Play Date

Carter's friend, Sam, came over this afternoon to play. Sam is about two months younger than Carter and they both love to play outdoors. The big hit today was playing with "wheels", balls and re-arranging the mulch in the back yard.

See Sam eyeing the firetruck?
Sam is not sure the soccer ball is a good substitute for the firetruck.

Happy boys!

So serious!

Sam finally got his hands on the firetruck while Carter was distracted by his zipper.

All of my brain cells are going to my placenta...

At the risk of sounding like a crazy woman, I wanted to share a funny thing that happened to me yesterday. I had gotten a $10 off coupon for Toys R Us several weeks ago and had set it aside for when we did Carter's birthday shopping. So, yesterday I was planning to go get Carter's birthday gifts before the big "train sale" ends at Toys R US. However, I could not find my coupon anywhere! I was literally turning the house upside-down looking for this thing. I even dug through the huge recycling bin (pretty difficult with a huge baby bump) thinking I must have thrown it out by accident. When I got to the dirty aluminum cans, I decided to give up and forget about saving the $10. (Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE a good shopping deal/coupon/sale. LOVE IT! So, I was pretty upset that I had lost my coupon.)
Imagine my relief when I realized a few hours later that I had already spent the $10 coupon... last month when I bought Carter's toddler bed!!!

30 weeks

I went to our 30 week OB visit this morning and everything looks great. Baby's heartbeat sounds good and my blood pressure was normal. The baby is still breech, which didn't surprise me since I have been feeling a lot of low kicks. Dr Johnson was encouraging me to take some time off before the baby comes to mentally prepare myself for being a mommy to TWO. However, I feel just the opposite...I think denial is the best way to deal with it. I know I have enough love for two little boys, just not sure where I will find the time to sleep! Oh well, I guess that's what Starbucks is for.
Our next appointment is in two weeks...stay tuned for updates.

Thomas the Tank Engine

On Saturday, Sean took Carter to see Thomas the Tank Engine at the Railroad Museum in Golden. They had a blast! Sean said that there was a lot to see and do...a petting zoo, model trains and tons of vendors. Of course, the main attraction was getting to ride the train!

Carter on the train. And yes, he does have another bruise on his head

(from earlier that morning).

Here comes Thomas!

This is Sean's version of the souvenir photos that they were selling for $20. Unfortunately, Carter was more interested in checking out Thomas than posing. Who can blame him?

The petting zoo was a hit! Carter was kissing the sheep (not on the mouth).

Carter saw his friends Ellia & Mateo there.

Cool tattoo!

Still checking out the tattoo.

Carter & Sean enjoying the train ride.

Check out my cool Thomas hat!

28 weeks

Sean went with me for our 28-week OB visit this morning. Baby's heart rate is good and the ultrasound showed that his development is right on target! His estimated weight is 2 lbs, 14 oz., and is about a week ahead of my due date, but nothing to be concerned about. As I suspected, his head is measuring big (just like Carter's).

We also found out that this little guy is breech. Again, just like Carter was...I think Carter finally flipped at 32 or 34 weeks. My amniotic fluid level is good, so he should have plenty of room to turn around.

We will plan to do a repeat c-section at 39 weeks unless I go into labor (fingers crossed!) before then. Of course, if he stays breech the c-section will not be optional. (Although my OB did a beautiful breech delivery a few weeks ago. I think I'll pass!!!) Either way, hopefully we will all be eating Thanksgiving dinner at HOME! We got some great ultrasound pics today--enjoy!!!

Great profile pic! I think he looks just like his daddy & big brother! Look at those lips!

What a cute face!

Another face shot with his right hand (fingers) showing by his cheek/chin.

See the foot? It is upside down in the top middle, the heel is on the right with the toes pointing to the left.

Special thanks to my wonderful husband for scanning these pictures in for me. I know he would have rather been studying for the PE exam. Thanks, honey!

funny face

Lately, Carter has been doing some pretty funny things. One of his favorites is to close his eyes tight & say "I see you Mommy" or "I see you Daddy". Then he laughs and laughs like he thinks he is invisible because he can't see us. Another trick recently has been to scrunch up his mouth into a funny/scary face and talk in a crazy voice..it always makes me laugh, but the moment always passes before I can get to the camera. Well, today I sort of captured it. You have to watch the whole video, the funny part is at the end. I'm not sure if this is one of those things that only a parent would think is funny of their child or if it is universally appealing, but I decided to post it & let you decide for yourself. Enjoy!

toddler spill

Sean took Carter to a BBQ yesterday afternoon & Carter came home with a busted-up face. Sean said that he tripped over something in our friends' back yard and did a face plant onto the edge of their patio. Ouch!!! My poor baby looks pretty banged-up, but he doesn't even seem to notice now. This is not the first spill by any means, but this is probably the worst looking one he's had so far.

Guess I'll have to postpone his two-year photos!

Labor Day outing

We took Carter to the REI flagship store this morning after I got home from work. Today was the last day of their big sale & we wanted to get a double jogging stroller (one that I have been looking at for some time now). Outside the store there are some bike trails that lead down to the Platte River. It was a hot day, but we took the new stroller for a test drive anyway. It turns on a dime!

Daddy showing Carter how to throw pebbles into the water...

Splash!

This one's for Aunt Christy (aka: Aunt Sister). She knows how wonderful BOB strollers are, so I thought we should post a photo of our new "wheels". Carter enjoyed the ride, but was wondering who the other seat was for...

fun in the sand

Afternoon at the beach

Ok, so we weren't actually at the beach but Carter sure had fun playing in the water and sand at our favorite park in Stapleton. The sand area has a water spout and he had fun filling his bucket with wet sand. In no time, a bunch of "big kids" came to play, too. He thought that was pretty cool and did a good job sharing his bucket & shovel with them.

What a fun afternoon!

The playground area wasn't as popular as the sand pit.

Lover boy

Carter has been so sweet lately...he says "I love you, Mommy" and "I love you, Daddy". Today, he was outside playing with the dog & he leaned in to give her a kiss (she was more interested in licking the ice cream off his face) and said "I love you, puppy".
I will try to get a picture of him kissing something, it is his new favorite past-time. We can hear him in his crib in the mornings making smacking sounds as he kisses his stuffed animals & his beloved "blankie". It is pretty cute! What a sweet boy we have.

Big Boy bed!

Carter got a new bed this weekend! We wanted to give him plenty of time to transition out of the crib before baby brother gets here in November. So far, he loves playing in the bed but has yet to want to SLEEP in it. Hopefully that will change!

We also got a new rug for Carter's room. The green polka dots look so cute with the green & white stripes on the walls. The room is pretty "cozy" with the crib, toddler bed & rocker!

Carter showing off his new bed!

Pretending to go "night-night".

Evergreen

Sean took Carter up to Evergreen this afternoon for a hike. They hiked the same trail where Sean proposed to me almost four years ago! Sean & I both love Evergreen and would love to live there someday. We'll see...

Having fun with my dad!

Just takin' a break...

Let's get going, dad!

Birthday party

Sean took Carter to his friends' birthday party on Saturday. Mateo turned two & his sister, Ellia, turned four. This is the best picture Sean got because there were so many kids & Carter was into everything. Anyway, I wanted to post it because of the HUGE Elmo pinata in the background. I think it is bigger than half the kids in the picture! Carter took a couple of whacks at it, but Sean said the stick was too heavy for him to really do any damage.

Has anyone seen my pants?

Last night we were sitting outside after Sean got home from work and noticed that Carter had no shorts on. Apparently, he has figured out how to get undressed, but has not yet been able to put his pants back on. Pretty funny!

I passed!

Just got the word that I passed my 1hr glucose tolerance test--whew! Thank goodness! No gestational diabetes for me. :-) On another note, this little guy is moving like crazy. He is kicking so hard that you can see my belly move! What a busy boy!

24-weeks!

We reached the 24 week milestone on Sunday and today was my 24-week OB appointment. Nothing too exciting, just lab work for my 1hr glucose tolerance test. I should find out on Monday if I "passed" or not. They also dopplered baby's heartbeat & everything sounded great! He was very active again but the PA had no problems finding him today. We have our next appointment scheduled for 28-weeks & I think we'll have another ultrasound at that point. Can't wait to see how much our little boy has grown! One of these days I will figure out how to post the ultrasound pics...hint, hint Sean!

visit with Grandma Pat & Great-Grandma Ioma

On Saturday evening, Sean and Carter got to have a short visit with Sean's mom & grandma! They were in Colorado on a "Mystery Trip" and had a short stop in Lakewood on their way from Estes Park to Colorado Springs. They weren't sure of the destination until the last minute, so had no idea they would be coming to Colorado...what a nice surprise! Unfortunately, I was working all weekend & didn't make it to dinner. I am so sad I missed it! Sean said they had a nice visit and also got to see his Great-Aunt Nona who used to work for my Great-Grandpa Beard in Fredonia back in the good old days. I would have loved to had the chance to talk with her...hopefully there will be another time for that.

The boys met them at White Fence Farm which is a fun, family-style restaurant. They have farm animals on the grounds and lots for kids to see & do. Sean said Carter loved the tractor! (I'm not surprised as one of his favorite books is his John Deere tractor book that Grandad gave him.)

Sean, Carter, Great-Grandma & Grandma Pat

Mother and son

Sean's mom sent me this very special figurine last week and it moved me so much, I wanted to post it here. I don't know if you can tell in the photo, but it is a pregnant mother holding her first born. I cried when I saw it because it depicts such a tender moment between mother and son. Not only that, but it made me think of how special our time alone with Carter has been. In a few short months, he will become a big brother, and that is all he will know for the rest of his life. He is such a sweet boy...words cannot describe how much love Sean & I feel for him. He is a true joy and delights us every day with his silly, eager & determined nature. We know he will be a wonderful big brother, but I want him to always know that he is special just the way he is!

Thank you, Mom B, for such an amazing gift. It will be something I always treasure as I watch our two boys grow and remember the special places they each hold in my heart. We love you!

baby's first outfit

Today, Carter and I met my friend Kristin for lunch. Kristin is a dear friend & one of the most thoughtful people I know. She brought the baby his FIRST gift...this cute outfit! It looks so tiny to me, I can't believe we are going to have a newborn baby again in a few months. Thanks, Kristin! You shouldn't have...but I love it!

I bought this onesie for the baby because I thought Sean would appreciate it:

It says: "my carbon footprint" on the front & is made of organic cotton. Every eco-friendly dad's dream! (Well, maybe that is a bit of an overstatement.) Did I mention I got it on sale?

bye-bye

We took Mimi to the airport on Sunday afternoon. We were all sad to see her go...especially Carter! Mimi takes such good care of us!


Thanks, mom, for all of your help with Carter so that I could sleep/work and Sean could tackle his "honey-do" list. We miss you!!!

at long last...

Since my mom was here for two weekends, she was kind enough to watch Carter for us so Sean could finish up some things in the basement. He was able to finally put up the banister for the stairs and frame out the windows. Everything looks great! It is amazing how much nicer things look now that the finishing touches are in place. I am so lucky to have a handy husband who does such quality work. Thanks, honey!