I love days like this...

7:20am: Carter's famous first words of the morning (every morning) "Where's my Daddy?" Daddy went to work. "I go school today?" Nope, it's a 'stay-home day.' "Hehehe...me and you?" Yes, me and you. "Mommy, wet's cuddle." You got it. "Mommy, there's dinosaurs in here." No, Carter, that's just Mya. (We heard birds fighting outside) "Mommy, there's dinosaurs outsise." No, Carter, that's just birds. "Mommy, I scared of something." What are you scared of? "Ummm...wittle tiny kitties." No, you're not. (Whimper) "O...k...."

9:15am: An OB appointment - baby's movement has decreased but my first non-stress test of the pregnancy shows that he's doing just fine. My next appointment is in 2 weeks. I'll have a quick ultrasound to check the baby's position and size, and then I start my weekly appointments. By the way, Carter insisted that he pee in a cup like me. He's been asking every appointment, so I let him do it today - that made for one happy 3 year old :)

10:45am: A surprise visit to see Daddy at Nissan. We all shared some Goldfish snacks in the car.

11:10am: My fastest trip to the mall EVER - just needed a few things from Clinique.

11:20am: "Mama, I sleep in your car pease??" Ugh...not before lunch!

11:40am: "Mama, what you doing? I don't want to seep. I want go potty. I want eat wunch."

12:00pm: Grilled cheese, apple slices, and some frosted sugar cookies.

1:00pm: Naptime till 2:30

2:45pm: Bathing suits on....filled up 20 water balloons to toss around outside

3pm: Water balloon toss, jumping-splashing-running-Ring Around the Rosie in the little pool, baseball, sidewalk chalk, 100% juice popsicles, watered flowers

5:30pm: Daddy's on his way home...clean feet, dry clothes, dinner's cooking

6:00pm: Grilled salmon, fresh green beans, croissant rolls, and milk

6:40pm: More water balloons, splashing in the pool, and baseball

7:45pm: Lime popsicles and Handy Manny

8:20pm: Squeaky clean 3 year old, Cars book, stickers, kisses and hugs

8:40pm: Cozy little boy asleep on his floor...evidence of a fun day :)

I love days like this!!!

The Detroit Zoo

We had loose plans to take a trip to the Detroit Zoo on Sunday, as long as the weather cooperated. Carter talked about it for days and was ecstatic when we left church and said that we were FINALLY on our way to the zoo. He sings in the car when he's excited..."We going a zoo - we going a zoo!" The first thing he wanted to see was the alligator and crocodile exhibit, but NOT the snakes. Followed by tigers, lions, "gaffes" (giraffes), and all the bears. We saw everything else too, but he was most excited about those few classic zoo animals. He learned about camels in school so it was fun for him to see real camels and count their humps in English and Spanish. And I loved hearing him ask to see the "wizards" (lizards). Of course, a highlight of Carter's day was riding the train and he kept yelling "WOOO WOOO" - and who could forget the yummy frozen "wem-ade" (lemonade) that Carter ate all by himself?! It was such a great day spent together as a family of 3 - something that will only be true for the next 4ish weeks. I feel so blessed to have these happy and healthy boys in my life! Life is good :)

Who knew a garage sale could be so much fun??

In an effort to "simplify" and de-clutter our basement, I decided to have a garage sale just one month before the baby comes. I have spent the last few months going through the unfinished part of the basement, all the closets and cabinets, and what used to be our extra bedroom (now it's the baby's room). At first, I didn't think that I would have enough for a garage sale...but I was wrong...there was plenty. We did a total of 4 days - and for one of those days, Katie and Carly came over to help entertain Carter. He had such a blast...and I'm pretty sure Katie and Carly did too! Our neighbors grandkids, Jack and Owen, came over for some sprinkler fun too - or, as Carter says, "spinker."

Brenna Elizabeth

Our friends, Molly and Aaron, were a little surprised by the early arrival of their baby girl, Brenna Elizabeth, on May 17th. Congratulations to Molly and Aaron, as well as Big Brother Brady. Carter was so excited to go to the hospital and meet her last week on Tuesday. Later in the week during conversation, I said to Carter "Guess who is coming over our house..." He squealed, bounced his feet (he was in his carseat), waved his arms and said "MY BABY BRODDER?!?!?!" I think he's getting excited - but was sad this morning when I told him that we were not naming the baby Doc after Doc Hudson from the movie Cars :)

"And that's the color song!"

Carter started a new school in the end of March. He's in the Beginning Preschool classroom with an amazing teacher, Miss Jacque. He has had a rough time adjusting...new teachers, new friends (mostly older), and more curriculum. We've had some rough mornings filled with "I going my new school today? I don't want to go my new school." and lots of tears. However, in the last 2 weeks or so, we've had a few moments that show me he's having fun learning at his new school. For example, we went to the store and I said "Carter, help me find a white shirt." He said "No, I count them. Uno, dos, cinco, cinco, cinco." And when I got him a special treat from Dairy Queen (a red slush) he said "RED! RO-JO! RO-JO!" It's clicking - and he likes it :) Yesterday I was able to capture another moment on video. We went to Walmart to get some signs for our garage sale. And all Carter saw was "color signs" like Miss Jacque holds up when they sing songs...specifically, "The Color Song." He sat in the cart and we sang like they sing at school. We did this about 30 times throughout the day :) I couldn't get the videos to load directly to this blog, so you'll have to go to YouTube to view them (Colors -1 and Colors - 2):

www.youtube.com/user/lisasutton1223

31 Week Maternity Photos

My wonderful friend, Stephanie, came over last week with her little boy (Owen) and we had a great time! Carter and Owen played so well together...upstairs, downstairs, in the driveway, and at the sand table. They even enjoyed a popsicle and had to BOTH have the same kind. Stephanie was kind enough to spend most of our time together taking maternity photos of me and my "big beddy" (as Carter refers to it). We took some inside with my backdrops, then outside in the backyard, and we even took a trip to downtown Milford for some "urban" maternity photos. We had so much fun - but, it's dangerous to get two photographers together for a photo shoot...just ask Evan who was stuck at the playground with both boys while we wrapped up photos downtown! Carter was less than cooperative for photos while Stephanie was over, so I had Evan take a few more of the two of us yesterday afternoon. It took a few tries, but I'm so pleased with the end result...memories of my pregnancy and the joys of being Carter's mommy! Happy Mother's Day :)

Back to Blogging

I had a blog throughout my pregnancy with Carter, and even for a little bit after he was born...and then it disappeared...literally. It was lost in space and I couldn't find it nor retrieve my blogs. I have been bitter for a long time. Since then, I have had many people ask what happened to my blog. I love reading other people's blogs, and it's so difficult to upload photos and send them out via email on a regular basis, and not everyone uses Facebook....so....funny story - I went to blogspot.com to set up a blog and it kept telling me that my email address was already linked to a blog. How strange! I submitted a request to reset my password and came across The Sutton Family Blog. What?! Apparently, back when Carter was 5 months old I already set this up and intended to use it. I have absolutely no memory of it!! However, with a new baby on the way and funny Carter stories to share all the time, this is my new way of keeping everyone in the loop. Visit as often as you'd like - I will do my best to post regular updates to keep you informed :) Enjoy!