The UPDATE

OK, it has been way too long since I updated my blog, so here goes. The happenings....

- Chris is working 7 days a week/14 hrs a day- - -It's Football Season and Fall Camp, so we don't see much of him. Carter much less than me.

-I am still working 4 days a week only for the month of August I am working 10 hr days. I am so tired, between the 45 min one way drive my day turns into 12 hrs before I am even home. I have also gotten back into sewing and am making bags to sell. I got such good response from the bag I made for myself, that I have decided to make more and sell them.

-Carter is busy as ever and enjoying the life of a "walker". He is saying quite a few words, such as BYE, GO, BUM, YUM, OUCH, MOM, DADA, NANA, YEAH, DONE, AND PUP-PUP. We had our visit at the allergist last week. The news was what was expected, unfortunately.

CARTER IS ALLERGIC TO EGGS and cat!!! They did the skin testing and checked 6 different allergins-egg, pineapple, dog, cat, nuts, and one other one (I forget). The test lasts 20 minutes and the eggs reacted so quickly that before 5 minutes was up they had to wipe it off. He didn't seemed bothered by the quarter sized WELT on his back, and was tearing up the entire exam room just fine. They sent us home w/ instructions on avoiding all products with egg in them at all, and epi-pen persciption, and a recommendation to see a dietitian. Glad I had the 3rd one covered! We are shopping a little different and letting everyone know about the change. I just need some time to get a handle on this one. We are carrying around the epi-pen wherever he goes.

Otherwise things are great for us. Carter keeps us laughing and I need to get video of him on here when he is wandering around the house just jabbering. He makes me smile.

We are headed to the pool this afternoon. Carter loves the pool and usually does not want to leave after we get there. People are amazed at how in love w/ the water he is. He will throw himself underwater without reserve. He does not want to hold my hand and wants to play w/ the big boys. I should be in for a busy afternoon.

My camera has been w/ my parents on loan, and I will get it back tomorrow. I wil get some more updated pics on here. Until then....

First Words, Walking and a Baby Gate

Words that Carter says: Ball, Moma, Dada, Done, Pup-Pup, Na-Na and Pa-Pa (when he wants), and Bu-Bye. He is talking non-stop, it's just not always understandable. He has so much to say all the time.

He is walking and running everywhere. He gets up and is gone before you know it. No more leaving the room w/ him unattended. He climbs onto everything. Just the other day he took his plastic bike and stood on the seat to reach the computer desk chair. Or he gets into the fridge and steps on the bottom so he can reach the top shelf, only to throw all the food from the top shelf onto the kitchen floor. He is a busy boy.

Yesterday we got a baby gate...LONG OVERDUE! Chris put it up while I was making dinner and Carter just stood at it bawling, tears and all. He seemed so betrayed. He will just have to get used to it. Poor guy.

Some more updates, Before vacation to Branson Carter got Hand Foot and Mouth-July 4th to be exact. Running a temp of 102.7 degrees and crying all the time. We couldn't get the temp to come down, I thought we were doing teeth again, but usually his temp isn't that high. I had to work on the 4th so immediately after work we took him to Urgent Care. After waiting an hour plus she told us it was probably viral and to give him a higher dose of tylenol and rotate Motrin and Tylenol every 3 hrs to keep the fever down. So Finally after a long night on the 4th w/ minimal amount of fun this independance day, the next day Carter broke out into a rash all over his legs and tiny bumps on his feet and hands. They got worse over the next few days and then we put it all together and discovered what the kid had. He was uncontageous right before vacation feeling much better. Oh the stuff you learn as a mom.

I need to post and update on Branson. We had a great time and Carter loved playing w/ all the cousins. It was great to see everyone. We miss them already. Look for the upcoming post on vacations and or videos. (Sorry no pics this post)

Edwards Family Photo Shoot

Check out our new family photos and Carter's ONE YEAR pictures we had taken. The password is edwards. Turn on your volume so you can hear the music that goes w/ the slideshow. Enjoy.

http://www.bluepeachphotography.com/clients.html

Trip To Visit Pepa in Kansas City

Last weekend we took the Ford Plane free of charge to Kansas City to visit my dad who is on Launch w/ Ford. Carter was an angel on the plane...was asleep before we took off and didn't wake up till the plane was stopped and passengers were exiting the plane. I was a proud mama!

My sister Emily and nephew Nikolas came from Counsel Bluffs IA to visit as well and then Niko came home to Michigan w/ us to stay w/ Nana for a week. Carter loves to play w/ Niko and I think Niko likes it too. Carter is a great mimic and Niko loves to watch him do things. The hands on the head is a new thing and between Pepa and Niko, Carter was making this move constantly.

We went to Independance MO Visitor's Center and Liberty Jail. It was very neat to be in such a special place.

Here we are at Liberty Jail, I had to wrestle the little man to take a picture.

He wanted down so badly! Sorry Bud!
We got back Monday afternoon. He was happy to be back w/ his own toys, own bed and no more naps in the car seat on the way to sites. He was also happy to see his stroller. We got a jogging stroller and we use it regularly. He loves to jog w/ me. I just have to fight to keep him awake.

Carter went to a new babysitter this week, our regular is in Alaska for the summer. The new babysitter was surprised at what a "climber" he is. The above picture is the newest climb spot he has discovered. It is hard to keep him off of things. As you can see, he climbed up and got the pens and highlighters off of the desk. He is all BOY!

I have a long stretch of work coming up, 6 days in a row, then I am off intil the 20th. We are headed to Branson MO from the 12th until the 19th. I cannot wait. Either an Carter. It will be fun for him see get to know his cousins.

Family Photos

Just some the family photos we took last weekend. More to come. Last night I hosted a Lia Sophia party. It was fun to actually do something and be with friends for a change. I am so busy w/ being a mom, wife and Dietitian that I don't have too much spare time. It was a great night. If anyone is interested in checking out the jewelry, I am a big fan. Check out what they have at www.liasophia.com .

Chris is finishing up his last 2 classes and will be done next week. Then all he has left is his internship where he will continue working with the MSU Football team in the fall. Chris has several Football Camps this weekend. One today, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We won't be seeing him too much over the next few days. We are excited for him to finish his masters and find a job. It will be here soon.

Not much else going on...we lost our babysitter for the summer. Carter will miss Megan and her kids, he's stuck w/ family all summer. Megan went to Alaska for the summer and will be back in the fall. In the mean-time, Nana has picked up extra days w/ Carter, Chris's mom (Grandma) has picked up a few days and I took some time off of work. I took today off from work to stay at home w/ him. I was happy to be at home and wish I could do it every day.

It is a beautiful day 78 degrees F. We spent a few hrs garage sale-ing this morning. I found a few bargains. Carter is really into reading books, so I found some board books for nothing. I also found an adorable pair of red GAP shoes size 5. He won't get to wear them for awhile, but he'll be stylin when he does. We have a wedding this evening, Chris's cousin Stacey. So I am trying to get Carter really rested for a late night.

Carter, is a busy boy. I just realized another tooth has come through. That makes the grand total 9 teeth. He can walk almost the full length of the house. But at times he realizes that he is quicker on his knees. Carter has a lot to say, we don't understand it all, but he tries to tell us stories all day long. He is doing some more signing, dog (as I said before), bird, "all done", milk, and more. We are working on several more, he seems to pick them up very quickly these days. Carter is a dancer and any time he hears music he starts to bounce, no matter where he is. It just tickles me.

Things are great in Michigan. Only 3 weeks until vacation and we can hardly wait.