Overdue

This time last year I looked like this:

Those were my big-girl jeans and they were the only maternity pair that fit. Those and leggings were my wardrobe. I was past my due date and kept hoping Carter would make his way any moment.

My mom flew in from Texas, with plans of helping out. Well, the first week, we just played. She brought me a new work out outfit:

I guess at the time I didn't realize how swollen my face was! Ha ha! We tried everything to get Carter moving! Wasabi, acupuncture, foot massages, you name it! He wasn't budging!!

Tricked you! This isn't me...this is my mom being silly! She helped to make my Overdue Week so much fun! Thank you Mom!

When You Eat at Grammy's...

When you eat at Grammy's house (with out mommy) it looks like this:

She lets me feed myself!

I love it!

See I can use a spoon!!

I just go like this.

I'm can do it like big people can!

Okay, I'll smile for a picture!

Here is my tongue, Grammy!

One lesson I learned from my mom: Messes can always be cleaned up! So have fun!

Home for the Holidays

We had such an amazing time home this holiday season. Here is a run down of our trip home in pictures!

Carter played tons with cousins, Luke and Hudson and even met new 2nd Cousin Georgia Brooks! What a doll!

Carter played with red-head buddy Cason!

Cousin shot! Luke, Hudson, Carter.

Made a rice baby at Grammy's school! And played with all of the kiddos there! He LOVED playing at ELP! (Greatest school ever!!)

Met Santa for the first time. He will go to anyone in the world...but Santa, not so much.

He got a cool A&M jersey from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Mike! So cute!

John is still in LOVE with Carter's matching helmet. He was like a little kid, he was so excited!

Grown up night out! Van Sickle family!

Top Back: John, Me, Uncle Brandon, Aunt Suzie

Bottom Row: Grandpa, Grammy, Uncle Scott, Amy

Family picture on Christmas Eve!

Carter looked so sweet sleeping on our drive to see the McCoy side of the family!

Carter played with his McCoy cousins! He loved sweet Alexa!

Carter was ready for round 2 of Christmas presents! He knew there was fun to come!

Carter shared some kisses with Aunt Sassy.

Nana and Ba brought out a cool tunnel! He loved this thing!

The Christmas fun began! He is watching cousin Ella! I think he was about to go for what ever she was playing with. :)

This is the aftermath at the McCoy's! Ha ha! Brings back memories from when I was little! It is so much fun spending Christmas with kiddos!!

We went to the Ft. Worth Zoo!

Nana, Carter, Alexa, Ella

Carter met a new friend, Julia Dixon. He is loving her! (John's BFF Jeb's daughter!)

McCoy's 3 Generations! Aunt Shae, Alexa, Ba, Nana, Ella, John, Carter

On our way back! Carter LOVED looking out of the window! 20th flight...and first time he noticed the sights out of the window! So cute!!

Merry Christmas!

We have been having a wonderful Christmas in the US! We are getting to spend some quality time with family and eating lots of yummy Christmas goodies (enough to make up for all that we've missed the past two years).

Carter met Santa. He isn't the biggest fan just yet. The time will come.

He is being quite a trooper in this picture but moments after...he couldn't hold back his fears any longer. There were tears. Poor guy. Santa is a scary dude.

We travel back to China on Sunday. And the new year begins!!

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Carter and Lucy in Hiding

There was Lucy in Hiding, then Carter in Hiding....now they are at it together!

Carter is loving finding little nooks to fit in. He has also been enjoying shutting doors. Big doors and little doors. Recently, he found that he fits perfectly in our entertainment cabinet.

(Sorry for the yellow pictures)

This is where I found him.

He's in there!

Back open.

Then, no lie, Lucy pushed past Carter for a turn. She often gets way too into any game I try to play with Carter. If I'm playing Pee-a-Boo she gets soooo excited when I reveal myself. If I act excited when playing with ANY toy she too gets soooo excited...you get the point. She is like a big kid and thinks everything her parents do it SOooooo much fun! Ha ha. Usually Carter doesn't get it but you can always count on Lucy!

Carter pushed the door to hide her.

And that did it...memories of being crated and being put on a plane to China, I guess.

Back in Carter goes!

All done!

The 12 Days of Learning!

We started this last night but join the fun!

A Teacher at Heart!

We interrupt this program....

..to tell you that Carter took his first steps! John and I were so pumped!!!

Here is how this magic moment happened:

Carter and I were playing with tupperware, on the floor of the kitchen, while sharing apple slices. John was pouring himself another cup of coffee. "Hey John, can you pass me the peanut butter?" I asked. Mmmmm....pb and apple slices straight from the jar. Carter peered up with a curious look in his eye as he watched me scoop and eat. I probably made it more enticing with with a yummy sound effect, who knows! BUT Carter watched and wanted. He reached, and reached. Then stood and reached. Then stepped and stepped and so on! WHAT! For peanut butter!?

John and I couldn't believe it. So we kept this game going over and over again by passing the jar back and forth. Since Carter hasn't had peanut butter (it is one of those BIG allergy foods) we pretended like Cheerios were in the jar. When he made it across the kitchen we pretended to reach in and grab Cheerios for his reward. Poor buddy...he loved those Cheerios from the jar.

Any who, he did it a few more random times this weekend! We will see how this progresses! So exciting!

Another first: Not nearly as exciting but it was cute (and I got pictures) was that he had his first pasta dinner!

He loved it! Can't you tell!