Happy 2011, Love Carter.

I believe it's only fitting that my final post of 2010 include pictures of our greatest blessing brought to us this past year. We here, in the M household, cannot wait to see what 2011 has in store!

Peace, prosperity, 

health and good wishes 

to you all,

this New Year's Eve!

Carter, Seriously. You're FIVE Months Old?

Mister Carter, you are five months old today. It's been an unbelievable blessing, watching you grow and change this past month. Just when I think you've mastered something new, you completely astound your Daddy and I, as you show us something else you've never done before. I think the biggest change we've noticed in you, these past few weeks, is your personality starting to shine through. I cannot wait to see how you develop into your own over the next few months, but let me just say that I've never enjoyed you more than this month! (Now, we all know I'll be saying the same next month, no doubt!)

You smile and laugh all the time. No, really. All the time. When you think something is really funny, you wrinkle up your nose and make this "Yeahhhhhh" sound and it just makes me laugh outloud. I can't help  myself. Something tells me you're going to be quite the mischevious little boy.

You started solids this month. Mama has been making her own and you can't get enough of it. We're so blessed to have such an un-picky baby. I have a feeling you'll be the kind of baby who will eat anything, which is more than I can say for your Daddy. Your Mama, however, would and still will eat just about anything. What have you noshed on this month? Sweet potatoes and pears were up first. Down the hatch without the bat of an eyelash. Then you started apples and although impartial, you gulped them right down. I was a bit nervous starting peas, as even your Mama refuses to eat them, but you gobbled them up without stopping. Your absolute favorite, however, has been butternut squash. I can't spoon it into your mouth fast enough. As soon as you've swallowed, you yell at me to feed you some more. It cracks me up! The latest fruit we've added to your menu has been bananas, and without surprise, you love those too. You're such a happy, healthy eater Carter! We're so proud of you. Most days, it's either a fruit with oatmeal or a veggie with rice in the morning. Lately, though, we've started adding your veggie in during the evening hours with your fruit and oatmeal after your morning nap. Meal times are definitely your favorite times of the day!

You've most definitely found your feet this month. You've notcied them in passing before, mostly dressed up in footie jamjams with animal heads on them, but you're pretty much unstoppable now. Every time you're on your back, especially when changing your diaper, you immediately grab your footsies and draw them into your mouth!

 

On December 10th, you rolled from back to belly for the very first time, while playing on your playmat in the living room. Of course, we celebrated as if you'd just won the presidential election and you went on to roll from back to belly five more times after that! Ever since then, you've been a rolling machine. Only in one direction though. You haven't quite grasped the concept of rolling belly to back, but each day you get closer. Mostly because once you find yourself on your belly, you become easily frustrated and Mommy is getting tired of rolling you back over every three minutes!

You've started talking to Sheepie in a very special voice reserved solely for him. You're voice gets all quiet and low-toned and serious and you kind of just mumble and mumble and coo at him. You love that Sheepdog of yours and you never miss the chance to put your hands all over his face and through his hair. Sheepie is such a good boy and lets you do whatever you want. He does, however, never miss the chance to lick your face when you're in your swing or on your playmat. Ick.

You celebrated two Christmases this month! Your first was with Grandma and Granddad and your Uncles and Aunts who live in Maryland. Your second Christmas (the real Christmas) was celebrated here in Maryland but with your Gammy, Poppy and Uncle Woobie. You received so many great gifts from Santa family, but you're all time favorite has been Dance Star Mickey! Carter, you are such a special little boy. Everyone loves you so much and it just makes your Daddy's and my heart swell to see you loved and spoiled by so many. 

Mama and Daddy dragged you outside during your first snowfall and you looked at us like we were crazy. 

You love to reach for Mommy's face whenever we're laying down together. You also love to yank her earrings, her hair, her nose- basically anything you can get your little fingers around!

 

You're wearing size 3 diapers, 9 month stretchies (Carter's) 12 month stretchies (The Children's Place) as well as 6-12month shirts and pants from places like Old Navy and The Gap. 

You're sleeping through the night like a champ, going down for the night between 8 and 9pm and waking up without fail, at 6:30am every morning. Your Mama really enjoys the early morning hours with you, although she may not act like it in the beginning. We've slipped into a little routine of sharing a morning bottle/cup of coffee around 7am, kissing Daddy goodbye as he heads off to work and then settling in for a little snuggle session on the couch as we watch Handy Manny and Mickey Mouse. 

You've started a very loose nap routine. I say "loose," because most days you don't nap at all, but we're getting lucky when you fall asleep for a bit after Mickey. On a good day, you'll sleep for an hour or two, which is just enough time for Mama to straighten up a few rooms, maybe prep dinner and even fold a load of laundry or two.

You shocked your pediatrician earlier this month when we told him that you were already sitting unassisted for a few seconds at a time. You're getting stronger and stronger every day and you LOVE sitting up and taking in all that's going on around you. You start to topple as soon as you get excited about something and either throw your arms in the air or try and push yourself backwards. When you do topple, you think it's the funniest thing ever. You're such a silly little boy!

You've mastered the art of blowing raspberries and you think they are a perfectly acceptable form of communication. You wake up doing, you fall asleep doing them. As soon as Mommy does them to you, you echo them right back. You're a spitting, raspberry blowing mess. But the cutest one there is.

In addition to your already mastered "ooh's and ahh's and ee's" you've started making the "M" sound and even the "baba" sound. You love to mimic Mommy and Daddy when we make those sounds to you!

Five months, sweet Carter. As much as I would love for you to stay little, your Daddy and I want you to continue growing into the healthy, strong, fearless little man we know you're meant to be. Each day we love you more, Baby C. More and more than we knew possible! Happy Five Months! 

Wee One Wednesday: Who Doesn't Love Pompom Hats and Dog Jamjams?

I mean, really. Really.

I just want to bit his little cheekies.

Pardon my disappearance from the blog world throughout the course of the next week or so. I Love You More Than Carrots is due for a serious bloglift and a good friend of mine will be helping me put a new face to the same ol' name. It was either that or a new pair of TOMS. Guess my feetsies will just have to ride out my current half-size-too-small flats for just a bit longer. Happy Wednesday, friends!

Carter Gives This Santa Guy One Thumbs Up!

Santa must've received Carter's letter and added him to his Nice list.

He brought him lot's and lot's of great presents and Carter loved

watching Mommy and Daddy open them!  

Carter gives his First Christmas a thumbs up!

One thing I've learned this year? Do not attempt to go to 3:15pm Mass on Christmas Eve again. If I somehow ever forget the madness that was standing room only as early as an HOUR before Mass, please direct me to this blog post. As members of a new church, we must've missed that memo in the New Member packet.

Despite the madness, Carter was unbelievably well-behaved and looked dashingly handsome in his monogrammed Jon-Jon. I'm still working on convincing my husband that Carter will need additional monogrammed Jon-Jons for every major holiday, including his birthday. 

Sitting unassisted like a big boy in front of his tree!

Santa brought Carter so many fun presents: a Radio Flyer push-walker wagon, shape blocks, lot's of books, a few new sleeper stretchies and handsome "big boy" outfits  in size 9 month (!!) and a discovery toy for his high chair tray. Santa also brought Carter his favorite new toy: Dancing Singing Mickey Mouse! Thanks, Santa Gammy and Poppy!

"Hey, Mama! We have the same ears?!"

Poppy teaching Carter how to send his first email. Do you think he sent one to his Mama? Or maybe a "thank you" email to Santa Clause?

I've always loved this time of year, but having a baby to celebrate with has made it extra magical. I'm really looking forward to future Christmases, whern Carter is a bit more aware and can truly appreciate and enjoy the spirit of the holiday! I can't even imagine that this time next year he'll be a walking/running/babbling little boy. That just blows my mind!

Is it wrong to want to leave my garland and twinkly white lights up all year round? The house just looks so perfect all Christmas-prettied up! I am more than ready to take down our Christmas tree, however. I'm sick and tired of vacuuming needles up twice a day!

Carter's first Christmas has certainly been a memorable one. We're so lucky to have so many friends and family both spoil and love all over our little prince. We've loved having Gammy, Poppy and Woobie (my brother) stay with us for the holiday and thanks to the "Great Blizzard of 2010," we were lucky to have them stay with us for an extra couple of days! Carter has, without a doubt, loved the extra time with his favorite Gammy and Poppy and I'd be a liar if I said I didn't love having my mom dote all over us. Having her throw in a few loads of laundry, mercilessly clean our kitchen and cook delicious meals each night has been the best Christmas present ever.  

Speaking of Christmas presents, why is it that before Mr. Carter arrived, I had no trouble dropping a pretty penny on clothes for myself, but now that I was gifted with a few dollars to buy Mama a brand new sweater, jeans, shirt, pair of shoes, bag, I can't stand the thought of spending that money? Granted, I am in serious need of some new clothes, but it just kills me to spend money like I used to. JCrew? I'm sorry. But we're breaking up. End of story. It's not me, it's you. And your overpriced, slightly hideous new threads. For YEARS, I only shopped you and your dry-clean only t-shirts. So much so, that now that we've broken up, I don't even know where else to shop. The Gap? Do people still shop there? I got an email from South Moon Under telling me to go check out their ridiculously marked-down clearance items, and ridiculous they were! Fifty-nine dollars for a tank top? My, oh my, how my life has changed...

While I relish in the last few hours with Gammy, Poppy and Woobie, you tell me: Were you on Santa's nice list? What was your favorite Christmas present?

Wishing You All A Very Merry and Happy Always...

I'll be stepping away from the computer today to fully immerse myself in the Christmas spirit. My family has been blessed beyond measure this year and it feels necessary to reflect on it all and say "thanks" for everything.  Not to mention, there are still presents to wrap, cookies to bake, loose change to be given to the Salvation Army and a few last minute things to be done around the house before my family arrives to celebrate Carter's first Christmas.

From my family to yours,

we wish you all a very merry everything

and happy always.

Don't fret my friends, I'll be back next week!

And to all my bloggy mommy friends with new babes in tow,

cherish this "first" of many! Hugs to you all!

Wee One Wednesday: Mommy Love Edition.

carter's first first christmas with darling

husband's family, december 18th.

Just Another First of Many.

When you have a baby, each month brings with it many "firsts."

In the beginning, there's the "first smile," and the "first laugh." 

Baby's "first night in the crib" followed by baby's "first sleeping through the night."

You've journaled milestone after milestone

including the "first roll over" and the "first taste of solids."

There's baby's "first holiday," "first road trip,"

"first night away from Mommy and Daddy."

And you know you're a couple of crazy first-time parents

when you're waking your darling baby up from a nap,

stuffing him into a snowsuit and running him outside

to take pictures of him during his "first snowfall."

Baby Surprise.

Get out of town. I know what you're thinking. No, I'm not pregnant. Although we are aiming to join the elite group of families with "two under two," it's definitely too early to be thinking about that again. These stretchmarks don't need any siblings just yet. And Carter has his Sheepie brother to keep him entertained. Baby Surprise refers to the name of a little game my husband and like to play. Before I explain, I must give credit where credit is due and thank my darling husband for thinking of such an annoyingly hilarious concept. 

Let's say you're holding the baby. You've just given him a bottle, you've played with him a bit, you've silenced a case of the Crankies. You look over at your spouse, who just happens to be sitting on the couch, looking all sorts of relaxed, watching this week's rerun of Real Housewives, drinking a cup of coffee with two hands. Something you haven't been able to do in weeks. 

You creep up behind them, maybe even start some casual conversation, offer perhaps a loving kiss to try and throw them off base, and then wham. You thrust out the baby, while saying in an overly excited voice "Baby Surrpise!" And the only rule of the game? You must take the baby when you've been Baby Surprised and there are no "give backs."

We play this game daily. I could be mid-conversation with my Mom on the phone or spending some quality time with Sheepie on the floor. My husband could be finishing up breakfast or bumming around on his laptop on the couch. All prime examples of the perfect time to Baby Surprise. 

And it doesn't end there. We've even Baby Surprised Gammi and Poppy, too. Readers beware, the uber mature game known as Baby Surprise could be coming to a city near you!
  

Just When I Thought Being A Mom Couldn't Get Any More Gross...

I've been peed on. I've been pooped on. I've been vomited on. And that was all before becoming a Mom. I used to be a nurse, remember? I've cleaned up spit-up and even caught it in my hands a time or two. I've sucked boogies and as of late, I've sucked a LOT of boogies. But one thing I haven't done? Is suck boogies with my mouth. Yes, you read that correctly and if you're not thoroughly grossed out, I'll explain how. And no, it's not nearly as bad as you're currently imagining. I promise.



I wrote here about how much I hated using the traditional boogie sucker. Now, clearly I'm aware that I could never, ever suck Carter's brains out through his nose, or somehow manage to suck up even just an eyeball, but despite those allayed fears, I still can't stand to stick that blue syringe bulb up Carter's little nosey.


I had seen a couple of alternative boogie suckers in stores and online, one of which was made by Graco and required batteries. I was all set to order this sucker, literally, off of Diapers(dot)com but after having read less than stellar reviews, I set out to find the sucker that received five stars. From nearly 33 mommy reviewers. And after a few clicks, Alleluia, I found it. The Nosefrida. Let me tell you, internet friends, 33 internet mommies do not lie.


Can we take a minute and talk about the Swedes? These geniuses invented the Nosefrida and if it wasn't for the fact that I'm sharing C's cold with him, I would kiss the inventor of the Nosefrida on the mouth. Maybe even sneak 'em some tongue. First the pacemaker, then the ultrasound and now the Nosefrida? These Swedes are on a freakin' roll!


I had all intents to photograph myself modeling the Nosefrida. But since we share everything in the M household, including this godforsaken cold, my nose resembles that of Rudolph (how festive!) and with all of you in mind, thought I might spare you that horrific picture.

See that red tip there? That ends goes in my mouth. See the other end there? The one that looks like a plastic test tube? That piece goes right up against C's nostril. Or his nare, if you're a medical nerd like me. Did you catch that? Absolutely nothing has to go UP my son's nose. Momma loves her some less invasive boogie-sucking.

More importantly, so does Carter. Humming the ABC's, because well, one can't really sing while trying to simultaneously suck boogies from their son's nose, and a few quick inhales later, the boogies are sucked and Carter is a happy little man.

And for those psycho mommies out there just like yours truly, the nice thing about the clear plastic test tube-y end? You can get quite a good gander at the junk that's coming out of your son's nose. Now, I'm sure you're all wondering, "but wait, don't you get snot in your mouth? that's gross!" Yes, that would be gross, however it's impossible. Not only could the boogies never, ever, ever make their way up that long skinny piece of plastic tubing, but there's also a handy, dandy antimicrobial filter in place so that germs aren't shared on either end. How freaking awesome is that?*

You know, once you can get past the idea of using your mouth to suck boogies out of your son's nose.

* I was in no way compensated for the review of the Nosefrida. This is just a post, from one new Mom to the interwebs, who made a fabulous discovery of a boogie-sucker  and just plain ol' wanted to share. If you're dying to own your own Nosefrida, you can find it at Diapers(dot)com. Happy boogie-sucking!

First Foods.. Friday! Crunchy Baby Food Maker? You Bet!

After a successful week of homemade sweet potatoes, it was time to move onto some homemade pears! Carter nom noms his way through fruits AND veggies these days and I can't wait to add more to his solids repertoire. He's growing into such a little man!

It amazes me how few veggies and fruits can make so much baby food! Just so that you have a better idea of what I'm talking about, I went ahead and baked four average size sweet potatoes in the oven, pureed them in the Magic Bullet with a touch of filtered water and filled nearly two-and-a-half empty ice cube trays. Alongside the pototoes, I baked four large apples, skin and all, once cooled, peeled the skin off, threw them in the Magic Bullet and filled nearly an entire ice cub tray! Four skinned and steamed pears, steamed in our counter top steamer and then pureed in the Bullet, filled an entire ice cube tray and then some. I also went ahead and sliced four avocados, slipped them into freezer bags and will introduce those mixed in with a little applesauce once we're acclimated to pears and apples!

Once the fruits and veggies are frozen into perfectly Carter-sized one-ounce cubes, I pop them from their ice cube trays and dump them into quart-sized freezer storage bags. I then label them with the date they were made and pop 'em back into the freezer! The next time I run to the grocer, I plan on picking up some fresh green beans, a few bags of steamfresh peas and some butternut squash! Yeah, solids!

I can't stand the thought of cooking, but making my own baby food is SUCH a blast! I used to desperately yearn for the Beaba: Babycook, thinking that it was an absolute necessity if I was going to be making my own baby food, but truth be told? I'm getting by just fine with our Oster Steamer and Magic Bullet. I'm sure I could whip out my Cuisinart food processor, but it's rather large for the job and truly the Bullet does just fine. Just in case there were any of you Mommas out there who, like myself, thought you may need a fancy shmancy baby food steamer or food press in order to be able to do this.

Before attempting to make your own, I would do your research though. I learned some very interesting things in my attempt to become chef-savvy. Did you know that you should never make your own baby food carrots, as they contain too high levels of nitrates in their natural pureed form? If you're interested in making your own baby food, here's a great resource: Wholesome Baby Food.

As you can see, pears were a raging success! Happy baby food-making!

The Sickies and Why I'm Not A Certified Boogie Sucker

How come everything always sounds cuter when you add the suffix -ie(s)? We're talking about diapies, milkies, sickies, screamies, boogies.. I mean, they all sound absolutely adorable, do they not? Well, one thing that is not adorable? Boogies. And a sniffly, sneezy, smooshy four month old. Let it be known that I feel like an absolute mom-failure since C has already managed to come down with his first cold. However, I do feel that it was slightly unavoidable. Despite his every attempt to Lysol even the smallest nook and cranny of our house, Carter managed to catch my husband's cold. Carter's got the coldies. Oh, wait. That doesn't sound so cute.   

Things that suck worse than your helpless four month old coming down with a head cold? Funny you should ask! Speaking of things that SUCK, see that obnoxious blue bulbous apparatus? I swear, that thing is the devil. You might be saying, "yeah, but AP, you're a nurse!" And although that is very much the truth, I did not ever in my life go around sucking snot rockets out of miniature humans. Are you sure it's not possible to suck his little brain out through his nose? Perhaps an eyeball at the very least? Because that is my greatest fear. Despite being the devil, I must admit that the thing works like a charm. And I may or may not be slightly obsessed about my son's clean nasal cavity. Die germies, die! (Squeal. Germies. SO cute.)  

Carter is such a trooper. He doesn't mind Mommy constantly sticking that ridiculous squeeze bulb up his nose and hasn't complained once. It just breaks my heart into a bazillion tiny pieces to see him sniffle and smoosh and squeak. Thank the Mommy gods for services like Diapers(dot)com that will be delivery a bunch of goodies for my little sickie today. In the meantime, we'll be spending the day snugged up on the couch watching Christmas movies and wishing those germies away!

Wee One Wednesday - Faces Edition

I'm thinking of enrolling in some sort of Anonymous progam. Something along the lines of: I Take Far Too  Many Pictures of My Baby Anonymous. I'm sure there's a 12-step program out there? 1. Admitting you have a problem. 2. Putting down the camera.. Or rather, extracting it from my kung-fu grip. Okay, maybe I'm not quite ready for that.

Oh, those eyes. Those rosy cheeks.

Carter, women would kill for a complexion like that.

 Somebody is getting really excited for pears...

Did I mention those eyelashes make me swoon, too?

And, just because every boy should own

a super cool duck tub...

Happy Wednesday



Apparently, I Have Poor Tree-Height-Judgement-Sense.

... and the marks on our living room ceiling to prove it.

Why is it when you go to a tree farm to cut down your own tree and you're standing amongst hundreds of 8-9 foot trees that they all miraculously look like they'll fit perfectly in your living room? I mean, afterall, they are clearly marked 8-9ft and should fit beneath our 8 foot ceiling. Oh, and while we're on the topic of said tree farms, where else can you pay sixty-five dollars for a freaking plant that you not only had to park miles away from, trudge through hoards of family tree-finders in the frigid cold for, to then only have to resort to manual labor and saw down yourself? Oh, right. All in the name of Christmas. It would have been better if there was free hot cocoa involved. Just saying.

So, about my affected tree-height-judgement-sense. Hubs and I brought home our gorgeous fatty mcfatty of a Christmas tree last weekend and had quite the time getting it to fit in the designated corner of the designated room. I wish you could have seen the look on Hubs' face each time he had to drag the tree back out the front door just to "take a little bit more off the bottom."

Finally, success! Although, I'm not quite sure if you can call it success, when despite sawing nearly 15 inches off the bottom, we still can't fit our pretty, sparkly, lovely gold star topper atop the tree. 

Oh well. There's always next year. Just remind me to bring a tape measure. 
And some hot cocoa.

Reflections. On 2010. On Motherhood. On Being Myself. On Priorities.

It's no surprise that life has changed a lot in the last twelve months. While trimming the tree with my husband today, I let myself reflect back on the passing of this year. One year ago December, we were trimming the Christmas tree in our rented twin in the beautiful Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia. Sullivan kept a close eye on us and managed to steal away with an ornament or two when we weren't looking. I was barely pregnant and to the natural passerby, barely even a bump was noticeable. Each morning I couldn't wait to head into work as an outpatient chemotherapy clinic nurse, as I always looked forward to days spent with my favorite patients and coworkers. I was always grateful for that job, but never thought how much I would truly bond with the women I worked with and how much I would miss them, still, nearly nine months after having left my position there. 

The beginning of 2010 was a complete whirlwind. I have a sinking feeling that much of those emotions are now finally catching up with me and it's been a difficult process sorting through them. We spent nearly every weekend looking at prospective houses in Maryland and February brought with it not only a couple of blizzards, but also the closing on our beautiful home and my two-week notice at work.

I managed to keep busy during the next few months, what with organizing and decorating our new home and preparing our hearts and home for our handsome baby boy. I now think that I had great expectations that followed me to Maryland and unfortunately, have realized many of those have fallen short. I knew it was going to be tough moving further away from my family, but never thought that I would struggle with the distance nearly every day once Carter was born.

If I had to choose one word to sum up this year, I think it would have to be "transitions." Don't get me wrong, not every transition has been a negative one. Early on, I made the transition from a full-time registered nurse to a stay-at-home wife keeping busy with tasks such as painting rooms, choosing curtains and buying furniture to make our new house feel like home. Who wouldn't want that job? It was one a I certainly accepted with open arms. I'm proud of our house. I'm proud of how hard both my husband and I worked to be able to purchase our first home together.

Soon thereafter, I added Mommy to my repetoire and my entire outlook on life has shifted. I love my family. I love my friends. But I firmly believe that there are just no words to explain the love a mother has for her child. It's truly a blessing and a miracle- the nuturing and keeping of a human life. And to even try to explain how it feels to literally have your heart, your soul, your very being, wandering about outside of your body? Words could do no justice.

I am a Mom. Not just any mom, though. I am Carter's mommy. I have the responsibility for another life. A fragile, innocent, always-learning, always-observing, ready-to-grasp-life-by-the-coattails little boy. I always thought I knew what being a Mom would feel like. I now know I had no idea. It's what I had imagined being a mom would feel like, times infinity. It is truly a blessing and a sacrifice. A learning curve and an absolute blast.  

Being a mom has changed me. I've noticed that about myself over the past few months. I am still a loving wife, a devoted daughter and an ever-loyal friend. And I suspect I will always be these things. But my priorities have changed and so have my expectations of myself and really, others. My relationship has changed with my husband. It has grown by leaps and bounds. Sure, there have been some hard nights- some yelling and more than a few tears. Like I said earlier, raising a baby is a learning curve. It is frustrating, overwhelming, an ever-growing process. We have learned things about each other that only sleepless nights and a screaming newborn could bring out in oneself. But we've also found strength in one another and unconditional love that is even stronger than on the day we said "I Do."

It has been difficult to watch relationships with friends fray at the ends because my priorities have shifted. At first, I was torn to pieces. Distraught and wracked with guilt and thoughts like, "what did I do to change this? what can I do to fix this? what can I do to make this better?" And like any relationship, it takes two. I think I finally realized that sometimes, friendships fray and relationships change and that is okay.

Those friends and relationships that have maintained through this past season of my life, from being pregnant to moving and starting a new life in a new state, to giving birth and now raising a precious baby boy, I hold them up in such high regard. I am truly thankful for those friendships.

I've learned that is why in one's life, there are many seasons. And with each season, you gather new friends who share in that season. When those seasons change, some friends stay with you into the next season and others? Well, I'm not quite sure just yet where they go. Is it that they get left behind? Is it that their season of life requires a little something, or someone different? I have no idea. Sometimes though, those frayed ends of friendship may find themselves mended down the road and I can only hope for those changed friendships, that I will soon find them there.

My husband and I have been blessed beyond measure in 2010, but it's true that I can't wait to see what the new year brings. I am excited for the prospect of new friends, new goals and new priorities. I am eager to make time for those who will make time for me and for us. Each day I am blown away by my ever-changing boy and I find myself wondering what he'll be like at 6 months, 8 months, 12 months old. I can't wait to further watch him discover this wonderful and amazing world that we live in and be there to guide him on his way. I'm eager to challenge my relationship with my husband and see where the new year takes us. How it shapes us into hopefully a better, more loving husband and wife and mother and and father and better friends to others. I'm ready for a new year.

.... Whew. Not your usual post. Thanks for letting me put all this out there.

Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog...

Mommy Milestone #165:

Suddenly realizing that Mickey's Clubhouse on the Disney channel is god's gift to Mommies who wish to enjoy their morning coffee sitting down... and with two hands. It's already a really, really good Friday.  

Have a wonderful weekend. We'll be trimming Carter's first Christmas tree! You know, Carter. Our four month old son who's the size of an average six month old. No big deal.

Camo Band-Aids Make Everything Better.

somebody went for their four month shots today

and was such a brave little boy

who promptly came home and played for a bit

before falling asleep for a much needed nappy.



oh, shot days. you are such a dichotomy.

i love you for the protection you offer,

but loathe you for the tears you cause, too.

Can You Guess What Time It Is?

Sweet potatoes, pears, avocados! Oh My!!

Just when I thought I wouldn't get use out of all those kitchen doo-dads we were given as wedding gifts...






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Carter Michael, You are 4 Months Old!

Carter-man, I feel like I begin every single one of these monthly posts the same way. I simply cannot believe you are four months old. My baby is four months old! How did this happen? Every day you are growing and changing before your daddy's and my eyes. This month, you haven't so much grown up, as you have grown out! Daddy and I laugh every time we see that belly of yours hanging over your pants! You are one well-fed little boy, yessir! What have you been up to this month?

 

Stats:

16 pounds 3 ounces (75th percentile) 

26.8 inches long (95th percentile)

(the next michael jordan? perhaps!)

- Mommy and Daddy had their first unofficial "date night." We left you with your Gammie and Poppy for a handful of hours so that we could attend the rehearsal dinner of your Uncle B. We left you for just shy of five hours and from what Gammie and Poppy told (or didn't tell) us, you did marvelously.

- You attended your first wedding and made a quick appearance at the reception. In your jam jams. Although you spent most of your time upstairs in our hotel room with Gammie and Poppy, everyone at the wedding got a kick out of you! They couldn't stop telling us how handsome you are! You spent nine hours away from Mommy on this day and she missed your guts terribly! Eventually Mommy will get better at leaving you with others, but she's certainly not ready yet! Good thing you don't go off to college for another 17 years! Hello, "attachment-parenting!"

 

- You are truly interested in reading books and you love story time. Mommy reads so many books to you, but you especially love Alexander and The Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.

- You had your very first formula bottle the week before your Uncle B's wedding. After a little trial and error, you didn't bat an eyelash at Similac's Alimentum. A boy after my own heart, you only love the most expensive. We know you don't have a milk sensitivity, so after a few weeks, we began introducing Similac Sensitive with a little bit of rice mixed in. Mommy is still breastfeeding 2-3 times per day, but supplements with 2-3 formula bottles per day as well. You're not a spitter-upper (and haven't been since the day we brought you home) but your burps could rival a grown man's! Hysterical!

 

- You have a raging appetite little man. You will eat 8-10 ounces every 4 hours. Mommy just couldn't keep up! We have your doctor's appointment scheduled for later in the week and we will most certainly be asking the doctor about introducing solids!

- You love your bath time and doing "crazy legs" in the tub. You make a gigantic mess. You are getting better about liking getting out of the tub. Before, it was Meltdown City, but now? You're only a little crankster.

- You've been sleeping through the night for a little under two months now. You'll typically go down for the night around 8 or 9pm and sleep until 5am. Mommy needs to start going to bed a little earlier so that she can appreciate these long stretches! You're still not sleeping in your crib. We've tried a few times putting you back down in there after your 5am wake-up feeding, but it's way too roomy and the minute you're down against the mattress, your arms stretch out and your eyes pop wide open. We're looking for suggestions on how to make your crib feel a bit more... womby. You've been leading the charge ever since you arrived and I have a feeling when you're ready, you'll take to it just fine. Mommy and Daddy are in no rush.

- You talk all the time. When you're not talking, you're shrieking and doing "The Screamies." You crack yourself up.

- You LOVE when Sheepie licks your hands and I've even caught you sticking your hand out when he walks by, just so that he'll stop for a taste. Sheepie loves you so much and I can't wait to see how you two bond over the next year!

- You immediately put everything in your mouth. Toys, books, your hands, fingers. Mommy and Daddy's hands, etc. You're a drooling mess, too. Welcome to bib city, sir. No teeth buds yet! But we're waiting!

- You celebrated your first Thanksgiving in New Jersey and saw your first snow flurries! Mommy gave you a taste of sweet potatoes from her place and you kept smacking your lips and coo'ing loudly. I'm pretty sure you wanted more, but Mommy just wants to run it by the pedi first!

- The day before Thanksgiving, you ate your rice cereal off of a spoon! Mommy and Daddy took nearly 300 pictures and although you weren't too sure about it in the beginning, you LOVED it by the time we were done and kept guiding the spoon to your mouth! You silly boy, you!

(Whew.. this was a busy month for you!)

- You've started to notice the television and are absolutely captivated by flashing colors and bright lights. You also don't seem to mind watching Ellen with Mommy. Or Regis and Kelly. Thank goodness!

- You're able to sit, tucked inside your Boppy, for a couple of minutes unassisted. It's not so much that you lean left or right, but after those couple of minutes, you take a nosedive into the floor. We're clearly working on the "tripod" sit. Haha, crazy boy!

- You love your play gym and don't mind the Bumbo when Mommy is cooking. You'll tolerate your swing and your bouncy seat for no more than 10 minutes at a time and therefore, you're always keeping Mommy on her toes! Every day we play "Musical Baby Equipment" and bounce between all of your toys! Some days, it's truly exhausting.

- Speaking of exhausting, you are still very anti-nap. You just don't like them and most days, you don't take them. It's not even that you're fussy because of that. You just aren't a napper. That's so very unfortunate. Mommy loves naps.

- You're wearing 6-9month clothes. Mommy and Daddy are shocked. Some of your sleeper stretchies are 6-12 months and fit you perfectly in length! Judging by our scale at home, you're weighing somewhere between 16 and 17 pounds and are roughly 25 and a half inches long. Mommy can't wait to bring you into the pedi to get a true measurement! You are such a happy, healthy and growing boy and we couldn't be more blessed!

Carter Michael, you amaze your Daddy and I every single day. Some days, I just don't understand how my heart could hold so much love for you. But it continues to do so, every single minute of every single day. And then some! We are so excited to see what this next month brings. We love you so much, Carter-man!