Mr Carter update

Carter has been such a good, fun boy these days! He's always making us laugh, and although he's in the middle of the "terrible two's," we really haven't had too many problems.... YET.

He's still picky as ever with food- he'll eat anything sugary or carby.. and that's the only predictable thing about it. I get REALLY annoyed when I try to feed him something toddlers are supposed to like, and then he won't touch it, and it goes to waste. So, we have resorted to sending him to time-out til he eats his dinner lol. The other night, he went to time-out in his crib a few times because he wouldn't eat his spaghetti-os. He finally did eat them. So it worked! The next night, he wouldn't touch his mac n cheese, so he went to triple time-out. And he finally ate that too. These are things that I know he likes but for whatever reason, he won't eat it! So who knows if this is the best tactic but it is working and he's actually eating something normal.

He's my cute little sidekick and has gotten lots easier to take to the store or the mall or wherever- but often I have to bribe him with snacks. But he loves to help me push the shopping cart, and keeps up pretty well =)

Aaron likes to egg Carter on, into arguments that don't make sense. They usually go something like this:
Aaron: "Carter, drink your milk."
Carter: "No!"
Aaron: Yes, you need to drink your milk."
Carter: No! Choo Choo! No, TV!
Aaron: Drink your milk
Carter: No! Arm!
?????? See what I mean? Carter does not have very good arguments...

Carter's been waking up earlier in the morning, and says "Monny, monny, monny, monny" over and over til I get him. I usually don't even hear it til about 10 minutes into his calling for me. And when I get him out of bed, he still goes right to his train table.

He can count to 10! Yep, we've been working on that and he's gotten really good. And I'm still so surprised at how many letters he knows. He's got all his colors down too- and always picks blue or green. Definitely a boy.

Cutest words he says lately: "kangaroo," as he jumps around like one, and "hippo." It's just funny how he says them.


Here's a huge batch of some fun random pictures from this past month...

I LOVE this picture. Not only is he silly, hiding under the dishwasher, but his little face is just so cute! You only see his eyes but you know he's smiling under there =)

I taught him how to start the dishwasher, putting the soap in, locking it, starting it, etc, and he feels sooo important doing it, it's cute

 He's had this bouncy horse for at least a year, but it's just recently that he really likes it

 I took him to Blickenstaff's a few weeks ago (a vintage toy/candy store). It's kid heaven, and of course he's infatuated with the trains.

 Still love a sweet sleeping baby

 These are rare moments, when he'll cuddle and sleep with either Aaron or I. 

 I came home one evening after running to the store, and found that the boys had built a fort!

 This particular day, he had skipped his nap, then fell asleep in the car at 6 pm. Of course with his Percy train in his hand =) He has rotated onto his 3rd favorite train of the Thomas collection.

 Crossed ankles, crossed hands. So proper

 The silly faces of Carter

 This was just today in the car on our way to the gym. He was talking to himself and laughing, at who knows what, for like 5 minutes, it was so funny. At a red light I had to snap a picture really fast at his happy little face!

 Silly man.. in front of his new window decor =)

 Carter's been intrigued by games lately. This is Blokus, and he just likes the little pieces. I actually bought him a Thomas the Train memory matching game, but he doesn't quite get it yet ;)

This was Aaron's doing, but Carter obviously thought it was pretty funny

 Silly boys

James' Farewell & Valentines

My youngest brother James is now in the MTC, on his way to Atlanta for his mission. Poor guy has been so antsy and ready to go, so we were glad to send him off, although we will really miss him =(

We drove up to Portland just for the weekend.

Carter was so happy to be out of the car, that he laid on the floor at Denny's. So disgusting. He obviously doesn't mind it at all

I shot these pictures while out for a run. You just can't beat the pretty greenery in Oregon!

 Me and Mr. James before his farewell talk at church

 Cute, disheveled Carter at Church with my (half) brother Luke. They are so cute, and had really missed each other =)

 Me and my handsome husband after church

James flew in yesterday morning, so we took him to Kneaders for some French toast, then sent him on his way at the MTC. 

 James with Grandpa Packard, who gave him plenty of advice before taking off ;)

And we got a new pic of my other brother Kent! He's out serving in Houston right now. I have such awesome, handsome brothers =)

For Valentines Day this year, I actually planned it. I am very sucky at planning anything, so Aaron was happy for a break =) We left Carter overnight with our friends while we played all afternoon and evening. I had a posing class for my fitness competition, and then we got in a workout at the gym. We ended up going to sushi for dinner, and a movie, then stayed the night at the Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake. I love short trips like this, to just get away for a bit, but that doesn't require a huge amount of planning or money. I love Aaron- he's the best husband ever, and has been hugely supportive with my training and eating right for my upcoming show!

When the cat's away, the mice will play

Aaron's the cat. Me and Carter are the mice =)

 I made Valentine cookies despite the fact that I'm on a strict diet, and despite the fact that my son is the pickiest eater and I am trying desperately to get him eating healthy. FAIL.

 No pants + mommy's running shoes= awesome

 Another wonderful well-rounded meal. For breakfast I tried to offer him EVERYTHING. Oatmeal- no, cereal- no, applesauce- no. I keep making normal food for him, thinking one of these days he'll eat it, and then he won't touch it, and I get SO frustrated, like it really makes me mad seeing good food go to waste that he usually likes! I finally caved this particular morning, picked him up and showed him in the cupboard, and told him to pick out his breakfast.  SPRINKLES. Awesome nutritious choice there Carter. I gladly accept any advice for feeding toddlers at this point!!

 On a less stressful note, me sister Val and I had a baby shower for our cousin, Heather! It was just in time- she had her baby the very next day =)

 Val and Heather. Tender

Aaron's trips

Aaron's been gone a lot lately on knocking trips and recruiting, and such. I'm used to it. A couple weeks ago, he got to go to the Denver Broncos vs Patriots game (he's a big Tebow fan)!

I just found the pics and wanted to post em!

 And this is Aaron with his good buddy Ryan at Vivint. Apparently Ryan lost some bet and had to wear a UNC jersey (he's a Duke fan). Silly boys =)

Aaron's taking off this weekend for yet another trip.. but to HOUSTON where we're headed this summer. Can't believe it's coming up already!!

As for me and Carter, we just hang out and try to find fun things to do. Good thing he likes Kids Club because I've had to spend an awful lot of time in the gym lately!

Catching up.. umm Happy New Year!

I'm a slacker and haven't posted since Christmas, whoops. I guess a lot of things have happened in the past month, most good!

First off, it's not exactly news anymore since everyone knows, but we're going to HOUSTON this summer, woooo! It's gonna be hot but Texas is fun, plus my brother is serving in Houston, PLUS one of my besties Jenna lives in Dallas, so I'm planning on a pretty sweet summer =)

A few weeks ago, Carter's buddy Kaden came to play.. They were pretty cute, hiding in the toy box

 In case you forgot what me and Aaron look like, here we are. I wish you could see my tights. They are black polka dot and Aaron got them for me. So proud ;)

 Went through the car wash for the first time in a LONG TIME. Carter was intrigued.. plus he got a sucker out of it

 Carter on the playground.. throwing rocks on his head

STORY: So back during Christmas-time, Grandma Belinda and Steve got Carter a ginormous train set and table. Carter got so many presents over Christmas, he couldn't even appreciate them, so we waited to open the train set. It sat in our entryway still wrapped for weeks, and Carter never noticed til the day Grandma Belinda came to visit! He must have been holding out so she could be there =) He kept trying to sneak and open it, and grab her hand so SHE could open it, and finally we all broke down and ripped it open. Carter was so excited...

 We set up a few tracks and let him just play with that for a few days...

And then one day, during his nap time, I earned the Mom award of the year. I set the whole dang thing up! Three hours later, we had this beauty (which I might add, is STILL sitting in our entryway since our condo is too small for it to be anywhere else).

 Happy boy=happy mommy

 BUT poor Mr Carter got sick.. well, we both did with annoying colds. Poor guy had diarrhea, thus diaper rash for a solid week. Not fun. Between his train, and kickin back watching Rio for the 1000th time since Christmas, he did just fine =)

 Not thrilled about having our dirty laundry dumped out everyday, but then I can't help but chuckle that Carter climbs in the basket and hides under it...

Carter has been working on his drawing skills.. at Menchies frozen yogurt (new favorite sneak food!)

 My little boy bringing home his drawings from nursery.

 Found this super cute fedora the other day for 10 bucks. Wasn't super hopeful he'd keep it on because he hates hats. 

 But behold!

He's even making a silly face, that he actually likes his outfit for Church. Kept it on the whole time. I was so glad

 Carter has an interesting relationship with Winnie the Pooh here. He thinks it's funny to walk around with Pooh's shirt strapped to his foot. I checked on him during nap time, again with Pooh's shirt wrapped around not one, but BOTH feet. Amazed at how this even occurred...

 Costco trip yesterday morning, and this is the snack he wanted. I could not object. 

Had a fabulous baby shower for one of my best friends, Paityn this weekend!

Yummmmy food.

 Some of the amigas, Lauren, me and Carley

 Paityn with the shower planners... Malia, Stacey and yours truly. We had a fantastic time. I love hangin with the girls

And my last batch!

SNOW!!! Utah has been so weird this year, but we finally got some! Carter thinks the word for "snow" is actually "snowman" and asks me to sing Frosty the Snowman everytime we step outside. It's cute, he's actually catching on to a lot of the words

 Licking the slide... more than anything, he just likes to eat the snow..

 So happy outside.... which would explain the tantrum he threw when we had to come in for lunch... snow was all he wanted to eat.

 Since the mountains got snow FINALLY, Aaron was able to go skiing! His stepdad Steve was in town, so they went up to Canyons and had a blast. Aaron hasn't even been since we've gotten married, so I'm glad he finally got the chance =)

That's all folks!