Ear Infection

So, as you may know Carter ran fever for about three days.  It was never really high...101 most of the time.  So, we just thought it was either from his shot or his back tooth his doctor said he had coming in, and he never does good with either of those.  He was still eating great, drinking great, and he never once acted "sick".  By yesterday, day three, I had started to feel like a really crappy mom for just loading him up with Tylenol and Motrin only to have his fever come back.  So we went to the doctor...a new doctor I might add.  We loved his other doctor, but hated the billing system that came with that building.  Anyways, we went to Carter's doctor's wife in Ashdown and she is sooooo amazing!!  Love her!  It took her two seconds to look in his ears to see that his right ear was badly infected and his left one was not far from it.  Poor Carter!!!

BUT!!  She also said that she did see lots of fluid in his ears...hence the no talking.  If you can't hear all that well, you are not learning how to talk all that well!  So she said after his hearing test and his speech evaluation, we may be looking to get tubes.  So now I find myself yelling at him like an idiot.

On a side note....make this:

I dare you!

 

I can't remember if I saw this on Facebook or on Pinterest but I can tell you that it is now one of our favorite meals and it is so stupid easy (which is the only way I cook)!!

 

Green beans-Canned, fresh, or frozen.  I used canned because I was too lazy to walk into the other room to our freezer.  I know my fresh ones would have had more taste..maybe next time.

Chicken or pork chops-I used pork chops.  We are sick of chicken.

Potatoes- I used the small red ones since they are easier to cut up.

1 Packet of Dry Italian dressing mix.

About 4-5 spoons of butter.  I probably used more :)

 

All you do is arrange the food like you see in the picture, sprinkle packet of Italian dressing mix, and spoon butter on top of it all.  Don't cover.  Place in 350 oven for one hour and dinner is done! I'm sure it would work in crock pot just as well and I bet ranch dressing mix would be amazing also!  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

 

Nick really liked it and Carter probably ate more than any 2 year old should.

 

I'll be looking for feedback on your meal ;)

 

 

I have really been trying to cook at home every night--I got off of it there for a couple weeks.  It just seems that it is the perfect ending to our day.  I can tell that Carter is a lot  happier when we eat at home (and he eats better) and Nick enjoys it too.  Plus, it's healthier.

 

2 Year Checkup

Carter had a great birthday party. All if his best friends and cousins came. We also lucked out and had a bouncy house there that we had not even planned on having. That was a hit!!  He didn't eat a bite of cake, but that's ok. Also, we asked for no presents, because the kid has way too many, and everyone that came to the party brought one. Carter is so loved!!!

Carter's 2 year appointment was Monday.

Stats:
Weight- 27 pounds 1.5 oz- 35%
Length- 34.5 in -65%
Head- 19 1/4 in -55%

He was so happy at the rate he is growing and gaining weight, so he gave him the green light for 2% milk.

He was not so happy with his speech though. He did say that he should be saying more words. He only has a handful of words he says consistently and it should be at least 50. So may 14 we are going to give him a speech evaluation to see if he needs a little speech therapy and get his hearing checked. He did mention how smart he is and that his understanding is great, he just might need a little help getting the words to come out. No biggie. If you get a chance, please pray that Carter's vocabulary will broaden so I will stop worrying!! Thanks!

He did get a mean shot and since then he has been running running fever since then. So I am at home taking care of a very cranky and needy boy. All he wants to do is bring me books to read to him and cuddle. I'm not complaining though!!

I hope everyone has a great day!!!

2 Years Old

Carter's birthday is tomorrow but I will probably be busy with his party stuff, so I'll go ahead and post this today. 

 

 

Two years already...wow.  EVERYONE has tried to warn me that they grow up fast, but dang.  I have wondered for a very long time what it would be like to have a 2 year old.  It seems weird even typing it, let alone accepting it.  Do I really have a boy that big?  Is it possible that I have a boy big enough to tell me, somehow, the things that he wants and how he feels?  Is he old enough to play in his playroom all by himself reading books and putting puzzles together......without me helping him?  Is he seriously big enough to feed himself with utensils with no help whatsoever?  I won't even get into the fact that he is learning his letters and numbers, because surely it's not time for that yet.  Surely he is still my baby that's not getting any older and more independent.  Right?

 

 

Richard Carter,

First, you make the terrible two stage seem pretty awesome.  I know we are just in the very very beginning stage of it but I know you, and you will stay awesome.  Even though you are starting to test your boundaries with us, you are still such a sweet kid.  Sometimes we have to use a very stern voice or pop your little booty for you to listen to us, but we know its just you opening up your curiosity side. 

Your daddy and I have really tried hard to enjoy and embrace every minute of your life that we can.  When we are with you, you are our center of attention and our whole entire world. 

There have been big changes with you after your first birthday.  I gotta admit, your first year of life was no easy one with all the sickness, doctor visits, and sleepless nights.  But since we have had your adenoids taken out, you have been nothing but perfect!  We have not been to the doctor for a sick visit in about 6 months, where before it was every other week.  You were such a trooper through it all and I will forever be grateful for that.

Thank you for loving me and your daddy as much as you do.  And thank you for loving life in general.  You are still my little miracle and proof that God does make wonderful, beautiful things.

 

You:

 

-You still sleep in your own bed in your room from 9:00 until about 4:30, then you come running and reaching up to get in bed with us.  We are all to happy to let you up with us.  You usually wake up for good around 8:15.

-You take care of your trucks, cars, 4-wheelers, ect better than we do our own vehicles.  You still love yelling truck every time you see one.

-Puzzles, letters, and numbers are still your all time favorite things to learn. 

-We are about 99.5% sure you are left handed.  You eat left handed, when you draw (which is very rare) you use your left hand, and when you throw a ball or rock its with your left hand every time.   Since your daddy is left handed, he is so proud of that!

-You still eat eat eat!!  You love my cooking.  As of now, you are really into pastas!  You still love your veggies, steak, and chicken though.  Fish sticks and cottage cheese are always a hit, too.  And good thing you can't overdose on yogurt, apples, raisins, and goldfish, because those are still your favorite snacks.  Still not a fan of anything from a can.

-Your favorite nighttime activity is me reading to you.  We could do that all night and you would be completely happy.  I love it when you bring me book after book!

-Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is still your favorite tv show, but you get soooooo upset when the hot dog song comes on because you know the show is coming to an end.  It's like the end of the world.

-All of a sudden you hate brushing your teeth.  Hate it!!!!!  We literally have to hold you down to do it and you put up a good fight.  But guess what, sweety, you are not getting cavities because we didn't brush your teeth, so just give it up....it's happening every night and every morning.

-Yes, all of your toys really do have to be put up every night before bed.  It's terrible and I may be mean for that, but again, it's happening every night.  Just do it without an attitude...for once.  Slamming toys in the toy chest counts as an attitude.

-Yes, I know you miss your Aunt Tosh.  You say her name 50 times a day.  I miss her a lot too.  She took a piece of our hearts with her.

-It has gotten better, but you are so sensitive.  If we get on to you, we have to hug really big and for a really long time all while you are fighting back huge tears before we can move on.

-You are your daddy made over in looks.  Never would I have thought to have a light haired little boy.  You have my brown eyes and complexion though and a smile that can light up a room.

-You are very jealous of your new cousins but I know y'all will be BFF's.

-Falling on purpose is hilarious to you right now.

-You still sleep with at least one truck or car clutched in hand.

-2 and 3T shirts, 2T pants, size 6.5-7 shoe, 3T pajamas.

 

I could seriously go on and on.  You are hilarious and constantly making us laugh.  I honestly don't remember life before you and I have no clue what I would do without you.  You are the reason for my life and I will always be here for you, even when you are 50.  I hope one day you can understand how much I love you.  God knew what he was doing when he gave you to me.  Happy 2nd birthday baby boy! (4-21-13)

 

Love, Mom



Hogeye Marathon Weekend

Well, I survived.  Just barely, but I did to say the least.  AD and I thought that we had trained hard enough and that we were ready.  I got news for you, we didn't and we weren't.  There is nowhere in the small town of Nashville to train for those kind of hills that we had to run.  Out of our 5.5 miles that we ran, I would be willing to bet that at least half of it was up hill.  And these hills were NOT little.  But, just to tell you how awesome we are.....we didn't walk one time AND we beat our best time that we had here in Nashville by quite a bit.  My hips and behind are really really sore this morning but it was so worth it.  There is nothing like finishing something like that and having that feeling of pride wash over you.  We had a ton of fun together and everyone did amazing.  It was a good experience.  We will for sure be signing up for more races in our near future.  Up next is Warrior Dash that is next month.  A 5k will seem short for us so yeah....we are about to murder it.

AD and I also got to watch the Hogs baseball game while we were there and we stayed in a very nice hotel with a feather down comforter.  I slept so good but I do have to admit that I missed my terrible sleeper that is my son.  One thing that I am sure of...us country girls did not belong in that scene.  I had to text my mom and ask how much to tip the valet parking dude.  We were completely clueless.

I swear just in that one short day that I didn't see Carter he has gained 5 pounds and has gotten at least an inch taller.  Judging by the sun burn on his arms and face...he must have stayed outside the entire time.

Speaking of outside, he has learned the word "outside".  So, what do you think I get to hear the ENTIRE time we are inside?  "Outhide".  And he can't just say it, he has to yell it.  So, please tell me why he has not said Mommy yet???

All in all I had a wonderful weekend and would do it all over again if I had the choice.

Words

Not much to report.  We are loving the amazing weather, of course.  I can't keep my child inside even if his nose is running like a faucet and he is coughing his head off.  He sure keeps me on my toes!

Carter is a genius in the making.  He loves learning his numbers, letters, and colors.  He has his letters down pretty good now, but he is getting more into numbers.  If I say one, he says two.  The only number he will say is two and that's only after I say one.  He loves for me to count things for him as he picks them up. 

He is beginning to throw words out left and right.  I am a crazy mom and I have done all the wrong things when it comes to worrying about Carter, I'll be the first to admit.  First, I have read the Internet on speech delay.  Yikes....that lead me down some pretty emotional roads.  Sometimes it would pretty much convince that Carter had a learning problem.  Then other times it gave me hope because it would tell me that it is totally normal for little boys to be a little behind, especially when they are too busy mastering other skills like pushing trucks and climbing on things (my child).  But my biggest mistake is that I have compared him with others.  So here I am comparing him to Ava Parker, who is freakishly smart and speaking in sentences.  So, I have decided to stop worrying and take everyone's advice:  He will talk when he is ready.  I have also been told that when boys hit about 2 years old their vocabulary "explodes".  Looks like that's what is going to happen with Carter...I hope.

Yesterday, in a total of 5 minutes Carter said dog, daddy, truck, duck, again, juice and two.  That's the most I have ever heard him say words in such a short time and I loved it!  It was music to my hears.  So, please pray that he continues to do that...for my sanity!

He understands everything!  He can do 2 and 3 step commands like a champ.  He has his 2 year appointment the 22nd so we will see what the good ol' doc has to say about it all.

Moving right along...

AD and I have been training for our relay that is Sunday.  Our leg is 5.5 miles.  I really think that we are golden for 4.5 miles right now, at a pretty good pace, and we only have this week to fit 1 more mile in there.  So, again, prayers would be appreciated.  We are really going to try our hardest not to walk!!

Problems

Well, I am at home with a little boy that is running 102 fever. It's been forever since he has been sick and I have kinda forgotten how terrible this is! But yeah, terrible is the word for it. And worst of all, his big 18 wheeler broke. While he crashed it off the coach, a wheel broke off. So now he is screaming at me while he is trying frantically to stick the wheel back on. So, looks like I will have to make a special trip to Walmart later to spend 35 bucks on a new 18 wheeler that comes with about 30 hot wheels. That will put him having about 100 hot wheels that we can step on later. Awesome.

And my mom and I started a new diet yesterday that involves stuff I don't know how to make and my mom had to go to little rock today, last minute. So that leaves me trying to cook porridge and tuna for my breakfast an lunch by myself.... All with a screaming kid.

Class A problems is what I have today, people!!

I Truly Apologize...

...Because I am about to blow this blog up with pictures.

 

Here is our Easter weekend

 

The Truck

My mom got Carter this truck for Easter and right when Carter saw it, his whole face lit up.  It has to be his most favorite toy that he has ever gotten.  As you can see, parting with it is no option for him.  He might or might not have tackled a kid or two over it.

 

 Most kids sleep with teddy bears....mine sleeps with 18-wheelers...no big deal.

 

Here are pictures of my family that I am so proud of.  Thank you Jenna Lane Photography...you do amazing work.