UTAH

Lincoln and the Camera

Lincoln has been snapping pictures with my camera...constantly. Everytime I go to use it I have about 50 pictures (like this one) to delete. Carli posed for Lincoln in this picture. I don't think she thought he could really take the picture!

Dodgeball

Derek was invited to play in Deron Williams' dodgeball tournament this year. We had a great time watching his team make it clear into the finals. But, we also enjoyed watching these guys...

Lincoln was so into it, and even paused to let D-Will sign his jersey.

But I'd have to say that my favorite part of the afternoon was this...

Mmmm.

A Case of the TERRIBLE TWOS

Lincoln has had more than enough "terrible two" moments these past few weeks, but some were definitely worse than other. A couple of weeks ago we had the worst of it....I hope. It was Tuesday night when it all started. Derek had a football game at 5:20. That's stretching it to get us all there at that time, but we hadn't missed a game. However, since Derek is the only one with kids, he tends to get there BARELY on time for the game to start. I was determined to have the kids and I totally ready when he got home, and to have the car packed and have his football attire ready for him to throw on. All was going well until I left the kids alone for no more thatn 3 minutes. Seriously. I had done glitter toes that morning while the kids were in the bath (so no one could bug me) and that must have sparked an idea in Lincoln's little head. While I was slipping on my shoes and socks he snuck in to the bathroom and found some beautiful bright pink nail polsih. He has always been good at getting lids off of things with litte effort and this time was no exception. He painted his toes and feet hot pink, painted Carter's toes and pants, and splattered it all over our nearly white carpet. It was a moment when I had reason to be my maddest, but I was so stunned I couldn't say a word, let alone yell. I quickly grabbed Lincoln and set him in the tub so he couldn't get nail polish ANYWHERE else. Then I got the polish off of Carter's toes and stripped his pants off of him. I made an attempt at the carpet, but the polish hardly budged. When I went back in to get Lincoln he had got a hold of a bottle of baby powder and dumped it all over his toes and legs (making it stick to the polish) and emptied the rest of it in the tub. All he could say was, "Mom! It's so pretty! Me piggies look so cute and pink!" When Derek got home we weren't ready, the boys had nail polish all over them, and Lincoln was talking about how pretty he looked. Derek wasn't thrilled about any of it, but the only thing we knew how to do right then was to chuckle.

Two days later I took the boys to get their pictures taken by our friend Laurie (http://www.lauriemillarphotography.blogspot.com). The boys were anything but charming for the pictures and we were all exhausted when we got home. I took Carter up and got him down for a nap. On my way out Lincoln greeted me and told me that he had sprayed an ant with ant spray. I panicked since ant spray isn't really kid friendly, but I thought I had put it up after using it earlier that day. And indeed I had. But no worries, Lincoln poured an entire bottle of 409, and entire bottle of CLR and and sprayed pledge on the ant. He was dead for sure, and my kitchen floor was a sticky, slippery swimming pool of cleaners. Yeah, dont' judge, my cleaners weren't properly stored obviously. Anyway, again, I was totally stunned so I set Lincoln in the family room and went to work soaking up, scrubbing and drying the mess. I ran the towels up to the washer and in that little window of time Linc got a bottle of baby lotion and smothered himself in it...head to toe. It was caked in his hair, on his hands and legs and all over his new shirt. Ugh. And as if we didn't already have enough going on that day, we had scheduled to meet up with some friends that night. What am I going to do with this child?

He's already learning the art of distraction to try to get out of trouble. The next morning he was playing in the bath with Carter and got frustrated so he leaned over and bit Carter on the upper back part of his leg. Holy cow! Carter didn't even know what to do with himself and I was ticked! I grabbed Lincoln and threw him in the crib (he had always HATED the crib) while I comforted and dressed Carter. When it was time to get Lincoln out I tried to calmly talk with him and explain what he had done wrong and why I was so upset. Everytime I'd start talking he'd quickly interrupt me by saying, "Mom, hey, Mom , do you hear the firetruck? Did you see fireworks..." Just a bunch of random jibber jabber. And the most frustrating part of it all was that it'd make me laugh everytime!

We haven't had anything as catastrophic as those things this week, but I think that's mostly due to the fact that I'm watching him like a hawk. I wonder what he's going to come up with next. Good thing I love the kid more than life itself!

Back By Popular Demand...

THE PETERSON'S BLOG! Haha! We'll see, we'll see. I just have two much fun reading all of yours, that I don't get around to posting on mine.

Carter's Birthday Part 2

We celebreted Carter's birthday with Derek's family on the Sunday before his birthday. The Giants were in the playoffs against the Phillies so we had to take quick breaks to open gifts and do the cake. Go Giants!

Carter (and Lincoln) got spoiled with new cars, a firetruck, blocks, and lots of new clothes...my favorite part!

We had yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting. When you leave the cake stuff to me, it can be pretty boring, but eh, they tasted good! Carter loved the cake and made a complete mess, so we headed upstairs for a bath in Grandma and Grandpa's HUGE tub. Be careful taking a bath with Lincoln around. He WILL join you!

You know what I'm craving?

A GETAWAY! Preferably with no kids to a secluded tropical island. Totally unrealistic. But a trip with the kiddos to St. George or even Park City would suffice! Anyone want to join?

Carter Turns 1

Carter's birthday was on October 21st. I cannot believe that my baby is one already! He's at the perfect age right now though, and we are enjoying every minute of this little guy. We did an Elmo party for him (something I swore I would NEVER do for my kids...I always thought character parties were dumb)...the things we do for the ones we love! We celebrated a few days after his birthday so that the family could all be together...we're so lucky to have such support!

Thank goodness for Little Ceasars. The kids always devour it!

My parents are always so willing to share their space. We had the party at their home. Love them.

Carter didn't understand that it was his birthday at all, so we shared the fun and let the cousins help open the gift. They had fun showing him his new toys and he was happy to get piled with new cars, trains, clothes, books, doggies, and even a REAL Dorothy (what was I thinking?) with little effort.

The morning of Carter's party my Mom called to ask what her assignment needed to be. I could've used help with just about anything so I let her pick and she said she'd make the cakes! What?! I'd take her amazing cake-decorating skill over mine all day, so of course I said yes! She made a cute Elmo head for the guests and a little Dorothy cake (Elmo's pet goldfish). Thanks MOM!! Everyone looks forward to watching the one-year olds destroy their cakes, and Carter didn't disappoint. He was thrilled to have hit the chocolate jack pot.

Something my boys both love...a sink bath from Grandma. And Carter needed one after the chocolate cake. He was so exhausted after such a big day!

Some things about Carter:

-He started walking at 11 months. He just had to keep up with (and fight back with) Lincoln.

-He has 4 teeth on the top and 4 on the bottom. He hated baby food from day one, so we just started giving him what we were eating. He was still slow to pick it up, but nothing phases him now. He loves any and all food. And I'm not complaining.

-He tells me when he wants to go to sleep. Who knew a kid could do that?! He gets his blanket and tells me, "Nah nigh". So sweet. He goes to sleep on his own too...never thought I'd see a child do that either. He takes 2 2 hour naps each day. He still doesn't sleep through the night though. Lincoln didn't until 22 months, so I'm thinking I have a good 9 months.

-He says "mama", "dada", "uh oh" and "mmmm" and "what's dat?" . We say hi to a picture of Jesus everytime we come down our stairs and one day he repeatedly said, "Dedus, dedus..." So precious. But he hasn't said it yet.

-He loves anyone to hide from him and then chase after him on their hands and knees. It creates lots of noise with the banging on the floor and the screaming/laughing baby, but we do it all day and night. Sorry neighbors!

-He's a Mama's boy, especially when he's tired, hungry, or sad. But, he gets so excited to see Daddy every night. Derek has a special father/son bond with each of the boys, and I'm so grateful for that.

-He's learning to be a stinker already. He pushes Lincoln, or hits him on top of the head. Hmmmm...I wonder who he learns it from? But, I hear Lincoln saying all day, "NO pushing Carter!!"

-He loves cars, balls, books, and bathtime.

-He still nurses. Not a lot, and not very long. I thought I was going to wean early, but when it came down to it, I've had a hard time. He's the baby and I'm in no real rush to stop.

-He's such a joy to us. Derek and I are dorks. We sit around all night staring at our kids, and talking about how they're are easily the cutest on the planet. Come on...you all do that too! But Carter is adorable and he makes us smile all day. Love you Carter Bug!