Crock Pot, Jump a Roo, and New Shoes...

What do these three things have in common? They all have a cute baby in them.

We borrowed Natalie's jump a roo to see if he likes it...He loves it!! I think we are going to need to get one of our own by the time Natalie's baby girl needs it.




His first time wearing shoes!
By the way, our baby boy is almost 4 months old!!! I can't believe it! I will do a four month post on Saturday.

Another milestone!

Carter started rolling from his tummy to his back about three weeks ago. Then last Thursday he started rolling from his back to his tummy but he couldn't get his arm out from under him. Today he finally did a full roll and even got his arm out!! 3 1/2 months old! I am sure this is when he is suppose to start rolling but I am a very proud mama and I wanted it documented on my blog. I wish I had gotten it on video.

My new normal...

Yesterday was my last day of teaching. This could be for a year, a couple years, forever, or I suppose if things changed drastically, only for the summer. As of now I am not teaching next year. I am going into this summer believing I will be home with my Carter man next year. I am leaving a school that I love with all my heart. I believe in WCS and trust that God has BIG plans for it in the future. For now, enrollment is down and they just couldn't bring everyone back next year. I was one of many moving on to different things. For me they could be bigger and better things. For others, it was a very sad day yesterday. The reason I say bigger and better is not because I don't love teaching. I do love teaching and if I have to work, it is the only thing I ever picture myself doing. But...I am one of the lucky ones in that I want to be at home with my baby. I wasn't planning on doing it next year but the Lord had bigger plans for me than I could ever imagine. I was afraid being home with Carter was in the far off distance and only a dream of mine that I couldn't reach. With the news that I was not being hired back next year, came the realization that maybe we could make it work for me to be home. Back in the fall I had been asked by a former mom of one of my students to home school her daughter next year. I had to say no because I was planning on job sharing with my dear friend Buffi next year. With the news of no job next year, I quickly found her and asked if she still wanted me to home school her daughter. She was thrilled and said it was a huge blessing. I know God was working all the details together for both her and I. I will have her four days a week, four hours a day. I get to be home with Carter the whole time! We can't quite afford for me to not bring in any income so this home schooling option is perfect. I still may need to do a little bit more like a little tutoring but I trust that God will provide and we will work hard to help this plan work! I didn't know how I would feel yesterday, leaving a place that I love. I thought I might be sad but I hadn't been feeling the emotions throughout the week that I thought I would. It was sad to say good-bye but I expected more sadness. I love those families, kids, teachers, and staff more than I can express however I also know I get to do what I am best at. I get to raise my son the way I truly want to! WCS has been one of the biggest blessings of my life!! I have met some of my closest friends, been blessed by so many of the parents and kids, and even met my husband because of that school. I am sad to say good-bye but am looking forward to a new adventure. I do feel like I will go back at some point if they are able to ever offer me a job again with Buffi. I am so thankful for my five years there and will always hold WCS close to my heart. And they are always in my prayers!

Such a big boy

Carter loves his new bumbo seat!

Not a new born anymore

Carter turned three months old yesterday. The time is flying by and I wish it would slow down! So many things have happened in the last month and I really want to write about a few of them. The beginning of my three month post is going to be a little sad and then I will write all about Carter. In the last month two very special people in my life passed away. My friend Lisa Nelson battled breast cancer for many years and eventually lost the battle. Her daughter Olivia was one of my students in my very first class five years ago. Lisa and I became friends that year and our friendship grew over the years. This year her son Philip is in my class. I tutored both of her kids and Lisa did my hair all this time. She is a beautiful lady and will be missed more than I can explain! The week after Lisa passed away my uncle Jeff also passed away. He had been battling colon cancer for a little over a year. It took his life pretty quickly. The Lord made it possible for us to drive down to Vista, CA to be with family and attend the services. It was such a blessing to be there throughout this time and learn more about who Jeff was. I was not able to around him all that often but always loved who he was when I was around him. He was funny and real. I wish he could have met Carter. I know he would have loved him. Here are a few pictures from our trip down to California.

These girls are my cousin Marci's girls. They loved Carter.



Carter got to meet Aunt Ronda's three horses.


Dad and Carter looking handsome for the memorial service.


My Grandma Goree and my dad with Carter.

My guys...aren't they hansome?!?!




My cousin David and his wife Adis and my dad.

Adis and Lori

Cousins...David, Kristi, and me



We are so thankful we went! It was a lot of driving in such a short amount of time but it was all worth it. Carter did very well on the 16 hour car ride each way. We split both ways into two days. He did start to not like his car seat as much that week and we are still seeing the aftermath of that. We don't blame him though! Another thing that happened this month is that I turned 27. There is nothing glorious or excited about that age but it was still a fun birthday. Jay took all three of us to the beach for the weekend. A couple months back he had secretly talked to a friend and asked if we could have her beach house for the weekend. Then he told me about it on Mother's Day. We had such a nice time. Shopping, eating out, movies, lounging around, and good family time. I didn't get very many pictures and we didn't actually make it out onto the sand because every time Carter was awake the weather didn't cooperate. Here are a few pictures from our weekend.





There has been two other big events this month but I am going to save one of them for my next post. But the last and the best one is that my baby boy turned three months old on the 26th. I think the three month mark means he is officially not a new born anymore. He is such a beautiful little man with an amazing personality. I am going to brag about my boy for just a bit so bear with me.

-He smiles all the time!!!!
-He giggles some for mommy and daddy. Hopefully pretty soon it will happen more frequently for other people.
-He loves ceiling fans. He discovered them while we were in Iowa. Every time we walked into the living room it was like he remembered it was there and he would look for it. He finds them wherever they are now!
-He also loves TV. (And NO we don't let him watch it!!) If it is on he tries to find it. Even when he is eating he will get distracted by it.
-He can roll over from his belly to his back. He can't do the other way yet.
-He is the best sleeper at night!! After his last feeding, usually anywhere between 8:30 and 10:30 we lay him down in his crib and he falls asleep within a few minutes. He sleeps till around 6, I feed him again, and then he sleeps again until around 9. It is amazing!!!
-He is not the best napper during the day though. I am trying to get him to nap in his crib. He will fall asleep pretty quickly but then only sleeps for about 30 minutes. If any of you moms out there have any advice on that, please let me know!
-He is a mover and a shaker. It seems like he wants to be able to crawl or walk. He wants to be on the move but just can't yet. He is always kicking his legs, waving his arms, or even throwing his fists in the air like he just won the game. It's probably my new favorite thing that he does.
-He still eats about every three hours.
-He follows our voices. If he hears his daddy behind him he moves his head and eyes to find him.
-He is finally starting to be okay with his swing again. He has always hated his swing but now he tolerates it for bits at a time. He also loves to play on his floor mat and bat his hands at the toys hanging from it.
-His hands are always in his mouth! He sucks and chews on them all day long.
-He is mostly in 3-6 month clothes because he is so long. 0-3 month pants still fit him but they are looking a little on the short side.
-He was dedicated at church on Mother's Day.
-At his 2 month check up which was really 2 1/2 months he weighed 12 lbs 11.5 ounces and was in the 55th percentile for weight. He was 24 inches long and in the 75th percentile for height.
-He is fun and energetic and I am so deeply in love with him! We are so blessed to have such a happy, healthy little boy. Here are a few pictures that I took in his new frog outfit the day before he turned 3 months.

The life of a 2 month old

Carter turned 2 months old on the 26th. He is growing so much and changing every day. Here are some new things about Carter at 2 months old.
-He is smiling all the time!!! He has been smiling for many weeks but he has been a smiling machine for the last couple weeks. Jay and I will be talking to each other and we look down and Carter is smiling at us. He is super easy to get to smile and seems to be close to giggling too.
-He is an amazing traveler, by plane or car. However, he is not great at sleeping at night when we are on vacation.
-He is getting so strong and holds his head up really well. His legs are also getting strong and he likes to stand on our laps.
-He slept from 11 to 5 last night and then again till 9. He is starting to go longer stretches at night which is making for a very happy mommy.
-His eyes are still very blue and we think they are going to stay that way.
-He is getting super long. Even some of his 0-3 month jammies are getting too short. I wonder where he got his length from???
-He loves the front pack. We have even resorted to trying that when he won't fall asleep. It puts him out in minutes.
-His hair is really starting to grow. It is coming in more blond than when he was born.
-He loves to stare at people and any moving object.
-We have not had our two month check up yet, so we don't know what he weighs.
-He is a beautiful little man and we love him so much! He lights up our lives every day!

Iowa...
We flew to Iowa on the 23rd to visit Jay's dad's side of the family. We had a great time with the family. This was their first time meeting Carter and I think they kinda liked him. ;) Carter did amazing on the plane. He slept some and talked to mommy and daddy lots. People were pretty impressed by him. One lady sitting behind us said she didn't even realize he was their till we landed. The first flight we had a whole row to ourselves which was great! He was so happy and content both days of traveling! I was super proud of him. He did not sleep well at night while we were there though. That was very frustrating but I am sure we just messed up his schedule with the time change and the different environment. He has been sleeping great since we got home. Here are some pictures of our trip.



First time seeing Grandpa Hinderks.

Grandpa and his two grandbabies. Kayden is Jay's brother's son. He is 16 months old.

Great Grandma Hinderks

Just chillin' with Grandpa and Aunt Nicole.

Grandma Leah


Grandma Leah made this beautiful blanket for Carter. Thank you Leah! We love it!


Uncle Wade

We are so thankful for the opportunity to go visit our family! We love you guys and hope to come back soon.