My Man Baby

I just can't get enough of this baby face! I seriously am obsessed with my boy. I could stare at him all day. I must kiss him 200 times a day. I just think he's so handsome and smart and funny and cute, I could go on and on. He's has developed such a sweet personality and every morning I can't wait to get him out of bed. He's such a great sleeper and he sleeps so much- that I really enjoy it when he's awake and just crawling around our house. I'm not the only one that has fallen for this guy. The other kids love him just as much. I was laughing the other morning- telling Aaron that it's so funny that the first thing the kids say in the morning is "can I wake Carter up?"- it's not like he's new to the family- he's almost 10 months old and they are still doing it! And he loves them just as much.

He just had his 9 month check up and he weighed in at a hefty 27 pounds and 31 inches. I called my sister to tell her and I was cracking up because he's almost 3 feet tall! She fondly referred to him as the "man-baby." He's in the 99th percentile- and I love every inch of that sweet body. (he also has 8 teeth!) It's funny because he really doesn't eat a lot. I want to jot a few things down that he's doing and his schedule so that I can remember. I wish I would have done with with all my kids- it's so fun to look back and see how they've changed!

6 am- wakes up for a bottle- back to sleep
8 am- wake up, breakfast (1 jar of baby food)
9am- bottle (6-7 ounces)
9:30- nap
11:30- wake up, bottle
12:00- lunch- snack in highchair and juice
1:00- bottle
1:30- nap
5:00- wake up, bottle
6:00- dinner, 1 jar of baby food
7:30- bottle, get in PJ's
8:00- bedtime

Carter loves to:
*crawl into the bathroom and pull up to the bathtub when the other kids are in there
*puts something in his mouth and then takes off crawling
*crawl into the playroom or out the back door
*wrestle with his big brothers
*listen to mommy singing
*eat snacks (loves to find food on the floor- yuck!)
*be held
*clap his hands

Carter does not like:
*getting his face washed
*being dressed or getting his diaper changed
*being put in his car seat
*being awake when he's tired
*sleeping anywhere besides his bed
*when Addison tries to "mother" him

Everyday I am thankful for this sweet boy that our family has been blessed with. I am so thankful for the chance I have to be his mommy. I love that he loves me and reaches for me now! I love having another child to be in love with- my children are such a blessing in my life and I am thankful for each one of their sweet faces and different personalities. What a blessing Heavenly Father has given me to be a mother. It sure is a hard job, but one I wouldn't trade for the world. Every hard day is made up with all the hugs, kisses, pictures, cuddles and laughs that we share. I think I have the best job in the world!

3 down, 1 to go

The best news...

Addison is officially potty trained! I can't tell you what huge news this is for me!! Since March of 2004, I have had at least 2 children in diapers- and 3 for quite awhile. Now that I have just one in diapers- it feels so wonderful!

Plus- her little bum is so cute in jeans, without that big diaper in the way. What's even better, is she has done this pretty much all on her own. She will have nothing to do with me telling her when to go- she wants to do it all on her own. She is quite the independent little one.

Addie is almost 3 and I can't believe how quickly she is growing up. She really is changing right before our eyes. I do admit that she has been hard the last few months (ok, really hard)- but we still love our little 2 year old. One thing I have learned, is not to stress about it, I know it's just a stage and it will pass. Way to go, Addie- we love you!

The Real Deal

I had one of those experiences yesterday where I said to myself "Wow- now I'm a real mom." It's happened a few times before- and it continues to happen unexpectedly.

At Tyler's Back to School Night a few months back, I signed up for PTA and got roped into being in charge of the "Read Across America" (Dr. Seuss' Bday) for the elementary school. I had my first mtg with the PTA ladies yesterday and that's when it hit me. All that other stuff didn't count- now I'm a real mom.

I need your help- all you older and wiser mothers- what have your schools done for this event? In the past our school has done "Muffins with Mom & Doughnuts with Dad" where the parents come in the morning before school starts and read with their kids.. It's a cute idea but they want me to change things up a little bit. So I'm looking for ideas. Please??

So... now that I'm the real deal... there's no room for mediocrity here. I'm on a mission- I'm gonna do it and I'm gonna do it good.

ani

Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my...amazing,
smart,
beautiful,
courageous,
funny,
athletic,
sassy,
spiritual,
compassionate,
loving,
caring
thoughtful,
silly,
energetic,
and goofy
SISTER!!!

I love you, Ani!

6

Happy Birthday to my Tyler!

I can't believe I have a child who is 6! I remember when he was just a few weeks old, I sincerely thought that he would be that small forever. Now looking back, the time has just flown by. He has been my little buddy for a long time- and now that he's in school,. I miss having him around.

We had a great day together and I think he enjoyed every minute of his 6th birthday. We are having a friend party this Friday night then off for a mini-family vacation - so I'm sure there will be lots of fun pictures to post after the weekend.

Tyler, if you ever read this, I want you to know how much I love you. I loved you before I ever saw your brown hair and beautiful eyes. I wanted to be a mommy more than I wanted anything- and you made my dream come true. Thanks for being such a sweet boy and bringing so much happiness and joy into our family. Daddy and I love you with all our hearts!

Bryce's Baptism

This post if for you Grandma Edmonds!

The day after Christmas, Aaron's brother and family came to our house. They stayed the night and then the next morning we woke up early and drove to Aaron's sisters house in Imperial. Our nephew, Bryce, just turned 8 and his Dad baptized him. We are so proud of Bryce and thankful that he sets such a good example for his younger cousins!

It was great to have all of the Edmonds together for a quick weekend. We love being together and the cousins have so much fun being crazy and playing. The boys spent the whole morning out in the dessert shooting their guns and doing "guy" stuff. Don't worry- the "Edmonds men" are very careful and I knew that they would take good care of our "little Edmonds men" with all those guns! They sure had fun and they sure were dirty!Even little Maggie enjoyed a day in the desert.



My cute niece, Kiely, with Carter.
The Edmonds Gang- Lance, Kim, Mom, Dad and Aaron
The whole crew- everyone was there!

Christmas 2008- merry and bright!

Christmas was just lovely this year!

Aaron's parents stopped by our house for a night- on their way to Aaron's sister house. We had fun hanging out with them and the kids LOVED their skitters from Nana and Tata. (actually I love them, too- they're so fun!)



On Christmas Eve, we did the regulars- cleaned out the chimney for Santa, hosed down the roof, set out cookies for Santa and veggies for the reindeer and then we went to dinner with the missionaries at Bucca di Beppo. It was delicious as usual. Then we came home and read Twas the Night Before Christmas, opened Christmas jammies, read the Bible story and then put the kids down. I stayed up making cinnamon rolls and a breakfast casserole and then Aaron and I set everything up.





Christmas morning started at a reasonable hour of 7 am. Aaron and I were already awake- we were so excited! Everyone loved their Santa presents. The boys got Air Hogs (mini helicopters), remote control cars/jeep and a Hot Wheels track. Addie got a double stroller for her babies, a highchair, a Little People set and a Tinkerbell head to do hair and makeup on. Carter got a little ball toy that he cared less about- he liked the wrapping paper the best.




Halfway through opening gifts, we heard a knock on the door. Santa left our new puppy, Maggie for us. She is an Australian Labradoodle and we are in love! We thought long and hard about getting a dog- and finally decided to go for it. I think dogs are great for kids. I had a dog growing up and wanted my kids to have that opportunity, too. It's worth the work because she is such a sweetie.
Then we went to my parents house for more presents, dinner, dessert, Guitar hero and lots of fun!






It was a wonderful day- full of lots of family, laughing, excitement, squeals of delight, yummy food and happy memories!