My Karter turns 3

Karter,

  My sweet boy, you turned 3 years old (6 months ago).  You are such a sweet boy.  You tell me over and over, every.single.day how much you love me.  Bless you for your sweet tender heart.  You know how to work one over on me just by saying those 3 words.  You light up my life, little one, you test me and push the boundaries but I love it.  I love that you are so compassionate, funny, witty, smart and that you memorize every little detail, always.  Our life would be so boring without you.  I love the little boy you are and can't wait to see who you will become.  You are my biggest blessing and I thank God that He chose me to be your mama.  I love you, Love bug!

Sweet Boy

I attempted to make a pirate ship birthday cake.  He was satisfied.  

Ye Grub Station

Karter's BFF's: Luke and Leta
Seriously, aren't they precious in the costumes?

Photo Bomb

Karter wanted a pinata but he let it be know he Did Not Want To Hit the Piñata.

Pirate Bean Bag Toss

Karterism

Newest Karterism:
Karter to Mommy
K: Mommy can I hold your hand?
M: Yes of course you can
K: Mommy I just love your arm hair, You have SO much.

I just love him.  He tells me every second of the day how much he loves me.  God love him!

Karterisms

Newest Karterism:

While watching Americas Funny at Home aka: Americas Funniest Home Videos, Karter turns to Brandon and I and says "Guys it Really IS Funny at my House"

Christmas 2011

Finally the Christmas post. This Christmas was like much like the other holidays we've had since Karter's been born, CRAZY. We started the holiday season with our annual Christmas card. We drive by this really cute old school house on our way home all the time. I knew we had to take family pictures there eventually so we decided we'd do it for our cards and they were a hit. I think they were our best card yet.

Also this year I had read on Pinterest(a popular website were you post crafts, recipes, the latest fashion or fun things to do with your kids) about Elf on the Shelf. I had to get this little guy for KJ. We decided on Charlie for our Elf's name. Charlie got into a bit of mischief but mostly he moved around the house waiting for Karter to spot him each day. Karter got a big kick out of hunting him down each morning.

We went to Welch to have Christmas with the Hayes'. Let me just say this is my favorite part of Christmas. I LOVE going to Welch. I love Brandon's family so much. They are the kindest, most generous, most loving group of people you will ever meet. EVER! Karter really enjoyed going out there this year. He got to ride Granddads tractor which was the highlight of the trip for him. Ever since we've been home he has asked to go to Keet and Mewamees house and see Granddad and Memes house. Also I have to add that this was Karters first Long road trip since he's been potty trained and he did AWESOME! Not a single accident. I must say it is so convenient to have a boy when it comes to this. Just pull over and open the door and let 'em go. He didn't even get out of the car.

Aunt Bridgey came home from Houston for an extended stay. This was the first time Karter actually got to "know" his aunt Bridgey and he loved her. We were able to see her a lot while she was here. We had her over for supper, she came over for Christmas with her dad, we went to the Science museum for an afternoon and had Christmas with Debbie. We loved having her here and wished she was home so we could see her more often.

Christmas morning was really nice at home. Karter really got into it this year and frankly so did we. Karter must have been a good boy because this year he got a ton of gifts. I will admit it was mostly because of me. With this summers heat keeping us inside most of the time, I insisted Karter get a closet full of new toys. He didn't mind one bit.

Halloween

October is always a busy month for us. We go non stop from the 1st to the 31st. We started out with pumpkin painting. Karter loved painting his "pumpey", he made sure to get it just right.

We tried going to Storybook Forrest with the Sopers but it was raining so they closed down for the night. The Sopers and us decided to go to OC's trick-or-treating. Let me tell you that is some good trick-or-treating. A few days later we were able to take KJ to storybook forrest for some trick-or-treating, a hayride, games and a hotdog/marshmallow roast.

Lastly we went trick-or-treating with the Sopers again in the same neighborhood we went to last year. Karter really liked trick-or-treating this year. He, Luke and Leta had tons of goodies for us ;)

Potty Training

In July we had thought about potty training. Karter had been showing some interest in it, mostly he didn't want to be dirty. So B and I decided after my trip to Baltimore, for August workshop, we'd try it out. So the second week of August we drove head first into the potty training world. To get started we went to Lowe's to purchase a large tarp, then to Crest for all kinds of goodies(AKA JUNK), and then to Target for 2 packages of underwear and a potty seat. Can I just say that underwear are EXPENSIVE. Who knew?

I had decided we'd try the 3 day method so we tarped the entire living room, let him run around in underwear and did stickers and goodies for rewards. Karter did okay but we quickly learned that the underwear held him in too much like a diaper did so we removed them letting him run around naked for the remaining 2 days. After that he did much better. He picked up on it pretty quick and we haven't had too much of a problem with #1. #2 on the other hand is a different story. He is terrible at going on the potty. We've had too many accidents to count. We are still working on this 6 months later but we are seeing some progress.

I will say that having a child in diapers is expensive but way more convenient.
Also during potty training we decided it was time to convert Karter's bed into a toddler bed. He only climbed out once, falling on his head and leaving a carpet burn, never to do it again. But he was getting so heavy to lift over the bar and lower him back down leaving me with a back ache. At first he did so good staying in his bed, almost like he didn't know he could get out of it, but after 2 weeks he started coming in to our room at 3 a.m. saying he wanted to watch Mickey Mouse. After talking to a good friend, who talked to her pediatrician, we decided to put a lock on the outside of his door. Now his room is "his crib" plus it gives me peace of mind knowing he won't unlock the door and go outside.