Epitome of cuteness....

Yesterday, my little Carterbug and I took advantage of the mild winter weather we had.  I dressed him up in his little overalls and took him out and put him in his baby swing that daddy found the perfect place to hang.  We have a weeping willow tree in our side yard with the perfect branch for a swing.  As I pushed him he laughed so hard, then he got heavy eyelids, then laughed again, then finished off with almost falling asleep in the swing....of course I had to capture the moment....

Hanging on like a big boy...

Higher mommy higher...

That was hard work...

I am blessed...

Just thought I would share with everyone, something that I experienced today that put a smile on my face!  Today I took Carter to the Fresh Market (and it was his first time in the grocery buggy).  Everyone that passed us just looked at him and said aww he is so cute.  A few people came up to me to ask how old Carter was and commented about his helmet and they knew someone that wore one (this happens everywhere we go).  Well the part that made me so happy was when I got to the deli area.  The lady helping me looked at Carter and said how precious he was, then looked at me and said "you are so blessed, you know that don't you?  It takes such a special person, and you have been blessed with this special little boy".  I smiled so big and said I sure am!  I never really wonder if people notice that Carter has Down Syndrome.  I honestly don't think about it.  Strangers compliment Carter all the time about what a good lookin' kid he is and I just smile and say thank you, because I think I have the cutest kid on the planet!  I have never walked away thinking to myself I wonder if they know that he has Down Syndrome???  I find myself thinking all the time that our family is a "typical family".  Maybe because Carter is our first child and this is our "normal".  Therapies, buddy walks, Down Syndrome play groups, blogging, everything to do with Down Syndrome is our everyday life!  I couldn't imagine our lives any other way!  I truly am blessed!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above" ~James 1:17

I think your perfect...just the way you are

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause your amazing
Just the way you are
Oh you know, you know, you know

Id never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're searching for
Then just stay the same

I totally love these lyrics to Bruno Mars's song Just the way you are.  Yes the song was meant to be a love song for a lovely lady, but I thought they were perfect for Mr. Carter!  When I see his face, I get so happy I think his almond shaped eyes are perfect little windows to the world.  His tiny flat nose, is the sweetest little nose I have ever layed eyes on.  Carter has perfect little lips that he gives the best slobbery kisses with and smiles the most precious smile with!  He has the best belly laugh in the world, all I have to do is act like I'm going to tickle him and out it pours!  I love his short hands, his little ears, I love his nuchal fold, and I especially love that he has this little extra chromosome!  Carter is so full of personality and so full of love!  All of this makes this wonderful little person who makes my world go round!  I truly think he is my perfect gift! 

3 peas in a pod

You can't get any better than this!

Today after many months of following her blog and talking back and forth on facebook, I got to meet Erin and her precious little boy Grady.  Erin found me on the NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society) facebook page.  She messaged me and friended me on facebook.  I am so glad she found me, Grady is 11 months old and he also has Down Syndrome.  He is an absolute little doll baby, with those sweet cheeks, and those denim blue eyes, it's hard not to fall in love with him. I told Erin, when meeting Grady that I felt like I was meeting a little celebrity, after seeing his pictures and learning all about him on her blog.  Erin, exactly like I imagined...so down to earth, she is such an amazing person, beautiful inside and out, and her heart shines right through with her love for God and her family.  She is truly an inspiration!  Erin's amazing blog

                                             Friends at first sight!

Joining in on the playdate was Whitney (my sidekick/sister/best friend), Erin's cousin Sarah, who was a very cool girl and I am so glad I got to meet her too, and my friend Korey and happy little Jack.  You have all heard me talk about Carter's bff Jack :) I met Korey when Carter was 2 months old we also contacted each other on facebook since having so much in common with our little bambinos.  We had lunch and the boys played for almost 3 hours.  Poor little Carter is cutting teeth so he wasn't his normal self.  We took a million pictures (no really a million!)  It was such a great day!

Watching these 3 little boys together showed me the meaning of God's work.  They are meant to be here with us and live amazing lives just like every other little boy in the world.  They are all special handmade gifts, carefully wrapped and given to us 3 lucky mommas.  Grady, Jack, and Carter I think you were meant for big things in life you are extraordinary little boys who are loved by so many!

                                                  3 proud mommas!

I feel so blessed to have these new friends and these precious little boys in my life.  I can't wait to watch them grow up together (Erin that's your hint to move here) and to see what God has in store for these boys!  I look forward to many more visits with Erin and Grady and so glad we finally met!

The sweetest thing ever...they all fell asleep at the same time!  We just had to take advantage of this and take a million more pictures!

teefers

It's here!  Carter's first tooth or first teeth to be exact!  We got one cranky baby on our hands!  And of course as a future dental assistant, mommy has already gotten the first toothbrush to take care of those tiny pearly whites!




I've been chewing, drooling, biting,


Helping my tooth along.

But now it's here

And everyone cheers,

Cause my toothless grin is gone!

my first toothbrush!!!

to brush my first tooth!!

Bittersweet end to 2010

Day 1

                                                                                        

Well 2010 has come to an end, and here we are already 2 days into 2011.  I would just like to reflect on 2010.  What an amazing year it was!  Last year at this time I was getting bigger...and bigger...AND BIGGER!  I couldn't wait to meet my little Carter.  That day finally came on April 16, 2010.  The best day of my life.  The evening that little boy entered the world, my life changed forever.  It was no longer about me or me and Jeff.  It was about us now, our family, with little Carter the center of that family.  Everything we did or said from that day on can have so much effect on him.  Within the past 8 months of Carter's life, I have learned so much.  Who would have thought that this tiny little person, who can't even put sentences together would teach me so much?  I have learned about unconditional love.  No matter how bad of a day I have all it takes is a big grin from that toothless mouth, to melt my heart and forget all about what I had been upset about.  I have learned that God gives you what you can handle.  He knew that Jeff and I would love this little boy more than anything.  He knew we would help him if he needed it, and that we would be here for him in many ways other parents wouldn't have to be for their children.  I have learned that a belly laugh makes the world go round.  Slobbery kisses are the best kisses.  My child making milestones is better than any award or lottery, and hearing him say mama is the sweetest song I have ever heard.  I have to say, I was a tiny bit sad when that ball dropped for 2011 but excited at the same time.  Sad, because yes it is exciting when Carter reaches a milestone but at the same time I get emotional because after it happens it is a memory here today gone tomorrow.  I will never experience his first Christmas again, but I will have many more Christmases to celebrate with him.  For some reason that was hard for me.  You build this image in your head for so long, his first Christmas has to be perfect, and it absolutely was!  He is loved by all and it snowed!!  Who could ask for more?  At the end of the day all I could think about was, it's over!  I will never get that day back, it is now a memory that I will treasure forever!  Excited, because I am so excited about what the future holds for our family and Carter.  I have this feeling that he is in store for big things!

Day 247