So How Long Do You Have Anyway?

I was starting to feel bad because I still haven't gotten the thank you cards out from Carter's birthday. But then what comes in the mail? A thank you card from a party Monte went to a week before Carter's. I guess I'm not so late after all.

I'm Just Glad We're Okay

Last night we had a horrible storm rip through our area. The thunder and lightning started around 11:30, but it wasn't until after 12:30 that I saw some rain. I went to bed only to be woken up at 2:30, rain coming down like crazy, thunder, lightning every 2-3 seconds, no power. Me and hubby got up to watch the storm for a bit when we heard the winds howling. It so reminded me of this day.

I sat in the front room watching and waiting for the basketball hoop to land on my hubby's truck, or a stray piece of wood to go flying down the street from one of the construction sights. My hubby was looking out the back window and could do nothing as he watched our new patio furniture take flight, taking our brand new umbrella with it and smacking it down on the side of the deck. My heart stopped, and I just began to pray for our safety, for those that were driving at this hour.

Although it continued to storm for some time after that, winds like that don't last long, and my hubby went out to check the damages. (at 3am) Furniture, okay. Umbrella that I loved, that was brand new (2 months old) that cost a lot of money, snapped almost completely through.

Looking out the window this morning I can see my next door neighbors grill laying on it's side. It it also very new. I know these are just things, they can be replaced. But today I am a bit sad. Hind sight is 20/20, and if I could have a do over, I'd take the umbrella down. But I didn't know it was going to storm, and who takes their umbrella down every night anyway?!!

Wordless Wednesday - Dad's Company Picnic

Last years face painting. He even has the same hat on!

There's No Place Like Home

I got to escape yesterday for a few hours. My hubby gets off work at 2 in the afternoon, so I had an appointment to get my hair cut at 3:00. First one in 2 months. Woo Hoo! Then it was Starbucks with a friend, and a trip to the grocery store. By.My.Self.

Heavenly.

Back home. Boys are hungry. Baby wants to nurse and is VERY clingy. Hunter has a splinter in his foot he will NOT let us take out. Monte's goggles are broke and they need to be fixed, NOW. Swimming lessons in 35 minutes. And what is that sticky stuff on the counter? Syrup? From BREAKFAST?

Reality.

Addictions - Even The Kids Notice

I wake up every morning dreaming about my coffee. It's literally the first thing I do when I get out of bed. Walk straight to the coffee pot and push the button. (I usually put the water and coffee grinds in the night before)

Yesterday morning as I was getting the big boys their breakfast I got Monte a bowl for his cereal. When I turned around I saw that I had already gotten him a bowl. I seriously didn't remember getting that first bowl.

He wasn't even joking when he said.....

Didn't you have your coffee this morning?

Wordless Wednesday - Rearranging The Kitchen

Better Late Than Never

This summer has been just so busy for us. With baseball, father's day, my hubby being out of town for a week, graduation open houses, Carter's birthday party got pushed to July. Not that he knows the difference. And it's really keeping with how we seem to do things around here. Monte was born on Thanksgiving, and Hunter's birthday is a week before Christmas, so we've never had their parties actually on their birthday weekend anyway.

We had his party at a favorite pizza restaurant of ours. (it was dark, and so my pictures are too) We got the back room all to ourselves, and I didn't have to cook or clean. Woo Hoo!! But a room full of people who seemed to know him, was a lot, and he clung to me. How I wanted to show off his new walk, but there was none of that either. Seeing as how he had to be set down and all.

And in keeping with tradition, like his brothers, he touched his little "baby cake" and started wining that his hands were messy. But he got over it fast.

Once we got home he got changed into his new "birthday pj's". Look at that face. Do you think the sugar affected him at all?!?!

The Family Table

When me and Monte got married this table was given to us. After almost 10 years, 3 moves, and 3 kids, we still have it. I never thought we would have it this long. A new table is always something on our buy it someday list, but something always comes up. But did you notice something? (besides it's fake wood ugliness) It only has 4 chairs. And uh, baby makes 5!!!

It is VERY important to us to sit down as a family each night and eat together. There is no TV allowed and Hunter will be the first one to turn it off. Everyone has to only say nice words to each other and mind their manners. Okay, so we aren't the Brady Bunch, and that last sentence is a stretch, but I like to aim high.

I didn't know how much I was going to love having a breakfast bar until we moved in. I think it's one of the boys favorite part of this house. They love to eat breakfast and lunch here, watch me cook, or even join in and help. You might also find it covered with coloring books, school papers, and Hunter's arts and crafts, but that's okay too. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Head on over to Lori's and check out all the other tables in her photo tag.

Walking?

Monte and Hunter both took their first steps a week before they turned one. When Carter was 11 months I told my hubby, Carter isn't going to walk by his first birthday. He had been cruising around furniture for a while, but was still so very wobbly when we would walk with him holding hands.

Not that it was a big deal. By your 3rd child you could really care less when they do what. And Carter has always been our "lazy" baby. What, with never rolling over and all!!! (at 9 1/2 months he finally figured he could flip over) But just because you know it doesn't matter, doesn't mean you don't want him to walk. And when we go outside I always think how much nicer it would be if he could. You know, instead of crawling in the dirt and eating grass and leaves.

Well last night he was walking around the living room like usual, and all of a sudden he just let go of the ottoman and walked toward the couch. He made it about 5 steps before he fell. I think it might of been from the screaming from me for his daddy to LOOK LOOK!!! He continued to "walk" for the next 30 minutes or so until he was ready for bed. But how exciting. I hope he practices some more today.

Wordless Wednesday - Am I In Trouble?

Chug That Water

We've been trying for awhile. We've tried different brands. But Carter could not figure out a sippy cup. All he would ever do was bite it. I guess it really wasn't that big of a deal, but geez, this baby will eat ANYTHING, and I'd like a glass of water after I eat enchiladas. So we kept at it. I'm not sure what the difference was, or what happened, but the other day he just DID it.






And as with everything, he did it with gusto!!!

Question..... *Updated

Do you let your toddler stand up in the bathtub, or do you try to make them sit?

*updated. I know this must have been an issue with Monte and Hunter too, I must have blocked it out. Carter has just recently started taking a bath in the "big boy tub", and after 5 minutes wants to stand up. And it isn't even the standing that bothers me, it's the slipping and hurting himself like so many of you said. I just get tired of telling him to sit down and putting him back on his bottom every 3 seconds. So I get him out.

And totally not related, but Carter keeps pinching the back of my arm when he nurses. OUCH!!!

I Wish All Days Could All Be Like This

Since I seem to be talking about Carter sleeping lately, I thought I'd share a picture of him doing just that.

He is on that cusp of going from two naps to one. The problem is his first one will be 3 hours, but after a few hours he is tired again, and at 6pm he is so tired he wants a nap. WAY too late for that. So he's crabby for a couple hours.

In an attempt to make him wait longer for that "first" nap, we've gone in the pool around 11:30 the last couple days. (old nap time) He's SO happy for about an hour, then we get out and dry off, have a snack, and he's almost too tired to nurse. Almost.

The result of this is.....

A 4 HOUR NAP!! Both days. Do you know how much blogging, er um, housework you can get done in that amount of time?!!

I'm not counting on this to last though. If nothing else this child in VERY inconsistent. But it would be nice.

Steph is having another contest. This time it is for a podonbutai from All Natural Mommies. This carrier looks so cool. I'd love to give it a try.

What A Great Day

So I think I made the right decision to not take Carter to the parade. It started at 11 and at 11:15 he was in his bed sound asleep. And for anyone who knows Carter, you know that home is the only place he will sleep. My older 2 were the same way, and oh how I wanted Carter to be different. To be one of those babies that would snuggle into me no matter the place and pass out. But since that did not happen, it's better just to stay home around nap time. Which can change from day to day. He likes to keep me on my toes.

But Dad took Monte and Hunter and Nana and Aunt Rachel met them there. Papa was out of town this year. Everyone came back all smiles and HUNGRY! Good thing I had that extra time to get the food going.

After a great afternoon with family and friends, food, and lots of swimming, it was time for fireworks. Now I must admit I was a little worried how Carter would do, but we LOVE fireworks around here and I didn't want to miss them. My MIL offered to take my older 2 early and go get seats. They somehow got a hamburger, popcorn, cotton candy, and pop too!!! So me and hubby showed up with Carter 45 minutes before they started. Awesome!!!

Carter did good. I can't say that he liked them, but he didn't cry either. He layed his head on my chest and I covered his other ear with my hand and he watched the entire show. Which was fantastic this year. I'd like to see fireworks again just so I can have 35 minutes of uninterrupted snuggle time.

So today is recoup day. I need to go to the grocery store, but I'm going to take Carter in the pool and them put him down for a nap. The store will be there tomorrow......

Happy 4th Of July

This is one of my favorite 4th of July pictures. (ignore the fuzziness. Before digital) Hunter was 2 at the time, 4 years ago, and we were at the parade. The sirens were so loud he covered his own ears. And to this day he still doesn't like loud noises. I'm not sure if I'm taking Carter this year. It's supposed to be hot and humid, and he really doesn't like to sit AT ALL, so I don't know. Dad just might take the older boys. But we WILL see fireworks. Plus a cookout and lots of swimming in our new pool will make for a fantastic day!

And after 8 days of being gone, my hubby came home early Saturday morning. I guess that's just where I've been. Too tired after being mommy and daddy all day to put 2 coherent sentences together. We all missed him like crazy, but were SO busy that the week really did fly by.

Carter got up Saturday morning, nursed, and rolled over to see daddy. Boy was he surprised. And a little taken back. I'm not sure he even recognized daddy at first. I woke daddy up and Carter played shy for a bit. Laid his head on my chest, would smile and turn his head. After 5 minutes daddy had enough of the games. He grabbed Carter and tickled his chubby feet and sweet baby belly. I love the deep laughs that produces. It's so good to have daddy back.....