Dodd Adventures

Laughing all the way home

2012-01-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

My 4 year old can DRIVE!
Bump & Go!

SO Excited about driving!

Daddy won the PRIZED banana (aka Mr. Banan-ie Dodd Dodd) with the claw machine.

We won't say how many quarters it took to win!

XBox Rookies!

I have laughed SO hard this weekend! Friday we took Carter to the "bowling area" as he called it. Who knew that bowling allies now have skating rinks, laser tag, bumper cars, bungee jumps & so much more. Carter finally talked me into getting onto the bummer cars and I laughed and had the best time.

Friday was an odd day. No one went to work. No one went to school. We had a special day as a family. AJ was even happy...most of the day. CW wanted a special trip with daddy to the bowling "area." When they came home we all went out to dinner (@ 430pm). The new bowling alley was SO cool mommy wanted to go too. So we went back a second time.

Today Papa Jerry & Nana Ruby came for a visit. They brought us dinner. We had a great time watching AJ in his high chair. However, the true highlight of the day was Papa Jerry playing XBox. I thought I would bust a gut laughing so hard. It was great to see my own Daddy being so funny.

Saturday we talked to Carter about doing chores and earning money, because he was just a smudge ungrateful when we left the bowling alley. He wasn't too happy about "working." However once he found out he got money he was a little more interested. Tonight he came into the kitchen and asked, "Can I put anything else on the table?" It was sooo sweet & sincere I wanted to kiss him!

Carter got a short new hair cut yesterday. He looks so stinking cute I just want to squeeze him constantly. Oh how the days are flying by SOOO fast. These are the good times. When they are cute & innocent! Although he did look at me at the bowling alley and say, "Oh yeah mommy, your just a fool!" Well we had a BIG talk about what it means to be a fool & a schooling in Biblical principles when we got home! But mostly the sweet times outweigh the rotten ones for both boys. =-)

5 Months old

2012-01-29T20:02:00.000-08:00

First time in the highchair. Watching AJ wrestle his toy was very entertaining.

He worked so hard to maneuver it that he blew out his diaper!

Full of Smiles at least for a few minutes!

Bright EYES!

Happy Smiles!

I simply cannot believe that AJ is 5 months old today. That is almost half a year already! Where has the time gone?? Mostly it has been consumed with crying and wailing...but perhaps those days are fading into glorious smiles and coos. At least on can hope! But then again I often feel like crying from 5pm-9pm too.

AJ isn't rolling anywhere yet. He has thought about it a few times. He probably decided there was no point because with a little fussing someone will pick him up and take him to where he wants to go. He loves to blow raspberries. Which drenches his shirt in about 5 minutes. Don't think about putting a bib on him because he will pull on it so hard that he will surely break it!

Daddy & Carter are good at making AJ laugh. I get tiny giggles from him when I bury my head into his belly. AJ seems to think Carter is the funniest person on the planet and often I beg CW to entertain him for a few minutes so I can potty in peace!

Today AJ wouldn't fit into size 9 months slacks. Those little thighs & hips are so irresistible that you can't help but pat them! Do they measure leg circumference for infants? Perhaps we should participate in a research study for largest & CUTEST baby legs!

Burr!

2012-01-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

The building and grow PRO!

Sundays are rOuGh!

It was 24 degrees today. We stayed warm by staying at home. AJ screamed for his supper tonight. THREE bowls of oatmeal before he passed out on daddy's shoulder.

New Year's Day

2012-01-13T15:34:00.000-08:00

Give me back MY bear!
Chunky Monkey

Styling in my new shirt from Grandma & Papa.

Can't wait until I can dress myself all stylish like Carter does.

Jump away baby!

December 29, 2011 4 Months Old

2012-01-13T07:04:00.000-08:00

What is it about that silly cloth diaper?

AJ pulls and tugs and fights with the cloth diaper until he falls asleep.

As a clarification....it has never been used as a diaper.

I took 37 pictures before I got one decent one! We had family pictures made this morning. I forgot AJ's pants and Carter refused to cooperate for most of the session. I really don't know how photographers put up with other peoples children! Maybe because they are cute??

Snoozing with Daddy...for a moment anyway.

2012-01-13T06:57:00.000-08:00

Legos all around!

WHAT is going on mommy?

Roll on!

Christmas 2012

2012-01-13T06:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Happy Joy Joy
The Motley Crue

Elijah & his silly eye ball

CW and his Lego "Racey Car"

Gaga for baby

Resting & relaxing

Aunt Lisa loves to stealing snuggles with AJ

Hung by the chimney with care!

I think I have camera fatigue! I didn't take ANY pictures at Nana or Papa Jerry's & Nana Ruby's house. Mark & Lisa took the above photos. We visited with everyone. AJ spent his first night away from home and did pretty well in the car. Expect for the diaper blow out in Red Boiling Springs. At least we made it to the gas station before they closed so I could wash my hands.

Our elf appeared sometime in December. Her name is Agent E. I'm not sure why she is a girl, but CW gave her a spy name because of his obsession with Finn McMissile. She has hung from the light in the foyer, appeared in closets, on the tree and various other funny places. I hope her last flight back to the pole was a safe one because we hope she returns next year!

Cookies & Yuckies!

2012-01-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

My Little Baker

My little Cookie Monster

AJ 3.5 months old.

Carter's school has a HUGE cookie back every December. They make over 1000 cookies and deliver them to various places. I had planned on taking Carter but we decided to stay home and bake cookies instead. We went to Kroger to get fresh ingredients as the Crisco in my cabinet had an expiration date of 2007. Carter kept asking for something to eat while we were in Kroger. We are in the baking aisle and he up-chucks EVERYWHERE! After being mortified for a brief moment I was filled with relief that it happened at Kroger when I didn't have to clean it up! He was fine afterward. We left to get ingredients at 10am & by 6pm the cookies were ready to eat. I didn't realize making cookies was an all day project. It was fun and they were YUMMY! atd

Getting Ready

2011-12-16T21:10:00.000-08:00

Today was Carter's last day of school before Christmas. He is SO excited about Santa this year! He has decided to take the television off his Christmas list & add a "Racy Car" suitcase instead.
Daddy & Carter's masterpiece of the evening!

Just a swinging. AJ gets so flustered that he can't get his ENTIRE fist in his mouth to chew on.

I left his clothes on while doing his foot prints. Good thing I took them off to do the hand prints. Whewww getting those little hands inked up, open & on the paper was a TASK!

2011-12-03T19:51:00.000-08:00

All dressed up but Mommy won't leave the house with me!

Mostly because I scream in the car, just like my brother did.

3 months old and full of smiles...sometimes =-)

AJ took his first snooze in his crib on November 19th @ 2.5 months old.
He slept for about 2.5 hours in his crib, but I had to pick him up every 30 minutes and rock him back to sleep.

Carter saw AJ sleeping in his old room and told us that he wanted to move back to his old room. We had good intentions of painting and decorating Carter's new room before AJ was born but it hadn't happened yet. Mark took Carter to pick out some paint. He chose bright green and bright blue. They came home with a grayish-blue.

Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday of the year, but it was pretty stressful this year. AJ just isn't a happy camper unless he his at home, and sometimes he isn't a happy camper there either. The only place AJ goes is to take Carter to school & pick Carter up from school. Maybe he is mad because we never take him anywhere??

During Thanksgiving weekend we went to Grandma & Papa's on Thursday, Aunt Verna & Grandma came to visit on Saturday, & we traveled to Great Granny Turner's on Sunday. Everyone got to see AJ's cranky side. I did my Black Friday shopping from home which was actually much nicer than being in the stores.

AJ turned 3 months old this past week. His hands are now open most of the time. He has out grown all his 3 months clothes. He smiles alot and makes this funny yelling sound before he sneezes. Not much in the laughing department but I know it is coming. My favorite sound is the "IGOOO" sounds like of like 'I'm good' to his mama's ears.

Carter has his first basketball game today. He refused to go on the court with his team. I told him if he would do what his coach asked for an hour I would let him pick something out of the vending machine. My bribe worked like a charm and he ran out on the court. The highlight of the day was when one of CW's teammates threw him the ball and it hit him in the head, because CW wasn't paying attention and had his hands in his shirt.

Just as we should have been leaving to go to the game AJ spit-up all over me. I was rushing around trying to change clothes and get out the door. Carter said something to me and I asked him to repeat it because I couldn't hear him over the dryer. He was standing at the door and turned to me and said, "I'm not going to keep going over this with you!" and slammed the door behind him. I was laughing so hard (on the inside) that I did not bother to have the "that is not how you talk to your mother conversation." Then in the car he said, "How many times do I have to say this, no one is listening to me!" Sassy, sassy, sassy 4 year old stinker!

I have never been very big on decorating for Christmas, but Monday Carter asked me why our house / lawn wasn't decorated for Christmas. (Nothing like a 4 year old guilt to make you get your spirit on!). CW said he wanted to decorate the lawn with reindeer and jack-o-lanterns. I came home and cleaned up the living room to get ready to put up the Christmas tree. It only took till Saturday night to get the ornaments on the tree.

When AJ came home from the hospital Carter stopped playing with his toys. We didn't understand it and brought in some different toys. The living room was jammed with toys and none of the them seem to hold his attention for more than a few minutes. I knew some of the toys needed to be stored to make room for the Christmas tree. On Monday while Carter was at school I packed away all his train tracks. It is Saturday and he hasn't asked where they are yet. Putting away his wooden tracks made me sad. I literally thought my heart would break as I carried them out to the bonus room. Before we know it he will only want cash for Christmas and the keys to the car every Saturday night! (I brought in a few infant toys for AJ and Carter wanted to play with those of course!)

I had to really probe Carter to get him to tell me what he wants from Santa. Evidently he only needs to tell Santa not mommy. He listed a bouncy ball, a kitchen with a pan so he could flip pancakes, a new train track layout, & a television for his room. "Oh wait I need two televisions. One for Daddy's room & one for my room so I can watch whatever is on downstairs when I'm upstairs in my room!" Daddy suggested we just hang the television from the ceiling so CW could just watch it while he sleeps and of course CW thinks that is a GRAND idea.

Kung Fu

2011-11-19T16:10:00.000-08:00

My boys! (Technically all 3 are in the picture)

Finn McMissle strategically placed by Big Brother. Kung Fu Fighting!

No denying those eyes are BLUE!

Mommy's new self portrait!

Mark and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary this past week. Grandma and Papa came over to wrangle the boys today so we could go out by ourselves. (I think we really both just wanted to nap...haha). We went to eat at our favorite Mexican dive and then to Toys-R-Us. If you are planning a wedding I recommend NOT doing it close to Christmas because you will spend every anniversary shopping for Christmas presents. It was a much needed break. We were both VERY grateful for Grandma and Papa giving us a time-out to enjoy each others company!

AJ slept without his swaddle for the first time last night. He slept as long as normal but was VERY noisy. Lots of crying out in his sleep which woke me up, but at least he kept sleeping. He is still doing lots of newborn things. Fist clinched most of the time and is toast about 1.5 hours after he wakes up. He is still napping in 30 minute spurts during the day, but does GReAT at night. I think he has started making more coo-ing and ooo-ing sounds over the past few days.

Thus far AJ hasn't been to daycare. I am so thankful for this, but miss him SO much when I'm at work. He gives Mark heck on Tuesdays but by Thursdays they are better friends.

Carter has gotten in trouble at school (& home) alot lately. Several times he has flipped two cards in one day. Which has been very embarrassing to me as a person, however I keep telling my self kids do dumb things. That is why they are kids. Shoot I'm thirty-something and still do dumb things, thankfully my boss doesn't have a card system. =-) atd

Dare Devil

2011-11-19T15:49:00.000-08:00

Carter and I were suppose to go to the grocery store. On the way there he asked me to stop at the park. I REALLY didn't want to go to the store anyway. We had a blast at the Hippo-Playground, went to Wendy's, stopped at Kroger for milk and ended our date at Popcorn-Delights. Much more fun than a serious coupon-ing trip to Publix!
I love this little boy look! So sweet and innocent.

Carter is signed up to play basket ball this winter. This is our first attempt at organized sports and basketball skills camp did not go well. Carter did not want to even go on the floor with the other kids. Thanks to the camp coordinator he at least left our side and went to horse around for a while. I think he enjoyed the game of Duck-Duck-Goose at the end the most. He was chosen as a "most courageous" and got a Gatorade at the end of the 2-hour camp. I'm not sure how this "season" is going to work out. Perhaps we should try art class instead. His first "game" is December 3rd. Which just happens to be Breakfast with Santa at school too. Decisions, decision?

Finn McMissle introduced himself on stage with his class at the Halloween Custom Parade. The Pre-K class went last and was probably the most well behaved and quiet class in the room!

Andrew cried the whole time. Several other mommy's asked to hold him. (Probably because they wanted him to be quiet.) To which I replied SURE. (Its flu season I really want you to hold my kid!) The mommy would take him down the hall way and try all their tricks only to bring him back 5 minutes later and inform me that, "he wants his mommy." Really if his mother can't calm him down I'm not sure what a stranger thinks they are going to do with him??? Once we got to Carter's classroom AJ went to sleep. Maybe, AJ just wanted EVERYONE to know he was at the Halloween Parade too!

HUGE slide at a Fall Festival at some church that was giving away free food. I ate TWO hot dogs! Something about free makes me do all sorts of strange things.

NO FEAR!

Eating & Growing

2011-10-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Check out my new trick...I make an 'O' with my mouth which is occasionally accompanied with some 'O' sounding cooing. My mommy thinks it is the bomb-diggity.
Happy baby after sleeping for 6+ hours straight last night! 8wks 2 days old.

7.5 wks old and holding down the fort with Daddy

Put down the camera and pick me up LADY! 6.5 wks

I LIKE my swing ALOT these days. In fact I'd rather be there than have someone hold me. Unless of course they are feeding me. ME LIKE TO EAT!

Sly fox!

Cutest little grin while hanging with Grandma & Papa. 5 wks old.

Our little AJ has become quiet complicated as babies do! (Why don't they read books on how to be babies while in utero???) He likes to nap in 30 minute stretches all day, but does good at night. In fact he is waking up now so I must run instead of blogging about how cute and wonderful our baby is! atd

Big Boy Fun

2011-10-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

Paint and stickers to decorate pumpkins seem a little safer than sharp objects, but not quiet as much fun. Notice the tongue is sticking out for concentration.

Costume Party here we come

Those aren't clowns mommy they are real people. Um yes son clowns are real people.

Really you want a BLUE UNICORN?

Mr. Fix it!

My favorite funny conversation with Carter lately went something like this.

CW: What comes before zero mommy?

Me: Negative one?

CW: No blast off. There is no negative one.

Fall break was fun. We went to birthday parties, Monkey Joes, had some play dates, went to the circus, library and watched a lot of television. Who ever said television shouldn't be used as a sitter obviously didn't have a newborn and a 4 year old! atd

Hello World

2011-10-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

Hole in...several tries! Mark took CW to play miniature golf last Saturday.

They also played pool and air hockey.

5 1/2 weeks old. AJ's perfect smile still eludes Mommy's camera.

CW wanted to do the Pumpkin Patch slide all by himself. We went to the pumpkin patch with friends from Primrose. It was easy to see Carter misses his old pals.

This was AJ's first time in his swing.

He liked it twice...now he screams after about 30 seconds in it. Oh well...back to mama's arms!

Carter was on fall break last week and this week. It has been interesting to have both boys at home with me during the day. I feel like Carter isn't getting enough attention. However he assures me he is fine as long as I let him play on the computer and watch television. =-( He spent a few days with Nana last week and didn't want to come home.

AJ is growing like crab grass! At 5 weeks old he had gained 2# 7oz and weighed 11#12oz. He had his frenulum clipped at 4 weeks old because he wasn't able to suck properly. How can you can that much weight and not be able to suck properly you ask....us too? He is currently eating about 5 oz every 2.5 to 4 hours. However it takes him over an hour to eat 5 oz. We are doing "suck strengthening" exercises to help him become a more efficient eater. One doctor called it "sucking rehab." I don't care you who are...that is funny.

Today AJ is 6 weeks old and has his first case of the snots. Awe welcome fall & germs. atd

Tracing Our Roots

2011-09-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

First Bottle. AJ drank 4oz then demanded more!

He weighted 9#15oz on 9/20/11 (3 weeks old). That is a gain of 10oz in 6 days.
It really isn't hard to determine where Carter gets his since of fashion and where his parents are from given his preferred Saturday attire.

This week has been a bit more challenging to get Andrew to sleep in the evenings. It seems the witching hour is kicking in.

Carter helped Mark assemble the crib this afternoon. CW was running through the house yelling, "I'm a big brother, I'm a big brother." He was super excited about his new room and to be a part of helping assemble the crib.

Carter has his first field trip at school this week. It seems he "got to sit in the first seat on the bus with the teacher." His little buddy also got to sit in the front seat with the other teacher. I'm hoping they were behaving and the teachers were just heading off any shenanigans by the two!

Poopy Post

2011-09-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

Our little AJ has a knack for pooping on his mommy. It seems it just isn't a good day for him

unless he sprays and squirts me!

Mark and I gave AJ a bath on 9/7. He was all wrapped up in a towel and I was feeding him after his bath. He started pooping and Mark and I were laughing at the rocket sounds he was making. Suddenly I realized he did not have on a diaper and was pooping all over the towel and me!

Every day this week the little squirt has gotten me. I think I need to improve my diaper changing speed. atd

2011-09-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sweet Dreams AJ!

Last week Carter decided he was ready to go to his class without mommy walking him in. Tomorrow he has his first field trip! He is super excited about going story time at the Gallatin Library. We had our first parent teacher conference this past week. It seems our little angel likes to be the class clown and make everyone laugh.

Carter still seems to be doing pretty well adjusting to being a big brother. I was laying down with him tonight and he told me he couldn't sleep because Andrew was crying. Then he asked me to go settle AJ down. I was shocked when CW said he would be fine to fall sleep by himself tonight.

Andrew is growing so quickly. I forgot how quickly babies grow! He was 9#15 oz on Tuesday (3 weeks old). Putting his clothes on is getting easier because he is cooperating a little bit more. I'm also surprised at the increase in his head control. We are soaking it all in knowing that the newborn stage goes too quickly!

Waking Up

2011-09-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

Pa & Granny Turner meet AJ. AJ slept in Granny's lap for over an hour.

Bubble Machine

All dressed up for a doctor's visit.

Carter does not like to have his picture taken these days. Andrew is too young to protest, so I can snap away.

AJ had a very busy week. Learning to rule the roost is hard work. He began to be awake more on Friday. He is still pretty laid back and doesn't cry too much...as long as we hold him. Awe 3am comes early. atd

THE BIG BIRTHDAY

2011-09-11T18:52:00.000-07:00

Carter and Grandma decorating birthday cupcakes. Dodd boys love CAKE!

Lisa was too busy cuddling to blow out candles.

Papa entertaining AJ.

Exhausted from a week of changes!

September 5th was AJ's due date. He was suppose to share the big day with Mark, Lisa, & Great-Great Grandma Dodd. Maybe AJ just wanted to give us another excuse to eat cake!

Meet the Gray's

2011-09-04T12:42:00.001-07:00

Lisa and Emma can't wait to hold Baby Andrew

Uncle Gary needed to some cuddle time too.

Elijah does not like to have his picture taken!

Grandma gets a few minutes to snuggle before munchkin wants to eat AGAIN!

September 3rd

We took a trip to Grandma & Papa's house to visit. The Gray's were there too. Mark and I left AJ and Carter for the first time to go get KFC for dinner. Neither of the boys realized we were gone. AJ ate frequently tonight which was fine with me. Mommy was a little uncomfortable to say the least.

Carter stayed all night with his cousins at Grandma's house. Again he really missed his parents because he has already asked if he could stay again tonight. Lisa took the kids to the Science Center. Awe I'm feeling a little like chopped liver but enjoying it all at the same time.

AJ has been sleeping in my arms for hours while I wrote all 5 blog updates. I'm so grateful for everyone who has helped us make it though this first week. It was been a WONDERFUL experience. God is great and life is good! atd

Happy Family

2011-09-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

Dad and his boys.
Mommy with the guys....I'm definately out numbered by boys now.

Sleepy head!

First bath at home.

First rode trip to Nana's.

September 1

We hung out at home to let everyone get used to all the new stuff going on!

September 2

We did a lot of first today! We took Carter to school and forgot his backpack and snack for the first time. AJ went to the doctor's office for the first time (8#6oz). We went out to eat at a restaurant for the first time (Wendy's...high class!). Then we took a quick trip to Nana's house so Hope and Bryan could meet AJ. First take out from Pizza Hut. Lastly, first bath at home. Whew...I'm ready for bed!

Coming Home

2011-09-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

BROTHER is HOME!

First exposure to "fresh air" in the parking garage.

Leaving our "Room" at the Inn

So long nursery! All security devices removed.

First Ride in a Honda!

Snoozed all the way home...

First cuddles with Grandma.

Down for the count the first night home.

August 31, 2011

Grandma was at our house a few minutes after we arrived. It was great to have someone there to welcome us home.

Carter is doing great with the transition at this point. He wants to hold Andrew a few times a day for about 5 seconds. The rest of the time he is just being Carter and doing what Carter does.

The first night was a little rough, but I broke out the Happiest Baby on the Block book for a quick review. God Bless Dr. Karp and his 5 s's.

Sleepy Head

2011-09-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

Fresh from the womb
Chief Crazy Hair.
Mommy consumed over 400+ Tums while pregnant, confirming the heartburn = hair theory.
Our little monkey-pillar!

Papa Jerry & Nana Ruby came to meet AJ.

Baby AJ did his one-eye pirate trick for his proud grandparents!

August 30th, 2011

My friend Kelli came to visit us in the hospital. Kelli is expecting twins any day. We were having a race to the finish. I hope her eviction day comes soon!

When Elaine asked me when I wanted to go home I told her I'd stay as long as possible. Carter did great staying with Grandma and Papa. Grandma came to our house to sleep over which Carter LOVED.

Baby Andrew slept alot and ate a little. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed lots of snuggle time with baby AJ. Mommy even took a nap! Mark and I walked to the cafeteria for a change of scenery. While walking down the hall a young male Vanderbilt employee looked at me and said, "are you about ready to pop?" I was stunned and Mark said, "yeah yesterday!" I'm not sure dude understood what Mark said but I just laughed it off. After we had been home from the hospital a few days Carter asked me why my belly was still SO big. I told him I ate too many cookies!

AJ's Birthday

2011-09-04T08:55:00.001-07:00

Mark & Nana were very surprised at how calm I was at 6:30am.

That had changed by 10am. Good thing no one was taking pictures of me at 10am!

Drum Roll please!
Sweet Baby of Mine

Official Weigh-In: 9# 5 oz

Baby brother meet Carter. Carter meet baby Brother.

4 Dodd's. What will this little guys name be?

CW is a BIG BOY compared to little brother! AJ slept though Carter's visit despite Carter tickling him and shaking his bassinet to try to get AJ to giggle.

Papa Bear & his new Cub

One last picture before bed time! AJ opened only one eye at a time for several days.

Magwa - too bright! AKA One-Eyed Jack.

Monday, August 29th

I fell asleep about midnight.

2:00am Carter woke me up. I stayed in his bed till about 3:00.

3:38 Started timing my contractions. Perhaps eviction day has arrived!

4:45 Woke up Mark and text my mom to get her fanny on the road.

Began doing all the last minute things one does before they leave the house for a few days. Dishes, take out the trash / recycle, laundry, shower, finish packing, etc.

6:45 Left for the hospital. We didn't wake Carter up. Nana was at the house with him. Called the midwife office, and all other grandparents.

7:30 Got to the hospital. Checked in with some less than friendly faces. No midwife at the hospital yet. Grrr. Shift change was at 7am and some how the midwife that was leaving call didn't communicate to the one coming on duty that I was on my way. Also she didn't tell the hospital I was coming. We got a triage room & I was assigned a nurse who had never worked in triage before. Meg couldn't figure out the thermometer and I was quickly losing my patience with her.

8:00 Elaine from the midwife office arrived and said she was stuck in traffic.

8:15 Nurse Meg & Elaine told us to go walk for an hour and come back.

9:05 I'm all done with walking and ready for some pain medicine. I didn't want to disappoint the midwife but quickly signed up for an epidural.

The next 6 hours are pretty much a blur. There were a couple times that they couldn't find Andrew's heart beat. 15+ people in blue came running into the room screaming c-section, sign here. But Elaine had everything under control and kept us reassured. Epidurals rock and I would kiss Robert Andrew Hingson for his invention if he were still alive. I also have to say the my nurse Vanessa rOcKed! I told her she need to be on Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. Elaine and all the midwives were wonderful too!

2 big pushes and 2 little pushes around 3pm and Andrew James Dodd arrived at 3:08. 9#5oz & 20.5". Evicting 9+# sure made mommy's belly feel much better!

Nana meet Andrew and was quickly shewed from the room by all the people in blue. Mark went to get me some thing to eat. Andrew went to the nursery with Daddy to get his official stats recorded.

Grandma, Papa & Carter came to visit around 7ish. When Carter woke up on Monday Nana was at the house with him. Mark and I were gone to the hospital. The little stinker didn't even ask where his parents were. He was having too much fun telling Nana how to get him ready for school evidently. Grandma came to pick him up from school and still no questions about where is my mom & dad. CW feel asleep on the way to Grandma's house. Finally when he woke up Grandma told him baby Andrew was here. I'm glad I worried so much about how he would handle us being gone!

Around midnight Andrew went to the nursery for a few hours. He was a very sleep head in the hospital. He had fat granny cheeks and the wrinkly tiniest hands, fingers, toes and feet! Truly love at first sight.

Shenanigan's Dodd

2011-08-22T09:18:00.001-07:00

Mommy's latest Craigslist finds. Carter has really enjoyed my CHEAP investment.

Alas my house will never be free of sand again.

What cha' drawing Papa Jerry?

Baby Andrew has another nickname: Shenanigan's Dodd. He had refused to get into the correct position to be born for weeks. Friday I had an ultrasound and then a doctors appointment to schedule a cesarean. At the ultrasound he was head down and face down, just like a good little fetus! By the time I got to the doctor's office he was still head down but was face up. This kid is full of tricks. At this point we are waiting for Andrew to decide he is ready to meet the world. Who knows what position he will be in when I go into labor! The 3 little Dodd's are very anxious to meet our newest addition. Even Carter is asking, "Is baby brother ever going to be born?"

Bed Pants

2011-08-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

5:30 pm. Carter announced that he "wore my bed pants to school today." Little man got dressed by himself this morning and kept his pj bottoms on all day without spilling the beans to me. I thought I spotted something strange looking as he was finishing up going potty this afternoon. We were running out the door to do an errand at the time and I didn't bother to look closer.
I'm not sure where he got the term "bed pants" as we typically call them pajamas or pj's. Regardless he cracked Mark and I up the way he casually announced that he had pajamas on under his shorts just before dinner. Out of the mouth of babes!

Clean Toilet & Big Bottoms

2011-08-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

Saturday Carter and I went to Kroger to buy milk. He told me he wanted to go to Ross and look for a toy. I agreed, but he thought all the toys were too expensive. I'm not sure what his budget was but we left without a toy. I was certainly astounded! Of course he cost me about 10 bucks in Kroger and my gallon of milk was 40 bucks!

Saturday night Carter got in to a hurry when he was going to do his business. He fell into the toilet again. At least I had cleaned it earlier that day. He was 15 kinds of upset but didn't want to tell me what happened because Mark told him I would make him take another bath. =-)

Carter told me that I would never fall into the toilet because my bottom was too big. At least he followed it up Daddy's bottom was too big too! Tonight he told me I couldn't run very fast because my belly was too big. I said, "oh don't you mean because my belly is too big AND I have a big bottom." His reply was, "no there is just a problem with your big belly."

Sunday night we were coming home from church and we had the windows down on the car. Carter wanted to know if he could fly his kite when he got home because it was so windy. This conversation lead to a major science lesson about engines and the "other stuff" under the hood of mommy's car. Mark showed Carter all the parts under the hood and told them what they do and explained how the engine propels the car forward which creates wind. (It certainly wasn't windy enough to fly kites.)

This morning was another tearful drop off for me. Parent's are strongly encouraged to drop their kido's off and not get out of the car. I just wasn't ready to trust that Carter would find his way to his room and be ready for class in time. I figured he would stand in front of the aquarium in the lobby for an hour. He kept telling me he wanted me to walk him in everyday and I sort of enjoyed holding his hand while we walked up the hill. Knowing much too quickly he will decide he doesn't want to hold my hand in public anymore. There is only 10 minutes from the time he can arrive in his class until class starts, so I was usually still in the room when class started. I knew this was a distraction the other kids and probably annoying the teachers.

Today I asked CW if he would like to wait in the cafeteria with his friends until time to go to class. I thought it would probably be about 5 minutes before he would be dismissed to class. I walked him into the cafeteria, found his friends, and I started to leave. He gave me TWO kisses before I left. I sat outside the cafeteria trying to be sneaky to see if he was going to be okay. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and went to peek in on him. So much for being sneaky because he busted me in about 5 seconds. His class was just leaving the cafeteria and walking up the hill. He was all smiles and said bye mommy in such a sweet little voice I started to cry again.

I finally broke down and e-mailed Carter's teachers today to see if he was behaving. Their reply was YES but occasionally he has to be "encouraged" to sit down. Don't' all 4 year-olds have to be "encouraged" to sit?? They also said he did a great job getting ready for class without me being there.

On the baby front we hit 37 weeks today! So baby Andrew is full term. I'm fully ready to give Mr. Fitness America his eviction notice! Today I thought he was going to punch his way out of my uterus. Seriously kid stop beating up your mama! Come on out and meet your family! atd

BFF

2011-08-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday night Carter told me, "Mommy you will always be my best friend." Lets just say I melted.

Our first full week of school went very well. He only complained about going on Friday, and didn't have any potty accidents all week at school. Then he had 2 today, so much for that streak!

It is 9:30 and the little stinker just woke up and came to find me. So I'm back to bed for a few more scratchies and snuggles. atd

First Day of Pre-Kindergarden aka "Big Boy School"

2011-07-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

Notice the shirt is NOT tucked in.
Sporting his orange start glasses from the classroom treasure chest. He was SO excited to have another pair of star glasses. CW told me he got to get into the treasure chest because he didn't get in trouble all day!

He used to have a pink pair of star sunglasses from Sadie Wen's 2nd birthday party. He would put them on and say, "I"m a movie star" since he was about 20 months old. However they broke earlier this year. =-(

This was Carter's "practice" picture of himself he drew tonight for show and tell tomorrow. The round things outside of the body are his "chest." (That is what I told him his nipples where when he asked.) The purple on his head is a sea shell. The brown at the bottom is sand.

This is the final picture he drew for show and tell. CW said he was skating on a slide in this one.

Carter and Daddy painting Racy Car.

Wednesday was open house at Carter's new school. He was mostly polite when he meet his teachers but was more interested in scooping out all the stuff to do. We eventually made our way to the water slides. However CW was not very interested because he saw the huge mud puddle at the bottom of the slide and did not want to get all muddy. Finally he made his way down one of the slides and LOVED it. After 8 or 10 times he was ready for a snow cone and I was ready to LEAVE. It was HOT out there and I was melting.

Drop off went very well on Thursday (the first day of school). Carter's teacher hustled him over to the carpet to say the pledge and shewed me out the door. I cried a few tears once I got back in the car but pulled myself together rather quickly. He was ALL smiles when I picked him up in the car rider line. Telling me all about how he is not allowed to jump off the bridge on the play ground, that the bridge has a crack in it, and that he was scared of the bridge at first but not after he went over it once. He told me about snack time, showed me the sea shell his teacher gave him and wanted the candy from the goodie bag he scored too. I asked him what else he did and his rely was "boring stuff." Which made me laugh. Does a 4 year old know what it means to be "bored?"

I was quiet proud of the first snack he took to school. He wanted an apple, graham crackers, pretzels and two capri suns. At least the apple was a good choice and that was all he ate. Everything else came back home. I think he thinks he is packing food for a week! Tonight he wanted several items again. Eventually he settled for cucumbers and pretzels. We will see how long the produce trend last. I give it a few more days at the most. One mom at open house was going on and on about how healthy her kid eats and how he doesn't like junk. I just smiled and changed the subject. Does everyone really need to know that my kid prefers poptarts & gummies over carrots??

Car rider line sounds strange to me for two reasons. One because it is still JULY and another

that my child is old enough to be in something called a car rider line! One of my biggest issues is

not walking him in and going inside to get him. I'm sure the first day it is raining or when baby brother arrives and I don't have to lug him inside I will be SO glad I don't have to go inside. I feel like I'm losing daily contact with his caregiver and missing out on seeing all the fun stuff in his room that he is doing.

Friday Carter went back to Primrose for his last day. He fully understood this was his LAST day and did NOT want to stay. I went back to get him before nap and he was raring to go. I cried like a big baby telling everyone goodbye. Never in a million years did I think I would get emotional about leaving. Carter is smart as a tack thanks to the wonderful caregivers & teachers there. They made him a poster board size Thomas card. The staff and kids all signed it. I can't even read it without crying. Maybe they didn't do things the way I would have done them but he has certainly learned alot there.

My favorite Carter-ism from the past week is, "look I have an octagon mouth." He had a slice of cucumber in his pie hole at the time. CW really been interested in doing puzzles and games the past few weeks. He is also asking us to play with him more than ever before. "Mom want to do a puzzle with me." Another funny phrase he is using is "look at this, that is interesting." He has a little trouble saying the word interesting, but he at least he tries.

Nana, Pa D, Hope and Bryan came to visit today. We all went swimming and had brownies for dinner. It was a fun day and Carter was alseep by 8:35. If only I could get him to sleep that early every night!

Andrew is kicking the snot out of me so I must close out this entry and get moving to settle Mr. Fittness America down! atd

Baby Pictures!

2011-07-31T19:08:00.001-07:00

These two photos were taken on June 17th. He is smiling in the first one and frowning in the second one. This ultrasound was taken at 29 1/2 weeks. He measured 2 weeks ahead and weighted an estimated 3#11 oz which is about 1#4oz more than average.

The next ultrasound was 4 weeks later on July 15th. He weighted an estimated 5#13oz and was 3 weeks ahead of the growth curve.

This past Friday (July 29th) I saw a different midwife than usual. Her comment was, "that is the biggest head I have felt in a while." Not exactly comforting words LADY!

THIRTY FIVE DAYS and counting! atd

Big Boy School

2011-07-24T20:04:00.001-07:00

We hung out with Papa and Grandma today. Mark, Carter, Grandma & Papa played with Lightening McQueen and his friends while I slept in Papa's big comfy chair. I guess being pregnant does have a few perks. I'll put up some pictures later this week.

Carter will start a new school on Thursday. Big boy school. PK through 8th grade kind of school. We have been at Primrose for 3 years. I never thought I would be this emotional about leaving there or about him starting school. Something about not walking him inside everyday and wearing uniforms is tearing at my heart strings. He is very excited about it, but I don't think he has realized he will be with a new group of kids yet.

I'm really interested to see how tucking his shirt in and wearing a belt goes. I'm know he has never worn a belt and I'm pretty sure he has NEVER has his shirt tucked in either. He is very proud of his little polo's and khaki shorts. He was happy to pick out various color shirts. We even went in the dressing room at the store to try them on. I showed him how he would have to wear his shirt so we will see if he leaves it that way at school.

Baby Andrew is still cooking. The group of mom's I get together with once a month had a "diaper her up and wipe her down" party for me on Saturday night. I was SO overwhelmed by every ones generosity that I literally cried on the way home. There are 4 or 5 regulars in the group but the other ladies change monthly. People I had never meet before brought us gifts! I came home with over 300 diapers, a zillion wipes, and other stuff too.

Baby also has some clothes washed and ready. His bassinet is waiting for him thanks to Mark, and the plans for his room are moving along. For the most part every one's bag is packed for the hospital. Now more waiting. =-)

Lummpy Bump @ 32 weeks

2011-07-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

I was trying to catch our little guy punching me on the video camera one night this week and I noticed that my belly looked a little uneven. I didn't mention this to anyone because I figured they tell me I was nuts. Well a sneak peek ultrasound on Friday confirmed the loop-sided-ness. Half-pint is sitting sideways with his head nestled against my rib cage! So his torso is all poked out on my right side.

Carter flipped head down by 29 weeks and Baby Fifty Ouchy was head down 4 weeks ago. I think I know when he turned because it felt VERY strange. However I can't remember what I was doing at the time or how many weeks ago it was. But I do remember a very strange rumble and wondered what in the world he was doing when it happened.

He basically has 4 weeks to flip and there are several strange things one can do to encourage a flip. Including put a hot cigar blunt on your pinkie toe, the use of an ironing board, putting an ice pack on his head, chiropractic adjustment, some medical procedures and many others. I'm thinking I'll just do a few of the non-invasive things and let the chips fall where they may. A planned deliver sounds very attractive on one hand. However, there is that nagging thought in the back of my head that it probably isn't what is best for me or baby.

Other news from the ultrasound included that our little guy has a head of hair. I asked them to check out the top of his head because I've been eating alot of Tums. Also Baby Dodd is HUGE with an estimated weight of 5#13oz and measuring a full 3 weeks ahead of his growth schedule.

I started reconsidering Andrew today. Perhaps it is too common and there will be 50 of them in his class at school. However, it is a classic and never goes out of style. Carter is already calling him Andrew and Mark is really over my indecision. So who knows what this little guys name is going to be. Maybe I'll call some schools tomorrow and ask how many Andrew's are enrolled!

I also got some clothes ready for little man this weekend, and put a few clothes in the hospital bag for him. At least he won't be "naken" (as CW says) on the way home & presentable for visitors.

I have 2 weeks of full time work left and then I'll only be working two days a week! Today is exactly 50 days from the due date of September 5th. Which is not only Mark & Lisa's birthday also their Great Grandma Dodd's birthday.

Royal Ball

2011-07-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Carter's jeans from last winter. Every pair had a blow-out in the right knee.

Carter wanted to be a black knight for his royal ball.

Carter was having a great time at the dance before mommy and daddy showed up...

then Mr. Pouty Pants came out.

For over two weeks Carter's class has been very excited about the Royal Ball. This was Carter's first homemade costume. I think it was adorable and he LOVED it.

He was all smiles and doing the chicken dance until he saw us. Then he started pouting because Chloe would not dance with him. Next came the royal feast of sliced bread, cheese, fruit, and sparking juice. Carter did an excellent job helping pass out the plates for the royal feast and had fun using a cow cookie cutter to make shapes from the bread and cheese. He made his usually yucky face when he tasted the sparkling juice. Carbonation does not agree with him which means he has NO interest in soda =-).

We spent this weekend swimming and playing at home. Our house is a HUGE mess of toys at the moment but I think we all enjoyed the extra rest.

Monkey See

2011-07-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

Banana's Gorilla
Carter loves snakes....how creepy!

Carter wanted Cotton Candy for lunch. After the melt down in the car I was done with battles so all we bought him was cotton candy. He took one bite and said it tasted like cat fur. I don't think he will ask for it again. =-)

We stopped at the Louisville Zoo on the way to Indiana. Carter threw a HUGE fit when we got there because he didn't want to go to the zoo. He wanted to meet all these cousins we had been taking about. After 30 minutes of whining, crying and refusing to get out of the car I told him to "put on your happy pants we aren't going to see the cousins." I'm sure that line will win me some parent of the year awards. I LOVED the zoo. I don't think I can say the same for Mark & Carter, but at least Mark humored me for a few hours.

I realized a few weeks ago that Milk Dodd's due date is actually on "Labor Day." Baby Dodd officially has an unofficial name. Which means we totally reserve the right to change the name once he is born! Here goes: Andrew Fifty Ouchy Carson Go to sleep Dodd. Mark and I are practicing calling him Andrew to see how it sounds. I still have to do the ultimate test of yelling it loudly out the back door. We go back for another ultrasound and check up on Friday. I'm very excited to see him again.

Carter won't be going to see baby brother on Friday. He has a Royal Ball at school that his is SUPER excited about. He wants to be a Black Knight! I'm guessing I'm going to dress him in black and wrap his head in foil. =-)

Dodd's Galore

2011-07-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

Papa, Bill, DeDe, Juanita, & Mary

The Dodd Brothers & Sisters
1st Cousins

2nd Cousins

The WHOLE family
Our little Dodd Family

Every two years Papa's family has a family reunion. This year the festivities were held near Indianapolis at Uncle Bill's & Carol's house in Elwood. There was a "cowboy" theme along with sack races, stick horse races, water balloons and lots of laughs. We stayed with Brandon & Cindy and visited Paul & Cheryl's house for some additional fun too. Of course there was plenty of yummy food thanks to Chef Paul and all his helpers.

Carter had a blast playing with all his cousins he never new he had. Mark improved his corn hole game skills I spent alot of time inside with my feet up. I was the "unofficial" cool off zone host.

Our car broke down at mile marker 22 in Indiana on the way home. It certainly what we had "planned" but God was certainly in the storm. We were in the comforts of a rest stop instead of on side of the road! (Snacks, potty, & some what cool air.) There were so many people that helped us! Papa and Grandma back tracked an hour to give us a ride home. Gary & Lisa stopped to help us too. We got home safe and sound about 10p.m.

Papa Jerry & Nana Ruby drove 600 miles one way to tow the car to Papa Jerry's shop. It goes without saying that Papa Jerry and his crew at Jerry's Tran-tran-mimi-seal has it up and running again in no time. Papa Jerry & Nana Ruby even brought the car back to us once it was fixed. Even though the ordeal was not ideal at least there were plenty of "handy helpers" on our speed dial. Thanks to God and a MILLION thank yous to everyone that helped us out! atd

Cars2

2011-06-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

Carter & I took Mark to his first 3D movie this weekend. Cars2 was all the rage.

I was a little surprised that Carter didn't get scared at some points during the movie. There was alot of shooting and loud noises. One of the previews kind of freaked him out a bit but other than that he was happy eating an ENTIRE box of gummy bears & some popcorn. It ONLY cost $30 but us to get into the movie. The $14.75 at the concession stand was pretty outrageous. I about hit the floor when I had to pay $4.75 for a CUP of WATER. Yes folks good ole tap water with some ice in a paper cup! Mark figured up that is our water bill for about 6 days at our house. Next time I will smuggle in a bottle or at least enjoy a $5 soda instead!

It has been raining alot so the water has been too cold to so swimming. I'm totally fine with all the rain and cool temperatures that God wants to send our way at this point. As I'm pretty sure that my belly is going to explode on any given day. haha. We did take advantage of the cooler temperatures to find some baby clothes and gear out in the bonus room on Saturday morning. I didn't bring them inside yet but at least I know where to locate the "tiny" little clothes. Mark found all the parts to the crib & Carter is super excited about all the "new" toys he found for his baby brother.

Tonight he put a bag of ice on my belly and wanted to know if baby brother thought it was cold. Sunday after church he used the work "perhaps" correctly in a sentence. Last night he told us he was going to go get ready for bed while "you guys have a conversation." He went upstairs and played instead but it was still funny that he was going to get himself ready for bed. Then today he back talked his teachers and stayed in trouble all day. Seems he can't decide if he wants the Turner or a Dodd personality to shine through =-) atd

Father's Day

2011-06-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

Funny faces. Carter wanted everyone to help him bowl!

Carter is presenting his first real handmade Father's Day gift to Daddy! It is a key chain with Mark's initials. He made it at school and was super proud of it. I think Carter wanted to keep it instead of letting daddy have it.

The Gray's come to visit on Father's Day weekend. We all went bowling and had another fun outing at Sonic. Minus the rain this time. Last summer we went to Sonic to eat and it POURED buckets of rain. We also entertained ourselves by watching Emma, Elijah & Carter play X-Box, trains, base ball & several others. We celebrated Father's day and Grandma's birthday with a cook out on Sunday.

Carter wanted to stay all night at Grandma & Papa's with Emma and Elijah. He did great and didn't even blink twice when we left (or returned). The only glitch was Mommy forgot his toothbrush. Emma offered him a nice new princess toothbrush. His reply was "I'll just skip it tonight" accompanied by a very unhappy face.

We also stayed all night at Nana's on Friday night. I stayed too though. It rained and rained but Hope & Bryan did get an opportunity to show Carter how to ride his bike like a pro. However, Mommy let him fall off once while day dreaming. He had a nice bruise on his arm to show for it.

Friday, June 17th we went for another ultrasound to see how Mr. Fitness America is growing. Seems that he hasn't missed any meals. I was 29weeks & 4 days but he measured at an 31.5 weeks & weighted an estimated 3#11oz. (About 1#4oz more than he should be.) I'm guessing my luck he will probably arrive after his due date and weight 15#. The little Milk Dodd continues to be very feisty. He isn't even here yet and I had to stop blogging several times to get up and walk around to get him to be still! Bring it on little guy we can't wait to meet you...even if you still don't have a name. =-)

(Check back for more pictures from our bowling escapade!) atd

4 year old weekend BASH

2011-06-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

6/10/11 @ 7:11
Birthday Destination

Birthday King Hat compliments of Miss Edmonson. The King is tired after his party.

Jake Cake & Thomas everything else because no Jake stuff exists yet!

I thought there was no mess if you did the party somewhere else?

Surprise face for Racy Car Bike

Checking out the cones & flag before he will ride the bike.

Ready to race with daddy. Who will win no one knows??

Too hot for bikes, let's go cool off!

The final number on the birthday count down was removed just before Carter went to bed on Wednesday. Thursday morning (June 9th) the celebrations began.

We started with a quick stop at Wal-Mart to get Loft House cookies and Capri Sun for his party at school. During our stop at Wal-Mart Carter found a purse with Cookie Monster on it that he just HAD to have. However we did not leave the store with it. CW did swindle me out of some Thomas party hats though.

He walked though the door at school toting his cookies and hat on his head ready to PARTY. That morning was water day and he wanted to have his "party" in the morning before playing in the water with his friends. Miss Edmonson made him a super cool birthday boy hat. I picked him up just before lunch. He had brownies in the car for lunch while we went to get his cake. Then we rushed home for a nap before the party. (Did I mention that mommy managed to squeeze in a massage while Carter was at school...heavenly!)

Carter woke up about 4pm and we headed to Wendy's for a nutritious dinner of Chicken nuggets. Then we were off to the Family Ministry Center at Hendersonville First Baptist Church aka party central. The best head count I could get was 24 kids, 4 infants, & 28 adults. WOW that is a lotta folks! Carter and his friends had a BLAST. The "helpers" that come with the party package were so on top of things that Mark & I actually got to talk to the guest at the party! To make things even better my friend Melissa took tons of pictures for me.

We got home sometime after 9pm and Carter needed to inspect some of his gifts and have ONE more piece of cake of course.

Mark and I had alot of fun teasing CW about where were we going on his birthday. We had planned on taking him to Beech Bend. Carter was guessing all kinds of places (i.e. Chuck E. CHeese, Peek-A-Boo Playtown, Monkey Joes, etc). We kept telling him it was going to be much more fun than all those places combined. He would get a huge smile on his face and BEG us to reveal the secret spot. I couldn't believe that I actually held out and didn't tell him anything about where we were going until we arrived.

I left the camera in the car at Beech Bend because I didn't want worry about keeping up with it. There were a few times I regretted the decision. Like the adorable scared-to-death about to pee my pants look CW has when he come down the water log ride the first time. At bed time a few days later Carter told me that he did pee his pants going down the hill on the ride but it was okay because he was already wet. This water log ride was the first ride Carter rode and he wanted to ride it "100 times." After about 7 or 8 times we convinced him to go to the water park side.

Mark took him down a HUGE enclosed water slide next. I knew his head would go under water when he got the bottom but figured he would love it enough he wouldn't mind. WRONG. Once Mark fished him out of the water and dried his face Carter said, "I'd RATHER not do that again."

Next we went over to the slides for smaller folks. We all 3 had a blast on the pint size water stuff and floating in the lazy river. The lazy river empties into the wave pool and at one point we were riding some pretty cool waves. Carter really seemed to like the waves too.

We found a few more pint size rides to ride. One reminded me of the Dumbo ride at Disney where the elephant goes up and down, another was a train (of course), and a spiny tea cup thing. We had a HUGE pizza for lunch. Mark and Carter rode the Go-Carts while mommy had some Dippin' Dots just before we headed home about 4 o'clock. Much to our surprise CW stayed awake the ENTIRE trip home.

Carter was too exhausted to do much when we got home so we saved his birthday gift from Mark and I until Saturday morning. He was super excited about the cones and flag that came with his bike. The bike riding itself it going to take some practice. He has done pretty well and has only fallen off once or twice so far. Maybe this fall when it is a little cooler he will get some more practice. For now we are spending most of our free time at our neighbor's pool to keep cool!

As Carter was going to sleep on his birthday he started inquiring if he would be 5 next, then 6, 7 & 8. I said, "stop, stop, stop. You are hurting mommy's ears." One day at a time whistle britches!

Over the past few weeks Carter has started singing his bible verse and prayer each night. Sounds sweet doesn't it? He sounds sort of like a high pitched cat while he does it. I managed to keep a straight face until a few nights ago. I started laughing and couldn't stop. Now that he knows I think it is funny he is really hamming it up.

Mark and I were talking last night. I said a few words that mean communicate (relay, convey, etc). CW piped up "you mean communicate mommy." Today he asked if we were "having a conversation." Just when I think he isn't listening to what we are talking about CW comes off with some big word that fits into the sentence. Where does he learn this stuff?

Summer Memories

2011-06-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Cookout at The Turners

Carter took his spring boat ride.

He also managed to skinned up both his knees while playing

with a soccer ball to start the season off right!

Pre-Memorial Day sleep over with Hope and Bryan. Hope and Bryan were telling Carter to go to sleep because he was SO giddy at 10pm!

Chilling with Daddy after swimming. Carter has moved to clinging to mommy for dear life while in the water last summer to, "I don't want any help," while wearing floaters.

Carter's first time to wash dishes with mommy. (Mommy doesn't wash dishes often.)

We have spent a lot of time at the pool over the past week. The water seems to help mommy's aching back. Another plus is that is wears Carter out and he is ready for bed. Mark started calling that baby Mr. Fitness America today. Maggie my friend gave him the nick-name of "Milk Dodd" this week. I don't think either will make it on the official birth certificate but we are still open for suggestions!

Somebody turns FOUR on Friday!!! atd

BIG words

2011-05-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

Snake-y, Snake-y seems to be Carter's new catch phase.

Above Carter and Daddy are inside a huge snake at the zoo.

Our first ride on the ever-so-cheesy new train at the Nashville zoo.
(6 bucks per 2 minutes ride with the Zoo member discount!)

Daddy was ready to ride the koala bear.

So goofy!

Some Monkeys don't want to leave.

Do you think Tiger's first golf ball was this big?

Carter went to the doctor with me on Friday. As soon as he heard Baby Brother's heart beat he said so casually to the midwife, "There is a baby in there." I tried VERY hard not to let him know that baby brother was in mommy's belly. However, he informed us on Mother's day that his brother was in mommy's tummy. So much for innocents. Thanks alot world!

I was a little skeptical to take Carter to the midwife office with me because I'd had to wait a long time at my last few visits. I promised to take him to the park if he was quiet while I talked to the doctor. We were in and out of the office in less than 30 minutes, so we headed to Centennial Park in West End. We had a fabulous time and found two little playmates. Both were much younger than him. I was pleasantly surprised at how helpful and nice he was to both of them. Not pushing or running over the smaller kids.

On Saturday we found some long lost friends at Chic-Fil-A. CW helped our friends little girl who climbed to the top of the play-place and became scared. It was nice to see him be kind to other kids since I don't get to see his everyday behavior at school. He does get alot of bad notes from school, but mostly they are because he is being silly during the pledge or prayer.

During our before bed chat Carter broke out the statement, "That's interesting mommy!" I was sort of astonished that he knew how to properly use the word 'interesting.' Before the week was over he told me that "everything keeps distracting me" and "does that irritate you mommy?"

Saturday we planted some seeds with a little terrarium set I purchased. Carter had been asking to plant some seeds so he was SUPER excited and very interested. He has probably checked on them 5 or more times to see if they have grown in the past 36 hours. I have no idea what we will do with the plants if they actually grow because we didn't till the garden this year...larger pots maybe?

The baby and I got a good report at the doctor. We go back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound to make sure he is still growing. From the punch he packs these days and the size of my belly I'm pretty sure he is doing just fine.

Last week I forgot to mention that I was in Atlanta for 3 days. When I got home the boys had made me a HUGE welcome home sign, bought me flowers and cleaned up the house. My favorite part was the sign. It was hung from the garage door and and went up and down with the door.

I hope everyone is enjoying these blog updates. I'm pretty sure all your going to get once baby boy arrives are a new pictures occasionally. =-) atd

Carnival

2011-05-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

Carter is a big fan of Mickey Mouse. They have an episode where they hold a carnival to collect corn to feed chickens. Each time we see that show he says, "I want to go to a carnival like that." Last Friday when we were on our way to the doctor's office he saw a carnival in the parking lot of a local mall. This Friday we went by it again when we were on our way to meet Grandma and Papa for dinner. After dinner Grandma came to the Carnival with us. Carter quickly decided he wanted to ride a roller coaster instead of the Ferris wheel. (BTW the roller coaster was a train of course!) CW and daddy rode the roller coaster twice. Next Grandma and Carter rode the Ferris Wheel. Then it started getting really dark and stormy looking so we left before we broke the bank. The rides were $3/person per ride. That 6 bucks per ride! It was well worth it because CW loved every minute of it. I think a trip to Dollywood or Beech Bend might be in order.

I certainly had my reservations about the safety of the rides, but I figured that people had been riding for a week without incident so I was willing to take a gamble to see him giggle for a few minutes.

Saturday was the annual Spring Fling at day care. Carter was most intrigued by 1. the cupcakes and 2. kiddie-pool full of sand, shovels and Easter eggs. He refused to do the bouncy things, Fun Bus, or pony rides. Let's just say it was an inexpensive day at the Spring Fling!

This week CW is calling the baby "50-owie." He says that is what Felipe on Handy Manny says when the phone rings. (This post is making me realize that like CW watches too much television!)

Carter picked out a stuffed Pluto at Wal-Mart today for baby brother. (Carter calls him "Blue Dog" instead of Pluto. The two names kind of sound the same.) CW is sleeping with Pluto until baby brother arrives so that Pluto will smell like Carter. I told Carter that baby brother would think Carter is really funny and like to watch him act silly. He even asked when baby brother would be here twice today. 112 days till D-day! =-) atd

2011-05-08T17:43:00.000-07:00

Blowing all our cares away!
Toot-toot!

Carter had the icky's this week, so I let him play outside in his pajama's on Saturday. He woke up Friday morning with a 104.2 degree fever. Why do little boys like to freak their mother's out with high fevers?? After a few doses of antibiotic he seems like himself again.

He has said plenty of funny stuff but I can't remember it right now. His new name for the baby this week is "John-then-one."

We celebrated Mothers day on Saturday. Mark fixed me a yummy breakfast and dinner. He does that just about every week because he is SO fantastic. That didn't keep me from giving him a hard time about not doing it on Sunday though. I do have a card in for a nice foot rub later on tonight too!

I spent 4 hours on Saturday morning getting my hair cut and shopping for Carter & baby (of course). In the afternoon CW and I played very nicely together for a long time. I'm guessing we played well together for so long because Carter was sick and open for most of my suggestions. Usually he likes to boss me around when I try to play with him and I throw in the towel pretty quickly.

Saturday night Mark wanted pizza. I vetoed that for something that wouldn't give me indigestion all night long. We had chicken sandwiches, which also kept me up all night long. I'm thinking bread and water would keep me up all night. I seriously saw 2am from all the gas keeping me awake. I think it was my grandmother that said a baby that is complicated in utero is usually a cooperative newborn. I'm give little tyke his orders for cooperation upon his debut NOW! haha. =-) atd

Cheekwood Visit

2011-05-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

Carter talked me into opening his green beans.

He ate the shells. Then the beans.

And had a green tongue afterward.

We went to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville on Saturday to see the G scale train exhibit. (I have been trying to get Mark to go there with me for over 10 years.) Carter loved watching the trains.

There was a gentleman there making sure all the trains were working properly. We told Carter that guy was the conductor. CW decided he wanted to be a conductor when he grows up so that he can put whatever cars he wants behind the engines. We saw an advertisement for the CHeekwood train display that had Percy pulling two troublesome trucks. Percy was actually pulling two tanker cars at the exhibit. Carter was in a bit of a tizzy over the inconsistency of the marketing versus the actual product. (oh how much he has to learn about marketing!)

There was a nice lady volunteer passing out stickers to all the children. The stickers were round with tracks on them. Carter wanted to know why there were not any trains pictured on the stickers. During his career decision speech he added that he wanted be the conductor so he could pass out stickers to children AND that his stickers would have pictures of his favorite trains on them.

I'm pretty excited that he wants to be a conductor this week. Last week he told me he wanted to be Thomas when he grew up. Then seconds later asked me who he was going to turn into a train. Pretty cool that he got the concept of "turning into a train." However I was a little disappointed that he couldn't get a degree in that at WKU!

We started a count down to Carter's birthday this weekend. Several of his friends have already turned 4, so I thought a count down might help him understand how close he is to his birthday. After CW's birthday count down I'm hoping he will want to do a count down to Daddy's birthday (aka baby's due date)!

Baby Dodd seems to be doing well. Kicking, punching, and rolling around at all hours of the night to keep his mommy awake. Occasionally I'm reach over and get Mark's hand and put it on my stomach to settle the little stinker down so I can sleep.

Being pregnant is much different this time around. Sleeping whenever I want isn't really an option this time. I weigh alot more this time so I'm already pretty uncomfortable at just 22 weeks. I was walking 3 miles a day at this point with Carter. Now I do good to walk 1/2 mile before calling it quits!

I was having one of those emotional "cry and let it all out" fits last night and told Mark it was going to be a long 18 weeks if I already have a backache, indigestion, and lack of energy. Mark has been wonderful at helping me with all sorts of stuff like laundry, CW's bath, grocery shopping, ect. And of course he makes me laugh all the time, points out the bright spots and keeps my head on level!

Poor baby still doesn't have a name. Mark keeps reminding me that CW didn't get an official name until he was about 18 hours old. Carter is talking more about the baby and decided he would like to buy his baby brother a Thomas the Train. He also informed me that he was going to give his stroller to the baby too. Progress comes slowly I guess.

Easter Ball?

2011-04-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

Coloring eggs with Grammy!

Finding eggs with Grammy!

Counting eggs with Grammy!

Carter tried his hand at pitching

Batter, batter, swing!

Dad was the tee.

I was poised and ready to for any comical injury I could capture on video.

Nap anyone?

We went to Church on Saturday night. Carter did not want to go to children's church but has a blast and was SUPER excited when we left.

We spent Easter day at Grandma & Papa's house have lots of fun inside and out! Carter crashed in the car about 5:30. I'm guessing he will be up till midnight?? atd

Easter Bonaza

2011-04-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

Checking out the loot the Bunny left!

Train Ride at the Mall

CW knew exactly what to do! He kept yelling Grab those EGGS!

Scurry, scurry!

Party time with friends!

Carter visited the Easter Bunny & rode the train at the mall with Grandma. We also went to Chi-Fil-A with Grandma. Carter was in, out, and all about the play area at Chi-Fil-A. We hadn't been to a play place in a while because he would get so flustered and want us to "help" him up the slide contraption.

On Friday Cater went to the THREE doctors visits with mommy! He was a VERY good egg and got to see the Easter Bunny again on the side of the rode. (I'm not sure why but he was standing outside a hotel on the sidewalk.) He went to an ultrasound with us. He said, "silly squirrel" when he saw the baby on the ultrasound. I don't think he understands that the baby is in mommy's tummy. Which is fine with me at this point...too complicated to explain to a 3 year old.

This Friday night Cater told me I was his sweetie pie, his best scratch-y giver & best snuggler mommy! All of which made me think perhaps I'm still his best girl for now anyway. =-)

We are headed over to Grandma's & Papa's to color eggs. Happy Easter everyone! atd

I'm gonna marry...

2011-04-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

Silly Dodd's

Refusing to smile for mommy. Helping Mommy cook? Mommy cooks??

CW came to find me after Mark gave him a bath Friday night and said,

"Do I look good dressed up like this mommy?" Baseball cap, train shirt, Santa Pants.

My reply, "You are the most handsome big boy I know." =-)

Mack & Kenton @ the Bonnet Parade at preschool.

(Thankfully, they don't wear bonnets for the parade!)

Carter showing off his "bonnet" and sunshine he carried during the parade.

Sadie, Carter & Alexander during the INDOOR parade. It was pouring so the kids marched down the hallway lined with parents. The best part was when a parent leaned up against the fire pull station and set off the fire alarm!

Carter was ALMOST asleep Friday night when he popped his head up and said, "I'm going to married Sadie Wen cause she is a girl and I'm a boy." Mustering up a calm voice I asked him to repeat himself after all I was almost asleep too. He repeated himself, and I asked if he has talked to Sadie about his yet. He said Sadie told him they could because he was a boy and she was a girl.

CW talks about girls changing their names when they get married quiet often. Probably because one of his teachers go married last year. Next week he will probably start calling her Sadie Dodd. I'm not happy about Carter having another female in his life, but I'm comforted by the fact that Mark saw Sadie playing with another friend last week! Perhaps I will still be his best girl for a few more years! atd

Squirrel Baby

2011-04-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

Carter says his baby BROTHER looks like a squirrel in the above photos. I like his little foot!

Mark and I were quiet sure our little one was going to be a girl, but very excited for a boy. I'm still asking to move to Alaska for the summer, but no one else has agreed YET! atd

Zoo Fun

2011-04-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

Last year Carter was terrified of the snake mouth he is running out of in the above photo. This year he climbed all the way up the wooden castle to the slide without looking back for mommy. Mommy was holding her breath until he reappeared! Carter and Mackenzie on the carousel. At least we never have to worry that Carter's favorite seat on the carousel will be taken...no on wants the bench except my little critter!

Carter, Mackenzie, & Mason monkeying around in the Croc house.

Carter taught Mason to put his finger in the crocs mouth! YUCK!

CW was scared of the croc head in Feb 2010. Not so much by April 2011. (He grew a little too!)

Confessions of a 3 year old

2011-04-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Winter is taking its toll... till daddy turns on the 80's music

and when mommy gives me ice cream!

Saturday Carter and I went to see a play of Good Night Moon. The play was about 45 minutes long and very cute. Carter really liked the part where the bunny is talking on the phone. The animal on the other end of the land kept growling. He was laughing hysterically. That is the only part of the play that he remembered to tell any one about.

After the play we went to the zoo with some friends. We stayed at the zoo for over 4 hours. On the way home Carter confessed that he was REALLY tired. I managed to keep him talking until we got home. He had a MAJOR melt down because I put cheese on his pizza for dinner. I tried hard not to laugh but it was obvious that he was exhausted! He ate most of cheese-less pizza for dinner and fell FAST asleep before 8.

On Sunday Carter went to "little church" for the second week in a row without a fuss. Later he wanted to fly kites. Carter's kite had sea creatures on it. He started calling it his Sea World kite. (I'm not sure how he knows about Sea World.) We finally got the kite very high into the air. Carter was holding the string & the wind ripped it out of his hands. It sailed so far across the horizon that we couldn't see it any more. I thought for sure it was going to get stuck in the trees near hour house which would NOT have been good. Every time we went outside I knew he would have he was issues with seeing it stuck in a tree. I quickly told Carter that he did such a great thing by "sharing" his kite with another boy. At first he bought my story. After about 30 seconds he had HUGE tears rolling down his face. He said he didn't want to share his kite. I caved and told him we could go get another kite. I asked him what kind of kite he wanted. He said "racy car" (aka Lightening McQueen). There was actually 1 Racy Car kite at Target. I think I was more excited than Carter about finding exactly what he wanted. The new kite has a super long tail. We had the best time flying the kite and played outside for several hours.

I even convinced Carter to helped me wash my car. He used the sponge to wash my backside several times and then put rocks under the sponge while rubbing on the car. He also tried cleaning the car with his hands instead of the sponge. The car looked like it was washed by the 3 year old and his pregnant mother. It came a monsoon on Monday so I no longer really cared about the wash job. =-)

Friday Carter bit one of best friends TWICE. They were playing like they were eating each other. Needless to say I'm sure his friend's parents were not amused. He has also learned to stick his tongue out and gotten excellent at back talking over the past few weeks. Perhaps my sweet little boy will return after spending a great deal of time in trouble over the past week?? atd

A new kind of picture!

2011-03-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

Meet the newest member of the Dodd Family. Baby Dodd is due on September 5th 2011. I'm petitioning to move to Alaska for the summer!

We found out this wonderful news on my birthday and baby Dodd is due on Mark's birthday. (Which just so happens to be Lisa's birthday too!)

We are giving Carter the news in small bits. At first CW said "NO" when we asked him if he wanted to have a baby at our house. Now, he is warming up to the idea. Currently, he wants a boy AND a girl baby in August. He picks whatever he can think of that rhymes & has to do with poop to name the baby.

We find out if baby Dodd is a boy or girl on April 15th! =-)

Bouncy, Pouncy

2011-03-27T19:10:00.000-07:00

A moment of sweetness Before CW makes his Great Grandmother chase him! Look at those moves!

Guard him!

The Ripatoe's came for a visit a few weeks ago. Carter and Levi wrestled more this time more than ever before. They both the same weight and height so they are a great match for each other.

I finally got a new camera. 12.1 mega pixel's, dual processors, & 1 million times zoom still didn't do much for amateur photography skills.

Carter asked if he could put some sauce on his feet after his bath a few nights ago when he got out of the bathtub. I was a little puzzled as he began to rummage though the drawers in the bathroom. Eventually I figured out he was asking for powder.

There is a scene in one of the Thomas episodes that Mark and I often quote: "We only have one." This has been a running joke between us for over a year. Today Carter picked up on the joke. As he was going to sleep tonight he said to me "We only have three." He used the conductors voice and I cracked up laughing.

Mark called me for the first time ever yesterday when I was out having "girl time." Carter was asking for tater tots NOW. I don't think he knew that one could eat tater tots at home until our neighbors served them at a cook out recently. Since Mark is a stellar Dad he took Carter to go get some tater tots. Carter feel asleep before they got 5 miles from the house. He must have been very hungry?

Carter has discovered a love for climbing, jumping, & crawling. There is a purple bus that comes to his school called the "Fun Bus" and is loaded with equipment to do all the climbing, jumping, & tumbling a 3 year old can do in 45 minutes. You'd think Friday was renamed to FunBusDay.

Today we went to Monkey Joe's to squeeze in some more jumpy, sliding, bouncy, pouncy time today. I think I love Monkey Joe's as much as Carter does. However, today CW was able to maneuver all the obstacles by himself. At least he did still want me to play with him. Next time he is planing on taking someone his size to play with. =-(

Carter is such a little bundle of knowledge right now. And he wants to learn about everything these days. He is counting to 30 & can go to 100 by 10's. Sounding out everything. Writing his name on occasion. And wants to know what letter everything starts with. I wonder what he will do once he gets to school. Maybe we can just skip school and stay home and play?

Pirate Monkeys

2011-02-20T17:42:00.000-08:00

No pictures this week. I'm still mourning the death of my camera!

Carter has been watching an episode of Backyardagins about pirates alot lately. Today he had on a shirt with a monkey wearing a pirate hat. He informed us that he was not Carter today. He was "Monkey Pirate." This went on all morning. We went outside on a pirate adventure this afternoon. Mark made a treasure hunt map, put an "X" on the blacktop with sidewalk chalk, and put a "log" to cross the mud pit. We road on Carter's Pirate Ship (aka slide). Mark was in the crow's nest watching out for other ships, Carter drove, and I hung out on deck. Carter gave us all pirate names from the Backyardagins. Carter was Captain Tyrone, Mark was Captain Pablo, and I was Captain Red Boots. It was a fun 30 minutes that I hope he never forgets.

CW had been wanting to take his toy saxophone to church for weeks so he could play during the music. Today we finally gave in. We couldn't even hear him because it was so loud in there. A few minutes into the first song we noticed he put the saxophone away. He told us the song was too long. (The saxophone is not real. It was a toy in a Wendy's kid's meal.)

We went to another birthday party for a friend from school this weekend. This one was at Peek-A-Boo Playtown. Carter waited so patiently while his friends "fixed" a Cozy Coupe for him to drive. The boys had a skill saw and chain saw "fixing" the broken car. It was really hilarious to watch them all play together without their preschool teachers to keep the peace.

Carter and I went to see Gnomeo & Juliet after the party. This time the movie was MUCH cheaper. I skipped the 3D version, the guy let Carter in for free & I only bought one box of candy. This time it was $7.50 for admission & $9.75 for candy & an Icee for a total of $17.25. Much better than the last time when I spent over 30 bucks for the two of us!

One of his friends from school (Kenton) at the movie too. Kenton loves trains and Racy Car as much as CW. I'm really surprised they aren't inseparable...but then again opposites attract right? atd

Park or Snow Suit?

2011-02-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

Papa Jerry and Nana Ruby came to visit on January 30th.

We went to the park because it was a very nice day outside.

Crashing after Maggie Moo's with Mommy.

Notice the blue ice cream still on his mouth...it stayed there till bedtime!

Carter and a friend from school.

The forecast for Wednesday afternoon was 3-5" of snow. (Remember 10 days earlier we were at the park!) I was working an hour away in Clarksville. So when the snow started falling I headed home. I arrived to pick Carter up ~2:30, and he was still awake. He has some magic '3 year old wiggle power' that just won't let him nap too much anymore. Personally, I could NEVER lay down for over 2 hours and not fall asleep.

I have been gone working alot lately, so it was just a little unusual treat to spend the afternoon with him. The snow really wasn't sticking so I took him to get a much needed hair cut and then for ice cream. During the 20 minutes we were in Maggie Moos the snow began to stick and the roads got very slick. It took us about 45 minutes to get home instead of the 15 minutes it should have taken us. Carter fell sound asleep about 10 minutes into the journey. I have NO idea how he could wiggle on his cot for 2 hours then fall dead asleep after ice cream. Once we got home he continued to sleep in my lap for another hour or so. (Which I was drinking in because snuggle time with a 3 year old just doesn't happen often.) My new theory is Primrose should have blue ice cream with marshmallows and m&m's everyday before nap and wa-la CW will sleep. Nice theory, right?

This weekend Carter went to a Garret's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's. Garret must have invited the WHOLE class. This was our first birthday party invite from school. From the looks of the pictures the kids all had a fabulous time! (As a side note Garret is not the friend pictured above. I didn't get the parents permission to post the picture so I figured I'd better skip the name.) Carter ate two pieces of pizza & two pieces of cake & two packs of sweet tarts! By the time I got home @ 2:30 he was SOUND asleep in our bed with Mark. See sugar equals a good nap...eventually.

We had a couple other first recently too. Carter spent the night at Nana's house a few weeks ago without Mommy and Daddy. No tears. No fussing. In fact he BEGGED to do it. It was nice to be alone. We had take out pizza. I spent the night in my recliner surfing the web & Mark was in his chair watching a movie. Nice together time huh!

Uncle Bill & Aunt Peach came to visit last weekend. Carter hasn't seen them since he was born. He had a wonderful time spending the weekend at Grandma's and Papa's with them. He took up with both Bill & Peach like he had know them forever.

CW even got to go his first Super Bowl Party hosted by Grandma & Papa. He didn't understand why we couldn't watch Thomas instead of the game. Given the outcome we probably would have been better off watch Thomas. (Sorry Peach!)

For those of you where are wondering. CW had hot dogs for dinner after pizza, cake & candy...that nutrition degree shames me at times. Yet today he was running though the grocery carrying a can of black beans going "bean-ies, bean-ies, I can't wait to eat you!" He was also singing "1, 2, 3, 4, 5 I caught a hare alive" all though the store. atd

Lizards

2011-01-16T15:50:00.001-08:00

First time we have actually applied ice and CW didn't scream. He caught the corner of his eye on the coffee table while playing X-box with Grandma & Papa. I wonder if Grandma & Papa will be sore tomorrow from playing Xbox?
Still dancing a jig even with his boo-boo bear ice pack.

This boy loves tape and he loves to leave it in inappropriate places (i.e. varnished furniture).

My beloved Cannon Power Shot A610 took a hard fall a few weeks ago. It was a gift from Christmas of 2006 & has had a great life. Alas it needs a permanent resting place. Now maybe I'll get more mega-pix and stop coveting all my friends crystal clear photos!

Weekly Carter-isms:

I just sent Carter to ask Mark if he was going to get us Blizzards (from Dairy Queen). Carter said, "Daddy are you going to get us a lizard?"

The other day I had papers and files spread everywhere. Carter walked in the room and told me was I going to get an "x" and that Santa wasn't bringing me anything because I made a mess. A few minutes later he told me he was concerned about me.

Last night I was trying to get CW to put lotion on his hands before he went to sleep. He told me "let me get sit-u-waited first."

We are still listening to Christmas songs. Carter's favorite this week is "Touch the Wall" aka Deck the Halls. atd

Falling IN

2011-01-09T16:21:00.001-08:00

The tech-y boys!
Have gotten off their bottoms!

I've know since the ultrasound lady said Carter was a boy that this day would come. Mark has been talking about buying a game system for all of 2010. I seriously was concerned about the amount of time CW wanted to spend playing on the ipod & computer games. Mark decided on an xbox. Both of them are totally hooked. They haven't sat down for over an hour! I'm guessing CW will sleep good tonight.

I took some video of Carter playing the games tonight. I told Mark I'd take some more in a week because the little guy will have mastered them by them. Why does technology come so easy to kids? I'm going to teach him 5 languages before he is 5!

Last week Carter had strep throat and bronchitis. I thought having his tonsils out would prevent strep throat! Was the rough recovery worth it?? They called me from school on Thursday afternoon. I just knew he didn't seem quiet right that morning, but took him to daycare anyway. POUR on the mommy guilt!

I didn't think the doctor was open on Friday (12/31) so I didn't take him then either. Well the doctor was actually closed on Saturday not Friday. So we had to wait until Monday to go to the doctor. He had a rash all weekend. That I thought was strep but would not let myself to believe it was strep because he had his tonsils out so he wasn't suppose to get strep!! Monday morning we got up VERY early and were the first ones at the doctors office. The strep test was negative and the doctor seemed to be kind of clueless (not our normal doctor).

We started antibiotics and they called on Tuesday and said the culture for strep was positive! So there are several lessons for me here: don't take your child to school when you KNOW he is sick, call the doctors office to see if they are open, don't believe that removing tonsils will cure all ails, and see your regular doctor!

Tuesday morning I sent Carter to go potty. I heard a bang / rattle that sounded like the toilet slamming against that back of the wall. Before I could get to my feet CW started wailing. I turned the corner to find Carter IN the toilet. The only thing out was his little head and feet. He had put both seats up and tried to sit down. I was laughing so hard while assessing that he was not hurt. He was crying. You guys know what a "germaphobe" I am. I immediately "decontaminated" him with a scrub down. He was crying the whole time. After he calmed down he told me he was upset because he had gotten his pj's wet not because he was upset about falling in the potty.

Several months ago I put some blue tablets in the toilet tank. Mark and I have been joking about how they were never going to go away. When I told Mark about CW falling in the toilet his response was, "does he have a blue bottom?"

I'm off to get another game for the xbox to hold us though the next week. We are suppose to get 2-5" of snow tonight that won't be melting for at least 5 days. In Tennessee, that means we won't be going anywhere for 5 days. I excited about the snow, but I don't know that I can stand 5 days at home with my already jammed packed schedule....guess God knows we need some family time huh? Sleep tight! atd

Long Winter's Nap

2010-12-26T20:30:00.000-08:00

Put down the ipod and say cheese!
Making train track crossings in the snow.

Sliding in the snow! If I buy a sled it will certainly NOT snow again this year!

Carter has BEGGED for a Lady Bug pillow pet for 2 months! Frekles arrived via Grandma or Santa...depends on who you ask.

After 4 days together

Some of us look like this

Others of us...well.

Thursday night Grandma and Papa brought over more toys. Friday we spent several hours at Nana's house. Saturday we went to Papa Jerry's & Nana Ruby's. Sunday we went to the Cox's next door. Whew it was once crazy happy good time!

On the way home from Tompkinsville Carter asked if it was a long way. I told him yes. "You can close your eyes if you'd like." (Insert laugh here). About 30 minutes later he said, "I'm ready to go to sleep now." and boy howdy that boy was asleep in about 30 seconds. That was ~6:30pm. He slept till 7:30am! I don't think he has EVER said he was ready to go to sleep! I thought for sure he would be up at the crack of dawn. Guess he was FINALLY tired about 3 1/2 years!

Mark used to say that some day Carter would just crash. That was when Carter was an infant. Who knew it would take 3 1/2 years!

Carter's new word this week is: grocery stop. Daddy will you looking of that Curious George clock for me the next time you go to the grocery stop. =-)

More Silly Dodd's

2010-12-26T20:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Aunt Lisa for taking such great photos & to Papa for letting us use his new ladder as a tripod. =-)

Silly Dodd's

2010-12-26T20:16:00.000-08:00

The annual cheez in front of Grandma's tree
Our new family tradition...silly photos are much better than posed!

Emma & Elijah like to play trains too!

Papa and Grandma laughing at Mark trying to "assemble" toys!

Notice the concentration of the pulled in cheeks.

Nana's House

2010-12-26T19:54:00.000-08:00

Ready, set, go!
Talking trains are a hit!

I will have to say these three munchkins were well behaved during Christmas Eve Service, especially since there was only 30 minutes of the service left when we arrived. Per Nana the services at the UMC started at 4pm. We arrived to an empty parking lot. The marquee said it started at 7pm.

Mark began to look for another service on his "smart phone." He told us the service at Living Hope started at 4pm also. We cruised less than a mile over to Living Hope and saw tons of cars. We decided to join the service just a few minutes late. There were LOTS of little kids making kid noises all during the services. But our 3 little angels were pretty good. After the service was over I asked the guy next to me when the service started. He was pretty annoyed and said, "3:30, there is another one at 5." Geez no wonder people looked at the 6 of us a little strange when we come in at 4:05.

Later we discovered that Mark was talking about Rolling Hills not Living Hope. Further more he was looking at a church in Oregon NOT Bowling Green, KY. SO much for "smart phones."

Christmas Kisses!

2010-12-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

Being a little naughty!
Nothing but nice!

Santa's helpers!

Granny Turner kisses

What's up guys! Carter was Uncle Geary's shadow most of the day, which MADE Uncle Geary's year!

It has been 20+ years since Amy and I have been together on Christmas day with our extended family. To make the day even better there was SNOW! Levi felt kind of icky but other than that it was a truly wonderful day! Nana Ruby hand made the sweetest sock monkeys for both boys. I used the video camera more than the still camera.

Random Pictures

2010-12-19T15:32:00.001-08:00

Carter's telephone with games on it.

Bang, bang!

Who needs instructions?

Studying about Thomas

Moon Dough @ Shepard's Breakfast.

I've been working on the blog for the past 3 hours. As much as I want it to be perfectly chronological it just isn't going to happen today. I got a new camera phone recently and couldn't figure out how to get the photos off the phone and onto the blog until I had already completed the posts that matched with these photos. Lovely blogger technology does not allow you to insert photos at specific points. All photos just go to the top of the post. Alas...technology continues to defeat me...on occasion!

BTW I have abandon my effort to send Christmas cards this year. Please don't be offended if you don't get one. Maybe I'll get the envelopes addressed for next year. =-)

Christmas with the Dodds!

2010-12-19T14:56:00.000-08:00

Freezing at Gaylord Ice & Snow
Warming by the fire. Carter told Aunt Lisa that cotton candy would make him warm!

Grandma helps CW look in his stocking!

Tickles & cuddles

Pillow Pets for Everyone!

Blast Off!

We took some funny family photos too! It was lots of fun! Carter is wagged his Lady Bug pillow pet EVERYWHERE today. She even went to church. At dinner she had a plate of food & some milk to drink.

I'm not sure how the other Dodd's continually manage to avoid my shutter! atd

Cookie Party

2010-12-19T14:50:00.001-08:00

No teachers allowed!

Caroline and Carter

Friends from Primrose invited us over to make cookies on Saturday. Carter enjoyed eating the items he was suppose to be using to decorate with (i.e. marshmallows, gum drops, etc.). The parents all agreed we could never be responsible for 16 three-year-olds every day! It was fun to see them all interact outside of school. Thanks Mack & Mason for the invite!

I have always believed that people have a basic desire to be good human beings. Carter challenged that tonight. I told him he could have one of the cookies he brought home from Mackenzie's party. He chose a green one and then I walked to the other room for a few minutes. I left the plate of cookies in front of him when I went to the other room. When I returned he had eaten 1.5 other cookies but not the one he had chosen. I realize he is a 3 year old kid and leaving a plate of cookies in front of him was probably not a smart decision.

What made me question my belief was that he was eating as many as he could before he ate the green one he chose to eat. I assume he planned to be eating the green one when I walked back in the room and I'd be none the wiser that he had eating other cookies off the plate.

I often think God while parenting. For instance when I want to scream "STOP, you are driving me crazy" I hear God saying hum...how many times I have I wanted to lose my patience with you, but have gently corrected you instead. I find it comical that it takes a 3 year old for God to get my attention.

Yelling and screaming really doesn't accomplish much. Carter knows he isn't suppose to yell at me and I'm not suppose to yell at him. Picture him saying, "You aren't suppose to yell at me" in the saddest little voice. (Don't think I'm all mushy on discipline, because I know I to use a pat on the bottom and the corner.) However, calm and firm is much more effective than blowing my top....most days.

Hung by the Chimney with...care?

2010-12-19T14:10:00.000-08:00

Daddy's Lil Helper. Notice the drill by the tree!?!

Artificial trees...fluff, fluff!

Ho Ho!

A prickly job indeed! Carter couldn't wait to help put the lights on the tree & made me promise to to take the tree out of the box while he was napping.

First ornament on the tree is Thomas and Friends!

Finishing touches!

Time to take 5!

Mommy wishes for a long winters nap!

Early Snow

2010-12-19T13:59:00.001-08:00

The wind hurts my eyes!

Jumping for JOY!

Carter wanted to roll a ball in the snow!?!

Carter started asking to go outside and make snow angels as soon as it started to snow. We didn't get enough snow for pretty snow angels, just Mud Angels

Early December snows are not typically for middle Tennessee. However, we got a “good dusting” recently. CW did not have “the proper” gear to play in the snow. He now has long mittens that come up to his elbows and a snow suit on the way. We just need a sled to be sure that it does NOT snow again this winter. If I’m prepared…it won’t happen.

Carter started wanted to eat with the "gray" utensils aka big people flatware. I made a mental note to remember to put that on the blog.

The next day we were at the Shepard’s breakfast at Church making cards for people who live in the nursing home. I asked Carter to write his name on the card he made and HE DID IT! I had no idea he could write his name. Only his mama would have actually recognized the line/shapes on the paper as being his name but I was so surprised and sad. (Sad because someone else taught him to write it.)

This was our schedule one recent Saturday: that day at Shepard's breakfast at church from 9-11, 10-11 Lowe’s Build and Grow, & Karley's birthday party 12-2. At 2pm we went to Wendy's for lunch. Carter had wound up tight all day long. Mark and I were both about to snap. I tried to lighten the mood by stating that Carter is usually such a good kid. He has one bad day and mommy and Daddy are giving him tons of grief! He BURST into huge crocodile tears... "I guess no good report to Santa!" My heart began to break! I said, "Oh Carter, Mommy had already sent in your report. You are on Santa's good list. Remember how your name is on his list in the Olive the Reindeer book?" He dried up the water works as quickly as they started and said oh yeah it is already on his list.

The crazy scheduled was totally worth it. Carter learned a happy birthday Jesus song at the Shepard's breakfast & sang it while sitting in the pew with us at church the next week. It was fantastic to see the Sugg's too.

He must have been hearing about being on Santa's naught list at school. I immediately cursed his dear teachers for teaching my little angel about being on Santa's naughty list. After all Carter is an angel all the time right? Ha-ha. Now I've been using the Santa's naughty list for all it is worth! I'm not sure if it is just excitement over Christmas or what but the boy has been crazy wound for the past few weeks. However, the childhood excitement and wonder about Christmas had certainly sparked a renewed interest in decorating, sight seeing & other merriment for Mark and me. Merry Christmas! atd

Camp Out in December

2010-12-19T13:42:00.000-08:00

Camping in the Kitchen
Staying Warm with Thomas

Chipmunk eating his snack! He poured tons of pretzels in my lunch box for his camping snack.

Tent maker!

CW decided he wanted to go camping in the kitchen. Daddy and him made a tent with a blanket and the kitchen chairs. CW needed popcorn to feed the fish and ducks while he was camping and took the portable DVD player so the fish could watch a movie! Last spring we went to the park with Papa Jerry & Nana Ruby and feed popcorn to the fish and ducks. This boy doesn't forget anything. Then again if I didn't have to remember to pay bills, drive myself to work, etc I'd probably remember alot more details too!

While we were camping he told me he was going to get me a diet Coke with sprinkles on top. That night as he was going to sleep he told me he had 4 pet ducks, but they weren't real. I wish I could remember he names he had for his pet ducks.

Pretend is so much fun when your three!

Line Jumper

2010-12-19T12:34:00.000-08:00

We waited for over an hour to see the big jolly guy at Bass Pro Shop.
Carter waited for his turn to play with the race track. Then 2 other ladies let their kids jump line when it was finally Carter's turn to operate the race car. Mark tried to just walk away because it was Carter's turn to see Santa. However, Carter started crying because he wanted to operate the race track. I didn't want him crying in the photo with Santa. I decided to take on the line jumper’s mama! I was polite but let's just say Carter got to operate the race track!

Tree House at Bass Pro

Another funny moment from his post op recovery was on Thanksgiving night. He fell asleep on the way home. By the time I got a shower and got in bed with him CW decided it was not time to sleep anymore. He had been tossing and rolling all over me for over 2 hours. CW asked me to snuggle with him and I said no. (I was pretty disgruntled that he had been rolling over all me for 2 hours!) He began to cry and said, "BUT I snuggle with you when you want to." (Actually he doesn't but his sob story worked.) I pulled him close to me and his tears fell onto my face making me feel like the worst mother EVER. About 1 or 2 am Mark came to bed and I went and got in to Carter's bed. As spite would have it Carter when to sleep as soon as I left the room!

I put the Mickey Mouse Christmas CD in the CD player in the car and Carter exclaimed, "It's Professor Von Drink!" aka Professor Von Drake

CW has mastered singing Rudolph, complete with the funny inserts (i.e. George Washington, Monopoly, light bulb, etc). However, he says they "used to HAVE to call him names."

I was leaving for work on Saturday morning and Carter told me to watch out for Reindeer. This boy has Christmas fever! atd

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T21:56:00.000-08:00

We had the best holiday weekend! For the past several years I have declared that Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. This holiday has the lowest expectations of all holidays! If the turkey and dressing are good then everyone is happy. Today I discovered another reason to LOVE Thanksgiving. It is always on Thursday so a 4 day weekend is a given. We simply had the best day at mom's, dad's and The Dodd's. Everything was low key and the food was YUMMY. Since we had FOUR days we even got to stay home on Saturday and be lAzY!

Over the past 11 days Carter has come up with some funny Carter-isms.

You aren't making good decisions Mommy! Carter used this line on me for the first time when I was trying to give him his medicine.
Ms. Fox knows everything just like Cat In the Hat.
When I grow up I want to be a teacher. What kind of teacher? A preschool teacher! What will be your favorite part of being a preschool teacher? Doing the calendar.
Great Granny Turner gave Carter a pet taxi from a Sonic Kids Meal. He puts his pet 'Emo (aka Nemo) in there. According to Carter, 'Emo likes to sleep and is very quiet. Carter went to sleep holding 'Emo tonight while his pet taxi was safely on the dresser near by. Tomorrow Carter wants to take 'Emo to school in this carrier. [fyi 'Emo is imaginary?]

I'm sure I'll think of 50 more when I got lay down. So check back next week to see what else our Smarty Pants comes up with. =-) atd

I will survive!

2010-11-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

Waiting Room @ 6am...too early!
Pre-op. Those nurses are sIlLy!

They even have Blue's Clues on VHS!
The nurses were asking Carter about his girlfriends and how mommy was going to afford to buy Christmas gifts for all of them. They also made motor sounds while Carter "drove" his bed to the OR. He was gone before Carter or I had a chance to cry!

Few hours after surgery...Chaney's blue ice cream ROCKS!

Well wishes from friends at Primrose!

All our grandparents came to visit or send well wishes too!

The engineer returns!

I am happy to report that CW was able to eat whatever he wanted by Thanksgiving! Recovering from the tonsillectomy was certainly NO fun and much harder than mommy thought it was going to be. The surgeon told us it would be about a 4 day recovery. haha...try about 8 days before he really felt like eating and was in an agreeable mood.

The day of the surgery, Wednesday, was a honeymoon. CW was bouncing off the walls while we waited for his prescriptions. That night was he running and playing with Hope and Bryan too. By Friday, the game had totally changed. I had the doctor paged and Carter was screaming while I was trying to talk to the doctor. By Sunday he was doing better during the day but waking up screaming in the middle of the night.

One of the most frustrating things was the taste of the pain medications. They all taste horrible, even with flavoring. Carter has always been great about taking medicine, but not this stuff. We tried mixing it with ice cream, kool aid and other stuff to no avail he still refused to take it. He could have probably saved himself some pain had he taken it, but that doesn't really compute with a 3 year-olds brain. Though a few times I was able to reason with him that the pain would go away if he would take the medicine.

Finally on 9 days after surgery he slept all night for the first time in ... probably 3 1/2 years....haha. There was one night he slept all night but he had had lots of lortab that day...maybe I'll ask for a refill of that??

Now comes the hard part of re-learning to eat our vegetables instead of junk & acting like a polite young man instead of throwing a fit because we feel bad!

It had been a wonderful blessing to be able to stay home with Carter while he was recovering and not have to worry too much about working. Mark is so helpful and such a good dad too. Plus our parents are always checking on us! I'm not such how I go so lucky. Here is hoping to a tear-free drop off tomorrow after 11 days at home in our pjs! xoxo, atd

Spooky Thomas

2010-11-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

Cheesin' Thomas. (Love the crocs!)
Carter and Shae

Thomas in his Skivvies!

HELP! My parents have NO clue what they are doing!

Carter was sick during Trunk or Treat so I opted to take him to a few houses in our neighborhood on Halloween. A few weeks before Halloween, Mark and I were discussing how Carter would probably never go treat-or-treating the way we did...house to house. I thought it was kind of ironic that we ended up doing that.

Our adventures started next door with the Cox's. They invited us over for a bonfire while their granddaughter Shae was there. Shae and Carter always have a good time when they are together. Carter didn't want to wear his Thomas costume. Instead he wanted to wear Thomas pajamas. He had been sick all week, so I quickly caved in and agreed to let him wear them. After all it was Halloween and he could technically wear what he wanted.

I made a spontaneous decision to go to the Johnson's after the bonfire. (The Cox's live on one side of our house and the Johnson's live on the other.) Julie had a HUGE bag of goodies ready just for Carter! We went to 3 more houses and called it a night. We were back home in time for Carter to hand out candy to a few goblins. I had a blast and really enjoyed it.

All 3 sets of Carter's grandparents have commented in recent weeks that he is really acting more like a little boy versus a toddler these days. He can verbalize SO much! Yesterday he told Mark to mind his manners.

There was a HUGE train exhibit at the Science Center this weekend. After winding our way though the exhibit we headed to Phillips Toy Mart. Then we meet Grandma and Papa at the mall to ride the train inside the mall. SO much excitement in one day is just exhausting to think about. Carter fell asleep in the car just as we got home. He woke up and told us he was too tired to take a bath. However I was not about to let all those yucky germs in my bed. He was asleep in about 2 seconds after he got his pj's on.

Wednesday Carter is going to have surgery for ear tubes, tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy. As a parent I feel really bad that he doesn't have a clue what is about to happen. We plan on trying to explain a little bit of will happen to him starting tomorrow (Monday.) I think I will make a trip to Bowling Green to get some of his favorite blue ice cream from Chaney's dairy barn too. Please remember us in your thoughts and prayers as we cross this hurdle this coming week!

CW is having great fun telling everyone what he wants for Christmas. He spied the toy catalogs at least a month ago. So if you talk to Cater between now and Christmas he will probably tell you what he "needs Santa to bring him." =-) atd

Postponed...Again

2010-11-07T21:50:00.000-08:00

Alas I have not forsaken my blogging duties forever...just until another night. All 3 of us have had our turn at being sick over the past few weeks. I've been working alot this weekend. It's almost midnight and I'm calling it quits.

I have super cute Halloween pictures to post soon. They include some of Thomas the Train in his Thomas skivvies. Check back soon. xoxo, atd

Boo-IE

2010-10-24T20:58:00.001-07:00

Look out, I'm gonna get you!
and YOU

AND YOU!

I told Carter that Papa and Grandma have lots of leaves and he couldn't wait to get started racking, jumping and throwing! He wasn't such a happy camper when someone put leaves on him, but a nap cured all ails.

Opportunities for trick or treat abound!

"Thomas" has even learned to add a nice "PLEASE" after he says trick or treat.

Trains that don't run on rail?

PJ day at school.

Carter was playing with a silly band at Grandma's house. The shape of the band was the word BOO! Someone asked Carter what the word was and he pronounced it "boo-ie." I always knew my little genius could read, I was just hoping he wound not pick up mommy's phonics skills.

The BIG 4 0

2010-10-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Go ducky go!
You should see these HUGE fish with whiskers!

Slides for adults!

Carter still had corn in his shorts after they were washed!

Great catch dad!

Mark took this photo and caught us just before mommy bit the dust!

Ready, set, go!

Laughing all the way!

Zonckers!

Guess who turned the big 4-0 this weekend? Carter! He is officially 40 months old. I figured this out when I should have been sleeping Friday night! (Insomniac!)

Saturday we went to Honeysuckle Farms. It takes about an hour to get to this pumpkin patch but there is LOTS to do there as you can see. It was 80+ degrees on Saturday. Admiring other's attire took on a whole new meaning! I love that Carter still wants us to go down the big slides with him. It makes the day much more fun. I was going to fall face forward on to the gravel at the end of the slide. Carter would have hit the gravel first. Mark truly was my super hero for catching us and getting the picture!

Last night CW would not sleep. He finally feel asleep about 11 and was in our bed just a few hours later tossing and turning. I got up and went to Carter's bed around 2am thinking that he would go to sleep if I left the room. Carter stared crying when I left the room but was quiet within a few minutes. At 5:30 CW was still awake and had managed to keep Mark up most of the night. Mark came to wake me up because he was leaving for work. I felt of Carter and knew he had a fever...102.7 YIKES. The odd thing is he never said he was didn't feel good. He has been perfectly fine all day, except he isn't eating very well. Go figure...

Here are some new Carter-isms:

The moon is gonna have a mouth when he gets bigger.
You got some pretty hair. (Referring to the my cardboard character during Chutes and Ladders.)
I'm going to Wam-Mart (aka Wal-Mart) to get some sprinkles. Wam-Mart is beside Thomas store. I'm only gonna get blue and green sprinkles because I like those colors best.
Hold on I gotta check my list for muffin candles. (CW then walks across the room and pretends to check his Wam-Mart list to see if muffin candles are on there).
Telling me how to light a muffin candle: You get the fire on the tweezers and then you light the candle. (I think tweezers are the long liter we use to lite the grill)
Carter has a stack of picture cards he likes to play with. He came in the bathroom and told me that Author (the train) had knocked them in the floor and made a mess with the cards. I said well Author better pick them up. Carter replied "Well he doesn't have any hands so I will pick them up."
That is how the answer goes. (used to explain things to mommy)
Tonight CW told me he wanted spaghetti for dinner. I cooked him rotini and then I cooked spaghetti because rotini is NOT spaghetti! Even though any OTHER day he asked for spaghetti he would have wanted rotini. Amazing what a few tears and guilt can make a mother do!! =-) atd

WELCOME TO THE WORLD BABY TURNER! WE HOPE YOU HAD A SAFE DELIVER IN SOUTH AFRICA!

Giving

2010-10-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

Mark and I were talking and noticed Carter was being very quiet in the other room. We found him laying in the kitchen floor playing "the telephone with games on it."
Cheezin' for mail!

Daddy putting cherries down CW's shirt!

We had a picnic on Saturday afternoon at home. I threw the left food in the yard. Later Carter when over and picked up a piece of a tortilla from the grass and ate it. YUCK. Today he ate off some other kids plate and drank from their up at a birthday party. DOUBLE YUCK!

CW skinned up his knee on the sidewalk. I was surprised that he did not even seem to notice he was hurt until I made a big deal about it. Then of course he milked it for all the band aides I'd give him.

Carter learned a very hard lesson about giving this week. We bought gifts for Levi and Bryan's birthdays. He was such a good little sport about picking out something he thought they would like and understanding that he didn't get anything because it wasn't his birthday.

Happy Birthday Levi & Bryan!

Now and Then

2010-09-26T23:04:00.000-07:00

09/20/2008

09/26/2010

Thank you for holding off on the hate-mail since I didn't update the blog for THREE weeks. Though Nana and Grandma both called tonight to tell me they would really appreciate an update. It took me forever to figure out how to get the receipt from the movies and Carter "incident" report posted below. It was already so late I figured I would change the side bar photos and background too. Good thing I had a 3 hour nap today because it's 1am now! zzzz! atd

The times they are a changing!

2010-09-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

Carter's "friends" at school. I took Carter to the movies for the first time last weekend to see Alpha and Omega. It cost $26.50 for tickets, 1 soda, 1 popcorn & 1 box of candy. WHOA! Seems like I remember stories about "5cent picture shows."

Carter and Mackenzie were psyched about going to the movies with their mommy's!

The movie was in 3-D, but Carter didn't want to wear his 3-D glasses. Which is strange because he wears sunglasses all the time. At first he said it was too loud, but he got used to the volume after a few minutes. In the middle of the show we had to make a potty run. Just one more thing I love about toddlers. They always have to poop at the most inconvenient times!

Boot Camp

2010-09-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

The sweet little boy we love...
innocently practices his game face..

grrr...

after a bit of playground rage...

Mark and I are still discussing were CW gets his violet tendencies from?

Our sweet little boy has never been in trouble at school until he started preschool in August. Since that time he has bitten two kids and now cold-cocked another. I was flabbergasted when I found out he punched another kid IN THE HEAD! Carter's story is that he asked G to move. G didn't move, so "I hit him!" Another mom and I are considering boot camp for our preschool playground terrorizers!

Wee! or is it Wi?

2010-09-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Daddy is climbing like Curious George.
Carter told Mark he was the 'Man in the Yellow Hat' when Mark was in the tree.

CW isn't so sure about his new swing because he feels like he is going to fall. I'm sure I will look out the window some day soon and he will be standing in it swinging like Tarzan. Oh wait...he doesn't know who Tarzan is!?!

Carter usually doesn't like to talk on the phone but he asked to call someone tonight. Maybe he was just tired of mommy being on the phone??

Three Cheers for Thomas

2010-09-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

Well maybe just two & a-half cheers since Carter won't let me take his picture!
We got to ride in the car with the glass dome, how cool is that!

Perhaps CW isn't ready for mini golf. He was more intrigued by the beach toys that were used as obstacles on the putting green...plus he was a little scary swinging the club. He tried to use the tip of the club to hit the ball.

Look out world!

Thomas, Thomas, where have you been?

CW had fun helping Mark celebrate his birthday! I think both of Mark and Carter were excited to wear silly hats.

pRiCeLeSs

(i'm pretty sure this one will disappear when Mark figures out my password!)

Carter has started talking to his toys. Mickey Mouse and Carter talk alot at bed time. CW has said several times that Mickey is his best friend. Friday he took Mickey to school with him for show and tell. I'm not sure who is more excited about show and tell. Carter or mommy. Soon I'm going to start skipping work on Friday's just so I can go to show and tell and see him talk about his "object."

Recently I heard him say, "I've missed you telephone!" to the IPod touch. Kind of made me jealous. I'm pretty sure he has never told me he missed me, but I think he loves me more because I give scratch-ies! =-) atd

Hammers and Nails

2010-08-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

Peak-A-Boo
Sharing secrets with Nana Ruby.

Pillow Fight @ Papa Jerry's. Granny, Geary, & Carter all ganged up on Papa Jerry!

Sneaky, sneaky!

Build and Grow @ Lowes

Someone is looking alot more like a little boy these days. Growing, growing, growing. Friday was the first show-and-tell at school. Carter wanted to take a book we borrowed from the library...A Pocket for Corduroy. Actually he wanted to take books to share with all his friends.

He even got a Happy Gram because he was such a good "sharer" last week. However, he got an incident report for biting last week...sorry about those teeth marks Lund's. =-)

Why is the moon up so early?

2010-08-22T19:11:00.000-07:00

Put a cork in it pal!
Zoned!

Daddy needs lots of mommy kisses for this boo-boo!

Pillow fights have become a Saturday morning ritual for CW and daddy!

The joys of bUbBle wrap...music to every parents ear!

The days are getting a bit shorter. Alas these hotter than hot days are coming to an end. Carter's favorite question to ask this week was, "Why is the moon up so early?" I'm pretty sure no one will miss this nasty hot weather, but I do love long summer days!

I was able to spend 3 days at home with Carter this week. I literally wanted to melt when he asked me to snuggle with him on Saturday before his nap. =-)

Water Babies

2010-08-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Awe...what a nice way to cool off!
Water Babies!

We had fun swimming with Hope and Bryan a few weeks ago. Carter was getting pretty brave toward the end of the day. He didn't cry when he got his face wet! Perhaps he will get over his "swim lessons" before next year.

King of the World

2010-08-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

No better place to be!

King of the Universe!

Master of Creations!

Carter had lots of fun building, painting and decorating the wooden train kit we found on Saturday.

CW's Puppy Dog Sad Face works REALLY well on mommy and pretty good on daddy.

Saturday we went to a new play place in Hendersonville. We meet two one of Carter's friends from school there. One of mommy's dearest old friends and mentors just happened to be there with her little one & hubby too. There sure is lots to do at Peek-A-Boo!

I have HUGE news from today! Carter stayed in little church all by himself! (I bribed him with a whole package of M&M's). Tonight was we were getting ready for bed Carter actually said the word Jesus and asked me a question about the what he had heard at church. I was so super excited. This is from a kid who didn't know what a Bible was a few months ago!

Since the M&M's worked well for little church I told CW if he stayed in his bed till daddy left for work int he morning I'd give him another package. Tonight I was talking to Granny Turner and she commented that I'd probably never let Carter have a hot dog...come on he eats them at least twice a week, usually 3 at a time! Even the best laid nutritious plans have a way of falling by the wayside at time!

This morning Carter asked me if I would try to go poopy for him?!?

I'm always pleasantly surprised when someone tells me they read this blog! Tonight I'm sending big hello's to Shannon J, Betty T, Verna M & Hilda A! I refer to secret blog readers as blog stalkers because I have no idea you are keeping up with our little family. I'm glad we have such sweet stalkers! xoxo, atd

2010-08-01T21:16:00.000-07:00

Let's go get the paper Dad!

Check out those RIBS!

Where are you Grandma and Papa?

Offical Bear Hunters

We are happy to report there were NO bears at Mamouth Cave today! When I told Carter we were going to go in a cave he wanted to know if there were going to be bears inside. I'm guessing this has to do with the song he sings "We are going on a bear hunt." He also said Grandma was probably afraid of the bears in the cave. Papa and Grandma had a good laugh about that one.

Lisa and I were optimistic when we decided to take the Historic Tour. It was 2 hours long, had tons of steps, and covered about 2 miles. The kids were terrific. I don't think I heard anyone complain during the entire tour. They really were the best behaved kids out of the entire group of 200!

Carter was looking for dinos and bears in the cave. He kept saying we weren't in a cave we were in a tunnel. As he feel asleep tonight he asked if we could eat ice cream in the tunnel next time we went. =-) atd

Dino Painting

2010-08-01T21:04:00.001-07:00

Lil' Artist studying his palate.

I imaged myself learning lots about dinosaurs and trucks when we discovered that Baby Dodd was going to be baby BOY Dodd. I didn't really give trains much thought. Carter has a small love of dinosaurs (compared to trains). Last week he got his first dinosaur as a gift in the mail from Papa Jerry and Nana Ruby. He had a great time decorating the dino with paint.

Carter gets a surprise in the mailbox every week and sometimes they are hand delivered!! Being spoiled by Grandparents must be one of the greatest joys of childhood! It seems that CW's Grandparents must have been to spoiling school and passed with flying colors! =-)

Road Trip

2010-08-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

PIctures to follow...I forgot my camera...Please send photos Aunt Amy!!

On Thursday night (July 22nd) I asked Carter if he would like to go to Levi's house. I haven't been to Flemingsburg since I was pregnant with Carter and just decided to take a road trip to visit the Ripato's.

We had a bit of car trouble and stopped to rent a car half way there. Papa Jerry and Nana towed a truck to Bardstown and towed the Honda back to Tompkinsville. To make a sweet ending even sweeter the boys at Jerry's Transmission had the Honda fixed by 7:30 Monday morning. To top that off Papa Jerry and Nana Ruby delivered the Honda back to us on Monday night. I quiet certain there was alot of Divine intervention in the aforementioned happenings!

Last time I went to Flemingsburg I blew out a tire at the same exit! Both times there were wonderful people who came to my rescue! So as much as I'd like to avoid exit 25 on BG Parkway there are actually some nice folks there (i.e. Enterprise, Wal-Mart Tire & Lube, Big O Tires).

Levi took us to our first Build and Grow class at Lowes. Carter and Levi made UFO's! We had a great time hanging out, playing trains, painting Levi's bedroom wall and assortment of colors, playing with Anna Belle (Levi's puppy) and of course...shopping!

Silly CW

2010-08-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago Mark saw some wild turkeys in our back yard. Then we found deer eating from our garden. CW wanted to shew them away, he kept saying "shew, shew" while we were looking out our bedroom windows at the deer. Most preschool art work doesn't have an offical name.

Mommy's new slippers are great suppose to be for cleaning the floor, however the felines have taken to sleeping on them instead.

Who's that Spartan cheerleader?

Preschool & Knives

2010-07-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

CW is ready for his 2nd day of preschool. I forgot to take pictures the first day.

(He has Lego "coal" on his fingers for those of you who are wondering.)

Preschool makes me happy!

At least it is a butter knife!?!

Carter officially started preschool on July 6th. He is still at the same building but moved up another class. This was one move all the Dodd's were very happy about. Most of Carter's friends moved up in May. He has not happy that he could see his friends though the fence outside but couldn't go on the same playground they were on. There had been lots of tears at drop off. Even mommy was crying one day!

Carter is really enjoying his new room and playing on the fire engine outside. It has wooden train tracks and wooden trains just like we do at home. The 2nd day he tried to sneak in Rosie the train and his teacher busted him before I left. Oh well gotta give the kid credit for trying!

Most famous words this week: "I'd really like to have this at my house." and "I'm probably gonna want to..." Tonight it was "I'm probably gonna have to come to your room and sleep if you leave me in here alone." =-) atd

Hot Time in the City!

2010-07-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

too much for words! i lOvE this picture!
A lesson from Elijah...

A lesson from Emma...

and he's off to the big wheel races!

Silly Monkeys at the Parthenon in Nashville.

We had SO much fun when the Gray's came to visit a few weeks ago. It was hot and nasty outside but we found plenty to keep us busy. Our adventures began at Sonic. It came a down pour to remember while we were there. We were all drenched and laughing so hard our belly's hurt. That is one lunch date none of us will ever forget!

Next it was off to Centennial Park in Nashville. After 15 years in middle Tennessee we figured we should find out why there is a replica of the Parthenon in Nashville. We where just in time for "story time." In the middle of the story CW decides he has to go potty and informed the entire group assembled to hear the story. As a side note Carter is still carrying his "piece of gold" the story teller gave him around 3 weeks later.

Next we headed down town to check out some the fine Dodd craftsmanship at historical places. We ended up in an ice cream shoppe...YUMMY. Some of us went home for a nap and some of the brave souls strolled to the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge. After some R&R we chowed down on Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner (minus the beans...I may never live that one down).

Sunday was a little more slow paced, but fun never the less. Papa and Grandma were wonderful host as always and Carter asked to go to Grandma's house everyday the next week. I think he thinks that Emma and Elijah live there. I'm sure if it were up the Emma, Elijah and Carter they'd probably all like to camp out in Mt. Juliet without their parents. I'm just not so sure the parents would want to miss out on the fun these three have when they are together! atd

Party Pictures

2010-06-27T17:34:00.001-07:00

CW burned off some energy playing in the sprinklers before his party. He was all wet, sweaty and not dressed the way I had planned...YET, he had a gReAt time.

Happy Birthday to you!

One big PUFF!

YUMMY!

Carter, Sadie, Cooper, & Karley.

(Henry, Charlie, Hope & Bryan were too busy partying for group pictures)

Carter and Mackenzie

What nice party manners!

Gifts galore!

Look, Look!

I had never been a more relaxed host than at Carter's birthday party. Grandma and Papa came over several hours before the party to help us get everything ready. They really party-savers, and the behind the scene heros! I don't think I have ever enjoyed a child's birthday party that much. The house was clean, the food was yummy and the company was wonderful!

32# & 36.5"

2010-06-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

The red and blue socks a such a wonderful addition to the ensemble.
Chowing down on Granny Turner's Birthday Cupcakes!

Serious Business!

I'm pretty sure someday Carter will be extra happy with the photo of him on the potty. It was just too cute not to post!

In the past 3 years Carter has gained 23# and grown 15". In the past week Carter seems to have mastered using the potty...for the most part. =-)

It has been a busy week celebrating Carter's birthday. Last weekend we celebrated in Kentucky. On Wednesday Carter had a birthday party at school. He requested green ice cream for his party at school so Carter and his friends had LIME sherbet and mini cupcakes.

Thursday was Carter's actual birthday. The plan was to go to Monkey Joe's with his cousins, Hope and Bryan. However, Mommy ended up going to the dentist instead to have a root canal while Carter had tons of fun at Monkey Joe's. Except for when he bonked his nose on Bryan. By the time mommy got home from the dentist his little nose was swollen and discolored. This lead to an adventure to the doctors office. Nothing seemed to be awry, just an unfortunate bonk! Given these events coupled with a rochepin injection on his first birthday and a 104 degree fever on his second birthday Mommy isn't really looking forward to Carter's next birthday.

I don't think Carter even noticed I wasn't at Monkey Joe's with him. I felt horrible for leaving him on his birthday so on Friday Carter and I went to "Touch a Truck" at the park. It was miserably hot. He didn't really want to climb on any of the rescue vehicles and didn't even complain when I told him I wanted to go home. At one point he was sitting on a swing with me and I began to pour some water over this head to cool him off. Carter started whaling and said, "You got my dress all wet!" I laughed until I cried. I know it isn't nice to laugh at your kid when he is all upset, but it was too funny. Carter asked me to carry him while we were walking 1/2 mile to the car because he "wasn't warm." I refrained from laughing this time, but I think he meant he wanted me to carry him because he was hot.

Since Thursday Carter has been asking is my birthday coming soon. I explain that his birthday was Thursday but his party to celebrate is on Sunday. I'm pretty sure he is quiet confused by this. We had planned the party for 1:30 at a local park, but it is HOT & HUMID so I decided to change the location to our house instead. I haven't told Carter this yet. I really hope he doesn't get upset.

Today we went to a birthday party for Emmalyn, one of Carter's friends. Carter didn't try to help her open her gifts, and SO excited for her to open his gift. I was very proud of him when we went to pick her out a present. He wanted to buy her a train and didn't understand why she would want something "girlie" instead. When we left the store I told him how proud I was of him for not getting upset that he didn't get a toy while we were there. He kind of stomped his foot and said, "But I really want to buy a train today mom." I could tell he was disappointed he didn't get anything in the store, but he was so very sweet about it. I wanted to go back and buy him something but I refrained...for once.

All of the pictures from our family photo shoot are on the Brooke's website now (http://brookekellyphotography.zenfolio.com/). You don't need a password, just look for the words "Carter Dodd." Tootles for now...gotta go finish up the home made ice cream! atd

Airplanes

2010-06-06T22:11:00.000-07:00

We had family pictures made on Friday. Carter was a total ham. Everything Brooke asked him to do he said "no." I'm hoping when he turns three this week his new favorite word will magically become "yes."

This past weekend we went to Kentucky to visit the Turner's. Carter went to an airshow with Papa Jerry and Nana Ruby at the Tompkinsville airport. He wanted to ride in one of the planes until he heard how loud they were. After the airshow we celebrated Carter's birthday with his Great Grandparents and Uncle Geary too. He had a cool Mickey Mouse cake and enjoyed eating LOTS of icing.

Later the same day we got a surprise visit from Aunt Verna and Grandma & Pawpaw Dodd with more birthday surprises which was a wonderful treat! I'm pretty Carter will continue to celebrate his birthday for the entire week since his party isn't until Sunday.

Carter has made great progress on using the potty...at least today. Tomorrow things may change. On the way to T-ville he told me he needed to stop and potty. I was so stinkin' proud of him I bought him a train! We have been giving him coins for using the potty, but he just doesn't seem to understand that it takes ALOT of coins to buy trains. Tonight I realized he rarely sees us use coins or tickets (paper money) so why would he get the concept of using coins to get tickets to buy trains. Then I googled preschoolers and learning about money. Kiplinger's said he isn't ready to learn those concepts yet. Mark was super impressed that I was relying on google for great parenting advice. =-) atd

2010-05-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

A few Carter-isms to share.

I asked Carter which shirt he wanted to wear. He chose a red one and told Mark, "that's my Easter shirt." I'm not sure how he can remember that was his Easter shirt since he didn't even wear it on Easter.

One afternoon we were outside and Carter could see the moon. "The moon stayed up too late." Later that evening, "The moon turned his light on."

We were at Barnes and Noble and Cater was trying to convince me that he needed some more train tracks. "See it says so in my story, Carter needs more tracks." This is the line the story character's use in the show Super Why. For instance, Humpy Dumpty says I have to fall off the wall 'it says so in my story.'

Carter also went stinky in the potty at Barnes and Noble's. Once he came out of the restroom he announced it so loud I'm sure the entire store heard him.

Tennessee Flooding 2010

2010-05-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

This is a video of the historic flood that occurred on May 1st & 2nd in Middle Tennessee. There are some very touching pictures at the 3:17 & 6:27 mark. The pictures of the Hendersonville area (where we live) start around the 5:50 minute mark.

Both Dodd families were fortunate to be home when the rain started, and did not to have any damage. However, Grandma will not be working at the Grand Ole Opry for some time as the Gaylord Complex was flooded.

Statewide, 29 people lost their lives and some are still missing 2 weeks later. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones during this tragic time.

Did you hear it rained in Tennessee?

2010-05-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

This is a photograph of one of the houses Mark and I wanted to buy several years ago. We knew it was way out of our price range but called it "our house" for a few months when it was on the market. The water has receeded at this point, but the clean up continues.
We count our blessings that this puddle of water by the mailbox was the most damage we received from the flood.

CW perfecting his puddle jumping skills.

Mother's day at the zoo!

Today I asked Carter to repeat himself and he said, "never mind mommy." By the way, Carter decided the didn't want to go back to swim class after the second week of dunkin'. atd

Pumpkin' Dunking

2010-04-25T19:54:00.001-07:00

Carter couldn't wait to get in the pool for swim class!
Holding on tight to daddy.

Not loving the water.

This isn't so bad.

STRONG man holding onto the wall like a leech!

I'm really not convience no matter how sweet you sound or smile!

Yeah, I don't like that!

Dunking a child under water as a method of learning to swim is not something I intented to support. Guess I should have asked more questions about the philospy before I signed Carter up for the class. I'm pretty sure he will master getting out of the pool first thing next week. At least I'm not as worried about him going to the neighbors pool and jumping in. Now he knows he doesn't want to do that!

It really wasn't that bad. He loved floating around in the water and kicking after a few mintues. There was less crying each time he "fell" into the pool, and Carter said he wanted to go back to swim class several times later that day.

After the class Mark asked me why there were mommy's in the "daddy and me" swim class. Hum, dear I'm really not sure. Maybe they didn't get the memo? atd

How High Can You Fly?

2010-04-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

This is the drill bit...
This is the laser pointer light...

Not sure who dresses this boy?

What store has Thomas on sale this week Dad?

Kite Flying Attempts were sort of futile this weekend.

This week I noticed that Carter's feet actually leave the ground when he jumps! He used to try to propel himself upward to jump, but his feet never left the ground. Now he can jump like a kangaroo...bong, bong, bong! atd

Fishy Business

2010-04-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

McDonald's trip for Aunt April's diet coke (aka crack) fix on the way to the park.
Just a Swinging!

Ready to Launch!

Feeding the Fishes cause the Ducks weren't interested!

(Check out CW's cow lick.)

Papa Jerry and his boys.

CW sneaking a few bites of Nana Ruby's duck corn.

See the fish just behind the piece on the left? Too cool!!

Hoppy Easter!

2010-04-11T20:13:00.001-07:00

Egg Coloring Fun.
Pretty Colors
What's over there?

Grandma carrying the goods.

After opening each egg Carter says, "I want some of that."

Grandma was ready for Easter with lots of eggs to color, yummy lunch, plenty of cAnDy, and toys! We missed the Gray's, and I wasn't windy enough to fly a kite. Otherwise it was really a PERFECT day! I'm not sure how Papa and daddy stayed out of all the pictures?