James Bradley Carter

On November 24, at 6:45 am, the four of us (Brad, Me, Maggie, and Lizzy) pulled out of our garage as a family of four for the last time.  Our bags were all packed.  We met my sister, Cinda in the parking lot of St. Mark's hospital to have her take the girls for a few days.  Then, Brad dropped me off and parked the car. 

 We got settled in Delivery Room #4- my nurse, Elizabeth, was awesome!  The epidural- not so much.  The delivery was so hard but at least fast at the end like the girls.  I was so out of it at the end.  But so happy to see Baby boy-  so worth it!  He seemed so small when they set him on me.  
                                           

He was 7 lbs, 14 oz, 19 inches long  6:03 pm

We called him baby boy, little guy, until Tuesday when we finally decided on James Bradley.

He was perfect!

He had special visitors that night he was born!  Papa Reese and Grandma Evie, and Lauren and Aunt Cinda.

On our way to be induced!

 Cousin Elle started changing diapers for Lizzy while we were in the hospital!  She is going to be a great babysitter!

 The 4 girls-  I LOVE Kate's costume for Clayton.

 Last picture with Maggie before she had a brother!

Lizzy had no clue what would be different the next time I saw her.

November

 November was a busy month of "lasts" before baby.  We had Grandma Evie and Papa Reese over for Sunday dinner and Grandma helped the girls with puzzles.

 Both of the girls got haircuts.  Lizzy sat much stiller this time.  Hopefully that will continue.

 I was just going to have them both get trims but we decided to do a shorter stacked bob for Lizzy.  And shortly thereafter, the attitude came with the cute new hairstyle.

 One last time of going to Cafe Rio by myself with the kids.

 Brad and I took on a lot of painting projects:  baby's room (pale blue), the girls' dresser, and the crib.  The crib was the last thing and took a lot of work!  But I am happy with how it turned out!

 Her obsession with puzzles begins.

 When Dad comes home and we are eating dinner- she "hides."

 I got to have a fun lunch date with my cousin, Jordan!  He is the best!

 We also got to meet up with some of our Naperville friends who moved to Logan!  We took them to the Treehouse Museum and introduced them to Zupas.  The chocolate strawberries were pretty skimpy that time though ;-(. 

 I ran into the Gap Outlet by myself after Zupas and found this hat on clearance for Lizzy-  she has always been jealous of Maggie's pink BYU hat.  She wore her hat all night!

We got our first snow and the girls went out to play!

 I took the girls to play at the Layton Mall and Maggie fell on the escalator- it was very scary!

 Brad and the girls made cinnamon rolls.

 Maggie broke her favorite snow globe.

 Last time playing at the park with friends.

 Brad put up our first Christmas lights!  He did a great job!

 Played in the snow!

 Hot Cocoa after

Working on the lights.

Halloween!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year!  The Ward Trunk or Treat was Wednesday night before.  Lizzy was a cow and Maggie was a "Pop Star." 

 Our Neighborhood had a little kid Halloween party earlier in the day.  Lizzy and Mason loved playing in the dirt more than the Halloween activities...

  Halloween night was a success- the girls finally "got it" and didn't want to stop going around getting candy.

 Lizzy was Doc McStuffins on Halloween night-  it's one of her favorite shows!