2 yrs 11 months

Dear Carter,

As I type the title to this post, I have a big lump in my throat. You see, one short month from today you will be 3 years old. My goodness, does that sound like a big number when I think of my baby boy! Right now you are napping and look very much like my sleeping baby always has. When you wake up though, you are very much a big boy!

You have an unbelievably large vocabulary. I am amazed daily at the new words you say! If you hear a word that you don't know, you'll always ask what it means. I love that about you! You take nothing for granted and are always thirsty to learn. You have known your phone number for at least 6 months, and are pretty good with your address. You know how old you are and when your birthday is and how old you will be then. You know the same things about Lilah! You can say your ABCs and numbers up to 25 or so. You LOVE to sing and are so good at remembering the words! At Lilah's well baby visits Dr Jeanie always spends a long time just talking with you just because she says she loves to see just what you are going to say next! I think she was seriously impressed when you spouted off your phone number at Lilah's 6 month checkup though!

You are, hands down, the best big brother in the world. You were so young when Lilah was born, yet you fell in love with her from the moment you saw her. You are so protective of her and never want to be far away from her. She absolutely adores you. When you found out you were going to have another baby brother or sister soon, you were so very excited! I look so forward to watching you be a big brother to "your new baby" too!

Your favorite bedtime stories have fast become Bible stories. They are far more exciting to you than any other book for children your age! Your favorite story is probably Noah, although you like to hear Adam & Eve too. You decided pretty quickly that you didn't care much for Abraham. You are not shy in telling why you don't like Isaac's daddy one bit!

You love to "help" me do anything, and your newest and most often said phrase is, "I can do it BY MYSELF". You can't wait to get outside every day. You want to know all about every bug, tree, and animal in sight. You have discovered there are "good" things and "bad" things. You ask me alot lately, "Mom, are bears good? are snakes bad? are the neighbors good? and on and on. You are at such a fun age!

Carter, you are such an amazing blessing to our life. I don't know what daddy & I did before you were here. My favorite time of day is at the supper table. Our entire family gathers there every night and you are such a constant source of joy during this time. You are an active part of every conversation and continually have your dad and mom looking at each other and grinning, or just staring in amazement at the things you come up with.

I love it when you look at me and say, "Mom, I sure do love you." I am so very thankful to be your mom, Carter. I look so forward to watching you learn and grow.

I sure do love you, Carter.

Mom