Carter got a new (used) duck toy from our neighbor, Emma, a couple of days ago. Emma is always bringing him toys that her grandchildren have outgrown or toys that other neighbors have given her to give away. Emma loves coming to visit Carter and he has dozens of toys from her at this point. Carter loves this new duck toy and especially loves dancing to the duck’s music. For those of you who know my dad, notice the similarity in dancing style (and talent).
Truckin’
Carter travels through the grocery store in style now
Stacey gives blogging a shot
We have had this blog for 3.5 years now and I’ve constantly promised to take part and write some of the blogs. I think this is officially my third time! Talk about slacking….anyway, here I am now and maybe now that I have an iPhone I’ll do better. Pretty sure the only thing I will write about will be Carter though 
. Here is a random pic of him from today, on his 13 month birthday!
When I wake up
Spring Break in the Blue Ridge Mountains
After Carter’s big birthday bash we packed up and went to Boone, NC for a week. Boone is a great little town in the Blue Ridge mtns. of North Carolina, and it has some really great climbing areas scattered all around it. We rented a fantastic 2 bdrm house just outside town that had an incredible view of Grandfather Mtn. along with a hot tub on the porch. Both Stacey and I got to do a fair amount of climbing, and Carter really loved being in the outdoors. We had a wonderful trip, and I think we’ll all be headed back to Boone pretty soon. Here are some pics from the vacation.
Linville Falls, NC
On the trail to the falls
Carter and the water bottle
The Blue Ridge Mtns (as seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway)
Our awesome rental
Frankenstein walkn’
eatn’ on the deck
the view from the deck
Stacey climbing at Blowing Rock boulders ( boulder prob name: Smart Tom)
Me climbing at Blowing Rock boulders ( boulder prob name: Room with a View)
Carter’s 1st birthday!
We’ve got a party planned, and we’re all heading to the park at noon for cake. Pics to come soon!
March Madness Excitement
Carter’s very excited about the NCAA tournament.
Carter’s First Steps
Carter took his first steps today! He’s been walking around for a while now while holding onto our fingers, but this was the first time he took more than a single step by himself without toppling over. He did it in typical fashion–just decided to take a few steps and then proceeded to do it a bunch of times like it was nothing. That is exactly what he did when he first rolled over and when he started to crawl too, which I find amazing. It was really cool to watch and it was surprising how proud I felt of him for doing something we all take for granted (this is Stacey talking). Definitely an exciting day in the Blackford household. You only take your first steps once after all.
Carter comes climbing
We went climbing yesterday at Horse Pens 40 in AL, and decided to bring Carter along and see how things would go. We learned some things from the outing.
1. Only one of us will be able to climb when we go as a family. This is because Carter needs to be watched constantly since he tries to eat things. Rocks especially taste good to him for some reason.
2. Carter likes to play in dirt and mud. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to like the taste of dirt as much as rocks.
3. Carter has about a 4-5 hr limit at most between naps. We left early to accomodate him, and he took a 2 hr nap on the drive home.
In all, it was a pretty fun day.
Here’s a pic of mommie and Carter at HP40:
And a quick shot of Carter playing in the mud
Laundry time
