Friends forever...no really forever!

So they say you meet your life long friends in college...well we all met in middle school and some of us in elementary school.  We're a rare breed we have all grown up together (literally).  I have had the same circle of friends for most of my life, and there is much to be said about that.  Yes it is very rare not many people can say they even talk to their friends from high school, some stay in touch with a few people, but we ALL still hang out.  Were even spread out, two in DC, one even lives in India, but somehow we have remained extremely close.  We're all there for each other at each others weddings, and were beginning to start families.  It makes me smile to think my kids best friends can be my best friends kids!  I have the greatest friends in the whole world and I'm such a lucky girl: Ashley, we were at one time joined at the hip.  We were always together, wore each others clothes, snuck out of the house together, we were literally like the same person.  Now she's a mommy too, and I have her to share the many joys of motherhood with.  She has blossomed into this beautiful mother and I am so proud of her.  Vicky, has always been my dance partner, she is someone I could always tell anything and everything to.  She is trustworthy and nurturing, with a big heart.  Shana, ohhhhh Shana how that girl makes me smile, she is one savvy big city girl, but never forgets her country roots, she is the girl who will rock her cowboy boots with me, I think she missed her calling as a backup dancer, she always puts me in a good mood.  Jessica, has always told the truth no matter what, I love her for that.  I love that when she gets around us girls she lets loose. She is so photogenic its ridiculous, she gives great advice, and she is beautiful inside and out.  Rebecca, there is so much to say about this free spirit, she lives in India and we look forward to her yearly visit.  I love that she can go from wearing a burka to jeans and cowboy boots.  This girl rocks, and has always been loved by all who meets her.  I must say she isn't the best roommate in the world, but I love her so much that it's okay that she would clog my sink with her hair!  She has made me laugh so hard I have almost peed my pants (okay so once she did make me, but we won't go there).  Jade, my partner in crime, we have so many inside jokes we could write our own book.  We can just look at each other and know what the other is thinking and laugh.  I love this girl so much I can not see her for months and when I do see her it will be like I just left her.  Jon, one of the girls, my boy bestie, "it's okay it's just Jon he doesn't care", hahaha most guys would hate all of this, but he loves us girls and would do anything for us. We have been through a lot together.  He is so dependable, and such a great guy any girl would be lucky to have him.  I really hope that he knows that he really is my boy bestie!  Ryan, jolly green giant I love that we're neighbors, his house has always been the "hang out" house even in high school, we have all had some good times at both houses.  He is a good friend and all it takes is a phone call and he is here if I need him.  Robert, we have always had a brother/sister relationship.  I beat him up once, and if you ask him he would say he let me beat him up.  Sometimes he can have a hard shell, but we all know he is soft in the middle and really loves us.  He would be here in a split second if I needed him and he is always there to pull me out of a ditch :)
You see I am a very lucky girl to have such wonderful friends who are all so supportive of me and especially Carterbug.  They all love Carter, and they come to the buddy walk to show their support for Down Syndrome.  Not one of them said I'm sorry or aww that's to bad when I told them that Carter had Down Syndrome.  They all had very positive things to say about it and I really appreciated that.

So last night Carter went to his first bonfire, had his first marshmallow, and had a great time being passed around from Aunt Vicky to Aunt Rebecca, to Uncle Ryan and even Uncle Robert :)  It was a great night and is going into the memory bank for sure.  It really does warm my heart to know that he is surrounded by all the love and support that I have always grown up around.  Last night I realized that we have grown up together and eventually we will grow old together!  And I just thought I should tell you that I love you guys so much!!!

awww Uncle Ry an Uncle Wobert

Carter's 1st bonfire

mmmmm....marshmallows

Crazy Aunt Rebecca

Aunt Vicky loves me!

Just hangin out with mommy

Ashley, sweet baby Austin, Becc, Vic, Bug, Kristin

I've been busy...I promise!

Really it's been well over a month since I have been on this blog of mine.  It's hard to say why, I guess it could be that I have been working full time, and Carter has been in daycare and were still adjusting to our schedule.  I must say it's been a little difficult adjusting, a little part of me (okay a huge part of me) has this giant overwhelming sense of guilt every time I drop him off at daycare.  Yes, he likes daycare and has adjusted well, he no longer cries when I drop him off, and gets excited when he sees his little friends and his teachers, but when I leave him to literally walk next door to start my day at work it's hard for me to start my day.  I miss him like crazy, I want to be home with him, teaching him new things, loving on my little bug, I feel like all I do is think and talk about Carter.  I know this is probably normal mom feelings, but I miss my time with him.  By the time we get home it's time for dinner, a bath, and poor little guy is so tired from the day he is in bed by 8pm!  I am glad and very lucky to have Fridays off to be with Carter, I have named Fridays Carter and Mommy's day, we can do anything we want.  We have been to the water park, gone shopping, gone to get ice cream, and we have just enjoyed being at home.  I do enjoy those days the most, just hanging out it our pj's, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, making pancakes, playing with his toys, and cuddling on the couch.  I really do like the daycare he is in, his teachers are great, and really willing to learn all about Down Syndrome, and ways they can work with Carter but of course I would rather be home with him. 
Carter has also brought home every kind of germ you can imagine home with him from daycare.  I very rarely get sick and I have been sick for over a month now.

On a lighter note fall is in the air, fall is my absolute favorite season, the weather, the smells, the food, sweaters and jeans, cowboy boots, harvest decorations, pumpkins, football, Carter dressing up in an adorable Halloween costume, whats not to love?  I have already decorated the house for fall (I was soooo over summer).  October is a big month, I have my girls beach trip, followed by the buddy walk, then to New York to see Erin Witkowski and her beautiful family for a long weekend! 

Carter is doing some new things around here, he waves bye bye and hello (cutest thing ever).  His belly laugh has grown and rather it coming up from his belly I think it starts at his toes, it's so loud and such a happy laugh you can't help but laugh back.  He is playing with more cause and effect toys, his new favorite thing is rolling the ball and catching it, you sit with him and roll the ball and out comes that belly laugh and then he claps for himself if he catches or rolls the ball.  He still isn't showing any interest in standing alone or walking, but it will come when he is ready.  I am so proud of my little buggy!!!

Just some adorable pics from my camera:

Enjoying Nah-Nah's birthday cake

Baked beans, hot dogs, and cake...great for the hair follicles

cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese

well hello there!