Changes

This week has held some major changes for Carter. It makes me sad because he is growing up too quickly. Sunday night we put Carter in his much anticipated “Captain Adorable” pajamas. Tanner and I bought these pjs in Utah when we were about to head out to Maryland. Grandma was buying clothes for the twins and I saw these pajamas that said “Captain Adorable” on them which were cute, but the clincher was that there was a cape attached. We weren’t pregnant and didn’t know if we’d ever have a boy, but I bought them anyways. Once we found out we were having a boy we were excited for him to wear them, but I never thought the day would come where he would fit in them. I guess he’s big enough now.

Carter turned 18 months on Monday, so we got to go see the doctor. I’ve been trying to wean Carter from the bottle for a while now. I usually just offer him both a cup and a bottle so that he has gotten use to the idea of a cup. I talked to his pediatrician who said “it might be a good time to just throw the bottles away”…gulp, okay. On the way home Carter drank from his last bottle as we went to Wal-Mart to buy even more cups to give him variety. He did so well. He didn’t ask for a bottle the rest of the night. As Tanner and I got into bed Tanner said, “It’s like he knows he is off the bottle, he is such a good boy.” As soon as our head hit the pillow all we hear from Carter’s room is “Bottle! Bottle! Bottle!” It broke my heart to hear him crying, but we also had to laugh a little.

Today because Carter is doing so well off the bottle we went to the store and bought some books for fun and books for church as a present. We also got a big boy potty. He picked out a Sesame Street one. No, I don’t think he’ll use it this young, but he already says “potty” when he goes in the bathtub and I thought having one next to the big potty would help him get use to the idea. Too many changes!

The saddest one is we toured a daycare today for Carter so I can attend school during the day. I am not exaggerating when I say I called 20 daycares and only 2 of them offered part-time for 18 month olds, had an opening, and didn’t charge over $500. It has been awful trying to find a place for him. I even called an agency that gave me a list of all the providers in the area that offer the services I need. It makes me really sad. We’re still on the fence in making a decision. Well, maybe not (as of a couple of hours ago) right Krystal? ;) 

Overall, things are good and Carter is as loving and as energetic as ever. We love the little tike. (Oh yes, and today he ate his first whole apple…well until he started throwing it like a ball and got it covered in hair.)

Hard at work.

Hammering, much to our neighbors delight I am sure.

He gets a kick out of getting his finger "stuck" in his hammer.

Growth from 12 months to 18 months!

He's growing fast, literally!

Our "Captain Adorable".

I love the cape on the back. He looks like Superman.

Eating his first whole apple this morning.

Wheeler Farm is a great place to go for Carter to get all of his wiggles out. We thought that he would love the animals since he was older than the last time we brought him, but what he was most excited about was the endless abundance of rocks. Unfortunately, when we were introducing him to a puppy he even threw one at her (we’re working on that). Carter enjoyed walking up to the goats and saying “hi”, tap dancing with daddy on some ply wood and throwing rocks into the river. It was a beautiful time of day to be there and Carter slept well once home.

Checking out the geese from a safe distance.

To chase or not to chase?

"Yeah, I like the geese!"

Good thing there is a fence between them.

Such a beautiful place.

Love cows.

Checking our the horses.

Goats.

Carter and daddy throwing rocks into the river.

Content and holding his favorite rock.

Taking a seat.

Checking out the pig in the water.

"That pig is really dirty."

Just sitting on the hay.

More Trip!

We continue to enjoy Jake and Lindsey’s visit in Utah and we even got to visit for a couple of days with Tanner’s family! The first picture is of Tanner and Jake leaving to do baptisms at the Jordan River Temple. I was really grateful because I have quite a few male names that need work completed. On Saturday we went to Park City and all rode the Alpine Slide, minus Marguerite who was playing the doting grandmother to little Carter. They had a great time playing with rocks. For the slide you sit in a sled that has a brake so the person gets to decide how fast or slow they want to go. The slide goes down the side of the mountain for 3,000 feet! It was a total blast! After Lindsey, Jake, Tanner, Carter and I went to lunch on Main Street and got ice cream. Tanner’s family left this morning and Lindsey and Jake leave Tuesday. It has been a lot of fun visiting and playing together and I know Carter will miss all the constant loves and attention.

Jake's Photo Shoot

Jake was hilarious when taking pictures. I didn't post them all, but after a while he got tired of taking pictures, so I focused on Lindsey. When I looked around to find Jake he was striking a pose on one of the lamp post, so I took a picture (the one where he is frowning). The next time I turned around he was sitting under a tree reading, so I took a picture. He had said he was done taking pictures, but then intentionally would pose until I noticed and snapped a picture. After that he ended up climbing two trees and waited there until I snapped a picture. It has been so fun to have different subjects for pictures. I like having the variety.

Lindsey's Photo Shoot

It's been so fun to have Jake and Lindsey here. We had a lot of fun taking pictures last night. We decided that their props should bee books since they are both avid readers. Lindsey is already very photogenic and willing to try anything. Jake's photo shoot will follow.