Birthday Extravaganza

MY BABY IS ONE!!!  I have been gone for little over a week because I was planning what felt like a tiny wedding, aka Carters' 1st Birthday Party...which I might add was a HUGE success!  It went wonderful! We had about 35 of our closest family and friends come out to celebrate with us.  What a beautiful day it was.  Carter showed up to the party happy as can be and stayed happy, which I was really nervous about because you never know.  It helps that I have a child that is overly happy most of the time.  I am so thankful to be blessed with such an amazing little boy.  The joy he has brought Matt and I this past year has our hearts over flowing with happiness.  I could never imagine my life without my two boys.  Till this day I still can't believe he's mine.  I get to see his glowing smile everyday.  I get to hear his laugh everyday, and I get to cuddle with him every night.  The Lord has blessed me with the most wonderful child! 
His birthday was on a Thursday and we had is party on Saturday.  Thursday was filled with lots of fun things to do.  (Those pictures are soon to come).  We woke up and Matt fixed Carter some blueberry pancakes (blueberries are Carters' favorite) and then we took him to get his first hair cut because he had a MAJOR rats tail and his hair was in his poor little eyes.  Carter then took a wonderful 3hr. nap and when he woke up we took him to the zoo! Which he LOVED the underwater part with all the fish, snakes, and frogs.  He Is Alllll Boy!  Later that night we met up with both familes and had a wonderful dinner and Carter was acting sooo silly at dinner and had all of us laughing so hard!   
Saturday quickly approached where his birthday party consisted of smiles smiles and more smiles.  I hope he looks back at all the pictures when hes older and sees all happiness that went on that day (and the hard work).  The theme for his party was "Cute As A Button" so everything was button themed.  I have a few pictures to describe the day...

The tables turned out much better than what I could have imagined.  This table was lined with different styles of blue ribbon decorated with his name spelled out with buttons.We also had wooden spools with buttons that served as picture holders. :) Super Fun!

These are so super easy and fun! All you need is a flower pot, styrofoam ball, and the type of suckers you wanna use...yep, it's that easy! And kids LOVED them!

These turned out soooo cute!  All you need is wire, buttons, and a little extra time. Put the wire through one side of the button and then out the other.  I just placed them in a vase of dum-dum pops and it was the center piece for the food table

Frog Cookies! Oreos, Pretzels, Icing, and M&Ms, use the icing as glue and WALLA!

Button Cookies! Couldn't have been easier...We chose sugar cookie cookie dough, bake them and use a straw to make the button holes. I had made some really cute button suckers but I missed a picture of those...o well!

We had some fun things for the kids to do and one was a bounce house, and Carter LOVED it!

OOOO the Cake! Boy did he love that...I think that was his favorite part of the party! Some nice info I would like to share if that's okay...his diaper, when he woke up the next morning (at 10:30, that was so nice) was as BLUE as his cake!!! It gave me a good laugh.

This is his little plate Matt & I got him for his 1st birthday.  He can eat his cake off of it every year. :) I thought it would be a cute little keepsake...

 I won't lie, present time was a little akward but we made it through it.  Carter had a little interest at first but lost it real quick haha! He loved playing with the tissue paper and ribbon. We are beyond thankful for all the wonderful things Carter got. 

 Of course we had to attempt one year old pictures the weekend before his party here are a few pictures from that...Enjoy!

I wanna give a HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks to my FABULOUS seester-in-law Kt-boo for taking all of these wonderful pictures! She really came to my rescue on the day of the party and helped me out with all the photography! Thanks Yo Homeeeee :) Loves you!

Simply Momma

Description: It was 3:19am (yes in the morning) and I hear this big cry coming from the next room.  I lay there praying harder than I have ever prayed, "Lord please just let him fall asleep". Then I realized, He is somewhat answering my prayer from last night, ("Lord please allow me to have more time will my sweet Carter Love...PLEASE"). God does have a sense of humor you know...So I get up and stumble into his room and I see his little hiney stuck up in the air and his face burried into his blanket, and I thought for a second, maybe he will go back to sleep, wrong...again! I picked him up and instantly he stops the tears. We started rocking back and forth and by this point he becomes calm as can be and I can't help but wonder did he have a bad dream, do I need to take his temperature, does he not feel well and then I thought maybe he simply just wanted momma.  My heart begin to get all warm and I think "I could sit here all night", and we did.
At one point he pats my back and strokes my hair and plays with my ratty ol t-shirt and right then and there I begin to truly understand the love of the Lord.  I grew up in a christian home so I was always surrounded my "God is love" and "Jesus loves me" but as I'm rocking back and forth it clicks...The love of the Lord goes much deeper than the love I have for Carter and that is almost unthinkable.  I truly understand unconditional love.  My biggest prayer for Carter is he will truly experience Gods' love and salvation.    
He then begins to lift his head and stares at me for abour five seconds and then he laid his tiny little head back down (that's where he starts to stroke my hair) and he does this about five times.  All I can think about is how he simply just wanted momma.  While he starts to doze off the thoughts starting flowing, I wonder what kind of friend he will be.  He better be a hard worker.  I wonder if he will be a preacher or a tattoo artist.  I wonder if he will be scared on his first day of school or score the winning touchdown at his last game as a senior.  That was our quite time, bonding time, perfect time. The time were I truly understood Gods' Love.    

My Thoughts Keep Going & Going & Going

My Carter Love went to bed pretty early tonight.  Sad, because again, I only got 2.5 hours with my little love, but it did give me a chance to sit down and prop up my feet, (def needed that after the heels I wore to work today ha!), and let my mind start wondering.  I started thinking, my goodness how much Carter has grown just this weekend, and how we are planning his 1st birthday.  Also, I recently found myself having to defend myself as a working mom and how much that lowered myself confidence and sucked out alot of my energy.
I find myself having to defend myself alot.  The only thing worse than not getting to stay home with my little Carter is explaining myself to a stay at home mom (or anyone) and why I have to work.  I mean it already hurts enough.  Having to explain why I'm a working mom is like shooting myself in the foot! I'm curious on why a dividing line has been created between working moms and stay at home moms.  I think what I despise the most is when one thinks that their "job" is greater or harder than the other.  I feel as if both are equal.  It frustrates me so much!
On a much lighter note...We are planning Carters' 1st birthday! ahh! I hope it's going to be cute.  There really isn't a theme, but we have some good ideas so I can't wait to let you know how it goes.  I'm a little worried about his nap.  I thought I was planning his party at a great time and then he started this 2 naps a day thing again and of course he is making his 2nd nap right at the same time as his party...ahhh! I'm just in awe that he is growing up so fast.
Thinking back on this weekend, I feel like he grew up so much.  He ate off of a big boy plate and didn't try to throw it across the room.  He is drinking out of real sippy cups and he isn't dependent on formula anymore.  He eats big boy meals: breakfest, lunch, and dinner and snacks in between.  Which now that he eats regular meals it has made me want to cook much more healthy.  Remember, I'm going to be one of those health nut moms haha! I have so much fun cooking and I would love to be the next Paula Dean (but of course I wouldn't use as much butter, but that's another post in it's self).  Carter also had a lot of fun this weekend poking a whole in his bag of Cheerios and spilling them all over the floor! haha! I love making messes with him and playing with toys...I just know we will always have fun playing together :)  Looking forward to Friday because that means the weekend with my boys :)

 I know he needs a hair cut, I just don't wanna lol!

 His little mess of Cheerios :) I helped him...

 His Big Boy Lunch...

 Where's Carter...

...There he is!

My True Love

Even though I have a very busy life as a working mommy, above all I am a wife.  I really value you the type of relationship Matt and I share.  I am beyond thankful the Lord has blessed me with THE best hubby in he world.  We just celebrated our 3 year anniversary at the end of July.  July 26, 2008 was the day that changed my life forever.  I walked down the aisle to the man of my dreams.  I call him my boyfriend, my favorite.  When I say man of my dreams I truly mean it.  I can be a little stubborn or hard headed, I have been told I am a little firecracker and a little strong willed :). The most I can say about Matt is how understanding and patient he is.  He loves me for me and that is all I can ask for.  He goes above and beyond for me.  When I was pregnant with Carter love he would rub my feet EVERY single day...I mean, what more could I ask for! :)  He listens to me when I'm sad, happy, upset, and excited.  He was made for me.  We have the most wonderful time together!  Each moment I spend with him is special.  It's not about what we're doing or where we're going for our next date, it's about the quality time we invest in each other.  I find myself never wanting to do anything without him...it's safe to say if you see me more than likely you will see Matt too :)  He is the love of my life...

 We love being silly :)

                                                   Anniversary Night
One thing I find the most amazing is how wonderful of a dad he is.  He is truly superman!  I have to give him so much credit.  When Carter was first born, Matt would get up with me almost every night.  He changes just as many diapers and makes just as many bottles as I do.  I love watching him make Carters' breakfest.  He is such a loving father and it makes me fall in love with him even more. 
Having a husband who is a VERY active dad makes my life as a working mom so much easier.  Being parents is something Matt and I love to do together...it's our new hobby haha!  I couldn't ask for a better hubby!  He shows me and Carter so much love and he takes such awesome care of us.  He is a hard worker and when he comes home he just keeps on going...I TRULY AM BLESSED!

I SHLUV YOU MATT!

Silly Kisses ;)

Vaca!

Well, I know it has been a little while.  I have been away a little longer that what I would have thought but we were on VACATION! and of course trying to get ready for vacation was just as busy as vacation.  lol! We went to Clearwater Flordia to visit Matt's aunt and uncle and two cousins, who happen to live so close to the beach.  They were so kind enough to take us in their home and it was great to see family we havn't seen in awhile.  It was good quality time. 

This is good quality family time! We all had a blast!

So we were gone for a total of 6 days. Yep, that is 6 full days I got to spend with my hubby and sweet baby boy.  As a working mom, I think I was more excited about my 6 full days with my Carter Love than going to the beach.  I actually loved having food stuck in my hair and food thrown in my face because the look on his face after he does it is hilarious! lol!  My time with him was so sweet. I dream of the days that I will get to be with him full time.

Ocean Time: Oh boy did he love the beach! He loved the sounds, the taste, the touch, & everything else that comes with it!  I'm actually very curious on how many sea shells are in his little belly.  I was taking sea shells out of his mouth every second ha! He wouldn't crawl in the sand.  He had this little thing he did.  He would stick his butt up in the air with this feet flat and then try to crawl that way, it was Great! When it was time to leave, he actually cried when I picked him up to leave.  I sat him back down and he was totally fine ha!

First Time In The Ocean

The BEST Family Time!

Next, The Zoo: We took at day to go to the Tampa Zoo.  If you ever get the chance to go to that zoo it is A-H-MAZING! It's huge! Carter had a great time there too!  There are so many gorgeous animals and it was just another great day with my sweet family. 

  Tarpon Springs: So I told Matt that if he wants to move to Flordia tomorrow I would do it without second guessing myself! I LOVE the Clearwater area.  We went to this really cool place called Tarpon Springs.  We also ate some of the best Greek food and we visited the Sponge Shops...

I had a really great Greek Salad...I think I could eat it everyday :)

I found this little cutie outside the sponage shop ;)

If you can't tell by all the amazing pictures, the Lord truly blessed us with a safe and wonderful time.  As I walked along the beach I couldn't help and think what an amazing artist my Lord is.  Not only did He paint the sky the most gorgeous blue, but He also placed the cutest birds in the sky and gave to ocean the most peaceful sound.  It's very magical and spiritual all at the same time.  As I laid there with my feet burried in the sand, that God created, it's so hard for me to believe and understand that people think the Lord doesn't exist.  I pray the world will know the love of the Lord is pure, just like the sounds of the ocean and the movement of the wind.  My desire is to love the Lord with my whole heart...

My favorite part of the trip, neither me or the hubby having to get up and go to work.  I got such an amazing time with him.  Also, having my little man all day long.  I know I talk about the hurt my heart goes through with having to work and leaving my love bug for the day but that is the sacrifice I have to make for my family.  I want Carter Love to be able to enjoy fun trips and get to do fun things with his friends.  I pray daily that he will understand why I make the sacrifice that I do.  I do it for him.  He seems to be a mommas boy right now and I am 100% okay if he stays that way forever.  :) My life is truly a blessing from my wonderful Lord.

 

Puffs, Swimming, The 4th, & Going Round & Round!

Ooo me did we have a busy weekend!  Of course you guys know I loved having that extra day off with my sweet family.  Any working momma loves the holidays because that means another day with our little loves!  Extra days mean extra kisses, hugs, snuggles, & PUFFS! Carter is obessed with puffs.  In a week we are flying to Flordia (that should be it's own blog in itself lol) and you better believe puffs will be my saving grace!  I promise he could eat a whole container of those things in one sitting, with me helping out a little bit, strawberry apple is my favorite :).  He can eat 90 and get 16 calories. Haha, maybe I should eat those for my snacks! I'll tell ya, we don't go anywhere without our puffs...that even means the pool! 

 

Next: Swimming! Don't worry, I let his food settle for 30min. hehe :) He loves loves loves swimming! He likes to take baths so I knew he would love to swim.  We are very blessed that his yaya and paw-paw have a pool so Carter is able to swim whenever he wants.  He wasn't a big fan of his little float that paw-paw got him but once he got use to being in the pool he was all about it.  Carter is so so smart! While in his float he started to kick like he was dog paddling.  I learned to swim when I was 5yrs old (thanks to my big brother, who took off my floaties and told me to swim! I didn't have the choice haha) so maybe Carter love will be a early swimmer. He's 10mos old and I already think he can do everything ha!

I just melt when I see his amazing little smile...I get lost in that smile

So my extra day was in thanks to the 4th of July.  I love the 4th, it's one of my favorites.  I love history and the holiday that comes with it!  Plus my brother is a US Marine so that makes me love it even more.  I loved it a little more this year because I got a extra day with my Carter love and it was his first 4th of July.  His mimi has made it a point to get all of his "my 1st" outfits and send them to us.  I was actually surprised Carter did so well with the fireworks.  He was so so tired but he did really good! The next morning he slept till 10am! Woo hoo! His Daddy was extra happy lol!  I can't wait till Carter grows up and we can do all kinds of fun stuff together on the 4th and I can teach him the history behind it all...I know, I'm such a nerd!  My mom always made holidays fun (heck, she made everyday fun) but holidays were always extra special.  She was, and still is so creative.  I hope Carter will remember all the fun thing I do with him like I have with my momma. 

 Round & Round! Carter loves to go round and round.  His aunt "tay-tee" found this new hobby for him.  I loved hearing his big giggles as they went round and round, and of course his face afterwards was hilarious.  This is a little of what I saw...

Look at those pictures and can you imagine the sweet sounds I heard coming out of that mouth? And that is what I miss while I'm at work.  I know he's happy and having a fun day but I can't help but stare at these pictures and think that I am missing out on a lot of that.  If I could be home everyday Carter love, I promise we would go round & round and have a day filled with puffs...When he is older I hope he understands why I have to miss out on some of those giggles.  It breaks me knowing I miss out.  I wish it was different but the Lord says otherwise.  I def don't understand but He does.  It's hard for me to remember that and maybe that's why I have to wait a little longer to make my prayer come true.  As cheesey as it sounds, I know the Lord knows my heart and my passion. I pray being with my Carter love full time is the Lords way for me...