Well, right now we are flipping between Thanksgiving football and TLC (my channel) and Oliver is playing in the floor after being conked out after a big meal of the same thing he has been eating for 10 weeks...mmmm formula.

Here are some pictures chronicling our Thanksgiving meal and day.

Preparing the sweet potato casserole and carving the bird.


2 Outfits...actually 3 by the end of the day for Oliver :)

Getting ready for the finale!

And to elaborate

Just so everyone know I'm utilizing the Baby Bjorn right now. As Oliver naps on me (the crib is just not as cozy as mommy) I can get these videos uploaded to the blog.
And yes, for the astute reader and watcher of videos, I am changing Oliver using disposable diapers because this video was taken in the evening and we don't yet have enough cloth diapers to carry us through the night.
Anyway, I thought these videos would make some of you laugh at the lengths I will go to keep Oliver from spiraling into full-on wail mode.

So Oliver is 2 months and a day! And there are so many random things you learn to love as a mommy. Right now my favorite items are... in no particular order:
my BOB jogging stroller, the Boppy pillow, Bum Genius diapers, and Baby Leggs (I think there are 2 g's).
Now a few words on these items: the BOB stroller glides along effortlessly, perhaps like the swans on Furman's lake and along with the swivelling front wheel I can turn at a moments notice. However, when it is 28.8 degrees outside it is too cold to go running. Today, I made that mistake. Oliver was bundled up like an eskimo but my poor legs were red and numb by the time I got home and I was too cold to even sniff the snot that was running down my lip (no wonder the people I passed on the sidewalk didn't say hello back).

The Boppy pillow is great for arms tired of jiggling and jossling a baby. Oh, and I also love the Baby Bjorn (gosh, they're all B words). The Baby Bjorn is a life saver when, for instance, you have to walk your baby to sleep on a treadmill.

Ahh, cloth diapers. I know many of you are thinking we're crazy for even thinking of cloth diapers as an option, but I'll have you know that cloth diapers are not what they used to be. Mainly, cloth diapers are cute. But, they're also better for the environment --which is important for our hippy tree-lovin' Vermont friends, and us-- and they're economical.

And now, Baby Legs, they are leggings without the crotch. They work well as cute "pants" while playing indoors, but they are also great under clothing acting as long-johns. I love them because since they don't have a crotch, you don't have even more snaps to mess with when your changing a squirming baby.

Here are some pictures showcasing some of my favorite items.

Winter Wonderland...Already?

Almost 6 weeks!... But the bigger news around here is that Oliver got to experience his first snow! We took a couple of walks around town all bundled up and then when the snow really started to come down we headed indoors to play. So here's footage of our first snow day (one of many to come):)!

And here's Oliver playing inside in the warmth.

4 WEEKS OLD!

Oliver Paul Carter is here and we are so excited to share him with all our friends and family! We've been doing well up here in Vermont, taking a lot of walks while the walking is good. Oliver and I love visiting our friends Krissy, Gloria and Gregg at the Post Office each day, and they love seeing all the mail that Master Oliver has been getting these days. (Thank you for all the cards and packages, ya'll are so loving.) We also have a beautiful walk around the Law School where we get to scatter the red and orange and yellow leaves as we stroll, and sometimes catch a glimpse of Eric studying in the Library. Well, here are some pictures of our precious little boy.

Maybe the last Pregnant Pics!

I know how these pumpkins feel.

So, the World's Fair is in a neighboring town up the mountain. Eric and I went to check it out and to maybe coerce baby Oliver out into this wonderful world full of twisty-turny rides, giant dinosaurs and pig races. Yep, pig races. Here are some pictures to capture your imaginations and make ya'll jealous. This really was one of the quirkier things I've experienced and Eric and I both loved it (even came home with a t-shirt and hat)!


Walking, walking, walking...I'm committed.

We cheered this girl on to victory!

The tallest sunflower was 14'1"! (And the biggest pumpkin was 647 lbs.!)

Walking Baby Oliver Out!

3 more weeks-about.

Hello.

I don't have a whole lot to say.

Everything is fine and dandy up here. We didn't like having all the appointments and medical hooplah of the past weeks, so we are glad to be moving past the MRI'S, EEG'S, CT Scans, and Ultrasounds! We don't like feeling old. And we are sorry if we have mislead folks into thinking we are miserable or hurting or just (sigh) worn-out, because really we have had a great summer filled with 'lots of strolls around town, catching up on some good movie rentals and just being happy.

So, a glimpse at our summer thus far...
We've been able to work on projects here and there for the baby and hang out some without a law book or library in sight!

Here are some random shots.

Socrates (framed and keeping watch) is the wise old owl Eric made for baby Oliver's room. And the other picture should be self explanatory.

Peace from the Buddha Belly.

FUN IN SORO WITH MOMMY AND DADDY!

We had our first visitors! And they didn't get snowed in or freeze to death or get run over by moose! In fact, Vermont was very kind to Mommy and Daddy and even threw a 3 day festival complete with cotton candy, live music and even a parade for them. I think the pictures capture the story of the visit.

These are pictures from our backyard...yea right. We discovered a perenial flower garden just 3 miles up the road from our house and I think it is one of my favorite places I've visited. We couldn't stop oohhing and ahhing and pointing and looking.

The start of a grand ending to the Old Home Days Festival

I was walking on the treadmill and heard the train rumble by, and then the fire engines revin' up their sirens and then trumpets blasting! That's a parade! So, I jumped off the gerbil toy and ran outside, and from our front porch watched the band march by, the tractors chug along and caught tootsie rolls from the Lions Club! Great fun!

So, here are some pictures of me, belly baby, and eric livin' life in vermont. To start off with, we've got a picture of one of four garden plots that our upstairs-friend-ron so thoughtfully and skillfully made. Eric and I decided to start out pretty basic with our first attempt at vegetable growing. We planted pumpkin, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, squash and of course some marigolds. I really want a picture of baby oliver with on of our very own homegrown pumpkins. Our upstairs-friend-ron (that's pretty much his name to me) seems to be well-versed in vegetable growing, composting and just knowing stuff so i'm hoping his green thumb rubs a little on us.

Next, we have me and eric trying the first of our apple trees fruit. We knew they'd be sour but we did not anticipate the pureness of the sour as our expressions reveal. And obviously i don't learn from other people's mistakes 'cause i bit the apple even after seeing eric's cringing face.



Much love from vermont.

So I'm back in Vermont. The first 3 days were hot as blue blazes and one of the first things Eric and I did was go out and buy 2 air conditioning units. I am so glad I live during the age of air conditioning. The whirr and buzz of the units made me feel like I was sleeping in a hotel.

However, now we are back to more traditional Vermont weather and it is a mild 78-mid 80's. We have the curtains pulled back and the windows open. I love being able to hear the birds outside and the waking up of our little town. And today, is the Farmer's Market which I've already scoured and seen pottery I'd like to make my own, and plants I'd like to grow. I'm liking this Thursday.

This week has been a fun busy one filled with unpacking and organizing things for Baby Carter! While I was down visiting in the Carolinas we were showered at the Carters and we are so thankful for all the sweet gifts we received and all the needed items too, like Desitin and washcloths! Also, while I was down, my mom and I set to work making the bedding for Baby Oliver. (all i did was cut and sew where mommy told me to, she was the brains behind our creation!) I am so excited with our results! And I am thrilled to have finally made something with a gather...makes me want to bring back the gathered skirt...almost.

Anyway, here are some pics. of the bedding. (they really don't do it all justice in my opinion)

love from the mild temps.,

a & e & o
i haven't tied all the ties yet, but you get the idea and the white board is already down.

Here is Baby Carter!
Here is Baby Carter's Bed!

We finally got to see the baby this week. You can't tell from the picture, but he was in ultra-relaxation mode with both hands behind his head. He was comfortable and he wasn't moving. We had to take a break after a while to try and wake the little guy up so we could get more pictures. The Technician was just about ready to have us come back later when he finally decided to accomodate us. He looks healthy and it was neat to see the little heart pumping away.

This is the Moo Mixer. My dear friend Lauren gave it to me for my birthday (she truly knows the desires of my heart). Anyone that knows me knows the power chocolate milk has over me. I enjoy Ovaltine (regular and malt flavors) and, as pictured below, Hershey's syrup. I've been drinking chocolate milk for quite some time. My dad gave be chocolate babbas-the habit started young. So, now in my late twenties I find myself in the position of chocolate milk expert. For me, it's all about how you stir the chocolate into the milk that really determines the quality of drink. And now, with the aid of 2 AA batteries, I can stir evenly and quickly with the touch of a button. Heck, I can even stir while drinking!

The Moo Mixer in action

Me in total contentment

So, it was my birthday and thankfully I received some great maternity clothes to wear. Over the past 2 weeks my tummy has declared my pregnancy! And I'm very pleased with this development, partly because I'm in love with elastic waist bands (as I've shared with many of you). I'm baffled as to why some women try to squeeze into "normal" clothes, or attempt to hide their bellies. I love my blooming belly as I've come to call it!

Here are some pics. of the blooming belly.

(not sure why my expression is so weird in the first picture-oh well)

This is a picture taken over Eric's Spring break. Seriously.

Eric and I have learned a lot of snow and it's various qualities this year. Snow can be slippery, as Eric's bum and back can attest. Snow can be heavy, as our sore muscles can attest. And snow can be fun, as our sledding expeditions can attest. That being said, we are ready for the snow to leave. I'm real tired of my winter jacket. I have loved it. My jacket has been warm, it has been waterproof and it has accompanied me through the streets of South Royalton for many (too many) months. However, I have been boycotting the wear of my winter jacket since the official arrival of spring. This has proven to be a little harder than I anticipated and once, only once, I caved. I'm sure any fashion show would cringe at the amount of clothes I wear when out-of-doors...it's just layer upon layer upon layer. Oh well. I stand by my boycott 'cause Spring is coming!

This is another picture taken over Spring break during one of our trips to Babies R Us to test out some baby gear! I think Eric looks like a concerned, but still chill, papa!

Joining the Bandwagon

Hey Ya'll

Apparently creating a blog is now a prerequisite to having a baby, so we have decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon. Unfortunately we don't have any pictures to post just yet. Our Cannon Rebel is having trouble focusing on the 3 inch, disproportionate child inside of Annabelle. But, soon we will have some visual material: an ultrasound photo, a bulging tummy, and eventually a little person. Soon, the baby will take the stage of this blog and you won't be bored with the life tales of Eric and Annabelle in Vermont. If for know other reason, it simply doesn't take long to capture our current life in prose. Annabelle's daily activities consist of peeing between 400 and 500 times and trying to limit the chronic pain in her right butt cheek. My life consists of class, the library, and a bittersweet relationship with snow plows. Other than that, we are waiting for the third Carter. We are really excited and look forward to sharing our joy with all of you.

Happy to Join the Blogging Community,

Eric, Annabelle, and Baby Carter

Wait! I was just informed we do have a visual for you. Here it is:

*This is one of eleven tests