Matt's New Job

Matt has a new summer job!  He is working at a bike shop that he has been riding with over the last few months.  He had his first day of training today and had a great time!  Here is their website if you are interested: The Spirited Cyclist

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter Sunday.  Our church had a big Easter festival at the amphitheater around our house.  Carter got to play in a bouncy house, pick up some Easter eggs, and enjoy the service with us.  He did well for about the first half of the service, then Matt and I chased him around in the back with all of the other little boys running around.  It was interesting...only little boys running around.  I guess the girls were sitting nicely in their parents' laps.  : )

13 months

There have been so many changes in our little buddy recently.  Here are somethings that I hope to always remember:

- He is completely OBSESSED with being outside.  Pretty much the time that he cries the most everyday is if we bring him in from outside or if he wants to get outside and we won't let him.  It does not take much to entertain him outside - he just has to be enjoying the outdoors.  His favorites things outside are: picking up Riley's balls and throwing/handing them to him, slides, his bike
- About 1-2 weeks after his birthday he starting walking really well.  Starting about a week ago he is 100% walking.  This has resulted in some nasty falls with facial wounds (mainly at daycare), but overall he is incredibly stable on his feet.  I think this is largely because he was pulling up/cruising for so long before walking.
- You can just feel his vocabulary growing.  He says "dog," "dada," "mama," "nana," (banana) and other things that sound appropriate at times.  He constantly points at things and wants you to tell him what they are.
- He loves his farm that grandma and grandpa gave him.  I am amazed at his focus when he plays with the animals.
- He has developed a sense that objects have a place.  It he takes something from a basket, he likes to put it back.  His animals live in the silo.  This is not to say that he doesn't make huge messes, but you can tell there is some amount of appreciation for order.
- Shortly after his first birthday he moved to the toddler room at daycare.  This was a surprisingly easy transition.  The requirements for the toddler room include: no bottles at daycare, take a nap on a mat on the floor, less meals/snacks per day, and one nap.  He has been doing great!  He has been getting better at napping there and has taken some good 2+ hour naps.  Even with these naps, however, he is frequently ready for a nap and some quiet time when he gets home from daycare.
- Although he has a long way to go, in my opinion, he is getting more snuggly!  : )
- He went through a stretch of not eating as much.  We figured out that if we give him larger pieces of the same foods, he will eat them.  I guess this is his way of telling us that he is not so much of a baby anymore.
- Riley and Carter are becoming great friends.  They like to play ball together.  Riley is very gentle and careful with Carter and will take the ball from his hand when he gives it to him.  This is a huge change for a dog who would not even get within a 10 foot radius of Carter previously. 
- He likes to have his teeth brushed.
- Every night we read a book as a family as Carter drinks his nighttime bottle.  Matt and I were getting tired of reading some of the same books, so we have started Harry Potter.  : )
- Although still not the biggest fan of the car seat, we have a new trick - books.  Carter loves to read his books in the car seat.