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!)

10 on Tuesday...wait, make that Wednesday!

I'm back! From an unexpected and unplanned blogging break, I'll start back with a 10 on Tuesday...or Wednesday by the time I finish the post!

1. We've moved into our new house! (Hence part of the reason for the blogging break)

2. In the middle of moving, Gabby, Carter and I got sick with different things. I'm glad to say we are all well now!

3. Look at Carter...he's growing so fast! I did an impromptu photo shoot on Sunday afternoon. He has such a sweet smile & temperament.


4. Carter had rice cereal for the first time tonight. When I got up to get supper out of the oven, Gabby jumped in and took over for me. (Look for photos soon!)

5. Know any one that wants a schnoodle? I'm ready to give ours away.

6. I'm so excited that fall is here. I love the somewhat cooler weather! It's my favorite time of year. I just wish we got more of the beautiful colors and scenery!

7. My 10 year high school reunion is coming up in about 3.5 weeks. Where did the time go?! I can't believe it has already been 10 years. I'm looking forward to seeing lots of old friends. Even though I live in town, there's so many people I haven't seen for years.

8. Fall Break is a week and a half away. It couldn't come at a better time! I still have boxes to unpack and things to put in place here at home. After 9 weeks back at school, I'm ready for a break!

9. During the break we're headed to....DISNEY WORLD! I haven't been in at least 15 years. Gabby is already getting geared up. She's talked non-stop about it since we told her a few days ago. That little girl doesn't forget anything! Chad was showing her some things on the Disney website, and she's still talking about Dumbo, Cinderella's Castle (and some sort of table?), and Donald Duck's Boat. Anyone have any advice or suggestions on Disney with 2 small ones?

10. Thanks for checking in even in my absence. Hopefully I won't be gone for a month again anytime soon!

Ten on Tuesday

Okay, so I'm trying something new...I've seen this on lots of blogs I visit, and I'm challenging myself to come up with ten things to blog about today! Maybe I can start doing this on some Tuedays (I don't dare venture to say EVERY week!)

1. August is almost over?!? Where did it go? With school being back in session for teachers on August 1, students coming back on the 6th, and the first couple weeks of school, this month has FLOWN by!

2. Our house should be just weeks away from move-in ready. They've been painting, and should be doing countertops & hopefully starting on the tile this week.

3. They mistakenly started painting our living room, hallway, and stairwell to the bonus room RED. The dining room is red, but not the whole main part of the house! I almost fainted when I saw it the first time. It is fixed now. Thank goodness!

4. I dread packing and have yet to start.

5. I am going to cook every night this week. I even have a menu prepared ahead of time. (and we're already changing it around for tonight!)

6. I'm not a gourmet cook. Does anyone have any simple, quick and tasty recipes they'd like to share?

7. I know you're out there reading. Why not comment every now and then? I know, I know...you're thinking, "Why don't you post more often?" Hmm, maybe the two go hand in hand!

8. Laundry at our house is never-ending. As soon as I have it all done, there's already more!

9. I didn't make it to the beach once this summer...I guess that's understandable with a newborn though.

10. I made it to 10!

New Header

I decided to make a new header of just Carter. Gabby has had her limelight as long as the blog has existed. Since it has her name as the address (and it'd be too much trouble to change) I figure the least I can do is let Carter have a solo act in the header for a little while. :) I took that a couple weeks ago as part of his 3 month photos and I just love it! Here's the color version:

Beijing 2008

Last night we had the Olympics on and Phelps had just won his 8th gold medal. I was about to put Gabby in her pajamas. With the Olympics being in China, I was reminded of these Chinese pajamas. (She refers to them as her Kai-lan jamas...a little Nick Jr. shout out there) I had some like them when I was litte too. My mom brought them to her last year from Panama. Anyway, I've been planning to get some shots of her in them ever since. I figured last night was as good a time as any. So while the U.S. was winning gold and making history, Gabby was cheering them on in her "Kai-lan 'jamas" (and Carter was sleeping).

Gabby in Blue

Some of my favorite pictures of Gabby are ones that don't have eye contact. She has this deep, thoughtful look on her face. We were out on the front porch a little while ago, and I was intending to capture some smiling shots. Once again, she has that faraway look on her face. In reality she was just looking at the neighbors in their yard across the street! Here's my favorite from our 5-minute session.

I also straightened her hair to try something different. For the record, I like her curls better.

2 year old + wanting a bath =

TROUBLE!

Gabby came running to me the other night saying "I want a bath! I want a bath!" I didn't think much of it because she loves the water. Then I saw why she was insisting on a bath. Somehow she found a pen, and I guess she couldn't get her hands on any paper because she drew ALL over her legs! The things a 2 year old will get into. Gabby is living up the 2's...how are we ever going to make it through another 7 months? Then she'll be 3...

Colors, Colors, Colors

It's time to pick out the paint colors for our new house. The choices are overwhelming. I never knew there were so many shades of blue! (One of which will be in Carter's room) Gabby has been going back and forth between a pink room and a purple room. I've picked a shade of each one -- In the Pink and Magical. Now I'm trying to persude her on her color choice through...unconventional methods. Can you guess which one is my choice? :)

Concentration

Carter is really starting to watch toys now. He's even staring to kick and bat at them a little. After such hard playing this afternoon, he fell asleep on his playmat. I love how he's sticking his tongue out...like he's really concentrating and determined to get the duck.

Ready to Go!

Gabby went to spend the night at Abuelita & Granddaddy's house tonight. She had her "pack-pack" on and she was heading to the car. I'm so grateful that both sets of grandparents live in town. She loves being with them (and them with her!) Here's a shot of her on the way out the door!

First Smiles

Carter smiled for the first time on Monday. I actually captured bits of his smile on camera this afternoon. He's 7 weeks old today...hopefully these are the first of many smiles I'll capture in photos!

1 Month Old

I can't believe I'm already posting that Carter is a month old. This first month has gone by so quickly! If this sets the pace for his first year, he won't be a baby for long! I'm definitely trying to enjoy every moment (even the crying ones!) each day. They grow too fast! Here are some pictures from today.

Of course since I wasn't TRYING to take pictures of her, Gabby wanted a "pishsure" too!
And this about sums Carter up...

Her Soup

The last couple of weeks we've been hearing Gabby talk a lot about her "soup." No, she hasn't decided that soup is her favorite food. She's not even refering to the food. She's actually talking about her swim suit... her "soup"! At first I think she may have said "suit," but for some reason she's changed it! She would be happy just to wear a swim suit inside the house to play and watch t.v. like she has all afternoon today. Of course she loves to play in the water, but her suit is the main thing (any one of them...doesn't matter which one as long as it's a swim suit!)

1st Haircut

Gabby had her first haircut on Memorial Day. We had to grab her quick before she got soaked playing in the water. It seems like we cut a lot off, but at least it's even now and hopefully it'll grow fast! I'll have to get a good picture of it when it's fixed one day soon!

He's here!

Jonathan Carter
May 8, 2008
10:40 a.m.
8 lbs 8 oz 22 inches

11 days old