Puny Boys

Forgive me Amy for stealing from you, but I thought this was too funny not to share! I am really enjoying this blog thus far but I also really want to encourage any of you that read it and have ANYTHING to add to please leave me comments! It makes me feel like people are actually reading it and gives me a little more motivation to keep it up if that makes sense. I'm so happy to have a place to put all of our family happenings for my sake but it is also nice to have a way to talk to everyone else we care so much about! So I'm going to think positive and plan to hopefully have lots of comments the next time I check my email:)

In my last post I mentioned that our computer tried to self destruct but if unfortunately did just that! I kept getting weird error messages and bright blue screens that scared me so I just turned it off in hopes that it would be fine after a little rest. Jamey had someone come check it out and the guy tried but wasn't able to save it. I guess he could've but for the same price as a new computer so we just went ahead and ordered one. I have never felt more isolated from the world than I did this past week! Coming to work for a boring charting class was exciting because it meant I could check my email! The new one fortunately came pretty quickly and all is now back to normal in my little computer world!

It's been a busy past week but so much fun. I worked Sunday day shift and I leave for work at the bright and early time of 5:45 or so! The last thing I expect to see at the top of our incredibly dark steps is a sleepy Carter but Sunday I saw just that. I thought he might be the vacuum cleaner but realized that obviously wasn't the case when he started to cry that he wanted to come with me to work and that his ear hurt. I felt horrible to have to leave but I laid in his bed with him for a minute and tried to get him as happy as possible before I left. Jamey had to go to church that am so he took them both as Carter seemed more like himself later that morning. I guess he started getting puny on the way home and Jamey bravely took them both to the minute clinic to find out that Carter has strep throat and bilateral ear infections (they wouldn't see Cooper b/c you have to be 18 months). Thank goodness Carter loves the taste of liquid medicine - I don't think it's an option to miss a dose when he is asking for it morning and night! He seems much better but poor Cooper is still hanging on to something. If he isn't better by Monday I'll definitely be taking him in as we don't want to have an undiagnosed child that feels awful, especially with a holiday coming!

Jamey and I have also been a little under the weather but nothing too horrible just yet. My mom was brave and came to stay with us for a few days and it was wonderful! Cooper took a little while to warm up to her, as he always does with anyone other than us, but Carter was ready to move to Greenwood the minute she got there! He is so sweet and loves her so much. I just love to hear him talk to her and tell her everything on Earth he can think of...I think half of the time he talks just to be talking to her! He kept saying, (he asks us this all the time, too!) "Nunu, can I love you all the time?" He was overall pretty good while she was here and after she left yesterday I didn't have to discipline him one time! I was so proud that he was such a sweet boy yesterday because I just had a feeling he'd be a little pain because he'd have to share the attention from me with Cooper once again! Jamey and I went to the Carolina vs. Kentucky game on Tuesday night and had so much fun (maybe too much on my part but that's another story!) - we went to stinky Bub's but had fun playing shuffle board like old times and hanging out with Ashley, Andrew, and Parker. Carolina won the game and we just had a great time not being parents for a night! A night off here and there is so good for us and it really makes me appreciate the time I have with everyone I love even more. Thank you so much, Mom, for coming to help us and I can't tell you how much we love you and loved having you here. You are such a huge help and we appreciate all you do for us!

By the timing of my post you can all guess that I'm at work once again but I'm happy that it's now Friday and that I'm off until Sunday day shift! Carolina plays State on Saturday, which is always scary for us - this year especially I think we should win but you just never know as there season is based around our game alone for the most part! I guess I shouldn't take shots at State in my blog but it's just hard not to! I hate to have another post with no pictures but I'll try to work on that tomorrow. We have quite a few missing as they are on our old computer but I think we'll get them back eventually. I hope everyone has a great Friday and I guess I'll get back to watching my wonderful orientee do all my work for me tonight (I don't mind precepting but she's really good so I end up board because she doesn't need my help)!

My Poker Champ!

I guess I forgot to mention this in my last post but I think Jamey deserves a little credit here and there! On Saturday night of this past weekend, the boys on our street got together for a poker night - this was the second time they did it and everyone puts in a little $$$ and the winner obviously gets it all. Jamey is so unlucky so it must have been complete skill (haha!) but he won! I was so happy for him b/c he NEVER wins anything! I'm hoping this will be the turnaround point in the luck for our family, including Ashley! It seems like Jamey has so much going on and I just hope his luck will turn soon so he can stop worrying and working so hard! I love you and I am so proud of you, Jamey - I appreciate all you do for us so much.

I was planning to put some pictures in this post as well but our computer decided to self destruct for me today so I'll work on them tomorrow!

Running On Empty!

It's 4:00 in the morning and I'm at my favorite place...work! I'm precepting a new nurse tonight and she's great so it makes my job to stay awake even more difficult! Our whole family is sick with what I think is Carter preschool funk passed on to each one of us! Carter acts like he feels great but sounds horrible - Cooper is pitiful, drooling like there is no tomorrow and also has a runny nose and cough, especially when he's in his crib, which is even sadder to hear. Jamey and I have both had sore throats and coughs but I'm hoping we're almost through with the 1st round of sickness! I really hope so b/c I have a rough week of work and then I'm so excited that my mom is coming to visit for a few days! I'm really hoping we can all be well by then b/c I feel like every time she comes she takes something unwanted home with her:) I guess that's how it is in a house with little ones but I still feel guilty about being the germ spreaders.

We've tried to have a low key week thus far and stayed in for most of the time to get well. I didn't even send Carter to school on Monday as he couldn't even speak he was so hoarse, but by 10:00 I was regretting my decision as he was full throttle for the entire day cooped up! Yesterday we went to the "green park", which is his favorite, but we only stayed about an hour. Carter decided he didn't really need to listen to me when I told him to please not throw mulch in the air because it was landing on other children. I even told him if he did it again we were leaving and he watched me with the most deliberate look when he threw it again! Sometimes I wonder about him but then he's the sweetest child ever for the rest of the day so I guess he's entitled to his moments. I was pushing him on the big boy swings right next to an odd looking man with several piercings that I was praying Carter wouldn't notice. Of course he did and started his barrage of questions with, "Mommy, why does that man have those things in his ears!?...Is he a boy or a girl?...Why doesn't Daddy have things like that?" This man he was talking about was about 3 feet from him so he obviously heard the whole thing but didn't seem too offended thankfully! Carter always has such impeccable timing with his questioning!

Chicken Fried

I just added this song by the Zac Brown Band to my playlist (don't hate me Brian b/c I know it's probably not your favorite!) because I can't get it out of my head! I honestly used to dislike the song but as I've heard it more and more and actually listened to the lyrics, I really like it! I know I'm such a bandwagon music fan and I probably make my brother disappointed in me but I just can't help it! Even Carter says he wants to hear that "radio-ooh" song all the time! If you just can't stand to hear it you can pause the music or skip it at the bottom of the page! I wanted to add it as the first song but my superstition got the best of me - I couldn't bring myself to move the alma mater with a big game coming up this weekend!

Happy Halloween!

What a day we had! It was about the busiest day around our house that I can remember but we had so much fun! Carter had a Halloween program at school Friday morning so I went to that and then I had to help out with his class Halloween party. It was much more involved than I'd anticipated but ended up being lots of fun and I think all the kids enjoyed it. His program was so cute and as Carter will tell you, it was in the "Fellelship Hall" at his school. The parents were packed in like sardines and the kids processed in class by class led by their teachers and they couldn't have been any cuter! The older kids walked in so confident like they owned the place but when it was the 3 year olds turn, they were a little shell-shocked by all the chaos. I don't think I saw one of them smile - they just looked so confused as to why all these cameras were flashing at them and why all eyes were on them! They all gathered in the front and sang a few songs led by their music teacher. I was in the very back and couldn't really see Carter but I did get a few pictures of him by standing on a chair and almost breaking my neck - the price I pay to get a close up! I was so proud to see him singing and doing the hand motions because last year he never really participated when parents were around to watch his class!

I was in charge of the food for his class and ran around like a crazy lady after the program to get everything together in time for the party! I had 25 minutes to come home and get drinks and fruit, pick up a cookie cake at Lowes Foods and then go to another shopping center to get the pizza. It all turned out fine and the class was so good! I was there for a little over an hour and they all listened so well and participated just like they were supposed to! Carter was especially good and even the teachers commented on how nice they were all being, especially the ones whose parents were there, as they usually choose that time to misbehave!

We came home and Carter was so proud to have Ashley here to see! Cooper was good for her and I'm so glad they had a little one on one time before we got home b/c Carter always tries to monopolize her attention when she's here! We all went to Jamey's work to trick or treat for a little while and Carter had fun grabbing as much candy as possible and putting it in his pumpkin - it was nice to have a practice run to get his manners down for nighttime trick or treating! We attempted afternoon naps once we got home around 3 (only one was successful and I'll let you guess which one!) and then headed to my friend Amy's for a little Halloween Party! Carter and Cooper loved being in someone else's house with new toys to play with and we all had great dinner thanks to Amy! Cooper decided to redecorate her kitchen floor with peas and chicken nuggets but that's a regular occurrence in our house at dinnertime! We went outside for a few pictures and headed home to hang out on our cul-de-sac and trick or treat with our neighbors. They were SO good considering what a busy day we had and Carter was so polite at all of the houses. By the end of the night, he kept asking me why his pumpkin was getting so heavy and was happy to know it was because of all the new candy he acquired! Cooper rode around in the cozy coupe for a little while but was then just happy to be held and check everything out - we had the best little monkey and giraffe we could've asked for!

These first few pictures are from the night before Halloween - Jamey had to work later than usual so we had fun checking out the carved pumpkins as you can see! Cooper thought it was hilarious to climb up on top of Carter's box of cars and stand there so proud. Then he'd walk off the box, forwards or backwards, and fall on the carpet laughing! I look like such a good mom for holding my camera rather than my child as he tumbles to the ground but I assure you he was enjoying himself!

My New Camera!

I just got a new camera for our anniversary and I'm so excited about it! I had about 30 pictures saved on my memory card but yesterday morning I was playing with the camera settings and I accidentally deleted ALL of them! I was pretty sad, especially since I thought I'd gotten a lot of really good ones, but I know there will be plenty more photo ops! Here are some from yesterday - I think I went a little overboard trying to make up for all the ones I deleted so sorry about the quantity!

Happy Anniversary!

This was a busy but great week and I'm sad it's already over! Yesterday was our 6th anniversary - it's so hard to believe that we've been married that long. It really seems like just the other day but my how time flies! I feel like I just graduated from college, but then I think about it and realize that was 6 years ago, too! I'm starting to feel old thinking about it! We didn't really do anything exciting but it was a great day - we all went to church and Cooper did great in the nursery so they said (which is such a relief to know he's happy in there!), had some Snoopy's and then headed to the fair along with the rest of North Carolina. It wasn't nearly as stinky as I thought it would be so that was good but it was very crowded and we were definitely getting evil looks as we took up lots of room with the double stroller! Cooper didn't really get much out of it as he sat in the stroller the majority of the time but Carter rode a few rides and a pony, which was so cute! He loved feeding the animals carrots in the petting zoo and was so proud - they wouldn't let you take pictures b/c they said it scares the animals but it you could've seen how happy he was in there! Initially he was a little timid and would throw the carrots but by the end of it he was feeding any and every animal that approached him and he kept reaching into the fence to pat their heads and backs. When we were almost done he said, "I just love these little animals." It was pretty precious! We came home all exhausted but had an awesome night just all hanging out together! I'm sad it's over but look forward to many more happy anniversaries - I love you, Jamey - you're the best daddy and husband I could ever imagine!

Saturday we had a birthday party to go to and came home to watch the rest of the Carolina game, which was great b/c we won - the whole family seems to be in such better moods when this happens:) Friday night we went to Chapel Hill for "Late Night with Roy" and that was pretty cool, too. We sat right behind the band and Carter loved being able to see them as they played the fight song and alma mater! Cooper did great and was content to just sit still in my lap and watch - I guess it would be pretty overwhelming if you're only 13 months old! I'm hoping he keeps this temperment for the rest of bball season because that will be great if he'll just sit with me for the whole game - I've been wondering how this season would be trying to take both of them and keep them entertained while we watch the game at the same time!

One of Carter's friends Delaney had a Halloween party last week and we had lots of fun - Carter was the man of the party as it was mostly girls but he didn't seem to mind! The pictures are from the fair, late night, Keelin's party, and Delaney's Halloween party so I hope you enjoy them and sorry for so many!