Happy Birthday PapaDu!

PapaDu (Vaughn's Dad, Larry) turns 60 today!  Carter says happy birthday and that he loves you!  Okay, well maybe he just fake coughed for a few minutes, but I know that is what he means!  We love you and hope that you had a great day today!  

Thankful and 11 months old

It has been a long time since I posted new pictures...it is just amazing how fast time goes by and how busy we are just doing daily stuff.  Carter is over 11 months old and we are now counting down to his 1st birthday.  It has been the best year and it feels like you can almost watch Carter's brain getting bigger all of the time.  Carter has taken a few steps and is walking behind his Tonka truck with ease.  Carter says "Mama" and "Dada" and seems to use it appropriately most of the time.  He says "Book" and "Cat".  Carter laughs so much and he is just such a content and pleasant kiddo.  We are just absolutely blessed.  Carter seems to just enjoy life, but especially likes when any adult acts like a crazy person...it is very entertaining when grown-ups make fools of themselves.  Anything for a laugh from Carter. Carter had his first haircut recently and he looks like a little man now.  He was pretty sleepy during the event, so he did not put up too much of a fight.  Carter's "Aunt Jet" (Jeri) cut his hair and did a great job! 

My cousin Holly passed along some clothes that were worn by her dad, my dad, her brother and then her boys.  The overalls and shirt are very worn, but so cute.  Carter fits into them now and so we had to take his picture.  Here are a few of them. 

We had a great Thanksgiving at my Aunt and Uncle's farm.  We hung out outside and everyone rode horses, motorcycles, jeeps and everyone (besides Emmie, Great, Carter and I) shot guns at targets.  Here are some of the cutest photos of Carter....and some other people.  

Vaughn on the motorcycle...before he fell.

Carter "driving" the tractor...how cute is that!

Emmie and Carter play the drum outside

Vaughn and I are both so thankful for Carter and the wonderful year that we have had.  We are so thankful for the awesome support system that we have in our friends and family.  Carter is so lucky to have four wonderful grandparents and loving aunts and uncles.  So, if you are our friend or family, we love you and we are thankful for being a part of our lives.  

10 Months and Standing

Carter is ten months old and I really cannot believe that this year has gone by this fast.  It truly feels like he was just born and we were just coming home freaking out about how to make sure he is safe and breathing and everything!  I just feel so lucky to have such a great kiddo!  Carter is such a happy kid and he has just started standing on his own.  He is so fast at crawling and cruising and trying to get to the cats before they see him coming.  Here are a few recent photos:

  

Swinging at the park during the Huffines Art Festival--Carter was not sure what to think of this activity!

Dinner after spending a nap-free day with my Emmie!  Carter actually had food in his mouth when he crashed...it did make it very easy to clean him up! 

Perfect Fall Weekend

For the past few weeks, I have been working on Saturdays--leaving Vaughn and Carter on their own and leaving me exhausted!  This past weekend, I got a break and we had a great weekend!  Saturday was the Texas/Oklahoma game and Carter was of course showing his Longhorn pride!  The Longhorns won and Carter consoled Fauntie Sara and Funcle Eric! We all took a late nap on Saturday afternoon after the game, which meant that Carter was not going to bed on time.  Since he was going to be up anyway, we all headed back to Shelby and Michael's house to hang out for a while.  Carter experienced his first campfire and was mesmerized.  On Sunday we all went to the Pumpkin Patch.  To be honest, this was mostly just a photo op, not much of a shopping trip, but it was fun to see Carter take it all in.  Vaughn and I, having both grown up in Richardson, have memories of going to the same pumpkin patch when we were kids.  It had a big witch on top and a pumpkin on a cord that would fly up when you tried to grab it.  We wanted so badly to share the same memories with Carter, but of course, things change and it is not there anymore.  We decided to go to a pumpkin patch in Richardson and it was very cool.  They had spots to take pictures all over the place and the prices weren't too bad!  Our weekend was great and very autumnal!  Carter is just becoming such a little kid already. 

 

Fair Day

Last weekend, we all went to the State Fair of Texas.  Carter has been bugging us for weeks to meet Big Tex, so we finally gave in....kidding.  In reality, Vaughn and I just needed a day of good/gross food and the smell of farm animals and Carter got to tag along.  Carter was such a good sport and loved to just take it all in.  He seemed to like the animals the best and just walking around.  We met up with Uncle Beau and Aunt Jessica and crew who were there to celebrate Uncle Beau's birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAU!  Here are a few photos from our day:

I tried to let Carter pet the sheep...He would stretch out his hand and then lean back so that he couldn't quite reach her. 

Vaughn and Carter standing in the landscaping exhibit.  Carter is getting so good at smiling for the camera! 

Carter and I are standing on a bridge in one of the exhibits...He could not stop looking at all of the flowers.  

Carter and I went behind the board to get ready to take his flower photo and he just leaned forward and stuck his face right through the hole.  It was as if he did this every day.  What a cute...handsome flower! 

Post-Fair-Day Mommy and Carter checking on her...The day was so fun, but I was exhausted!  

Nine Months Old Already

Carter is now 9 months old and he is doing great!  We went to the doctor for his check up and he squirmed the entire time.  Carter weighed 21.2 pounds (60%) and is 29 inches tall (75%)...the big news is Carter's head...it is 18 3/4 inches.  This is in the greater than 95%!  I have never really looked at Carter and thought..."wow, check out that noggin' "...but apparently he has very large brains.  Carter is becoming such a kid..he claps, he laughs all of the time, he crawl-runs from us when we say no, and he loves to play all kinds of games. 

Carter grabbed the spoon the other day...he wants to be independent so badly!  He couldn't figure out what was in his eye...it was so funny. 

Belated Birthday Wishes to Emmie!

Carter reminded his mother that he never got to wish Emmie a Happy Birthday on the blog because we were out of town in August and apparently brainless.  So, hope your birthday was great!  We love you Emmie!  I know that Carter appreciates the extreme measures that you are willing to go to make him laugh.  

Long Over Due Update

Apparently, Carter is now requesting that his blog be updated via his Aunt SheShe, so at his request I am posting some pics.  We are having so much fun with Carter...he is really interactive and funny.  It is so crazy how quickly he is starting to seem more like a kid and less like a baby!  Carter currently thinks that "meow" is a very funny sound and loves chasing after our cats.  They are actually great sports, but I think as he is getting faster, they are getting more irritated.  Carter is crawling and cruising and basically keeping us on our toes.  We have been busy just doing the work and family thing lately so all of our recent photos are just of Carter...kinda boring, but at least he's cute!

Carter is getting ready for Texas Football! 

Carter is very into knobs and pulls of all kinds....he is showing his dad in this pic! 

Carter loves "Olly" the Octopus...maybe too much! 

8 months and growing!

Well this past month has been a busy one!  Carter is doing more and more everyday. He is creeping very quickly and getting very close to an actual crawl.  I think he would just rather do what he knows how to do because he is faster.  He is pulling up on things and trying to take a step or two.  Carter has started eating meat (making me want to puke at every feeding) and is even working on the sippy cup.  We took our first trip with Carter to Houston for four nights and we survived.  Carter was a great sport and did not get too loud in all of the restaurants and hotels.  He was not too big of a fan of the pack n play, so he would end up in the bed with us every night.  He slept great, but of course, I was totally freaked out about rolling over on him.  Carter loved looking out of the hotel windows and he was quite the cutie at the Nursery and Landscape Exhibition at the Convention Center.  Carter really worked on his screaming ability on the day that we checked into our hotel downtown and could not get enough of his own voice.  His love for his reflection is also hard to beat, so he loved the mirrors in the hotel rooms.  Carter took his first bath in the actual tub and just loved it.  It was a little hard to get his hair washed, but he fell in love with the drain cover.  Carter does not have a doctor's appointment this month so we don't know his exact weight and height, but he is in 12 Months clothing now!  He is so big.  The other night, he woke up and needed to be held (he was a little freaked out for a few days after we got back in town) and he would barely fit in my lap in the recliner.   Carter is dealing a little with separation/stranger anxiety and he especially freaks out when SheShe's fiance, Michael talks to him.  It seems so mean because Michael really likes Carter and tries really hard to make him smile--Carter just cries about 70% of the time when Michael tries to interact with him.  Hopefully this is a short phase!  

Growing Up So Fast!

Here are a few pictures of Carter that I thought were worth sharing.  He seems to have figured out that he should smile and pose for the camera.  

Carter defies all rules about his exer-saucer! 

Wave at the camera...Carter is just chillin' on his pillow! 

Check out that smile and those teeth!  

Happy Boy

This is a shot of Carter's face while he is on his Daddy's shoulders.  Carter just laughs the entire time and holds onto Vaughn's hair.  It is so cute! 

Happy Birthday MamaDu!

We hope that your day is great!  I admit that this picture is very old, but it is the only one I can find of you too!  Look at how little Carter was!  Thank you very much for all that you do!  Carter is very lucky to have you in his life and we are lucky too! 

Carter Update

It has been a long time since my last post and I know that everyone is starving for some new Carter photos.  It is amazing how fast life starts to pass by and then it has been another month.  Carter is now over 7 months old and is so much fun!  He is so funny and he thinks the world is here just to make him laugh.  It is so cool to watch him learn things like how his Jumper works  and how to play peek-a-boo.  Carter makes the best motor-boat noise in the world and he is getting one beautiful head of hair.  He is so curious and interactive and happy.  Here are a few pictures of the past month or so.  

Sitting Pretty...er...Handsome

Wearing my Emmie's Hat

Sleeping Angel

Tickling the Ivories with my Dad

Carter's First Independence Day

Carter celebrated his first 4th of July, though he was a little too young to watch fireworks.  We hung out by the pool all weekend and Carter squeezed in time to pose for a few photos.  What could be cuter than a six month old, a patriotic quilt and a flag!  

Carter...excited about liberty or about getting to hold a stick with a pointy end?!?

Red, White and Drool!  

Carter goes Black Tie

I am finally getting around to posting some pictures of Carter in his tuxedo.  It is hard to see, but it was the cutest thing ever.  We all had a great time at the wedding...even Carter.  He was a great sport and even fell asleep in his tux.  Congratulations, Aunt Jess and Uncle Beau! 

Carter with his Aunt Jess and Uncle Beau, the handsome wedding couple! 

The DuBrocs dress up--Carter with Me and Vaughn

Happy Birthday SheShe

This is Carter and his aunt, SheShe (Shelby) hanging out.  We hope that your birthday was great!  Sorry this is a day late...Carter has a hard time reading a calendar!  We love you!  

Six Months

Carter is officially six months old today.  Vaughn and I both took him to his six month check up at the doctor this week.  This was Vaughn's first time witnessing the horror of shots!  Actually Carter did very well and recovered quickly after the shots were over.  Carter continues to prove his determination to be a tall, skinny kid.  He is 27 inches tall and 15 pounds, 11 ounces.  Now that he is six months old, we have begun to add vegetables into his fast-expanding diet.  He had some green beans yesterday and did very well until he actually stopped to taste them.  He then decided that he liked to push them back out more than swallowing them.  Carter is just so fun and he is doing more and more everyday.  He is just days away from sitting on his own...I can feel it.  He can do it now, but there is no predicting how long it will last and he will just fall backwards at will.  He is so curious and wants to touch everything.  Carter is also very into Clementine, our dog.  He stood holding onto to her kennel (with help) for 20 minutes yesterday, just waiting for a glance or a lick.  I am pretty sure that he thinks that Clem exists only to entertain him.  I can't wait until they can play together.  Carter has two teeth that are through the gum, but only one is really visible from afar.  He laughs a lot and says "ma ma ma".  We (meaning Vaughn) are working on the "da da".  Now that Carter is six months old, I guess that means that Vaughn and I have survived six whole months of being parents.  Both of us have really settled into the roles of Mom and Dad and we both have so much fun with Carter.  It sometimes catches me off guard how much our lives have changed and how it seems to have happened so naturally.  Our priorities have shifted and the things that used to seem so important, just aren't anymore.  I am totally aware of how cliche that sounds, but it is true too.  Being a parent is simply amazing and Carter is simply wonderful.  

Father's Day

Yesterday was Vaughn's first Father's Day and we celebrated with both sides of the family.  It has been really cool to get to see Vaughn be a dad...the role truly suits him.  Carter has a great dad.  It is so cool to see Vaughn's face light up whenever Carter does anything cute or new or well, just anything.  Here are a few pictures of fatherhood, Vaughn's way: 

My boys are just too cute!  Happy Father's Day, Vaughn!   

The lonely photo from the Wedding

Beau and Jessica were married on June 7, 2008 and we all had a great time.  Carter wore a tux (thanks to Jack for letting us borrow it) and he was a trooper all night.  I think he finally called it quits about 11:00pm and went home with Emmie and DV.  We will post more pictures when I get them...I was too busy having fun to take any photos myself.  

Carter looks at ease surrounded by all of Vaughn's cousins...what a ladies' man! 

Catch Up on Carter

Well, life has been super crazy lately...In the past month we have celebrated my birthday (29 years old!!), Beau and Jessica's Wedding and Father's Day!  There will be pictures to come from the wedding and father's day, but here are a few photos to catch everyone up on Carter's latest adventures.  He is growing up so fast and is cuter everyday (if you ask me).  Carter is so curious and interested in everything that comes near him and, of course, he tries to put it all in his mouth.  He has one tooth and one very much on the way, so we will have pictures of teeth as soon as he will let me get a good shot. 

We forgot Carter's swim suit and so he used his dad's from 1980.  

Yes, that sure is a green terrycloth speedo!

Carter loves to give Daphne, Emmie and DV's dog, lots of hugs.  We are not sure that Daphne appreciates his gestures of affection.

What a happy boy! 

We got bubbles from Beau and Jessica's Wedding and have been mesmerized ever since! 

I think I like the pool! 

Solid Ground?

For the past few weeks, Carter has been coveting every piece of food that Vaughn and I have eaten...so we knew that the time to start solid foods was fast approaching.  Carter will grab at my cereal spoon in the morning and he will reach hungrily for every drink that he sees!  So, Vaughn and I prepared the stage tonight...we got out the high-chair, the plastic bibs, and the baby spoons and we took the leap!  Carter was a little confused at first, but towards the end of attempt number one, he seemed to be actually swallowing the rice cereal and opened his mouth for the next bite.  It was so cool to see Carter take this next step and we are so excited to watch him get to try all kinds of foods!  

Open Wide!!!

True Concentration

And We are Finished!