Good bye "Sippy Cups," hello regular teeth brushing!

Since Carter is 6 days away from turning 2 years old, last week it was time to say good bye to sippy cups and hello to "big boy cups." During the transition, Carter got to pick out paper cups that he would like to use! He has been doing great and we have had no major spills so far. I think we will be keeping a few sippy cups for car rides... I am not that confident quite yet!

It is so funny to think that exactly a year ago, we were stressed out trying to get him off bottles and drinking only out of sippy cups and a year later, we are saying adios to them. Man... the things us mom's stress about...

Ok... even though Carter has had a baby toothbrush since 7 months old and I got him a real one at 1 year, we have not been to consistent with the whole teeth brushing thing but I figured that is another important thing we can work on around this age. Since I am so "Type A" and love making lists and charts and getting rewards... I figured I would try out these techniques out with him and see how he does... JACKPOT! (well 6 days in at least!) I knew he LOVES stickers so we let him pick out stickers he liked... he chose 'smiley faces' and everyday, after he lets me brush all of his teeth and then he brushes himself, he gets a sticker to put in on the fancy chart I made him!

Well, to make things even easier... the wonderful Miss Connie who used to be one of Carter's teacher at school, but left several months ago to finish up her second degree in forensic science, apparently came by school yesterday to see Carter and give him a very unexpected and extremely thoughtful birthday present. There were lots of amazing books and STICKERS! ("Cars" stickers, so needless to say, Carter brushed his teeth 3 times this morning so he could get more stickers!) Thanks Connie, that was such a surprise, and I am so glad you are done with school! Congrats on your second degree!!!! Good luck with the big J.O.B. hunt! Let me know if you need anything!

Bye Bye Sippy Cups and Hello Botanical Gardens

Since Carter is less than a week away from turning 2, last night we said goodbye to sippy cups and hello to "big boy cups." He is doing great and hasn't had a major spill yet. Though, I think we will hang on to a couple of them for car rides... I am not that confident yet! :)

This morning Carter and I went with some other mommies and little ones to the Botanical Gardens to see a train exhibit.

He thought the trains were pretty cool but mostly we just loved exploring the grounds and playing. He still is very into buses and tractors! Afterwards we ate at McDonald's. He still doesn't really know what the "Golden Arches" are and I somewhat consider that a major accomplishment as a parent of a 2 year old!! ;) Wow... "2 year old," that is strange to type and say...

Watching the train go around and around!

This was in a "Japanese Garden." Carter had run off behind a bush and didn't know I was peering through it!

This was a windmill exhibit they built around a giant oak tree. Carter loved running around and playing!

Letter to Santa...

Tonight the kids wrote their letter to Santa.

Dear Santa,

This is our first Christmas together,

with all four of us, as a family. Addie and

I have been good (most of the time)

all year! Well, at least, she has for the

last 7 months.

This is a special year in another way

too. Our "Pa-Pa" in Tyler got real sick

a couple of days ago and is in the hospital.

Da-da is there with him now. All we

really want for Christmas is for him to

get better soon so we can play with him again!

We promise to leave milk and cookies

for you on Christmas Eve.

Love and thank you in advance,

Carter and Addison Brown

(ages 24 mo and 7 mo)

We wish we could be there with you right now Pa-Pa. Please take care of yourself and know that we are thinking of you!

Couldn't Have Been a Better Day For a Party!

I had done some 'historical weather research' of the past few years, while planning Carter's Birthday Party and there seemed to be a dramatic drop in temperatures between the first and second weekends in December... so I accelerated the planning process of his party in just 2 weeks and I must say it paid off! The weather started out in the 30's but by Party Time... the sun was blazing and jackets and sweaters were being stripped off! It seriously was a beautiful birthday weekend (even though his real birthday isn't until Dec. 18!)

The Bouncy House/Slide/Ball Pit was a complete and total hit with Carter and his friends of ALL ages. Between it, the roller coaster and putting green... Carter was in heaven with his closest buddies there to partake in the fun!

Even my work partner and great friend Maria was in the Bouncy House to help the birthday boy learn to master how to climb up the slide. An hour later, he was a pro! Thanks Maria!
Lolli and Pops (Dad and Nancy) were there in full force and Carter even paused for a few seconds to give him a hug!
Carter's wonderful cousins Macy and Marshall were great help with all the little ones running around!
This is one of our neighbor's Avery coming down the slide!

Carter was so excited when his best little friend from daycare, JD, got to come to his party. Carter talks about JD all the time!

Even sweet Ella got in on the slide.... she didn't quite know what to think!
Addie had to give it a try... she liked lounging at the end!

Carter with his Cupcake Birthday Cake - as my mom said, "When Megan cooks, she actually does a good job!" Yes, I overheard her say that at the party! (thanks mom!)
Carter did a great job blowing his candle out... he totally had me thinking he had blown it out... it wasn't until later that night, that Blake told me, he actually had to help blow some! :)
Addie was seriously staring everyone down with a cupcake and trying to talk Ya-Ya into giving her a bite! The 3 of us on Carter's Big Day!

I found candy "Sports Ball Rings" for the cupcakes and Carter loved munching on his!
Marshall and Avery taking turns on the slide!

Macy and her boyfriend Cody Mac! After the party was over and Carter took a long nap and we hung out with some of our close friends from Austin over lunch... the 4 of us just lounged on the Bounce House all afternoon... it was like a huge blow up mattress!
Addie even got some good time on it!
This morning... after Carter slept 2 hours later than normal, we started slowly opening some of the wonderful gifts that he was lucky enough to receive... one of his favorites and his dad's for sure was a kid's golf glove... Thanks Perkins Family!

Another very special and meaningful gift that I know we will have and cherish for many years to come is the Children's Nativity Set that The Metcalf's gave Carter! Carter loves pressing the Angel and listening to Away in a Manger.

Addie even snuck in for some play-time with it as well! We have it already set up in on the piano!

From us, Carter graduated from plastic to a real set of golf clubs for his size...

Watch out Tiger!

Just love this age.

Addison is almost 6 1/2 months old and weighed in at 19 pounds and 9 oz. (greater than 97%.) She is 27" long, which is 90%. Her head circumference is is 46, which greater than 97%! (just like her big brother!)

She is beautiful and genuinely a happy, happy baby. She smiles way more than her brother ever did at this age. She is really in love with Maverick and giggles non-stop if he is around. She seems to like balls (apparently, a prerequisite for living in our house) like her brother and laughs uncontrollably when a ball is bounced in front of her. I love that she can sit up so well now and she just sit in the middle of the room and watch all of us around her. She is very content.

Here are a few more recent pics of her over the 10 days of Thanksgiving holidays we were all together! She is gaining such a little personality. Sometimes, this bottom lip tells us she is hungry!
Aunt Erin!

Simply gorgeous!