Getting Big

Carter had his well-check today. He is doing great. He eats like a race horse, and pees like one too. Despite the fact that he wears an overnight diaper to bed, he is still soaking himself by morning. If anybody has any suggestions, I will gladly take them.

He weighs in at 23lbs 7oz (minus the weight of the pen he stole from the nurse)

He is 2 feet 8 inches tall.

That puts him in the 23% for weight and the 77% for height.

I have noticed that his pants have gotten too short for him, but the shirts are still very wide.

The biggest accomplishment of his development I have to say was Sunday in church. He dropped a toy and came over to me wanting a snack. I told him that he needed to pick up the toy that he dropped before I would give him more snack. I asked him to pick up the toy. He turned and looked at the toy, he walked over to it, picked it up, and brought it to me. He is understanding what I want him to do, and he is able to do it. Now, I know he will not always be able to do that. When he is tired and/or hungry, his little brain cannot comprehend more than that yet. I think they are that way up until they are school aged (for some kids it is definitely longer). So, although I can expect him to do this more, I have to be aware of his limitations. However, I can push him further with his development now that he has reached this milestone.

Carter and Lydia are co-conspirators for sure!! They have cleaned this shelf off, and climbed up in it all by themselves. Quite a feat when they both need the space and cannot help each other.

From what I understand, they also like to clean the cupboard out, climb in it, and play Peek-a-Boo. This is at Lydia's house, not mine for sure. I am a little too OCD to let that happen here.

I am amazed at how much he can understand. He likes to play with the lens cap of my camera. Friday he walks over to me taking pictures of him, and he puts the lens cap on the camera. He is just so smart. He has also figured out that when I take pictures of him - he can come over and see himself on the back of the camera. It is very cute. This picture is the first picture I took after he realized this. That look on his face is the excitement of that new knowledge. He is quite the little voyeur.

I took these pictures because he is wearing one of David's favorite outfits. The jacket matches the shirt. It is very David.

Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes

I picked up Carter from Lydia's house on Wednesday and accidentally set off a toy that sings. "Head, Shoulders. . . . " it sang - and both babies immediately grabbed their heads. It was so cute. Lydia was eating, and Carter was on the floor attempting to grab food off her tray. Carter often times pats my shoulder like he is saying "There there mother, you should learn some patience. I'm trying to teach you as fast as I can." I think he may just be identifying my shoulder for the song. They both love that song. It has replaced "Wheels on the Bus", although that is still a much loved song for him - of which I have all 15 versus written down on the changing table - for those really long diaper changes. I need a list in my car for those really long car rides.

They love to feed each other. They swap snacks. Sometimes they hand each other food while both sitting in their high chairs. I have caught Carter taking food right out of her mouth. Today he tried to give me a piece of graham cracker via mouth-to-mouth because I wouldn't eat it from his fingers. He thought he was being sneaky by pretending to kiss me (as he normally does with his mouth wide open). Gross.

Carter loves his waffle blanket. He doesn't have to have it all the time; but if he sees it, he wants it. Especially when he is tired. He will grab it and go lay down. Today, he thought it would be funny to walk around with it over his head. He went full speed ahead with a blanket covering his face. He did fall into the door frame. How that happens, I'll never know. If there is something to hit, he will find it blind folded! He hit his face right on the corner of the door frame and DIDN'T EVEN CRY!!! He sat there for a few seconds, got right back up, and kept going. He hardly ever cries. Even when he hits really hard.

Carter loves his shapes. Especially the circles. I know I have shown you pictures of our alphabet puzzle missing the O and the Q. This is Lydia's puzzle:

He has a couple different shape toys and he plays with all of them regularly. One we bring to church, one stays in the playpen, and this one is in the toy box. You would think that would be excessive, apparently not for Carter. He pulled this one out of the toy box, put it on the table, emptied the shapes, closed it back up, and started putting them through - all on his own. I walked in the room to find him exactly like this, after I had already put it away because we put the shapes in the holes 3 times together. This is the only picture I took where he didn't have the circle in his hand. He saves that shape for last, and most of the time doesn't actually let go of it. He puts it in the hole and pulls it back out - "just kidding!" I know he's saying.

If any of you were curious about Carter's mobility - here it is. This is what we do all day long. Back and forth, back and forth. We go up and down the hallway. He has gotten pretty good about not bothering the dogs, so I can leave their door open. However, all the other doors I close.

Notice that red circle from the shape toy? He just won't put it down. He really likes the red circles - the red balls are his favorite as well.

Prayers

We have only asked Carter to fold his arms 4 times. He is a very stubborn boy, and I didn't want to ask him to do something, have him refuse, and have to make the choice of: forcing him to do something so he doesn't think I will give up when he wants his way - causing him to not want to do it just because I am trying to make him, or give up and let him think that I am giving up because I don't think it is important. What a fine line. So, David and I teach by example. I have asked him to fold his arms when we pray as a family at our weekly family night activity. He doesn't usually eat with us, so it has not been an issue before.

This morning, David's breakfast was ready the same time Carter was finished with his milk. I was about to feed him his yogurt when it was time to pray with David. We folded our arms and began to pray. I glanced at the baby just to see if he was going to throw a fit because he was not getting fed (he is super impatient when it comes to food!!).

He was folding his arms!! Without being asked nonetheless. He held that position for the duration of the prayer.

Times like these scare me. I wonder what else is he going to copy? Has he caught me picking at my nose, or rolling my eyes? I know it is inevitable! I just really hope the impression I make is a good one.

The Little Things

My child loves to wash his hands with soap under the faucet with running water. He also loves to put lotion on. If you squirt lotion on his hands, he will rub it in like an adult would. Scary huh? It actually comes in handy because we wash his hands so much, they get very dry. But what do you do when they are feeding themselves? Let them rub their sticky hands all over everything? I would rather train him to wash his own hands and put on his own lotion. I am pretty sure that my 16 month old has learned a life skill that he will need for the rest of his life!

He has been saying his new phrase "Oh Man" all day long. It has replaced "Oh Wow" and "Weeeeeee weee weee Weeeeeeeeee" as his most said things. I really need to get them on video, but he shies away from the camera.

This video here was a lot longer, but I shortened it so you didn't have to wait for him to get over being shy.

In case you are wondering. David built this apparatus in the garage. It is made from some steel beams, a very expensive racing seat (it still has the tracks on it to be bolted in an actual car), and some video game equipment he bought at the Fry's Electronics. Carter thinks it is pretty cool, and enjoys pretending to make car noises in it.

Weeeeeee wee wee Weeeeeeee

Carter is starting to say things that are recognizable. Like "Oh Man" or "Hi". They are not usually at the appropriate time. He never says "Oh WOW" at something really cool, just because. David got him started saying "Weeeeeeeeee wee wee Weeeeeeee". It is soooooo cute. Lately David started calling him Maxwell when he does it.

Student Answers

Grading papers again, and I fear for our future generations.

Something I learned today was:

"most Passingers Cars have all the basic parts of a car."

"I learned how to Dougie"

"Autoshop goes slow if theres nothing to do"

Listed his assignment as " Seans Car" and learned: "Stared at until bored"

Wow

Every Single Toy!!

I must make a note of this accomplishment.

I have found every single toy.

I have all 9 balls back in the ball popper. All 36 shapes in their various shape holders. All 3 screws and all 3 nails in the tool box. Ect. Ect. Ect.

I think this is quite an accomplishment.

Any OCD mother knows the joy I feel at this moment.

Toot Toot.

Pit Bull Attack

David is constantly on me to take some mental health time. It is usually last minute and at night. Well, there is not much to do at 7:00 at night, and nobody to go with on such short notice. Honestly, I would love to be able to take my dogs to the park again. We used to go to the park 3-5 times a week. We were regulars at 2 different parks. We had our groups of friends who we referred to as "(Insert Dog's Name Here)'s owner". It was a great group to belong to. Well, I don't believe in taking babies to dog parks. Enough of my tax dollars go to pay for play equipment for kids, and almost none of it goes to support my dogs. Why should they be in my dog's park when they have their own???? So, that really limits my dog park time. But I digress.

So, David had the day off on Monday, and he gave me the option to do whatever I wanted to do. Blu, Vortex, & I got bundled up and we went to the park. They wore heavy fleece jackets and long johns. We got into the park about 100 feet before Vortex barked at the wrong dog. A Pit Bull about 60lbs heavier than him charged at him and attacked.

The Lord was really watching out for us. I reached in to grabbed my dog without thinking and barely missed being chewed. I took my hand back and had to resign myself to the thought that my dog just may be done for. The owner of the Pit Bull was throwing things at her and shouting. He finally just jumped on his dog and wrestled her off Vortex. I was in shock that he would risk his own body to save my dog. Now I look back on it and realize that anybody who takes it upon themselves to own an animal, and take them into a public place, better take some serious responsibility for that animal.

After the other dog was off, I grabbed Vortex - and found he was not bleeding! Blu proceeded to give that dog a stern talking to. The man then began to berate me for bringing an aggressive dog to the dog park. We were leaving at that point anyways, so I decided only to say "Thank You" to Captain Oblivious.

The only way that Vortex did not get completely ripped to shreds was because we were being watched over. The dog got a pretty good hold of Vortex' clothes, but never got through to puncture. He got bruised up though. The Pit Bull also got his rump. However, I don't know if you have ever tried to take a picture of the backside of an attention hungry dog - it doesn't work out so well. This picture does not do the marks justice, and they only looks like little red blotches. However, they look like teeth marks in a jaw shaped crescent in real life.

I do have to say that I heavily stereotype Pit Bull owners. If you are walking through the park yelling at your Pit Bull in German, wearing a wife beater to show your tattoo covered arms, sporting a chain holding your wallet in your pocket - I avoid you and your dog. That dog is a status symbol, and trained to act tough. I will not be withing 1000 feet of you or your dog. This man was not that way. I was completely taken aback. I try to give Pit Bulls the benefit of the doubt - but once they attack, you don't generally have much of a chance.

The Lord must have decided to protect this skinny little hairless dog He entrusted me with.

Another Milestone

Carter gave me a hug. The first time ever. He walked over to me and put his arms around me and gave me a squeeze. I was in shock at first. That was on Friday.

He also signed "More" for the first time for me. I have been working on that for 16 months to no avail. Today I asked him to "Show me More" and he put his fingers together. It is kind of like he is clapping. I am glad that he can FINALLY communicate with me that way.

Today, he actually cried when I tried to leave him with David for the last 45 minutes of church. We all sit together for the first hour and 15 minutes. Then David usually gets grabbed to do some kind of paperwork or financial thing while I attempt to go to Sunday School. That is the hardest 45 minutes. There are so many people in Sunday School that there is not enough room for me to corral Carter in my own row. We went up to the nursery today for singing time. He enjoyed watching all the other kids sing. Then we went back down so I could trade off with David. He takes Carter to his class and I go to mine. However, today Carter wouldn't go. He wanted to stay with me. He has NEVER done that. He usually cries when I try to take him from David. He wasn't being clingy today - he just wanted me. In my class there was enough room in the back that I had an entire row to myself. I put a chair on each end so he couldn't get out, and he walked from end to end. He had his circle block that goes in his shape toy, and he was a happy camper.

This was Friday. Carter likes to lick his reflection. He could see himself in the window, so he licked it. You can see the condensation around his breath if you look close enough.

More Milestones

I forgot to mention a couple other milestones that Carter has reached.

The most important of which in my opinion is scraping something off his lip while eating. Last week he got something on his lip and for the first time in his life, sucked his lip in and scraped it with his teeth. He did this after trying to lick it off unsuccessfully. I have been waiting for that for a while now.

Walking while drinking. I know it sounds silly, but he can hold a cup while walking and drink from it without gagging or falling. I think that is talent. I know some adults that cannot do that.

Opening jars. He has the thought process to turn the lid to open the jar. He has been able to do this for about a month. He tries to screw the lid on and off. He doesn't have the strength yet, and I am thankful for that.

Identifying body parts - of people and dogs. He loves to play Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. He can find my ears, eyes, nose, teeth, and hair. He can also identify the dog's ears.

I don't like balls out in the house. Our foundation is sinking, and the house is slanting towards the south end. All balls roll under something regardless if given their own momentum. This ball went under the baker's rack. He took it upon himself to get it. He has one of those little ball popper things, when they pop up he grabs all of them and throws them to the floor - except the red ones. The goal is to get both red ones - one for each hand. When that task is complete, the toy is abandoned. All the other colors are in the way and must be pushed aside. A red one went by the wayside on accident.

He returns dirty, but victorious.

Carter and David after church. Carter is sporting his green dino vest with tie. The one thing I made sure of, was that he was dressed appropriately for church. I know it is not necessary for his salvation - but I think it is important to show respect for God.

Milestones

Carter is working on cutting his third molar. He is really a trooper about it. He must have a high pain tolerance like both David and I. He doesn't cry at all. I have to feel in his mouth to find these teeth. Not too hard since Carter LOVES to have his teeth brushed. Ever since he was little he has loved my Sonicare. I don't brush him regularly with a Sonicare, we use a little finger brush. But he gets super excited when I tell him we have to brush his teeth. It will stop a fit in its tracks.

I caught him doing this a week ago:

He is trying to put on his own shoe!! So smart that he knows how to do that. He can't actually do it, but he knows the process.

He loves to open and close doors. He usually gets them open again. At one point he closed it all the way. As soon as he heard the door latch, he reached up for the knob and tried to turn it. He didn't even bother scraping at the door to pry it open with his fingers. He knew that would not open the door, so he didn't try. He is so close to opening the doors by the knobs. David said he was able to get into the office the other day by turning the knob. That child is so committed to getting the computer mouse it is not even funny. He already opens the doors at Lydia's house. They don't have the round knobs, they have more handle like knobs. He opens them easily. It is a lot more work when they can open doors!!!

He was also really loving on Lydia that day. He just wanted to snuggle with her. He would put his arms around her and snuggle his head in her neck. She didn't like that one bit. She struggled a lot. At one point he had knocked her down, and got down on top of her with a hug.

Carter is getting really good with his walking. I took this video on Sunday of him walking around. Notice he does most things with his left hand. He is very left hand dominant at this point in his life. It may change. I read that children don't pick a hand preference until Kindergarten or so.

Tupperware Graveyard & other pictures

Carter was in such a good mood tonight - despite not taking a good afternoon nap - I let him stay up an extra hour. I followed him around the house, letting him walk where ever he wanted. It was hard for me, because I wanted to keep him out of our bathroom, and parts of the kitchen. However, it was Carter directed play time. My only rule was - on your feet. Especially no crawling on my bathroom floor. Yuck.

So, in the last 20 minutes of his awake time he hit is head on:

- The kitchen garbage (It opens differently than the other cabinet doors - much faster - and he whacked himself in the face)

- The bathroom garbage (The lid folds in, and he went to rest his hand on top and his had fell in causing his head to fall with it, hitting the rim.)

- The wall (The new found laundry shoot in my bathroom folds in, and when he pushed in, his head went with it and he hit his head on the wall around the opening.)

- The doorway (He walked into the dog and lost his balance. I think she was too scared to move, thinking that if she held still he wouldn't bother her, he didn't bother her, but he also didn't change his course.)

- The base of the sink in the guest bathroom (It is a pedestal sink, and he is just too tall to walk under it.)

- The cupboard (He reached in to grab some Tupperware, and his arm went in further than his head - again being too tall.)

- The floor (He lost his balance and didn't quite catch his self. Although he is getting pretty good at not letting his head hit the floor.)

- The door (We are working on open and close, but not watch where it goes.)

- My nose (He banged me pretty hard with his head.)

And not a single tear was shed, or a noise other than "umph" was made!!!

Here he is looking for something to do. He went in the kitchen, in my room, into my bathroom, to the edge, and back. Over and over again.

How about the kitchen??

He carried the Tupperware containers around - usually dropping them and leaving them where they fell to go and grab another.

I really thought he was going to put this one in the garbage. Every child goes through a phase of putting things in the garbage right?

But he changed his course and opened the laundry shoot. I really thought it was going to go in. Nope. He surprised me. He brought three in the bathroom (one at a time), looked down the shoot, and kept going.

It was a Tupperware Graveyard at my house for sure.

These are his "I'm going to Home Depot with Daddy" clothes. We went to Home Depot to get a new toilet seat over the weekend. We found one with a built-in child seat. It stores in the lid for when an adult needs to sit. Up until now, I have only seen it in catalogs. Although we are far from potty training, we bought one for the spare bathroom - for Carter and because I babysit. I am pretty excited about it.

He is just now starting to play with balls. He was too impatient for daddy to throw it back. He had to go get it:

I love that tongue!!

And here too.

Christmas

I'm a little behind with my postings, as you can tell.

David's mom got Carter a Santa hat for Christmas, among other things. I think the way it pushes his ears down, he really does look like a little elf.

We opened our presents at our house Christmas Eve, but Carter was asleep, so we had him open his Christmas morning. he got a Mickey mouse doll from Grandma Barb in Florida.

Santa brought him a remote control of his very own. He absolutely loves it.

Uncle Jordan & Aunt Caroline sent Carter a book that they recorded themselves reading. He was totally engrossed in it.

Christmas Day we spent at David's parent's home. He was very wiggly and even though this is Carter's second Christmas he is no more interested in unwrapping presents as he was last year. He just wanted to sit by the door, ring the dog's bell, and pull the phone books out of the shelf. Aaaaaahhhh to be a kid again.

Carter apparently stepped under the mistletoe on Christmas Eve. We spent Christmas Eve with my good friends - the Douglas Family. Chloe was very friendly with Carter. While we were there, he got a tool box from them with a power drill. Wouldn't you know it, I didn't get a single picture!