Thanksgiving...Raleigh,Smithfield & Charlotte style...

Our Thanksgiving day did not go quite as planned. Aaron got up around 7:30am to let the dogs out and I stayed in bed listening to Carter talk through the monitor. Aaron decided to get Carter out of bed and play with him on the couch since he was awake and happy. About 30 minutes later, Aaron realized that he forgot to let the dogs back in...and they jumped the fence. Side note...this has been an on and off battle. We have a 4 ft fence and the dogs can easily jump it. We also have the electric fence up and the dogs still jump even with the shock collar on. Since they've jumped a time or two, we know their paths. They have jumped a lot more since Carter arrived. So Aaron sets off to find the dogs. I start to feed Carter. I hadn't heard from him in about 20-25 minutes so I called and he was having no luck. He did talk to a few people who saw them...on the other side of HWY 42 (ok, its not really a highway, its a 2 lane road but very busy). After Carter's breakfast, we headed out and rode around several neighbors for the next hour & half (where Carter ended up having his morning nap). No luck! Since it was approaching 10:30...I needed to head back home to make banana pudding. Aaron came home and put up signs around with our phone number. He tried to call Animal Control and the Police...no answer. He posted on Craigslist lost & found, facebook & myspace. Aaron decided that it would be best for him to skip Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family in Raleigh in case the dogs found their way back home. Carter and I headed there about 12:45...and enjoyed time with my parents, brother, grandparents and Carter.


Carter trying mashed potatoes...not really a fan!

Playing with Uncle Derrick


Sitting with Great-Grandpa

I returned home to find Aaron on the phone with a girl I talked to while looking for the dogs. She found them on a main road off of HWY 42 and gladly returned them...because they STUNK SOOOOOOOOOOO BAD! Aaron was so happy to have his stinkin' dogs back!:P So instead of packing for Charlotte, we gave the dogs a bath and took them for a walk to dry off. Needless to say, the day did not go as planned.

For dinner, we went to my Aunt Deborah's house in Smithfield with my dad's side of the family. I always enjoy this time to hang out with lots of cousins! :)

That night I was soooo pooped that I decided to skip packing and head to bed. Ugh...I paid for it on Friday morning. I was so rushed with getting packed for me and Carter and getting a shower. But we made it out of the house with everything only an hour later than planned.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we were in Charlotte with Aaron's family. I managed to take zero pictures so I will add some from that trip when I get them from Aaron's dad. As always, we ate so yummy food, watched football, rested, shopped a little, and more football.

Carter says Ma-Ma :)



Carter chewing on the sippy cup

Videos...

Carter exploring under the bed...



Carter with some wet raspberries



Carter grabs the camera

41-10!!!!!!!!!!!

On Saturday, Aaron and I went to the State/Carolina game at Chapel Hill. If you live under a rock or are a Carolina fan, I'll let you know that the score was 41-10! It was such a great day!!! We got there about an hour & 1/2 before game time to make sure we got coaches tickets. Our tickets were on 2 different rows (never in my life have we got tickets on 2 different rows through coaches tickets) but it worked out ok because the guy gave us end seats. We were sitting on the 40 yard line surrounded by Carolina fans...but they were nice! :) Prior to halftime, I was a little nervous because the game was still close. Russell Wilson did an amazing job and lots of breaks went State's way! :) It was gggggggreat!! Before the game, some jets flew over the field and they later introduced the pilots. One happened to be one of our friends in the Air Force that lives in Mississippi...Aaron Kiser! It was really neat! :) Aaron and Paige are having a baby in January and I'm waiting for Paige to jump on the blogging bandwagon! :P Oddly enough, we didn't get any calls from Carolina fans after the game like normal...I wonder why they didn't call????!!!!! :D

6 month pictures & Christmas Pictures

If you don't know by now, I love to take pictures. But I also love pictures of Carter. When we've got professional pictures taken, we've gone to JCPennys and to Picture People. Pennys pictures are not as expensive (and you have to wait 2 weeks) but we've got some decent pictures from there. But I've loved the pictures and the whole overall experience of Picture People. We decided we would go back to Pennys for Carter's 6 month pictures and our first "family picture". I don't have the pictures back yet and you also have to pay to have online access to them so I may post them later if I get them scanned. We did get our Christmas cards from there and a few other poses but none really Christmasy.

So I decided I would take Carter to Portrait Innovations. I had been to their website a few times to check out their specials so I decided I would go and only do one outfit. I have the hardest time deciding on pictures so I thought I would make it easier on myself this way. Everything about Portrait Innovations was great. Our appointment was at 9:50am and as soon as we walked in the door, we were sent straight to get pictures started. After pictures, preview and waiting for the pictures to print, I was leaving by 11am! It was so nice! And I love his pictures too! :) They also take more pictures than Pennys...they took 60. Here are a few of the different poses.

State vs. Wake Forest

The morning of this State game, a tornado hit Johnston County so I was without internet or cable. Aaron was at a youth group event and I asked him about the weather of which he told me the low would be around 65. Well, I'm not sure what the actual low ended up being but it rained...and I was just wearing a long sleeve shirt! So I a little towel across my head and was wearing my sunglasses to keep the towel from blowing away along with a towel across my lap. It was all worth it because STATE won again!! :)





Happy Birthday to Aaron Firebaugh

Carter enjoys his feet and playing or eating his toes


Aaron snapped a picture of us snugglin' one morning before he headed off to work


Carter trying out a sippy cup


I was putting Carter's laundry away as he rolls around on his floor and began to explore under his bed

Carter's 6 month Check up

On Monday, November 10th we went for Carter's 6 month check up. Everything was great and Carter was super silly for Dr. Langdon. He got several shots but handles it better each time.

6 months stats:
Weight: 20 lbs 11.5 oz--90-95%
Length: 27 inches--75%

Carter:
-can sit up unsupported
-now has 2 bottom teeth coming through...which has brought on diaper rash. :(
-LOVES, LOVES a bath...He loves to splash until he hits the drain and the water starts to drain out!
-started sleeping in his crib this month. Back when he started sleeping on his belly at 2 months, we decided he would sleep in our room until he was 6 months. This was more for peace for me so I could check on him as I felt the need.
-doesn't crawl yet...He gets on his hands and knees and rocks.
-has said Ma-Ma a few times as I was changing his diaper or in the morning when he wakes up (video coming soon!)
-has said Da-Da but not doesn't appear to be in reference to Aaron! :P
-loves his jumparooooooo...He goes crazy jumping in it!
-generally takes 3 naps...one that's about an hour in the morning, another around 1pm that lasts about 2-2.5 hours and then another 30-45 minute nap around/after dinner.
-used to go to be at 9pm...now its more like 8:15-8:30.
-generally sleep until 6-6:30am...I try to get him to go back to sleep in his crib but he prefers to snuggle in bed with me! :)
-gets upset if you put him in his highchair while you get a meal ready for him to eat. He is content if you hold him while doing all that!
-tries to lean into the sink while the water is running to get warm.
-has discovered the dogs and likes them (sorry mom!). He enjoys pulling on their ears and poking them in the eyes. They just eat up the attention.
-Transitioning out of 9 months clothes to 12 months here soon.
-went through several nights of wetting the bed. He was sleeping in size 3 cruisers and did well for a while and then we tried some 4's for bedtime and no luck. Changing and washing sheets everyday got annoying and early morning baths as well. He now sleeps in Huggies Overnights size 4. We had dry nights ever since we made the change.
-Wears size 3 diapers but we may be going up to 4's soon.

State vs. Duke

Carter, Aaron & I went to the State/Duke game at Duke the next day. Aaron gets 2 free tickets to any college football games in NC so we try to attend the wolfpack away games. We met some friends from church & enjoyed a wolfpack victory.


All smiles after a nap


Carter nappin before the game starts


The fam at Wallace Wade


Andy, Sam, Aaron & Carter


The Recycle Man?


We saw Kelly at the game (:



The Duke fans decided to leave really early! Its a good thing Carter brought his keys! :P

After the game, we went to Red Robin for Aaron's birthday. Aaron's birthday was 2 days prior & we had dinner at my parent's house.


Aaron & Carter at Red Robin


Carter was asleep like this in the car when we arrived home

Cornhuskin' at Meredith

I'll start by saying...
I am waaaaaay behind! Sorry. I get so busy during the day, believe it or not. Then updating seems like such a large task when you start to get behind.

Cornhuskin' at Meredith was Friday, November 7th. Carter and I attended the parade and I brought a girl from school/church, Heather, that plans to attend Meredith next fall. We met up with 3 other girls from our church that are freshmen and had dinner and met Aaron so Carter could go home for bed. I had a great time enjoying a fun Meredith tradition and catching up with a few girls that attend Meredith from Clayton High School.


Lauren, Heather & I


Heather, Lauren, Heather, Tambrie & Carter


Carter's 1st Cornhuskin' Parade

Other pictures from the weekend...

Carter was so fun the whole weekend, happy and laughing up a storm!


Carter enjoyed some loving from Aunt Rachel. Rachel is a sophomore at UNC-W, majoring in Nursing.



Carter met Teenna for the first time. Teenna and I have been friends since the 7th grade. We went to church together. She was our guest registrant for our wedding. :) Teenna is in grad school at UNC-Charlotte. Aaron and I met Nick for the first time...Nick is Teenna's boyfriend. :)


This is the first picture of Adam holding Carter...6 months later!

Cooper turns 1!

My nephew turned 1 over the weekend and we went to Charlotte to help celebrate. The sad news was that Cooper and Ryan were both sick on the day of the party. Ryan was home sick and they thought Cooper was on the road to recovery. He was clingy and not really into the party or eating his yuuuummmmy cake. It was sad. After his nap, the took him to the ER where he was treated for dehydration and an ear infection.



Cooper & his grandparents


Cooper & his great-grandparents


Eating some icing


Carter enjoyed playing in the exersaucer


The fam :)

Homecoming

ESPN is coming out with a new show called Homecoming. On Thursday, they were filming an episode featuring Josh Hamilton at my high school. Aaron, my dad and I got tickets through family friends and we had extras through FCA. Aaron gave 2 to his friend Aaron so we sat with him and his dad. Since they were filming an actual tv show, they would take breaks and cue us to applaud. We were not allowed to get up and move during taping. There were only seats for 1,600 people. I always just assumed the gym held that many and much more but I didn't realize how small the gym was inside. Since the event was at my high school, I saw several people I went to high school with and guys and parents that my brother played baseball with. It was fun! I enjoy hearing Josh speak about his life...where he's been and that his goal is to glorify God in all he does! Josh wrote a book that was recently released called Beyond Belief. I got it earlier in the week and read it a little to and from Charlotte. So good! :)

Fall Festival

On the Wednesday before Halloween, we went to the Fall Festival at church.





It was really cold out, so Aaron tried to keep Carter warm


Carter and his buddy Sam

Carter loves a bath...

Yummmmmm...

More pictures with pumpkins

This afternoon, we went out in search again of a "pumpkin patch". This was the other one I found on a website that was in Johnston County. And it actually was a pumpkin patch!! On the weekends, they do hayrides to the patch so today we had to hike there! :P Along the way, we found some cute places for pictures and fed some goats and a donkey.


Lovin on mommy


Lovin on daddy


Carter is sooo sweet!


And super cute in his State hat! :)


Luckily we found a grandma with her grandson in the patch to take our picture because there was nooo where the set up the timer! :P