Because it's Thursday (and I was asked)...

This is silly, but the hardest part of posting pictures is downloading the darn things from the camera.  I'll snap photos and then put the camera down and even though it take less than a minute or two, I'll put off downloading them.  Why?  I have no idea other than it's a chore and I flat don't like chores.

But, because I was asked by the lovely Scottie, whose hair I covet, I made an exception and did my "chore" today.  :)

There's been lots of nakedness in our house lately, as Carter is potty training.  He does great and hasn't had any accidents except that time C was tickling him and he said, "Oh no!  My tee-tee!"-- he dripped a little on C but then ran to his potty and finished the job.  He's also going on the potty at school, but he's also wearing diapers full time.  Should I just make the leap to underwear?  What's the next step?

Cooper's still not crawling.  In the last month, we've had a double ear infection and he's thisclose to cutting his two front teeth.  I just know when he's feeling good again, he's going to take off.  Or not.  Whatever.  Just as long as he starts sleeping past 5:30am!!

My beautiful water bug.

Carter and his Moo making meatballs.

Who needs to crawl when all you have to do is reeeeeeeach?

My baby.

Because it's Wednesday...

To remember

In the car this morning on the way to school, I told Carter we had to go night-night and wake up two more times and then we get to go to the zoo with his friends.  He said, "I go nigh-night".  I'm so completely in love with that boy.

And Cooper?  He slept til 6:35.  HEAVEN!


Also, hi.

My young-un's, on Easter

If we're friends on Facebook, you've likely seen these already, but I do have some others on my camera I need to import and share.  Where does time go when it comes to kids?  In my mind, Cooper is still 3 months old and then I wonder why his clothes don't fit.

He turned 8 months old on Monday.

Big boy!

Just hanging out, ya know... having some lunch.

Hunting eggs is serious business

Papa and all his grandsons

And here's a never before seen bonus

My blue-eyed baby

Drool.

My poor Cooper.  We're teething.  I say "we" because the whole family is feeling the pain.  He's not sleeping well at all-- we do Tylenol before bed and again in the middle of the night.  He's chewing and drooling and fussy as can be.

There's been a lot of this.

And this.

But yesterday, I gave him a new teething toy.

An apple slice, his first taste of real food.

He didn't really know what it was.

But it must've been ok.

Nom.

Maybe he'll like it better next time, but for now, it gets one "toe" up.

Happy Valentine's Day!

the Joy of Love - Day 4

I skipped day 3... I have an idea, I just need more time to execute.

 

04 what they wear

I love these sock monkey footie sleep 'n plays.  Old Navy out did themselves this fall...

the Joy of Love - Day 2

02: how they look

 

 

Brothers.

the Joy of Love - Day 1

So I'm attempting another photo journey.  Keep me accountable, will you?

(click the badge for info or if you'd like to join)

01: what they do

 

 

 

Jump.



Already, my tiny baby is gone.  But just look at the JOY.



I Heart Faces | Winter Wonderland

Since I did resolve to take and share more photos, I guess participating in another I Heart Faces challenge counts as succeeding. 




We got a little bit of snow a week ago and finally Carter was old enough to check it out.  He was in AWE.

For my boy.

Oh my Carter. 

Everything about you has been a surprise.

We were surprised to find out you were coming, growing perfectly inside me.  We were surprised by your kicks and movements, silently making your presence known.  We were surprised to find out you were breech, quite content to stay with mama.  We were surprised when my water broke 3 weeks early, announcing your arrival.

And since then, we've continued to be so surprised by your every move.  You came first and everything is new.  Your smiles and cries and dirty diapers.  Your eyes, surprise, they're just like mine.  Your sitting then crawling, then finally walking.  Surprise!  Look at me!  I did it!

My beautiful boy.

Today, you're two years old.  What a surprise.  Where does time go when it is flying by so quickly?  You have brought us such joy in your surprises.  And I do not expect them to end anytime soon.  You surprise me with your gentle love of your brother.  You surprise me with your giggles and squeals when you play with your daddy.  You surprise me with the way you love us all so purely and easily and the way you forgive so sweetly.  You are the epitome of a boy, but one with so much heart and love.

You taught me how to be a mother, showed me where I needed improvement and rewarded me with more joy than I ever could have imagined.

You are my heart. My surprise baby.  My wonderful baby.  My perfect angel boy.  You will be loved forever and ever and ever.

Happy Birthday! Surprise!

2010 in crappy cell phone pictures

I stole this idea from my dear friend Cristal.  Below is a review of 2010- some pretty amazing transformations happen in the year of a young child.

January

 

Hard to believe he was barely a year old one year ago.

Having Chik-Fil-A with mama at the mall.

February

Small Fry, for the first time.

And snow! Lots of it!

Look at those lashes!

 March

I got a haircut!

The line into Mud Nationals in Jacksonville (Tx).

We practiced sharing.

I went home to my two (blinking) light town.

April

Cool dude!

Hello?

It's a boy!

 May

He learned "uh-oh!" and had an adorable follow-up.

Haircuts have never been a priority.... neither have clothes.

Man, this truck is the epitome of east Texas.

June

The a/c broke at work.

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm pretty sure I was already "done".

 July

We adopted a stray kitten and fell in love.  He didn't last long and we were heartbroken.

The town where I work voted in alcohol sales.

Carter got bit (again & again) so we left daycare for loving home care.

August

I LOVE BLUEBERRY DONUTS!

Man, was I ever miserable. 

He found ways to curl around the belly.  Always my baby.

September

Sweet boy, your life will change forever tomorrow.

Cooper's here!

No. More.  BABY.

October

These two can nap like nobody's business.

C went hunting for a week in Colorado, so there was a lot of this.  Crying/sleeping babies all piled up with mama.  I needed a vacation after that week.

And then, on Halloween, we went to the World Series. 

 November

Carter got a haircut by a professional.  His first by someone other than me.  How handsome is he?!

On the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cooper and I made a flying trip to Dallas so I could have my rings inspected and cleaned as per the warranty.  I wish I could keep them that pretty.

 December

Cooper started grasping things and rolling.

My husband told me to go take a shower and I wondered why.

Christmas happened and there was one happy toddler in our house.

Happy 2010, bring it on, 2011.  Otherwise known as 

THE YEAR I WILL NOT BE PREGNANT!