Ahhh, spring.

Maybe I'd feel differently with some Claritin in my system, but right now I would like every blooming plant to die. And then I'd like some rain clouds to come and obliterate the wafting pollen.

Happy Earth Day.

I don't hug trees. I don't think I buy global warming (especially since it was 39 degrees when I left my house this morning). I drive an SUV and I usually forget my reusable shopping bags.

But I do think it's important to be mindful of the decisions we make and how they impact the world around us, be it environmentally or otherwise. My SUV has an eco mode and I now keep my reusable bags in my car, especially now that Target gives your 5 cents off for each one you use.

One thing I've really tried to change in how much bottled water I drink. All the junk in our water concerns me enough that I stay away from straight tap water, but I try to buy large (2.5-5 gallon) jugs and refill reusable water bottles and sometimes I drink the brita water. Yes, I still buy bottles for those times when I have a baby in one arm and 20 pound diaper bag draped across me and I'm trying to get the dog outside and make it out the door. But I'm trying, dangit! So I say this completely hypocritically, but bottled water is a ridiculous luxury and so defining of American mentality.

So in honor of Earth day, here you go:

Presented by Online Education

10 Months.

Dear Carter,

You’re ten months old today! We’ve hit double digits! I was feeding you this morning and I just can’t believe you’re such a little boy. My sweet baby is gone. Well, sometimes I still see glimpses of a sweet baby… when you’re asleep. When you’re awake, you are wild and active and LOUD. To be honest, you’ve been a bit of a tyrant this month. I can’t blame you, it seems like you’ve been teething for three weeks straight. You did finally bust 2 new teeth through, which means you have a grand total of 6 razor sharp teeth to bite me with. The other issue, which seems to frustrate you more than anything, is that you just want to get up and run around! You look at me like “MOM! I’m not a BABY! I want to PLAY!” and chomp on that remote! And steal your cell phone! And pull Stella’s tail! And eat that paper!

We celebrated your first St. Patrick’s Day and your first Easter in the last month. Neither were too monumental for you. I will mention that Easter grass was a big hit. More importantly, both occasions gave me a really great opportunity to take adorable pictures of you. Then again, I use every day for that particular activity.

Your curiosity for life and the world around you is incredible to watch. You are incredibly observant and alert to the world around you. You have a mild obsession with heater vents. Whenever the heater comes on, whether you’re at home or Grammy’s house or somewhere else, you look around to find the vent and stare at it. I’m not sure what you think is going to come out of it. Maybe a puppy? Speaking of puppies, you love animals. You still adore Stella and screech joyfully when she’s around. Our morning routine now involves some Stella time. After I feed you, I sit you up and let Stella up on the bed. It’s usually a good 2-5 minutes of extra time before you grow unbearably restless again. When we visited your new baby cousin Sawyer you were quite delighted by their cats. You laughed at them and waved exuberantly. We saw a lizard in the yard a few weeks ago and as soon as you spotted him your eyes followed him until he scurried away. Bunnies, birds, you love them all. We took a trip to the Wild Animal Park last weekend and you were much more interested in checking it out, despite your general displeasure and the teething situation. We took you through the butterfly jungle and you were almost still, mesmerized by all the movement and colors. While I was holding you, a butterfly landed on my arm and you tried so frantically to grab it you just about launched yourself out of my arms.

You love music, both listening to and playing it. It’s one of the only ways we can get you to actually calm down sometimes. You’ve expanded your repertoire outside of just rap and hip hop and now you like just about everything. And you DANCE! I love when you dance. It’s more of a silly torso wiggle, not all that different from how I dance, but it’s precious. Speaking of music, and more specifically noise, you’re still very loud but your sounds now include a few more words and real noises along with the babbling. You mimic our sounds and noises, which is just about the cutest thing ever. You have a book with a car on one page and when I read you the book, I always pointed to the car and told you a car says vroom vroom. A few weeks ago we were reading and when I flipped to the car, you pointed and said “bbbrrrmm bbbrrrmmm” completely unprompted. I proceeded to flip the pages about 20 times just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke, but sure enough you are all about “bbbrrrrmmm bbbbrrrrmmm.” You still shriek and yell and make this weird howl/scream that actually hurts your throat.

You’re still not consistently crawling, though you do get up on your knees every once in a while. Mostly you belly crawl and pull yourself across the floor. It is the most frenetic chaotic movement I’ve ever seen, but you’re still getting where you need to go. You’re pulling yourself up on your crib too, making naps and bedtime even more of a challenge. When you finally fall asleep after much thrashing, you end up in the craziest positions. I wish I could take pictures of you, but I’m not taking the risk of waking you up.

You love your mama lately. And I’m not even bribing you! Yet, but the time is coming, we both know this. It warms my heart so much to see you looking for me and watching me. You love your daddy too, and your dog, and your sophie, and your bathtub… hmm, I’m suddenly feeling like I’m not all that special. In all seriousness, you are fiercely love those you know and adore. Everyone else, well, they better watch out. You’re extremely watchful in situations you’re not quite sure of, and you’ve been known to glare at strangers. Mostly men, but you love the ladies. And the ladies love you, especially those over 60 or so.

Your hair has reached the peak of its ridiculousness. It sticks straight up no matter what I do. Which is especially funny because now I have all this new post-baby hair growing in, so mine sticks straight up too. Strangers stop us to tell me how adorable your hair is. It is incredibly precious (on a baby, not a college student. Keep that in mind for later). Your eyes are still blue, and I think they’re staying that way. It’s still a complete wonder to me that I have a child who looks anything like me, but you picked up all the Hood traits.

You love to laugh. We’re not always sure what you’re laughing at, but it’s always the highlight of my day. Yes, even when you’re laughing because you just bit me or smacked me in the face or something along those line. Sometimes you get yourself so worked up that you have tears streaming down your face and you have to gasp for air. You’re just a happy kid, most of the time with the exception of this month’s tyranny. There’s no sweeter music to my ears than your sweet, sweet laughter. Luckily, you are incredibly ticklish, just like your mama. Tickling you and hearing those beautiful peals of laughter is like a drug for me. There’s nothing like it. I can’t even tell you how much you and your laugh have blessed me in the last ten months.

Love,

Mama

Easter.

Amidst the chaos of our lives, I'm so thankful for Easter. Yes, for what it means- I am eternally and always thankful for a savior who came to save the world, my own broken and sinful self included. But the thing about life is that it just keeps marching on and if you don't slow down it is far too easy to forget about the blessings. Days like Easter, the holiday and celebration aspect even aside from the meaning, make it impossible to forget the undeserved blessings I have, many, many blessings. I'm so thankful for a God of grace who has given me so much that I don't deserve.

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter.