The BEST Disney memory...

There were more magical moments than I can count.

And we took more pictures than I'm willing to admit.

But these, by far, are my favorites.

They aren't great photographs, but I absolutely love them.

And I still can't look at them without getting teary-eyed.

We were watching the Illuminations show
at the EPCOT World Showcase.

And it hit me.  All at once.

Maybe it was the awesome fireworks display

or the music that was playing.

(Disney's music always gets me!)

Maybe it was the look of apprehension mixed

with sheer amazement on my little boy's face

as he saw his first fireworks.

 

Or the joy on my husband's face,

as he watched the show with our son in his arms.

Maybe it was the way my heart fluttered

as I watched my sweet baby snuggle

close against his Daddy's chest. 

Feeling totally safe and secure in his arms. 

Or maybe it was the emotion of it all.

The years of waiting,

of hoping,

of praying.

How for over a decade now,

on every trip to Disney World,

after every parade,

and every nighttime show,

including this very show,

we talked about how much greater

it would be with kids.

We have waited.

 We have wished.

 We have prayed.

For this child. 

For THIS moment. 

 And it was better than I ever imagined.

And totally worth the wait.

To see my husband so happy,

to watch our dreams come true,
to actually be living this moment,
at Disney World,

was a feeling I can't describe.

We didn't talk about it this trip.

We didn't need to.

I knew what Michael was thinking,

and I knew how his heart was feeling.

It was written all over his face.

 

 We are so unbelievably blessed.



Our Tricky Leprechaun

Our little Leprechaun has been looking for trouble all day today. 

 Morning, Sleepyhead!

  

And showing off his tricks left and right.

 

When I walked out of the kitchen with

my coffee this morning, this is how I found him.

Since Carter is now mobile, we have constructed

what Mike refers to as a "Baby Jail" in our living room.

Carter is constantly climbing on those bars.

 Who me?

Yes, You!

He is desperate to get out.

Except when he is out.

Then he wants back in...

Here are some pics of him playing in his room

in his St. Patrick's Day outfit.

(Before he pooped through his diaper and ruined it!)

He has to taste everything lately!

Now that he's mobile, Carter is into EVERYTHING.

Like the rocking boat in his nursery that he ignored all his life.

Until now.

He thought it might be fun to pull all of the toys out of it.

  Or to try to climb into it so he could reach those shelves.

Why do I have a sneaking suspicion he will one day CLIMB those shelves?

Carter has been "cruising" (furniture walking) downstairs for a while, but today was the first time I've seen him try it in his room.

  He was quite pleased with himself, as usual.

  

Look at that crazy hair.

This child is fearless.  And this mama worries like no other.

It's quite a combination.

Look, Ma, no hands!

I have seriously contemplated purchasing a helmet for him to wear for the next several months, but instead settled on a nice plush rug for the living room. 

It's supposed to be delivered tomorrow.

Thank God.

Just for fun, here are some pictures of our cutie pie

in his St. Patrick's Day hat while we were at Disney World.

Back when he wasn't into everything,

and Mommy could breathe.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

from the cutest little

Irishman I know!



9 Months Old

Boy are these photos becoming a challenge these days.

It's unbelievable how quickly Carter can go from this...

to this...

to THIS!

(See Mike rushing in to catch him?!)

We may or may not have been forced to LITERALLY

tether his backside (diaper & onesie) to the

back of the chair to keep him in it this month.

  (Nice to finally find a use for those pacifier clips

 our pacifier-hating baby never used!)

Carter was not happy.

So we may or may not have resorted to Cheerios as bribery

for not trying to bust out of his new restraint...

What can I say?  Mama's GOT to have her photos!

  

I'm proud to say I earned a "double fist pump" of approval

for my kitty sounds behind the camera today. 

In Carter's version, he clasps his hands together

and pumps them wildly up and down.

Like this:

(When he's less impressed, he just pumps one arm or the other,

so getting a double is a real honor!)

 I'm posting some serious shots again this month

so we won't forget what Carter looked like in

those rare moments when he wasn't smiling.

  Gosh do I love that sweet face.

Even when he's sad, which isn't often.

Here are some happier shots, too, including some

of him showing off another new skill he's starting

to learn - smiling with his mouth CLOSED! 

Happy Birthday to my favorite

boy in the whole wide world!

 We love you like crazy!