It Can't Be.

Really? Already? A year? Am I seeing the calendar correctly? Friday is May8th, isn't it? But...that's impossible. There's no way that it has already been one year since our lives were blessed with Carter. But as impossible as that seems, it's hard to remember a time without him! This year has gone by unbelievably fast. We have enjoyed every minute of it! His little personality is really starting to emerge. He loves to laugh. I hope that never changes. Here's a small glimpse from the past year.

This is on the back of his invitations. It's amazing to see how they grow from month to month, isn't it?

A year old? But look, he was just a curled up newborn. ONE? Really? Nah, it can't be. Not just yet.

De Colores

I love this CD! It was one of the things I bought when I first started teaching Spanish, and I have used it ever since! It has so many great traditional & easy to sing children's songs on it. I have since bought a few other Jose-Luis Orozco albums, but this continues to be my favorite (though Diez Deditios is a close 2nd!)

Would you like a copy? Visit the Wanna Jugar With Migo blog to enter! She has 5 copies to give away:

http://wannajugarwithmigo.blogspot.com/2009/04/jose-luis-orozco-de-colores-cd-giveaway.html

Not to mention she always has great ideas for sharing & teaching language to your children!

Washing Our Spirits

This is Gabby's response to why Jesus died for us. We're not sure where she got it, but on Friday I was explaining to her what Good Friday and Easter are all about. I told her that God sent Jesus because He loves us so much and that Jesus died for our sins. We also talked about how Jesus rose on the third day and how He is alive. When I questioned her in review of our conversation I asked her if Easter was about bunnies & eggs. She said "No...Jesus!" Then I asked why Jesus died for us, and she said "so to wash our spirits." Very insightful for a 3 year old. Maybe we misunderstood what she said, or perhaps one of her grandmothers told her that...but wherever she got it from her answer truly made her daddy & me very happy.

We really had a wonderful Easter weekend filled with love, fun & family. On Saturday we did a couple of fun projects! First I made cupcakes from stratch. Yes, homemade! If you haven't heard of Bakerella you should check her out. Now, Bakerella I am not, but I still think my attempt at her latest idea turned out pretty cute.

They sure were yummy too! (I plan on using that buttercream icing on Carter's birthday cake which I'm going to attempt to make myself.)

Then we colored eggs! This is the first time I've done this with Gabby. She was looking forward to it for days! She was so excited and very patient while they sat in the dye. She would just sit and look at the cups.
This morning we got up bright & early to get ready for church. We had the nursery so we had to get there a little earlier than normal. I had to get a few pictures of Gabby & Carter before we left. Carter didn't really know what to think of his first Easter basket. He just wanted to take everything out.
After church and lunch we had an egg hunt at Nana & Granddaddy's (Chad's parents) house. All the cousins were there. Here's Gabby in action:

And here's what Carter did during the egg hunt:
Nana & Abuelita took turns holding him as he tried to escape. After the hunt was over he tried to attack everyone's baskets, but wasn't very successful. Don't worry, you'll be out there next year, buddy!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter weekend! And remember: Jesus came to wash our spirits! How can we not rejoice in that truth?

P.S. This is officially my longest blog post ever!

Spring Break & other fun

Spring Break was last week, and we got to have a short visit with some friends. Gabby & Carter enjoyed playing with Joseph & Jacob & Andrew. We're so glad that Julie & Andrew got to join us. I haven't seen her in years, and it's the first time we got to meet each other's children. I'll have to make a trip to Birmingham soon to meet Andrew's little sister who should be here next week!
Gabby liked Jacob & Joseph's stroller better than her own, even though it was exactly the same!

The week was rainy, so we didn't get to do many other outdoor activites. A week is so short! I had such a lofty "to-do" list. I didn't get nearly anything done on it. On Sunday, right before returning to work the following day, I decided to takle one big project on my list: paint a nightstand I had in the garage for Gabby's room. Here's the finished product:


I'm pretty happy with how it came out. I have a dresser that matches it. I'm not sure that I want to paint it...plus it will take up the coveted space in her room that is dedicated to toys! Of course I could...no... I should move some (more) of that to the playroom. Which was my other project! I'll have to take pictures and share that later. I still have a little more to do there. And why is it that the room that the least people see is the one that is the closest to being the way I want it??


Just for fun here is Gabby yesterday making cookies.

Snow Flurries!

We had snow flurries this morning. Chad was putting the diaper bag in the car & warming it up for us to go to chuch when he yelled to me it was snowing. I got the kids' coats on quickly and took them outside. Gabby was so excited. I ran inside to get the camera and I'm so glad we took the time to take a few pictures even though we were running late! Look at that expression on her face. It's priceless! On the other hand, Carter wasn't as thrilled. He wasn't upset, but he really didn't know what to think. Here's one of them together!

Officially Three

My three year old Gabby girl tonight before bed...watching Sleeping Beauty in new princess tutu pajamas. Click on the picture to see it bigger.

Really, is she three already? I could almost cry about her birthday this year. I had no problem with her turning one or two, but this year the fact that she has turned three has really made me emotional. Maybe it's because 3 sounds like such a little girl...not a baby, not a toddler, but a true little girl. I know this year holds much fun and excitment so I'm looking forward to it. But just for a moment I wish I could freeze time and keep her this age forever. Happy Birthday, Gabby!

Birthday Party Preview

Just a quick preview of Gabby's party. Check here for one more of the birthday girl herself! I'll have to post more later (promise!)

Daring little dude

"We're going to have a climber." I said those exact words to Chad that this morning after Carter & Gabby had their baths. Carter was all clean & dressed trying to climb back into the tub during Gabby's bath. An hour or two later he almost gave us a heart attack when we heard him crying. He had climbed about 6 stairs and was on the landing where the stairs turn. Daddy thought he was with mommy & mommy thought he was with daddy (& Gabby). Luckily he wasn't hurt, just a little scared. God was definitely watching out for him! We're getting a gate tomorrow. A few hours later I put him in his crib while I was doing stuff in his room. I turned around to find him like this.




I knew I would have to take the bumpers out and the mobile down eventually, but... I didn't want to. I actually didn't have to take Gabby's bumper pad out. She never stood on it. You can see that not only can Carter stand on his, he knows he has to get that other leg up to climb. I hope he's not able to climb out for a long time! So my words from this morning have come true MUCH sooner than I anticipated. As of today, we have a climber.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Okay, so I've practically disappeared. In mid-January I was sick (again!) This time I was on the verge on pnemonia. I'm much better now. No one else had anything like what I had, thank goodness! But I'm back now and here's 2 sweet smiles (plus some crazy hair) to make up for not sharing Gabby & Carter with you lately. Obviously I couldn't get one of the two of them together, so separate will have to do! :) Happy Heart Day!

Pink Cowgirl Boots

Our friend Niki sent these boots to Gabby while she was still an infant. They FINALLY fit her little feet, so I wanted to take some fun pictures of her in them. This is one of my favorites from the afternoon. Head on over here to see another one. :)

My Resolution for 2009

A challenge to myself: Pick up the camera everyday in 2009. Take at least one photo everyday. Don't worry about making each shot a portrait. Capture the precious, everyday moments. every.single.day.

Check it out: http://tinar365.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas!

Our Visit with Santa

Both Gabby & Carter did excellent with Santa! Gabby sat with him by herself, had her picture and told him a few things she would like. We added Carter in for a picture together, then Gabby got down so we could get Carter's picture with Santa. After about 2 snaps of just Santa & Carter, he looked up at the big guy in red and burst into tears! But at least we got the following:

Oh, and I just let the mall folks take the pics this year. The had a big sign saying you were welcome to use your personal camera with a "minimum" purchase, plus there was such a long line behind me!

Over half-way

Carter is on the verge of 7 months old...already past half way to his first birthday. Unbelieveable.
I waited until he could sit up to do some official 6 month photos.

Here's one. Couldn't decide between black/white or color. Love 'em both.

I'll share more later.

thankful...

for family.
for friends.
for good health.
for a new home.
for so many little, everyday things.

Happy Thanksgiving!

thumbs.teeth.things.to.tell.

I'll start by explaining the above photo. Last Thursday night I sent Gabby to get something from my room. It sure was taking her a long time. I was on my way to check on her when she came running out screaming "wash my hands! mommy! wash my haaand!!!" frantically. I ran to check and there was blood everywhere. I finally figured out it was coming from her thumb. I asked what she did, and she took me to my bathroom & showed me a razor in a drawer! Aaaack! Well, I cleaned it up, put her in the bathtub, and offered a bandaid (which she refused at first). Anyway, this could be a blessing in disguise for us. Some of you know Gabby is a thumb sucker...an avid thumb sucker. Well, tomorrow will be a week, and no thumb sucking! I could leave the band-aid off now, but as long as she'll let me put one on there, I plan on doing so to make sure her habit it gone. The first couple of nights she whined and cried out in her sleep some, but I think the longer she goes without it, the more used to it she becomes. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Carter has some news also! Monday night he was beyond cranky, which is highly unusual for him. He slept fine that night, and yesterday afternoon (Nov. 25) I checked in his mouth and found a tooth! He still wasn't too happy last night. This morning I felt again and there was tooth #2!!! Hopefully he'll be a happier boy now that those 2 teeth have made their apperance.

Oh so true.

Happy Dress-up Candy Day!

Pumpkin Patch

Okay, maybe you'll forgive me for not posting pictures lately when you see this:

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday. Gabby had to find her "perfect pumpkin." She had to look and look. She found many "perfect" pumpkins even though we waited until the last minute to visit. We finally agreed on one and she hasn't even mentioned it since we brought it home! Oh well. :)

PIF - Pay it Forward

When we got home from Disney last week (look for pictures one day...I won't even say soon..hopefully soon!) I had a great surprise in the mail. A while back I commented on Erin's blog to participate in PIF. She sent me the cutest notecards using a photo she had taken. Now it's my turn to Pay it Forward!

If you want to get a surprise from me and then pass the fun on you must: 1) have your own blog and 2) commit to continuing the PIF by sending gifts (handmade or otherwise - no rules or limitations) to the first three people who leave a comment. So who's up for it? Leave a comment and be sure I have access to your email address so I know how to get in touch with you! (3 comments will be a record for my blog I think!)