Wedding Weekend!!

 Last weekend was a big weekend for our family. My baby sister, Andrea got married. Caroline was the flower girl, I was the Matron of Honor, and Justin was a reader.  We decided Carter was a bit too young to take part in the ceremony...in fact he didn't even make it into the ceremony due to a sneaky, unknown ear infection that was causing him to be extra fussy.

 Caroline rehearsed perfectly, just as she performed on Saturday night. Carter just wanted to go up and down the stairs.

 This little guy has turned from a sweet baby into a toddling terror. He's just as cute and loving as ever, but he is into everything!!!!

 The rehearsal dinner was at Papasitos. YUM!!

 This is Luke. He was the ring bearer and also did a great job. Caroline and him played so well.

 The bride and groom.

 My parents

 Groom's parents

 Saturday was spent beautifying ourselves for the big day. If you plan to get married in Arlington, I highly recommend Sheltons. Everyone's hair looked great and they were fast and easy to work with.

 Andrea got her makeup done and the lady was absolutely amazing. I really want to find an excuse to get my makeup done.

 The ceremony was beautiful and Andrea was truly radiant and gorgeous. I felt honored to stand next to her!!

 The reception was at the T&P in Ft. Worth. It was decorated beautifully and the food was so good.  Caroline danced the night away with anyone who would dance with her.

 The leaving car was a bit of a joke. Zach had strictly ordered a Camero, but when he showed up the only sports car they had left was a Halloween colored Mustang.  Ha!!  Too bad they aren't Ok State fans, or this might have ok.

The nighty was perfect and I wish nothing but happiness, blessings, and lots of laughter to my dear sister and Zach.

Officially a Toddler

This little man officially became a full time walker last Sunday, October 14th. It's so excited but just a little sad too!!  My baby is soooo big!!!

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Happy Birthday!!!

 Carter's first birthday party was a hit!!  I just did a simple blue and green theme, but I think it turned out cute.

 Look how excited he is about his party!! Can hardly keep his eyes open!

 This kiddo LOVED his cake. I have never seen a baby eat as much cake as he did. I was worried he'd be sick, but nope!!

 The day was perfect! THANKS to all who came out and took time out of your BUSY schedule to celebrate my baby boy.  Love you all, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARTER!

ONE!

 This is my big boy now....this is how BIG and HANDSOME he is in just a year.  Today, October 11th, he is officially a year old.  Does that mean he's no longer a baby, but now a toddler?

 Paige took these pictures Saturday and I just love them! They show his truly sweet personality. As I look at pictures from the past year, it's crazy to see how he's changed and how much he resembles his sister.  He has now gone completely blond, Caroline did the same thing just around a year! They share similar expressions and personality traits.

But of course, Carter is his own person. He is much more cautious and a bit more laid back than his sister.  He is still not walking, but does take 5-6 steps at a time. He has begun to just take one long afternoon nap versus morning and afternoon.  I am still nursing morning and night (probably will wean soon) and he began taking whole milk about a week ago. I ran out of frozen bm, he wouldn't take formula well, so we just went to whole milk. He loves it!!

Carter, a year ago our lives were changed and our family made complete when you made your debut around 3:11 PM.  Labor went well up until delivery time and then you decided to act up.  After a tense half hour, you quietly came into the world. A few minutes later and some poking and prodding, you were screaming and full of life.  We were so thankful to have you here, healthy, and in our arms.

 I spent most of today reliving his birth.  I loved (most) everything about that day. I love that our entire family was there to share in the special day.

Carter is a lucky man, he has so many people that care and invest in his life. Between Grammy, Granny, myself,  and my mom he is absolutely spoiled and loved on all the time.  He prefers to be held and if I'm around with me.  I LOVE that, while Justin thinks our connection is a bit over the top as he worries I'm turning him into a Mama's boy.  I know he will soon be running and rough housing, so I am enjoying every one of these days that he wants to be held, rocked, and loved on!

Now that he interacts and is developing a little personality, he and Caroline are just precious. He adores her and is constantly rolling in her lap and chasing her around. He belly laughs at most everything she does. He also thinks his Dad is a pretty cool dude.  It won't be long until he is pushing the lawn mower and carrying around a hammer just like Dad.

My prayer is that Carter grows into a healthy, loving, strong, Godly man. I pray he always feels loved, loves others,  and uses his life to make this world a brighter place.  

Fall

Love this day, love this cool weather, love these two kids to bits!!


Our fall has been nice! My new job is going fine and Justin is very busy with his business! Our household was struck with the dreaded stomach bug this past week, and unfortunately my mom is suffering through it today! It's going around!!!

Carter has been taken steps here and there since September 16th. This weekend he especially seems ready to just take off! We'll see, something about walking takes away his babyhood and I'm not sure I'm ready for that!!



Caroline is still loving horseback riding lessons. This week she rode without the instructor holding the reigns, she was so proud!



Carter's big day is in less than two weeks and I'm hosting his party Oct 13th. With all the picture perfect parties all over Pinterest, I'm quite overwhelmed and somewhat annoyed. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to throw an over the top Martha Stewart worthy party, but I just don't have that creative gene. His party will not be the most matchy, cutest, Pinterest posting occasion but it'll be fun for him and filled with love and well wishes! That is what it's all about anyways, right?? Looking forward to celebrating my sweet boy!!



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Horseback Riding, Baby!!!

Thursday nights are now reserved for Caroline's horseback riding lessons. Yep, this little city girl is going to learn how to ride Cowgirl style.  Before I get started, let me explain Carter's enthusiasm in the above pic. Caroline got a new car seat, which means Carter got her old one. He is pretty pumped he's no longer forced to ride in his baby seat in which his legs hang out.  He's so proud of this milestone. Of course, since I took a pic of Carter in his car seat, I had to take one of  Caroline in hers!

As a child Justin rode horses all summer long, and gained a lot of knowledge of ranch life and country living.  About a week ago he came in and told me he signed Caroline up for horseback riding lessons. My first response was, "What?  NO!!!! How much does that cost? It's too dangerous."  But a week later, and here we are, my argument didn't hold much weight!  And as an added bonus, the lessons are rather reasonably priced.

Thursday night, Caroline climbed right on and rode for about an hour. The guide walked right beside her the entire time and taught her all about the horse, equipment, and commands. Caroline has been practicing the new vocabulary and commands all week. She can't wait to return!

 After attending one lesson, I feel it's pretty safe and I'm excited that Caroline is loving it so much. I've always heard horseback riding can be therapeutic and I'm hoping it is for her. Caroline inherited my energetic, never still, a bit hyper that can rear it's ugly self in the form of nervous energy and anxiety type personality. I'm hoping this hour a week can calm some of that in her!  

Carter loved this place too, especially the overly friendly animals that were EVERYWHERE!  I'd prefer this cat just be a cat, but instead she wanted to play and lick. Yuck!!

 So this Thursday we will be returning. Hopefully Caroline enjoys herself again.

11 months

 I say it every month, but it is true, this little guy has grown up in a blink of an eye.  In a month from today we will be blowing out a candle and singing, "Happy Birthday."  I love this age, I love this stage, I wish I could can him up and remember every precious moment of these days. He is just a doll, a mischievous, somewhat naughty little doll, but just an absolute joy. He is in to  everything, we are always on our toes. Between unrolling toilet paper, splashing in the toilet, turning on the bath water, trying to sneak up the stairs when someone's left the gate open, eating rocks out of the fireplace, and so much more we rarely catch a breather for ourselves.  One of his favorite hangouts is the shower. If anyone is in there, he's going to join. We are going to put a baby gate on the shower soon so we can again enjoy an individual shower.

 Carter loves almost anything I give him to eat, and we have to watch him because he will get Caroline's sippy cup and chug.  He is crawling, pulling up, and standing alone. He's taken one step numerous times but I'm not ready to count his first step yet. I feel like it has been more of a fluke than an effort at transporting himself.  He babbles lots, and says a few words although I don't think he knows what they mean. He does know "uh oh" and says it a lot!  That fits his into everything personality perfectly. He babbles mama, dada, nana, and occasionally says hi and bye.

 I think Carter is around 21 or so pounds, his weight has slowed down for sure. He's not my roly poly he once was, although still very healthy.  On Saturdays he sports his football uniform, he's looking forward to the day Coach Tuberville calls his number.

 I tried bean bag pictures, but he wasn't sitting still so I put him in the crib for his official 11 month shot.  Cute boy!!!