9 months

Carter had his nine month appointment today and here are his numbers: 22 1/2 lbs. (75%), 28 1/2 inches long (50%) and an average size head. He's healthy and his eardrums are healed up. Yay!

His head yesterday was slightly larger due to a "mystery bump" that occured when Abby and Carter were playing in the other room. Abby claims not to know what happened.

Poor Carter. Someday he'll get even.

secret footage

I was going trough my videos and found secret footage I took of Brian and Abby one night. I know Brian might be a little embarrased to know that I posted this, but I love it that he's not afraid to be silly with the kids and I wanted to post this for them to enjoy when they're a little older. Don't you love the animal sounds?

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

proof

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

crawling

Carter just started crawling on Saturday! He's not quite used to this new mode of transportation yet, so he's not crawling much, but nevertheless crawling! I'll try to post some video of it soon.

It's been interesting to watch this kid grow, cause he doesn't do it the normal way. He started sitting up independently at four months old, and he never rolled, so I was curious to see when (and how!) he'd develop the rest of his motor skills. He didn't do anything but sit for months, and then suddenly in the past two weeks he's started crawling, doing the bear stand thing, and pulling up to a standing position. Talk about a growth spurt!

everyone has their thing

And Carter's thing is his ears. He's ruptured his right ear drum for the second time in two months. I feel so bad for him, cause he always seems to have a cold or an infection of some sort. And on top of that, he already has hearing loss, so when he ruptures an eardrum he can hardly hear at all. I'm pretty sure we're going to get tubes put in there as soon as they let us.

On a good note, he has an MRI schedule in March, so we'll get to find out what is causing his hearing loss, and if it's degenerative or not. Keep him in your prayers, please.

playground grandma

This little old lady is always at the park with her grandaughter when we go play. I don't know her name, but in the little English that she speaks, she insisted that I call her grandma. She always holds Carter for me so that I can play with Abby, and I think its so sweet to see them together.

Something about grandma really touches me. I can only imagine the life that she's had, and if weren't for the language barrier, I would love to sit with her and listen to the stories of her life. Maybe someday, but meanwhile I sit with her in silence as she holds my little pale baby and we watch the kids play.

firsts

I think one of the best things about being a parent is the opportunity to experience things with your children for the first time. I took Abby and Carter to the duck pond yesterday and I felt like it was my first time too. She had such a great time and it was so fun to watch her facial expressions as she saw the ducks (and seagulls) go for the food.

She looks like a baseball player winding up for a pitch, huh?

fulfilled

I got released as primary music leader last week, so this week was my first time in the "outside world" in almost two years. I already miss my calling, and I actually went in to primary to visit for a minute during sunday school cause I didn't quite know what to do with myself. But Relief Society was wonderful and I realized that, although primary is fun, I don't quite get the spiritual high there that I get from learning doctorine and hearing the testimonies of other women. I left church today fulfilled, and that hasn't happened in a long time.

always an adventure with abby

We went fo a walk today and Abby, being the little grown up that she is, insisted on carrying her baby and walking. Strollers are for babies.

Here's a little Britney Spears for you.

What's with the glasses?

Abby, good mommies don't ditch their babies for a stick.

Carter was happy chillin' in the stroller. He makes me melt.

Abby was really interested in the water. And sticks.

On the way home she got tired of walking, so she hitched a ride on a horsey. A tall one.

reverse

In the past two weeks, Carter's motor skills have improved leaps
and bounds. He's up on all fours now, and itching to crawl, except he hasn't got his legs working right yet. Instead, he pushes with his hands and ends up going backwards. He's "this close" to crawling and we're excited!

a little inspiration

I used to sing with a girl named Krista Oakes in Evening Song. Besides being an amazing alto, she has published a book AND she has brain cancer.

Her story is so inspirational, and she has blogged about her journey from the very beginning of her diagnosis. She is an honest, witty and eloquent writer and you need to check her out.

Be ready to laugh, cry and hug your children.

http://onkristasmind.blogspot.com/

Make sure to read her first entries back in November of 2005.

doing my part

Our family has decided to try get a little greener. When old lights burn out we replace them with flourescent bulbs, wh're recycling when possible, and just recently I bought these shopping bags to take the place of plastic grocery bags. They're $1 each at Walmart and I love them. It took a little getting used to, but I actually prefer them over plastic bags now. They hold a lot, they're super sturdy, and although it's not much, I feel like I'm doing my part to help the environment.