Can you spot the baby?
Can you tell who hasn't totally figured out the big-girl blankie???
... there's a foot ...
... a foot and arm ...
... there's Carter!
October 2006 Archives
Happy Halloween, all! Carter is going as the most unlikely thing ever: an angel! How ironic!
Our sweet-but-naughty, adorable-but-always-messy, precious-as-gold Angel Baby!
Instead of trick or treating, the tricks (not the "tricks"!) came to us at Amy and Jon's. They had quite the Halloween spread - including "Ghoul-loush." "severed fingers and ranch dip," and about 100 plastic spiders hidden in various locations around their house!
We were all entertained by a heavenly little Angel Baby and her PIC ("Partner in Crime"), a smiley, precocious little puppy dog (Isaac Alexander). The two ran around, and around, and around Amy and Jon's house all evening! It was adorable!
Happy Halloween Hauntings!
Ahh! It's a spider in Amy's crock pot (ahh chaa chaa!)
BFF's: Carter and Isaac
Mustard, Angel Baby & Ketchup!
More than BFF's: Isaac's making the moves on Carter!
Andy, Carter and I - she was in rare form tonight!!
If I had a nickle for every sockie that we lost, I would ... well ... I'd have a lot of money!
THIS is why we have no sockies! Poor child!
EVERY MORNING, I put two sockies on this beautiful baby ... and then ... she takes them off ...
... slowly ... one by one ...
... and she takes the sockies ... very sneaky-like ...
... and hides them under the chair! I, literally, pulled 5 sockies out from under that chair!
... where's the 6th sock to make the pair?? I guess we'll never know ...
With November just around the corner, our days of playing outside are sadly numbered. So we took full advantage and spruced up the yard: we raked and played in leaves!
Carter wasn't so sure about initially (per usual!), but had a ball! She would crunch and crinkle the leaves, and giggled and laughed when I would drop leaves around her!
Wee! Leaves are fun!
There were leaves in her hair, hood, sleeves ... even in her diaper later!
"Mom ... what's on my head ..."
Between her red and my red, we're our own little fall-harvest rainbow!
It's official: our oven, circa 1941, sucked! It was missing the temperature knob and would periodically beep, like an alarm clock, due to a short circuit. Lately, the beeping has increased (at 2am!!), so we got a new oven.
Welcome Whirlpool Oven!
"Yeah, New Oven!"
Carter helping Daddy install the oven
Oh sweet heavens, it's our new oven (minus the God-awful, short-circuit beeping!)
Boogey-boogey! It's Devil-Baby!
I'm Crazy-Hair Baby! Gemme some candy!
Holy, Triad! It's good to be back to Bugga-Boo's gymanstic sessions! So fun!
I TOTALLY LOVE THE TRAMPOLINE!
Yee-haw! It's Farmer Carter!
Carter stinks! Literally! She was a sticky, peachy, gunky, funky, smelly mess! So I threw her (not literally!) into a tub full of bubbles. Mid-bath, she decided to try a taste and learned this very simple equation: bubbles + mouth = throw up in my mouth a little!
BUBBLES: this season's hottest accessory!
This week, the day care is observing Halloween, but calling it Harvest Week. Whatever ... we get to dress up and have fun! Today was BACKWARDS DAY!
The back in front (of a still-tired Punky!!) ...
... and the front in back!
Gawd! That's cuuuuuute!!!
... all it takes is that first "hit" ...
Oh, Starbucks! Let's go get Starbucks now!
Daddy bought Carter her very own Mickey Ears in Disneyworld! She loves them!
Saucy Mouse-Baby
Surprised Mouse-Baby
Reflective Mouse-Baby
Silly Mouse-Baby
Cheeser Mouse-Baby
Totally adorable and wonderful Mouse-Baby!
(Thanks, Donna, for helping choose CUTE EARS!)
Ahhh! It's the Attack of the Upside-down Baby! Run!
The "monster" has a look of evil
... and that HAIR!
Emma Lueck turned 1 last week, and we celebrated today! What a houseful of family and friends, all gathered for our adorable little birthday girl! She opened presents with the help of cousins and Carter, and had cake, which she ate way to cleanly! And she and Carter spent some quality time on the hippo toy together!
Happy Birthday, Emma!!!
The girls on the hippo!
Hold on tight, ladies!!!
Horsing around at home. Carter wore her "Princess" sweater that Daddy brought her from Disneyland in California, with my crown!
Mommy and Carter
Daddy and his Little Princess!
Oh thank goodness! Andy comes home tonight! He left last Saturday at 6am (and didn't get to say good-bye to Carter), and has been in sunny California. At the IBM conference he, Dan, and Donna attended, he gave a presentation. 8 people signed up; 50+ came! It went well. I think he met California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
But tonight (at 11pm), he comes home!
To welcome him, we made a nice sign (and cleaned the home up - now it only looks like a minor disaster versus the federal state of emergency that it's looked like all week!). We stripped down to the basics, and got out the paper and markers and went to town!
... my God, I'm glad he's home tonight!!!
The Master, perfecting her craft
After about three minutes of careful, thoughtful drawing, all hell broke loose!
So ... that's a nice tattoo ...
AHHHHHHHHHHH!
Yeah ... she's totally sorry for coloring on my kitchen floor! Totally ...
"Hugs to all my adoring fans! Love, Punky!"
"What's this crap all over me?!?"
<Sidebar: how come it's cute for Carter to have a big ol' tummy, but it's not cute for me to have a big ol' tummy? That's stupid!>
WECOME HOME, DADDY! WE HEART YOU LOTS!
We need a dog!
Carter and Shadow (Sean & Kelly's big ol' dog!)
It's cold out - we can't go out and do anything. Carter washed my cell phone - so it's broken and we can't call and chat with anyone. Andy hates projects - especially "creative, artsy" ones. So, to make the night fun and interesting, Carter and I carved our pumpkins!
Last year, we bought a pumpkin for each of us, and Andy, Andy, Tim and I took turned with Carter's, as she sat in her infant seat (at 10 weeks old!!!) and watched. This year, being 14 months old and into everything!, I put the pumpkin and Punky on the kitchen table, took off Pumpkin's top, and let her scoop out the guts! She was apprehensive at first, but enjoyed the squishy "pumpkin meat" and the slimy seeds. And, like eveyrthing else, she tried to eat the pumpkin!
After an hour's worth of us taking turns scooping, we finally had her pumpkin hollowed out. We cleaned up, and I carved it, but Carter smiled and watched with interested while I manned the knife! What do you think of Punky's Pumpkin???
First, I cut off the top, and then we scooped the guts out! Carter liked the squishy, slimey mess!
Carter cleans the pumpkin with serious intent
The guts came out strand ... by strand ... by strand ...
... and Carter had to get every last little strand out!
She even resorted to using the spoon to scoop!
After Pumpkin was thoroughly cleaned, Carter got to sit in her chair while I crafted us a fun face. INTRODUCING: Punky's first pumpkin!
Our "family" of pumpkins
... and my favorite, color-enhanced photos ever ...
Carter matched her pumpkin!
Tonight was a pretty calm night - Carter and I bummed around the house, drank juice boxes and watched one of our favorite shows: Deal or No Deal! We're totally into it!
Intensely watching to see: what will you do?!?
CRAZINESS! Take the money, wacko's!
What should they do, Carter???
139,000?!? Take the money, crazy-woman!!!
Carter is out of control! She was a beast this afternoon - climbing, smacking, and attacking just about everything in sight! At one point, I'd gently tossed her on the bed, and she was crawling from edge to edge, trying to make her guilty get-away!
Trying to jump off the bed
Look out - here I come!
I WILL CRUSH YOU like the bug you are!
It's De-stro-Baby!
Oh my God ... did someone slip some crack into Carter's Bug Juice?!? The child who "will sleep all the way home from Williamsburg" slept about 30 minutes, and bounced off the walls all Sunday evening! At one point, while I was trying to diligently update the website for Daddy, she was laying facing me with her hand on my typing hands! Kicking my elbows and smiling and giggling! Naughty! At one point, she shut down the website computer (so little, but so naughty!!!). So please be patient with us this week (Andy' s in California, and returns Friday at 11pm): we're trying to keep up on the website, but someone isn't being so helpful!
Here are some gems I got in the 10 minutes it took me to update from the weekend! Enjoy!
Laying on my lap .. and on the keyboard ...
... flailing to get on the desk ... why ... I don't know ...
... flopping on the desk like a fish ...
... and finally, destroying my SchoolNotes.com print uuts for the week! Bravo, Carter! Thanks for helping, Turkey!!
... and everyone else, of course!
Carter is preparing to "step" into a whole new stage of life! Her first steps will not be far off ... this evening she stood up, did her smile and giggle routine for me, and then picked up her left foot. It was very slow and methodical, but she was brave enough to attempt it! She got her upper body to shift slightly forward, but then lost her balance and landed on her cushy bum. She immediately smiled, crawled to me and hugged me. Of course I had to hug back - what a big girl!
The standing - getting much quicker on the standing ...
Up - perfecting the smile and giggle ...
and down - wow! Standing and learning to walk is tough!
We left Grandma & Poppy's and headed home, via I-80. We passed the Tanger Outlet Mall and had to stop ... Carter has to eat, for crying out loud! Have you no heart?!
We had lunch at Mickey D's (a plain double cheeseburger & fries with sweet and sour sauce for Andy, and Carter and I split chicken nuggies and fries, and she reluctantly ate some applesauce). Once we were all fueled up, we started at the entrance and shopped our way around the mall! We stopped only for bargains and took no prisoners! I heart Tanger!
Cheese'ing around outside Mickey D's
Giddy up to the mall, Carter!
Andy uses his ability to teach to teach Carter to stick out her tongue ... good or bad, yet to be determined!
Carter, having a ball shopping! Love the new hat, kiddo! Love it!
Carter, and all our goodies, packed into the Durango for the long haul home
Me and a bearded-Andy, cheesing on I-80 (going 65 mph with hands at 10-and-2, of course!)
Even Carter had fun on the drive home
(she looks just like Poppy!)
This is what Tanger does to you! Gets ya every time!
This morning, we picked up "ADuh," also known as Andy 2, and headed to Grandma and Poppy's for the day. We arrived around noon. Carter, Grandma and Poppy shared quality time, and we got to meet Scooter, the cutest baby cat I've ever seen (I want that!!). We later drove to ShopKo to shop (that's what I was born to do!), and then came home. Andy installed DSL for my parents - woo hoo! And we spent the afternoon and evening chasing and coraling ... I am watching and enjoying Carter!
Carter browsing the Halloween items, and loving ShopKo! If you haven't been, go ... now!
Grandma and Carter snuggling after a long day of shopping
What a Cheeser! Or ... I should say how unfortunate for Carter to be surrounded by such Cheesers!
Skull Cap: angry, rock-star baby
Pink Iowa Hat: cheering Daddy's team
Halloween Hat: Booga Booga says the baby witch!
Uncle Eddie Hat: ... I'm at a loss with this one!! But it's cute, sorta!
Carter awoke to a chilly day today, with her gorgeous, infectious smile, at 6:20am. She slept from 1:15 - 2:00 ... and got a little grouch-ass'ish around 7pm (Hello! That's Survivior time! Ain't nobody crying during Survivor!!). To make her smile that smile, I gave her a special treat: a "saftey pop," suckers made for little guys (with hoop-handles and candy that you have to saw off the stick!). She loved it! And we got to watch Stefannie get kicked off Survivor! Go Yul!!!
"Uhh ... suckers are just okay, Mom ... whatever ... maybe I'll cry some more ..."
"Yeah ... okay ... this cherry thingy's pretty sweet ..."
"Hey ... look at that! I think I kinda dig this stupid 'Safety Pop' crap!"
"Holy crap, Mom! This is my new favorite thing! It's better than green beans, bananas and the cat!"
"Oh my gosh, I LOVE suckers! Thank you, Safety Pops!!!"
Daddy is going to California for some IBM business thingy (and is going to buy his girls good things!!!). To prepare him for his trip, I bought some travel items and did all of his laundry, and Carter helped pack. She chose things that had "multiple uses" to save packing space!
It's a hair brush! It's a toochbrush! I suppose it could also be a loofa, if you wanted!
Like Andy said: this "trait" comes from Mommy. I used to have "The Amazing Kelly Show," where Mom and Dad would ask "what will you be performing for us this evening?" And I, being a cheeser myself, woudl come up with some great trick, like a somersault (cool, I know!). Well, Carter's been putting on her own version, "The Amazing Carter Show." "What will you be performing for us this evening, Amazing Carter???"
Trick #1: The independent Stand-and-Smile. Impressive!
Trick #2: The irrestible-but-totally-ornery Beautiful Baby. Flawless!
She's a natural entertainer ... aka, a Cheeser!
Carter's had a rough day: she's cutting her 4th molar (yes, molars! That makes four top front teeth, three front bottom teeth, and almost 4 molars!) and is kinda huffy (duh!). So to divert her attention from ouchies to neats, Andy and Carter blew bubbles this evening! She couldn't get enough of them!
I want that!
Ahhh! Bubbles!!!
Trouble, Naughty, Wild-Child ... call it what you will, but you can just tell this one's got it!
... I'm going with "Hell on Wheels!" But she's adorable!
Talk about a rough day! We played on the deck yesterday, and Carter has 3 splinters (in her right palm, left knee, and on a foot) that needed "Daddy Surgery." She also suffered a bonk to the head (while getting in the car) from Daddy at Target yesterday, and Mommy's negliance in the bathtub resulted in a red cheek (She was lying on her tummy on the slicker tub floor, and didn't pick her head up high enough to turn it without hitting the tub - goober!). What a poor, pathetic, mess!
The "ouchie-hand" with a splinter
The bonk from the car (above her right eye where her hair is) and her red cheek ... what a day!
... you'd never know she had boo-boo's from the day of giggles, smiles and fun!
We put together a little video of Carter practicing her new standing skills.
Enjoy!
(video hosted by YouTube)
Like a baby deer (a doe??) on new legs, Carter's figuring out the mechanics of standing herself. It's a shaky and unsure process, but she is doing awesome!
Step 1: test your balance. Which works better: standing on feet or standing on head??
Step 2: Pray. "Praise the Lord! Let me stand!"
Step 3: Hike it up. Like a lineman, the butt's gotta go in the air!
Step 4: Loud and proud, YOU're UP!
Now, smile that naughty grin and be thrilled!
We are!
She's a Gizmo ... don't get her wet!
Don't get her wet ... her hair shrinks away!
... making the grand escape from the tub!
"I am not happy today! I didn't want to miss the fun at the daycare, so I only took one nap all day. And I've been up since 6am! I know, I know ... bad idea! Now I'm in a horrid mood!"
I AM PO'ed! DON't MESS WITH ME, MAN!
Every now and then, when the mood's just right and everything falls in it's exact spot ... Carter does resemble her Mama. Example #1:
Yep ... that's my kid! No doubt in that!!!
With age comes dexterity. Now that Carter is the ripe old age of 13.5 months, she's preparing for a future in baseball. Practice begings in my living room, 5pm sharp!
NO PLAYING CATCH IN THE HOUSE! YOU'LL BREAK A WINDOW!!!
... but if you smile like that, I'll let you play baseball, and whatever else you'd like, anytime!
Andy and Dan went golfing yesterday (and it wasn't totally ugly he said!). Since the season's over, Carter and Daddy spent the evening cleaning clubs and preparing the equipment for winter hibernation. As always, Carter was an adorable "helper!"
Look! She's nearly as tall as the clubs!
She's given up helping to "tend to her farm!"
This afternoon, after a long, long day (dishonesty about completed homework x3, and the question "what happens if someone, not me, brings a gun to school?"), Carter and I went to the park. We played on the swings and ran around the equipment ... well ... I ran, she came with me! We played with another boy, but we enjoyed the sand the most! And only once did she try to eat it!
Sand-Baby!
We also played on the Bouncy-Dino! Grrr!
For all of you nay-say'ers, for those of you who believe our Baby Girl is 100% angelic ... here is proof to the contrary:
Yes, she's wonderful, precious, and an everyday adventure, but she is not innocent! She's naughty!