My Carter turns 1!

I have to admit 2010 was a huge struggle for me for a variety of reasons but one of my biggest blessings that divinely helped me through the year was the blessing of my sweet baby boy, Carter. Thank you Car Car for bringing our little family closer and helping us remember how much our Father in Heaven is aware of us and our struggle in this mortal world.

Carter turned one yesterday, April 2nd. He has had croup this week and I almost postponed the celebration but he seemed to be on the mend. We had our family over for a birthday burrito bar and a huge ice cream cake. I was so excited to cut a piece for the Birthday Boy to smear over every roll, crevice, nostril and ear possible. The problem was two-fold: the cake was obviously frozen, AND Carter is not much of a self-feeder; finger foods aren't really his style. So he sat there stripped down of his clothes (minus the customary diaper) and his cute "I'm One" bib with mouth open, waiting for someone to feed him. Oh well, guess it beats his older brother who gingerly touched his cake with his tiny pointer finger and then was done.

After cake and presents (thank you all for the cute gifts) we did our family's First Birthday tradition...everyone brings an object that represents a profession and Carter is sat in the middle, then chooses an object which tells his career when he becomes an adult. We had some great professions to choose from including a stethoscope (doctor), oral hygiene items (dentist), red shirt with a Target New Team Member nametag attached, whisk (chef), paintbrush (artist), pack of crayons (preschool teacher). I discouraged Chelsea from bringing a plunger for the plumber profession...no offense all plumbers out there, just didn't want my baby going for a nasty plunger.

Carter was on his way to the stethoscope when he stopped, sat on the pack of crinkly-sounding crayons and chose these instead. Looks like he will be a preschool teacher when he grows up. I told him I hoped he married a rich wife.

This week we have his First Birthday photo shoot rescheduled (due to croup last week) and hopefully we'll get some fun ones that show off his personality.

Carter, you are such an important part of our family. You mean everything to your big brother and bring a ray of light to your Dad and me. And it goes without saying how much your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins love you. Happy Birthday little one. Now knock of the super-speed growing up you've been doing!