Carson's 2nd Birthday

My baby is two.

My sweet turkey baby that won't stop growing despite my wishes.

We celebrated very simple this year.

With different family over several weekends.

That's how it is when you're a turkey baby.

The birthday that seems to never end. I don't think he minded.

We celebrated with Gammy, Don and Big Nana at the farm.

Then, we celebrated just the three of us on his actual birthday.

Followed by an small gathering with Nana, Papa, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Amy and Maddie right after turkey day.

 There was plenty of present-opening for this two-second-attention-span child.

 It was great practice for Christmas, which came just a mere three weeks later.

Legos, blocks, work bench and tools, cars and trucks.

He was in his element, that's for sure.

Then came time for birthday cake. 

Or store-bought cupcakes because mama was too lazy to bake after baking fall treats for neighbors and teachers, and hosting Thanksgiving.

I was worried he wouldn't eat the cupcake.

He hadn't shown much interest in the past. 

Which had me questioning if he was my child.

Without hesitancy, he chose the red velvet cupcake (mama's favorite) and we sang. 

He was fascinated with the flame and stared for a bit, but then blew it out. all. by. himself.

I was so proud.

Then, he dug in like he had never seen a cupcake before.

He was happy. We were happy.

 It was a happy day to celebrate our two year old.

Time

Life with little ones can be hectic.

Mornings are consumed by "do this, do that, let's go" nagging, while rushing around the house like a crazy person to simply get out the door on time.

Sometimes I shout and get frustrated.

Like any stressed mommy does.

 

I try not to rush him or hurry him along. Because I want him to learn in his own way.

We're in that phase where everything is, "I do it!" as mama's patience is tested each and every time.

I'm constantly stopping myself to breathe and let him do it his way...getting himself dressed, making my coffee with the Keurig (his favorite), putting on his jacket, carrying the groceries...taking his time.

It happens more often than not.

I'm late to work. Things are forgotten. Lights don't get turned off. Leftover yogurt doesn't get wiped from his cheeks. He's dropped off at school without shoes on. He's screaming. I'm frazzled. 

We're both exhausted by 8:00 AM. If only we had more time.

Sure, we have better days than others, and there are weekdays where I question how we made it out of the house so smoothly.

But weekends are what we live for.

Time to play outside, make forts, help mommy and daddy with housework, paint and color, build towers out of Tupperware, run and jump, and play in the fall leaves.

It's our time together. 

Time where no rushing is necessary.

Time for play, giggles, adventure, learning, rough-housing and pure joy.

Time to forget the mom guilt and enjoy sleeping in, pancakes for breakfast, hangin' in our PJ's all day long, and sliding into leaves head first.

Because all that matters, is making the most out of the time I have with him.

The kind of time that stops us in our tracks, and makes us realize what life is really about.

We're looking forward to a four-day weekend with family. Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Welp, it's been a while.

It's been more than a month since I posted last. A month and a half to be exact. Embarrassing.

However, I have managed to post 42 pictures to Instagram since my last blog post. But I can't seem to find any time for my little ole blog. Sigh.

I'm pretty busy at work. We're still doing projects to get settled into the new house. Weekends are never long enough because they are always jam packed. And Carson of course, keeps us on our toes.

There's been other things that we've been up to. Like dealing with a dog I've threatened to get rid of.

Yep, I said it.

He's not taking this whole new house thing very well. I keep telling him that this change is awesome, but he's just not getting it.

Maybe if I find some time here soon, I tell you guys more about that reject hunting dog of ours...that's about to become a reject family dog.

I kid. Sort of.

Speaking of changing, my baby is so BIG. I can 't believe he will be 2 in two short months.

He's just as ornery as he was two months ago, but a bit more adventurous. Phone calls from his school about him falling and cutting his lip or bumping his head barely phase me anymore.

I never thought I would be so relaxed about blood, but this kid is too accident prone.

Every day, he says a new word or phrase that just shocks me. He's literally repeats everything we say, so we really have to watch it.

My favorite is when he repeats expressions, Oh no, Alright, Yeah Right, Oh Yeah. It's so funny how he uses the same tone as we do, and holds out specific parts of phrases. Ohhhhh yeah.

Yesterday, he dropped his vitamin in his lap while eating breakfast in his highchair. He had to fish for it under the tray to find it, but once he did, he held it up and said "I got it!" I thought it was the cutest, of course.

He still loves adult shoes, but it has expanded into socks too. If you are wearing socks, he will ask you to take them off or reach down and do it himself.  Kid goes after what he wants.

One of his newest obsessions is playing in the car when we get home (while it's off and in park of course). He climbs from the front seat to the middle seats, to the very back, and then repeats. He then puts the key in and tries out the windows, the wipers and the lights. Next is the middle console and glove box. He also loves to open and close the car doors. It seriously keeps him entertained for 30 minutes straight.

While we're talking about doors, he can open every unlocked door in the house. Yikes.

I've got plenty more to tell you about this stinker, but I'll spare you and just post the 42 photos I've already posted to Instagram in the past two months.

I'm telling ya, I lead a really exciting life with this toddler.

Seriously, I do.

Makes me smile every single day.

Friends, you can follow me at kutterchaos.

 Greek Yogurt. Never seen anyone eat so much yogurt.

 That's my kid in the dryer. No judging. He crawled in there himself.

The only way he'd wear the plastic bibs. Sheesh.

His favorite. Wagon rides.

 I'm already looking forward to next year's pool trips. C is looking forward to spraying people with the hose.

Child labor.

 This is what I get in return for child labor.

 Cousins. They are exactly one year apart.

Carson's very rad rocking zebra.

More proof of his shoe obsession.

 The Bill.

 Time at Grandpa's on that fall day in August.

Begged to ride again, but we let him play on the germ-infested park equipment instead.

 Yep, still hates haircuts.

Future tattoo artist? Or catholic priest?

A face of a future wildcat headed to Manhattan for a game.

 I admit it, comb overs are handsome.

 Mowing with Uncle E.

 Bridesmaids Reenactment.

His first science experiment.

 Sucking on peanuts. Oops.

Wagon ride while holding mommy's hand:).

   Fall is here.