Blackberry Pics

Hunter likes to stuff his mouth full of food (and just keep stuffing it).  He got very upset with me when I took the food off of his tray until he finished what was in his mouth.

Hunter and I went to the Children's Museum with a bunch of friends.  Hunter had a good time playing and exploring.

We went to Roger Brown's for lunch after the museum.  Hunter enjoyed sharing a meal with M (and putting all the rice back on his side of the table).  Roger Brown came and chatted with us, super nice guy.

I gave Hunter a Plum Baby food in the car because he was screaming hungry.  He did awesome with the first one and started screaming again, so I gave him another.  He was being very quiet and when I got to a stop light I turned around and saw him squeezing it out.  This is what he looked like when we pulled into the driveway.

We went to Jessica's triplets' 1st birthday party.  Hunter enjoyed a red bell pepper.  He is definitely my child!

1st Hair Cut

Carl kept telling me Hunter needed a hair cut for the past few weeks.  I didn't want to.  I didn't want him to be a "big" boy.  I didn't want him to lose his crazy curls.  Today I finally decided that Hunter did in fact need a hair cut.  He was starting to look like a rag-a-muffin.  While at The Little Gym, I told Carl we needed to get Hunter's hair cut after class.  We walked down to the hair place.  I didn't have my camera (since it was a spur of the moment thing), so I apologize for the bad before pictures.

I was holding Hunter, so I didn't have any pictures of the during process.  He was super tired and wasn't very happy with the process, especially the trimmer.  He has lots of crocodile tears during that part.

We rewarded ourselves him with Skinny Dip after.  Yummy!

Why I Work

Recently, I had a mom make a comment about the fact that I work (something about paying someone else to raise my child).  I'm all for staying home with your kids (as long as they are given proper socialization... I've seen what happens when a child doesn't socialize regularly).  I would LOVE to stay home with Hunter.  It just isn't in the cards for us.  I think there are pros and cons to both sides and that whatever side you pick is what is best for your family.  There is no right or wrong, only what suits your family's needs.

My school loan (all of grad school and half of my undergrad) is insane.  The payment on it is insane.  We wouldn't be able to pay that if I didn't work.  If we didn't pay it, our wages could be garnished (especially our income tax return), we wouldn't be able to purchase our "forever" home, etc., etc.

I like being able to pay all of our bills and still have some "fun" money.  Without the fun money, we wouldn't be able to be members at the Y, be members of TLG, or have memberships to the zoo and Children's Museum (all of which we have purchased for Hunter... believe it or not I've only worked out twice with our Y membership).

I also like the fact that we can pay our mortgage so we have a roof over our heads.  And we can put food on the table.  And the fact that we could afford to have Hunter on Nutramigen like he needed.

I like putting into practice what I spent so many years learning about.  It is fun.  It gives me adult interaction.  I enjoy my job.  Do I love it more than Hunter?  Of course not!  But my job is what helps allow us to do the things mentioned above (this is all including Carl's job as well).  It is also very rewarding to make a difference in a child's life.  I still remember my speech therapist.

Ultimately, I do what I do for Hunter.  Everything that Carl and I do, we do with Hunter as our number 1 priority.

And I just want to say that I love Mrs. Cathy (Hunter's sitter) and I'm very thankful she is in our lives.

Change (the good kind)

It is amazing how much your child can teach you in just 13 months and how much you shape your life around your child.

-Slow down.  I'm a fast walker.  I like to get where I'm going in the least amount of time possible.  Hunter, on the other hand, likes to take his time and look at everything.  He even likes to go back and check an object out again.  At first, I would pick Hunter up and be on our way.  Then I realized that maybe I needed to slow down and take it all in.
-Appreciate small things.  Hunter is amazed by everything.  The other night it was my tongue and teeth (and the fact that they do not come out of my mouth).
-Your friends.  Unless they have kids or are around kids enough to understand everything that comes with a child (you know, like naps, eating schedules, bedtimes, etc.), you don't really get to hang out.  The friends we hang out with who do not have kids understand Hunter's need for his routine and will typically come hang out with us at our house (because that is where all of Hunter's things are) or they have a pretty child proof house for us to go to.  The rest of our friends have kids.  We have even made a lot of new friends we have met at The Little Gym.
-Schedules and routines.  I'm very type A.  I love schedules and routines.  I didn't realize how much of one I didn't have until Hunter came along.  I know exactly when I need to have dinner finished (or at least his dinner), what time I can push nap to, or when I can lay him down for an early nap.
-Don't take everything seriously.  This goes two ways.  Have fun with everything (even food and milk) but don't get offended easily.  It took me a while to not get a little heartbroken when Hunter wanted nothing to do with me when Daddy was around (or asking for Daddy when I go in and get him in the morning).  He doesn't do it to be mean, he has seen me all day and just wants to be with Daddy. I'm learning to be okay with that.
-Knowing how to help others.  Carl and I are helpful, but until you have a child you don't really know exactly how to be the most helpful to someone with a child.  We have now learned what we can do to help at birthday parties, dinners, etc.

I'm sure there are more, and I will probably add some as we go along in life.  I wouldn't trade having Hunter in our lives for anything.  He is an absolute joy and we love every minute of it.

Progress

Ryleigh's Party

On Sunday, we celebrated Ryleigh's 5th birthday at Chuck-E-Cheese's.  I forgot my camera took pictures with my phone, so the quality isn't great.  The better looking pictures are from Mel's phone.

I'm 5!

Other than Daddy (and sometimes me), Cubbie is seriously Hunter's favorite person

Guest Post

Head on over to Sarah's blog and check out my Guest Post.  What do you think?  Would you like to see some of that on my blog?

Blackberry Pics

On Tuesday, Hunter and I went to my sister's MIL's house.  My sister's brother and sister in law are in town, so we took a group photo (minus baby Drew who was sleeping).  What is Hunter to do with all these girl cousins and "cousins"?

Hunter enjoying one of his gifts.  He loves the cow... every farm animal says, "Moo!"

It has been crazy hot here.  Thursday, we headed to the Children's Museum again.  This time, he dressed like a fire fighter.

Sunday Funday

Carl, Hunter, and I made yesterday a family fun day.  We went to the Children's Museum in Portsmouth.  They remodeled the whole museum and it is awesome.  For all you teachers out there, you get in for free (everything is SOL based).

A carrot!!

My little doctor

"Right this way, please."

The next Blue Man Group

What's wrong with this picture?

Maybe he will be a vet?

Or a fire fighter

Or maybe a police officer

Bubble room

Hunter wasn't too sure about the bottle rockets:

This was pretty cool.  The magnets were set to the beat of the music:

After the museum and Hunter's nap, we headed to the Y to play in the outdoor water park.  Hunter loves it, especially the waterfalls and the cornhole boards.  I was able to snap a few photos before Hunter wanted me to play in the water with him.

Blackberry Pics

This is how Hunter spent most of the ride down to Corolla

Cool shades (one of those cheesy gift shops in Corolla).

Kelly and I enjoying good books up on the tower

Emma loved holding Hunter's hand and walking with him up and down the hall.

This is our water toy we play with at home...
he loves to try to get all of the water that sprays up

Ever since Hunter could put things in his mouth, he has always loved to put this guy's feet in his mouth.  We hadn't been to Meemaw Swann's house in a while, but I pulled him out of the toy bin and those feet went right in his mouth.  Old habits die hard.

Hunter likes to enjoy a good book on car rides.