Happy 1st Birthday Carter

Our little man is 1 today!!!!!

Happy Birthday Carter we love so so so so so much!!!!

It's hard to believe that just a year ago Carter was in the NICU and I was in the ICU. It's amazing that this little 5lb. 4oz. baby is now a huge 1 year old. We have people in the stores tell us that he looks like he is going to be a line backer. He is a strong little boy.

It is so fun to celebrate Carter's 1st birthday but I must admit it is a bitter sweet feeling knowing that my little baby is growing up. Now that he is standing up with no help and taking a couple steps here in there he is starting to be more and more like a toddler. We had a great day today. The whole family came into Carter's room singing this morning.

He then saw his door that Aubrey and I did for him the night before. Aubrey thought the whole birthday planning was so much fun. She loved that it was a surprise for him.

We meet up with Daddy for a picnic lunch.

We then did a couple errands. Carter loved watching the car get washed. On our way home I thought it would be fun to stop by the hospital and say hi to all the wonderful nurses that took such good care of both Carter and I. I was a little worried that it would be weird or that they might not remember us, oh how I was wrong. The NICU nurses were over joyed to see Carter and how much he had grown.

We also saw some of my wonderful nurses. They all said how they had been talking this morning all about what happened a year ago to us.

After a fun visit we were off to home for some more celebrating. On the way home Aubrey said to me, "thank you mommy for fun Carter birthday day" too cute! Aubrey picked out her own gift to give to her brother and wrapped it too. He loved it!

We had Carter's favorite dinner, hot dogs (he had two!). After dinner we sang and had chocolate cupcakes.



Oh what a day!
Happy Birthday Carter!

Gilroy Gardens

On Saturday we had a fabulous day at Gilroy Gardens. Last year we bought season passes and we are thrilled to get to use them all summer long. The park is just perfect for our family. All the rides and activities are perfect for toddlers. Aubrey and Carter got to ride on everything! Carter was amazed with all the sights to see. As you can see in most of the pictures his mouth is either open or there is a binky in it. Aubrey couldn't stop smiling. The weather was perfect and with all the pretty trees around we didn't get sun burned at all. There was hardly a crowed so all around it was just a wonderful day. We can't wait to go back!

Carter's favorite ride by far was the Cars!

The way home.....

The Zoo

We are so lucky to have found a great group of friends to hang out with. Every Friday we usually go to Story Time at our library and then either go to the park or McDonald's after. I love these ladies they are all so great and we all have kids the same age so they have a ball when we hang out. Last Friday Story Time was cancelled so we went to the Merced Zoo. It was a great day!

Carter forst time feeding the goats.

All our babies are getting so big!

What a big day....

Today Carter took his first steps!!!! He is so so so so CUTE! He has been quite the pro with his walker lately but today with the help of either Daddy or myself holding something in the air in front of him he took about 5 steps in a row with no support. We got a video on Spencer's phone and I will try to load it on here. I can hardly believe that only a year ago tomorrow I was admitted to the hospital for high blood pressure and that I had know idea that we would have an adorable 5lb. bundle of joy only 5 days later!

Carter we are so very proud of you and all the accomplishments that you have made. You are an amazing baby. Even though you were a whole month early you have not let that stop you from accomplishing all the 1st year milestones. We are the luckiest mom & dad in the world to call you our son. We love you!

Easter 2011

The Easter bunny decided to change things up this year for our family which was a fun surprise. He put the kids baskets by their doors. Since Aubrey is now in her big girl bed and has the freedom to come out we heard a very excited but quite and surprised voice say, "wow!" Then she came running into our room with a huge smile and said "the Easter bunny came!" too cute. She showed us all the fun items that she got and then we went and got Carter he too was very excited.

Daddy also got a shot of Deuce and I watching all the action.

We then went downstairs to see if the bunny got our note and hid the eggs.

We were surprised to see that the bunny hid all 12 of our eggs and even gave the kids each a fun new toy. He also took a bite out of the carrot we left him and wrote a note back.

Then Nana, Papa, Titi, and Gaga came over for a wonderful Easter celebration. We had so much fun being together we loved every minute. We played outside, had an Easter egg hunt, ate another fabulous dinner, had a dance party, did cascarones (confetti eggs), and enjoyed being a family.

Spencer's tri-tip was to die for!

We put the camera on the tri-pod and took these great pictures trowing the cascarones. (I think this will become also a new tradition)

We all had a wonderful Easter and we hope you all did too!

Happy Easter!