Do we have another American Idol fan in the family?!?

Matt's reactions to American Idol has always ranged between: "I don't understand why you watch that" to "I don't understand how you can stand watching that." Well, Matt watched the last bit of Tuesday's American Idol (top 10 boys) in fact he has watched bits and pieces of American Idol for the last couple weeks mostly because there are some members of our church on the show. So this past Tuesday the very last singer was 16 yr old Mormon David Archuleta who did an amazing job. At the end of the song I looked over at Matt, who was trying to turn away from me, only to see that he was CRYING!! Now some reading this are not shocked because they know the true sensitive side of my husband who used to also cry during (drum roll please) THE BACHELOR!!!! But he would probably want me to state that he has given up that show, though he was an avid fan for at least 3 or 4 seasons. So I now wonder do we have a third member of our family who is an American Idol fan? To be continued...

Giggles!!

I just can't get enough of these giggles!!

High-Centered

American Idol

So I admit it, I watch American Idol. Two years ago when I worked at good ole Bank of the West (shout out to Amanda W here) if you didn't watch American Idol there was pretty much nothing to say because that was all the rave and all that was discussed. So I tuned in...and was sucked in. I now am a closet watcher (though I guess this post takes care of that). Anyway, on to the purpose of the post. As several of you know, Carter has a deep love of music. His favorite musician is Michael Buble, though he is really loving the Jack Johnson Curious George album currently ( I HIGHLY recommend it). And for those of you thinking that it is just me imposing my likes upon my child, let me assure you this is not the case. From around 7 - 8 months old we started noticing that whenever we turned Michael Buble on in the car he would instantly stop crying and it continues to work to this day. From his reactions to the music as it is playing I even know his favorite songs. Carter likes to dance to music (see earlier posts), play music, and sing along to music. Well, the other night when American Idol was on I looked over at my son to see Carter intently watching the screen.


Sorry Daddy I think we have another American Idol fan!

My Two Valentine's

Since Matt worked all day and night on Valentines we "celebrated" the night before. Here is Carter giving Daddy his Valentine present and it was the best present Dad could have asked for.



For those of you interested in knowing it's only been in the last few days that Carter will give kisses on demand and Matt and I are loving it. Sometimes Carter will come up to me with that big open mouth wanting a kiss. And I LOVE it!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I actually baked cookies today to take around to some of our neighbors. I do bake at times, but for some reason never cookies, they always seem too high maintenance. One reason would be that there is no way Carter would give me that kind of time... at least that is what I thought. My "for the day Angel Carter" played on his own for almost an hour and a half!! I was in shock and awe and loving it. Of course, afterwards my kitchen was torn a part between my activity and Carter's and I had Craisins, animal crackers, and toys strewn everywhere. Though in the end it was all worth it and our sweet older neighbors loved their Valentine cookies but mostly the cute little boy who brought them.


Carter salivating while gazing at the cookies.

The Double Binki!

Carter loves Binkies so much that one is just not enough for him!!








P.S. If you notice in the top picture one of Carter's Binkies no longer has it's "top" on. Christmas Eve while we were trying to do the spiritual part of Christmas, Carter who is still waiting to find religion was horsing around and tripped over his newly walking legs and smashed face first into the corner of the coffee table. Luckily, the binki saved the day and took the brunt of the hit thus no "top" of the binki.

Loving Baby Sign Language!!!

We just entered the world and baby sign language and am LOVING it!!!! We've been trying off and on for some time now and Carter just the other day signed "more." AHHHH, it is heaven! He associates more with wanting food or drink because as he would be eating we would sign to him if he wanted more food or more drink. So know whenever he is hungry or thirsty he signs more and then darts off to the kitchen, or if we are shopping he just looks at me and signs more. I know right away exactly what he wants!! I can not believe the way this small act has revolutionized my life. He too is so happy and proud of himself. It is written all over his face that he thinks he is a big boy because he can now clearly communicate with mom and dad. Just this morning after he woke up I fed him his morning bottle and then he threw it to the side and signed "more" and off we were to the kitchen to get him some food and he was as happy as could be. I can't wait to start him on some more signs. Now that he has one I am hopeful he will quickly pick up more. Hurray for sign language!!

Shake Your Booty!!

"Eh BeBe"




"Got my Hater-Blockers On"





Carter loves to be jammin in Uncle Timmy's room.

We're Back!

Carter, Matt and I made it home a week ago today from vacation, barely!! Carter and I were gone about 5 weeks and Matt met up with us at the end for a week. Carter got sick with a nasty stomach flu the Sunday before we left and Matt and I came down with it the night before and were up all night throwing up amongst other things and had to leave the house with a bucket to catch our flights the very next morning. Not only that but Matt and I were on separate flights and because I had the direct flight I took Carter with me. So when I had to throw up on the plane the nice flight attendant took Carter while I went into the bathroom to do my thing. It was one of the most miserable experiences of my life. Carter has just now turned the corner and looking like he is getting better. He didn’t eat any solid foods for about 10 days and lost at least 2 pounds. Needless to say I was an emotional wreck from all the worrying, crying and lack of sleep. Also, sorry to my family, last I heard every single person except for two got the same bad deal. Isn’t it so nice to get the family together?

Thanks to the man at the airport!

After reading the above entry I think everyone gets the picture of how awful the flight home was. Well, after landing on the ground here in Pittsburgh I had one of those little “talks” with Heavenly Father telling him how nice it would be if someone I knew like Emily Child just happened to be walking through the airport and could help me home. At this point I had absolutely zero energy, zero food in my body, a 24 lb baby in a Baby Bjorn, a heavy backpack on, a heavy diaper bag swung over a shoulder, and I was heading over to baggage claim to get two more large pieces of luggage. I also had to somehow get to a shuttle to get to my car parked in extended parking. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed. After I got my luggage and was walking up to the shuttle stop a nice man walked up to me and said, “You look like you could use some help.” Then once we got on the shuttle he heard me say I needed to stop at shelter 11 and he said what a coincidence that was his stop, too. So then he helped get all my stuff off the shuttle and said to me, “You know what coincidences are don’t you? They are God being anonymous.” And like that he was gone. It took a second after he said that for it to sink in that he was my answer to my prayer. How blind I had been!! Here was God helping this whole time right in front of my face and I didn’t even realize it because he wasn’t Emily Child. How many times does God help me every day in such an obvious way and I don’t realize it because someone doesn’t practically slap me in the face and say I am that miracle you were praying for. So, thank you kind man at the airport who was living his life right to be a servant of God. I pray I can return the miracle to someone else someday.

Cabin Fever

Our last weekend before coming home was spent with my mother's extended family doing our annual cabin/snowmobiling trip. This post is dedicated to pictures and video showing the fun we had with cousins, snow, rocks, and air mattresses.

This is my cousin's little boy who is six months older than Carter. They had a good time together. Especially just sitting on this step.

Matt had a bet with the "U" fans in my family that whoever won the Big Game the other fans had to wear "proudly" the gear from the winning team. And of course the Cougs won so Matt and I got to happily see the Utes in their BYU apparel. I am quite saddened that we only got a picture of Brad in his hat and not the rest, but we have to give a shout out to Jen who wore her "Y" gear the longest. Can't wait to see you guys all dressed up again next year!


This is my sister Nicole with two of our neices. All beautiful girls.


This is my younger brother Timmy with Matt in some snow tunnels my brothers dug out. These two never stop goofing around together and I love it!!!

Carter has discovered a love for brushing his teeth and was so proud to be brushing with Grandpa Craig.



The cabin has a rock pit that kept Carter entertained for hours. I'm thinking of ditching all our toys and digging a ditch in the basement and filling it with rocks. Or purhaps just keeping an air mattress blown up at all times.



Here is the portion showing our winter fun: