Big Boy

Carter is such a little ham. Here he is driving the grocery cart. He demands to get the car cart now. 

He wants my phone and holds it to his ear and talks. He also puts the phone in front of his face and talks cause that is what we do when it is on Speaker phone for Aunts and Grandparents to talk to him. He thinks he is so big.

Here he is eating the bubbles in his bath. 

He sat in his pool with his clothes on one day, I didn't want him bare in the sun when I took his clothes off, so I grabbed one of my t- shirts and put it on him. Then tied it in the back so the neck was smaller. Then we ran an errand to my friends house in this outfit. I am a great mother. He didn't mind a bit.

He has started putting lots of his toys in his tent and then hanging out in there. The teddy bear is quite comfy to lay on inside. Sometimes there are so many toys he can't even get around. 

His new love is cars. On of my friends little boys gave Carter a bunch of his old toy cars and Carter loves playing with them. He makes the vroom noise and everything. He loves to put them on the window seal, push them off behind the couch and then make me move the couch so he can get them and do it all again.

His other new love is being a naked baby. He loves to streak through the house. Without a diaper is not a good idea, since there have been a couple of puddles. He thinks it is great fun to get chased while being naked.

His favorite place in the house is out bed. He loves to sit on it and has taken over my side. He doesn't like you to sit on that side when he is there. Bed commando! Sometimes he gets to watch TV there and then he is in Heaven. Our bed is super high but he loves walking to the edge and waiting for us to chase him away from it. For him it's a game, for us, it's not so funny. I have a ottoman next to the bed and now he gets off the bed himself sometimes. I am a little worried he will miss it and hit the floor but he has done okay so far.

One day he was standing in the bathtub cleaning the tile wall. He really is a good little helper.

Tooth update....he has 4 on the top, almost 3 on the bottom plus a molar. Teething is a LONG and PAINFUL process. But he is so much fun and he is a big mommas boy.

Trouble!!!!

His new thing is running with his eyes closed. It is so funny. So far he hasn't hurt himself and run into anything, but it's close. Silly boy. He was also practicing walking backwards the other day.
He screams and squeals a lot. Likes to do the thing you tell him not too. Yells at people to tell them whatever it is he is saying. He still isn't saying real words but he does yell and babble a LOT. Well, he has started saying oh no.
At church or at stores he loves getting people to look at him...seeking attention from a distance. But still only goes to Jim or I 95% of the time. He pushes and pulls us where he wants us and pulls us if he needs help. Last week he didn't want to share my attention with anyone...which makes it hard. That is when I question trying to have another one and want another one at the same time. He needs a friend but sometimes I can barely handle the one I have.
 His cousin, Tate, is a year older than him and Tate is so soft and nice to Carter. Carter loves him and has fun chasing him around when they are together. Tate gives him hugs and it is adorable. He is lucky to have cousins that are so good to him close by. Carter is at a fun age.
He understands how to play with toys better and loves to climb on Jim and I and play around. He laughs and jokes around.
Carter is always getting things out of the drawers or pantry, so I usually don't pay attention, the other day I saw him with a little chocolate bar and didn't worry about it cause he usually just plays with them. I was on the phone for a few minutes, got off and went around the table to see what he was doing....he had eaten through the wrapper and was eating the chocolate. I don't know how he even knew he wanted to eat it....he cried when I took it away. Man, that kid!

And he found a new hiding place for his toys...guess I need to make sure the toilets are clean.
Jim had his first Hockey game on Friday night. He hasn't skated since we have been married, but he did surprisingly well. He needs to practice with a stick and puck, but he will pick it up quick because you his competitiveness. It was fun to watch. I was surprised that they played 3, 20 minute periods. Hard core!
We went to Park City a few weeks ago. It snowed a lot when we were there....can't wait to head to warmer weather in July for my friends wedding. I miss vacations!
Saturday we went to Olive Garden for dinner. Carter put his bread and grapes up on the ledge until he was ready to eat them. (look on the ledge) Ummm...okay, whatever keeps you entertained.

He loves stirring things, moving things, and running around, laughing and being silly. He LOVES going on bike rides. He sits behind Jim and kicks him to go faster. He likes standing on the top of our driveway and throwing balls down it and then running after them. I have to run too so I get to them before Carter runs out onto the street to get them.
His 2 teeth on top finally came through...but more are working there way in all the time.
Spring weather has been warm then cool. Switching week to week or day to day. But the 70's and 80's are so nice to have and be able to play outside without it being too hot. We started the summer park schedule with Jim's sister's families. Love meeting up and enjoying the out doors together with family. It's also nice to run outside. My friend, Natalie, is training for Ragnar and it's so good to have someone to run with and push you. I love warm weather! And to mention it, cause I never do, I love my fun, darling little boy!
Not sure I like that he is smart....cause he also came with an independent, stubborn, willful side that I can't believe comes out so strongly in a 16 month old. Tonight, he cried when I was eating and wouldn't pick him up, then he screamed when Jim took him in the other room so I could finish. He screamed cause he wanted me and that was that. Give me strength. I need to be on my knees already to have patience with this child. He poured out a bag of chips and then tried to crush them while I was trying to clean them up. He can now stand in his high chair, scary. I was eating a marshmallow and was finished, so he opened the door under the sink and put his marshmallow in the garbage. WOW! While playing with bubbles tonight he wouldn't let me blow them, he wanted the wand. He actually get a few on his own, but wouldn't even let me help him get the wand in the bubble solution. He thinks it's funny to do things we have told him not too. Drink the bath or water table water, eat the bubbles, stick his hand in the car exhaust pipe....just to mention a few. He wares me out....mentally and in every other way. How can he already be this much of a handful so young????? He came with a personality that will prepare him for the things he will face in this world....but will I make it? He understands and can learn to do things by himself, yet still is not taking much of an interest in talking. I don't count the squeal he has started to do more frequently....that is so annoying, once again he thinks it's funny if I tell him to stop. Sometimes this kid kills me.
After reading this post.....does he sound like a normal boy or am I in for it?

Ohhh...animals!

What Carter is up to. He dances when he hears music now. He loves to shake it and twirl and get down or just watch me do all those things. He is trying to climb everything, including stairs sometimes. He wants to be able to walk up and down stairs, he went down a few steps by himself a few days ago. That's a little scary. He likes to move things around. Lots of times its my baking spoons or things from my kitchen drawers. He got a bubble lawn mower (which doesn't work like it should), no bubbles come out when he pushes it, but he still drags or pushes it around. I also got him his own sized chair, one of those plastic ones....I found him standing on it the other day. Once again, scary, those things aren't stable. He drags that chair around too. He hugs things, toys, animals, and us. It's pretty cute. He can understand and follow directions. I have asked him to pick things up for me or get things for me and he does. Amazing! He babbles a lot still but still nothing we can understand. He likes pickles and marshmallows.
He thinks he can pat and poke all dogs because both our neighbors dogs are really good with kids touching them. Carter loves to see them and has gotten more comfortable going up and petting them. 

He says ohhh when he likes something. He says mmmmmm when something tastes good. Here he is trying to get the camera saying ohhhh.

He likes his new sand/water table. Problem is it is a bee and wasp magnet. They think it is there water source and swarm sometimes when we are out there. That is when we head in doors. At first it only had water, but then I added sand. He has tasted the sand a few times...I think he is over eating it now.

Last week we went to a ranch and Carter loved it. We saw a baby horse and two baby dogs. Carter, Jim, Kristeen, and Megan chased a goat around. Kristeen and Jim roped the goat. It was a little scraggly and didn't like being chased or roped.

Here is my cute niece Megan riding a horse. She loves horses and took a few turns riding. Cowgirl at heart! She did awesome.

Here is Carter on his horse ride. Just chilling with dad.

This little girl loved Carter and held his hand, then he became buddies with her for a while and they walked around. So cute!

Carter loved looking at the new foal. He is getting pretty big and daring. 

Here we are watching the men brand cows. Glad it's them and not us!

Aunt Kristeen took Carter for a ride on the barn swing and he LOVED it. I think it was a work out for Kristeen to keep them both on as Megan tried to push them as high as she could.

This is our summer set up outside. Shade for me, not that I get to sit much. A pool, water and sand toys to occupy the boy. 

Here he is draggin his chair some where new. 

He is starting to notice things that he wants when we are out now. Like balloons or balls at the grocery store, or treats he brings me. It's amazing how smart they are....but his personality gets more fun all the time. I love being his mom!

Exploring

I can't believe I have let a month go by without a post....it is so disappointing when people neglect their blog. My baby boy is getting so big and fun. He loves giving hugs, to my leg, back, me, his stuffed animals....it is darn adorable. He tries to lead me to the TV and get me to turn it on at least once a day. And giggles when I turn it on. He especially likes watching it on our bed. He loves dog and is getting more bold at going up to them and trying to touch them. He usually uses one finger. Our neighbors dogs lick him and he doesn't mind at all. He LOVES pancakes and his new love is marshmallows and apparently olives, as he ate a bunch yesterday.
We went to First Damn with Jim's family a few weeks ago...or a month, who can remember. Carter loved feeding the ducks and watching them. He sat down and just watched them in the water.

He has had a few big bumps and bruises. They seem to come all in one week usually. He loves being outside. Here he is testing the bark. He puts everything in his mouth, rocks, mud, bark...but that is what little boys do, right. 

He also likes to sit on Jim's motorcycle and he likes to drive the car. He loves to push buttons and is now adjusting my laundry cycles and dishwashers. That is a problem. He is getting tall enough to start getting in to taller drawers. Trouble!

 I bought him a water/sand table this week and he loves playing in it. He would also love to play with the hose but he soaks himself and it hasn't been very warm outside.
Grandma Jacobs came for a visit at the beginning of April. We had lots of fun and got to go see baby animals at the American Heritage Center, along with everyone else in Cache Valley. Carter likes to look and poke with one finger at the animals, but he had fun.

He is starting to think he is too big for crawling down stairs and has started to try to walk. Sometimes he forgets he can't do it on his own and it is lucky someone has been close by to catch him. He was sick last weekend and it was miserable. He is teething...molars and other teeth trying to come in. On top of that he had a high fever. He would not let me put him down, wouldn't even go to Jim when he got home. They were long days. He started feeling better this week, it's so nice to have my happy boy again that will eat. But now his nose won't stop running. Honestly.....if it's not one thing it's the other.

Boise or Bust

What Carter has been up to in March

I think Carter might sing before he talks. He sings with me or songs. My nephew Lucas would sing Twinkle Twinkle to him and he loved it and would start singing along....in his own language and own tune. He still isn't saying recognizable words...but I'm not worried, he gabs up a storm.
He is tricky, he will pretend to want to hug you when sometimes it is just a ploy to get closer to grabbing the TV remote.
He loves to sit on our bed to watch TV.
He bites or at least wants to, but will stop when I tell him not to bite. He was wanting to bite me the other day, I told him not to bite me and he pulled back enough just to grab my shirt and bite it. So smart. He still thinks its hilarious to try to bite my big toe. He cracks me up.
I can't hug or snuggle him enough cause he is so cute and funny.
He is getting choosier about which book I read. Sometimes he will get a book of ours and open it and act like he is reading it.
He loves to dance with me. He either twirls on his own or wants me to pick him up and dance.
He is SUCH a good kid and usually listens and obeys what I tell him.
He LOVES being outside and always tries to go to our neighbors. He cries when I bring him home from their house or yard.
A first for me - Road trip with my baby! SCARY! Carter and I went to Boise to visit my sister and her family. He did really well in the car, thank heavens. And God bless technology and snacks. While we were there we were able to see my nephew Jacob, aka. Thomas Jefferson, give a speech for his class. He looked awesome and did great! We also got to attend one of his flag football games. He had a few great stops and I was so proud of him and glad I was able to watch. He is so great with Carter and an amazing kid, who is really growing up.

 Carter didn't always love the attention, but he did have fun playing with his cousins. Especially trying out all their cool toys. He was a whiz in the kitchen. Always loves pushing buttons and seeing how things work.

 Lucas is also so good with Carter and is such a sport, letting Carter play with all his toys. Lucas is becoming a great reader just like his brother and sister.

 A little play time in the playroom.

 The kids rediscovering old toys and showing Carter the ropes around the play room and trampoline. My niece Jessica is so mature and was carrying Carter around like a pro. She needs to live a little closer so she could watch him all the time. Can't believe how great these kids are.....guess we will give their parents props. My sister and her husband are amazing and I am so glad they live closer and we can see them more often.

We were able to meet up with my sister-in-law and her adorable kids at a park. Here is Carter's first swing ride. He liked it. But what he really loved was the park and being able to run around the playground equipment. We went on a nature hike and saw turtles, lots of ducks, and monkeys (Jacob) up in trees. My nephew Anson is such a doll and my two nieces have such fun personalities, partial because of their darling mom. My brother chose up, for sure! So fun to spend time with them.

It was a quick weekend getaway but it was so much fun!

Now back to more about Carter...

He likes snacks, especially fruit snacks. I have to cover treats on the counter cause if he sees them, he wants them. The other day he decided to have a snack under the sink.

He is a great helper. He is pretty good about giving things back to me and helping out. He was in the garage while Jim was putting a shelf together and had fun playing on it. When he was too tall to fit in it he moved on to checking out the tire pump.