Carter Loves Texas

And so do his parents! We had a pretty hectic journey from China to the US but we made it and are enjoying every second of being with family and friends!

Again, I'm being so bad about taking pictures. I get talking and enjoying the moment that I forget my camera is usually in the room.

So, family, if you have pictures from the past week, I'd love a digital copy!!! :) Pleeeeeeeease!

In the mean time, check out this post on my sister-in-law's blog. It is really sweet!

Carter Pics

I have been so bad about taking my camera places. Or even just snapping pictures around here. But I have taken some. They have just been a bit random. So...here we go:

Just having some pasta for lunch.

Mmm...

Playing in the hallway!

Eating a cookie with chocolate filling.

He thought it was the most delicious thing ever!

I have to agree. They are pretty good!

This outfit was first thing in the morning. A PJ top, fresh diaper (so minus pants), he requested his old tennis shoes. And out the door he went!

Just having a relaxing Saturday morning!

Looking at busses from the balcony! P.S. Here is my tongue peeking out!!

I should add...

to the previous post, that while I usually look like the mentioned list, ladies here usually are dressed up, hair done and march miles in heels.

Just so you know! :)

Summer in China and random thoughts.

Ugh....Summer in China is hot and gross.

I was pregnant my first summer here and it ruined it for me. They don't use air-conditioning like we Texans do, as in EVERYWHERE. So grocery stores, shopping malls, restaurants, etc. are hot, stuffy and the worst part, smelly.

I only have 9 more days. I can do it. I can do it.

Honestly, I got sick (publicly) quite a few times because of certain smells and temperatures mixed. It wasn't pleasant. I don't know how local mamas do it.

The end.

(I am not pregnant.)

This does bring me to something I have wanted to write about for memories' sake:

Pregnant Ladies in China

I can spot one from a mile away. Even if she is 5 weeks along. Here's how:

• No make up
• Tennis shoes
• Hair in pony tail
• Glasses
• Apron-type shirt
• Waddle (Yes, even at 5 weeks. Requirement.)
• Miserable look on face.
• If anyone glances their way, they automatically begin to rub their back.

These are standard and I'm serious.

Imagine the looks from concerned strangers when I was jogging on the treadmill at 9 month along.

Final comment, on my due date, John and I went to Hooters. Someone said if we ate spicy foods this would help move things along. So I requested wings!! Well, a waitress there was concerned because I was wearing nail polish, make up and she thought I dyed my hair. Horrible mother.

Who knew!!??

The world is an interesting place, that is for sure!

It's My Party...

..and I'm not crying, yet. Next year, guaranteed. I cried when I turned 20. But I did not cry when I turned 21.

These are the flowers from John. Seriously? I love them and I'm getting spoiled! I love how skinny they make me look too. I kind of want to carry them around all of the time.

Also, how fabulous would these florists be at Homecoming Mum-Making? You Texans know what I'm talking about. The bigger the better!

Thank you John!

OH and now that I'm a mom, I know how big of a deal the child's birthday is for the parents.

So here is a shout-out to my parents:

HAPPY 29 years of being a Mom and Dad to me!!

I'd have to say, you've done a fantastic job of raising me! ;o)

And we're done...

with 2 naps, that is.

It is official this time, I promise. And I promise not to write any more posts on this.

He has been on 1 nap for two weeks. Shortly after I posted the last update and the coffee incident we learned that on days with 2 naps he was up WILDLY until midnight or 1 am. Yes. It was horrible. While midnight used to be no big deal, it is horrible for these days! Ha! Makes me feel old!!

So I think the coffee he discovered while scrounging the trash and the late night weren't related. I think it was that the two naps recharged him for another large chunk of time. I wasn't in a hurry for him to drop the nap, in fact, I was trying to give his body time to do what it needed to do. Well, his body apparently needed to be awake more during the day! I'm pretty sure those wild nights were his body slapping me in the face, saying "Look lady, I can play now or in the day, but you need to lead the way!"

Long story short, he hasn't had 2 naps in 2 weeks! And his night sleeping has gone back to normal! Woo Hoo!!! (It wasn't easy on him, or me, that is for sure.)

Also, the nap is growing!! As I'm typing we are at 2.5 hours!

Days are so fun!! We've been play-dating like crazy all over this city! There is even one play group that is 45 minutes away by metro. Carter metros like a champ eating his breakfast, reading books and talking to everyone on there. I didn't think I could navigate up and down so many stairs with a big huge pram but, where there is a will there is a way!

It is awesome!!!

The end of this topic. I swear.

Another Day at the Park

I guess one great thing about the place we live is the 1 minute walk to a playground. We HAVE to go daily. He loves it. I usually forget to take pictures, but lucky for you, I didn't yesterday. ;)

Man on a mission.

(Notice the cracker in his hand.)

Thinking about what to do next.

I know what you are thinking, young man!!

Yup, back to the water. Of course.

OH the hair. Christy Fischer Speakes, you always told me if I had children with curly hair you would teach me how to do it. Well....I may be needing your help soon.

I can rarely catch this kiddo smiling. He smiles. LOTS.

But I can't ever get them on camera.

(Notice the cracker, still in his hand.)

Appalled!!! Who knows why.

I'm sure it was something his Daddy said. ;)