Guilt

So I'm feeling a little guilty because as I look at this blog so far, I haven't talked about precious Cooper at all! I hope that isn't seen as bad by anyone else but for some reason I feel like I'm neglecting him. He couldn't get any sweeter and is about the happiest little boy I know, as long as me or Jamey are close by! He likes to smile and play with other people but only if he's in the comfort of our arms and no one elses! He thinks that Carter hung the moon and Carter is pretty indifferent about him at this point. Carter will just walk by him and Cooper watches him with such awe. Their relationship has been pretty cool to watch thus far, as it went from what is this baby thing, to don't let him get my stuff, to now Carter imitates him by taking quick, short steps and making baby noises. Carter is definitely coming around to him but he still doesn't really want him to bother his things. Sharing doesn't come easy for a newly 3 year old I guess.

When I was about to leave for work tonight, we were all up in our room because Jamey was changing from work clothes to play clothes in preparation for a night of daddy only (as I was going to work). Carter put on Jamey's work shoes and was walking around whispering to himself "Mommy, I'm gonna go with you to work 'cause I got my work shoes on!" It was one of those sweet, pitiful things he says because it made me sad that he can't come with me and that I have to leave him, but smile because it was so cute! He also told Nunu the other day that the animals that bite are snakes, sharks, and fire ants! I don't know where he comes up with all the things that come out of his mouth, but they are pretty priceless these days!

We went to the park this afternoon to get some energy out in hopes of them taking good naps for me (didn't happen)! They definitely expended some energy, though! I never realized an 11 month old could have so much fun at a park, but I think Coop thought he was in heaven. He walked and crawled and laughed until he was redder and sweatier than I've ever seen him and his hair was nothing but little blonde curls (where did these come from?)! He would crawl up the steps to the slide and then with some help sit at the top right in the middle. He'd hesitate for a second and laugh, but then he'd lean forward and just crack up as he flew down. At first I was a wreck and holding his hand but he got the hang of it so fast and was so happy with himself because of it! Even Carter thought it was pretty funny and joined in on the laughing. We will definitely have to do it again soon as Cooper is getting more and more fun as he becomes more and more mobile!

"Dodder"

Carter had his 2nd day of school today and I worked lastnight so I was anxious to get through the carpool line as quickly as possible to get home and hopefully get some rest while he was in school. It amazes me how early some people get there to line up for carpool. I picture these overzealous people as the ones who will be PTA president and drive me crazy but I guess I'm being a little too judgmental! Maybe they are all just early birds! Carpool is supposed to start at 9:15 so we got there right at this time in hopes that the line wouldn't be too long. It was perfect timing because I was right in the middle of the pack. I don't want to be one of the 1st ones and have to wait forever, but I don't want to be the slacker in the back either! It went much smoother and quicker this time, but Carter still didn't have much to say to the nice teacher that unbuckled him from his car seat! She assured me he would warm up to him as they would see each other many times throughout the year and I'm sure she is right. I just want Carter to be sweet and polite to people like this but once he gets more comfortable with the process I'm hoping he'll come around. He isn't rude, but just quiet, which we all know isn't the Carter we're familiar with! As usual he didn't have much to say about his day, but he did tell me his teacher Miss Debbie had to miss today because she had to go to her "dodder's" school and he couldn't understand what in the world a dodder was! It was pretty cute and I think he finally realized after a lot of explaining that the word was actually "daughter"!

We went outside to play in our backyard swamp (from all the rain) once we got home and he told me that daddy really needs to kill the "poison igee" climbing up our tree. He is so cute when he thinks he's saying things just right, especially when you ask him to repeat it and he enunciates "I-GEE" even more! Cooper is being his usual sweet self and trying to get through 3 molars coming in all at once. He's been such a trooper through his early teething (he already has 11 teeth at 11 months), but it's just pitiful to look over and see him drooling blood! Fortunately he doesn't seem to be too fazed by it and is perfecting his drunk sailor walk all over the house.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

Today was supposed to be the much anticipated (by Carter anyway) 3rd birthday party at the pool. Unfortunately Tropical Storm Hanna had other plans for us so we had to cancel the party. Wouldn't you know it ended up being a beautiful afternoon full of sunshine and super hot. I guess that's how it goes but I just hate we had to put off the party but Carter is at least looking forward to his new party in the park in the next couple of weeks!

It's so rare that Jamey and I are both home with nothing to do (no church, no work, no errands, etc.) that we had the hardest time deciding what to do today! We all had a bit of cabin fever this morning so we decided to hang out upstairs in the bonus room to have a little reprieve from Woody and Hallie and to figure out what to do with our day! Carter had fun in his fort with all his animals, as you can see from the pics, but we just couldn't make a decision (as usual). After tossing around lots of ideas, we never really decided on anything except that I always have to "go and do" as Jamey says, where he is content to just hang out at home and do nothing! I decided to have a date with Carter to run some errands and Jamey and Cooper went to the grocery store and just had a low key afternoon.

Carter and I had a great time and went to Total Wine to get my all time favorite beer as it's now in season! It's Cottonwood Pumpkin Ale and if you like pumpkin at all this beer is a must try! I'm in love with it and have so been looking forward to the Fall for this reason! I know that probably sounds really sad, but it's the little things that count, right? We also went all over Southpoint Mall looking for new shoes for Carter and finally found his Topsiders but we are still searching for some tennis shoes! It really shouldn't be so hard to find cute shoes for kids but we have definitely been searching to no avail thus far! Ashley met us at the tremendously overcrowded play area at Southpoint and we watched (our attempted to watch!) Carter play amongst a zillion other kids. He had fun and was so proud to have two happy faces looking at him at all times:) It was about time to leave and have "quiet time" (where we hope and pray that Carter naps but it is very on again off again) but we decided our date deserved a treat...enter the dipping dots! Carter has never had these but thoroughly enjoyed his Mint Chocolate Chip dots and was even asking for more. It was nice to hang out with just him and made me really appreciate my one on one time with these sweet boys.

Here Goes Nothing...

I hope this stuff gets easier as I'm having a hard time deciding what to put as my 1st post! I don't know why it's so hard, but something about being the 1st one makes it seem more significant I guess!

Carter had his 1st day of preschool at his new school today and all went well. He isn't really forthcoming about his day, as most boys aren't I guess, but he did tell me he learned all about Sammy the Shark and really liked his new teachers, Miss Debbie and Miss Stacy. I've made my 1st preschool mistake by sending him a PB and J sandwich! Apparently a student in his class has a peanut allergy so no one can have any peanut butter (at all!) in the classroom. It seems a little harsh to me, but I guess better safe than sorry when dealing with 14 hungry 3 year olds! At Carter's old school I had to park and walk him in and come to his classroom to pick him up as well. His new school does carpool and really wants us to use it so the kids can get used to it so today was our first attempt! Carter did well but seemed pretty confused that some strange lady was getting him out of his carseat and taking him away from me and Cooper. She talked to him a little bit but he just stared at her in typical Carter fashion! He was a little perkier when I picked him up and told me all about Sammy the Shark and feeding him beanbags! It was overall a great day and I really think he'll like his new school!