Hello everyone~

I know it has been forever since we have updated. Life has been hectic. We returned home, to Arkansas, last night after being in Missouri for the last week and a half. My mom had her surgery and is recovering as best as expected. She still has drains and is in quite a bit of pain but the recovery is slowly and surely happening. She still has two surgeries scheduled for later this spring and six weeks of radiation coming up soon. The good news? The chemo killed all of the cancer cells! Woo hoo! There is still a long way to go but we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you to those of you who have kept her and our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Our family is doing great. Carter is growing like a weed and was five months on the 19th. Crazy! He is weighing in just over 17 pounds! Such a chunker. Everyday he is learning and discovering new things. Lately, he is standing on his hands and knees, rocking back and forth. It is so cute to see him trying to get on the move! Maybe by Christmas...As far as work goes, Andrew is still in "waiting" mode as far as a retraining goes. We are trying to be patient. :) Decisions should be made by Christmas and we'll be sure to keep you updated! Andrew is still plugging away at classes and is really enjoying working on getting school done! He is doing really well - making an A in his last class and currently has an A in the class that will finish up in a couple of weeks.

I have exciting news. I start a new job after the first of the year! I'll be working as a teaching assistant. There is a professor that operates a business who teaches and develops online college-level courses for universities all over the country. She works with Mizzou, Duke, University of Michigan and many, many others. I'll be assisting will grading and other misc. items of business. Eventually, the plan is for me to develop courses as well. The pay is excellent and we'll be able to start saving a little more so we are super excited about that!

That's a brief update for now. We are really excited about Christmas time and looking forward to our first Christmas together! We are happy, healthy, and truly blessed. :) These are a few snapshots my cousin took of Carter boy over the weekend. Aren't they precious?

Halloween Fun

He looks more and more like Andrew everyday.

For Halloween we sat at the house and handed out candy. Which was kind of bittersweet. I loved and hated it all at the same time. First, I hated spending $15 on Dollar Store candy that would just give kiddos cavities! I know...it's a horrible attitude to have! It was super cute seeing all of the kiddos and their costumes though! Last year, we had a ton of trick or treaters. I mean a ton! This year there wasn't as big of a crowd maybe because it started sprinking around seven. Regardless, we handed out all of our candy and Carter boy got lots of compliments.

Carter was a cow. He wasn't so sure of the outfit. I think he thought it was punishment for something he did wrong. :) He didn't fuss but he wasn't quite happy either. It had mittens but those didn't last long at all. It isn't much of an outfit but we missed our ward's trunk or treat because we were out of town. So, we knew we would just be handing out candy at the house. We want to dress up as a family next year and we have some pretty great ideas after brainstorming last night...so, come back soon Halloween!

After we put Carter to bed, Andrew and I stayed up late and played games - with the TV OFF! It was really, really great to spend some quiet time with him. :) Today is going to be a lazy day. We have to get groceries later but that is all that is on our agenda. On weekends we are actually at home we try not to accomplish much :) Andrew is out washing the car now and I'm getting ready to fix lunch. I love days that are unplanned and relaxing! :)

It's Been Way To Long

Watching TV. He loves to sit like this in the morning and watch the news with mommy :)

Yummy! This is really as messy as he got. It was kinda disappointing. He shoveled it in!

We rarely catch him with a smile on his face, at least for the camera. :) He is getting really interested at grabbing and staring at the camera. I did catch a grin the other day though!

See his little hand guiding mine to his mouth. The poor kid was starving!

Carter and Andrew. I love my boys!

Mommy and Carter. I know it's not the greatest of him but out of the three we took this was the best of me. I figure as much as I post pictures of myself I might as well put up a decent one and let the little man look silly :)

Little man and Rachel. She came and visited as while we were in Ftown. This is also his first flannel shirt. I'm afraid the first of several.

Carter and Miss Aubrey. I know he always has this blank stare but he is just so captivated by our camera. :)

Carter loved Kaylee! Isn't she beautiful?

Carter loves Andrew to make silly noises. He was gobbling like a turkey in this one. I think Carter was enjoying it!

Last but not least. I love my husband. I got some flowers just for the hey of it! It was so unexpected and so sweet!

Ok, ok, I know I haven't updated in forever. We have been really busy and traveling a bit so life lately has been a little crazy. I'm going to do one super long, unorganized post and hope I hit all of the highlights from the last months :) I'll post some Halloween pics tomorrow :) Carter will be sporting a cow suit for Halloween tonight.

Where to start? My mom is doing well. She is offically done with chemo. Woo hoo! November the 17th she is scheduled to have a double mascetomy and after recovery six weeks of radiation everyday. We are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, unfortunatly, it's still a bit far away. Please keep her in your prayers.

Andrew got all of his medical paperwork back and as we expected he is unable to fly anymore. In the next week or so we'll be making major decisions. We have tons of options and luckily Andrew is in the position where lots want to do what they can to help. We haven't been too open with family about what our possibilities are but when we make a decision and orders are actually on a piece of paper, we'll start spreading the news. We think we'll know before Thanksgiving. :) It is indeed very stressful to make such life altering decisions. Sometimes I find myself wondering, "Isn't that why we joined the Air Force, so that they could tell us what to do for the next four years?"

We were able to travel a bit these last couple of weeks. We stayed with Ryan and Cara + kids in Columbia, MO for a week and then back to Fredericktown for a few days with my family. It was so great to be back in Columbia and see friends and family. I hadn't been back since I graduated in May of 07! I was able to see two of my great friends, Aubrey and Jeanna, and introduce them to Carter boy. It was so great. :) Also, it was awesome to see Ryan and Cara. We didn't get to have too much "fun" however. The guys were building a master bedroom in the basement and in their spare time hunting. Needless to say, they were not around much :) The twins and Kayless have gotten so big though! Kaylee is super smart and is such a little lady now. Thanks again for everything Ryan and Cara!

So Carter, our little one, isn't so little anymore. :( He has an appt. next Friday so we'll see then what he weighs in at. I'm really anxious. He is getting such a personality and impresses us everyday. Sometimes in the evening we'll catch ourselves just watching him sleep. I'm know, we're crazy! Breaking news though, today he ate his first bowl of cereal. He has been waking up earlier and earlier and also, he hasn't been satisfied after feeding time for awhile now. I knew the time was coming but we held off as much as we could. He did so great and caught on after the first bite. It seemed as if he had been eating from a spoon his whole life! Which got me thinking...I think he has been in his sleep! :) The poor kid was starving I think! He kept shoveling it in and guiding my hand to his mouth for more. I loved it!

A few of his favorite activities:

1. Playing in his crib when he wakes up. He doesn't cry to let me know he is up but simply rolls over and hangs out!
2. Screaming. Not a sad screaming but just a talking screaming. I think he just discovered he could yell. The other day Andrew and I were trying to have a conversation and we actually had to leave the room so that we could heard one another.
3. His feet! He is finding his feet quicker everyday. I even found him sucking on a toe this morning!
4. Wiggling out of his PJs. On multiple occasions I've found him with his arms out of his PJs. Most of the time he sleeps in the elastic bottom dress thingys. I'm sure they have names but I don't know them. :) Anyway, most mornings his arms are out and he is wiggling around with armless sleeves!


I'm running out of time and I still have to upload pics so that's it for now. I know it wasn't too personal and detailed but at least it is an update! We love you guys and think about everyone everyday!

Ladies and Gentlemen...We have a thumb sucker!

It is pretty darn cute but I still am not liking having a thumb sucker!

Happy baby after bathtime.

On Andrew's birthday we spent quite a bit of time at his favorite hunting store around us. Andrew helped Carter try out some of the camping materials. It is true...I have two children :)

Another thumb shot. If you notice Sam, the puppy, laying next to Carter. It is really funny. Carter LOVES cuddling and chewing on this puppy. He isn't interested in any of his other toys...but this puppy does it for him!

Hello Everyone. We hope this weekend finds you fantastic! It is muggy and rainy here in Arky so it is a lazy day full of college football! Normally it would bother me that Andrew watches tries to flip back and forth between three games at once...then can't concentrate on the game becauses he is too busy worrying about what game it next but a lazy Saturday is just what we need :) Lots and lots of family time.

This week flew by...nothing really significant. Andrew had a work picnic down at the lake yesterday afternoon. It was really fun to chat with some other wives and enjoy good food! The weater has been super nice here so that helped also. Oh, Andrew also had a birthday on Tuesday. He didn't have to work so that was great. We spent the day just messing around...doing some of our favorite things: cooking breakfast, window shopping, we took a walk to the lake and then put Carter to bed and enjoyed late night pizza and a movie! It really was a great day.

Carter is great. He is really getting to be so much fun. Andrew and I are in disbelief at how big he is. He has become a thumb sucker though! I am not really happy about it to say the least :) We have never given him a pass...so I guess it is a form of comfort to him. I try to take it out of his mouth when he does but Andrew won't let me if he is around! It is pretty darn cute though....He is laughing all the time and is getting some tickle spots. Andrew and I can really get him to chuckle. It really sounds as if I am describing a new toy we got...:)

We hope you have a great weekend!

A Little Bit of Everything...

At the zoo...

Mommy and Carter

I hate when Andrew does this...I'm always yelling...Put him down! Carter loves it...

Everyone smile!

So early in the morning...

At the game...don't mind me, it had been raining ALL day.

Such a handsome man...

I know you can't see Carter much but it cracks me up...little man in a big tub!

My favorite...just beautiful.

Hello Everyone.

Sorry we haven't updated lately...we have been super busy. On Labor Day we went to the zoo which was so much fun! I'll spare you any animal pictures although I am tempted! We went basically just to get out of the house and it was so much fun! Then this past weekend was another visit with the family in Fredericktown. I know we go a lot...but it helps my mom get through her chemo treatments a little better I think. She is in such a better mood when we are around. A couple more and she is done...at least with chemo. She is scheduled for surgery in November and then six weeks of radiation everyday will follow that. She is hanging in there but keep her in your prayers.

Our callings at church have been keeping us super busy which is so much fun. Our ward is really small and a little different sometimes but we love it!

Andrew and I got an evening out! When we were in town this past weekend we recruited babysitters and headed to a Cardinals game! We played the Florida Marlins lost but it was still SO much fun. I love the new stadium! We got to meet up with some family before the game in St. Charles for dinner and then had a night on the town. I think I called home ten times but Carter made it without us...kinda sad :( He actually was living the life. My mom couldn't watch him by herself because she had just had a chemo treatment two days before SO I had mentioned to a few family members that they needed to come down an be assistants! Lucky for us when we walked out the door at 2:00 there was Carter + Mom + 12 extra helper family members! Don't worry...he is not spoiled. :)

Oh, also on Sunday Andrew's dad came down from St. Charles and spent the day with us. My family is a little big and a little crazy but he hung in there! It was great to see him!

Nothing else is new...Andrew is still waiting, waiting, waiting but they are keeping him busy at work in the meantime. He just finished up two more classes and did really great! He starts another in about a week. I have started writing in my downtime for an author in Little Rock. It has been really great to "use" my brain and my degree again! :)

We have a lot of video (some of my family bought us a camera for our shower) of Carter but I'm not sure how to upload it onto our computer...my goal is to figure it out tomorrow! Carter is still growing like crazy and is so much fun. He really is recognizing Andrew and I. Also, all of a sudden he is a mover! We can put him on the floor on a blanket in the living room and ten minutes later he faced the other way on the other side of the blanket! So crazy. I can't believe it's been three months and I can't believe he is so big! He does great sleeping through the night...he actually slept for ten hours the other night! He is all smiles and grins ALL the time. Enjoy the pictures!

Oh so tired taking Daddy to work!

I'm rolling over!

This is Andrew's idea of babysitting...I went to the grocery store and came home to them both sound asleep and Carter chowing down!

Hello everyone!

Hey guys. Not much new at the Drysdale household. We are just chugging along! Andrew is doing well at work and has been actually enjoying getting some new responsibilities. It has been stressful for the family...he worked 70 hours last week...including Sunday. YUCK. This week however has been much calmer and we love it when daddy is home more!

Carter has been doing great. He has such a fun personality and never stops grinning. He is sleeping out of mommy and daddy's room and in his big boy room. I hate it! He is still sleeping through the night and morning is his favorite time...so smiley! It almost makes me like mornings! He had his two month checkup this past Monday and weighed in at 13 lbs. 4 oz. and was 23 1/2 in. long. Such a big boy! He has started rolling over all the time and it has been so fun to see him progress in different areas. Of course, he still loves his daddy more than me but we are working on changing that! :)

We had family pictures taken last week. It was really fun. Carter did really well and we got a "few" good ones. I had HIGH expectations for our first family picture and ended up a little disappointed but I think overall we are pleased with the results. I think Carter would have done better but our photographer was a little rough around the edges and scared Carter to death. Every time she tried to make him laugh...he puckered up and cried! It was hilarious for Andrew and I.

Here are just a few pics from around the house. We love you guys and we'll post our family pics as soon as we get them back! Hope you have a great week!

Recent Pics of Carter

Bathtime!

Chillin in the sink!

Toby keeping Carter company as we travel!

Great-grandma Joan

All smiles...and cheeks...and chins!

Grandma

Grandma again.

Cousins Jake and Noah. They love me!

Daddy and me!