Giving Thanks

We had a very low-key Thanksgiving this year. Grandad and Grandma Nancy were supposed to come to our house, but were unable to make it due to the nasty stomach flu. We were so sad they couldn't visit (hope you both are feeling better!) and unfortunately, we were sick too! So Thanksgiving day was spent with just the four of us at home being thankful for our bountiful blessings that we tend to take for granted in our everyday lives. We are hopeful that next year we will all be well and able to spend the day with family.

We were planning to celebrate Davis's 1st Birthday on Thanksgiving with a house full of people. Since that didn't happen, we decided to have a special day today by going to the opening of Zoo Lights and coming home to leftover turkey and a Thomas birthday cake! He didn't seem to notice the lack of party-goers and loved everything from the turkey dinner to the birthday hat. That's my boy!

Bundled up for Zoo Lights!

Can I eat it?

Happy boy!

Happy 1st Birthday, Davis!!

Davis turned ONE on Monday! I think his first year went by even faster than Carter's, if that's possible. He is a very active little guy and we just love watching him grow and explore and learn. He continues to have a laid-back personality which is a nice contrast to his big brother!

Yesterday was his one-year visit with the pediatrician and everything looks good. He is just shy of 20 pounds, so I think we will wait awhile to turn his car seat around. He has a huge appetite these days and we are starting to introduce whole milk this week. So far, he's not really fond of it but hopefully his little tummy tolerates it and the taste will grow on him. I am ready to save some money and ditch the formula!

I will say that Davis is not as verbal as Carter was at this age (I really hate to do that comparison thing, but it's difficult not to), but the pediatrician said it is too early to be concerned & he meets criteria for his age group by knowing three words: "mama", "dada" and "baby". He did tell me that this is very common for second children (versus the first-born) because they have an older sibling who can "talk for them". We will see where he's at at 15 and 18 months. Since he started walking a few weeks ago, he is now practically running around the house and climbing like a little monkey. It's going to be a long Winter trying to keep these two cooped up in the house!

Davis is certainly a light in our lives and I cannot imagine life without this sweet little boy! We love you, buddy! Thank you to everyone for the birthday cards and gifts! What a lucky little guy! Here are some photos of the boys enjoying Davis's new toys:

This Jeep tent was the best $10 ever spent!

Pretty happy to be opening gifts!

Showing off my seven teeth!

Playing with my new racetrack.

Bedtime on my actual birthday--whew, what a day!

It's a Fort

Yesterday was "make your own fun" at the Beilman household. The boys and I built a fort out of furniture and towels--a good time was had by all!

We Have A Walker...

Here is a video of our big boy walking! Over the past couple of weeks he has perfected his moves and we officially have a "toddler". It is pretty cute to watch him go!

Happy Birthday Aunt Debbie!

Davis and I took my Aunt Debbie out for lunch today while Carter was in school. Last week was her birthday & we finally got around to celebrating it with her! I took these photos after our lunch in the Highlands. Davis sure loves his Aunt Debbie...it was so cute to see him responding to her. He laughed and "talked" with her like he hadn't talked to anyone in years. Happy Belated Birthday, Deb! We love you!!

First Haircut

This afternoon I took both boys to get a haircut. It was Davis's first and he did so well! He only got upset for a second when she spritzed his hair with water. Mostly, he was really into the combs he was holding and the airplane he was sitting in! He was running the propeller and everything...it was pretty cute! Even though it is a subtle difference, his hair looks so much better. It was getting a little ragged around the ears and in back. His little curls really stood out after she trimmed the back & we were able to bring some locks of baby hair home for a keepsake. Today was yet another sign that my baby is becoming a big boy! Sniff.

Mom, is this really necessary?

Just a little off the top, please.

This was my attempted "after" picture...go figure!

Nice view of Carter's new 'do. They couldn't be bothered to actually look at the camera.

A Nice Surprise...

Look what I found in Carter's cubby at school! His teacher told me that he came up with the sentiment on his own & she wrote it for him. She even added that Carter is "such a sweet boy". What a good big brother! (Most of the time.)

Happy Halloween!

This was Carter's first year to Trick-or-Treat and he loved it! He got to be a caterpillar, just like he wanted. Davis was a robot, but people kept thinking he was an alien. We had fun going over to Aunt Natalie's sister's house so that her niece, Neeley, and Carter could collect candy together. It worked out perfectly and Carter had a blast going door-to-door with his new friend. A big thanks to Natalie's family for having us over and welcoming us into your Halloween festivities.

When we got home that night, Grampy answered the door to a big group of Trick-or-Treaters. Carter ran to the door to see the kids, too. He had already changed and loudly told them "Carter had a costume, too! Do you guys like caterpillars?!" It was hilarious. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff. The kids at the door were less-than-impressed and really just wanted to get their candy, but Carter didn't seem to notice. :-)

Davis just wanted to eat the antenna off of Carter's head.

Headed out to our first house!

Carter and Neeley. She was little orphan Annie and her baby sister was Sandy (the dog)--sooo cute!

Party On!

Carter got to re-celebrate his 3rd Birthday at Mimi & Grampy's house. We also celebrated Davis's 1st Birthday a little early, since they won't be with us for Davis's real birthday. Any excuse to eat cake is fine with us! The boys loved their own cakes and of course, more presents! We had a yummy dinner from Smokehouse and enjoyed the time with family.

Carter & his cool "Cars" cake

One big Mizzou family!

Hmmm...what does this cake taste like?

Yummy!! I love it! Thanks, Mimi!

Union Station

Day two in KC was spend at Union Station. They have a very cool Dinosaur exhibit right now that has life-sized animatronic (sp?) Dinos. Carter was a little freaked out by them at first, but once he figured out he could work the buttons to control their sounds and movement, he enjoyed it. After the Dinos, we went upstairs to Science City so the boys could run around and explore. It was a BIG hit!

Grampy, Carter & the T-Rex

(These photos are completely out-of-order.) Carter visited the "Build-A-Dino" shop (run by Build-A-Bear), courtesy of Mimi! He has never gotten to do this before, so it was quite a treat! Carter named his dinosaur "Greeny".

Davis got a baby Dino!

Putting a heart inside...

Fluffing him up with stuffing.

Getting shoved at the water table.

Getting ready for take-off...

Playing in the bus.

Flying the Space Shuttle

Mommy & Carter loving the Dinosaurs.

Mimi & her boys!

Carter running the controls.

Daddy & Carter

Are these real, Mommy?

We all wore Gold & Black for the Mizzou game later that afternoon. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to help our Tigers.

Pumpkin Patch in Kansas City

Mimi had lots of fun things planned for the boys while we were in town. First stop...Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch! We had so much fun exploring the grounds, riding the train, feeding the animals and running the kids ragged. Natalie & Josh brought their niece, Neeley, along who is a year older than Carter. The two of them had a great time together and the rest of us just tried to keep up!

Trying to get the kids to keep their faces in the pumpkin holes was next to impossible.

Uncle Josh with Davis

Neeley and Carter riding the tire ponies

Aunt Natalie & Davis (trying to eat the straw he found)

Mimi & Davis on the train

Choo-Choo!!

Neeley was winning Carter over with her beautiful voice. She was singing us the songs from "Annie". Carter danced while she sang & then chased her down to give her a snuggle. :-)

Sean teaching Carter how to lasso a bull.

Another try for pumpkin faces...