Surprise! I'm behind in my 'baby bookkeeping' as usual!
Carter's birthday was September 25. Just 19 days after we welcomed our lil' guy home, our big guy turned FOUR! And once again we were at Pump It Up. With a new baby at home, I needed an easy party. Plus, that's where Carter wanted to go again. But, again like last year, I was horrible about getting pictures!
We had a few breakfast munchies and cake, of course! There were several folks who weren't able to make it, but Carter had lots of friends and family to help him celebrate! We are so blessed to have almost all of our cousins close by (we miss Kai!), and so thrilled to have made such great friends at school and playgroup and church.
Carter has grown so much in the last year. Literally in that he grew 4 inches in between check ups, but but he is really starting to grow and mature into a boy. No more toddler! I see the kids now who are in the Ladybug class he was in last year, and I am reminded of how much he has changed. His teachers from last year have made several comments about how much he's changed - his face is thinner, he's taller... but he's also more engaging in conversation, developing friendships instead of just having 'classmates,' REALLY applying things he's learned, becoming even more inquisitive - if that's possible! He's still working on maturing socially (but really, aren't we all??), but he's definitely made progress. Carter is such an affectionate child, and I love that we can just hang out and snuggle, that he loves to love on his baby brother, and that he runs to hug his sweet sister when he sees her after class or church. I get so many comments about them hugging on each other on the playground! Carter and Laney really are best friends, and we are so relieved that they have accepted Coleman so well. I can't wait to see them all playing together.
This sweet boy's mind is constantly churning! You can just watch him and see how he analyzes certain situations. His always does a scan of the room when we get somewhere new. He will watch someone do something once (even when you're not realizing it - trust me on this one) or listen to someone once, and he can remember exactly how it's done. He goes back and forth between being adventurous and trying new things right off the bat to hanging back and watching someone else do it first (usually Laney) so that he can be "good" at it on the first try! I often think his motto is 'if I can do it perfect the first time, I might as well not do it!" His stubborn streak can really at times, but such is the personality of a strong-willed child! I know, as many tell me, that will be a great quality for him to have - one day!
Carter's motor skills - fine and gross - are still off the chart. He has been able to do things now for a while that I have just taken for granted. I have to remind myself so often that he's only 4! We often find ourselves asking, "did you tell him how to do that??"
Carter continues to amaze Joel and I daily. He is the best big brother - usually very thoughtful of little sister and brother. Loving, affectionate, protective... always wanting to play! He loves to sing and dance, and it just warms my heart to hear him singing songs he's learned in Bible study and reciting Bible verses he's learned.
He LOVES to read books. Unfortunately, he also loves to watch his shows on TV! Some of his favorite book topics are Cars (the movie), dinosaurs, trucks, science-related things, cowboys... just to name a few. A few of his favorite shows now are Little Einsteins, Wild Kratts, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Super Why, and of course Phineas and Ferb (Joel and I sometimes watch this without the kids!). He certainly doesn't watch ALL of those every day, but that's usually what he picks from. And let's not forget about Angry Birds! Another favorite! He is still my little fruit bat I don't know that we've found a fruit yet he doesn't like! He's getting better about trying and eating other things as well. Still tops on his list: yogurt, fruit, almost all kinds of breakfast food, fruit bars, tomatoes, almost any kind of bread, most meat... kind of like his mama :) He enjoys baking and will often help me make special treats or help with meals.
It's not always a bowl of cherries. We have the typical 4 year-old struggles. Tantrums, nap vs. no nap days (still trying to find a balance), sibling spats, inappropriate behavior - nothing surprising. But... things are definitely getting better. I try to remind myself that if rough-housing at playgroup and fighting with Laney are the worst of our worries as parents, we are in good shape!
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Carter, baby... you are growing so fast. Mommy and Daddy can't believe how big you already are! You have taught us so much on this wild ride of parenthood! Some days have been easier than others, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything in the world. You challenge me to become a better parent - and in doing so - a better person. We love to watch you explore and grow and learn. God had blessed us with an amazing child in you... just perfect for us. I am so grateful for every single second you have been a part of our lives, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for you. I love to see your sweet smile in the morning and hear Bear Bear shaking as you walk in the room (though I don't like to hear him when you're supposed to be asleep!). I cherish your nose kisses and the way your eyes sparkle when you smile. Those big smokey blues just melt my heart! I count on you to remember things I forget. You remember everything, so that's never a problem. I smile watching you play with Laney and Coleman. You are such a wonderful big brother - so fun and playful, but so gentle when needed. Be patient with me sweetheart, every day is a new adventure. Mommy and Daddy are still learning too.
"I love you" doesn't even scratch the surface, buddy... *blink, blink, blink* Happy birthday, my biggest boy, and many, many, many more.
Mommy
