baby boy isn't a baby anymore! He is so smart and stubborn and sweet and I just cannot get enough of him. I promise I will work on blogging more during the holidays so you can see a bit more of our soon to be toddler!

Coming soon: Thanksgiving post!

Kiss-aholic

Lately my son has become VERY affectionate. He comes at you with a wide open mouth and will just slobber all over you til the cows come home. The more you react or people around you react, the more kisses will come. He's such a sweetie. Here's a video of him attack kissing his Daddy...



Just this weekend, while I was reading him a story, he grabbed his book and gave it a big ole kiss. It was so funny! And then while playing with his rocking horse, he gave her a smooch as well.

He certainly knows what "kiss" means, because all you have to do is say "give Mommy a kiss" and he will grab my head and come at me. If he doesn't know you too well, he will probably just blow you a kiss. I will have to get that on video...he has his own special kiss blowing technique.

The only thing that suffers is my makeup. But I guess his sweet kisses are worth it because I KNOW he won't be doing that forever!

Things learned since having a mobile child...

1. He will find something under the couch that I have been looking for for weeks.

2. He will find something under the couch that I don't want him to eat...and he will try to eat it.


3 He will cause me to say "No, don't eat that!" more times than I ever have.

4. He will thoroughly explore every inch of my house.

5. He will get bruises (Exhibit A below)...and then I will have to explain to EVERYONE how he got it. From now on I'm going to look at people like their stupid and say "he's 10 months old". That answer should suffice, dontcha think?


6. He will make up a new game that includes throwing his body down on the nearest cushy surface.



7. He will cause me to have to vacuum and sweep more than I ever have.

8. He will make me laugh when he slips and slides all over the hardwood floor...not realizing why he isn't going anywhere.

9. He will use me as his personal jungle gym.


10. He will take his first steps!!!



11. He will make me realize how fast he is growing and how much I love him!!

Halloween, by Carter

Hello everyone! My mommy has always been the one to update you on what I've been up to, but I figured it's time for you to hear it from me. This weekend was a busy one. On Friday night we went to Aunt Lisa and Uncle Greg's house for a Halloween party. I'm not really sure what Halloween is, but Mom got pretty excited about it, so I figured it was okay. What I did not understand is why I had to wear a heavy monkey suit when it was 82 degrees outside.


Everyone kept telling me how cute I was, so I assume that is why Mommy dressed me up. She likes it when people say I am cute. Probably because it is true. I had a good time at the party and played with my BFF Graham. Here he is as a hot dog. He's a pretty cool dude.


Saturday started out pretty normal. I ate, slept and hammed it up for the camera.

But then after my afternoon nap Mommy dressed me up in my monkey suit AGAIN. I mean, I know it looks cute on me, but it was HOT. I humored her and wore it for pictures, but refused to look at the camera as payback.

That Mom, she jumped around and made all sorts of noises trying to get me to look, but that green stuff on the ground was waaay more interesting. Then Dad came out and I gave them a break for the photo opp. I know they're just trying to document all my cuteness.

After that we headed to church. But church was not like I was used to. Normally I go, crawl all over Mom, throw toys, and eat puffs until Mom has had enough and takes me out. But on THAT night there were fun games and rides everywhere! And there were even a few monkeys like me!! Now that's my kind of church!

When we first got there, I got a bag of candy. Dad was pretty excited about that. I didn't realize until later that it was because candy is something I cannot have - which means Mom and Dad get to eat all of mine. I think that is why he is smiling at me in this picture.

Me and Graham got right down to business and rode the rollercoaster first. He was a little scared, but I handled it like a man.

Then Mama took me outside to ride in the little train ride. That was probably my favorite. We rode around the parking lot and waved at my adoring fans.

After that I got to crawl around in the bouncy house! Can you believe they let me have it all to myself?! As you can tell, we had a pretty eventful night. I don't remember much after this....well until I woke up the next morning at 6:00. Mom told me that it was actually 5:00 and that I needed to go back to bed. She must be taking crazy pills, she mumbled something about "Daylight Savings Time", whatever that is.

I hope you guys enjoyed getting to experience a bit of my first Halloween. I'm definitely a fan and am looking forward to next year already! I think Mom and Dad are too - they say that Halloween wasn't nearly this fun before I came around. Well duh, LIFE wasn't nearly this fun until I came around!