"I'm gonna watch you shine, Gonna watch you grow. Gonna paint a sign, So you'll always know. As long as one and one is two, There could never be a father, Who loved his daughter more than I love you" - Father and Daughter, Paul Simon

As 2012 has come to an end and we enter into 2013, I have been reflecting on the past year of the Hunter household.  In thinking back on the year one thing remained constant, how awesome a dad my husband is.  As I finished dinner tonight Jeffery took over bath time.  Later he had to run an errand and as I put Carmie to  bed and turned off the bathroom light I noticed this.

It caught me off guard since it's not very often you find writing on your shower wall (not to worry, it's a bath crayon and will wash right off), but I thought to myself how lucky Carmie is to have Jeffery as a dad.  As I think back I want to share some of my favorite daddy-daughter moments.  Enjoy!

Carmie's 4 month trip to the doctors office.

Getting ready for bedtime.

Trying to get daddy up and moving!

Getting ready for Carmie's baptism.

This was our beach week in May.  We made sure Carmie was in the shade and had on lots of SPF!

At the NC Aquarium.

Jeffery typically handles the bedtime routine.

Helping Jeffery open Father's Day gifts.  Candy boxes make excellent rattles.

Hanging out around the house.

Carmie had bad re flux as a baby.  However, it never really bothered her.  Can't say the same for Jeffery.

Trying to coax Carmie into walking.

Carmie's first birthday.

The UNC TV tent at the State Fair.

Carmie trying to feed Jeffery something she'd already been eating at Jack's birthday party.

Settling down for bedtime.

Working off Thanksgiving dinner.

The tree lighting at North Hills.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail

We sure have had a good time this month.  The last weekend of March, Mom, Meredith and I decided to travel to Atkinson to visit Meemaw, Anne and Pug.  I love visiting the country and Aunt Pug always does an amazing job of making us feel welcome.  We had a delicious lunch that Pug prepared and spent the afternoon playing with Carmie.

During our visit Aunt Pug showed me the dress we will be using for Carmie's christening.  She made the entire thing by hand; there are many hours of love poured into that dress and you can tell.  It's so beautiful, but because it's so long and fluffy it took a small army (OK, just mom and dad) to get her in it.

I found a photographer who did beautiful studio pictures, but she charged $300 for only a few printed pictures.  I decided that with my new camera and a little ingenuity, I could take some that were almost as good.  I found a large white sheet and with a few binder clips fastened it to a flat surface (my parents 60" TV).  Mom had a white wicker chair that we used as a prop and "voila!" instant studio.

With a little help from Picnic.com (a photo editing website) I even had Wallgreen's thinking I was a professional photography.

The next weekend was Easter.  The bunny brought Carmie a Radio Flyer wagon to take to the beach this summer.  We tested it out and she seemed to really enjoy it, or at least the Easter grass I put in the wagon.

We headed out to the NC State Arboretum and took some more pictures of Carmie in her Easter outfit.  She had such a good time playing in the warm sunshine.  Mom came along too to help with with Carmie; Mom did a great job until she let her fall over in the dirt!

This afternoon I had a lot to do around the house.  Carmie was not interested in sleeping.  She played with her bear, rolled around, and talked to herself, but sleeping was not part of her agenda. 

 Ms. Carmie wanted to be in on the action, so we separated laundry.  She helped me with the whites.

Unfortunately, without getting her nap in she was tired and fussy, so she went to bed early, but we had a great day and a fun couple weeks.  Keep and eye out for more adventures from sweet Carmie!

And even as I wander, I'm keeping you in sight. You're a candle in the window, on a cold, dark winters night. ~ Can't Fight This Feeling, Reo Speedwagon

I like to use song lyrics for my blog titles and you might be thinking to yourself, "why a love song?"  Yes, this one of the best love songs, but it's also very special.  This month we celebrated Meredith's birthday and this was the number one song on the day she was born.

Several of us got together to celebrate Meredith birthday on the tenth of this month.  Meredith invited the family, of course, and we were excited to hear that cousins John and Dale were coming all the way up from Columbia, SC.  She also had some Eastern NC friends stop by as well.  Meredith's friend Meredith brought her baby, Blair.  Even though Blair and Carmie are only 4 days apart, Blair is about 3 lbs heavier than Ms. Carmie.  Around 18 pounds!

Jeffery and I had been pretty excited about the party and we offered to help in whatever ways we could.  I have been on a bit of a cooking kick, so I offered to make Meredith's birthday cake.  I got the idea to make a multi colored, layered cake off of a website called Pinterest.com.  Carmie even helped me frost!

Rainbow layers!

Carmie helping me add the Rainbow Chip icing.  Meredith's favorite!

Jeffery worked with Brad on steaming the oysters. I'm not sure he really helped that much, but he kept Brad company.  Mostly I think Jeffery just hung around to get the first of the hot, fresh oysters.

I did have to keep a close eye on Catie though.  She likes to try to feed Carmie food that she's not ready for, like sausage balls at Christmas.  This time around it was margaritas!

Babies don't drink margaritas Catie!!!!

Meredith got some really cute gifts and we all had a wonderful time visiting with each other.  I say we had a very successful Gurley get together!

In addition to Meredith's birthday I feel that I need to mention that Carmie turned six months old today.  We were at the doctors yesterday getting her shots.  I hate to see her hurt, but she does so well when we go.  She's always happy up until they have to stick her and then she only cries for about 30 seconds.  Dr. Melton said she is developing well and that she's really impressed with her motor development.  We've started giving her different kinds of purees that I'm making myself.  I'm sure they aren't delicious, but she's getting them down.  So far she's had oatmeal banana cereal (I didn't make that), green beans, bananas and green peas.

Her current weight is 15 lbs 6 oz and she is 25 3/4 inches long.  She's growing so fast!  I swear I can feel that she's heavier after each feeding.  The past six months have been an unimaginable blessing, and just like everyone says, they really do fly by!  I can't wait to see what the rest of the year has in store.

However, in the more immediate future Carmie, Jeffery and I will be cheering on our favorite team on Friday night at 10:14 pm!  We hope you'll be cheering as well.  Go PACK! 

You're just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of you. ~ Frankie Valli

There's a first time for everything and over the past two weeks we've had several firsts!  After Carmie's doctors appointment on January 24, Dr. Melton told us we could begin introducing different foods.  We started her on oatmeal cereal, but I'm not sure anyone has the hang of it yet. 

She has also begun to LOL.  For those of you who are not tech savy that means "laugh out loud."  At this point it's really more of a squeal, but it's precious none the less!  Jeffery found out that if he kissed on Carmie's tummy she would laugh and laugh.

As Carmie has been finding her voice through laughter she's also been working on some other sounds as well.  She likes making what's called a "raspberry."  Sometimes Jeffery and I lay in bed and listen to her, making noises and "talking" to herself, through the monitor.  You can see her making raspberries at the end of this video...

 

However, the biggest event of the past few weeks was when Carmie began rolling over.  She'd been swinging her legs from side to side, and would almost roll over, but hadn't quite made it, but that all changed Thursday morning.  About the time the local news station was doing a recap of whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow I hear Jeffery yell, "babe, Carmie just rolled over."  "What?!?  Like almost rolled over, maybe with one hand still under her body, or rolled over, rolled over?"  As I'm saying this from our bedroom upstairs I begin franticly grabbing what I will need to leave for work, shoes, a coat, my bag, and fly down the stairs.  Sure enough there was Carmie on her tummy looking around as happy as she could be.  Of course I flipped her back on her back two more times to watch her roll over.

I hear she's going to be doing something new almost everyday from here on out.  I am so excited to watch her grow and learn, and I'm looking forward to sharing that with you!



"Been crazy all day long and it's only Monday, Mr. Mom" ~ Lonestar

This sure has been an interesting month.  If you didn't know, Jeffery is on paternity leave and has spent all of January at home watching Carmie.  It's very sweet, and he and Carmie have really been able to bond.  As you might expect, there have been some funny stories to come out of all this.

My favorite over the past couple weeks is the story of Jeffery vs. the Squirrel, but I should start at the beginning...

The Kids Exchange was this month.  Since mom and I volunteer to work we were able to get in early and shop!  This was our second time shopping the Exchange early, and although we were prepared for the line we were not prepared for the cold.  We waited in line for about an hour in probably 50 degree weather (bbuurrrr!).  As you can see from the picture the line was wrapped around the Jim Graham building.  It was ok though, the event is so big we had time to review the map (in mom's hands) showing the layout of all the items.

Mom and I were able to get some great buys for Carmie.  I found adorable smocked outfits, and mom found a rocking chair for the porch.



About four and a half hours later, we decided we'd had enough (a.k.a. spent too much money!) and headed home. Soon after leaning I received a call from Jeffery.  His first line was, "um, Babe, we have a problem."  My mind begins to race, "what's wrong with the baby?" "what in the house is broken now?"  "Lord, please don't let the pipes be leaking again!".  Jeffery then proceeds to tell me there is a squirrel in the fireplace.  After talking to Bob we decide to wait until the next day to try to do anything with our new little furry friend.  Jeffery called one place and they told him the standard fee for animal removal was $250!  We just had a baby.  We can't afford $250 to get this squirrel out!  Once Carmie went down for her nap Jeffery put Bennett in her kennel and prepared for a face off with the furry intruder.  He opened up all the doors to the downstairs and in his oven mitts and with a broom in hand Jeffery was ready to help the squirrel find his way back to nature.  Althought he needed a bit of coaxing with the broom, the squirrel was able to find his way outside just before Carmie work up from her nap!  As cute as the little guy was I think I will have to agree with my friend Keyana, "If I didn't invite you and you're not paying rent, you do not belong in my house."

Thankfully we had the grandparents to come visit this month as well.  Carmie sure does love all the attention she gets!  Debbie got all the sweet kisses in that poor little Carmie's cheeks could tollerate.

Luther and Carol were able to get in some Carmie squeezes as well.  Good thing for Bob, Carmie and I had already gone to Laurinburg over the MLK weekend so he was able to play with the sweet baby too!

Of course, it hasn't all been smiles and baby giggles.  Sweet Carmie had to get her four month shots yesterday.  Up until the point they stuck her with those needles she was the sweetest baby in the doctors office.  As much as I hate taking her in for shots, I do love that I get to see how much she's grown.  Currently her stats are as follows:

Length - 24 1/4 inches (50%)

Weight - 13 lbs 10.5 oz (50%)

Well, that's about all the excitement I think I can stand for one blog.  Enjoy until next time!