the tiny American

    I meant to show Carter's passport when I got it 9 months ago, but I didn't want someone to steal his identity.  I just got around to cropping it.  Hilarious story behind that photo.  Carter was only a few weeks old and he had to sit up for the picture, which he couldn't do at all, and have his eyes open.  The nice lady at Fotomax helped me sit him on a box, while I squatted down and held him up by two fingers pinching his neck so I couldn't be seen.  He kept falling asleep, like newborns do, and the lady took about 6 shots before we got this one.  In one shot you could see my fingers by his neck.  It's the most precious passport I've ever seen.  Even though Carter was born here in Hong Kong, he is only an American citizen.  Hong Kong doesn't give him citizenship automatically unless he had Chinese parents or if he lives in HK for seven years or more.  Too bad, I thought it would be cool for him to have dual citizenship. So far Carter's been to Canada and Korea (in my belly) and actually seen the U.S. and Hong Kong.

Summer Fun!

Shopping at Destin Commons makes me awfully sleepy.

Great Grandma's Rule!

I love this outfit from Uncle Corn's mom!

Stomping on mommy is so fun.

I look just like Daddy.

I'm concerned about my precious skin, please get me inside the house.

Eat, Eat, Eat!! My first fine dining experience.

Ocean Club is cool because they have a fish tank.

My Gigi and Granddad treated me to an excellent rib-eye and grouper.  I give it 5 stars.

Oh no you didn't!

Toes in the Sand

     After seeing the beach at sunset, Carter was ready to get his feet wet.  So we loaded up the car with tons of beach equipment and headed out.  Gigi, Granddad, and Gram all came to see this monumental event.  When we first arrived, we lathered Carter up with some 50 SPF and that got him all upset.  I should have waited for him to calm down before taking the photos you're about to see.  Blair put him in the water and it was pretty cold from the rain we just had.  A concerned look never left Carter's face while he was in the water.  He has a hard time when it's really sunny; he looks down the whole time.  As soon as he was out of the ocean, he took a long nap under the umbrella.  I put him back in the water after his nap and he seemed a bit more comfortable.  He squished the sand between his toes.  One rogue wave managed to get us and Carter got soaked.  I know, terrible mom!  He barely even cried, though.  Overall, pretty successful day at the beach.

Two umbrellas make it all better!

I'm not feeling this, Mom!

Can I please get some shorts that fit?

Just keep me in the shade and everyone will be much happier.

Are you sure this is safe for babies?

My parents, they're pretty cool.

Still not sure about this.

I'm pooped!

First Trip to the Beach

         We've been home for 5 weeks and just got around to showing Carter the beach.  We went at sunset just to show him the water and sand.  He was really checking everything out. 

Wow, God is amazing!  The ocean is sooo big.

I can't take my eyes off of these waves.

Never let go Daddy!

I think I'll wait a few years before I take my first swim.

Destin Harbor

  Gram and Poppy took us to Harry T's on Destin Harbor.  We had drinks and appetizers while watching the boats go by during the 4th of July weekend. 

Biggest Nachos Ever!!

What a cute couple!

Tell me why I moved to Hong Kong again?

Crab Island is on the other side of the bridge and it was totally packed for the 4th.

     

4th of July Pool Party

      We celebrated the 4th of July with a huge pool party at Gigi and Granddad's house.  There were tons of people there.  Carter floated on his turtle for about an hour and seemed pretty comfortable in the water.  He wore his brand new sunglasses and looked adorable, as always.  Gram, Poppy, Uncle Will, and Aunt Morgan came to the party also.  Granddad made some delicious bbq!  That night, we went to see fireworks with Aunt Lori at Emerald Grande. 

I may live in Hong Kong, but I proudly wave my little American flag.

I love (tolerate) floating on my turtle.

No sun is gonna get me!

Gigi, Daddy, and me.

Posing for mom.  Me with beach ball.

Gram and me.

Carter learned to laugh

Carter laughed for the first time at Gigi and Grandpa's house on June 28th at 13 weeks old.  Two days later, I caught his 2nd laugh on video.  He was in his activity chair at Gram and Poppy's house and he just started cracking up.  It was the most amazing thing.  This video is my favorite one yet.  

Lake Trip with My Girls

Stephanie's parents were kind enough to invite us back to their gorgeous lake house for our annual girl's trip.  We had the best time ever.  It was over before we knew it and now we're all thinking about next summer.  I love you girls!

God has multiplied our small group of girls these past few years!

You crack me up, Aunt Beth!

Hands off Weston, Laura Kate is my girl!

America's Next Top Model Auditions

Cupcake Hangover

The girls threw a lovely shower for Julia and me.  Thank you so much girls!!

Beth painted the cutest frames for us.

Laura Kate is always a blur; she's so full of energy!

First Play Date

              While we were in Birmingham, we met up with my best friends Micheal and Erin to have a play date with all our little ones.  Carter bounced in his bouncy chair, while the bigger kids tore the room apart and suffered a few injuries.  Harper rolled down 2 steps and Nolan bumped his head on a table.  Cohen was very sweet and shared his toys with everyone.  After lunch the kids started to have a collective meltdown, so we decided to head back home.  Thanks Micheal for hosting!

Harper is my future girlfriend.  I like older ladies, isn't she cute?

Erin is my mom's friend from high school.

Nolan and Cohen.  When asked if they were buddies, Cohen said, "No."  Well, one day.

Loving that Ducky!

More ketchup please!

I hope we have another play date with my new buds.