Our Brain-iac

When Carter was born, UT sent us a card and asked if we would be interested in Carter participating in research studies. We said that was fine since we always have the right to decline. The research they were conducting is how the brain reacts when shown different types of pictures (moving with sound, moving with no sound, and no movement/no sound). We went on Tuesday, July 14th for about 30 minutes that morning. Carter was hilarious! He was more interested in his silky cape than in any of the pictures!

The cape feels like his silky blanket so all he wanted to do was eat it!

We think he looks like he is getting a perm.

He didn't mind that being on his head at all.

Courtney puts sunglasses and hats on him all the time so he just goes with the flow.

"What are they doing to me?"

So long summer!

On the last night of vacation, we headed to the beach to take some family pictures at sunset. We always do the white and khaki so this year we decided to do something different- orange and white (Go VOLS!- plus Joe and Carter had matching shirts which is just too cute!). We had a wonderful vacation and it was a great way to end our summer. Joe had to start work later in the week (he goes back to school before Courtney). I guess it's back to the real world now!

Joe and Carter

Carter and Courtney

Our family picture

The Taylors- Courtney's middle sister

(Reed, Mandi, Aaron, and Owen)

This is just the cutest picture of Joe and Carter!

Destin, Florida

We had a nice, relaxing trip at Destin. We went out to eat, shopped at the outlets, layed around on the beach and by the pool- everything a vacation should be... FULL OF FUN!

We went to Cracker Barrell to eat some good breakfast food for dinner!

Carter's 1st shave ice experience! He couldn't get enough!!

"I love it!"

Our big boy laying under the tent- look at that BELLY! We had to take Carter to the dr. before we left for vacation because he wasn't feeling well. He ended up having a 48 hour virus. When they weighed him, he was at 20 pounds 8.5 ounces!

Our little Buddha- we think this is just hilarious!

At the pool in his new float we got him

He just kicks back and watches everyone swimming. He's a nosy rosy little boy!

Carter at the Beach

We left for the Destin, Fl. on Friday, July 3rd. We split the drive up into 2 days so that Carter wouldn't have as long of a car ride. We drove to Joe's mom's house to spend the night and left on Saturday, July 4th. We watched fireworks from our balcony that night and Carter was not too happy with all the loud banging. Courtney and Carter ended up going inside to get him ready for bed. We got up Sunday morning and headed to the beach. We decided that on this beach trip we were going to let Carter explore the sand since he really didn't get to at Virginia Beach. Needless to say, he LOVED it!! We took a ton of pictures to try to capture each second of him with the sand. These are just a few of our favorites!

He would get a handful and squish it between his hands. We had him where the water would wash up and make a little pool that he could sit in.

He tried to eat as much as he could get into his mouth.

Look at all the sand on him!

"This tastes sooooo good!"

He's loving every second of this!

He had the absolute BEST time playing on the beach! The sad part is that he ended up with a little rash on his legs and somehow got sunburnt on his left side of his face! Fortunately he was fine by the next day!

Happy Father's Day!

We had a wonderful 1st Father's Day on Sunday, June 21st. It was nice to spend time together and not have to think about running errands or going to work the next day. We are having a great summer and are looking forward to future summers with our little man.

Our Family Picture on Father's Day after Church

Carter and Daddy

Carter loves his Daddy very much!

It's Cereal Time!

We were all ready for Carter's 1st breakfast on Saturday, June 20th. We just knew that he would LOVE to eat! He wasn't as excited about it as we thought he would be. The next day, we added some fruit to the cereal and now he LOVES it! He has even started opening his mouth getting ready for the next bite. It's so cute!

In it goes...

...and out it comes!

"I think I'd rather eat my fingers."

All done!

4 Months Old!

It is so hard to believe that our little man is already 4 months old! He is amazing us everyday with all the new things he is learning. Just this week, Courtney went to check on him before we went to bed and he had rolled over onto his belly! He now loves to flip himself over in his bed all the time (this makes Courtney a nervous wreck!). We had our 4 month old check up Friday, June 19th. Carter had 3 shots and a drinkable vaccine. He ran a fever and was pretty fussy until late Saturday evening. We were just glad that he started feeling better!

Carter with his Daddy at the doctor's office

He weighed 19 lbs. 3. 5 ounces (with the ounce taken off for his diaper).

This puts him in the 98th percentile!

His head measured 41.9 cm (41%) and his length was 25. 5 inches (71%).

Carter's ExerSaucer

We decided it was time for Joe to put together Carter's exersaucer that he got from his Grandaddy and Nanny. This Monday (June 15th) we let Carter try it out for the 1st time. He enjoyed it for about 15 minutes and then was ready to get out.

Joe putting Carter into the exersaucer.

"I think I may like this new toy!"

"What is this fun thing?"

He quickly learned how to make the chickens spin. The 1st time he did it, he startled himself.