RUB-A-DUB I'VE GOT 3 STRANGE DUCKS IN MY TUB

MY HEART 4-EVER

CARTER IS 13 MONTHS OLD TODAY!!!

AFTER A LONG DAY

BAD TEMPER + CONCRETE ENTRANCE = BAD ACCIDENT

Carter and I were having a great time this morning. We both woke up in a good mood. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. I spent the morning on the floor with him doing lots of "rough and tumble" play. Carter also walked/took lots of steps at different times this morning. (He just started walking yesterday.) He ate his breakfast and I gave him a bath. Late in the morning I packed his diaper bag and my camera gear so that we could spend the day with Grandma. After getting everything and everyone ready, I put Carter on the living room floor with a toy and a bottle so that I could run our things out to the car. Well, this made Carter angry because he didn't want me to leave him behind. I could see that he was having a temper tantrum and I made sure that the glass front door was tightly latched behind me...or so I thought. I went as fast as I could because I could hear him crying behind me (I actually ran to the car). When I got to the car, I threw all the stuff into the front seat, and then locked and shut the car door. By the time I spun around I could see Carter pushing the glass door open and trying to crawl between the door and the door post. Before I could get to him, Carter became wedged, lost his balance and slammed his face into the outside concrete entrance way. His nose was bleeding and he now has a really bad abrasion on his forehead. He was crying so hard he couldn't breath. My poor sweet baby! I held and rocked him until he stopped crying. I then let him call Grandma and "tell" her all about it over the phone.

CHASING SHADOWS

UPWARD AND ONWARD

Carter walked four steps this afternoon at daycare.  According Miss Amber and Miss Jennifer, his teachers, a toy walker that he was pushing across the floor rolled away from him.  Carter stood there, looked at the toy and then took four steps to retrieve it.  I was excited to hear that he had walked four steps when I picked him up at daycare this evening, but I also felt sad that I had not been there to see it.  I want to be present whenever Carter reaches any milestone.  I have to keep reminding myself that I did get to see Carter walk 1 1/2 steps several weeks ago at my mother's house - so technically I did get to see him take his first steps although at that time they were a little bit forced.

{9/11} I REMEMBER...

The morning of 9/11 I remember standing in the kitchen in my pj's. I answered the phone when Uncle Mike called and said that "we were under attack." I can still remember the feeling of total disbelief and the following sickness I felt in my stomach. I also felt a little panic because I didn't know what else was in store for our nation...or worse yet, my family. I quickly passed the word along to everyone one else at home. For hours, days, weeks and months afterwords my eyes were glued to the TV and so was everyone around me. It was all that anyone could talk about. The attacks were so surreal then and when I watch a video of it now I feel the same way. Living through 9/11 truly impacted my life in a negative and positive way. For once I felt that our country was unsafe on a very wide scale. Our freedom is something to cherish. The attacks showed me on a personal level that even Americans are not immune to the world's evil. While it was a very unsettling time in my life, it was also a time of coming to the realization of just how many good people are still out there. With the attacks also came such humanity...so much compassion, empathy and a giving on oneself for the sake of another. It is times like this that make me so proud to be an American.

BECOMING DOMESTICATED

These pictures were taken at my mother's house. Carter is learning to feed himself with a spoon.  He's only been practicing for about 1 1/2 weeks now, but I think that he's doing well.  He is required to feed himself at daycare and I've been letting him practice at home too. Carter is also doing a great job of drinking out of a sippy cup.  He is still getting a bottle when he wakes in the morning, at nap time and sometimes in the evening. I would like to have him completely weaned from his bottles by Christmas.

BREAKING NEWS STORY: RECKLESS DRIVER/STUNTMAN SURVIVES AUTO ACCIDENT!!!

News Watch Warning: 

"A young dare devil was involved in an automobile accident on the daycare playground this afternoon when he attempted to stand up/climb out/jump out of his moving vehicle. He survived the accident, but he did sustain some minor bumps, bruises and abrasions. Injuries to other persons at the scene were not reported. Ms. Mary, the injured subject's teacher and an eyewitness at the scene, said that she did see the driver shed some tears and cry uncontrollably although he appeared to look like he was going to make it. Ms. Mary also stated, "He is a reckless driver!" Therefore, the authorities are advising anyone living or playing in the vicinity of the crime scene to keep a watchful eye out for this dare devil stuntman less they desire to become the next victim. The driver's name is Carter McKinley and according to the authorities this is his 1st automobile accident (but certainly not his last). Mr. Carter was released today into his mother's care. He is at large in the community and it is unknown when he will attempt this stunt again. Women and children are advised to stay off of the playground until further notice. Mr. Carter is short in stature. He weighs approximately 19 lbs 6 oz. His dark brown eyes and black hair are dead giveaways to his identity. No other details of the accident are available at this time."

CRY BABY

MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

I was resting on the sofa this afternoon with my eyes closed. I could hear Carter playing on the floor beside me and I knew that he was safe...or so I thought. He's never tried to climb the stairs in our home before, so I was really surprised to find him on the stairs when I opened my eyes. He was standing on the third step and grinning from ear to ear. *Sigh* I guess that my little man now thinks that he is a mountain climber.

Today is Labor Day, 2010.

A NEW SCHOOL

Carter started daycare this morning at Fxxxxxxn Pxxxt Education Center.  It is a 5 star establishment and sooo much nicer than his old daycare. His teachers seem really nice and the facility reminds me of a preschool or kindergarten building. When I picked him up today his teachers told me that he had a great day and was very cheerful all day long. Carter got to play outside, sleep on a cot and eat his breakfast and lunch at the little toddler table in his classroom.