Catch-up

Hello everyone! Sorry for such a long delay in our postings lately, as most of you know we moved a few weeks ago so things have been busy. We love our new house and hope everyone gets a chance to come out and see it soon!

Carter posing amongst all the moving boxes.

Updates: we just finished swimming classes, he loved the pool and didn’t mind putting his face in the water by the end of the class. We hope to start a new swim class or possibly get him into a gymnastics class this summer. He’s talking a ton now – he can put about 3 words together to make some sentences. He loves bossing Shady and Maisy around, we often hear “No NO Shady” or “Move May” (we’re working on manners). Outside is his favorite place to be, when we go inside after playing we often have to endure a fit of anger and lots of pleading…”outside, pwease!”

Overall Carter is adjusting really well to the new house. His room is upstairs and farther away from us but he hasn’t missed a beat with sleeping at night. He also loves going up and down the stairs as many times as possible during the day. He never got the chance to do stairs at our old house so this is a new adventure for him. There are lots of new things to explore and do so he’s quickly helping us toddler-proof this house.

Below are some pictures from a recent visit from Lee and Elsa. They came across on the ferry and we loved having them stay with us! Carter and Elsa were so cute together – they would talk to each other and I think they really picked up on new things by being together. I know Carter is talking a lot more because he heard how much Elsa was talking! He now says “dinner” all the time (a favorite word of Elsa’s) and even though he doesn’t actually want dinner, he still says it when he sees food or his high chair. I was hoping he’d pick up on her good eating as well…maybe next time.

Taking a ride in the new yard.

Updates

It's been a while since our last post...so I'm going to try and recap everything in a condensed version.

Carter's vocabulary is expanding like crazy, he is saying more words every day. He's also starting to recognize letters and numbers! He definitely knows the letters A, H, I, M, and O. He also knows the number 8. When he looks at books lately it's not just the pictures he points out, it's now the letters of the words too!

His acrobatics continue. Dave got out an old pull up bar and put it in a door frame, Carter loves to swing and hang from it. We also started swimming class, which he likes a lot. His favorite part is when we line up on the side of the pool and jump in the water. He doesn't seem to have any fear to jump into my arms. He also likes to play with the floaty toys and balls in the water.

We took him to Meijer Gardens for the annual butterfly exhibit. He liked looking at the butterflies this year but mainly wanted to get down and just run around. Thankfully we went on a "kids night" so running around was allowed and prevalent.

Finally, he is recognizing and loving hockey when it comes on the TV. He immediately says "Oh, wow" when he sees it. This, of course, pleases Dave to no end. Dave even bought Carter his first Red Wings jersey, which he didn't necessarily love at first (I think because it was so big, it was like a dress on him), but he came around. The two of them sit and watch hockey together like two peas in a pod.

The Bebe Pod

I got out the "Bebe Pod" seat the other day to lend to a friend. Carter was fascinated with it. I took a few pictures of him squeezing himself into it...which wasn't as funny as when he would try to get up with the seat stuck to his butt! I went back and looked at the first pictures of him in the seat when he was meant to sit in it...I can't believe how far we've come!

January of 2007

Full of Energy


Carter never ceases to amaze us with his energy level. He's 18 months old now and he is as active as ever. He's non-stop moving for the majority of the day. He will sit still for a few things, books (near bedtime), eating (only because we strap him in his highchair), and watching certain TV shows (Diego and Sesame Street are favorites right now). But for the most part he's running, climbing, getting into any cupboard, drawer, or door he can open, swinging his hockey sticks and golf clubs, and doing a lot of acrobatic type moves. We're going to start a swim class in a few weeks so I'm hoping that this will help get out some of this energy in a healthy and fun way.

He loves to crawl up on the couch and try to do somersaults and headstands. As much as I love that he loves gymnastics type tricks lately, we're trying to keep him more grounded on the floor with these types of moves. He's flipped off the couch a few times and even though he is as resilient as he is daring, I'd rather not take a chance.

This was a brief stop to read in his favorite book. Right after I took this picture he put his feet up the cushion behind him and did one of his headstands (I couldn't catch it on the camera in time).

Some of his acrobatic moves...

He also loves kicking up his leg and throwing his head backwards (I think this is the result of me helping him do back flips when he was little). He falls to his butt laughing hysterically. He also loves to do the bear walk all over the place (see above).

He also loves to practice his hockey moves (nice backhand!). He's getting better at actually hitting the balls with his sticks and clubs. We've had to set some ground rules about what he can and cannot hit and so far we haven't had any big catastrophes (although the dogs are leery during game time), hopefully this trend keeps up!

Happy Valentine's Day!

XOXOXO,

Carter

17 Months

Carter is 17 months old today! We can't believe how fast he is growing up. He is talking a lot more and as curious as ever about everything. His favorites right now are: his 4-wheeler, kissing the dogs, dancing when he hears music, and taking baths. We moved to a one nap day, which he seems to be doing o.k. with (he actually naps about 2 hours in the afternoon now!) and he still sleeps like a champ at night. Eating is still somewhat of a struggle for us, he only wants fruits or certain vegetables. He doesn't really like any meat (except the occasional chicken nugget) so we're trying to find other protein alternatives. He's not wasting away so I guess we're o.k. for now!

Here are some other recent pictures. This first picture was before his most recent hair cut (it was his fourth hair cut!).

Most days we can't get him off the 4-wheeler.

Christmas, Christmas, and more Christmas

We had many Christmas celebrations this holiday season. The first celebration came the Sunday before Christmas with Grandpa Shaffer, Mark, Deb, Bridget, and Sean. We had a great time seeing everyone and watching the kids open presents. Carter really got into present opening this year, it was a lot of fun to watch him.

Grandpa Shaffer, Uncle Mark, and Carter

Carter, Bridget, and Sean checking out the toys

Opening up his stocking from Grandpa Shaffer

Handing us the little tears of paper off the present (the opening took a long time before he realized he didn't need to give us every piece).

Riding on "Dozer" his cool bulldozer toy from Grandpa Shaffer

The second celebration...

We celebrated with Grandpa and Grandma Jernstadt on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We did presents on Christmas Eve from Grandpa and Grandma and then had a nice dinner together. In the morning Carter opened Santa's presents and our presents. It was fun having Grandpa and Grandma J. there to share it with us.

Opening up one of his cool new toys from Grandpa and Grandma J. (I think this might be the hilarious porcupine hand puppet that he loves to taunt the dogs with).

Even the dogs got in on the present opening action.

Christmas morning, opening up his stocking (his talking Diego phone, which says "Carter," was a huge hit)

His first set of golf clubs

He couldn't decide which was cooler, the golf clubs or the hockey stick...

More presents!!

Showing off his cool new train station

The Third Celebration...

We headed to Grandma Webb's house late Christmas morning for a delicious breakfast, more present opening, more food, and more food. We had a lot of fun hanging out with Grandma Webb, Uncle Josh, Uncle Mark, Deb, Bridget, Sean, and some of Grandma Webb's friends throughout the day. By the time the day was over though, we were so exhausted and ready for bed!

Opening up his cool new Harley outfit from Uncle Mark, Deb, Bridget, and Sean

Opening some presents with Uncle Josh

He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw this 4-wheeler from Uncle Mark, we couldn't put it together fast enough.

Proudly riding around on the 4-wheeler. It goes about 2 mph and it is hilarious to watch him ride it. No steering or braking, just forward speed and everyone better get out of the way.

Grandma and Uncle Josh

Uncle Josh helping Carter put his feet in the right spot.

Deb and Uncle Mark

"Watch out, here I come!!"

Christmas was very exciting this year with Carter. We really enjoyed ourselves and loved spending time with family and friends. We can't wait for next year!

16 Month Check-up

Carter had his 16 month check-up yesterday and other than a little cold, he is healthy as can be. He weighed in at 22 lbs. 4 oz. which is about the 75th% for boys at 16 months. His height is 29 and 3/4 inches which is about the 8th%, and his head was 18 1/2 inches which is the 25th%. He also had three shots which he did very well with.

The only problem we're having with him lately is the crib climbing, which is sporadic, so we can't complain too much. He can even get out in his sleep sack (which we thought was our saving grace a week ago). As I got out of bed on Sunday to get Carter, he met me in the hall teetering along in his sleep sack. The Dr. gave us some good advice on how to possibly "cure" the climbing...we'll see how that goes. If that doesn't work we are considering a crib tent. Only time will tell!