December..Over, but not Forgotten

December came and went without a new post....the first month that I have missed completely since Carter was born.  December was a month full of Birthday and Christmas (i.e. events that one may feel deserve to be recorded in blog form), but because we were actually busy at these events, posting was postponed.  So, here is an update to cover the time that has elapsed.  

Carter's First Birthday

Carter and his official present-opener

Carter attacked his cupcake and did not take a breath until he had devoured the entire thing.

My sweet birthday boy before the guests and excitement arrived.  

Just an everyday dinner with Carter...who doesn't love a messy face

Christmas with Carter

Carter and his only encounter with Santa this year....I know...poor parenting

Carter actually opening a gift on Christmas morning...

he likes it because it has a mirror...he already knows how cute he is

Missing blogs or not, we had a great December and a wonderful 2008.  Carter has enhanced our lives in ways we never could have expected and he forces us to keep a sense of humor in all things.  We are all lucky to have so many friends and family to support us and love on Carter.  Here is to a fabulous 2009 with a toddler....more to come!

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.