A Few New Firsts for Carter

Carter has started to work on holding his own bottles.  He's especially trying with his applejuice bottle with dinner.  He's a pretty determined little boy!

Friday, Carter sat on his own for the first time.  I've been working with him, he sits while holding onto his play gym bar, the play gym in the below picture.  It seems to be doing the trick!  Every once in a while he'll fall over, but he's doing a pretty good job.

We got him a new toy to play with today.  He likes it, but quite know what to do with it yet.  It's one of those where you put the shape in the right shaped hole.  Anyhow, it plays music and makes a bunch of noise.

Carter has outgrown his infant car seat and has now graduated to a big boy seat.  At his 4 month Dr. appointment he weighed 17 lbs 8 oz and was 27 inches.  His car seat holds up to 22 lbs and 29", but he no longer fits in it.  And who knew finding and picking out the right car seat could be so difficult??  

Excuse him having no pants on, we were just trying it out in the house to make sure everything was set to the right height.

Today was also the first time we wore any Ohio State stuff.  We visited the Botanical Gardens at University of Michigan's campus, and I must say I was a proud Mama.  Haha!  I could tell we got a few weird looks, but that's alright by me.  :)  Go Buckeyes!

** Scott **

Scott and I met on Match.com and had our first date on November 26, 2005.  We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and strolled the Cincinnati Zoo's Festival of Lights.  It was a great first date and would lead to many, many more!

We dated long distance for a year, Scott lived in Michigan and I lived in Ohio, and then I made my move up to him October 2006.  We purchased our first home the end of that October. When we went home for Thanksgiving we decided to celebrate our one year dating anniversary and do our first date all over again.  First and second, dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and lights at the zoo. Then, a surprise stay at nice hotel in downtown Cincinnati and a surprise carriage ride through downtown.  I was enjoying the ride, the lights on all the trees and trying to keep myself warm when I looked over and Scott was on one knee with a diamond engagement ring.  It was a great way to propose and of course I said yes.  

Photo:  Scott & I in front of the carriage he proposed in

We were married on November 10, 2007.  The weather was a tad chilly but the sun was out and it was a perfect fall day.  We also were married on my mom's birthday!  We had 245 of our closest friends and family there to celebrate with us.  It truly solidified my love for Scott and made me excited about our future together!

Top:  Scott and & after our ceremony   

Bottom:  Scott & I coming into our reception

If you haven't already caught it, something  big happened each year in our relationship, and what comes after getting married?  

You guessed it, on July 2, 2008 I found out I was pregnant.  The story of me telling Scott he was going to be a daddy is a long one, so I won't bore you with the details.  Haha!  On March 17, 2009, 3 long days past my due date, my baby boy, Carter, made his entrance to the world!

Top:  Scott just after he found out I was pregnant   

Middle:  Scott holding Carter for the first time

Bottom:  Scott, Carter, & I on Scott's 30th birthday

This year will mark 4 wonderful years with Scott and I can't imagine those 4 years without him. Alot has happened in our 4 years together and I wouldn't trade any of it for anything in the world!  He has the patience of a saint (he's married to me after all), he loves me more than I knew was humanly possible, he's a great father to Carter, and we're complete opposites, which in our case is the best thing ever.  We share many interests:  rock music, boating, watching movies, surfing the net together (haha), and being with friends and family to name just a few.

I love you bunches Scott and I can't wait to spend a lifetime with you!

A Parent's Prayer

Help me give my children the best... not of trappings or toys, but of myself, cherishing them on good days and bad, theirs and mine. Teach me to accept them for who they are, not for what they do; to listen to what they say, if only so they will listen to me; to encourage their goals, not mine; and please, let me laugh with them and be silly.Let me give them a home where respect is the cornerstone, integrity the foundation, and there is enough happiness to raise the roof. May I give them the courage to be true to themselves; the independence to take care of themselves and the faith to believe in a power much greater than their own. See that I discipline my children without demeaning them, demand good manners without forgetting my own and let them know they have limitless love, no matter what they do.  Let me feed them properly, clothe them adequately and have enough to give them small allowances... not for the work they do but the pleasure they bring...and let me be moderate in all these things, so the joy of getting will help them discover the joy of giving. See that their responsibilities are real but not burdensome, that my expectations are high but not overwhelming and that my thanks and praise are thoughtful and given when they're due.  Help me teach them that excellence is work's real reward, and not the glory it brings. But when it comes.. and it will.. let me revel in each honor, however small, without once pretending that it's mine; my children are glories enough. Above all, let me ground these children so well that I can dare to let them go.

And may they be so blessed

Friends and Family

My friends and family make me who I am today.  I'm glad to have everyone I know in my life and I appreciate the friendships and bonds I've formed with people over the years.

I thought while I'm practicing this whole blog thing, I'd dedicate a new post to each person who has made an impression on my life, whether that be drunken moments with friends or fun family gatherings.

First up, my husband Scott...

Such Sad News

I learned such sad news today...

Scott and I live in a new, young, friendly, family oriented, youngster filled neighborhood.  Each house holds a young couple, either with at least one child or starting out their new family.  We might not all know each other, but it's nice knowing if something happened to any of us or anyone needed a cup of sugar, a neighbor is there.

Today 2 neighbors stopped by the house passing out a typed letter.  In the corner of this letter, a picture of a beautiful baby girl.  The letter informed us that a couple in the neighborhood, the Reinemeyers unexpectedly lost their 9 month old baby girl, Ella.  Details are not known of her tragic and sudden death, but my heart goes out to them and their family.  Ella's funeral is set for Saturday and we have been asked to turn our porch light on at 8pm this Thursday in her memory.  I didn't know Ella and her family, but I know she will be deeply missed!!

Those of us with children know what a precious gift we have.  What we may not think of is that we could have the same tragic and sudden loss as the Reinemeyers.  Always love your children more than ever possible, cherish their smiles and laughs and cries and tears.  Always make memories and leave behind no regrets.  Remember a child is the most magical and enchanting gift someone can receive. 

RIP Ella!!

Here We Go

I've always wanted to have a blog of my very own, but I won't lie, every time I gave it a whirl it always seemed soooo complicated.  Haha, and since I refuse to pay someone $30 to design a blog for me I decided to dive in myself.

I'm creating this blog to keep friends, family, and acquaintances up to date on what's happening in the Smith household.  Though really I shouldn't kid myself, this will probably end up being a way to keep a diary and record milestones of things from Carter's life.  I just love him to pieces and I'd love for him to be able to look back and see the things he did when he was a baby. (As he grins back at me while grabbing for the plush animals hanging from his bouncy seat...priceless!!!)

I also plan on taking this blog back a bit; through some of my pregnancy and the birth of Carter. I'll warn whoever reads this, there will be a TON of pictures posted as soon as I figure out how to include them.  But if you're reading this you're already aware of my addiction to taking and posting pictures for the world to see!!

Enjoy!!

Test For The New Blog

I'm starting a new blog, like everyone else, but I'm having some trouble figuring it all out.  This is a test!!