I thought I'd better post some December pictures before January gets here since Carter will be neglected as soon as we bring the baby home. We all but finished the bathroom one evening last week. We finally hung the mirror and towel ring and re-centered the faucet. I still have touch up painting to do, but it's not on the top of my TO DO list. Carter is so helpful as you can see. I know Landon just loves Carter's "help".

We called Grandma one night while Dad was in town processing game. I talked to her, Carter talked to her, and even Abby got to talk to Grandma, although I'm not sure Grandma knew she was talking to Abby (for several minutes).
Mini muffins are a big hit at our house and Carter is quite the baker. I'm not sure if you can really tell, but he was testing the muffins with a toothpick; every one of them. Like I said, he's a big help.
We tried very hard (about 50 pictures very hard) to get a good picture in front of the lit but very bare Christmas Tree. It wasn't until we loaded Carter up with clothespins that he finally sat long enough to get an ok picture. He is a candid kid, not a poser.

Innocent Carter

I walked into the kitchen the other day to find...This chair; not quite empty, but not occupied by a little boy.
This on the stove...
This on the chair...
And this little boy holding a ziplock with the two remaining mini loaves of bread that haven't been bitten into. Carter has figured out that he can get a chair into the kitchen and to the cabinets and that will put anything on the counter within reach. And if he can't reach whatever it is that he is after...he'll just climb up ONTO the counter. I have since removed EVERYTHING from the counter. The top of our fridge is a bit crowded now though.

Carter's Big Boy Room

In November my Mom came up to help move Carter from his little boy room to his big boy room. We shampooed the carpet, painted, and altered the length of the curtains so that I wouldn't find Tarzan swinging from them. I still need to get something on the walls, but the room is mostly finished. He didn't have any trouble with the switch and seems to like his new room. He slept on the mattress on the floor for about 2 weeks until we picked up the bed in Billings over Thanksgiving. Don't worry moms, there is a rail so he won't fall out, I just moved it for the picture.

The Name Game

Since I've had little help in coming up with a name for this new little boy, I'm throwing some names out there for you to narrow down. I know most of the names don't fit the criteria but you've given me little to work with. Some of the names aren't just names, they represent someone special in our lives...
Henry Andrew - both of my Grandpa's middle names
Hazard Campbell - Ducks Unlimited's biggest advocate
Quaid Andrew - just a name that Kristie picked
Danger - just a name my brother suggested for Carter
Lincoln - might as well stick with presidents
Nixon - more presidents
Houston - my Great Grandfather Wilson's first name
Remly - my Uncle's name, and an odd one at that
Charlie Max - my first doll's name, Max - also my Grandpa's first name, my brother's middle name, and my cousin's first name on the Wilson side
When in doubt, Andrew is a very likely middle name for any other name you might suggest. We already have several Dale's on the Holte side and have already used Landon's middle name for Carter. Louie might be an option for a middle name too. You might have noticed that we have less than 60 days until this child needs a name, so you better get crackin'!

Baby #2's 2010 Hunting Season

When I was 28 weeks pregnant with Carter we went hunting for "just a doe" just to say I went hunting while prego. I had an either species, either sex tag and ended up shooting a little buck that wasn't any bigger than his ears. So, being pregnant for another hunting season, I thought it was only fair that Baby #2 have a hunting picture in his scrapbook. This time I'm 31 weeks 6 days pregnant. This buck was about the same size as Carter's, and in nearly the same location, at the same time of day. Only difference is I used a .243 for Carter's deer and a 7mm for Baby #2s. The last time I shot a gun was when I shot Carter's deer but I was lucky enough to shoot Baby #2's deer right through the vitals at about 150 yards. Carter and Landon were in the truck and Carter didn't seem to mind the gun fire; he says "boom" when asked what a gun says. He was a little unsure about the deer when we got up to it and didn't want to pet it. Which didn't surprise us with this dislike for dirty hands. It was a little chilly for a belly shot with the deer so I just look bundled up instead of pregnant. So now my hunting season is complete. With one elk and three deer in the freezer or at the meat shop, the pressure is off and Landon can go back to enjoying his bird hunting.

Halloween

Carter likes to carve pumpkins...if...he gets to hold the knife and someone else touches the slimmy guts. He's kind of weird about getting his hands dirty and it wasn't until we were done that he tried to help clean out the seeds. Of course he's too serious to smile.
Our little lover is just that. He will gladly give the dogs, Mom and Dad, toys, and yes, even a pumpkin a kiss.
Isn't he the cutest little Fireman you've ever seen?!
The only problem with letting Carter drive the Firetruck is that he doesn't want to get out. Although he was willing to help his Dad put out a fire, as long as he doesn't get his boots dirty.

The Name Game

Now that we have less than 100 days until Baby Boy #2 is here we need some help. We need boy names. I have a theory...
Each boy has 3 names; a first, middle and last. That means we need 6 names total. The way I see it Landon gets to pick 3 names and I get to pick 3 names. It has been predetermined that both boys have the last name Holte; therefore using 2 of Landon's picks by default. Carter's middle name is David-Landon's middle name and Landon's Dad's first name. Yet another one of Landon's picks, albeit by default. I will claim "Carter" as my pick. If I did my math correctly (and I do have a degree in it) that leaves 2 names to pick, both of which should be mine. That said, Baby Boy #2 is named. In the event that Baby Boy #2 does not have brown hair and brown eyes we need a name based on the following criteria:
1. Cannot start with C, K, or L
2. Cannot end in AN, EN, IN, ON, UN, YN, or ER
3. Must be exactly 2 syllables
4. Cannot rhyme with Holte
When the list you provide us has been narrowed down to 5 or 6 names we will post a poll to narrow it down further. And if we don't get a single response, I will name him after Landon's favorite pasttime...Fishor Hunt Holte

Cabinets, Sink, and Toilet, OH MY!

Obviously, we still have things to fix...The toilet seat was the wrong color, need a longer drain pipe for the sink (we raised the vanity height by about 6"), need to replace the new light (it was damaged), paint the inside of the closet...among other things. If Council doesn't take too long tonight I'm moving into the cabinets.




I had to add the garage because it hasn't looked like this since March. This is a big step for the Holte household.

WhoHoo, Lino!

Jason just left and I can hardly contain myself. It is going to take every bit of will power to stay out of the bathroom tonight. The cabinets are calling to me. We probably won't get much more done before Tuesday night with waiting for the floor to set, Landon out of town, and City Council on Monday; but we'll keep posting.

Getting Closer

We have a slight gap in the bathroom remodel sequence, but you're only missing some sheetrocking and mudding, and a bit of plumbing.
As of this very minute, we are waiting for the skimcoat on the floor to dry. This morning we put on the final (2nd) coat of paint, laid the 1/4" birch overlay, and Landon just finished up skimcoating the seams and staple heads.
After the skimcoat dries we will hang the light, towel bar and robe hooks. I don't have a shower curtain rod yet because I haven't decided on a curved rod, a double rod, or just a simple tension rod. Jason should be here sometime this weekend to lay the linoleum and the cabinets will go in as soon as the floor is ready.
We've started returning borrowed tools, so the end is in sight. It's driving Carter crazy that he can't be in the bathroom helping. He's been carrying tools around for three weeks now.

Landon's Productive Day

Landon decided that today was the day-the day that we (he) would start (again) our bathroom remodel. I already posted the "before" pictures, but here are a couple more.


And here are the "mid-prodject" pictures. Landon started the demolition at about 9:30 this morning, took a break to go Salmon fishing at 12, and started up again at 4 finishing at 5:45. Not a bad days work. I didn't help much-this whole pregnancy thing kept me out of the asbestos filled bathroom. We're not sure what kind of ick there is in the bathroom, but since it was built in 1967 we decided to play it safe and let Landon do the dirty work. There isn't much room for the two of us in there anyway. We still have to take out the tub and shower surround, replace the underlayment with new and do some plumbing work before we get to the fun stuff. If all goes as planned we should have the new tub/shower, sheetrock including everything ready to finish paint, flooring, closet door, and light done after this weekend. Luckily, the plumber lives next door and I have a key to the lumber yard. Wish us luck!

Gender Predicition, Final Test

IF you have patience and IF you have ultrasound body part knowledge you MIGHT be able to see what kind of "Little Bean" we're having. All looks well. Due date is still January 11th. Hint: minutes :36-:55 might help you out.

8/9, 8th Folder, 9th Picutre

Landon took this picture at 6:05 PST in the Vancouver, WA area on May 29, 2009. He was either waiting for or had just gotten on the boat that took him Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia River.
This is what he caught. I'd have to say it was one of his fishing highlights.

Carter Driving the Boat

Turn down the volume because at 40 mph all you hear is the wind. It cracks me up how Carter looks around like he is really driving the boat. Sorry if anyone gets sea sick, but it was a bumpy ride, which Carter also loves.

Sunday Night Fishing

I used to post about hunting and fishing because that is all we did. Then we had Carter and he was all I posted about. Now...we have Carter fishing and hunting to post.
Although Landon is holding the fish, I actually caught it but I chose to let Landon handle it so I didn't have to stink like Lake Trout all night. Unfortunately, this momma didn't survive, so we'll have to eat her.

Carter loves to drive the boat, and prefers if Landon doesn't help him. He checks the depth finder, waves at the other boats, watches what is out ahead of us. He is a spittin' image of his dad.

Gender Prediction, Tests 7,8 & 9

Sleep Position
Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? You're pregnant with a girl.

Mostly left,but occasionally right or back.

Tests....7
Boy.......6
Girl.......1

Pendulum Test
Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.

Back and forth.

Tests....8
Boy......7
Girl......1

Model Your Hands
"Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy.

Palms up for me.

Test....9
Boy.....7
Girl.....2

Gender Prediction, Tests 4, 5, 6

Soft or dry hands
If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.

Trick question. I have hand washing OCD, so of course they are always dry. They would typically be dry even if I didn't wash like a crazy person. So we'll go boy with this one.

Tests.....4
Boy.......3
Girl........1

Food Cravings
Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl.

Nah, I'd rather have cheese, or chocolate, or cinnamon rolls, or mexican, or big greasy cheeseburgers. Boy again.

Tests.....5
Boy.......4
Girl........1

Adult Acne
If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl.

No worse than usual. Boy

Tests.....6
Boy.......5
Girl........1

First Hair Cut, Before

Age: 17 Months, 1 Week, 7 Hours



I don't think this post needs much explination. He's 17 months old, he doesn't sit still, he's a flirt, and the salon was packed with women. I thought about cutting his hair myself when I did Landon's a few days earlier, but thought better of it. Kristie, my boss' wife is a hair dresser, and she'd skin me alive if I didn't give her the first hair cut. Carter went to work with me for the first year, and Kristie was there 2-3 days a week, so they are a bit attached to eachother. She did a great job. Of course the wiggling made it hard to get good pictures. It may be awhile before he gets another hair cut, it makes him look old.

After

As if he wasn't growing up fast enough, now we have to have hair cuts.

Carter Can Make His Own Lunch

My amazing child is such a big help. I was making PB&J a few days ago, and he pulled out the bottom drawer and crawled in so he would be tall enough to see the top of the counter and help make lunch. He decided he wanted a banana with his sandwich. I tried to take it away and explain that he needed to eat some veggies and his sandwich first. That didn't really work, so I told him to take it to the table and sit down while I finished. He did. Of course, he's an angel. A minute later he brings this back to me...

apparently he couldn't wait and needed the banana right then. He had an aweful look on his face and gladly spit out what he had bitten off. I wasn't fast enough to get a picture of him, but you can imagine the face he made.

One Cool Dude

The Sentimental Coat

For Carter's First Birthday my Dad attempted to have this coat "restored" for Carter. It was past the point of restoration, so my Dad framed it in a shadow box for him. Most would say big whoop, but there is some history behind the coat. My Grandpa Max wore the coat during World War II and for a few years after. When my Dad was a year old (1949) my Grandma Kay made him a coat from pieces that weren't too worn. Dad wore it for a couple years and then it went into the trunk. For some reason the coat skipped my brother, but Carter, being the first Grandson was going to wear it. The shadow box also has pictures of my Grandpa and Dad wearing the coat. So for Father's Day I took the coat out and took some pictures of Carter wearing it and gave them to my Dad. I'd scan the pictures of Dad and Grandpa wearing the coat and post them as well, but alas, I don't have a scanner.