Swimming Lessons at the Y

This summer was filled with lots of fun and firsts- the family enjoyed taking swimming lessons at the Y. Carter graduated from the shrimp group and is ready to start the next session after hunting season is over. He enjoyed splashing and making waves and made great strides- he came a long way from the first session. We started slowly in the shallow end and worked our way to the deep end- mommy included. Miss Pam, our teacher was so great with all the little ones and we met some great friends! Some of the highlights were playing in the kayak, sliding down the slide and jumping off the diving board. It was so much fun watching him interact with the other boys and splashing around!

It's Been Awhile!

Since the last post, we've been busy! We are currently counting down until this Saturday when Grandma will be here and it's my birthday! Carter has been a busy little man, movin' and a shakin', he never stops going! So here's a recap of what's been happening:
1. Adam has been enjoying his new job in Missoula- he was down in Texas again for training which made for a stressful week on mom, but we survived and were thrilled when he came back!
2. Adam also had a great first father's day. It was a great day - he also liked his father's day gifts, which consisted of 2 handpainted rocks done by Carter- I polyurethaned them and Adam will be taking them to work for paperweights! Adam also got a titanium engraved ID bracelet, which he likes as well.
3. Carter's first 4th of July proved to be more than the little guy could handle... it was a cool day but nice- we enjoyed running around town until it was firework time- he managed to stay up long enough to watch daddy's firework display, but slept through Missoula's show- which surprised us because of the loudness. He was a trooper though and not quite sure what to make of the loud booms and popping noises set off when daddy lit them off!
4. We've had a weird summer so far in regards to the weather, there was one week it was so hot and then the next it was only in the 60's, I hope the trend is to warm up a little, because we bought Carter a pool to go splash in. Now that he's a little bigger he's enjoying splashing and making a mess in the bathroom!!

Our future plans include:
1. Starting swimming lessons at the YMCA- this class is for 6 months to 2 years- it will be a great bonding time for him and I.
2. As mentioned earlier, Grandma will be here on Saturday and will stay with us for a week, we are looking forward to hanging out with her and spending money!!!
3. In September, Carter and mommy have enrolled in baby sign language class! As you can see, little man's schedule is filling up fast!
We are also looking forward to anything else life happens to throw our way!

As far as the family goes, we're all doing well- Carter is growing big and strong, at his 6 month check in mid June he was 26.5 inches and 15 pounds... he's a lean mean eattin' machine! He's getting so big and it's happening too quickly! He is enjoying everything, he loves to get pears and applesauce and has started on some of the gerber graduates solids as well. He is "army crawling" around the house- no acutally crawling yet, it appears though that he would much rather stand than anything, and with Adam or my help he walks! It's becoming such a independant and happy little boy with such a great personality!
Adam and I are both enjoying parenthood and all the the joys that come with it! Carter has been such a great addition to our family, so have been so lucky and blessed!

It's Official!

We're pleased to announce the newest member of the sales team at Industrial Pipe Fittings... Adam Henry. It's finally official, Adam was offered the job and just completed finalizing the deal. We are very excited about the offer and Adam looks forward to being a member of the IPF team. He starts on Monday the 24th- and he's very excited, the poor guy was going stir crazy at home! He will now be commuting up to Missoula, which from our house to his work is roughly 45 minutes... quite a jont after only having to travel a few miles to his previous job.

Monday will also be Carter's first day back to daycare- he will continue on his old schedule- Monday and Tuesdays and then home with mommy on Wednesday and then will probably be with grandma on Thursday and Friday. Carter will join a couple of new little ones in daycare and will no longer be the youngest- so we're excited he'll have a couple of other little ones closer to his age.

Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes and words of encouragement that you have given us while Adam was laid off. We're hopeful that our luck is finally turning around!

Mommy and Carter's First Trip to the Ocean

Adam's new boss, Robert and his wife Cindy took us down to Galveston to experience the ocean first hand- this was a first for not only Carter but for mom as well. It was so big and very cool to see. The day we were there it was extremely windy and there were lots of big waves, which seemed to upset Carter- who cried every time I put his feet in the water...the sand on the other hand, proved to be more his speed. We also got to see a jelly fish on the shore and got a chance to pick up seashells- the next time we make the trip, I am bringing a plastic bag to collect more shells and by that time, Carter will be able to help me! Our trip to Houston was so much fun and we can't wait to return, for a longer period of time.

Carter's First Swim

Our trip to Houston marked numerous firsts for our little man- swimming was amongest the list. The hotel we stayed at had an outdoor, saltwater pool. Equipped with his Huggies little swimmers we took Carter to the pool. We had gorgeous weather both days that we were out and got some totally awesome pictures of him enjoying the water. He wasn't scared of the water at all and really seemed to enjoy splashing and playing- he even started "swimming" in his own little way by kicking his feet and moving his arms, of course daddy was there to help him. Daddy even dunked him a couple of time, which proved to be a fun experience.

Carter's First Flight!

Last weekend we flew down to Hosuton, thanks to Robert Jones at IPF. Adam had an interview with this company for an inside sales position. IPF was nice enough to pay for our trip- from the flights to the hotel to the food and then Robert and his wife Cindy, were nice enough to drive us to Galveston and act as our tour guide. We had such a fun time and can't wait to go back and visit for a longer period of time, instead of just 3 days. Adam's interview went well and we are awaiting to hear back from Robert.

This trip marked a number of firsts for our family, with the first being the plane ride. Carter did exceptionally well- he was certainly the hit of the flight making friends left and right. After we landed in Salt Lake City, we asked the flight attendent if we could get a picture with the pilot for Carter's scrapbook and they did one better, Carter and mom got to sit in the cockpit and get a couple of pictures- it certainly will be a memorable moment for mom and something to show Carter when he gets older- not everyone gets that opportunity! We also bought Carter a stuffed Delta plane that makes take off and landing noises- we took a picture of him holding it and we are sending a copy into Delta to say thank you for such a great flight and being so accommodating of us! Daddy and mommy are very proud of Carter for being such a trooper with all the traveling that we've done!

Adam's New Job

Adam had a job offer shortly after being laid off from his previous position. His new boss invited us down to the corporate office in Houston, TX. to see the company and to meet with him. His new boss is making the arrangements and paying for our flight down to Houston for the weekend. This will also be the first airplane ride for Carter, so we are very excited but anxious for the trip... luckily it will only be a short trip. I am hoping to get a picture with the captain for his scrapbook, hopefully, there will also be many more photo opps for mom to go camera happy!!

Adam's new company is called Independent Pipe Fittings (IPF) and he will be doing the same thing he did at Polywarehouse- inside sales. We are excited to hear what they have to offer and the potential Adam has within this new company. I am still holding out that he will hear something from his friend in Germantown and we can move back to the midwest, but somehow, I don't think that will come through- one can hope though!

Any tips from mom's that have flown with little ones would be greatly appreciated! I got a few from his doctor, but nothing takes the place as tips from experienced mom's!!