Happy Birthday Carter!

The fastest year ever!!

This little guy is 1

One year ago...

we would report at 8am for what we thought would be my induction of labor but what we soon found out was going to be a c-section delivery because my baby boy was breach. Oh one of the first of many lessons my sweet Carter would teach us. One could say he's a teacher and he has taught me a lot. As a planner it was hard to accept that I had to switch gears, as tears streamed down my face while my OB explained that it looked like Carter had "turned" and the safest thing for us to do would be to deliver by c-section.

This was the same doctor that both Tom and I had asissted in c-section a hundred times, I knew he was good. That had nothing to do with my worry, it was just this is not what I had planned, visioned, accepted.

In the end everything was perfect, in fact just as I envisoined it, I just didn't know it at the time- I have my two boys and I am oh so thankful for them both. Here we are year later celebrating a year of successes, many more then I thought we'd be allowed.

I mean really? Look at that sweet face! 

This little one year old is joyfull, happy, full of smiles and very easy going, he gets that from his mother ;)
He is becomming quite expressive. He is learning to tell you what he wants and he's not shy about it. I'm pretty sure he pushed Mason tonight. I think he's going to surprise us with his tenacity.

Here are a few notes that Tom and I took on what he's doing now.

He is saying no, dog, he points at the owls in his room every morning and says: hooo, hooo. he also says mamma, dadda, and grandpa. He loves my dad, he is one of the few people he will jump out mine or Tom's arms for. He loves playing peak a boo, he tries to feed himself with a spoon. He will pick up a remote or a phone and say "hewo", or hello. He doesn't use a bottle anymore. I swear he and Mason talk back and forth, they have their own communication. In the morning Tom and I can hear them calling down the hallway from thier respective bedrooms to each otehr, i'm sure talking trash about their parents. I can't wait for them to share a room. Maybe when Carter turns two.

Carter is enthralled with switches, light switch, toilets, fan strings and doors. For acouple months now he has been so proud of himself opening and closing doors he's moved on to cabinets and pots and pans at this time. Like his brother this boy loves water, he dives into the hot tub without any fear.

We gave away most of our baby toys because he only wants things that his brother has, stuffed toy, oh come on, he says, give me a car, a truck a ball. It's so fun having two, watching their relationship ulfold. He does not like to lay down, change his diaper forget about it, get him dressed only if you can catch me mom, he is on the go and don't try to slow him down.
We've been blessed with two happy babies. He has the sweetest diposition, everyone is freiend of Carter's
If we'd compare whcih we don't, rather try not to, Carter is a sound sleeper, thank the lord. He didn't really have a choice with this crew. He's got an arm too. He's been practicing throwing toys but more commonly food on the floor. He's not walking, but he he's a fast crawler. We're not in any rush but Tom keeps saying any day. He has 8 teeth, compared to Mason's 3 that he had at this age.
He's got a twinkle in his eye this one...
He has taught us how to forgive (ok so I'm still working on that one), how to perservier, how to switch gears, how to live in the momemnt and to have hope.

He has taught me that life is going to reveal itself in its own time, that I can't rush it even if I want to, that I need to watch and enjoy it all as it comes

Carter, You have taught me many of life greatest lessons, in less than a year, and I am very thankful. You bring a smile to my face every day. I cherish your sweet hugs and "pats". I even love your underbite. You made us a true family, you balanced us all- we're even now as four. I love you- happy birthday Carter-boo.

For the "baby book"
weight- 23lbs 60%
height - 30 inches 50%
head circum. 48cm 90% that's my boy!

an anniverary present

Its always fun to think what we were doing a year ago...

one year ago I was sitting on our bed in Merced, 10 months pregnant on the eve of Carter's induction day celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary. We were nervous. Tom was furiously putting together our new dresser and I was anxiously awaiting my mom's return with my last pregnancy indulgence/ anniversary dessert my Baskin Robbins almond mocha fudge sundae. Ok so it wasn't that glamorous but we tried to soak everything in, our last night as a family of three. The next day we would welcome the best anniversary present... Here we are one year later, celebrating 5 years. The best five years of my life. So much growth. I never thought I could love one person as much as I love Tom and our love continues to grow every day. I am one lucky lady, I struck gold with this handsome guy.

professional

We did a little photo session at the beach with the boys... here is a sneak peak.

bike with boy to work day

For Mother's day I got a new commuter bike. We live less than 2 miles from my work and I've set a goal to ride my bike one day a week. I know, I know, only one day! But its a start. The problem is, biking is a Mason & Mommy thing. So Mason is pretty sure that if I'm getting on my bike he should come too. We've been able to make it work, I ride with Mason to work and Tom comes and gets him before I start seeing patients. He pretends to answer my phone, type on my computer, say hi to everyone in my office and more importantly ask one million questions like "who's that? what's that mommy? how come?"
Its actually pretty fun. We talk about what we see on the street, different cars and trucks, people, trees, you know everything... he might even encourage me to set a higher goal of TWO days a week you never know!

my big boy

Our big boy is growing up... We've been trying to put the brakes on but its not working.

He'll be 3 in a few months!!

Our friend Gloria gave us the advise before Carter was born that just because we have a new "baby" in the house to try not to force Mason into being a big boy. He's still our baby. Thus he's still sleeping in a crib, until last night...

We've had this bed in his room, just sitting there, not pushing it and last night he said he was ready.

To be honest we weren't pushing it for selfish reasons, we like/need our sleep and we have fears that his accessibility to the floor, then the door, then our room, might be just too much freedom for this guy.

But this morning at 6:45 I was greeted by the sweetest little towhead standing by my bed saying "Mommy its light outside". And it made it all worth it... Don't worry I am by no means under the impression that it is going to be this blissful every morning.

Its hard to say ALL of the amazing things Mason is doing. It seems like every week it is something new. The big one is that he is almost totally potty trained. We still use a diaper at night but nonetheless I am SO PROUD of my boy. He is a puzzle king. He is very spacially minded, you should see him with blocks, Lego's.. you name it he is so focused. We 're working on writing letters now. For my own memory, he has known his ABC's for a good year now and he counts to 20, he is just a little sponge. He will be starting preschool in a few weeks. I'm a little nervous to be honest. I guess I can see why moms cry when they drop their baby off at kindergarten. Its all starting, school, friends, activities... time away from home, away from us, from me, but I know he is ready and I know he going to thrive. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

I took him on his first little sailing adventure over the weekend and he was so brave. He held on tight and watched the water splash over the bow of the boat. We saw a seal, pelicans and dolphins. It was a perfect day to celebrate my first baby, who is now such a big boy.

Carter is 9 months

This cutie of mine is 9 months and he's crawling!!

He has grown in the past month, still 20 lbs and 28 inches long, which means we're in for a growth spurt soon. This little boy is on the go. he is getting more confident every day and he is starting to crawl from room to room just exploring. He is still all smiles and he has two new little teeth to show off now. He is waving bye-bye now, he claps, stands with support and tries to stand on his own. He starting to push his little grocery cart by himself walking, but we try to limit that, crawling is enough for now. We're all placing bets as to how soon he'll be walking by himself.

bike rides

For Mason's first birthday my parents gave him (and me) the ibert bike seat. We love it. Its always been our thing, bike rides. just me and him. what could be better?

this was taken on our mother's day ride to the rose garden

a german shepard

I'm not sure if it is true of toddlers in general or just ours but Tom and I decided that Mason is kind of like a German Shepard. For you dog people, he's a working dog. He functions better if he has a job to do.
For example... yesterday-

"Hey Mason, lets go outside and play"
"No thanks mom"
"Hey Mason, I have a job for you"
"What's that mom?"
"I need you to go outside and move some dirt so we can plant our tomatoes"
"OK, mom, no problem. I can do that job!"

Just like that.

meal time at our house

is crazy
but fun

its never a dull moment around here.

My boys

M+C

I've been trying to do a better job of capturing these two on film... I'm not going to lie its hard!

family in spring

My sister's family came down for a spring weekend in Santa Barbara.

It was so nice to see the cousins together and to have some nice quality time with my sister.We just watched the kids-  ran after the kids. It was beautiful week. We had a many nice beach and pool days all together and to top it off we saw my cousin Nate get married in Arroyo Grande. My only complaint, like a broken record, is that I wish we ALL lived closer...

Harrison (almost 5) & Miss Harper (1)

How sweet are they?

outside bath

We are constantly finding any way to get outside.. so why not take our bath outside?
I love this time of year, warm days, cool nights, stays lighter later... An important thing to a working mom because that means later bedtime and more play time.

pasta boy

My mom sent this to me today and I'm pretty sure I laughed out loud in my office. The funny thing is I've been working with M teaching him how to slurp his pasta and he still can't really do it. Tom says its because "he's all Dutch". So maybe Carter got a few of my Italian genes after all. Thank goodness someone did.

Carter Ellis is 8 months!

Carter is 8 months

He is growing up so fast. 8 months is scary, that means a year old is just around the corner. He is getting so big. He is 20lbs and 28 inches long and trying to move that little body of his. He has no interest in crawling. In desperate times he'll scootch but really that's only to get into position to pull himself to standing. I'm fearful that walking is around the corner. And really I can't blame him, crawling will not help him keep up with his brother any faster, he's going straight to running, I'm sure of it. He is still all smiles. No teeth yet, which is a blessing. He's doing just fine eating everything in front of him and often protests "baby food" because he wants what we're eating. His current favorites are swinging and water play. I can't even wash my hands without him leaping out of my arms. He's definitely a baby that you have to hold with two hands, he will often try to make a leap to something that he sees or wants. Seeing things through his eyes has been so much fun. With two life has gotten more crazy and more fun exponentially! That paired with Carter starting physical, occupational and speech therapy has encouraged Tom and I to not work so hard outside the home. A carpe diem sort of thing. So starting this month we'll each be home one extra day a week and we both couldn't be happier about it. Life is too short! And I mean look at these two....

Mason took this picture, he is quite the master of the iPhone and I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing..this blondie keeps us on our toes. The look on Carter's face is like  "oh ok, that's how its done, thanks Mason".

JOY

family portrait

My dad used to take us to the breakwater after a good storm in Santa Barbara to watch the high surf crash against the wall. So I'm trying to keep up the family tradition. I'm happy to report that I'm the only one that got hit by a wave.

Carter my boy

It doesn't get much sweeter then this...
CEB 6 1/2 months
Sits by himself, smiles, laughs, laughs hysterically at his brother, eats anything he can get his hands on, he prefers what we're eating over any 'baby food', loves the bath, wants to play at the playground just like his brother, loves other babies, sings himself to sleep, he coos, says baabaa, daadaa and I think I've heard him say maamaa but it might be wishful thinking, has the biggest, warmest smile as seen above. He spoils his parents, that's for sure.

Thursday mornings...

Tom works a late shift on Thursdays, so he has Thursday mornings with the boys.

This morning I got this video with this caption....

"Yummm...

C eats all of M's pear.

M eats all of daddy's oatmeal.

Now mommy is out of cookies.

M is eating the skin off of pear, then feeds it to C.

Isn't life grand."

Brotherly love

every morning when mason wakes up he wants to have carter in his bed.
carter loves it.
its like he knows he's in his BIG brother's bed.
tom and i are watching a friendship being made, a bond and it is sweet.

just a day at the park

We are so lucky to live just down the street from an amazing park.

It was time for Carter to experience the swings.

somebody push me!

Look at those legs!

CEB 6 months

my lunch dates

Nona and Grandma Bonnie trade off weeks watching the boys. This week is Nona's turn and these two loves met me for lunch at Whole Foods today. (I know, I pinch myself that I live near a Whole Foods now!)
I had thought that Carter had grown out of the pram but my mom found a new way for him to enjoy the ride. It was fun to see them bouncing along. Aren't they cute?

helper

This is what I have to do to get things done around here.
My little helper Carter.

Home sweet home....

The dust has settled and so have we finally. I think we're finally starting to feel like this is real. That we actually live here. That we can meet Grandma Bonnie at the beach on a whims notice or that I can invite myself (and my family) over to my parents house for dinner 2 nights a week just "because". That we have 4 different fruit trees, and a creek in our backyard. And, most importantly, when i leave for work every morning that I can have the reassurance that the boys are being watched by their grandmothers.

 I knew it was going to be great when we got here, I just didn't know it was going to be this good.

 Carter 5 months

 The boys & tibia...

 This is what a Saturday morning looks like in our house.

 I hope it never changes.