ONE YEAR

My sweet little baby is now a big one year old boy.  The year has gone by so fast, as every year seems to.  Having a son is better than I ever expected.  I LOVE my little family and the unique experience that I have had getting to know each of my little kiddos.

This is the last picture I remember taking before having Carter.  HUGE.  I remember how painful that belly was.  Looking at this picture makes me hurt. 

 And, then I get happy because I know he is about to come out...

 

 

Two of my most favorite pictures from that day.  Life is good and complete...

 He was handsome his first day of life.  Prettiest baby boy I've ever known. 

 Annabelle was excited when we came home with her new brother. 

 I didn't get much rest at the hospital because all I could do was stare at him...

 In my only two experiences, the first couple weeks at home with a new baby are my favorite.  I have this amazing sense of peace and joy that I can't explain.  Even through the exhaustion and through all of the other overwhelming emotions, I have pure joy.  I feel like every time I breathe, it's a breath of relief and happiness.  That is the best way I can explain it.  It's a couple weeks of getting to know this baby and how they fit in to your family.  Getting to know a stranger, in a sense.  But, the best stranger you have ever met.  God fills my heart with this crazy love.  A new love for a new person, and then an even deeper love for my husband.  It's a precious time, and it makes me want at least one more experience like this.  Having babies has been one of the greatest gifts.

Carter has grown up so much in just a year.  It's really crazy how much kids change in only a few months.  I am so proud of him.  We are continuing to get to know him and his silly, sweet personality.  Watching this sibling relationship makes my heart do jumping salts and summer jacks all day.  Being a mom to Carter and Annabelle and a wife to Craig is my purpose and calling, and I couldn't be more thankful to God for allowing me to have these roles.  I am a totally and completely imperfect mom and wife.  I make mistakes.  I get frustrated.  Some days, I feel like i really might be going insane.  (for real, though)  Sometimes I feel like a frazzled, crazy person.  But, I love it.  I love my life.  And I give all the thanks and glory to God for giving me this life.


  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET CARTER!  

I love you so much!

August? It's already August?

Once again, I have allowed a bunch of time to pass between posts.  Sitting down to write a blog post crosses my mind often, then I forget, get distracted, or just really don't have the time.  Sowwy. :/

We have had a great summer and I can not believe that it is already August.  School is starting soon for most people, and school supplies are all you see when you walk in to almost any store right now.  It all makes me SO excited because it means that it is almost FALL.  I have been craving fall since July 5th.  I want to see pumpkins, leaves, cool weather, scarecrows, hay, crock pot meals, football, etc.  I can't wait.

Carter started walking a few weeks ago, and he is a super walking pro now.  He is just determined to keep up with Annabelle.  He is an amazing almost one year old.  Such a gift!  Craig and I are totally smitten over this little toddler we have.  I think I mentioned a few posts back how much fun it is to watch this little sibling relationship develop.  It just keeps getting better.  They love each other and have so much fun laughing and playing together.  Sure, they battle over the same toys at times, and already seem to argue a bit, but they are precious together.

 I love this pic of Annabelle playing in the rain....

Look at this guy!

We have spent a lot of time in the back yard pool this summer.  The kiddos love it.

Oh, and he has figured out how to climb up the slide.  Danger. ;)

 Swimming at Aunt Rachel's apartments...

 My babies...

 

 4th of July

We aren't sure yet if Annabelle will be returning to school this sememster.  Craig and I are praying about it a lot.  But, I will do my best to update regularly!  

As for now, I want to leave you with this amazing blog post I read today.  I can relate in so many ways as I read the words of this momma...  

Walker

So, carter went from crawling to full on walking just this past week. After my last post about his five big steps, I told Craig he would probably be a walker by the end of the month. Didn't take that long. He is walking all over the place and its adorable!! I have videos, but you will have to just see them on KEEK, Facebook or Instagram for now. I went to target today to buy him some shoes that actually fit, and he isn't too sure yet how to walk the same with shoes on. It's pretty cute. 

Anyways. We are proud! :) 

Carter

Just wanted to pop in to tell you that Carter took FIVE steps yesterday!!!  He has been trying to take some steps over the past two weeks or so, and we were so so excited when he took FIVE steps to get to his momma!  I'm proud.  :)

Happy July.
Will post pictures of my precious kiddos soon.

First bit of our SUMMER!

Summer so far has been awesome for the following reasons...
  ~ NOT rushing out of the house by 7:30
  ~ Staying in our jammies later than we should
  ~ Playdates with friends
  ~ Visits to the park
  ~ Art projects
  ~ Gymboree

We have been keeping busy, and summer has started off really well!  Annabelle did have a fever at the beginning of last week, and was a bit sick, but the rest of the week made up for it.  My kiddos are developing a really sweet relationship right now, and it is really neat to watch.  I know that other parents with more than one child have seen this, and I am now soaking up every moment of it.  They laugh and play together more, and wherever Annabelle goes, Carter is not too far behind.  It's just the beginning, and I am excited to see this little sibling relationship grow brick by brick.

I have been jogging again with both kiddos, which I haven't done in a while.  It has added a bit of a challenge physically, but it has also been awesome.  I did NOT think I was going to like running with both of them at all.  But, it has been great for all three of us.  I often stop to take pictures because I run on a super gorgeous trail not to far from my house.  Here is one of my fave pics from one of our jogs...

Annabelle chasing ducks...

Painting a BLUE letter B.

Cute cute cute to watch all three of these cuties play.

Painting a blue butterfly.  (last week was "blue week" when it came to projects. I have decided to keep Annabelles wheels turning in her little head during the summer by adding a little theme to every week.  Each week, we are focusing on a certain color, letter, shape and animal for the whole week.  Should be fun!)

Annabelle was fixing carter's hair in the pool. :)

JAMMIES all morning. 

Carter lifting weights.

Playing dress up with my scarf.

She was SO excited to be in Gymboree today!  It's been a while since we were there, and she loved it the same as she did before.  :)

We went to a play date at a park the other day and Annabelle decided to play in the water in her clothes.  I thought she would spend all her time on swings and in the sand, so I did not bring her suit.  Luckily, I did have a change of clothes in the car. 

Almost SUMMER!!

Annabelle has Splash Day at school today, and I'm sitting here wishing I could spy on her. I hope she has fun! She's been a little sad this week when I have dropped her off at school. I hate leaving her when she is upset, but I know she is in good hands.

TOMORROW is the last day of school, and I'm pretty excited about that. It will be nice to go back to the days where we didn't have to rush out the door by 7:30.  Annabelle gets to go back to "BO". (Gymbroee.  She says "BO" for Gymbo, the name of the happy clown puppet) AND, we can have more days like this....

Memorial Day breakfast at Cracker Barrel...

This past weekend, Craig and I celebrated our 7th anniversary! We had some good time alone, and both agree another 70 years together would be pretty great. ;)

Carter got his first haircut.  Just a little trim, and you can't even tell.  My babies just have a lot of hair. 

My kiddos love this guy.  Justin is a friend of mine from high school and he married an amazing chick!  We all love hanging out with them.  Pretty sure Annabelle has a small crush on Justin.  He's really good with my kids and I am thankful for the friendship we have with him and his wifey.

 
This is KIM.  (Justin's wife)



 Craig and I started teaching a preschool Sunday school class at our church once a month.  It is pretty awesome for many reasons, but one is that we get to be with Annabelle.  This past Sunday, she crawled up in the baby doll play high chair and was reading a tiny book.  I don't even think you can see the book in this pic.  It cracked me up.  I think she is the cutest thing of all time. 
 

HAPPY SUMMER!!

He Giveth More.

" He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase: TO added affliction He addeth his mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.  When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed ere the day is half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father's full giving is only begun.  His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men: For out of his infinite riches in Jesus He giveth and giveth and giveth again. "

-Annie Johnston Flint