12-10-2009 - Almost 16 months

My mood while writing this blog: Ok

October 12, 2009

Dear Carter,

So much has changed since I last wrote to you. The biggest change in our lives was the passing of your grandma. She died August 23, from a major heart attack. I loved her dearly; she was a 2^nd mom to me. We are so blessed that she was able

to take care of you from the time you were 8 weeks old until daddy got out of school in June. She had the softest arms and the most wonderful, loving way about her. You had just learned to say “Grandma” a couple days before she left us.

We have been a little lost since. This is to be expected I guess. I was hoping things would get a little easier once the funeral was over and we had found someone to watch you, Grace and Jake, but it seems to get harder each day. I guess I am stuck in my thoughts of what she is missing and what you won’t even know.

Carter, you are becoming such an amazing little guy. While you can be quiet and content, you are also very active. You wake up in different moods, sometimes all silly and other times grumpy. You have perfected your grumpy face and even shove my hands and grunt, if you aren’t ready for my attentions yet. All I have to do is smile at you though and it melts away…it is your false facade.

You love playing with your brother and sister. You insist on doing everything they are…which causes you to get injured quite frequently. You expect that you should be able to ride Jake’s bike. You want to climb to the top of Grace’s bunk beds (which you can do all by yourself now). Playdough is your best friend and you frequently sneak it out of the cupboard. You have watched the kids climb to the top of the counters to get in cupboards and taught yourself to open the dishwasher to stand on the open door and reach things you shouldn’t be getting into. You do the same for the drawer below the stove…yikes!

Toilet water has your rapt attention. I don’t know what it is, but every opportunity you get, you are making mad dashes into the bathroom to splash around a little. I haven’t found any little treasures hidden in the bowl lately, but I don’t give up faith that you will remember this little trick.

Naptime has changed for you too. Your new daycare lady, Lori decided that one nap worked best for you. We are going with the flow because we want to make this transition as easy on you and her as possible. You definitely get tired at the same time each morning, but if we keep you distracted, you can make it to after lunch.

Lori is a very nice lady and you seem to really enjoy her and her house…and all of your new friends. Grandma knew Lori and had referred friends to her before, so I feel comfortable and know Grandma would approve. Jake is doing very well at Lori’s too. I am very surprised because he was very close to Grandma. He still talks about her every day. He believes still that she will come back. It breaks my heart that when a year or so goes by, he will probably barely remember her. Grace is our hope. By that I mean, that through her, you will remember your grandma. She never forgets and I trust that she will be able to keep Grandma’s memory alive for you and Jake.

Well, my baby boy, I should really go. But before I do, here are some details I don’t want to forget…just in case they don’t make it to your baby book for a while.

Teeth…you have 12 currently, but are working on four right now.

Clothing size…definitely 18 months, although daddy still squeezes you into 12 months.

Words…Ellie, Oliver, bye-bye, Jakie, out, up, eat, shoes, Gracie…a few more. You never really say momma or dada…although you have uttered them in the past, so we know you can.

Development…you run everywhere. No walking for you. You climb the stairs like a pro. You are still working on getting back down. You fall, get up…fall, get up…fall, get up. Nothing stops you.

Love you baby!

Love Always,

Mommy