Carter is 10!

My Baby turns 10 today. Where has the time gone? Go here to read how I feel about motherhood in general because everything I said when Chad turned 10 applies to Carter as well.

But Carter as an individual...WOW. Where do I start? Carter is an example of extremes. He is generally a very happy kid, laughing and cracking jokes, and just enjoying life. But, get him mad and you better watch out! It is all or nothing with him. I love his passion!

His babyhood included many sleepless nights. He just did not WANT to sleep through the night and there was no way I could make him. This was a big change from Chad and kind of rocked my world. He didn't want to miss any of the action I guess. But, OH, what a charmer he was. You couldn't be mad at Carter. He had a quick smile for everyone and was just so doggone CUTE! He has always been just loveably adorable. Even Uncle James can't resist Carter.

He is the youngest of the 3 boy cousins and he takes what comes with that. But he takes it in stride and shares and plays nice and wants everyone to be happy.

And if there is ONE thing he inherited from his Daddy it was a quick wit (and his looks and his dimple ...). He is a hilarious kid and always has a quick quip to make us laugh or keep things in perspective. He is incredibly insightful and you absolutely never know what Carter might say next. He keeps us laughing, that is for sure!

And did I mention brilliant? LOL He makes all A's in school with very little effort. He was in the gifted program in Columbia County, but didn't quite make it here in WV. He is very well behaved and always well liked by his teachers. School is no problem for Carter and I couldn't be more proud.

Carter is a wonderful friend, a perfect son, and a loving grandson. He loves soccer, music, and creating. He is a free spirit who loves life and is the most thankful child I've ever seen. He is 10. But he'll always be my baby.

I'm ready

I haven't posted on this blog since Chad turned 10. He's still 10, so I guess it's not too bad. ;) As you all probably already know, I am making some major lifestyle changes for 2011. I am starting Weight Watchers. Now, all my friends have been losing weight for a year now, most of them on Weight Watchers, many of them in Walking Club. But I am stubborn. I have to do things in my own time. I pride myself on not being a follower. But now I am ready. I truly feel like Weight Watchers is going to be easy for me because I am ready. I have it in my head that this is it. I am going to lose weight and be healthier. This is day 4 and I have not felt deprived yet. I am noticing how I am eating differently now than when I had no 'rules' and that's good. But I don't miss it, not yet. I'm eating at home, which makes all the difference. I have had one meal out since starting, and that was at Applebee's where they cater to the Weight Watchers community. Honestly, I'd rather eat at home. DID I JUST SAY THAT??? Wow!!

So, that is what's going on in MY life at the moment. And since it is SUCH a big change for me, it will probably consume my life for a while. But that's okay. Because I'm ready. If you want to follow me on my journey of weight loss, I have a separate blog where I will be posting pretty much daily. You can find it here: http://weightimlosingit.blogspot.com

It will change your life

I have shocked myself by becoming teary eyed reading that my friend's son turned 10 yesterday. You see, at this very moment, exactly 10 years ago, my firstborn entered this world. Everyone always told me that having a child changes your life. For some reason, I always thought they were being negative when saying that, meaning "you'll never be able to go to the movies again," or "you won't sleep for the next year at least," or "the crying, the whining, the diapers, etc. etc. etc. are going to be horrible". It never once occurred to me that what they really meant was that I was about to experience love like never before in my life. That, from this moment forward, I would never think of pregnancy as just 'pregnancy' again. I would forever be in awe that this miraculous being came from me, that he lives and breathes because of me, that he grew from a tiny microscopic egg into this baby, and now into this 10 year old young man...all because Charles and I fell in love and created him. It never occurred to me that people meant that from that day, 10 years ago, forward a blue sky would never be just a beautiful blue sky again. It would be a "wonderful day to go to the park". Clouds wouldn't be clouds; they would be dragons and dinosaurs and Godzilla characters. Bugs and lizards and frogs would be creatures to study and capture, not things to avoid or kill. Sticks and rocks would be amazing gifts from God to be played with and thrown. Not once did it occur to me that they meant I would now have this incredibly powerful force to keep myself safe...because my kids need me. No, I was wrong in my assumptions that people were "warning" me about motherhood. They were trying to share with me the concept of a feeling that one can not understand until they have experienced it. Having a child will change your life. You will love like never before, feel pride you never knew possible, laugh more than ever, live for the simple things in life, and feel an all encompassing desire to protect this little person from anything and everything that can hurt them, and cry your eyes out when you realize it isn't always possible.

10 years ago today this all happened to me and my life hasn't been the same since. Chad was born.
He was my "millenium baby" and really spoiled me into thinking that babies were a piece of cake. He slept through the night at 5 weeks old, nursed like a champ, rarely cried, and was just as easy as could be. That's why, when he was 5 months old, we decided to give him a brother. But that's a story for another day. Chad's babyhood was peaceful and beautiful. Shortly after his 1st birthday Carter was born. Chad was a great big brother. He loved Carter and was gentle with him. He shared his toys and his snacks.
Shortly before Chad turned 2 we moved from Fort Stewart to Grovetown. He now had a big yard to play in and a bigger house to roam in.
He started going to Mother's Day Out and made friends easily. We joined a playgroup that we are still great friends with today. He went to pre-K at the age of 4 and really blossomed as a smart and kind little boy. School has always been easy for Chad and, aside from a random B, has always made straight A's.
He is incredibly logical. He can almost always win me over to his side, and has done so from an early age. I think he was about 3 years old when I realized he was smarter than me. :) He is in 4th grade now and won the writing competition for his grade level at his school. Today he competes in the Math Tournament for 4th grade and is in the final 4. Yes, I am proud. He is a Cub Scout and loves soccer, basketball, and fishing. He has an entreprenurial spirit and is good with his money. He still snuggles with me and gives me hugs. He is 10. I can't believe it.