The Fire Station

Our ward play group went to the fire station this week and I was thrilled that Jul, Lainy, and Jared could come along!!! We arrived fashionably late, but I am so glad we made it. The kids were a little young and not too interested in the whole "tour" part of the fire station. I think they liked the bathroom and the weight room the best...until.....

....we got to the fire truck! The garage part was even cooled with swamp coolers so we did not die of heat. The kids got to climb in the truck and run around. They had a blast!!!!!! Aren't Lainy and Andrew so cute!!! Happy little cousins!! I wish Jared was looking at the camera too, but what do you do.

Carter was pretty mellow the whole time. He was still recovering from his cold and had a shortened morning nap so he was ready to sack out, but I had to get a picture of that little baby by the truck. Isn't he adorable!!!!!

To say Andrew was excited to see his cousins would be an understatement. The whole way there he kept asking for his "Aly's". When we parked and he saw Lainy get out of the car his whole body went stiff and he squealed!!! He was SO excited. They are starting to become pretty good buddies!!! I was debating on whether or not we were going to go, but I decided last minute to just bit the bullet and head out - and now I am so glad we did. The kids had a blast.

Music to My Ears

I am sad to say that USC lost last night. I must admit that whenever this football teams plays I truly hope and pray that they win. I may not sit down and watch the game, but I keep an eye on the score. When things don't look very good I get a pit in my stomach...not because I whole heartedly care if they win or lose, but it seems that the outcome of the game greatly affects the mood of my dear husband.

Well, last night it happened....we lost. Bry watched the game with his brothers so I just waited for the doom that would arise when he got home. Around 9:30 he came muddling in - I had the usual rant and raves about how the game was. I got a little synopsis of what went on. Bry was upset that USC did not play well....but then, it happened....I heard five wonderful words that I have yearned to hear come from my avid USC fan of a husband's lips....

"but.......It is just a game!"

And just like that the ranting and raving was done. Usually, especially when we lose, he is quite upset about it for the whole night, but not last night. He just let it go. Oh I was so excited. Yay for putting things in perspective!! I love you Bry!!!!

Cabin Fever

*super steep slide*
We have been down and out with a mild cold for the past couple days. I got it first, then Andrew, and now Carter. We are just praying Bry doesn't get it. Nonetheless, it was Sunday and the boys and I stayed home from church. It makes for long days when we can't go anywhere and we are not feeling super great. Well, Sunday was the first day I didn't have a headache and Andrew was going stir crazy. So....even though we skipped church (I don't like it when there are sick kids at church so I wasn't going to bring mine!) we ventured out to the park before naptime to get some fresh air.
*loving the chub* *hold on tight, ya right!!!*
You wouldn't know that Andrew was recovering and Carter was a day away from the illness setting in. I have to say - sickness aside, it was so nice to get outside, not die of heat, and enjoy being together as a family. I have come to cherish the weekends and the time when daddy is at home with us.

I love that face!!!!!

Simple Joy

Andrew loves to sit on the kitchen counter these days when I am on there doing dishes, putting away dishes, putting away groceries, making dinner...need I go on! He has figured out how to turn on the water and loves to play in it...well, I decided to really let him enjoy himself. I sat his little body in the sink and let him have fun. He is just too cute not to share!!! I love the pure joy in his eyes and smile. I love this little boy so much!!!!!!

Nighttime Discoveries

Andrew sits on my lap and I sing to him before he goes to bed everynight. He used to let me rock him and snuggle him, but now he prefers to just sit on my lap and and play with his stuffed animal while I sing. Well, this particular night he wrapped his little arm under mine...oh, so sweet, I know. Then I could feel him feeling my elbow. I don't think he has ever explored the feeling of elbows before. He kept running his little fingers over it and then he even grabbed a hold and pulled a little...followed by letting go and tickling it, saying "tickle, tickle". I don't know why but I really found it amusing and I had to control my giggles and finish singing. What a funny kid. Looks like we will be expanding our body parts vocabulary...on to elbows and shins!!!

**Don't know if it is true or not, but I once learned that the skin on the elbow is called a "noop". If you squeeze pinch, pull, or poke your noop it does not hurt. Go ahead try it - pinch it hard - you won't feel any pain!**

And the little one said

roll over, roll over!!!

Ready...
Set....
Go!!!!!!!

Carter officially rolled over from his front to his back for the first time!!! He had gotten up from his nap and we were in just playing and he did it. I don't know if he really knows what he is doing yet, but he has done it a couple times since! It is just too cute to watch his little body bunch in a ball and then roll on over!

The Stats Are In!

Andrew - 2 years 9 months 1 week 1 day old

**So, I didn't take a pic of Andrew at the doctor's, but this one was too cute not to have in the blog. He LOVES swimming. He is saying "cheese".**

Andrew had his doctor's appointment on Monday, 09/15/08. He was a trooper. My life saving mother came with me and held Carter while I got the doc up to speed on little Drewbie! No shots, thank goodness!!! I think I was spoiled with Andrew's last pediatrician because their office was FANTASTIC! I like his new doc, but they are not as thorough and up to speed technologically as his previous doctor's office. For some reason they are not very precise on their measurements and charting. The last office had everything on the computer and it charted everything and kept track of it all...this office I would say is a bit more...old school! Anyhow - here are some rough numbers of my growing little man.

• Height: 36ish inches (50%)
• Weight: 28ish lbs (11%)
• Head Circumference: 45ish cm (not sure what %)

Carter - 4 months 1 week 1 day old

Carter went to the doc on Tuesday, 09/16/08. They didn't have appointments next to each other so we had to go two days in a row - hooray, lucky us! I didn't have my mama to help this time, but we survived. Andrew was great and entertained everyone in the waiting room. They just couldn't get enough of him there. I was so glad. Carter was in a great mood too. He had to get shots though... *sniff::sniff* Oh how I despise shots!!!!! He was a trooper. He got two, one in each leg and cried a bit, but not too bad or for too long. I was talking to him while it get getting done and he would smile amidst his crying. What a sweet baby! Again, the doctor's office was not very good at the measurements, but here they are nonetheless.

• Height: 25ish inches (51%)
• Weight: 15ish lbs (51%)
• Head circumference: 41ish cm (26%)

An average sized baby with a smaller than average sized head. Bry says he thinks that is why he looks so chubby. Regardless of the numbers....these boys are growing and developing wonderfully!!!!

Grandma Dianna

My mother-in-law came for a quick trip on Thursday to see Mark's band perform and then she left Friday afternoon with all the brothers to head back to Cali. (The brothers are all going to the USC vs. Ohio State game together). Anyhow - she said she didn't have any pictures with this sweet little baby boy so of course we had to capture some priceless moments of grandma and grandson bonding.
He was loving being so adored...can't you tell!!! He was a happy little guy, but would not let that silky go. Thanks Grandma for coming to visit - we love it when you come to visit!

Morning Walks

Oh how I miss my Utah walks, but we are trying to get in a good routine of soaking in the good AZ weather. No, there are no hills, big trees, deer, temple, or other lovely things to enjoy while out walking, but it is still nice to get out with the boys an enjoy the fresh air.

Every morning I get everyone ready early as soon as they are both awake and we head out for a quick walk. Nothing too long because Carter starts to get grumpy at the end due to his nearing morning nap, but we love getting out. Andrew looks for a kitty the whole time calling out "meow" and Carter coos and smiles at the trees above.

The middle picture pretty much sums out how these boys feel about walks - I love those goofy grins!

4 Months Old - 09/08/08

Four months young is more like it – I don’t like referring to my baby as old. He is already growing up too fast. These have been some wonderful past four months.

Some sweet memories and developments:

***Carter can now sit up really well in his Bumbo chair and lasts quite a while without getting fussy - makes doing my hair and doing dishes a lot easier.
***Carter still refuses to take a passy or a bottle.
***He is not rolling over just yet, but gets really close when he is on his tummy. (I am not stressing or pushing the fact - he will be moving soon enough and there is no turning back at that point)
***He LOVES LOVES LOVES the bath. I even stuck him in there with his clothes for a minute and he was excited.

***Carter is really enjoying our morning walks. He loves to look at the trees, but hates the sun in his eyes.

***He is finally on a pretty good schedule with sleeping and eating and such with a morning, afternoon, and evening nap and only waking up once at night for a little snack.
***Carter doesn't cry usually when he wakes up. I will just hear little baby noises on the monitor and I go in to find him wide awake just looking around. Too cute!
***My little man went a whopping 7 days without a bowel movement...and we will just leave it at that. I was a worried mommy, but not so much anymore. lol
***Carter loves to be sung to. He loves it so much I can't sing him to sleep because he looks up at me with big saucer eyes and a huge grin.
***As per previous post, he loves his new silky - thanks Grammy.

We have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday so I will have some stats at that point. I thinking he is about 14.5 lbs and around 24 inches, but we will see. All I know is I love this baby!