22 Months

Only two more months and our little man is a two year old. Carter is showing us many new signs that the big number two is right around the corner. I wouldn't call it the terrible two's because there are so many great things that he is up to right now too but I can see where that phrase comes from. Carter's independence and stubborness is in full force right now and he is helping teach us patience and creative discipline techniques.

I have said many times lately that this is the most fun stage that Carter has gone through so far as well as the hardest stage. With every fun, cute, silly, smart, and creative thing he comes up with also comes with a naughty or stinker thing as well. Is that okay to say about my sweet little man? Sometimes I think my monthly blog posts for Carter are all about "my perfect little boy" and now as we are nearing two we are seeing some not so perfectness in his sweet little spirit. If you ever wonder if we are born sinners, just look at a toddler. :)

Okay Carter man...

Here is what you have been up to in the last month...

You LOVE animals more than ever and could look at animals and make animal sounds all day long. You have learned the sounds for snake and donkey the most recently but also know how to do the sounds for dog, kitty, horse, sheep, lion, bear, tiger, bird, horse, and fish. Your fish sound is my favorite because you do the cutest fish lips to go along with the sound. One of your favorite things to do right now is ride the carousel and could do it over and over. Everytime we drive anywhere near down town Salem you start saying "neigh, neigh" and moving your hand up and down and round and round because that is what the horses do. The most joy I see in your eyes is when you are on a horse at the carousel.

You also LOVE trucks, tractors, fire trucks, ambulances, and really anything large with wheels. You squeal with delight when you see any of these.

You love...

going bu bye, saying hi and bye to everyone you pass, whole wheat waffles, your blankie, Christmas lights, snowmen, Santa and saying ho ho ho, Christmas trees, brushing your teeth five times a day, reading books, playing in your new big boy bedroom with mama and daddy, putting vicks vapor rub on your feet and chest, your daddy, trying new words and talking and jabbering all day long, riding in the car, playing on your new tractor, helping mama, your new van (more on that soon), going to church and playing with your friends, playing with playdough, riding the carousel, running across the floor and sliding on your tummy, and so many more...

You have added many new words to your vocabulary in the last month. You love saying "seat" and pointing to the spot next to you where you want us to sit down. Grandma taught you to say "read please" this week and you are figuring out that we will usually do what you want when you say those two cute words in your cute sweet voice. You finally learned how to say your friends name "Ellie." We have been working on this one for quite a while because she has been saying your name for months. You also learned to say "jeep" and "limo" from looking at your new truck book you got for Christmas. You even recognized a jeep while we were out driving the other day and said jeep over and over again until we found it and acknowledged it. I know there are more so I may be back on here to add more as I remember them.

You have two sides to you...half the time you obey so well that it surprises me and makes me so proud. The other half of you wants to do what you want to do when you want to do it. That's when time out or a spanking comes into play. You are learning.

You have a good spirit and are good to people. You love people and often make people feel good. You love the two service dogs at church and always want to follow them around the church saying "ruff, ruff." You love your daddy more than I can even explain. You learned this week that daddy works on ambulance number 9 and anytime we talk about daddy's ambulance, you say nine over and over again. You wake up in the morning saying daddy and continue all day long whether he is home with us or at work. You love talking to people on the phone and are good at saying hi and bye and giving the phone kisses when we tell you to say I love you. "I love you" to you means kisses. I'm okay with that.

You have had the most random sleeping habits the last couple of weeks. We have had nights that it takes you a couple hours to settle down and fall asleep, one day without a nap at all and another where it took you two hours to finally fall asleep, mornings starting at 6:45 rather than 8 like normal, even some mornings where you slept till 9 or 9:20. I just can't quite figure out your sleeping schedule right now. Hopefully it will all even out and settle back into a routine soon. Feel free to make turn the routine into sleeping till 9 :)

You have been very into helping me lately. While I was cleaning the bathroom last week I was wiping down the shower door with a rag and you insisted on having a rag too and spent the next 20 minutes also wiping down the shower door.

We love you Carter man more than we knew was possible! You are growing into an amazing little boy and we are so proud of you!