Cute Cowboy!

Happy Birthday!

Not only was it Valentine's Day, but it was Ryan's Birthday too!
Carter just loves parties!

I once read that having kids say "cheese" when taking a picture can create an unnatural smile. What do you think?
There is another word you can have them say,
but I can't remember what it is. Any suggestions?
I'm not sure what Cannon is saying...

Trip to the Opry

Look! Cannon made it to the Grand Ole Opry at just 15 weeks of age!

Wait, no this is Carter at 15 weeks back in '06....
This is Cannon at 15 weeks, just chillin' at home.

Sorry Cannon, we'll get brave enough to travel with both of you again soon.

Cannon

On the Mend

Carter has been sick since Sunday afternoon.
After church, he fell asleep in my lap at the restaurant.
For Carter, falling asleep without much coercion from his parents is a big red flag.

He's feeling much better toady -
just thought I'd clarify
in case the pictures of his adventure this morning were not indication enough.

No time for pants.
Just the rainboots, undies, and a t-shirt.
He was disappointed there were not any puddles to splash around in,
so he made some of his own with the water hose.

Swimming!

Carter started swimming lessons last week. His teacher caught right on to Carter's learning style. Initially, he is hesitant, but if you push him just a little he will go for just about anything.

Kicking and blowing bubbles...

At first he didn't want to jump in...then the teacher couldn't get him to stop!

Big Brother Tummy Time Lessons

Carter didn't really embrace "tummy time" as a baby. All of the books said it was imperative to have lots of tummy time in order to reach some of the physical milestones like rolling over, crawling, etc. Despite his absolute disgust with tummy time, Carter met all of the milestones, almost to the day, anyway. So much for all of those books...

Cannon actually seems to enjoy tummy time.
I'm sure its because he has Carter to show him exactly how its done.

"Pushing up on your elbows is hard work, sometimes you have to hold your mouth just right"

"Like this?"

"Let me show you how its done"
(I love how Carter even has his fists clenched)

Everyone enjoying a little tummy time...

Cannon - 3 months

A few updates on Cannon:

• I have no idea how much he weighs now. He mostly wears 6-9 month clothes - he blew right through 3-6 month sizes! Updated stats will come after the 4 month checkup.
  
• This evening, Cannon rolled from his tummy to his back!!
• He loves to smile, when he gets started he can hardly stop.
• He isn't sleeping through the night. He wakes up to eat about every 3-4 hours goes right back to sleep.
• Each day, he sits for longer periods of time in the Bumbo seat. Now the have a great tray that fits over the top of the seat - its perfect for toys and I'm sure one day, finger foods.
  
• He takes most of his naps during the day in the swing - he just loves it. We've gone through 3 sets of 4 D batteries in three months!
• He loves Norah Jones. We love her too because it puts him right to sleep.

Rock Climbing

The playground by the river has the typical slides, monkey bars, etc. About a hundred yards away is another fun climbing structure, giant granite boulders!

Carter climbed all the way to the top!

Rock climbing is exhausting!

Carter's Surprise Party!

Surprise!!!

Jade and Carter and their favorite dogs named Clarence.
And everyone's favorite dog named Murphy.
Yea! A Thomas Cake!
I had to fashion a Thomas Cake with a storebought cake from Wal-Mart, some Thomas Tracks and Train, and various colors of buttercream icing that comes in cans similar to Easy-Cheese (very cool idea by the way).

The Knight and the Princess

Cousin Marilyn made this card table tent. Isn't it great?!

Birthday pictures coming soon!

Some kids want a Spiderman party,
Transformers,
or Pirates.

Carter just wanted a "surprise party".

"Everyone will jump out and say,
Surprise! Happy Birthday Carter!"

Oh, and he also wanted a Thomas cake.

And he still thinks Pwesident Bama will send
him a Birthday present.

So today, he got a surprise party.
A Thomas cake.
But the birthday present from Pwesident Bama
must be held up in the mail.

Carter had a great time!!
He was even more surprised by two very
special guests that traveled just to see him.
His (and our) best friends Jade and Sara
came just to see him!

Pictures coming soon. My SD card reader is broken...
have to travel to "the city" to get another one.

Happy 3rd Birthday Carter!

Bathtime cuteness!

It doesn't get much cuter than a baby wrapped up in a frog towel!

Look what I found this morning!

Merry Christmas Part III

On our trek to the Panhandle, we made a quick stop to eat at our favorite mexican restaurant and to see Carter's good friend Jade. Jade was so excited to see a real baby. She checked him over closely.

Next, on to the Gaylord for a little mini-vacation.
I took this picture from my assigned seat on the train - Carter was assigning seats, as usual.

If you have never been to the Gaylord, you should check it out.
We went once before right after it opened and just walked around.
This is a shot of the interior - the hotel is designed to reflect the different regions and landscapes of Texas.

Its beautiful at Christmas.
We found it to be kid friendly too.

I was so glad to have received my new sling in time for our trip.

Its a Baby K'tan - by far the best baby "apparatus" (as Carter calls it) that I've owned.
It made going to the yummy breakfast buffet (again and again) super easy.
Cannon napped and I tried not to drop food on his head.

They also had the ice exhibit going on.
Cannon made it about half way through under the enormous jacket they provided us - the we bailed. Carter and Ryan finished the exhibit.
Carter was mildly impressed. The morning of our long drive north, we decided to try to wear Carter out.
Let me just say that I love the Google application for the iphone.
We were able to find a jumping place near the hotel and get gps guided directions, of course.
Credit goes to Ryan for finding that application :)

This is a picture of Carter doing his "cool trick".
It's a handstand in case you couldn't tell,
and Carter will do it anytime, anywhere if you ask him to.

Cannon relaixn'

Adults can ride the slides too! Its a blast!