Big Snowman

On Christmas day we spent about 4 hours of our morning constructing a snowman monstrosity. Unfortunately, shortly after it was finished the rain started to pour down and the whole thing had fallen over by evening. Nonetheless, we had a lot of fun! It lost the top ball towards the end so the finished product stood about 12 feet high not counting the garbage can "hat".

My Cuties

Carter's first "real" snowman. Ok so it's only like 3 inches tall but he was just as excited as if it were 6 feet tall. Maybe we'll get more than a dusting of snow this weekend so he can make a decent one.
Reese's solo Christmas shot. I say solo because Carter wanted NOTHING to do with it. I got him all dressed up and then he refused to sit still or get anywhere near the camera. Punk!

I hear something...

Real conversation I had with Carter driving in the car tonight:

C: "I hear something. I hear something. I hear something
Me: What is it Carter
C: (whispering) "It's Garbage."
Me: You hear Garbage?
C: Yup
Me: Do you smell Garbage?
C: Yup
Me: Is it stinky?
C: Yup
Me: Does Momma's car smell like Garbage?
C: Yea

Couple minutes pass...

C: "I hear something. I hear something. I hear something
Me: What do you hear Carter
C: Reese Pooped
Me: Reese pooped?
C: Yup
Me: Oh...that's not good....is it stinky?
C:Yup

One minute later...

C: "I hear something.
Me: What do you hear Carter
C: Hear diggers
Me: Whoa, diggers?
C: Yup, digging rocks

Big bed

Carter spent his first night sleeping on his big boy bed last night and did very well. He initially didn't want to but we talked it up enough and finally he agreed. My little baby is growing up so fast!

So I'm in the shower this morning and I hear footsteps in the bathroom and I am FREAKED OUT!! Who the heck is in my bathroom. And I have all these horrible scenarios running through my head...I peek out and there is Carter standing there. Hahaha...I'm not used to him being able to walk right out of his room on his own.

Things to think about...

We watched this movie last night - "Food, Inc." It is extremely thought provoking and angering and I don't know how you could EVER eat food the same way again after watching it. I think I am going to do a "food purge" today and get rid of a bunch of stuff in our pantry. And I'm certainly going to think twice about what I feed my children.


I also just read this book for my neighborhood book club, "Three Cups of Tea". It really makes you think about the war and terrorism, and makes you appreciate our freedom to be educated more than ever before. I would encourage everyone to read it!

Brother and Sister

Every once in a while, he does like her.

Another growth spurt night??

Reese was at it again last night. Up until 8:30, up again at 10:30, 11:45, 3:45, 5:30 and 7. Ugh. She kills me when she does this and then she is crabby all day and you know how much she has napped since she got up at 7 am?? 30 minutes...a lousy 30 minutes. (And it's now 1 pm) I am dead tired, how is she not tired!?!?! Somethings I will just never understand. Were it not for her cuteness, she'd so be in trouble.


Carter is being a little brat today too, he must sense when I'm at the end of my rope and just enjoy trying to push me over the edge. Every time he asks for something and I go to get it for him he starts shouting NO NO NO. Seriously, dude, could you possibly make my life any more unpleasant right now? Sleep deprivation is so wonderful.

I did manage to make a dish to take over for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Sweet potatos with apples, we'll see how it is. Oh well, Carter is screaming from the other room so I'd best sign off.

Lovely Fall Weather

Carter "helped" me with some raking on Friday. It was another gorgeous, warm day and he had a blast jumping in the little leaf pile we raked up together. Friday was also Reese's 4 month and Carter's 24 month checkup. Reese weighed in at 13 lbs and 15 oz. Carter was 32 lbs. My pediatrician told me that he was a "big boy" and that he predicted he'd be a goalie for soccer or a linebacker if he played football. I know he's on the bigger side, but honestly, a linebacker?? Whatever.
Reese took her first solo ride on our swing today and really liked it. I had to get her outside as much as possible since it was 66 degrees again. So lovely! We are going to be so spoiled when it starts snowing.

Happy 2nd Birthday Carter!

Two years ago today, my baby boy was born. These past two years have absolutely flown. I can hardly believe how much he has grown, how much he has grown up and learned in such a short time. It seems only yesterday, he was a tiny baby who couldn't move or talk, and now he's a crazy little toddler full of life and energy and vigor. I love to hold him and he still loves to be held. I know by his third birthday, that will probably change. So I enjoy every minute I get to hold my baby, knowing these moments are all too fleeting.
I love to see his smiles, even though it's not some "new accomplishment" any more. Seeing Carter smile and enjoy life brings a smile to my own face. I am able to appreciate life more each day because I can view it through the eyes of a child. This new perspective has changed the way I see everything.
Our family has been so blessed this year. I can't even believe we now have 2 beautiful children. God is so good. Having Carter has changed my life forever, all in good ways. Through my beautiful son I have learned what true sacrifice is, and have learned to appreciate life more than ever before. Happy Birthday Carter!

Carter's 2nd Birthday and Reese's 4th month

We had Carter's big 2nd Birthday party on Saturday. We were so fortunate to have near-70 degree temperatures so the kids could be outside. We went up to the fire station at the end for the kids to see the fire engines. I also made Carter a fire engine birthday cake.


Today Reese is 4 months old. She is giggling now and rolling over. She smiles lots and loves to hold things and put them in her mouth. She's a little cutie pie.

Can it really be November??

Where does the time go? I can't even believe it's November already. I can't believe in one week, my little man will be 2 YEARS OLD! It has flown by SO quickly, and that quick passing of time does make me stop and appreciate more each day I get to spend with him. He is saying so many new words and phrases these days, developing quite the little imagination, he is a joy to be with.

My little Reese is almost 4 months old. As I write this, she is laughing at me for the first time ever. Melt my heart. She can hold a rattle now and get it to her mouth, which she Loves loves loves to do.

Fall visit to NJ

Thanks to Nani and Pop Pop Alfano for a great visit to NJ. We had so much fun doing a pumpkin hayride at Johnson's, riding bikes, raking leaves and playing out in the yard.

The Tooth Fairy?

It used to be that DH and I would send each other sweet notes of affection from time to time via email. But you're married 5 years, have two kids, and things just aren't the same as they once were. Nowadays emails come out something like this, when you even have time to send them. Yes this was a real email conversation we had just yesterday.

Shelley to Derrick: "You wouldn't happen to know why there was a quarter in Carter's crib when I got him up this morning would you?"

Derrick to Shelley: "Tooth Fairy?"

Shelley to Derrick: "That thought did cross my mind for a split second, but then I remembered, Carter hasn't lost any teeth yet."

Fall Photo Fest

Reese's 3rd Month

This is two days late but here is Reese's 3-month photo shoot...


She likes to sit in the Bumbo seat now. She is cooing and smiling lots, chewing on her fingers, and can hold a small toy when placed in her hand. She sleeps in little catnaps during the day but goes for 7 - 10 hours at night. Good girl!

Things that make me smile...

Taking my kids to the zoo and watching Carter get excited over all the animals

Knowing that tomorrow is Saturday!!!

Seeing Reese smile her first smiles.

Listening to Carter talk in the car.


This is a video from a real wedding...they referred to it on "the Office" last night. Makes me smile!!


My new favorite show, "Community"...Derrick thinks this clip is ridiculous, but I think it's hilarious.

Cross Dressing

Carter was none too pleased about wearing a hand-me-down sleeper from his cousin Summer...but we didn't have any warm PJs that fit him and it got really cold the other night. Went to the thrift store that very day and got him 4 more manly sleepers to wear. I could not help but laugh at seeing him in bright pink though, seriously funny.

Reese didn't mind as much wearing one of Carter's old sleepers. :) She smiles and smiles these days. I love my happy little girl. She's almost 3 months old already, I can hardly believe how the weeks have flown by.

Insane lawnmower boy and bumbo sitting baby

Carter is obsessed with this construction hat now. His favorite new activity is pushing around his lawnmower while wearing the hat. He likes it even more when he's running around and can't see where he's going...of course. Watch your toes!!

Reese got to try out the Bumbo seat for the first time yesterday. I thought it was too early for it but she actually did really well and liked it. I love the picture of the two of them here...he actually looks like he likes Reese...a second after I snapped it he was rolling on the floor crying and kicking his feet because he was trying to hit her the whole time and I told him no-way Jose.

Swingset

This is the computer that DH logged onto Craigslist

This is the computer that DH logged onto Craigslist, and this is the swingset that was purchased from Craigslist

This is the computer that DH logged onto Craigslist, and this is the swingset that was purchased from Craigslist, and this is the son the swingset was purchased for.
This is the computer that DH logged onto Craigslist, and this is the swingset that was purchased from Craigslist, and this is the son the swingset was purchased for. And this is the mess that said swingset became when boards were found to be rotted and bolts were found to be rusted.
This is the computer that DH logged onto Craigslist, and this is the swingset that was purchased from Craigslist, and this is the son the swingset was purchased for. And this is the mess that said swingset became when boards were found to be rotted and bolts were found to be rusted. And this is the windshield of my car after DH tried to fit 10 foot replacement boards into my 10 foot long car this morning when he went to Lowe's.

ARGHHHH!

2 Months Old

My baby girl is already 2 months old. She has managed thus far to survive Carter's daily attempts to throw things at her head. Sigh.
They are quite the little duo already. Carter spent this morning running around in the front yard dragging a rake, broom and snow shovel out of the garage. Why, please remind me, do we bother buying any toys??? Hopefully by this weekend we'll have a swingset...we found a nice one on Craigslist for $100. That should help me in my daily efforts to tire the boy out.

In finding said swingset, my DH has officially become a Craigslist addict. He now spends time throughout the day checking in to see what new deals have been posted. Caught him the other night looking at drills...he has 2 already, mind you. What do you need another drill for....oh I just wanted to see what was on here... arghhh

I Wuv You

Those three little words you long to hear. I Love You.

Last night when I was holding Carter to take him up to bed, I told him to tell Derrick he loved him and he turned right around and said "I Wuv You." So Sweet!

Rainy Labor Day

The many faces of baby Reese. She's a smiley kiddo these days.
So we've had an absolutely picture perfect weekend until today...the rain has moved into Pittsburgh, but that's ok. We had some errands we needed to run anyway. We bought a mattress for Carter today...so sad to think of him moving out of a crib in a short time. We also got him new shoes...only to find that he's a size and a half larger than the pair he's been wearing. Poor kid! Carter also got a new haircut today...voila!