Waving Goodbye to Babyhood

My baby waved for the first time yesterday, Aug. 30th (his 7 month b-day). Someone please mark it in his baby book, which seems to be in danger of being replaced by this blog. He waved at Jeanna & Jason who stopped by for a little visit while in town for the blessing of Baby Carter.

Our baby-proofing efforts have also increased of late. Our little Ro-Ro is now a-Go-Go. He crawls, he sits, he even pulls himself up! We've had to clean the floors more often, shut the doors more carefully, put away the big brothers' toys, and lower his crib mattress.

Cutest Little Girl Outfit Ever

Oh, the sadness of not having a girl of my own! Funny how I only feel that way when I see adorable clothes or little girl bedrooms. Otherwise I'm fine. But this outfit almost makes me want to call Aaron & have him run home to... well, you know. But I will try to resist both his charms and the desire for this sweet outfit. But I am linking to it in hopes of winning! This one's for you, Jaycee.

Wandering Waif Collection Giveaway at Grosgrain

Roley Poley Pictures

Somebody is Mama's big laundry helper. Roley can feed himself, which is a necessary skill for a third child - they don't get much attention.

My monkey sleeps on his monkey. So cute.

Roland's first time in the tub with his brothers. It was kind of scary for Mom. He loved splashing in more than two inches of water though; I couldn't even get him to look up at the camera.

All dressed up for church, but headed for Daddy's modem & router. Cords are such fun to chew on.

The Middle Child

There is so much going on with Alden lately, and Roland is always hitting new milestones - poor Emmett is getting left in the gap. So here's a post dedicated entirely to my mischevious middle son, cute monkey-face and all.

Mr. Chocolate face there is a result of Emmy finding my stash of extra yummy and expensive hot chocolate mix. Of course it was the day after I bought it and he spilled the first half of it all over the car. I guess he has good taste. Notice the scissors in the background that he used to cut it open more, and the magna doodle pen he was using as a spoon.

Emmett loves his cousin Jaycee - sometimes a little too much. They are only a year apart and are destined to be good friends.



Emmett wanted to be all buttoned up in a coat I found and was storing away for next winter. Even though it's like 80 degrees in our house and he only had a diaper on underneath.

This blue jumpsuit was made by my sweet grandmother, who passed away last fall. She made it for me, when I was two. It was also worn by all three of my younger sisters and both of Emmett's girl cousins. I think he's masculine enough to pull it off, even though it was pretty tight in the crotch.



Emmett spends a considerable amount some time locked in his room for time-out. Once I went in to get him and found him in this dresser drawer. He was fully reclined, sucking his thumb, and just hanging out with his blanket. He loves that duckie blanket.

I took this glamour shot after Emmett helped himself to my mascara. He often watches me put on makeup, and I am just trying to remember that saying about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery. I'm just glad he didn't get it in his eye.



The first day Alden had preschool Emmett was sick. The baby sleeps during that time, so Emmett & I had some snuggle time on the couch. I finally convinced him to take some Tylenol and he drifted off for a 30 minute nap. I hate it when my kids hurt.

Emmett wore underpants for the first time. He is doing quite well on the potty training, but we are pretty passive around here. He's only 2 years old (and 3 months) so we have plenty of time. But he uses the big potty quite regularly and sometimes I put underwear on him for 20 or 30 minutes at a time, when I think he'll be clean & dry. He's very proud of his Elmo underpants.




I love my Emmy!

An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Alden Bryce Carpenter

Here's a different kind of tag - it's for your kids instead of you.

I've written Alden's answers exactly as he gave them and have refrained from commenting.


1. What is something that Mom always says to you? No snacks until a long time

2.What makes Mom happy? to be nice

3.What makes Mom sad? if you be mean

4.How does Mom make you laugh? funny faces or tickle me or doing me upside down

5. What was your Mom like as a child? like a girl with pretty hair

6. How old is your Mom? 10

7. How tall is your mom? a lot

8. What is her favorite thing to do? wash the dishes

9. What does your mom like to do when you're not around? be with Daddy and go on a date

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? doing the dishes

11. What is your mom really good at? helping

12. What is your mom not so good at? not doing the same things with your other hand, can't help me & Emmett while you take care of the baby

13.What does your mom do for her job? wash the dishes

14. What is your mom's favorite food? meatballs

15. What makes you proud of your mom? blowing up balloons for me

16.If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Nemo

17. What do you and your mom do together? help each other

18. How are you and your mom the same? we are not the same but we have the same color of my pants, so we match

19. How are you and your mom different? we have different hair

20. How do you know your mom loves you? 'cause I know



And we tag: K&K, Brigham, Ryan, and A&C



More Alden stories -


Alden goes in time-out a lot sometimes occasionally and I usually tell him to think about what he did wrong or what Jesus would want him to do. So on Sunday he was in time-out for about 30 seconds and hollered to Aaron & I, "I thinked about Jesus, can I come out now?"


Lately Alden has been wispering in Emmett's ear. It looks all cute, and they both smile. I felt like they were doing their brother bonding stuff & didn't really wonder about what Alden might be saying. This morning Emmett said, "What?" and Alden had to repeat himself outloud. "I said, If you don't do that, I will bite you!" So much for brotherly bonding. He knows he gets in trouble for saying certain things to Emmett, so he's started whispering them in his ear instead. Nice. At least we know he's smart.

First Day of Preschool!

After a special-request breakfast of pigs in a blanket, we dropped Alden off at Miss Peggy's preschool this morning. He took all his school supplies in his little camo backpack. It was a great day, with only a few twinges of sadness from Mom. No crying from anybody though.

More Photos

Man, it's a party at our house all the time! These photos (some by Alden) were all taken when some of our favorite people came to visit. We love Candice & Jaycee & Aunt Bev!

I love the last shot of my boys with my Mom & Papa - we don't get to see him enough!

Some Random Photos

One potty trained and one on the way! Emmett is doing quite well,
considering he was only two in May - here's hoping!

Here are my handsome boys after their Sunday morning haircuts.

Emmett loves to push this stroller around, usually without anything in it, and runs it into as many people and walls as he can. Here he actually has the baby, added one shoe on the wrong foot, and his brother's backpack. Then he said, "I go shopping." He's my son.

The boys chilled on my bedroom floor while I changed sheets. They insisted on hunkering down under the covers to watch a movie - despite the seemingly 90 degrees in our house.

My cute Roland as he rolls himself over. He seemed a little bit startled.

Podracers at the Drive-In Movies

Our ward did a really cute primary activity - a drive-in movie! They got an invitation in the mail, including their ticket and money for concessions. They watched some animated scripture story movie. But the big fun was that they were supposed to bring their own "car," which they made beforehand at home. Here is Alden making his car & trying it out in the backyard. He did much of the coloring, though I helped with the control panel (he glued). The flames on the sides of the front engines were all his idea & he cut the paper. He's got skills.

And here is a shot from the church, with all the other cars - do you see him?
He is still wearing his orange goggles. Alden had a lot of fun.

A big thanks to our primary president, Kristi, who helped plan the activity and who took the pictures. She has a budding photography & design business - go check out her site,
Designs By Kristi.

Family Photos

We had some pictures taken of Roland, the boys, and our family on Friday and our photographer already has them up on her site. Check them out at Photography by Chalice Leaman.

Cousin Visits

Aaron's cousin, Taryn, came to visit with her little boy, Ian, a couple weeks ago. Sorry the pictures are so late Taryn. Ian and the boys are second cousins and they all had a good time playing together. Somehow this was the first time I'd ever seen Ian, other than his pictures, and he lived up to his cute reputation! Thanks to Alden, the photographer for some of these shots.