Going to Thailand!?!

Not really -- but, after the food we ate, you would have thought for sure you were in Thailand! Oh my goodness -- it was sooo yummy! I don't even know what we had for sure, I'll have to ask so I can put the proper names for all to see!

Carter really enjoyed a ginger rice cake thingie -- again, will have to get proper names!! I think he had three of them!

Wyatt & Isa chillin' on the couch -- watchin' toons and eating candy necklaces!

Here is Carter -- giving Leo a hug. My peanut, so sweet. Of course this was after he wacked him in the head! We're learning to be gentle!

This was a sure sign it was time to go! He slept the whole way home -- didn't even budge when I took him out of the car seat and put him in his crib. Poor little peanut!

Na Night...

Now that all Bubba's are packed away, we had to figure out a way to get Carter to drink his milk from a cup, and still be sure to have his teeth brushed before bed. So, we bought a second tooth brush for downstairs. Now, after his milk we brush our teeth and play Ring Around the Rosie before we head up for na-night.

He is such a big boy -- he does a great job!

Daddy likes to help, to be sure we get all the ones in the back! The kid is a year old and has 14 teeth - with the 15th & 16th trying to come through. The day his 1st tooth popped out I headed straight to Target for a toothbrush -- we've been brushing our teeth ever since!

Josh has recently taught Carter how to rinse off his brush, then click-clack it on the side of the sink to get all the water off of it.... silly boys!

Ring Around the Rosie......

We all fall down!

Ring Around the Rosie A pocket full of posies Ashes, ashes, We all fall down!

Flip Flops rockin' the deck....

Are these the cutest little pair of flip-flops you've ever seen?!?! These were on sale at Baby Gap -- I couldn't resist.

Let's go outside Mom....

Josh and Carter are making music on the deck -- I've decided Josh needs to keep his day job! Check out Carter's Elvis lip....

Sing it kid-o!

All that rockin' has left little man all pooped out -- he's decided to chill for a bit.

Phone Pics....

I uploaded a few pics off my phone -- so, I thought I'd share.

Here is a picture of Carter hangin' out with his buddy Max. This picture was taken at their school in mid February!

Cheerios's anyone?!? On the way to the beach a few weekends ago Carter decided he wanted to shake his cheerio container -- oops, the lid feel off Mom!

Yesterday I picked Carter up from school -- and we walked home! Since the school is close enough, I just walk back later in the evening to pick up my car. We took a brief stop at the lake to visit the ducks!

Hot Mama!

Here is a pic of Denise -- 24 weeks prego. You look stunning!

A quote from Auntie Sue -- "You truly look beautiful as you carry, with intention, this boy-child life growing within you. I am so happy for you and Todd."

Returning to Work

Even after all this time, I still question my decision to go back to work. I ran across this entry on Work It - a blog for working moms. It hits the needle on the head for me -- so, I thought I'd share! Vanessa, thank you for helping me put it into words.

Returning to Work
By Vanessa
Withing my age group, my circle of friends there are many of us having babies. Some decide to stay home and others return to work. Most of my friends who return to work are riddled with guilt. Why is that?

Well, as a society, we are supposed to be the ones taking care of the children. But who decided it has to be that way? Aside from financial reasons, here are my reasons for returning to work and it doesn't mean I love my kid less. In fact, I feel like I'm able to give him more quality time and focus my energy on him when I am home. Staying home isn't for everyone and really is a choice each person has to make on their own. For me, I often felt guilty, but quickly recovered to discover the strengths it provides.

My reasons:
1. I need adult time. Sure, when you stay at home you can have play dates and all that fun stuff, but in my observations of play groups, the mothers are focused on their children and very rarely interact on a purely adult level.

2. Leave it to professionals. As a responsible parent, you will find the best options available and affordable for their child. For me, I think that the daycare that my child attends is top-notch. Most of the teachers have degrees in child development and education. They know (better than I do!) what is age-appropriate for my child and help him to explore things that I never thought he would be ready for. There are so many things, from making him drink from a sippie cup vs. bottle to artwork and such that I would have never pushed him to do. Turns out he is ready for those things and is a more well-rounded child because of it!

3. Social, Mental, Emotional Development. Not only does his day revolve around a pretty rigid schedule (which children NEED), but he is surrounded by all kinds of different personalities and he learns to adapt to each one - just like we need to in the real world. He also learns very early about sharing, caring and being sensitive to others' feelings.

4. Routine. Kids thrive on routine and schedules (just about any parenting magazine, book, website, doctor -- whatever will tell you that). If I stayed home with my son I know that I would have to have a rigid schedule of napping, playing and activities planned otherwise we would all go insane. I honestly don't know if I would have the discipline to spend the time needed without feeling that I need to do those other things around the house (e.g., laundry, cleaning, talking on the phone) and not really spending the quality time. In other words, I think I would easily be distracted.

Still I do feel guilty. But at the end of a long day, nothing beats coming home from work to a smiling happy kid who missed you almost as much as you missed them and snuggling up on the couch together and talking about the day. In the end, I know I did the right thing for me and my family.

Fun on Lake Murray!

We celebrated Memorial Day at Nana & Granddaddy's..... it was a great long weekend. We were lucky enough to be greeted with Granddaddy's famous pizza when we arrived -- after a long drive in I-95 traffic.

We spent most of Saturday relaxing by the pool.... I got a bit crazy with the sun-screen. I wanted to be sure Carter's little scalp didn't burn -- so, I put it all in his hair. How cute his he?!?

What have you done to me -- MOM?!?!

On Saturday evening we put Carter in his PJ's -- and set out for a sunset cruise. We were all a bit nervous when we realized Carter was pulling us away from the dock -- but, he seemed to know what he was doing! Granddaddy, looks like you'll have to give up your seat here soon!

I think it is safe to say every time we set sail Carter needed a nap..... the fresh air sure does poop a peanut out.

For lunch on Sunday we headed to Spinners.... we docked the boat and enjoyed Piña Colada's!

Unfortunately, we didn't get any shots of the coolest thing of all... the rice box! Nana blew up an inflatable pool -- and filled a huge bucket with RICE!! She put lots of sand toys in the pool -- Carter had the time of his life playing with all the rice!

Well Visits

I was looking through Carter's Baby Book and ran across all of his well visit forms.... so, I thought I'd take some time to add the info to the blog!

2 months - June 6th, 2007
75% Height - 23 1/2
50% Weight - 11 lbs 4 oz
25% Head - 39

4 months - August 9th, 2007
75% Height - 25 1/2
50% Weight - 14 lbs 7 oz
25% Head - 41

6 months - October 9th, 2007
75% Height - 27
45% Weight - 16 lbs 3 oz
25% Head - 43

9 months - January 10th, 2008
75% Height - 29
50% Weight - 19 lbs 7 oz
25% Head - 45

12 months - April 4th, 2008
80% Height - 30 1/2
40% Weight - 21 lbs 3 oz
30% Head - 45 3/4

It is official....

We have hit a major milestone - no more bubba's! Sorry granddaddy -- I know this was your favorite time with Carter..... but, it was time! Our pediatrician will be proud.

Getting rid of the afternoon bottle was pretty much forced upon us - once he moved into the toddler class at school we were no longer allowed to send a bottle. Surprisingly - it didn't phase him one bit. He got milk out of a cup and cookies instead :-)

When Carter went in for his 1 year well visit we were down to only two bottles a day -- Dr. Bell said it was important that by our 15 month visit we were bottle free! So, of course I freaked out and thought how on earth can I make this happen....

After a conversation with Josh the evening after his year check up we decided to try to cut out the morning bottle next. Josh had the morning routine down to such a science -- Carter would grab his bubba, and sit on his bean-bag while Josh would walk & feed Kirby, as well as get the car loaded up. Now what am I going to do, he said?!? Well, I decided to prepare Carter an Organic Whole Wheat Blueberry waffle along with a cup of milk for breakfast.... worked like a charm. Now he sits in his high-chair (which is moved into the living room in the morning) and watches sports center while enjoying his breakfast.

Knowing his 15 month check up is not that far away I thought we'd best start trying to wean him of his na-night bottle -- the one that I personally thought would be the hardest. Mom's never want to jeopardize a kids na-night routine.

So, on the evening of Wednesday, May 14th (Mine & Josh's 3 year wedding anniversary!!) we decided to see how Carter would act without one -- you guess'd it, not a care in the world. He now gets a cup of milk to enjoy while he plays the last hour before bedtime!

It is official.... our little peanut is growing up!

Pups on the beach!

We were lucky enough to run into Jolene while we were chillin' on Carolina Beach! Here are a few pictures of her cute pups... Cara & Gracie!

Playin' in the SAND!

Josh, Carter and I spent last weekend @ Carolina Beach. We had a great time visiting Dad, Trish, Mal, Cameron, Sam & Jag... we were lucky enough to have picked the weekend Dad is on babysitting duty every year while Ken & Tam go to Myrtle Beach for Bike Week. It was a TON of fun!!

Carter wasn't leaving the beach until we all perfected our sand castle building skills! Josh was the first to get the lesson of the day!

Good ol' fashion family time.....

Carter & Pep -- enjoying the sun together!

They were havin' a ball -- Carter was a bit uneasy when his feet touched the water... I couldn't blame him one bit, it was cold!

Sam & Jag hangin' out after a long day of riddin' the waves! Jag -- I think you can get a fine from the CB Police for sitting in the dunes?!?

Chillin' @ Dads!

After a long day at the beach we came back to the house and enjoyed a nice dinner -- thanks Trish! As always, it was YUMMY!

Jag & Carter playing before bedtime! Jag was a big helper -- he helped Josh get Carter all ready for bed!

Here is Sam with Carter -- all ready for na-night!

Mal & Cameron -- it was great to visit and meet the new man in Mal's life -- I wonder how long this one will last?!? Heehee.... love ya girlie!

Trish & Sophie -- looks like Trish was worn out..... time for a good nights rest!!

Umm.... Mal, are you on Carter's tractor?? I think that has a weight limit -- if she exceeds it I'd be surprised!!

Todd & Denise are expecting.....

It is official -- they are having a baby boy! Can you believe there will be yet another Splaine boy wandering around on or around September 24th! We love you both!!

David Mathis - Our neighbor!

BMW: Big Mathis Win
Early in the week, David Mathis told his wife he'd win the BMW Charity Classic. On Sunday, he did just that, capping off a nearly wire-to-wire run with a final-round 68 for a three-stroke margin and his first career title.

Life before Carter... really?!?!

On a beautiful Saturday evening three years ago I married my best friend.

Being a mom for over a year now, it is hard to imagine life without my little peanut. Here is a glimpse of life -- before Carter.

The evening before the wedding day all of our friends and family gathered at UB & Rui's. It was a wonderful evening. Here we are with Josh's best friend Eric and now wife Danielle.

My dearest friend Jolene surprised me -- she flew in all the way from California for less than 48 hours. It was very special having her by my side. Love ya girlie!

After a wonderful long weekend in Florida -- Josh and I headed to The Bahama's for our Honeymoon. We stayed at Sandals Royal Bahamian. It was a wonderful time.

Here is a picture of our hotel room -- 1st floor 2nd room over. It was the best room at the whole resort.

This was the view from our bed.... magical.

The sunsets were breath-taking.



We met some really great people -- two of whom we still stay in touch with. We miss you Tom & Marie.

Here are a few shots of Josh and I just hangin' out....

Svan scooter

Here is a cute shot of Carter and Abby with the Svan scooter available through Scandinavian Child retailers. Enjoy!

Mothers Day!

It was a rainy day this year... which worked out in my favor -- I got to stay in my PJs all day, without feeling guilty!

Carter (with a bit of help from his Daddy) made me a really special flower arrangement -- those are my peanuts little hand prints! How special -- I will cherish that forever!

Excuse the PJs... Carter just had to help me answer my phone!

Well, Carter finally figured out how to use his sit and spin.... and he loves it. He also learned how to play ring-around-the-rosy with Grandma! He spins around so much, he can hardly walk!