Toys

Don't you love how children find everything to be a potential toy?

Some of Carver's favorite non-toys:

* The dog's food bowls.
* Brooms
* Mulch
* Dog leashes
* T.V. remote
* Paper
* My shoes (usually heels)
* Kitchen utensils


For the most part, if it won't injure him then he can have it.

Pick your battles.

Blooms, bees, and sunshine

I love Spring. Watching the plants begin to emerge from their winter hibernation. Looking to see, every day, if my tulips and lilies have started to break through the ground. It goes so quickly after that initial appearance, almost like every day you can see new growth, more sprouts, taller stalks. I love the cheerfulness of my pansies and the immense reward of planting them in October but seeing them really reach their potential in March, April, and May. I enjoy this awakening of new life after the long pause of the winter months.


I miss Bartow, sometimes. Mostly, I just miss living near my parents. But, I would find it incredibly difficult to return to Florida and lose this changing of the seasons. Florida, of course, does have seasons, though most people like to say that it doesn't. It gets cold in the winter there, and Spring does have new blooms, but it is not the same as further north. Up here, I love the leaves changing in the Fall, and snow in the winter, and of course, the bursting forth of life in the Spring. One thing I adore about Florida? Orange blossoms. They smell like home, and my childhood, and create in me this incredible sensory memory of family, friends, grandma, and just home.

Soon I'll start my annual Spring planting. Replacing the pansies that will die off in May with petunias or begonias or snapdragons. I'll watch Delia get the most exercise she does all year as she chases the huge bumblebees that swarm my flower beds. Then I'll plant my vegetable garden-- the one I've planted and neglected the last two summers but I am committed to this year. (I promise!). I'm hoping to try my hand at composting if I can get Daniel to buy me a composter... I'll start planting my container plants for our back deck, and some herbs to use in the summer-- basil, rosemary, thyme. All these things make me happy.


God bless the Spring.

15 Months

Oh how the months fly by. I just want to scream "SLOW DOWN!!" I am not ready for my baby to no longer be a baby. Right now he thinks I am so fun and he wants to hang out with me all of the time. How sad I will be when that changes.

There isn't a lot of "new" things to report from the last month. But, that doesn't mean that we haven't enjoyed Carver's 14th month-- far from it. He gets more and more fun every single day. And, life gets a little more hectic every day. We're managing though, getting better and better at this whole parenting thing.

What on earth did I do 2 years ago before the little one turned our world upside down? I certainly got more sleep, but I am happier now than I have ever been. Lost sleep and all, it is more than worth it to be able to raise this little boy.

15 Months:

1) Stats: 23 lbs (no weight gain in 3 months)
30 1/2 inches

2) The warmer weather has brought a new-found LOVE of anything outdoors. We go to the park, and walk circles around our house and yard. Carver has learned that when he puts his shoes on it means we are going outside. So now he follows me around the house carrying his shoes, or he sits down and tries to put them on himself. (and then gets supremely frustrated when he can't get them on his feet). He clearly gets his love of the outdoors from his daddy :)

3) Vomiting: On the very night he turned 15 months, Carver woke us up in the middle of the night. As soon as I opened the door I knew he had been sick--- everywhere...in his crib, on himself, on the floor... it was a spectacular mess. Thank God Daniel was home. (Though it did take me several attempts to wake him up. I called him from the nursery. Nothing. Called him from the door to our bedroom. Nothing. Walked over and smacked his leg a couple of time. Nothing. I was about to put down my sick [and now naked] son to rush and make sure that Daniel was indeed alive, but my next effort to wake him [shaking him violently] finally roused him). So, Daniel was on clean-up duty-- changing the sheets, cleaning the floor, etc., while I was rocking the sad little baby. We got him in clean pajamas about 15 minute before he vomited again-- all over me. Can I just say that there is no substance on earth more foul than regurgitated milk? Into the third pair of pajamas for the night. Then back into the crib to sleep for an hour before one more vomiting episode. And that was it. No more vomiting, and he was relatively normal the next day. As far as stomach issues it could have been much worse. But, it was his first time vomiting so that made it plenty overwhelming.

4) We are (still) working on giving up bottles.... not going so well at the moment. Carver does not fuss when he wants a bottle-- he just won't drink milk offered in a cup. So, I have visions of him becoming severely dehydrated and I cave and give him a bottle. I'll be glad when this hurdle has passed.

5) Carver is quite the chatterbox these days. He has finally started saying Mama again. That was his first word, but for some reason he went several months without saying it at all. He says "dada" and Delia (for all animals). He said "bottle" recently and has words for "yes" and "no" that really are actually more sounds than words. I'm hoping he starts increasing his actual vocabulary soon. He does "talk" a lot in his own way. Which is pretty darn cute. And, he understands a ton of things and communicates very well, though non-verbally.

6) Carver has very little patience for baby food these days and might be showing signs of becoming a little picky about what he eats. I am desperately trying to not let him become a picky eater-- he has always willingly eaten anything-- so it will be really frustrating if he starts this now.

7) Sleeping patterns are still consistent. Carver takes 1 nap now for anywhere from 1.5- 3 hours. He goes to bed at 7:30 p.m. (or so) and sleeps until about 7:30 a.m. He rarely wakes up during the night. Hallelujah.

8) Carver is great when we leave him in the nursery at church or for MOPS. He likes being in new places and around new people. He hasn't quite started truly playing with other kids yet, but he seems to like watching kids and babies.

On to the pictures...

Playing in Daddy's truck.

Meeting our newest neighbor, Molly, the pot-bellied pig!

Playing in his swing-- thanks Uncle Lyle and Aunt Holly!

Heading to church.

Help me...

From a student today:

"Hi Professor Redding,

I have a question. Is the Chapter 3 quiz based on the Chapter 2 readings in the textbook?"



Um, no no it isn't. The chapter 3 quiz is based on chapter 3 in the textbook.

Seriously? Not sure how to be any more clear.

Second Visit to The Dillard House

I love this place. It is one of my favorite "local" activities. The drive is beautiful, the food is great, the animals are super fun. Love it.

This brings back some of my own memories of pregnancy...

See the similarities?

So glad my mama and daddy came through to see us on the way home from Lynchburg. Thanks for the fun night!

Poor Baby Winston...

Right now Carver's favorite activity is using poor baby Winston to climb up onto the couch... We are so thankful that our 100+ lb. dog is incredibly patient and gentle, even though he does not enjoy this game. Carver, however, could do it for hours. Usually Winston gets annoyed and moves after a few minutes.

One Proud Aunt

I just need to take a minute to brag a little on my sweet niece Julia. Last week Julia found out she was accepted to the Carver Center of Arts and Technology in Towson, Maryland. This is a public magnet school that Julia had to apply to get into and go through an interview process. I was thoroughly impressed by her art portfolio when I saw it at Christmas. Who knows where this art ability came from-- certainly not the Carver side of the family :)

The application process was lengthy and the competition was fierce-- only 200 of 1400 applicants were accepted, and my precious, beautiful and talented niece was one of them!

Congrats Julia! I am beyond proud of you.

Visiting Virginia

Last week Carver and I loaded up the car and headed 7 hours away to visit with Lyle and his family, waiting anxiously for sweet little Anna Kate to make her debut.

I had a lot of anxiety leading up to the day we were to leave. Carver has a lot of experience with road trips, but I rarely have to make these long ones by myself with him. Pre-baby I made a lot of road trips-- most by myself. I listened to audio books and had the girls for company. I like road trips. I like to take my time, make a lot of stops, eat unhealthy snacks, etc. In the past these long trips were always a good time to just be alone, not on a huge time schedule, plenty of time to drive and think-- always on the way to visit friends or family.

Baby Carver has changed my outlook on traveling. Long road trips are, well, long... The hours just drag and drag. Instead of audio books I listened to a CD of nursery rhymes, over and over and over...Instead of snacking I handed Carver his snacks, one puff at a time as he called for more after every one (which made me wish I had taken the time to teach Carver the sign for "more." I would much rather glance in the rearview mirror to see that than listen to that same sound he makes repeatedly when he wants something. I can't describe it but after a few hours it becomes the most annoying sound imaginable). I have to brag a little though. Carver is a champion car traveler. He was great! He spent a number of hours just staring out the window, he snacked, played with toys and even took some short naps. I think I was more miserable than him.

The few days we spent in Lynchburg were both fun and exhausting. (How do you people with multiple kids manage life??) Carver had a stupendous time playing with his cousins, exploring their house, and loving on Jake.



He even learned to climb stairs. We need to work a little on how to safely descend stairs.


The only downside to the week was that Carver decided that he did not want to sleep in his pack n' play but rather wanted to sleep in bed with me-- a first for him. Neither one of us got much sleep.

I always love spending time with my nieces and nephews (all of them). Lyle's kids are so much fun, each with a unique and endearing personality. I miss them.

Bailey is exceptionally smart, helpful, and sensitive. She loves princess things and loves all of her Disney nightgowns.

Will is hilarious. He asks a million questions and has a way of wording things that is completely unique to him. He is affectionate and loved playing with Carver.



Here is a conversation Will and I had a few days ago:

Setting: On the living room floor, changing Carver's diaper. Will walks over to watch.

Will: "Carver has a really small wee wee."

Me: "Well, that's because he is a baby and he is small all over."

Will: "So one day his wee wee will be big like Daddy's?"

Me: "....Well....um....this is awkward."

Don't worry I did the mature thing and refrained from putting my fingers in my ears and saying "la la la la" so as not to hear any more references to my brother's boy parts....


Oh the joys of conversations with kids.

Tommy is one of the most polite and agreeable little boys I have ever been around. He is talking a lot these days (often Bailey or Will had to translate for me. Tommy could tell me an entire story and I wouldn't catch a word and then I would ask the others and they would repeat it, word for word. Amazing). He is incredibly easy and sweet. He loved putting Carver's pacifier back in his (Carver's) mouth...even when Carver didn't really want it.


One of my favorite memories of the week was putting the big kids to bed each night. We read books and then prayed. Listening to them pray for their mom to "get Anna Kate out" was beyond precious. They are amazing kids.

I am so thankful I made it to VA before Holly went into labor and I loved playing with their kids but, I admit, I about wept in relief when my mom and dad arrived. I need some practice before I can confidently take care of that many kids alone. But, we survived and had fun-- what else matters?

And the absolute best part of the week? The arrival of this precious girl.


Anna Kate was born on March 11th at 11:58 p.m. 8. 14 lbs and 22 inches long. She is beautiful and Holly (darn her) looked fabulous the morning after giving birth. I am beyond thrilled that I was there to see her when she was just a few hours old. Lyle has a beautiful family and it makes my heart smile to see them all together.

Initials, inc.

After Christmas I got an email from a sweet friend in my Sunday School class, asking if I would be willing to be in the Spring catalog for her company, Initials, inc.

Though this is really not my thing, really not, I am so glad I agreed to do this! First, I really like these two women who own this fun company. They are two of my very favorite people at our church, their mother is our incredible Sunday School teacher, and they were super sweet to us before Carver was born (cute cute baby presents) and then helping us out with meals and such after the little man arrived. These are beautiful, thoughtful, funny, Godly women and it is a privilege to know them.

(All of these personalized things are from Initials, inc.)

Second, I knew almost all of the women at the photo shoot, either from church or MOPS. It ended up being a fun, though freezing, couple of hours as we took "Spring" photos in early January and thought warm thoughts to get through the blustery cold.

Check out their website. You can see the catalog there-- find me in a couple of group shots :) And, I'm even on the website homepage. My only regret is that the photo shoot came right after my holiday diet hiatus. Thank God for group/distance shots.

They have some incredibly cute stuff! I have several things from their company, and I have gifted a number of things as well.

Completely unrelated, here are a few pictures from Carver's nursery. I can't remember if I ever really posted pics of this and I'm too lazy to look back through old blogs.

Quote above his crib. It's a quote by Napoleon. Which is sort of funny since, you know,
he wasn't really the best role model. But, I like the quote.

And, because he is so cute...