He's Gonna' Hate This When He's 16...

Well, probably sooner than that.

This is some video I shot of Carter right around Christmas. We were cleaning up that morning as my Dad, Sheryl, and Karalea were coming in (so excuse the Christmas explosion from the previous days!). Anyway, Laney's cousins had given her a baby doll for Christmas. Randomly one day, Carter decides it's his. This is what went on that morning:

A few notes:

He was on a big 'anti-clothes' kick this day.

Occasionally, we do change his diaper.

I wish you could hear him more and my stupid voice less.

This continued throughout the morning, and I'm glad I kept the camera out. He got Daddy to put her in Laney's bed because the baby needed to take a nap.

A few notes:

He does NOT like to talk in front of the camera.

Still no clothes (obviously).

When he claps his hands, he's telling her to 'bounce.'

One more... This last one was so sweet. I actually watched for a while before I turned on the camera. The mic doesn't pick up that he's singing to her as well. Funny thing is, it's been AGES since I've done this with Laney. And even then, it was really only when she was super fussy or sick. Anyway, I love that he yells at Goo Goo (Scooter) to get out. That is certainly what I do! Sorry for the extra-bad camera work on this one. Not sure what I was doing!

Disclaimer** Joel wanted to make sure I included pictures of Carter playing with his "manly" toys as well. I assure you that this lengthy interest was temporary (though he does check in on baby every now and then!), and he was back to Big Wheely and his Tool Truck in no time. He has "tightened" every door knob (cabinets included) and screw in our house with his new drill and has put many miles on his Big Wheely (dump truck) hauling BB and his juice/milk around, too. I have pictures somewhere - I promise!

A little more on Carter...

We saw a big change in Carter over the Christmas holidays. He had a great summer, but his roughness came back a little towards the end of this year. We had some biting incidents and days that just weren't all that great, but he has really changed in the last weeks. He's always been busy, of course, but he is actually helping us a LOT more now. He lets the dogs outside and back in for us (which is huge when a little dog needs to tinkle but a little girl needs to eat!), he feeds the dogs (actually goes into the garage, gets the scooper out of the bucket and fills the bowls), he can dress himself, he gets himself into his new booster car seat and can get the straps in front buckled, he can go potty by himself and change his pull-up if it's wet. Cooking is a favorite of his, so he helps me mix things occasionally. Still loves to sweep and vacuum, too! I've actually noticed that I have a different CD in the stereo every now and then as well. We pick up his toys together, and he gets SO excited when he's finished. He LOVES his sister. There was a week or so there where he was kind of a stinker - nothing major - just antagonizing her. Now he runs in her room when she wakes up (and sometimes when she's still sleeping) to tell me she's awake and that he wants her to play on the floor with him. He gets Laney her blanket (or 'Lala's BB' as he calls it) or milk cup or whatever it is she needs. She is quite the snacker, and Carter loves to share his snack with her on the way home from school. I actually have to pass snacks from one little hand to the other, but it's quite cute to watch! I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

His communication skills have really taken off as well. You can't really tell in these videos, but he is talking much more than before and trying to say many more words. I think this was a big part of his frustration. He isn't the best at articulating, but he wouldn't really try before. Like I said, we had some rough weeks. It was also the time when Daddy had surgery, Gran Jan had surgery, we had to put Buddy to sleep, and lots of other things - and then the Christmas chaos. Anyway, I certainly don't condone the behavior, but it didn't really surprise me either. Carter's social skills have really improved as well, and I am very proud of him for how well he (usually!) shares.

I'm sure I'm jinxing us, but we haven't had the big temper-tantrums I've seen in a lot of others his age - so far. I can count on one hand, maybe a few fingers, the times he's just had a total meltdown. And it's usually because it's waaaaaay past nap time. Actually, he's even put himself in timeout before if he knows he's done something wrong!

Joel and I often find ourselves smiling and thinking about the day with him. It's common to hear one of us mutter, "I love my little dude" at some point after putting him to bed. Carter makes sure we say our prayers and literally tuck him in under his blanket before we leave his room. So many nights I just want to stay curled up next to him while he holds my hand. I know these moments won't last forever! He is so affectionate and has a sweetness about him that I just can't put into words.

Of course, he's 2. So it's not always so dreamy around here. But, it's been such a joy - really a joy - to watch him grown and develop into the little boy is his. It has also been quite entertaining! And I look forward to the stories yet to come. Many people have commented on how much he's changed lately - developmentally and physically. Sometimes I think I'm in denial about how fast he's changing! And don't even get me started on Laney :)

Anyway, so much for the "little" bit on Carter. I am hoping to finish the kids' 2009 books soon, and so many things I want to include. Laney's birthday is coming up, so I'll wait to do her update then.