Apple Picking

Today I took Carter apple picking. It was a really fun day. They had a tour where for a minimal fee a tour guide explained about the importance of bees for the apple orchard, showed them a Johny Appleseed movie, and then let them pick apples. They even had a hay maze and small petting zoo. I was hoping that if Carter picked the apples himself, maybe he would have more of a desire to eat an apple. Mission unsuccessful. But the experience was fun nonetheless.

Nothing should come between a boy and his cars

Buggy Bumper

Look what I made! This is Buggy Bumper number one. Hopefully, there will be many more to follow.

Happenings...

Over the past few weeks, we have been spoiled. We had Jeff's mom Toni, my mom, my sister, and my friend Christine each stay a few days with us within the past few weeks. We even had the opportunity to take a trip to Indiana to visit with several of Carter's cousins that he has never met and to Madison to visit my Aunt Jen and her children Owen and Audrey. We couldn't be happier that Carter is getting the opportunity to feel what it is like to be surrounded by family and friends. Growing up with family around, just gives Carter a sense of belonging and security that we felt was so important for him to have. We are so grateful!

On another note, the weather here in Wisconsin is already started to chill. We woke up this morning with a cool house and were saddened to find that it was only 50 degrees out. We are sad to see the Summer pass as we have had so much fun being outside getting to know our neighbors, playing in the parks, going to the zoo, riding bikes, and taking nature walks. At this point, I just hold onto the hope that we will have at least a few days of mild weather this fall so that we can enjoy the change in colors, the fall of leaves that bring along fun craft projects, and the joy of picking apples/pumpkins, and the taste of yummy apple cider.

Carter had his first swim lesson last Saturday. He loves the water but doesn't particularly like the teacher touching him at all. I guess it is my fault. He probably has picked up on my fear of strangers. Which is good and bad I guess.

I have started a new business venture in an effort to bring in a little bit of extra income to fight against the rise in fuel, grocery, and every other thing that costs. I am making/sewing baby shopping cart covers which I am calling Buggy Bumpers. My mom made me one as a gift for toting Carter around and I just got so many compliments on it that I decided to make them myself. They serve to protect babies/toddlers from the nasty germy shopping carts that they tend to lick or chew or whatever else they do. I am currently working on getting a blog site set up with pictures and fabric choices. So keep me in mind if you are in need of a unique baby gift. I'm selling them for $65. They are reversable and can be made in whatever theme, pattern, or color of fabric you would like. I figure if I don't make any money at all, at least it will be a good hobby to do while Jeff enjoys his various hobbies. Here are a few pictures.

We're Diggin the Park

Carter is just about big enough that he can go to the park and climb/slide by himself now. This is apparent as I hear him saying "I do it" more and more now signalling that he wants to try something on his own. It's the toddler Independence I have heard so much about. While finding that fine line between a good parent and an overprotective parent is difficult, I think that Carter is growing more and more each day.

On another note, we have an appointment with the children's Ear Nose and Throat surgeon on Monday to gain information about Carter's ear pinning surgery. We have decided to hear what the surgeon has to say and then make up our minds as to when/if he will have the surgery at all. Knowledge is power I guess, right? I certainly could use the power these days.

Maritime Festival in Port Washington

We took Carter up to Port Washington for the Maritime Festival. He seems to be a typical boy in that he loves just about anything that moves. The weather was nice and they had a few large sailboats docked for people to view. We didn't go onto the boats as the lines were extremely long, but we did sit back and look at them from a distance. Just another nice day on the lake. Here are some pictures of our day.

New Phrases

Here are a few of Carter's latest phrases:

I no like it.
Watch out!
Scooz me (supposed to be excuse me)
I want Queen shoes (lightening McQueen crocs)
I see it
Got it
Oh, there it is
Go to da park Momma?
Momma, hair all gone ( I recently got my hair cut)
Go potty
It not workin
It broken

Keepin Busy

Friday, we headed to the zoo for members only night. I just can't say enough about the Milwaukee zoo. It is the nicest zoo I have ever been to. Because it was the evening time, and the temperature was a little cooler, the animals were so active. The way they have the zoo set up we were able to get really close to the animals. It was neat. Then, Saturday morning, we took Carter to the Family Farm a few miles away from our house. It was a little muddy but, so worth going. We took a hayride, fed the animals including lamas, sheep, cows, pigs, chickens etc. Carter especially got a kick out of tossing corn to the chickens. The owner of the farm was nice enough to see how interested Carter was in the pigs, and offered to feed the pigs so Carter could watch how they ate. It was so funny to see the pigs fight over the food. In fact, they got so loud and rude that Carter was getting a little angry with them. After a few hours, Carter had his fill of animals so we headed home to give him a rest before heading to the Port Washington Fish fry. Grandma came up and went along. Of course, she did what she claims all Grandmas do and that is spoil him rotten. She made sure he went on just about every ride and even brought him homemade apple pie for dessert when we got home. Carter is growing up so fast. This was the first time he was able to ride any rides alone and not mind that we were watching from a few feet away. Oh and, notice the big boy hat that Carter is wearing. He has graduated from the sun hat to the big boy hat at Nonna's request. I guess it was time to let it go.

The Birthday Blues

To my dismay, we had to cancel the party I was going to throw for Carter with all of his other 2 and 3 year old friends. Too many of his friends were unable to attend and then to top matters off, Carter came down with a horrible virus. He spent his birthday curled up on the couch most of the day besides for the brief vomit episode he had that morning in the local ice cream shop. And once again, I do whole heartily regret that you Judy and the boys had the most unfortunate luck as to bear witness to this event. I am happy to report though that all of the birthday cards and wishes from all of you did brighten him up. He is finally off of the couch (as is mommy) for the night and into his own bed. The fever has subsided and his appetite returned with a vengeance. Grandma can attest to this as she happened to call as Carter was demanding pizza for dinner and was a little upset that it wouldn't just appear in front of him along with a magic cup of milk. We will just plan on having a play-date at our house at a later date to make up for the party that he missed out on having.

On a brighter note, Carter's doctor has finally given us the OK to switch Carter off of the whole milk to 2%. This makes me so happy as now I will no longer have to pay ridiculous milk prices for milk that will rarely be on sale and due to expire within days. It's the little things that make moms happy I tell ya.

Visit with Cousin Andrew

Over the 4th of July weekend, Carter visited with his cousin Andrew. Andrew gave Carter more of his old toys and Carter just couldn't decide what he wanted to play with more. Among the toys was a bag full of dress-up clothing items. Carter couldn't decide if he wanted to be a cowboy, businessman, or handyman so he decided to combine all the outfits. It was so cute, I had to snap a picture.

Celebrating the 4th of July

This year we headed down to Grandma Lynne's house to celebrate the 4th. Just as we did last year, we took Carter to the Griffith parade. This year, we were prepared though. I brought along Carter's infant earmuffs for ear protection and he enjoyed the firetrucks much more. Carter was even more excited to see the fireworks at Hidden Lake because it meant that he was able to stay up really late that evening. It was a great 4th of July!

A Day at the Dairy Farm

Jeff took Carter to the Dairy Farm on Saturday. Here are some pictures from their day.

One Busy Week!

Now that the Summer is here, things have really seemed to pick up in terms up activities for Carter and I to do together. This week, we went to a kids group fun day at a blow up jump place called Pump it Up with my friend Judy's boys in Chicago. Tuesday, Carter and I met some other families from my mother's group at the zoo. Then, Wednesday Carter went to the library. I have enrolled him in a Summer reading program where for every 20 books we read with him, he wins prizes. They also have weekly story times that Carter loves going to. Well this week, Carter won several prizes for having 28 books read to him. He was able to pick out of a treasure chest a bug themed toy, he won a free book, and a pizza from Papa Murphy's. We were very proud. I think all of the reading is really paying off though, because other mother's tell me he has great vocabulary for his age. Today we went grocery shopping and Friday, we are participating in our neighborhood garage sale. Carter is going to help me, or so we'll see how much help he really will be. I have a feeling our garage may only be open for a few hours. Saturday, I will stay home and run our garage sale again and Jeff is planning on taking Carter to breakfast at a local farm. They are having clowns, a petting zoo, face painting, and blueberry pancakes. I am pretty sure Carter and Jeff will have a great day together! Below are a few pictures from the Milwaukee zoo and Pump it up.

Father's Day

For Father's Day, Carter and I took Jeff to the local dirt race track to watch some racing. Even though we didn't stay very long, as Carter could only sit still so long, Jeff said he had a great time. That's a success in my book :) I made Nanna's spagetti for dinner which I think turned out as good as can be considering it didn't have Nanna's actual touch. Then, we spent the afternoon enjoying the nice weather outside by running through the sprinkler with Carter. What an enjoyable day!

On another note, my car is back in the shop. Let's just pray that it doesn't rain while it's there. I don't want to lose my car to flooding.

Flooding in Saukville

The town that we live in is flooded. The Milwaukee river flows through downtown and it has risen above its banks. We have had horrible storms for the past week and have spent a good amount of time taking shelter in the basement due to tornado warnings. Luckily, our neighborhood is at the top of a hill so, we are safe from the flooding. Thank goodness. Wednesday, Carter and I tried to head out and run some errands since the news was saying it was the only break in weather we would have all week. Wouldn't you know it, my truck wouldn't start. So, we had it towed to a local mechanic. The next day, when the mechanic went to work on it, the truck started up fine. He thinks the fuel pump is going out which is causing an intermittent failure. But point of the story is that the mechanic allowed me to pick up my car last night since it was starting fine and just told me to call him if it happened again. Well thank God because today, that mechanic shop is completely under water. Someone was on our side, that's for sure! Poor Carter is feeling cooped up. We were supposed to go to the Petting Zoo today. Looks like the petting zoo will have to wait until things dry out.

Look Mom, Moon!

Last night our neighbors came over to visit with their 4 year old son. We all just visited in the back yard while the boys played. All of a sudden Carter came running over to me and said help. He grabbed my hand and took me over to the side of the house where he pointed to the sky and said, "Look Mom, moon. Up mom. Me reach." We have been taking weekly trips to the local library to check out board books and he has taken quite an interest in the moon. So when he noticed the real thing outside, he just couldn't contain himself I suppose. I tried to explain to him that even though it looks like he can reach the moon, he can't because it is very high in the sky. I explained that it is higher in the sky then airplanes fly. He just looked at me and said, "me high mom, me high mom!" While at the same time gestering for me to lift him higher. It was just so cute.

The picture below is just a random picture I thought was cute of him playing.

Motorcycle Mayhem

Carter was given a battery powered motorcycle as a hand me down that Cousin Andrew outgrew. This weekend Carter took it out for a spin. Although a little timid at first, he quickly made motorcycle mayhem down the sidewalk and through the parking lot behind Grandma Lynne's house. I can imagine he felt just as a 16 year old boy would feel when driving a car by himself for the first time. He just had this look of sheer joy and excitement on his face the entire time. While Jeff and I were excited for him, we also realized that soon the battery would need to be recharged and we would have one sad little boy on our hands. We quickly hatched a plan of distraction, that thankfully worked until the battery was charged once again. What did we do that distracted Carter away from his beloved motorcycle you ask? Ahh, the power of cookies and juice.

May Days

Boys and their toys! This is Carter's favorite way to watch cartoons in the morning. Very creative don't you think?



Just a few pictures of Carter playing in the backyard.

Looking Towards 2!

How time flies! We just can't believe that Carter will be 2 already in July. Just some cute random things about Carter.

Favorites:
Food: Pizza (He eats the same helping as Jeff and I when we have pizza)
Song: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star He sings this regurally
Cartoon: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse He knows every character
Phrase: Oh my!
Toy: Choo Choo
Stuffed Animal: Patches (his stuffed dog) and Doggie (another stuffed dog)
Farm animal: Duck (He likes to quack at the birds outside)

Things he loves to do:
Look for Birds outside
Run Trains
Spin in circles to make himself dizzy
Brush his teeth
Take Baths

Recent Firsts:
First time with the stomach flu
First time in time out
Singing parts of his ABC's
Counting to 5 (He usually skips number 2)

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