Carter is turning 3 on Sunday. Sometimes it's hard for us to imagine we've been parenting for 3 years and other times it feels like we've been parents forever. We can't even imagine what our lives would be like without our kids! I suppose more rested...huh?
Carter seems to have turned from a toddler to a big kid over night. He's potty trained (except for his pullup at bedtime). He is always telling us how he wants to do stuff by himself. He wants to wash his hands by himself. He wants to put his shirt on by himself. Oh yea, did I mention he will ask for some privacy when going to the bathroom?

He is talking so much more now. Very chatty. He is constantly saying "what does this do?". Most of the time he's asking about things like the freezer or the mailman. However, sometimes it's off-the-wall stuff. For example he saw Las Vegas on tv and asked, "what does Vegas do?". The only response I could come up with was, "It takes your money, Sweetie." (hee, hee, hee). Carter is speaking more clearly now too. The days are gone when he would say opi instead of open. And he actually says Popsicle instead of calling them powerpuckers. I still love how he wants to watch "Spackle, Spackle Me" when he's trying to say the movie, Despicable Me. And I always smile a little bit when he can't pronounce the "C" sound like calling himself Tarter Meek or a tow says moo. If you want to hear something adorable ask him to say Indianapolis. It just sounds so sweet.
His imagination is in full swing these days. He loves to play pretend. Lately he's pretending to be a fireman (wearing a firehat nonetheless). He's Fireman Carter and I'm no longer Mommy but Fireman Mommy.
Carter: "Fireman Mommy, can I have some chocolate milk?"
Me: "Yes you may, Fireman Carter"
He is also a 3 year old turning into a teenager too! How does he know to ask for 5 more minutes at bed time? He doesn't even know that that means! When I tell him to go potty he waves his hand and says "yeah, yeah, yeah" or "oh, alright"! WHAT is that?

Carter is a kid full of personality. We love watching him grow up. However I'm sad to know someday Carter won't want me to carry him into his classroom (because he says it's his favorite part of going to school) or he won't call for me 15 minutes after being put to bed for one last kiss. He won't want to wave to Daddy through the window every time Kyle goes somewhere. He won't beg us to take him to Target so he can play in the toy isles. He won't ask us to go through the car wash everyday. He won't find elevators to be the most awesome invention ever created. I guess these are the reasons why parents, sitting with their college kids, are always looking at us laughingly in restaurants as we constantly pick up dropped toys from the floor and beg our kids to sit down. These parents always say, "Enjoy it now. These moments go quick." I'm starting to believe it!