Today I Am ONE!

It's official, Carter turned ONE years old today. What a milestone and special day. I got choked up the few weeks leading up to it but the day was filled to the brim with celebration and song. I think we may have made a world record by singing this special little boy happy birthday more than a few times.







This sweet little boy who entered our world and hearts a year ago has sure made a difference in our family. There is something so full, so complete, so big being a family of five. Each one of our children offers something special and unique but this little boy, Carter, just gives this family life with joy! For me having a little boy just makes my heart melt...his smile, his kisses, his claps, his laughs and everything in between from his toes to his head of hair (curly now). His sisters adore, protect, wrestle, teach, read, hug, kiss, jump in his crib and include him in any and every little thing they are doing. So glad the poor kid doesn't realize that half the time he is playing barbies or doll house...he just watches and learns from them. And Tim's smile is enormous everytime he walks in the door and darts over to Carter. He asks each and every day on the phone from work how his buddy is doing and can't wait to play trains and trucks and ball when he gets home from work.





The things that make Carter so unique, lovable, and incredible at ONE years old...

*he can crawl SUPER fast. No walking yet, but who needs that when you are fast!
*his big brown eyes (both sisters have blue)
*can say mama, dada, ni-ni, yuk, dog, ball, BIG
*gives the biggest kisses to each of us
*kisses babies in all his books
*smells flowers in his books
*only baby to nurse this long
*has major seperation anxiety
*throws EVERYTHING...favorite lately is to throw everything out of his crib
*loves to be read to (when he can sit still long enough)

His favorite books at ONE...




Some of my favorite things...

*squeezing him first thing when he wakes up in the morning
*taking him to go find his sisters
*playing ball
*saying good night to the moon and him closing the shutters
*watching him explore the sand table
*seeing him eat sidewalk chalk, crayons and anything else he can get away from his sisters.
*rocking and holding him to sleep each nap and bedtime (I "listened" the first two times but this time, my last baby, I down right ignored all the should's)
*watching him throw every last piece of tupperware and cup/lid out of every cupboard while making dinner
*playing peek-a-boo around the house
*taking him to the park and swinging

And endless other things. Carter we love you and thank God that you are the baby of the family. You have amazing big sisters who care and love you to the moon and back and a mommy and daddy who think the world of you. Happy 1st birthday buddy!