Carter's second Christmas

He didn't understand anything about Christmas, but he loved looking at the colorful wrapping paper and the lights. It took about 10 minutes for him to open up a gift, because he methodically tore off little pieces of paper one by one. Pretty soon he'll realize that the fun stuff is what's inside the paper.

Wow, cool car!

Ava gives Carter a ride in her new Barbie Beetle.

First birthday party

We started what will become an annual tradition of celebrating all four December birthdays in one big party. Carter and Grant, born eight days apart, were the birthday boys, and Nanny and Tammy were the birthday girls.

Happy birthday, little man!

Carter turned a year old today. To celebrate this momentous occasion I have chronicled, in rather nauseating detail, how he spent the day.

First, he watched an episode of his favorite show, "Blue's Clues," in his pajamas. Standing way too close to the TV, of course.


Then he played with the bouncy zebra.


Then a round of the sticky note game.


Then it was off to the mall. Carter finally got to sit in a forward-facing car seat, and watched an Elmo Potty Time movie in his aunt Theresa's car.

Carter's birthday, part 2

We're ready to hit the mall.


Carter tried on a $300 coat at Burberry. He started crawling around the store in it, much to the chagrin of the sales staff.


Then we went to Pottery Barn Kids, where the boys tried out the furniture and toys.


Carter gets his first taste of hard work!

Carter's birthday, part three

He saw Santa at the mall. This is such a classic picture.


Things got a little better when Grant joined in.


Then he passed out in the stroller while the adults got some much needed refreshment.


The end of a busy day. Happy birthday, Carter.

Modeling shots

We took Carter in to Kiddie Kandids today to get some first birthday pictures. Here are the proofs. Tell me which one you like, because I have to decide which ones to print!

At Party City

We went looking for first birthday decorations today at Party City. Carter couldn't resist trying on some party shades:

A helium balloon

A waitress gave Carter a helium balloon today, and we tied it around his wrist. He went all silly playing with it and bouncing it off his head.

At the children's museum

We went to the Children's Discovery Museum and stayed for quite a while in their infants-only section. It wasn't that much fun, but it was something to do. The museum will be better when Carter gets a little bit older.

More from the museum

Carter has extreme red eye in some of these.

More party pictures

More pics from the mommies' group birthday party.

Mesmerized

This is what Carter looks like when Blue's Clues is on. I don't think he blinks.

Birthday party with the mommies

Our mommies group had a birthday party for Carter and one other baby born in December. Carter wore a crown for all of about, oh, three seconds.

First Christmas present

Carter just got a Christmas present: a warm and fuzzy bear from his great-grandmother. He loves it!