Mommy and Me: a break

I think for the first time in a LONG time, I was excited to go to work.  We had quite the weekend getting our house fixed up.  Projects and painting; in and out; the list went on.  So pretty much we were pooped.  Our little man included.  Even though he didn't get to participate in the "fun", he had a rough night on Sunday - the first in a long time of waking up crying and crying and crying.  Poor guy.

Needless to say, when we got home tonight from work, we had so fun playing together and are all ready to hit the sack.  Thankful for a productive weekend and thankful for a hopefully restful Monday night!!!  Bachelorette, blogging and some Sheridan's sounds like a great combo to me.

Ten months = 304 days

Charlie - You have been alive now 304 days.  That's how many days from your arrival into this world on July 31, 2012 and your 10 month "birthday", May 31, 2013.  It's so crazy because you were just so tiny and helpless and sleepy on that day.  And boy and boy have you changed.  You are like a kid now, just 10 months later and it's has been such a blessing to be your mom for the last 304 days little man.  Seeing you can literally instantly make me in a better mood.  You are changing daily and you continue to amaze me with all the things and ways you are learning - it's fascinating!!!

And guess what?  This month I took your picture a day before your 10 month mark AND am blogging about it just a day after.  Yes sir, we're on top of things this month.  And it was so nice because you didn't let me get very many pictures, but the ones you did were pretty cute.  It's crazy to me that you just sit there now and snuggle with the bear.  It cracks me up because he "lives" in our guest room and if you are in that room in the morning, you crawl over to him and hug him.  It's pretty sweet.

You didn't last long though because guess what?  You have got other things to do.  Haha.  Of course you do.  Like torment the dogs, which happens to be one of your new favorite things.  Since you're FAST, you crawl after them and they do not like that.  Which makes me nervous that they will snip at you!  However, you don't seem to quite understand the meaning of a "soft pet" - more like a fast and hard slap.  Someday you'll understand, right?  Until then, Milly will keep running away from you with the look of complete horror on her face and Willy and Toby will endure your wrath.

I have no idea how much you weigh or if you gained weight from your 9 month check up.  I'm guessing you're about 20 lbs or like 21 now.  You just move so much, I'm guessing you're not packing on the pounds like before.  And you are so long!!  It's crazy!!  I love it!

• Still have those 6 teeth and they are big.  You smile with them and show them off and you crunch your food with them.  So useful!!  I thought you were getting some more teeth a few weeks ago because you were running a fever, but I cannot see any new ones!!!  I think these make you look older than you are!
• We have gone from just crawling to now speed crawling and forever pulling up/standing up on things.  You really like to "cruise".  Our new family room set up is ideal because you can just cruise along the couches and tables and then you turn around and come back.  I'm really not sure how I feel about this stage.  I think I'm finally starting to like it better after I broke down and paid a ridiculous amount of money for some StrideRide shoes to help you with walking when you pull up.  So much better.  Because those pesky socks you were wearing always made you fall.  Which that started at day care and just kept happening until these shoes.  Magic shoes?  Maybe!! Who knows when you'll start walking!!  Scary and crazy!
• In addition to always liking to pull and stand up, you had your first standing balancing session this month.  You were standing up playing on your new activity table (which you treat like a walker instead) and you just stood there.  No hands or anything.  You seems very pleased with yourself after the fact!
• Ms Tamala talks about it all the time how much she's going to cry when you go to the one year old room "this summer".  OMG - you are going to be one this summer.  And it's summer already.  Where did the time go?   I have a feeling Ms Tamala won't be the only one crying when it's time for you to move rooms.
• You're down to 3 bottles a day at school and nursing in the morning and at night (yep, still nursing little man - wahoo!!).  We give you a sippy cup at meals too and you're still working on it.  Not a huge fan (why would you be with bottles and boobs still?) yet, but we'll get there little man!  I am starting to wind down on nursing and pumping a little less at work.  You are still good at it for now, but get VERY distracted when nursing, so sometimes it's a little frustrating (for both of us)!
• Favorite food this month? Well - I introduced you to my favorite summer fruit, watermelon and you love it.  You just get really messy eating it! Oh - and you are obsessed with spaghetti.  Your first time eating it, half of it ended up on your face, but it was a hit.
• Speaking of eating, you love to give your food to the dogs if you don't eat it.  You are WELL aware of the fact dropping food on the floor is not ok...but you look at us and laugh about it  and still feed the dogs.  Seriously?!
• Sleeping around  10-11 hours a night with 2 naps usually.  You have gotten a lot worse napping at daycare.   Which is weird because you've usually been a good and scheduled napper at least at home.  Apparently you get about a 30 minute nap at school.  For real?  No wonder you want to go to bed so early!  On the weekends you usually got 1.5 in the morning and afternoon.  What a life, right?!
• All of your PJs are 18 months and don't have footsies in them because you are so tall.  The 4 new pjs that dad bought you are so cute!!  This helps with the summer months coming and a warmer room.  For clothes, it ranges from 9-18 month sizes, depending on what brand it is.
• Size 3 diapers still!

The month of May was pretty exciting for our family again.  Mom officially transitioned out of her terms job at Hallmark and dad was working on transitioning to his new job, mom finished a crazy semester of grad school and now we have decided to sell our house (AH! another time for that), so things in this next month will probably be equally as nuts. You just seem to roll with the punches.  If you don't nap or we are not at home, you are great napping in the car and eating in the car.  It's so awesome that you're flexible.  You have been hanging out lots with Bo and Bennett, but we need some time with Jackson, Noah, Arden, Bowen, James, and Brodie!!!

I seriously cannot believe that you are 10 months old already.  I know they say time flies, but it does.  So even though some nights I think I'm nuts of rocking you to sleep, I do it anyway.  If you will cuddle with me and fall asleep in my arms, I am thankful for those moments because our snuggle sessions cannot and won't last forever.   It's already time to start thinking just how we are going to celebrate your first birthday party too!!!

Number 33!!!

Quick shout out to my favorite couple on their 33rd wedding anniversary!!  

My dad said they just had gotten married (like a few months earlier in this picture), so they were 26 and 28 or around that.  So crazy!!!!   They look like kids.

We are so blessed to have both sets of our parents still married.  With 33 years and 40 years (this year is a big one for my in-laws), that is a lot of marriage and together time in this family!!

Mom and Dad - we love you so much and hope you take time to go out to dinner alone and celebrate with each other once dad gets back from Iowa!

Cheers to 33 and many more!

Mommy and me: time together

This week's mommy and me picture is in the midst of celebrating our long weekend with friends.  Sunday turned out to be a hot one, but we enjoyed every minute we could get outside together.

Here's the thing that I go through as a parent on a constant basis.  I seriously want to be around my child all the time.  Like I don't want to miss one single moment or milestone he has.  I want to soak in every smile, every sweet laugh and especially every time he pulls up on me, hugs my legs and says mama {I'm yes sweet boy, you do that and you'll quickly learn I will drop anything to hold you in my arms.  But at the same time, there's still this crazy thing called life that seems to get in the way.  Whether its work, time with family and friends, dates with each other or commitments we made (like school, volunteer).  Not to mention just the maintenance of a household.

So when I get the chance and have a weekend that is not-so-busy with work and other things, I try to literally soak it all in.  And every hug is a little sweeter, every laugh sounds a little better and very time you fall asleep in my arms I love you more and more.  I love those times.

Last night was the first night in almost 10 months I haven't pumped before I went to bed.  That's crazy right?!?  It is.  But I almost felt like a part of me was missing because I'm so used to it.  I'm down to pumping twice a day at work too.  You are still ok with nursing in the morning and at night, but it's much more of a struggle during the weekends when I'm at home.  I don't want to stop nursing you like ever.  Because I'll miss our special time.  But time is making me comes to grips with reality that my almost 10 month old is growing up.  And you'll need me in a different way, Charlie.  And as we start this process of weaning, how ever long it takes, know that I'll miss it.  Even not pumping at night I felt like I was doing something wrong. Like I am letting you down.  But then I realize this is how my whole life is going to have to be as a parent, slowly letting you grow up.  Sheesh.  I just thought you'd be a baby forever!!!

I love you and your crazy hair Charlie Carter!!!  Thanks for lots of fun this weekend!!!

A long weekend

Because it's almost my bedtime and I did the good thing and worked out tonight after Charlie went to bed {instead of sit on the couch with a beer and blog and watch the bachelorette - don't worry...I watched the bachelorette while working out, but couldn't seem to find a good time for the beer} and I don't remember the last time I did a timely post, here is our long Memorial Day weekend in pictures!!!!

Kicked off Friday with the party shirt...

This Friday, Jimmy surprised me (I promise I have a blog post in the "hopper" about me surprising him) and his mom and grandma came over to watch Charlie and we went to dinner and a movie!  My pick.  Wahoo!  Sushi train at Sakura it is...(yes those are all his plates)

Movie?  We haven't gone to a movie together in the theaters in over a year.  First up?  Using some movie passes we got from a friend to see the Great Gatsby.  Except it was sold out at AMC, so off to the small Leawood theater we went.  Got there at 7:25, youngest people there by about 25 years and tons of seats.  Score.

Saturday: 

Dad was off to play with his friends at the Royal's game

Mom and Charlie?  Well, we lounged in our PJs and rocked bed head for awhile.

And after what seems like the 40th time this kid fell on his face and busted his lip open, we headed off to fight the crowds at the Legends to get him some shoes.

In the evening, we hung out with Uncle Dave and played with our new toys that Amazon Prime brought us earlier in the week.  As mentioned on Instagram, the pool was unsuccessful.  I'm guessing it was because of the flowers?  #boyproblems

Saturday night, this mama got some much needed alone time.  I got to work out for probably the first time since December (WTF I know), watch the Nashville season finale (so good) and go to bed when I pleased.  Charlie was sound asleep and Jimmy was out with his friends.  Best yet?  Don't even remember Jimmy coming home at midnight...apparently I talked to him for 10 minutes.  Oops.

Sunday morning came and my grandpa signed our family up to cook a meal and serve it to about 100 people at the United Methodist Church in KCK.  My grandmother and cousin made some killer meatloaf, potatoes, green beans and rolls and it was quite the hit.  Was nice to take some time away to realize just how blessed we are and how much I take for granted.

Sunday afternoon?  Party time!  Dad got the other Amazon Prime toy hung up - the swing.  And it was a hit!!  Yeah for outside time that doesn't involve mom crawling around after Charlie taking everything he picks up out of his mouth!

Then we had some friends over for dinner.  Charlie wasn't too accommodating to Bennett.  I think he was just jealous of Bennett's adorable outfit.  I die.

We had the babes try out the pool together.  Bo and Bennett are almost 3 months younger than Charlie and not mobile yet  (ah, those were the days, right!?), so they loved the pool and sat in it like happy little campers.  This lasted about 5 minutes and then Charlie was out crawling after sticks and mulch and dirt to shove in his mouth.  It's only a matter of time Sarah and LeighAnne - you just wait!

Bo got to eat dinner in Charlie's high chair.  This was AFTER his parents put his bowl of food on the ground to get his strapped in and our stupid dog, Willy, ate his food.  Luckily, I had some sweet potatoes to replace his with.  Stupid dogs.

Monday - a day off!  Wahoo!  It was pouring when we woke up and Charlie woke up early.  But then it was shopping with Nana B at Ward Parkway.  This is the trip that Charlie figured out how to put his hand in the snack container and get the puffs out himself.  Next thing I know they are all gone.  Seriously?  Well that lunch was ruined...

Then at TJ Maxx we changed our diaper, ate, and played with mirrors in the dressing room.  And our new kicks came in handy!

Quick stop at Firehouse Subs for lunch before a Target run.  So cute.

While we were off shopping, dad was at home rearranging our house again.  Yes, we are back to "normal".  For good reason, but it was a busy day for house projects and getting some last minute things done.  And then we drove around for an hour so Charlie would nap.  We were desperate, it was nice out and the Royal's game was on.  Hey, we got an hour and 30 minute nap out of it.  We're so cool.

And that's that folks.  It was a great weekend and we are so thankful for all the men and women that serve our country and protect our freedom.  It's an amazing honor to live in this country that I know we take for granted.  Hope you had a great weekend as well!!!

PS I think I take too many pictures of my kid.  Is that possible?

Never ending fat lip

So maybe it's a "boy thing" or maybe it's just a my child thing.  I'm not really sure.  But literally - this kid is always scratched up in some way shape or form.  And really it just started about two weeks ago.  When I got a phone call from his school at 8:30 on Friday morning.  The director said that Charlie was pulling up on the small high chair and the tray fell on his lip.  He was bleeding everywhere and she wanted me to come and make sure I didn't need to take him to the doctor.  

When I got there, luckily, the bleeding had stopped but little mister was NOT happy.  Huge cut on the inside of his sweet lip and his sharp tooth popped through the front of his lip just a bit.  I was able to nurse him and after that he seemed to be back to his normal old self.  But his sweet lip?  Started to balloon up and swell.  After the a short phone call with the doctor, it was confirmed that nothing could really be "fixed" and we'd just have to let it heal on it's own.  

Had to snap some pictures at school for dad to let him know that Charlie would be ok.  Lip was starting to puff up a bit - but he was ready to go outside and play with his friends.  Tough kid.  And this was a picture of the outside of his lip.  Poor guy.  Obviously he wouldn't let me snap a picture of the inside.

By Monday....it was much better.  Just a little white spot versus a huge bloody cut on the inside of his mouth.  He was also home with mom all day trying to break his fever.  Poor guy.

Ever since last week?  He has fallen at least 3 more times.  I'm not sure if his wound re-opened up or if he just cut himself a few more times.  But some were just little cuts with a little blood and some were lots of blood.  Case in point.  He fell on his face and I literally just picked him up and blood went all over my shirt and his.  UGH.  Poor guy.  

So what is the solution?  Besides the fact that I would just prefer to lock him in a cage and never let him get hurt again (or have anything to fall off of or make him stop pulling himself up-- so he can't fall)...which I would love to do all of those things.  I figured we need to buy him some shoes.  So I texted my knowledgeable friend and mom to Brodie, Lauren and she told me to go to Stride Ride.  So off we went to the Legends to get some new shoes.  Expensive shoes I might add.  But so far so good and we haven't had any spills even with the constant pulling up everywhere. (but he does look pretty cute in them - and yes this is the best picture I can do these days where he's not in a high chair or a swing because he doesn't sit still!)

Seriously this kid is everywhere.  Lord help us all and thank goodness blood comes out of shirts!!!

 

9 months old - has come and gone (like a month ago)

Here you were at 9 months a few days old.  I wasn't behind on the pictures, but about a month behind on the posts because you will be TEN months old in just a few days.  Literally time does fly and this past month has been proof of just that.  I decided to do the pictures and outtakes first...commentary last this time.

This month's pictures - well, it was incredibly hard to get you to sit still let alone get a smile out of you.   You are ALL over the place crawling.  It's insane how fast it happened.  Most of the pictures are of you sitting there while your dad is trying to make you stay still or like the on the right side with your hand in your mouth.  That's because we were bribing you with puffs.  Well, lesson learned - bribe with puffs for pictures means hands in mouth.  Luckily we learned this before your real 9 month pictures, right?

Others were like this - close ups of you after me and my camera.  You're pretty cute either way.

Then the photo shoot moved into our bedroom.  You crawled your sweet little bottom across the hall and made a bee line for the dog stairs.  However, they are not the best toy or object (for you or the dogs) because they slide.  Someone suggested velcro and that's actually a brilliant idea!!

And then we ended the night snuggling in bed with dad watching some videos before it was bath time and then time to hit the sack.  Seriously kid, I love you so much it is crazy.

Big things that happened this month?  Well - you found your voice and learned to crawl.  It was pretty crazy.  I feel like you changed a ton this month!!!  You are somehow turning into a little person.  A pretty cute little person.

Here are your stats from your doctor's appointment that mom and dad took you to:

Weight: 20lbs and 7oz (50% percentile)
Length: 29.5 in (75% percentile- 3 inches in 3 months!)
Head Circumference: 18.5 (80% percentile) 

Here's the list of what you are doing now...

• You still have 6 teeth.  4 on top and 2 on bottom.  People are in shock when I tell them that.  Especially when they ask if you are still nursing...haha.
• You babble and babble and babble.  It's hilarious to listen to the conversations you have with yourself.  I'm convinced you and your classmates have some sort of baby language.
• It's funny because I thought the army crawl last month was scary - well you actually crawl. And you are fast and are into everything.  Your favorite things to crawl fast to?  Well that would be the dog water bowl and food bowl.  Guess what else?  You feel down the stairs about halfway through April. It was pretty frightening to everyone.  Luckily you were ok and that night we installed a baby gate.  No more of that.
• The way you interact with your toys is so fun to watch.  You seem to pick them up and examine them and most of the time put them in your mouth.  But it's fun to watch you stack things and unstack them, etc.

• You are now one of the "big kids" in your class and it's so crazy.  I never thought you would get close to being one.  But I guess that's inevitable, right?  It's just insane to see you literally play and interact with your friends.  Your favorite?  That would be Stella.  You guys fight like brother and sister and it cracks everyone up.  Apparently Stella's older sister even talks about you at night!!  All your teachers still love you too - which is just the sweetest.
• So at your 9 month appointment, I told your doctor just how many bottles you were taking at school.  And she said the fourth one needed to be cut out.  (yes, you were getting 4 bottles still).  But since you would get home from school and not really be hungry (i.e. you throw all the food on the floor for the dogs), she said this would help.  I was fine with it...having the discussion with Ms Tamala (your fav teacher) was a little hard.  She doesn't want you to be thirsty and likes giving you a fourth bottle.  Ms Shirley told her she's crazy.   It was a pretty interesting conversation.  But we're working on 3 bottles.
• Constipation isn't really an issue anymore because we put 1/4 cup of Miralax in your bottle everyday. Seems to keep you regular and helps move it through your little body.  Don't like constipated baby!!
• You still love food.  This month's favorites?  Peas and carrots and prunes and apples. Yum.
• You are still nursing in the morning and at night and on the weekends.  And you are still happy with it and so am I.  I just love our time together.  It's nice that you learned not to bite too.  9 months going strong - so proud of us little man!!!!
• Knock on wood- you were pretty healthy during this month!  Just a well-check up with NO shots, so that made it even more fun.
• Your sleep has gotten better and naps are more on schedule at least on the weekends.  It's weird because you are sleeping less at school but seem to get tired earlier and sleep lots during weekend naps.  That's a good habit because on the weekends I have time to nap or do other things.  
• Mostly everything is 9 or 12 months.  It's crazy how fast something because obsolete in your wardrobe.  You are getting so tall.
• You officially mastered pulling yourself up on your crib.  Just please don't figure out how to climb out.  Apparently I did that as a baby at 10 months.  I would really prefer to stay in the crib.  
• Size 3 diapers still!!

The month of April was so fun and so crazy all at the same time.  With lots of time together and some time apart (we had a wedding and some fun weekend events for adults only), mom stayed busy with grad school and tried to push through.  Seriously, it was a blessing that you started sleeping well because I'm not sure if we could have made it through this month if you were waking up.  

It was a fun month because now that we can all go out to eat together (and we can give you some of our food to eat), we have started being a little more social.  As long as our friends want to go to dinner at like 5.  But it's still fun.  The crawling thing is a little difficult because you want to be crawling and exploring all the time, but some places and times, that's just not possible!!!

Oh what a joy you are Charlie Carter!!! Love you little man!!