Carter is 9 Months

Carter turned 9 months December 17th. Can you believe it, 9 months? Time has flown by and he is growing into such a big, healthy, lovable boy.

At his 9 month check up he weighed 23lbs 12oz 90%, measured 30" long 93%, and his head circumference is 18.9" 98%. The nurse praised his big head, telling me, "A big head, that means he'll be tall like his dad and have big brains!" He got one shot, his Hep B injection. He didn't cry or flinch. He's so brave. Much braver than his mommy!!

He's not crawling yet, but is certainly on the fast track. He's still rocking and dancing back and forth to music and Scott and I singing simple tunes. He's added "da da," "ba ba," and the long vowel sound E to his vocabulary.

We're also starting to see tooth #2 pop though. You'd never know that he was teething though. Just his usual happy self. :)

Carter's New Trick

When the Scadding family arrived at our house for our gift exchange last Friday, we noticed Carter doing something new and were able to capture it on video.  It has not been a one time thing...he's doing it all the time.  And of course I think it's just the cutest thing ever.  :)

Carter's First Gift Exchange

First, I should say that I am so beyond excited for this Christmas.  It being Carter's first Christmas adds a whole new dynamic to the holiday.  In years past, I might've been excited to receive a certain gift, but this year I'm excited to have a Christmas as a family of three.  I'm excited for Carter, for all the cool things he'll receive from friends and family and for how excited family will be to see him around presents and lights and music.

This past Friday, we had our first annual gift exchange with the Scadding family.  We had pizza, some cocktails, Christmas music, and the boys (moms) opened their first gifts of the season. Sarah and I went to a Mom 2 Mom sale a few weeks back and bough the boys matching winter 

PJs.  Of course you know what comes next, yes, we put them in the PJs and took the cutest pictures in front of our tree.  

Here are some pictures and here's to a great 2009 Christmas season!!!

It's Late But Thanksgiving Was Great

Thanksgiving is kind of a cluster with going to 2 dinners in less than 10 hours (not fun at all with a baby), but we had a great time with family and friends.  2 turkey dinners, a fantastic trip to the Hara Arena craft show, a fun evening with friends we haven't seen in awhile (wish more of them could've been there), a super fun and relaxing day/night with Scott at the UC Bearcats football game and stay at a hotel in Cincy without Carter (the first time we've been able to get away just the two of us since he was born!!), and a nice visit with one of Scott's friends from college.  Here are some of the photos of our Thanksgiving weekend adventures!!

It's That Time of Year Again

Sarah and I left Tuesday morning to drive to Ohio to see Mom's 1st grade class Christmas program.  As you can see we took the boys with us and they really seemed to enjoy it.  

The drive down to Ohio wasn't bad.  Owen slept most of the way and Carter was awake the whole trip, but was pleasant and self entertaining.  I took Sarah and Owen to meet Nana before we went to mom and dad's house.  Nana loved them both as do I!!  We went home to hang out for the rest of the day.  The boys napped and then we got ourselves ready to go to Titus.  Of course, it was pouring down rain and freezing cold.

We got to Titus just in time for the program.  We had great seats as always and the minute mom's class marched into the gym dressed in Christmas dress, I cried (as always).  I just can't help myself.  They all look so nice!  The boys did great, sitting and watching.  Carter rocked back and forth to the music and the kids singing.  Maybe he'll grow up to be a rock star!!

After the program, I took Sarah and Owen to Classic Pizza.  You can't take someone to Huber and not go to Classic!!  

We left Classic about 8:15 so I figured we'd be home about 10:45.  Haha, that was a joke! Around Bowling Green we ran into frigid temps and rain that was turning to ice on the highway.  From Bowling Green to Milan it usually takes about 50 minutes...this trip took about 2 hours.  I could only go between 40-45 mph.  We pulled into the driveway at 12 midnight.  I was pooped!!

My mom asked me if it was worth it, making the drive for a 20 minute program.  I told her of course it was!!!  

Until next Christmas....

Carter's First Tooth

Carter's first tooth is starting to cut through.  I noticed it on December 5th.  I'd been looking in his mouth to see if anything was popping through and voila.  He's been acting the same as normal, my little happy, smiley, laughing all the time baby boy.  I did cry when I discovered it because it means he's growing up and I won't have my gummy smile anymore.  Now I'll see teeth!  

My little boy is growing up so fast!!!  I love you Carter!

Tis The Season

Tonight we turned on our lights outside for the Christmas season.  I have to admit, I think our house is just the most classic and clean looking.  This year was the first time we outlined the peaks of our house.  Scott did this of course and was nervous the whole time.  He might've said this was the first and last year he was doing it, but I think once he saw the end result he changed his mind.  I also cut snowflakes out of silver wrapping paper for my front windows.  It turned out just as I had imagined and I think I will make it a Christmas/Winter tradition.  It's nice to take such pride in how your house looks.

I understand everyone has their own way and what we think looks great might not be great to others. ... 

*Ehem*

Our next door neighbors house is...well...let's just say it's not our taste and we feel it's so overdone it kind of takes away from our house.

(It's MUCH brighter in person!)

We have our tree up and on.  Carter hasn't been too curious of it, but it's only a matter of time. Ha!  I love family tradition decorations.  The picture below of the Santa head is something that was always put out growing up as a child.  My mom passed it on to me and while it's just about the ugliest thing you've ever seen, I'll always put it out because of the sentimental value behind it.  

I love Christmas!!

When Will Sick Go Far, Far Away??

Carter has been sick since about the last week in October.  I took him to the doctor on November 11th where he was diagnosed with a double ear infection.  We were sent home with some medicine and kept our fingers crossed it would do the trick.  Scott and I continued sucking his nose out and giving extra love and kisses, but we went back to the doctor November 23rd to be rechecked.  His nose is more congested than it was when we went the first time and he's coughing more.  The doctor said his ears are better, but because his nose gunk is green and yellow he thinks he might have a sinus infection.  So again, we left with another kind of antibiotic.  If things aren't better in 10 days, when the medicine ends, we need to go back.  

I wanted to make sure I captured his first sickness, poor thing!!.  These were taken just after waking from a much needed nap.  I hope we don't need to see the doctor a third time.  Keep your fingers crossed for us!!

A New Schedule For Carter & Mommy

Sadly, a neighbor of mine is in a quick pace to move to South Carolina.  We are sad to see her go and she will be missed!

Although she is leaving our neighborhood and a small job working child care at a local Jazzercise center, there is a positive for me from her move.  I will now be working the child care room at this center on Mondays from 4:30-5:30.  I will make a very, very, very small income (if it would even be called an income), but it's something and it will get me out of the house.  I'm really excited about it!

And here is a picture of Carter...just because he's the funniest and cutest little boy EVER!!  <3

Bad Mommy!

I was playing with Carter and had Oprah on the other day.  Haha, only thing is I wasn't sure of what the topic was until I had sound on while shooting this clip.  It was about pornography and stats saying that 1 out of 3 people that view adult movies are women, etc etc.  I just thought it was funny how you hear the show in the background and then see Carter looking in the direction of the TV and smiling.  There was nothing dirty on the screen, I promise!  :)

Carter's 1st Halloween

This Baby's 1st Halloween, Carter was an oh so sweet Tootsie Roll.  I just couldn't resist it...especially while he's little and doesn't know the difference.  I figure I can get my way for another 2 or 3 years.  :)

Before we left for the zoo, we took some pictures of the boys together.  This is Owen, son to our good friends and neighbors John and Sarah, and Carter.  They quickly got burnt out with the costumes and picture taking and had a crying match at the end of our photo session.  Isn't it sweet?

Because Scott and I were at the Ohio State game on Halloween day, we went to the Detroit Zoo Boo with neighbors and some of their friends in lieu of trick or treat here in the neighborhood. We had a great time with great friends!  It was the perfect alternative for not missing Carter's first Halloween!