Baby Book

Is this baby book not gorgeous?  I love it!

Please take note, it has not been opened.

Yes, I realize my child is 1 and I am a year + behind.

To an outsider, I look very organized and all together.

It's a sham.  I am not.  I go to bed waaaay to early to get stuff like this done.

When else do you have time to do such sweet, precious, important things?  After baby's bedtime, of course.  Well, the problem is, her bed time is my bed time.  Dilemma.

So I have an alternative baby book thanks to my sweet mom.  My mom keeps a daily journal of all she and Claire's activities of the day- what she ate, who they visited, when she slept and even the kind of "stinky" she had.  We also write down milestones in this book, such as when she sat up, got a tooth, crawled, walked, etc...

I love that it is in my mom's scribble writing.  What a sweet gift she has given me... a baby book with more personal details than I could have ever written down.  Thank you Lib!

And thank you Jenn Jenn for the beautiful baby book that I WILL USE with my next child.  As we like to say around here, "Come hell or high water" it will be done ;)

3rd or 4th Time's A Charm?

Well, this is my 3rd/4th (and last) try at keeping my blog going on somewhat of a normal basis.  And I'm pretty sure this is in attempt to procrastinate getting ready for work.

Any-hoo,  I haven't posted in almost a year and how a year changes everything.  Claire is now 1 and a busy little toddler is she.  She began walking at 9 1/2 months and hasn't slowed down.  She rarely walks anymore... she runs!  She is loads of fun!  She is the cutest, happiest little red head I know with the most hilarious personality!  She laughs at everything, even falling down is funny to her.  She has learned to roll her eyes (I think this is an inherited trait.  Her cousin Hayden does the EXACT same thing.).  She's an avid reader, is climbing like a monkey, loves to destroy my closet and her favorite foods are cheese and green beans.  My mom, Lib, keeps her everyday and for that, I am indebted to her and beyond blessed.  So much has happened in this past year, it would be impossible to post.

Claire's stats: 20.5 pds, 30 in tall; 6 teeth that she loves to brush (maybe more...we are all scared to check...she's been known to bring blood); walking/running; eats like a horse, as of lately.

Also, my bestest friend, Jennifer, just had her first baby on Monday.  She is a precious, sweet baby girl that looks just like her daddy.  Marley Belle, I can't wait until you and Claire can play and be best friends too!

Here are just a few pictures of the last year:

(Side note: Our first baby, Molly, died in Feb.)

Christening Day, May 15, 2011

Sunday was a very special day!  Claire was Christened and became a member of The First United Methodist Church.  (She was an angel the whole time... never made a peep.)  She is now the youngest member and my grandmother, Betty Hall (Caca) and great uncle, Buster are the longest standing members of the church.  How cool is that?  Also, the gown she wore is over 60 years old.  Aunt Suzanne, Mom, cousin John, cousin David, Kurt and I and now Claire have all worn the gown.  Brother Larry did a wonderful job with the service.  He even wrote her a love letter to be opened on her 12th birthday and before she goes through Confirmation.  I can't wait to read it in 12 years!  It was a beautiful day shared with family and friends.  Claire is a blessed, loved little girl!

Brother Larry, Trey, Claire and I

Meme and Papa

Lunch at Mom and Dad's

Amanda, Nonnie, Grandaddy, Mom and Caca

Aunt Kaye and Claire

She is changing and growing so fast!  Big, beautiful blue eyes!

My grandmother, Caca, is 84 years old and amazing!

Aunt Suzanne and Uncle Bob

Mama Lib and Daddy Boy

The Fosters, Carters and Dunhams

Uncle Kurt and Aunt Amanda

Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with family!  Here are a few highlights:

 Caca, Jojo and Claire 

I love this dress!  Meme and Papa gave it to me the day I found out we were having a girl.  It will be cherished always.

4 generations of Elizabeth's:

Elizabeth (Betty) Hall Bunch Walker

Elizabeth Walker Holmes

Grace Elizabeth Holmes Carter

Claire Elizabeth Carter

Family photo session

Uncle Kurt, Aunt Amanda and Claire

Claire also turned 1 month old the Saturday before Easter.  She is getting so big, SO FAST!  

April Storms

This has been the stormiest spring that I can ever remember.  Because of this, Claire and I spent most of the month of April at mom and dad's house close to the basement.  One particular storm (the worst one) Claire and I rode it out in my car in the carport and I watched these trees fall into the backyard before I decided to take retreat inside the garage.  If it had fallen about 15 yards to the left it would have landed on the garage where Claire and I were taking refuge.  Eeek!

What did Claire think of all this (as I was hovering over her in the garage)?  Well, she slept through the whole thing, totally unalarmed.

Claire Elizabeth

Trey and I welcome Claire Elizabeth Carter.  She was born on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 2:11p.m.  She weighed 7 pds 11 oz and was 20 in long.  It was a very long, hard labor but was absolutely worth every second once that little angel was born!

We are beyond blessed to have a healthy, sweet, beautiful baby girl!   

Luck of the Irish?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I'm thinking today would be a great day to have a baby... but I've been thinking that everyday for over a week now.  However, the Carter's are Irish and my favorite color is green... so maybe we'll get lucky.  All the grandparents are banking on the full moon this weekend.  I guess we shall see.  I am officially 5 days from my due date and I am feeling it!  Baby C is a big girl... weighing approximately 8 pds or more at this point.  We are so ready to meet this sweet, chunky monkey!

I am on Spring Break (praise the Lord... not sure how good I would be at entertaining 20- 4 and 5 year olds) and the weather is GORGEOUS!  Today the high is 75 degrees... doesn't get much better.  I have already walked for a good while and now I think I'm going to grab my book and head out to my adirondack chair and relax.

39 weeks 3 days