Audrie: 2 Months

Carter Turns Two

We celebrated Carter's second birthday for a week! The first little party was on Sunday the nineteenth. It was at our house with my side of the family (Bryon and Kari, Mason and Lorie, and Michael). We ate chicken lasagna and had a pumpkin pie as cake.

Carter wasn't sure what to think about the candles, but he sure liked it when everyone sang happy birthday to him.

He was proud once he'd blown the candles out.

This is what he would do when you asked him how old he was:

Not the best picture, but I love his happy face. He really was enjoying himself, he just isn't the smiliest kid ever.

On his actual birthday, the 22nd, he opened some presents with the family.

He was really excited about the scooter from Grandma Cheney.

When Brad got home from work we picked up Carter's favorite meal (fries chicken) at Wendy's and took it to a nearby park. We ate and played and then swung by Krispy Kreme for some specialty donuts. Carter was a big fan of this football one, but he sure did make a mess eating it!

The Sunday following his birthday we celebrated with Brad's side of the family. We enjoyed Hawaiian haystacks for dinner and more pumpkin pie for dessert. I'm a huge fan of the Costco pumpkin pies.

He did a great job opening more presents with a little bit of help from the other kids. He loved everything!

We love our Carter man. He is finally going to nursery (knock on wood) and letting other people hold him and the past couple of weeks we have been doing a little potty training. He is a great communicator, loves anything Ashlyn loves, and enjoys playing balls, trucks, and legos. One of his favorite things to do, however, is wrestle with Dad!

4 Going on 14

Is anyone looking for a babysitter, because Ashlyn is now available for hire. She makes lunch (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches), soothes babies, and even does diapers!

Seriously. I was putting Carter down for a nap yesterday and I heard Audrie fussing in her crib. It stopped after just a few seconds, so I though she had gone back to sleep. When I eventually went in to check on her, this is what I found:

Ashlyn had taken off her outfit, changed her diaper and put on a new one. She looks up and says to me, "Audrie needs a new outfit because this one has a little bit of kaka on it." Well . . . thanks for letting me know!

And here is a picture of Audrie at 6 weeks old. I really struggle in the picture-taking department. I don't do it often enough and when I do the pictures just don't look that great. Really, she's cuter in person.

Audrie was weighed when I had my midwife appointment this week and she was 10 pounds 2 ounces. She is gaining weight like a champ and still eats great. At about three weeks she was getting really fussy, especially at night, so I cut some things out of my diet and now she is doing much better. I'm wishing I had done the same thing with my other two kids when they were so colicky.

Being a mom of three sure has been a challenge so far, but I guess I've got it pretty good, because at least my four year old changes diapers!

First Day of Preschool

Yesterday was Ashlyn's first day of preschool!

This guy misses her whenever she's gone.

I walked her into her classroom and after she chose a seat I asked to take a picture. Obviously, she was a little nervous, but when I picked her up she was all smiles!

The theme for this week is "All About Me," so they painted pictures of themselves, traced their hands, measured their heights, and weighed themselves. Ashlyn is 40 inches tall and weighed 35 pounds and made an adorable self-portrait. She loved her first day and is excited to go back tomorrow!

Ashlyn and Carter

Ashlyn and Carter have been such wonderful siblings to new baby Audrie. I think having Grandma Cheney here and lots of fun family visitors has really helped with the transition. I have really appreciated how well the two of them have played together and kept occupied while I attend to Audrie's needs.

They enjoy building and knocking down towers . . . over and over and over and over again.

Grandma took them (with their bikes and scooter) to the park every day.

Once when they went to the park Ashlyn's friends, Sammy and Azelynn, were there too! I love these pictures my mom took of them riding their bikes together.

How do you like Carter's leg art? The first thing he does when he gets a marker in his hand (which we try to prevent) is draw somewhere on his body.

They love Lorie and Mason's fish, Francis. His eyes are blue you know.

Ashlyn and Audrie have these coordinating outfits. We were trying to get a cute picture of the two of them together, but it wasn't quite working out.

Carter was really excited for his bath.

"What?" It's like he forgot that his clothes were on . . . or he really didn't care.

Tonight Ashlyn and Carter made their own horse. Can you tell what it is made out of?

Audrie's Baby Blessing

On Saturday August 14, 2010 Brad blessed Audrie. Brad's parents were so kind to let us do it at there house again. The blessing was beautiful and the company was great!

Here is our family - now we are 5!

Everyone who participated in the blessing: Mason, Juston, Bryon, Dad, Brad holding Audrie, Dad May, Brent and Lance. We missed you Michael!

Bryon and Kari and Baby Cheney

Lorie and Mason

Ashlyn twirling around in her dress.

Audrie is wearing the same dress that Ashlyn wore for her blessing. Grandma May bought it and I think it is beautiful!

Grandparents

Carter enjoying some of the after-blessing fare.

We were laughing really hard as we tried to get a picture of all of the grandkids together, because Carter would not cooperate. Here are four shots that we attempted but in each one Carter is trying to escape. He is very persistent.

Brigg, Ashlyn, Mabel holding Audrie, Marley, Will, Carter, and Berkley

Heidi and Allison were also there, but I don't have any pictures of them. They provided the delicious dessert - mint brownies and ice cream. Brad's parents made Teriyaki steaks for everyone and a fruit salad too. We also ate baked potatoes, rolls, and salad and we enjoyed it all in the back yard. Thank you family for everything! It was a beautiful day!

Also, my mom took all of these pictures. Thanks mom!