One year stats

Our little munchkin is still a little munchkin.

Weight 20lb 3oz (14th percentile)
Length 29" (26th percentile)
Head circumference 47cm (69th percentile)

His height went down from 52nd percentile to 26th, so I'm hoping next time we go to the doc, he'll have grown a little taller. The doctor said she wasn't concerned at this point, but of course I am. I can't help it.

Carter's Birthday Party

Carter had a lot of fun at his party. He had a jungle theme and gave out animal mugs with animal crackers in them as "goody bags." The older girls got a jungle print journal to write in.

His cakes turned out really great. We got them at Graul's, which is pretty much guaranteed to be delicious.

My grandparents flew in from Florida to be there, so it was nice for Carter to have them and my other set of grandparents at his party. He doesn't get to see either of them too often so it was nice for him to spend time with them.

After everyone sang to him, we waited for him to go crazy and dig in to his cake. Yeah, not so much. He wasn't that into it. He was more interested in Chris or me feeding it to him than feeding it to himself. I was really looking forward to cake all in his hair, up his nose, in his ears. Oh well.






He even really enjoyed everyone singing to him. Lots of kids and babies get upset at the loudness and everyone looking at him, but Carter was really into it. Little sweetheart.

So, thanks to everyone that came, and to those that were there in spirit.

First Haircut

Carter had his first haircut yesterday. He actually didn't do too bad. He was a little cranky about the whole thing, but no serious meltdowns like I expected. And no meltdowns from me, either. :-)

He looks even cuter (if that's possible) with his shorter hair. I love it. The back is a little crooked and screwy, but there's only so much you can do with a squirmy child.

One year pics

We finally found a picture place we love. Portrait Innovations rocks. Hard. Here are just a few of the 45 pictures we have.

Yes, he got his hair cut. That's the next post. And then I swear I'm gonna do a birthday party post.

Comfy

This is how Chris found Carter when he went in to wake him from his nap last night. Look at his right leg. Weird.

Before I forget...

Tooth #8 is in, on the bottom. Also, Carter does Peek-a-Boo but instead of putting his hands over his eyes, he puts them over his ears. Crazy kid.

Odds and Ends

I have stuff to talk about (birthday party, etc.) but now I'm all out of whack because Carter and I were in a minor car accident this morning. We were stopped in traffic about 10 cars back from a light when I got rear-ended, and then rear-ended a second time. Guess one time wasn't good enough. :-)

Anyway, everyone was okay, just a little shaken up. After we got hit, Carter started crying because the jolts scared him. I've never moved so fast to get in that backseat and make sure he was okay (he's just fine).

My bumper will need to be replaced so now it's the waiting game to see what happens with the insurance companies. Thankfully I was the front car so I don't really need to worry too much about it. Just a pain.

So I'll post about his birthday a little later, after I stop obsessing over my baby being in an accident.

Happy Birthday, Carter!

It's official. My little baby is one year old. He's very excited for his party today...he even learned how to clap yesterday in honor of the occasion.

I have so much to say but just can't collect my thoughts. Later.

Ball

Baby Beethoven

I think he's got natural talent.

Caption this photo

I don't have a prize for you, but thought it would be fun to see what you come up with.

A new word

Carter has a new word to add to his repertoire. He says "book" pretty consistently. Except he doesn't pronounce the "k" sound.

Molar

Chris told me today that he thought maybe he saw the beginning of a new bottom tooth. I looked and felt and didn't see anything, but I mentioned that he will probably be getting his one year molars soon and, from what I hear, they're a real doozy.

A little while later I remembered that when Carter was laughing the other day, I thought I saw some white in the molar area but he was eating a cracker so I chalked it up to that. I stuck my finger back there and...whaddya know! He's got a molar! Well, three points of one at least. That explains why his jaw has been clenched so much recently. I just thought it was a phase because sometimes he does weird things for a while.

So, we have tooth #7. Woot!

Nice hair

Check out the bedhead.

Tongue

He's smart.

You know it's gonna be a good day when...

...your kid wakes up in this kind of mood.

JDRF Walk

From my friend Kris:

Hello everyone!

Since we recently moved from AZ to TX, we missed our regular JDRF Walk in Phoenix this year. We did manage to raise some money for that walk, though and to those who donated we are EXTREMELY grateful.

We have decided last minute to take part in the JDRF Walk with the Houston Chapter. So, since it is very last minute (the walk is on Saturday) we need to do some fundraising. And FAST. Please once again watch Hayleigh's video (below) to see what she deals with every day. After watching it, you will understand why we are working so hard to help find a cure.

Any amount will help us. $1, $5, $10 or more. No amount is too small and we appreciate each and every donation.

Please use this link (instead of the one on the video) to donate. We need all the help we can get. Thank you!!!

http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmid=87270978

Link for the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8GC5zzIqTw

Overwhelmed

I've been in tears all morning, trying to grasp the magnitude of what happened yesterday. To know that Carter will be reading about this day in his history books one day, and to be able to tell him that he was a part of it, is just so moving and amazing to me. To see the people who had never in their lives voted before, get out there and cast their ballot...well, that just makes me swell with pride and patriotism. People waited in line for HOURS to vote. That kind of tenacity and motivation is huge.

I'm just very, very moved.

Success!!

I watched the news this morning and saw the insanely long lines. I heard Chris tell me how bad it was at 6:00 a.m. However, I thought I'd just swing by my polling place on the way in to work just to see what the parking lot looked like.

I got a spot right in front. I walked right up to the "A-C" line and got checked in. I stood behind 4 people in the voting line. I took Carter out of his stroller so he could see what I was doing. And when the big red VOTE button came up, I took his hand and let him press it. 10 minutes, in and out.

My boy helped make history and I'm feeling very proud and patriotic.

Sort of bummed

I really wanted to take Carter with me when I go vote, but Chris told me the line was insane at 5:55 this morning. There's no way he'd make it through a long line like that. So, I'm just gonna go mid-morning and let him stay in daycare. I really wanted a picture of him helping me vote. It would have been so cool to show him that picture years from now and say, "You were there for that historical election."

Learning how to bite

I'm trying to teach Carter how to bite things, and not shove the entire thing in his mouth. This morning I handed him half a banana to see what happened. I think he did pretty well!

Getting there

Carter's making strides (no pun intended) on walking soon. Today, he stood on his own for 30 whole seconds. The only reason he fell was because he got so excited that he threw his arms up in the air and it knocked him off balance.

He's also started using this walker we got him a few weeks ago. I got it at a consignment sale for $2 and he had absolutely no interest in it until a few days ago. Now he loves to go back and forth across our living room. He's almost able to turn it around himself, but he gets frustrated and gives up.

Carter's First Halloween

What a fun day! He had a costume party at daycare. The kids were so cute all dressed up. They were so excited when I got there. They were all running around like crazy, touching each other's costumes, and running to the mirror to see themselves. It was hilarious.

After he left daycare, we went over to Chris' parents' house for dinner and trick or treating. I was so excited to finally be able to trick or treat after 15 years! We brought Carter's new wagon, and he did really well in it. I think it helped that he was tired, so he just sort of chilled out.

Here are some pics of our night:






And, finally, the pumpkins my MIL carved. Isn't she so talented??