three

This is the week I have looked forward to and simultaneously dreaded at the same time. He's turning 3. How is that possible? On one hand, I am ecstatic to be leaving the two's, but I'm also keenly aware of the fact that the "baby" in him is slipping through my fingers everyday. Yes, I'm sentimental. Perhaps overly sentimental, but I'm ok with that.

Here's a short interview I did with him a few days ago:

What is your name? Carter

How old are you? Two

What is your favorite color? {looks down at shirt} Blue

Who is your best friend? Mommy, Daddy, and Cooper

What do you want to be when you grow up? A big boy

What is your favorite animal? Just lions

What is your favorite movie? Mickey

What is your favorite book? the Little Einsteins pirate one

What is your favorite tv show? Little Einsteins

What makes you happy? Mashed potatoes

What makes you sad? Boo boos

What is your favorite food to eat? Mashed potatoes

Favorite thing to drink? Chocolate milk

Where is your favorite place to go? Starbucks

Here's a little more about where he's at:

{according to mommy}

-Carter loves to talk and talk and talk and talk. This is most evident around his family, as he tends to clam up in new or unfamiliar circumstances.

-He has been fully potty trained for a couple months now. I am very thankful for this!

-He adores his little brother. He wakes up asking about him and wants to know where he and what he's doing at all times.

-Carter is extremely opinionated. (NO idea where this attribute came from..ha!) He knows what he wants, when he wants it.. and isn't afraid to say it.

-That carries over into bossiness.. especially when he's tired, frustrated, or in need of attention.

-He is an absolute sponge when it comes to learning. I'm baffled every day that a kid with his energy level (think energizer bunny ++) has any desire to sit and sound out every letter to every word in a book (no joke). His favorite toys are educational and I have to admit that I LOVE this about him. He is so easy to teach and constantly wanting new, challenging activities. I'm hoping to start some at-home preschool lessons with him in January!

-He does not love crafts. Or coloring. This makes me a little sad, but I'm continuing to try these things on a regular basis.

-Current obsession: Spiderman and Captain America. Allll day long he asks, "What's your favorite person who wears a mask, mommy?" "Do you like Spiderman? Batman? Ironman? Captain America? The Incredible Hulk?" "Who is daddy's favorite?" ... and on and on.

-The most unusual, standout characteristic about Carter is his love for music. This goes beyond normal kid music or lullabys or songs he learns in church. He is absolutely obsessed.. specifically with country music. The artists, the songs, what they wear, what instrument they play, their videos... you get the point. He can identify just about any song on the CMT top 20 countdown within 2 seconds of hearing and/or seeing it. He sings these songs all day long. At home, in public.. it doesn't matter. He turns any, and I do mean ANY, object into a guitar or microphone. I've seen him turn a dustpan, plastic shovel, pillow, place mat, and even a pretzel stick into a guitar. His favorite "microphones" include a remote control, nasal aspirator, and bendable coaster. We reached a new level of creativity when last week at Starbucks he turned the "Wet Floor" cone into a microphone so he could sing Michael Buble (whom he currently LOVES).

-Needless to say, this year for his birthday and Christmas he is getting several musical things (one being a black guitar "like Keith Urban's") and LOTS of Spiderman stuff.

-These are really just the highlights. I could write for hours about the funny stuff he's said and done, but I'll refrain. He is such a unique child and I couldn't love him more.

Sweet Carter,

You are my funny, charming, precious boy and I cannot imagine my life without you. You are the sunshine in SO many people's lives and I know God's plans for you far exceed anything I could possibly imagine. I am beyond proud to call you my son.

Love,

Mommy

*Photos by Amelia Hambrook Photography

Gettin' Crafty

Having a baby has forced me to put any "craftiness aspirations" on the back burner, but I decided to make an attempt at a few SUPER easy projects.

Don't laugh when you see these pics...

I'm telling you they were like elementary school easy :)

Carter showing off his turkey cookies from a play date with friend, Addison

Mod podge + food coloring + glass =

More colored glasses

I found these foam blocks at the dollar store. Carter loved this activity, though it was way too easy for him. We also did cards with different numbers on them and he had to count out the appropriate number of colored blocks for each card. That activity was more on his level.

"Bob the Turkey" according to Carter

Autumn tree

Food for Thought

I saw the following, "10 Thoughts on Whole Living", in my most recent issue of Whole Living Magazine. Every one of these points resonated with me, so I thought I'd share.. in hopes that they may impact you too.

1. Warm your soul: Savor a hot drink.

2. Be aware of the difference between anticipating and living.

JOY IS ROOTED IN THE PRESENT.

3. LET GO OF PERFECTION;

the most delicious moments are often the messiest.

4. Living better doesn't always mean trying harder. Ease up.

5. Avoid getting trapped in someone else's story.

Be the author of your own life.

6. Forgiveness isn't about them.

It's about you.

7. Make something, ANYTHING, from scratch.

8. You can remember good times

without losing yourself in nostalgia.

9. The best gifts let someone know how much you love,

not how much you spent.

10. Rest is not a luxury,

it's a necessity.

*Number 2 was my favorite. What about you?*

Thank You, Pinterest

Awhile back, I pinned this picture to my "DYI" board on Pinterest:

The instructions for how to make this card super cute card can be found here.

We celebrated my mom's birthday last night and

I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try it out.

What do you think?

Not bad, right? Give this easy, fun (and cheap!) card a try.

2 Months

I cannot believe this little nugget is already 2 months old! {10 weeks to be exact} He is the most precious little boy and I seriously cannot imagine our life without him.

Here are a few updates:

• He has the most wonderful disposition. He's very laid back and loves to be held and snuggled.
• Cooper is a wonderful sleeper. I secretly prayed for this and God heard my request... knowing that I probably couldn't handle another Carter (a.k.a. "the child who doesn't sleep"). Swaddling is a must at night.. he loves it.
• Cooper typically goes about 8 hours between feedings at night. Again, a small miracle when compared to my first born!
• His feedings are still 3-4 hours apart during the day.
• This boy l.o.v.e.s. his mama :)
• He smiles nearly every time he sees a familiar face or hears a familiar voice. He also coos and "talks" if he is really excited or happy. It's precious and absolutely melts my heart.
• He's very strong.. and is working on holding his head up for longer periods of time.
• We took 2 trips (St. Louis and Chattanooga) during the last month and Cooper was an absolute angel. His brother, on the other hand, proved a little more challenging .. but what's new, right?
• Speaking of Carter, he ADORES his little brother and for the most part is very loving and gentle with him. Cooper responds to any attention from Carter and often just stares at him with a big smile on his face.
• He recently found his thumb. He hasn't found it since, but he loves to suck on his hands, fingers, or anything he can get to his mouth!

We are so thankful for our sweet little man!

Brothers

Last week I snapped this picture of our Cooperman ...

(or "Tooterman" as Carter says... his "C"s sound like "T"s)

I thought there was something strangely familiar about it

and I couldn't put my finger on what it was until...

I dug up this picture of Carter at about 2 months old...

I have never thought these two boys looked ANYTHING alike, but when I see these pictures it makes me think that they might grow up to look like brothers.. not twins.. but brothers. Carter obviously had more hair and was MUCH smaller than Cooper, but do you see the similarity?

Or am I just over-analyzing?

Life As We Know It

After taking care of both boys while my husband was out of town this weekend, I sent him a text last night that went something like this, "Please come home alive tomorrow. I really don't want to be a single mom." I seriously have a new level of respect for single moms. I have no earthly idea how they do it... and stay sane!

Here's a glimpse of my day today (and it's not even 3:00):

-Miraculously wake up before Carter and quickly decide to forgo a few extra minutes of sleep in order to drink my coffee/eat breakfast in the beautiful quiet of the morning.

-Feed both boys. Dress both boys. Shower and dress myself.

-Oh wait, only one boy got fed.

-Give Carter Cheerios to eat in the car.. on the way to the airport.

-Park, go in, and find daddy in the airport.

-Head to Chick fil A for lunch. Wait for Carter to eat all 8, yes 8, of his nuggets.

-Drop daddy off at work.

-Drive to a house in Franklin to drop off formula for baby orphans in Africa.

-Debate whether or not get Starbucks, but decide against it.

-Head home. Change and feed a starving newborn. Change newborn again.

-Realize big brother had an explosion in his diaper (we have majorly regressed on the potty training). Change big brother's nasty diaper.

-Put big brother down for a nap. Clean up his dirty clothes.

-Eat 3 chocolate chip cookies out of the freezer. Immediately regret eating 3. Should have stopped at 2.

-Order 50 free prints via Shutterfly.

-Change Cooper's diaper AGAIN.

-Type a blog one-handed because a certain little someone thinks the only place he belongs is in his mama's arms :)

NOW.. time to brew some decaf Dunkin' Donuts coffee, figure out what to have for dinner, finish laundry, and mop very dirty floors... all before Carter wakes up. I really do love my life. But I'm also REALLY glad my hubby is home!!