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!

Christmas with the Burke's

Last weekend Jim, Betsy, Tyler, Drew, and Kayley came over for some early Christmas celebrating. The kids exchanged gifts and had a blast playing with each other. Carter received two really neat gifts - Mr. Potato Head and a toy train set. He has been playing with both every day since Saturday!

Tyler, Kayley, and Drew check out the tree

Drew snuck out of this picture right before we took it!

Dinner was entertaining for everyone!

Finally the gift opening!

We had so much fun, thanks Burke's for coming over and giving Carter such neat gifts!!

A SLEDDING WE WILL GO.......

Last weekend we decided to take Carter outisde for his first experience with snow. We pulled him around the yard in his sled. He seemed to really enjoy it, especially when the dogs raced around the yard barking and playing with him. The only problem was keeping his mittens on his hands. It was pretty much impossible to keep them on longer than a minute at a time.

I think this will be the first of many sledding days ahead.

Carter enjoying being pulled around the yard.

Putting on the mittens...again.

What is this crazy white stuff on my mitten?

Lets see how it tastes...

Getting Ready for Christmas

Last weekend we visited Frederick Meijer Gardens to see their beautiful Christmas decorations and, of course, Santa. Unfortunately Carter freaked out when we put him on Santa's lap and I had to sneak in the picture to keep Carter from totally losing it. We even gave him Dave's cell phone (normally a huge treat) but even that didn't stop the sobbing. We hurried and snapped this picture and then exited the Santa area.

We also saw an enormous toy train running through the greenhouse. Carter loved following it around the track and looking at the pretty village.

The Gardens also had a beautiful display called "Around The World" which consisted of dozens of decorated Christmas trees representing different countries around the world. Dave's work sponsored the "Spain" tree, so we stopped to take a picture by it.

We also found this cool old fashioned sleigh, which Carter loved because Santa was nowhere in sight with this sleigh.

We also put up our Christmas tree which was a lot of fun for Carter. He is actually quite tame around the tree, he likes to look but seldom tries to take decorations off of it. Here he is helping with the decorating.

Crib Climber!

The last couple of days Carter has discovered he can climb out of his crib if he doesn't have his sleep sack on. We've watched him climb over the side (as you can see below) and then he hangs over the side and drops down to the floor. The scary part is that every day he seems to have better and better technique. He is such a crazy climber.

Here he is this morning in mid climb.

Thanksgiving

We had a fun week full of Thanksgiving and Christmas activities. Aunt Lee and Elsa came over from Milwaukee the weekend before Thanksgiving and stayed a whole week. The festivities started on Sunday afternoon with the Pries family Christmas celebration. Since Grandma B. and Grandpa P. were leaving for their winter stay in Florida the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, everyone celebrated Christmas with them at Thanksgiving. The Sunday party was great but chaotic at times with all 7 grandchildren together! All the grandkids (except Elsa) are pictured below with Grandma B. and Grandpa P. (sorry Elsa, we didn't have a picture with you in it!). She kept crawling out of the shot to see her Mommy.

More shots from Sunday's party:

Carter enjoying some books.

Elsa is having fun on Carter's bike.

The rest of the week was spent hanging out with Aunt Lee, Elsa, Grandma B., and Grandpa P. Uncle Bob came on Wednesday night, just in time for Thanksgiving Day. We had a ton of fun with the babies all week. They seemed to really enjoy playing and hanging out together. They especially loved playing with Frosty, Rudolph, the train around the Christmas tree, the phones, and books.

Elsa and Carter LOVED the signing Rudolph.

It's all fun and games with a bag on your head...

...until you fall over!

Carter and Elsa enjoying some books with Santa.

Here is Carter playing with the phone...his favorite toy of all time.

Elsa and I enjoying a book.

Elsa and Lee enjoying a book. (We did a lot of reading that week!)

Grandma B., Aunt Lee, Elsa, and Belle.

On Thanksgiving Day we went to Grandma B. and Grandpa P.'s for Thanksgiving dinner and our Christmas celebration. Later in the day we also went to Grandma Webb's house for the second dinner! Carter sported his Lion's jersey...too bad it didn't help the team.

Daddy and Carter getting ready to open presents!

Opening a cool remote control car from Aunt Lee, Uncle Bob, and Elsa!

Checking out his "Go Diego Go" Rescue Pack from Aunt Lee, Uncle Bob, and Elsa.

Carter also got a very cute overall / sweater outfit and "Millie Moo" book from Aunt Lee, Uncle Bob, and Elsa. From Grandma B. and Grandpa P. he got a special baby doll, which included a homemade U of M painted bed and blanket for the baby (Thanks Mom). As you can see in the pictures below, Carter adores the baby. These shots are when we got home from the party. Carter loves to put the baby in his bed and give him lots of hugs. Thanks to everyone for such great presents!

On Friday morning we headed over to Spring Lake to visit Grandpa and Grandma J. We had a wonderful meal and lots of fun hanging out with everyone.

Carter is getting a fun laundry basket ride from Daddy.

Hanging out before dinner.

We loved seeing everyone at Thanksgiving! I wish we would have taken some pictures at Grandma Webb's...for some reason we didn't have our camera handy. We'll have to take lots at Christmas time. Lee and Elsa - a special thank you to you two for coming out for the whole week, I absolutely loved hanging out and spending so much time with you!

Fun Fall Activities

Hanging out with Dad

Watching football

Playing in the leaves

House Divided

Michigan State vs. University of Michigan...

It took me a while to get over the outcome of the football game last weekend. This blog entry comes a week after and it's not because I was too busy to post it. We had our annual party on game day, complete with lots of trash talking, bets, cheering, and utter disappointment (for some of us). In case you didn't hear, Michigan beat Michigan State. I choose to not comment further on the actual game.

The party was fun despite the total let down by MSU. Carter sported his cool new half MSU half U of M t-shirt thanks to Grandma B. and her crafty sewing. She literally took two t-shirts and cut them apart and sewed them together to make a divided shirt for Carter. He supported both Mom and Dad and we didn't have to fight over what he wore for the game! Many of our friends stopped by for the game, including lots of Carter's friends. The kids had a blast playing together and they found it hilarious watching their parents clap and yell at the TV screen.

Carter and his friend Noah hanging out during the game.

Kayley tries out Carter's bouncy zebra during half time.

Complete shock at the outcome of the game...Carter was devastated.

We also got a cool surprise the day before the game - Grandma B. and Grandpa P. brought over a new bench for Carter which, as you guessed it, is divided up between both our teams. Grandpa P. made it for Carter and even found cool decals to decorate it. Carter loves to climb all over it (and fall off) and to stand on it to look out the front window.

A shot of the new bench.

Carter is showing Grandpa how to bang stuff on the bench for maximum volume.

Here he is testing out his balance.

Thanks Grandma B and Grandpa P for all the cool Michigan State / Michigan stuff!!

TRICK OR TREAT

We had a great time this Halloween, Carter loved carving the pumpkins with Daddy and he also loved dressing up. A few nights before Halloween we carved out the pumpkins, I took care of the picture taking while Daddy and Carter took care of all the goop. Dave showed Carter the art of carving, he seemed to really pay attention too...you would never think there were so many important steps to carving a pumpkin until Dave gives you a lesson. They turned out awesome though!

Here they are going over the important steps of carving.

Feeling the goop for the first time!

There's more?

More scooping...

Finally done!

On Halloween evening Carter got dressed up in his giraffe costume and we went to Grandma Webb's house and Grandma B's / Grandpa P's house for trick or treating. He actually didn't mind being in his costume and he left his hood up the whole time! He got some nice treats from both Grandmas - Grandma Webb gave him a cute little bag full of cookies and some Halloween Peeps, and Grandma B. gave him a cool giraffe stuffed animal plus candy. I think he probably thought it was strange to dress up to go over to Grandma's house but he enjoyed all the cool presents he got because of it! We also got to see Uncle Josh - who he loved to play with and show off his cool costume to.

Getting dressed.

All ready for trick or treating!

Taking off down the driveway - he was ready for the candy.

On the way to Grandma's house.


HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!