Happy 2nd Birthday Carter Lynn!!

Carter officially turned 2 on September 19, but I wanted to wait until his well visit today to post.  Carter is developing on track if not a little ahead of the game!  Carter measured 34 1/2 inches tall, which places him in the 50th percentile for his age.  Carter weighed in at 27 pounds, which places him in the 40th percentile for his age.  Dr. Hulsen is very happy with where Carter is standing with his measurements, as well as developmentally.  

Carter has such a great imagination and loves to play pretend.  Carter loves to have books read to him as well.  Along with being imaginative Carter is also a destructive, rough little boy!  He has really mastered his balance bike he received for his birthday.  Tonight he was riding it over the mulch mounds and picking his feet up to cruise around the patio!

Carter brings so much laughter and joy to our family!  No matter how serious the situation can be, Carter always finds a way to lighten the mood and make everyone laugh!  I love you baby boy.  Happy 2nd birthday to my handsome dimpled little man.

One last hoorah as a family of FOUR!

Since yesterday was such a beautiful day, Bill and I decided to take the boys to the zoo.   I wanted to spend some time with the boys before the new baby arrives as well.  Carter and Nolan had a blast.  We bought the Safari Passes and spent 4.5 hours at the zoo!! It was a long day, but it was worth it.  Carter loves the animals and Nolan enjoyed the train and food!

Carter wanted to walk like his big brother, so I said only if you hold Nolan's hand.  Nolan stuck his hand out and Carter grabbed on!  This picture melts my heart.  The boys have been playing really well together and Nolan is such a sweetheart towards Carter.  Carter idolizes his big brother for sure!!

The 4D simulator was included with the Safari Pass.  I was hesitant because I know Nolan, who is a lot like me, and I didn't think he would like it.  I wanted Nolan to experience it for himself to make his own decisions though.  The smile in the picture below didn't last but 2 minutes into the ride.  Bill had to have the lady turn the motion off of his and Carter's seat and they still had to get up in the middle of the ride and take Carter out.  As soon as Bill left, Nolan started to freak out.  I was battling nausea, trying to calm down Nolan, and motion to the lady to turn our seats off.  SHE NEVER DID!!  Let's just say I will trust my instinct in the future and not torture my children. lol

Bill and I had a great time with the boys!  I think the boys had a great time as well.  They definitely were able to run all their energy out.  We didn't even make it onto the interstate before they were both fast asleep in their carseats.  Love my family!!

The end is near for prenatal check-ups

On Thursday, September 11th I had another prenatal check-up with Dr. Hulsen.  An ultrasound was performed first to determine the position and size of the baby.  Baby P is roughly 5lbs 11oz and is estimated to weigh around 7 1/2lbs when he arrives, about the same size as Nolan and Carter.  Baby P is also head down and ready to go!!  Baby's heart rate was recorded at 131 BPM.

Since Baby is getting so big, it was hard to attain good ultrasound pics, but the ultrasound tech saw hair, so hopefully he isn't too bald.  When Bill and I saw the 3D picture we looked at each other and said, "look at those lips!!"  We think Baby P is going to favor Carter.

Once the ultrasound was finished, I met with Dr. Hulsen for my check-up.  I have been having Braxton Hicks, but nothing to change my cervix.  Dr. Hulsen said my cervix is still closed and it will probably still be a few weeks before Baby P makes his appearance.  I am perfectly fine to wait the 3 weeks.  I want to get out of the month of September, so the baby has it's own birthday month!

Tonight I had Bill take my monthly pregnancy pictures.  I did my best this pregnancy to look decent in my monthly pictures, but now I'm tired and don't feel like making myself look fancy.  I took pictures right when I arrived home from work.  I'm feeling okay.  Lots of nausea and heartburn.   I have been throwing up at random times too, mostly because I have no room left in my stomach I guess.

I've been talking to Nolan and Carter a lot about another baby brother.  Carter is starting to realize something is about to change because this weekend he was all over my girlfriends who came to his party.  Carter kept cuddling with them and then looking at me, as if, "are you jealous?" haha Silly little boy!  Nolan is still wanting to name the baby Kevin, but I think Bill and I have finally decided on a name.  WE WILL NOT REVEAL THE NAME BEFORE HE IS BORN, SO DON'T ASK!!!!

Carter's 2nd Birthday Party!!

Yesterday was a perfect day to celebrate Carter's 2nd birthday.  The weather was a perfect fall day with the sun shining and temperatures at the low 70's.  Carter loves the Despicable Me movies, mostly the minions, so I decided to throw a Minion Party for Carter's birthday.  He was super excited when Bill brought home the minion balloons!

Carter took a nice nap right up to the time his party started.  I had to wake the birthday boy up because all of his guests started to arrive.  We had a delicious cookout with lots of good food and played outside!

After everyone stuffed themselves with food, we opened presents outside.  The first present Carter opened was from Aunt KK and Jimmy, which was little figurine animals.  Carter loved them and didn't want to open anything else!  Carter kept walking around showing his animals off to everyone, so Nolan helped open Carter's other cards and presents.  Carter received a singing birthday card from Meme and Poppy and thought it was pretty cool too.

 Carter received a bike helmet from his big brother and a balance bike from mommy and daddy!  Carter tries to ride Nolan's bike all the time, so I did some research and a balance bike is just want Carter needed.

All of the presents were opened, all of the guests were thanked, and it was time to eat some cake and ice cream!  Nolan helped Carter blow out the candle because Carter wasn't too sure about what to do with the candle flame.

Carter really liked his cake!

Daddy and I put Carter's balance bike together.  As soon as the handle bars were placed, Carter jumped on the bike and took off!  Carter is doing fantastic with the bike and hasn't wanted to put it down since his party.  We walked all around the neighborhood and Carter just beams because he is so proud of himself!

Pinata time! 

Thank you to everyone who helped Carter celebrate his 2nd birthday!  Carter is so blessed to have such amazing family and friends in his life.  Carter had a perfect day and ended the night staying up late with some great friends, the Kellers!!

Nolan's First Day of Pre-K!!

Today was Nolan's first day of Pre-K!  Nolan went to Preschool last year, but the teachers decided it would be in Nolan's best interest to move up to Pre-K once the new school year started.  Nolan is super excited to be in Ms. Carrie's butterfly classroom this year.  I snapped a few photos of Nolan this morning before taking him to school.

Nolan was much more cooperative for his pictures this morning that I thought he would be.  Nolan really liked his chalkboard sign and liked having his picture taken with it.  To clarify, a Master Builder, is off of the Lego Movie.  Emmett is one of the main characters of the movie and he is a Master Builder, someone who has an imagination to build anything at anytime!  Nolan loves playing with Legos!

Nolan in front of his school door and a picture of his cubby!  

I am so proud of the little boy my son has become!  Nolan is a very kind hearted, imaginative, wild boy who I would not trade for anything in the world!  Good luck with your first year in Pre-K baby boy!  Mommy loves you Poot.