Getting out of the house

Well, we have been venturing out of the house a little more these days. So far, so good. This weekend was exceptionally beautiful here the in the Puget Sound. Today it was 57 and not a cloud in the sky. We all went down to Carkeek Park and let Carter throw rocks and shovel with sticks. We couldn't get him to look at the camera because he was too busy.
He has been talking a lot these days. He refers to himself as "Carter-boy". He loves to have me narrate his activities to Piper. He will do something and then say "Tell baby". It is so fun to have him talking so much. We get to see what goes on in his mind.
Last weekend we went to the Aquarium because it was not nice outside. That was also a big hit. Andy tried and tried to get him to touch a starfish, but Carter is not super brave. In the end he got up the guts to do it. Daddy was proud.
Piper Rose is doing well. With Carter, I was a nazi about his schedule, but her....she pretty much does whatever she wants. This week she is going to start taking naps in her bed I think, but that is what I said last week. She is smiling a lot now and we managed to catch it on video.

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas. The Goldsmiths were here for a whole week. All in our little apartment. To most people this would be a nightmare, but we have a ton of fun! We had a white Christmas which was very fun and very rare for Seattle. So, given the snow (because no one around here plows the roads) and a brand new baby we have not done a whole lot since the family left. I have yet to venture out by myself.
Having two kids is a little crazy. I feel like things are out of control pretty much all the time. And the fact of the matter is that things are out of my control...But I am very thankful that Jesus is in control. Even in all the craziness, it is a lot of fun. It is so sweet to see Carter interact with Piper. I love having a tiny baby to snuggle. I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Well, I am going to have to stop blogging now so I can go take a nap while the babies are down for their naps. Awwww, nap time.....glorious nap time! :)

Carter-boy, enjoying the Goldsmith tradition of raspberry soup for breakfast

A very fun Christmas present, that cannot be ridden unless you are wearing the hat.

Enjoying some tea while watching the snow fall

The snow bear that Andy, Ben and Papa made

She is starting to wake up a little now. She has really big dark eyes that I am hoping are brown like her Daddy's.

Carter Meets Piper

I'm happy to report that I'm not raising a danty little boy. We do, however, feel like Carter is a bit like a bull in china shop right now. Everytime Carter picks up a block there's a certain amount of anxiety that runs through the shoulders of Bethany and I. Who knows where it's gonna land.

It does appear as though Carter is going to be a wonderful big brother. He is very gentle with Piper. He gets quite concerned when she cries and runs around the house letting everyone know until someone gets Piper calmed down. He likes to hold her too. He practices holding his monkey the way he would hold Piper. It's very sweet, that is, until he chucks the monkey across the room and moves onto something more exciting. I think we have a little more work to do before we let him fly solo with her ;-)

More Piper

Here are a few more pictures taken by our friends the Heavilands.

Piper Rose Long

Well, my little darling is here. Piper Rose was born on 12/14 at 1:54 A.M. She weighed in at 7lbs 80z and 19.25" long. The labor went really well. Bethany only needed to push for about 20 mins. Both Mom and Baby Girl are doing great. Here are a few pictures to tide you over. I'm sure there will be several more posts over the next couple of weeks. Carter hasn't met Piper yet. I'm sure that will make a great post ;-)

...by the way, this Daddy is completely enamored with his beautiful little baby.

Labor... I think

Well, I think I am in labor. I have had contractions now about 4-5 minutes apart for almost two hours. We are going in to the hospital. I am really hoping it is not false labor. I will be really embarrassed. Check back in the morning. Either they will be a picture of a baby or one of me looking really sheepish.

Nope.

For all you anxiously checking the blog for exciting news - there is no baby yet. I am still very pregnant.
On a happier note, I had a wonderful birthday. My darling husband surprised me with a wonderful weekend. We dropped Carter off with his buddy Charlie (and Charlie's mom of course) and then went out to dinner at the Melting Pot. After wandering around for awhile through the Christmas lights downtown, we ended up at the Nutcracker! It was the first time I had ever been to it and it was quite fun. Already feeling very spoiled, Andy took me to a hotel downtown for the night! It was so much fun and so relaxing.
I really do have a wonderful husband.

Well, I am off to vigorously mop the floor in hopes of stimulating labor. I will let you know how it goes.