Carter's Well Visit

Even though Carter is 16 months old, he just had his 15 month well visit yesterday.  Carter has been battling viruses and ear infections for the past month, so his well visit kept being delayed.  Carter is finally on the mend and feeling lots better.

Carter weighed 23 pounds 7 oz, which places him in the 45th percentile for weight.  Carter measured 31 and a half inches, which places him in the 60th percentile for height.  Carter did not receive any vaccines yesterday, so it was a good visit.  Carter is growing and developing like crazy!  He wants to be independent and copy everything his big brother does.

Carter and Nolan have a blast pushing each other on the scooter!!  There have only been a few dents put into the refrigerator, but after a long talk with the boys and an absent scooter for the night, no more "accidents" have occurred with the refrigerator and the scooter.

I'm shocked to hear Carter is only in the 45th percentile for weight.  All he does is EAT!! Carter eats as much as I do during meals, and in between meals he is always snacking on something.  Here's a night were Carter enjoyed some mashed potatoes!

I know Carter is pouting in the picture, but I cannot believe how grown up he looks!  Carter is definitely a toddler.  Carter is starting to say more words and loves to read.  Carter has really taken an interest in writing on paper, building with blocks, and DANCING!!

Carter has really taken an interest in Thomas and Friends as well.  Anytime he hears a train whistle, Carter becomes excited and starts dancing.  There is a part on the opening of Thomas were a little boy waves to the trains passing under a bridge.  Carter knows when the part is coming up and waves too!

Nolan's First Day of Preschool

I cannot believe this day has already arrived!  Nolan had his first day of preschool today.  Nolan was originally supposed to start school on January 2nd, but due to the winter storm his first day of school kept being delayed.  Every morning last week Nolan would wake up, look out the window, see the snow, and say, "Another Snow Day today."  This morning there was only a little snow on the ground, so Nolan kept saying, "No Snow Day today.  It's School Day!!"

This morning Nolan wasn't ready to wake up bright and early.  We have to wake up earlier now since, Carter and Nolan are going in different directions for the day.  I wanted to snap a few pictures of Nolan's big day at home.  The boys happily obliged even though they were a little sleepy.

Nolan and I dropped Carter off at Liz's and then we were on the road again to take Nolan to school.  On the way to school Nolan kept saying, "Carter is a baby so he goes to Liz's, but I'm a big boy, so I go to school!!"  Nolan was super excited to be heading to school.  I blinded him with the flash from my camera, but he was once again entertaining his mommy with the photo ops.

I had planned on taking my camera into the school and taking pictures of Nolan's cubby with his name, and every little detail, but then I decided against it.  I didn't want to make Nolan anymore nervous than he already was.  Instead I let Nolan settle in and we completed our good-bye ritual (hugs, kisses, knucks, high-five, love you).  And yes, Nolan and I do this ritual every morning, in the same order, while saying each action out loud to each other!  I quietly walked to my car, shed a few tears, and took a picture of Nolan through the window playing.

The whole day I was anxiously awaiting to hear how Nolan's first day went!!  After preschool was finished and the after school program started, I received a text from his teacher.  In the text was a picture of Nolan's smiling face and a message from Miss Cassandra.  Miss Cassandra said, "Nolan has been AWESOME!  He is right on track with all my other students and follows directions great!!"  This text definitely made me one proud mama.  I was a little nervous about Nolan being on track with the other students, since he is starting school halfway through the year.  I have no worries now!

I picked Nolan up from school and he was all smiles!  Nolan couldn't tell me about his day fast enough.  I think I was more excited to look through Nolan's book bag than he was when we got home.  I pulled out his folder with his school work and noticed a Scholastic Book Order Form!!  Oh my goodness, I was in love with Scholastic Book Orders when I was little.  Nolan and I excitedly thumbed through the pages to see what books would be good to order. :)  

And what's even more exciting:  Tomorrow is PAJAMA DAY! :)  Bill doesn't know who is more excited, Nolan or mommy!

Happy first day of Preschool Nolan Henson!  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of how well you did and the little boy you're becoming!  We love you.

Family Bowling Night

Since we have been going stir crazy being snowed in, Bill and I decided to invite Nana, Papa, KK, and James down to hang out and eat some home-made pizza.  Bill delivered with delicious Buffalo Chicken and 3 Cheese Garden Pizzas!  After we devoured our pizzas, everyone wanted to go do something.  Papa wanted to go to the Pawn Shop.  Bill tossed around a few ideas, and finally came up with BOWLING! What a great idea.  I could not remember the last time I had went bowling and neither Nolan nor Carter have ever been!

Everyone jumped into the car and we first went to the Pawn Shop, but thankfully it was closed.  Our next stop was Edison's Entertainment Center.  Upon arriving at Edison's my nice DSLR camera was dropped out of the back of the car and wouldn't work, so I had to take pictures with my camera phone.  The pictures aren't the best quality, but you get the idea.  

Nolan and Carter both had a blast!!  As did the rest of our group.  At first Nolan used the bowling ramp, but towards the end he decided he wanted to roll the ball himself.  Carter thought he was big stuff pushing the ball down the ramp and Carter even tried picking the balls up himself.

James and Aunt KK were on a bowling league, so they were the pros.  James ended up taking the win!!  Yay Jimmy!  I was surprised at how well the boys did while bowling, so I'm sure we will be making several return visits to go bowling again.

 

The Winter Storm of 2014

The winter storm is nearly a blizzard outside with the blowing wind, deep snow drifts, and below freezing temperature!  The weatherman was correct again this year.  Two for two on predicting winter storms.

Bill and Nolan were the only two brave enough to venture outside to find the true depths of the snow.  Also, Bill needed to clear the driveway to go to the store.  Nolan only lasted a few minutes outside and said he was cold.  The snow was blowing so much it was hard to have fun in the snow anyways.

Bill took Nolan into the backyard to see how deep the snow was.  Nolan thought it was neat to have the snow up to his waist!  Bill fell back in the snow to make a snow angel and Nolan wanted to do the same.  Except Nolan didn't turn around and landed face forward in the snow!

Carter and I stayed safe and warm inside the house.  I did open the patio door so I could take pictures of Bill and Nolan.  Carter thought the snow was silly!!  He kept going "ooohhhh  ooohhh"

Our friend text us the recipe for snow ice cream, so Bill made some this afternoon.  The ice cream is super easy to make!  All it takes is 4 cups of clean snow, 1 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1 tsp of vanilla!  Carter and Bill loved the ice cream, but Nolan was satisfied with eating plain snow!  Bill loves home-made ice cream, so this was right up his alley!  

Happy 2014!!!