tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51271169922044679382024-03-12T21:20:39.309-05:00Carter StyleA little bit of this. A little bit of that. Now with more squeaking.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-19595124874021706802010-10-22T17:32:00.002-05:002010-10-22T17:34:00.724-05:00Sneaky ratA conversation on the way home from school:<br /><br />Will: Mommy, look at that car! It's like a Corvette. I wish Daddy could have a Corvette.<br />Me: Did Daddy ask you to say that?<br />Will: (Hangs head) Yes.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-27867834998622378462010-07-31T21:52:00.008-05:002010-07-31T22:16:40.622-05:00Do I feel dumb...A lot's been going on.<br /><br />In May I had a baby: Max Schuyler Carter was born May 24th at 7:25am; weighed 7lbs 9oz and was 20.25 inches long. Quite the difference from his brother (8lbs 8oz and 21"), not that I'm comparing. Max is an original name for us, but my love of family names is represented in Schuyler (or Skylar, phonetically)--it was my great-grandfather's name, uncle's middle name and brother's middle name. Spelled it the original way, thank you very much.<br /><br />Max is a dream. He looked exactly like Will when he was born but is starting to develop his own little (darling) face. He has jowls, which I love.<br /><br />The other thing about Max is he squeaks, which is kind of adorable once you get used to it. When I took him up to work one day during maternity leave, a colleague said he thought I was carrying a piece of squeaky luggage. It turns out Max has <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/995267-overview">stridor</a> and now we have to figure out what's causing it. As it's been explained to me, the best case scenario is the cartilage surrounding his larynx/trachea didn't harden like it should, so when he takes a breath it causes the cartilage to vibrate and produces a squeaking sound. When he gets excited (from hunger or the ceiling fan) it gets much louder and faster; when he's calm or in a deep sleep it's softer or non-existent. Because of the latter, I honestly believed it was getting better; the doctor, however, said because it's still going on and it can get loud means it's progressing and he wants me to take him in to see a specialist for testing.<br /><br />So, Wednesday morning I have to take a hungry 10-week-old to have chest x-rays and to do a swallow study where Max will drink a radioactive dye and possibly also have a tube shoved down his throat. <br /><br />I can honestly say I'm not worried about the results; I really think they're going to tell me he'll grow out of it. I mean, he's gaining weight like he should and growing like a weed which, if there was something obstructing his airways and preventing him from eating, wouldn't be the case. I'm worried about seeing my little baby lying on a table somewhere. Or worse, not being able to see him lying on a table somewhere. I keep telling myself there are thousands of parents across the country that would give their eye to "only" have my child's condition/situation; there are too many people who've lost their babies to cancer or heart failure. This? Stridor? I'm convinced is nothing. It's the diagnostic process I'm dreading.<br /><br />So anyway, really looking forward to Wednesday.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-54588235807429566522010-01-27T21:13:00.002-06:002010-01-27T21:14:43.566-06:00Irish drinking song<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgDU6QQZ2bsGBGRaIYYK9USYHRrq3q8r_ldXGC_qbEBdb-jO0d1Vhhu2v3GDWWtN_V-s5NOS04WbS6izAPLhWhtWXiMtKHyMRhV0M-Cc0YpCf7tVvFFiKl83KiKO8SGiMuh5eNqoP7_4/s1600-h/Will+beer.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431623643874135874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgDU6QQZ2bsGBGRaIYYK9USYHRrq3q8r_ldXGC_qbEBdb-jO0d1Vhhu2v3GDWWtN_V-s5NOS04WbS6izAPLhWhtWXiMtKHyMRhV0M-Cc0YpCf7tVvFFiKl83KiKO8SGiMuh5eNqoP7_4/s200/Will+beer.JPG" /></a> Uncle Scott and Aunt Stacey came to visit just before Christmas--Uncle Scott taught Will to drink beer.<br /><div></div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-65600751613229557432010-01-26T21:23:00.003-06:002010-01-26T21:34:38.648-06:00Bedtime shenanigansJason's been out of town a lot lately. A lot. He left last Thursday, came home Sunday night, left Monday afternoon and is expected back next Sunday. Rough when you've got a 3 year old. Even rougher when you've got a 3 year old and are trying to grow a second child. We're doing just fine, though. Jason had told Will to be a good boy while he was gone and Will's taking it to heart. Bedtimes are going much smoother, he's following directions better, just being all around awesome.<br /><br />Will spent the night w/ Grandma last Friday and got to stay and play for a majority of Saturday as well. Since he got to spend so much one-on-one time with Grandma, now he's kind of used to her being around and wanted to call her tonight to say good night. So I turned the phone on speaker so Will's voice would be the first she heard. It rang forever before I realized that tonight was her tennis night, I heard her pick up in a panic:<br /><br />Grandma (shouting off the phone): It's my pregnant daughter-in-law! She's home alone and never calls. I hope she's okay.<br /><br />Will: Grandma! You have to come to my house. I love you, Grandma<br /><br />Me (shouting): Janice, we're fine! I forgot tonight was tennis! Everything's fine!<br />and then she hung up. I still don't know if she heard me--hope so.<br /><br />Will was disappointed he didn't get to say good night, so I decided we could call Daddy. Of course he didn't pick up either, so Will had to leave a message on the voicemail which I knew would break Jason's heart, but it bothered Will that the people he most wanted to talk to weren't available.<br /><br />So tonight at bedtime, after hugs and kisses and one last glass of water, Will went to give hugs and kisses to the wall.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-57878423717374480472010-01-10T22:49:00.002-06:002010-01-10T22:52:58.802-06:00Whoo Hoo!First post of 2010!<br /><br />Lemme explain....No, is too much. Lemme sum up:<br />Our fancy-schmancy computer essentially blew up. I've had limited computer access and no pictures.<br /><br />HOWEVER.<br /><br />Jason bought a fancy new camera and has set up a Flickr account for us <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carterpix">here</a>. He's already posted some stuff and it's very cute. Since Jason's doing it, it'll probably be posted to often until he gets a new project.<br /><br />I'll be better about updating from now on. Promise.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-5854332852040497002009-11-20T11:36:00.004-06:002009-11-20T11:59:25.701-06:00Thanksgiving lunchYesterday was Will's Thanksgiving Lunch at daycare and parents/grandparents were invited to attend. I was scheduled to meet Grandma at the school shortly before noon so we could watch the kids do some last minute dancy-dancing before lunch. <br /><br />When I got to the classroom, I was accosted by many tiny people wearing the most adorable Indian hats--complete with feathers--and a beautiful spread of Thanksgiving lunch, complete with all the necessary sides. But Tiny was nowhere to be found. The bathroom door was only open a crack, but I could see his little striped arms going nuts, so I figured he was almost done and I could surprise him when he came out. So I waited.<br /><br />And waited.<br /><br />People were starting to sit down to eat, so I <em>finally</em> went to check on him. As I approached the door I could hear sobbing. Opening the door, I immediately saw a pair of poop-streaked and completely saturated underpants. Then I saw a sock and a shoe. Sitting precariously on the toilet seat was the sock mate, preparing to say good-bye cruel world and end it all.<br /><br />Then I turn to see my sweet little Will, going commando with his pants on backwards and soaking wet but his little Indian headress and feathers completely unscathed, sobbing because he had an accident. Which he blamed on his shoes. I got him calmed down and cleaned up, all while reassuring him I wasn't mad, and he proudly told me his socks didn't get wet.<br /><br />Thank God for that.<br /><br />We wound up having a wonderful time: the food was really good, the kids were really funny and Will felt pretty special having both Grandma AND Mom show up.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm5GV3JKzzzt0-LMVRRCR4TAPhDggKKfRBYAN5MfW8IqLTQOoypTC9NiSsq_HkBAcLwb1s2Se0nP2TCcvL5xTntgO5BCoqpmv5zyc1-WIG9uuCMlqdFXv2DRxpD9tMHHZUAAeeFUXc3A/s1600/DSC03370.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406241993643742258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm5GV3JKzzzt0-LMVRRCR4TAPhDggKKfRBYAN5MfW8IqLTQOoypTC9NiSsq_HkBAcLwb1s2Se0nP2TCcvL5xTntgO5BCoqpmv5zyc1-WIG9uuCMlqdFXv2DRxpD9tMHHZUAAeeFUXc3A/s200/DSC03370.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42EDbPlUYEQgQnqHptqLJRDkiNfX2rUPOlYlC_EZohUvdtPuyjIPEu0iXSia883NlX4HDLsriTA_av9OA8g5-PDZk4qT346gJnDLEV-GJflT9BU3igml_x5WB0RmDPpg375rCgFP6yzo/s1600/DSC03371.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406241990879934530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42EDbPlUYEQgQnqHptqLJRDkiNfX2rUPOlYlC_EZohUvdtPuyjIPEu0iXSia883NlX4HDLsriTA_av9OA8g5-PDZk4qT346gJnDLEV-GJflT9BU3igml_x5WB0RmDPpg375rCgFP6yzo/s200/DSC03371.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9fL_ZPJILD19IF2gk5UebGMmcg88lP-p1k79LFkM3Fy20aetsEyYr-5KPRzWnYsVroX8i8RmX_6XPEsu3IzDRuPEKLcYk4idltxFD2GAnCPGrbUl6v2liSDUro7pO3AHtrJeKWq7kSQ/s1600/DSC03369.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406241981270492002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9fL_ZPJILD19IF2gk5UebGMmcg88lP-p1k79LFkM3Fy20aetsEyYr-5KPRzWnYsVroX8i8RmX_6XPEsu3IzDRuPEKLcYk4idltxFD2GAnCPGrbUl6v2liSDUro7pO3AHtrJeKWq7kSQ/s200/DSC03369.JPG" /></a> That's Jenny behind Janice--I have the most awesome picture of Jovie being thuggish but don't want to post it unless I get permission.<br /><div></div></div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-81001075868090210302009-11-16T08:36:00.003-06:002009-11-16T08:39:05.098-06:00Policeman-Fireman-Knight<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO6fdx9KwOyijXSIxvU_w1AzQ3rOzSW-O0k_WwSsBLo00x6C86Lduil-sY2kodBrZtz2CrUhO_loEkiOQP3pXmBEH2ciceSE__C1kZ0nVqxJpEQIkHDIB0HxpYQuYDIgUPTO2P7SH0tk/s1600/Will+knight.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404710504790303090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO6fdx9KwOyijXSIxvU_w1AzQ3rOzSW-O0k_WwSsBLo00x6C86Lduil-sY2kodBrZtz2CrUhO_loEkiOQP3pXmBEH2ciceSE__C1kZ0nVqxJpEQIkHDIB0HxpYQuYDIgUPTO2P7SH0tk/s200/Will+knight.jpg" /></a><br />Knights were sort of the original firemen, what with battling fire-breathing dragons, right?The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-36483157928615208452009-11-13T10:42:00.000-06:002009-11-13T10:42:07.683-06:00Class Picture DayI guess he doesn't want anyone to see his neck wrinkles?<br />
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</div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-33034982214053254952009-11-11T13:26:00.000-06:002009-11-11T13:26:04.994-06:003-year check upI took Will to the doctor today where he was quite the little gentlman. The nurse asked him to step on the scale and, when she accidentally knocked something from the cabinet, he ran to pick it up and said "Here you gooo!". <br />
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Will is 39.5" tall and 37 pounds. Dr. Daniels picked him up, turned to me and said "He's very dense, isn't he?" That's exactly how I describe him to people: dense. Also? I know, Doc; trust me, my arms and I know. To be fair, though, Will outweighs his peers anywhere from 5-13 pounds but doesn't look anything like a tubby. Well, check out the past couple of posts for recent pictures if you don't believe me.<br />
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Also very sweet, Will's started talking to my stomach asking for BrotherSister (due in May). He likes to invite BrotherSister to play his drums and use his pirate ship and generally being the cutest thing ever.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-70889994289606565762009-11-10T20:01:00.000-06:002009-11-10T20:01:05.206-06:00To the best husband ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyBGXQTOsrXRCcTBLiR4Vkac64HAYNXaCZX_5JRWiZx0uq7Tf4jfuNVj7i7P25ZM9eqinJzL2QGYIL_RAtEGBvNOnwHqQ0ieMQUiFBB29yWAXINLNdU7soSU_RDTE3Cob15cE_2n67zE/s1600-h/DSC03138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyBGXQTOsrXRCcTBLiR4Vkac64HAYNXaCZX_5JRWiZx0uq7Tf4jfuNVj7i7P25ZM9eqinJzL2QGYIL_RAtEGBvNOnwHqQ0ieMQUiFBB29yWAXINLNdU7soSU_RDTE3Cob15cE_2n67zE/s320/DSC03138.JPG" /></a><br />
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Happy anniversary, babe. It's been a great eight years.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-15563305011474915372009-11-10T19:58:00.000-06:002009-11-10T19:58:04.905-06:00My son, RuPaulJason allowed Will to get himself ready for bed. FYI: 3 is a very, very fun age.<br />
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</div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-4181579021374426912009-11-09T15:07:00.000-06:002009-11-09T15:07:49.852-06:00Halloween 2009Yes, I'm still here. Apologies. I just really hate this new version of Blogger and it's such a PITA for someone as computer-handicapped as I am.<br />
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Regardless, I can still figure out how to upload pictures.<br />
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</div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-38289789984633992322009-10-01T19:43:00.000-05:002009-10-01T19:43:52.079-05:00For Mimi and Jim<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAF9YsAIaDTp54o4GNXXcElmjohWWVuSujOg3gzHj1Xua7boOBuuyyEbvqmLsvDNme85p1n7yH4gx4TihdtlYcxdrVeQteOqDaL_D_M7uLzGbFc87Wu9TQnL8CcjKJeUqwhx4Ldfc39A/s1600-h/DSC03307.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAF9YsAIaDTp54o4GNXXcElmjohWWVuSujOg3gzHj1Xua7boOBuuyyEbvqmLsvDNme85p1n7yH4gx4TihdtlYcxdrVeQteOqDaL_D_M7uLzGbFc87Wu9TQnL8CcjKJeUqwhx4Ldfc39A/s320/DSC03307.JPG" /></a> <br />
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Thanks for the jammies--they're Will's favorites!<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
</div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-84925839935164093362009-09-21T17:25:00.000-05:002009-09-21T17:25:06.700-05:00Guess which gift is our favorite?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwcV5PxzON3I952uKJsbTx_JOM-UcizjKioRTH5rPeQipy0iub52Xieh609jmmnI7Vj3fc93xN339q8XBw5hobSwkG7-epgxieQ0VqC2FFEcqRog5k8Fs1WMVOI1SJ35zCrHTX-t0beQ/s1600-h/DSC03274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwcV5PxzON3I952uKJsbTx_JOM-UcizjKioRTH5rPeQipy0iub52Xieh609jmmnI7Vj3fc93xN339q8XBw5hobSwkG7-epgxieQ0VqC2FFEcqRog5k8Fs1WMVOI1SJ35zCrHTX-t0beQ/s320/DSC03274.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyn9pNfUZu8uSOI77Odi7QhwOLj6gUzvRPjMnAwXf1aH4fwBczxdTW_RySZZ9rNNE6aHdGC2ksG3I9ZseQ-0ikQyPYMTlfxhTFpXJ-_xUmylKOe_Q7dFrqBqqHn2ARaFWV2R0lBBrf3I/s1600-h/DSC03272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyn9pNfUZu8uSOI77Odi7QhwOLj6gUzvRPjMnAwXf1aH4fwBczxdTW_RySZZ9rNNE6aHdGC2ksG3I9ZseQ-0ikQyPYMTlfxhTFpXJ-_xUmylKOe_Q7dFrqBqqHn2ARaFWV2R0lBBrf3I/s320/DSC03272.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6uap9_4-ro3rZHtw3atdjjpzBBaduSTg9ys1nLIhamqZCmSH4PEY3WL41drhSQ-hDx2RkUF1KWOqWBL5yL5htmbsMCKX08ObXpurD4dcw9mEQ3RuCWTEM9MKlLwqgTbHiGDP19eo4tk/s1600-h/DSC03276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6uap9_4-ro3rZHtw3atdjjpzBBaduSTg9ys1nLIhamqZCmSH4PEY3WL41drhSQ-hDx2RkUF1KWOqWBL5yL5htmbsMCKX08ObXpurD4dcw9mEQ3RuCWTEM9MKlLwqgTbHiGDP19eo4tk/s320/DSC03276.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>I'm hoping this isn't the start of Will's career as a Hot Cop.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-17095735478633870172009-09-19T20:25:00.048-05:002009-09-19T20:43:17.242-05:00Happy Birthday Tiny!<span style="font-size: xx-small;">EDIT: I'm not going back and re-formatting this stuff again. You're adults: deal with the wonky layout.</span><br />
First things first: I <em>haaaate</em> the new version of Blogger--I had a hard enough time with the old template and now they're throwing all these new things at me. <br />
<br />
Anyway, today was Will's birthday party. Up until Wednesday of this week, I'd been under the assumption that all the children invited were coming (approx 12): that's a lot for us, folks. Due to a series of unfortunate illnesses (hope everyone feels better soon!), our crowd was whittled down to about 5 kids. Not to sound awful, but I'm really glad not everybody made it today. Because my great idea to have the party at a park came to a crashing halt when the playground at said park was under construction: <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzlvIE2hCTLdR0t3uJBEtkLd1-Kxr54_5KGA5ibz7sPC4NR9smYHLEdiaRgXaYOpQyXoMRXKGH9bfc-ASOl0fMda5FCvxeFv7AqeXILoVieq2_0grYoJTbjZslYdiVfABMBSjo1uyOVM/s1600-h/DSC03235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzlvIE2hCTLdR0t3uJBEtkLd1-Kxr54_5KGA5ibz7sPC4NR9smYHLEdiaRgXaYOpQyXoMRXKGH9bfc-ASOl0fMda5FCvxeFv7AqeXILoVieq2_0grYoJTbjZslYdiVfABMBSjo1uyOVM/s320/DSC03235.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Mom and I were scrambling to get a hold of all the outside toys we could so the kids weren't completely bored. Luckily, we got a hold of Daddy and Papa and they pretty much saved the day. The party was allowed to go on as planned.<br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7tSFq0OEd75TXuunCnVu8iQ3d-tVMDZPs-OJ1FuvOhYQp9Nb7xQ70kuEtCQ1XSOIPnw20rheA0hGWjI9EapMCLt30QNH0p22AXIC3sOQrwTjT3vcHzsyLeZkEUMsFh9QE-7GezRkPA8/s1600-h/DSC03240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7tSFq0OEd75TXuunCnVu8iQ3d-tVMDZPs-OJ1FuvOhYQp9Nb7xQ70kuEtCQ1XSOIPnw20rheA0hGWjI9EapMCLt30QNH0p22AXIC3sOQrwTjT3vcHzsyLeZkEUMsFh9QE-7GezRkPA8/s200/DSC03240.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle7uYT51_1xv8G3PwrVGgnXwYitDWkMOGbzab9_ClxrK7XNJRpS0BsPFAfGu3tLsPdCoqDU-HHDvXRXVJoqXj6FFf10_Qr84eHNlhF-GmY3wLBAdBbbFcrM00Im90_D3kuDHyje8_tcY/s1600-h/DSC03239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjle7uYT51_1xv8G3PwrVGgnXwYitDWkMOGbzab9_ClxrK7XNJRpS0BsPFAfGu3tLsPdCoqDU-HHDvXRXVJoqXj6FFf10_Qr84eHNlhF-GmY3wLBAdBbbFcrM00Im90_D3kuDHyje8_tcY/s200/DSC03239.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Will, Kylie and Jovie had a good time with their pirate hats. Fitting as today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day (thanks Auntie Bethany and University of Texas Football!).<br />
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34TSTgHazCExJITJIt6YXgvlqKtQ22bUQWJqL9ZLgVQejW2H7wIQqT-CCS4jwBas6l3NsLdcjx2kG__fQVMENT3_PW-VtZambMG9FO2nAEoqlEOwZY4v5azmm3FyOryv6k2BG0A1QYiI/s1600-h/DSC03259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34TSTgHazCExJITJIt6YXgvlqKtQ22bUQWJqL9ZLgVQejW2H7wIQqT-CCS4jwBas6l3NsLdcjx2kG__fQVMENT3_PW-VtZambMG9FO2nAEoqlEOwZY4v5azmm3FyOryv6k2BG0A1QYiI/s200/DSC03259.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjDMsGteW6_Vrzw3pliFg3-qVppj1npP6_5b0H0kaA9tyhIIMduudOfmbqDWHgrK2hh7wl6D0G-pa8NqTsk6yp8ZbWdODBZfVmEcz08LN5Pors1lqs-qV0U0SmNnq8oZXdluPvzcZuZg/s1600-h/DSC03258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjDMsGteW6_Vrzw3pliFg3-qVppj1npP6_5b0H0kaA9tyhIIMduudOfmbqDWHgrK2hh7wl6D0G-pa8NqTsk6yp8ZbWdODBZfVmEcz08LN5Pors1lqs-qV0U0SmNnq8oZXdluPvzcZuZg/s200/DSC03258.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirCHwIi0dHWRHHEBTbRONPjLWIt4ND4rEKpaLOylC4pRQxMYdml5sJ5wap4Rw-3YN4xlPK2SFj_jAvozouxYIJ2pcQ_u-sbkCdEQJDxiFVuSsUGIVcGT7WZ_kFXuFYesgWwPPa4-mn0U/s1600-h/DSC03256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirCHwIi0dHWRHHEBTbRONPjLWIt4ND4rEKpaLOylC4pRQxMYdml5sJ5wap4Rw-3YN4xlPK2SFj_jAvozouxYIJ2pcQ_u-sbkCdEQJDxiFVuSsUGIVcGT7WZ_kFXuFYesgWwPPa4-mn0U/s320/DSC03256.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I adore the little boys in these pics. Regular visitors to this blog recognize Kylie (cousin) and Jo (rock star); the new kids are the Robinsons, Gracie and Bradley (children to Doug & Larissa, cousins to Jovie). They had just driven in from Houston and were subjected to their first outside play time since 7am in addition to sugar.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Needless to say, Doug and Larissa loved me.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to everybody who came--Will had a blast! We missed everyone who couldn't make it up and hope everyone feels better soon.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, I really, really hate Blogger.<br />
</div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-68481085552680728202009-09-15T20:06:00.000-05:002009-09-15T20:06:27.971-05:00Worth the wait?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Z3rOjXpJL2F2sHsmScCYhHBfbcriFrorGL6Zkodo2bb5WUpzgODwNACmPEn3cMV-4YRmCHGg6PCzirO4uiFnPk3uaGmOSD72LPbccIM3c7n4WfpRR1uaUohV28ldLxOmqEXtYjK6yk/s1600-h/DSC03217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Z3rOjXpJL2F2sHsmScCYhHBfbcriFrorGL6Zkodo2bb5WUpzgODwNACmPEn3cMV-4YRmCHGg6PCzirO4uiFnPk3uaGmOSD72LPbccIM3c7n4WfpRR1uaUohV28ldLxOmqEXtYjK6yk/s320/DSC03217.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNQ6-KKbrlb-TiX-xOP8JkMnhvgfui0NjKB1zafiSW6FoAXFm53PgKkfVGHSq7-nlgA7R04aZjcb0pv5clgzzqpcuTaHFmE7mcO3-YInRhkYoeV9g-CEiB22Y1avB-ts5JJxLwwdGMek/s1600-h/DSC03226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNQ6-KKbrlb-TiX-xOP8JkMnhvgfui0NjKB1zafiSW6FoAXFm53PgKkfVGHSq7-nlgA7R04aZjcb0pv5clgzzqpcuTaHFmE7mcO3-YInRhkYoeV9g-CEiB22Y1avB-ts5JJxLwwdGMek/s320/DSC03226.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KJVHpHd0c_EQgi1XcK38I8DEWPf3siw_bX1vwrmP489BObTSQ1UP3p7VQEyQz43VMkzyWeg8QnNtGFduNqeziY4fxO8F69E2Y5_1Hokfpl1HfUb77hD0F-YZ0Md6D03CQZwCo47HO2o/s1600-h/DSC03228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KJVHpHd0c_EQgi1XcK38I8DEWPf3siw_bX1vwrmP489BObTSQ1UP3p7VQEyQz43VMkzyWeg8QnNtGFduNqeziY4fxO8F69E2Y5_1Hokfpl1HfUb77hD0F-YZ0Md6D03CQZwCo47HO2o/s320/DSC03228.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW9Q1zgUayambd_sCVRdERrtgaKmLIguSZK_8xr5Zn7329DgmbInZPsZKWfqC1tzNzjv1YmWMa4PyxKCn3MWMNAnluc2-o30SClmlR8FD0JD4jEbTrBfEZZVSLpZWbRYHs-ybxI-7uXs/s1600-h/DSC03229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW9Q1zgUayambd_sCVRdERrtgaKmLIguSZK_8xr5Zn7329DgmbInZPsZKWfqC1tzNzjv1YmWMa4PyxKCn3MWMNAnluc2-o30SClmlR8FD0JD4jEbTrBfEZZVSLpZWbRYHs-ybxI-7uXs/s320/DSC03229.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Will picked out the outfit himself.</div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-14005347599240869362009-08-22T21:46:00.000-05:002009-08-22T21:46:17.724-05:00Of COURSE it is....Good thing: going to the lake during Tax Free Weekend because the beach is empty...<br />
<br />
Bad thing:...except for the bikini models and their photographers shooting the Hot Bods Bikini calendar.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-39899891123250099192009-08-21T21:48:00.005-05:002009-08-21T21:52:56.795-05:00Sick, masochistic...Now, I'm not saying for <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.daveandbethany.com">who</a>, but I do believe I've got some Christmas gift ideas lined up already...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxqAKBLQEUZd6YKVBvI1iEGVpfknEMgr5VoIMve7V-YWCKwCcMOPlsQnYSKIUoq02oExGR6Bupwp1rThv5eSUnpDGQZL-wsArHsMwPmITKfVfIG3FUGvU80OrMvZoNJ-cPXi7PBtTxd8/s1600-h/Be+safe.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372614919870512642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxqAKBLQEUZd6YKVBvI1iEGVpfknEMgr5VoIMve7V-YWCKwCcMOPlsQnYSKIUoq02oExGR6Bupwp1rThv5eSUnpDGQZL-wsArHsMwPmITKfVfIG3FUGvU80OrMvZoNJ-cPXi7PBtTxd8/s200/Be+safe.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkY3-yrk4REdosKuSXftTdXKGXxQjEd3vCmPoMkIEuundgtDfJt5ZGiqJ_CtOdFJCTixgGikL9WcwRckzSWIYKXDCpmc5z1lzbhNIE0jIMUiT-zYm8OqIiW0Ki-wcb9pZzTsuOGFrjNA/s1600-h/Creepy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 172px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372614656393654098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkY3-yrk4REdosKuSXftTdXKGXxQjEd3vCmPoMkIEuundgtDfJt5ZGiqJ_CtOdFJCTixgGikL9WcwRckzSWIYKXDCpmc5z1lzbhNIE0jIMUiT-zYm8OqIiW0Ki-wcb9pZzTsuOGFrjNA/s200/Creepy.jpg" /></a></div>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-40213329652044456312009-08-20T15:27:00.004-05:002009-08-20T15:45:54.508-05:00Day 4: Still successfulI've been told I'm much more pleasant today.<br /><br />I'm very envious of all my friends losing weight (you know who you are) and realized I need to get my ample-sized butt to the gym if I don't want to turn into a Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon very soon (what with the non-smoking and increased snacking to offset the non-smoking.... eh, that was a better metaphor in my head). Moving along. Yep, I made it to the gym this morning. Didn't do a whole lot, but it was 45 minutes more cardio than yesterday.<br /><br />AND... I finally got the ball rolling on Will's birthday party. I tried to reserve the venue; I successfully ordered his invites (20 cents/piece! And printed envelopes! And 3-day rush order!) and have begun purchasing some of the decorations/favors. I say tried to reserve the venue because apparently they're not accepting reservations this week. (This is not a high class resort where they have a waiting list; it's a <em>rec center, </em>complete with little old ladies playing bridge in the waiting room. I swear I heard one of them say "Picture it...Sicily, 1923") So it's at the same park as last year and hopefully the weather plays as nicely as last year too; if not, party at D-Dub's house!The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-5498639959166532222009-08-19T11:29:00.002-05:002009-08-19T11:31:29.274-05:00Apologies all aroundI'm still smoke-free, but more to the point, I'm still bitchy.<br /><br />I apologize if anything I've said or my actions have offended you; it was never done intentionally and, more likely, was done as a joke but, looking back, with thinly veiled aggression.<br /><br />Regardless, it's never appropriate and I'm a bit old for name-calling. <br /><br />I'm sorry.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-59335343423574130712009-08-16T22:12:00.007-05:002009-08-19T11:32:15.883-05:00Good-bye old friendI did it.<br /><br />I smoked my last cigarette. I have officially quit. I'm not pregnant.<br /><br />Please congratulate me so I can read back on comments during moments of weakness when I invariably think "Gosh, $7 for a pack really isn't that bad".<br /><br />Start now.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">EDIT: </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">In all seriousness, thanks everybody--I really appreciate it.</span></em>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-18663507414107222052009-08-16T18:45:00.003-05:002009-08-16T18:58:19.002-05:00Potty UpdateTomorrow is Will's Big Boy Day at his new school. That's the day where we no longer use pull-ups: everything is underpants. Ms. Dee (his teacher) has told us Will will have accidents; there will be lots of laundry at the end of every day. I'm supposed to bring a crapload of underwear and spare clothes--a second pair of shoes is optional, but a good idea. He will apparently have a Potty Mentor: a little boy from the 4 year-old class that will show him the ropes in the bathroom. <em>Sidenote: none of this is new information. Will knows exactly what to do in a bathroom. We've been keeping him well informed.</em><br /><br />Last night Will stayed completely dry for 13 hours. We put him in bed at 8:30, asleep at 9, he wandered into our room somewhere around 7am and we didn't get up until close to 10. That pull-up was as dry as when we first put it on. Also, when I did finally get him to sit on his potty chair, I have never seen (or heard) him produce so much urine. <br /><br />During the day, if I ask him if he needs to go potty, the answer is always "No!". I've discovered the trick is to race him. Race him into the bathroom, race him to take off our pants, race him to pee first (Will always wins). This has yet to fail me, by the way. He always, always produces during these races. <br /><br />Today I kept him in underwear after his nap. We went to a playground and shopping for birthday decorations. I remembered to keep a spare set of clothes in the car. We made it home dry and happy (even after drinking a cup of water). I was excited until I remembered that my child has the ability to <em>hold it for thirteen flipping hours</em>. I don't understand how he can ever have accidents at this rate.<br /><br />Yes, I know it will happen. There will be stumbles and falling off the wagon. I'm just so excited for him. I'm excited for us to no longer have to budget in diapers/pull-ups into our monthly groceries. I feel bad that both sets of grandparents as well as we still have a practically full pack of these pull-ups.<br /><br />Totally worth it, regardless of how well tomorrow goes.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-51762747941421755892009-08-14T23:34:00.012-05:002009-08-15T00:15:27.287-05:00Vegas 2009The last time Jason and I went to Las Vegas, I was three months pregnant. We decided it was time to venture west again--preferably when the thermometers are exploding and the deals are at their lowest. This time we decided to make a trip out to Hoover Dam, which is a sort of Mecca for Jason.<br /><br />Just as we were approaching Lake Mead we started seeing all the signage for helicopter rides over the dam--we were <em>thisclose</em> to signing up for one.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjdptjSgSRDNNwPvidcVnjvee5g_iXxzVpWwXxq-uEFLFyHqFIIJsUHx7_bVN1Dj4IZNiTwTNSPzm8Pj6emWR391P-DjI9fgagdDlX3NdftH7ZRirZpcSsHROeqva49VRCHiN452EtmE/s1600-h/Lake+Meade+2009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370045447719580706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjdptjSgSRDNNwPvidcVnjvee5g_iXxzVpWwXxq-uEFLFyHqFIIJsUHx7_bVN1Dj4IZNiTwTNSPzm8Pj6emWR391P-DjI9fgagdDlX3NdftH7ZRirZpcSsHROeqva49VRCHiN452EtmE/s200/Lake+Meade+2009.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://www.lvrj.com/news/53216557.html">Thank God we didn't. </a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzSLy7Vd3otA1dOrEmwqjaVHFqJ-HUfxvoG2NaQtYsIUu1GnqpB9XE6IpmK5BX3hEVjMaE2T3eKUCglFMFqHiT8qP4dAeNO3o27-9Q5IG96KQ5PD5DygMOyPIjHftVGaYJYBJjhj9o3Q/s1600-h/Hoover+Suspension+Bridge.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370045440637357970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzSLy7Vd3otA1dOrEmwqjaVHFqJ-HUfxvoG2NaQtYsIUu1GnqpB9XE6IpmK5BX3hEVjMaE2T3eKUCglFMFqHiT8qP4dAeNO3o27-9Q5IG96KQ5PD5DygMOyPIjHftVGaYJYBJjhj9o3Q/s200/Hoover+Suspension+Bridge.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the arch for the bypass bridge currently being built. They're using a lot of the same technology used for the original dam-building. Hopefully, the poor workmen aren't wearing the same clothes used before: courduroy pants, Wellies and baseball hats dipped in tar.<br /><br /></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJuyBNhoyl_f-21E3cHRb5dhxhhhkNWJOM61AkhgD61emp7VMJsm2WkkGBTQterKxqAWwF56h-u4eyhRTVvWLAYsDoA91zEIkBsGF3jNF_Rki422cslImtI5rI3oJPC-HGam_zR9D0qk/s1600-h/Hoover+Dam+JJ.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370045436064960162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJuyBNhoyl_f-21E3cHRb5dhxhhhkNWJOM61AkhgD61emp7VMJsm2WkkGBTQterKxqAWwF56h-u4eyhRTVvWLAYsDoA91zEIkBsGF3jNF_Rki422cslImtI5rI3oJPC-HGam_zR9D0qk/s200/Hoover+Dam+JJ.JPG" border="0" /></a> Look! We're cute!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA8yrvHw652T6oqILdMTH89A9dby0iEB6a6F6LiOO2ICeBF83eVHF_gIcaXu9S8zgGdc3ZE46Aq0KMLF8TyTgy-x1HW79YP4CHSCnLF5JPhU59FzgoRt1DFlSQik5LgOtkxbFwlhFODM/s1600-h/Penguins.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370045468852887730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA8yrvHw652T6oqILdMTH89A9dby0iEB6a6F6LiOO2ICeBF83eVHF_gIcaXu9S8zgGdc3ZE46Aq0KMLF8TyTgy-x1HW79YP4CHSCnLF5JPhU59FzgoRt1DFlSQik5LgOtkxbFwlhFODM/s200/Penguins.JPG" border="0" /></a> Only I could find penguins in the desert.</div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370045460512836882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IHcoi0weuMOi_BI6CwlrRmAcNIEp6BjQ30UlaqBbzZFvwClJV6Fwkey2Clhg5jh7zMdT9Xd7Kwq96qhVhIrbpfJpynt8Pt2HrgQyHVQB862Mge3W8mRliOWxROfdjVB634vrG217_Wc/s200/Me+%26+Mom.JPG" border="0" /> </div></div><br /><p>Still cute! I'm looking a bit heavy, but damn cute.</p><p>We stayed at Mandalay and the tram to Excalibur was sent straight from Heaven. Jason was very excited to get solicited for the first time, and Mom and I had a blast making fun of all the women dressed like solicitors and their footwear. </p><p>So that was about it: Mandalay is beautiful, the pools were divine and Jason and I lost a whole bunch of money. Will had a blast with Grandma & Poppy and is better behaved now than when he left me. Yay!</p>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-76302999818954243442009-08-08T21:16:00.003-05:002009-08-08T21:21:30.825-05:00SaturdayIt was God-awful hot today, so The Abs & Pops and I took Will to Baskin Robbins for some ice cream after nap. Short Stack has been dry all day today and I've been super-proud of him. While we were in the "ice cream house", he told me he needed to go potty. <br /><br />Guess what?<br /><br />It was an excuse to go into an accoustically-sound room and scream his mother-loving head off. Apparently people standing in line to order were looking at each other wondering what the hell I was doing to my child in the public bathroom. While Will was running around the bathroom enjoying the sound of his own voice (very much his father's son), he literally ran into the sink. You'd think the thing was made of rubber with the way Will bounced off of it.<br /><br />Easily the funniest part of my day. Not so much for Will, who's now sporting the makings of a black eye.The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5127116992204467938.post-59506773066557136342009-08-06T20:27:00.005-05:002009-08-06T20:31:28.142-05:00Bet you say that to all the girlsThings you don't ever want to hear in your life:<br /><blockquote><p>"Man, you really salivate a lot, don't you"</p></blockquote>-<em>your dentist</em>The Carter'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03481864607783386449noreply@blogger.com1