4 months old!!

Carson turned 4 months old on August 28. And just like his 3 month birthday, he was sick. This time I felt the need to take him to the doctor, and I’m glad I did, because he had a double ear infection. Poor baby.

September 5, Carson had his 4 month shots. Shots are just no fun at all. I hate having to hold him down and watch him cry, it’s awful. I know that not having the shots and developing the diseases he is being vaccinated from would be worse, but still, they stink. He got a fever from the shots, but this time I was smart enough to schedule them for late in the day so he could pretty much just crash the rest of the evening, which he did, and slept through the night as well.

He is getting more and more fun every day. He is trying to roll over from back to tummy, but usually just ends up on his side. He also tries to sit up, but his big ol’ melon inhibits that a little bit.

Carson weighed 17 pounds and was 27 inches long at his 4 month check-up. That means he has gained 4.5 pounds and 4 inches since his 2 month check-up. I’ve got a big boy on my hands. J He is in the 71^st percentile for his weight, and 51^st for his head circumference, I’m not sure about his length. I love every one of those 17 pounds, his chunky drumsticks are to die for.

He is doing great developmentally. He is right where he should be, which is always good to hear. I got the okay to start some rice cereal or baby food if I want to. I need Brent to get the high chair set up so I can let him try and see how he does.

Here are some things that Carson does at 4 months:

-wears size 3-6 and 6 month clothes. He’s still really long in the torso with short legs.

-wears size 2 diapers.

-eats 6 oz bottles, 5 or 6 times a day

-sleeps through the night most of the time

-kicks and spins himself around when laying on his back on the floor

-laughs, smiles, coos, babbles, and gurgles at us

-recognizes faces

-makes eye contact

-lets you know when he likes or dislikes something

-holds his head up really well, and for longer periods of time

-loves his taggie blanket and burp rags to cuddle

-loves to snuggle and be held

-is becoming more mobile

-grabs things on his own, and usually puts them in his mouth

-pulls his paci out and then tries to get it back in

-sometimes tries to hold his own bottle

-loves it when we imitate his goos and gaas, and tries to do it back to us

-supports himself on his elbows when doing tummy time

-bears weight on his legs, even though he doesn’t seem to enjoy it too much right now

Of course, I’m loving him more and more every day. :)

I will get some pictures of Carson over the last month posted soon for your visual enjoyment!

August 21

One year ago today, my life changed forever. All of the dreams, wishes, and prayers of the last 3 years had finally come true. When I opened that pregnancy test, I never expected to see two lines, I really didn’t. I had seen so many negative tests over the years, I was so used to only seeing one line, I didn’t believe it when I saw two.

My emotions were crazy that next week, and really, through most of the pregnancy. I was completely overjoyed and absolutely terrified at the same time. I wasn’t terrified about being a mother or having a child, I was so scared of losing the pregnancy, since that happened the last time. I did eventually relax and enjoy most of the pregnancy, but I never did completely get rid of that anxiety.

I had a lot of fun over those next 8 or so months planning for our little monkey. I debated about finding out the sex, how to decorate the nursery, names, and things I would and wouldn’t do.

I loved being pregnant. I loved the milestones….1^st trimester, 2^nd trimester, ultrasounds, feeling him kick, everything.

And now, I have everything I could have ever wanted. I am finally a mom. I have the most perfect little angel in the whole world, who was so worth all the struggles and tears. I would do anything for that little boy. His smiles melt my heart into a big puddle of Carson. I don’t know how I ever lived without him, or how I could ever live without him now.

He is truly my miracle. I have loved him every minute of this last year, even before I knew him. From the moment those two lines showed up, I was done for.

Someone told me once that children choose their parents. They come down from Heaven at just the right time to meet their moms and dads and become a family. There might have been other babies that thought about choosing us, but Carson was meant for us.

3 Months!!

My little Carson bug was 3 months old on July 28th. He spent his 3 month birthday with his first cold and fever, that was no fun. I seriously cried hearing him cough and sniffle for the first time, and all I wanted to do was make it better. We had our first doses of baby Tylenol, and it seemed to help him feel better.
He is the light of our lives. He's getting more and more fun each day, talking and laughing and smiling and just being amazing. He's definitely recognizing mom and dad and has big smiles for us when we get home from work and pick him up from daycare.
At 3 months old, Carson is/can...
--wearing 3 month and some 3/6 month clothes, and a few 0/3 month bottoms with his short little legs.
--wearing size 2 diapers
--eating 6 oz. at a time every 2-4 hours during the day.
--usually sleeps through the night and gets up around 5 or 6 for the day, although the past week with his cold he's been waking up before that to eat, I think his poor throat hurts and he's thirsty. :(
--picking up items and holding them better, and then usually putting them in his mouth.
--smiles all the time!
--blows lots of spit bubbles
--kicks and kicks and kicks those little legs, I always ask him where he's going with them.
--drools all over and is wearing bibs more often.

 Here are some Carson pictures from the last month to enjoy!!

I Believe...

I beleive

I believe-
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe-
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a
while and, you must forgive them for that.

I believe-
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I believe-
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe-
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe-
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them

I believe-
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe-
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe-
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe-
That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I believe-
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe-
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe-
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones that offer a hand to help you get back up.

I believe-
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe-
That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I believe-
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe-
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe-
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe-
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe-
That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other, And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe-
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe-
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe--
That no matter how steep the mountain, the Lord will always climb it with us.

I believe-
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe-
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe-
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe-
That even though we don't always understand it, God always has a plan for us and everything happens for a reason.

I believe-
In being silly, laughing and dancing around, and acting like a child just for the heck of it.

I believe-
In never giving up on your dreams. The road you travel may be more difficult than you ever imagined, but someday, your dreams WILL come true.

I believe-
That good things come to those who wait.

I believe-
That the people you care about most in life are the essence of life.
Tell them today how much you love them and what they mean to you.

I believe-

That the best things in life truly are worth waiting for.


So, I want to know. What do YOU believe?

2 months old!

My little Carson David turned 2 months old last week on the 28th. He's growing up so fast! He had a good checkup at the doctor, he said he is growing well, and getting very strong. We also had our first experience with shots, which was not so fun. Carson was a trooper and cried while they gave him the shots, but stopped and slept right after. Later at daycare, when Sheena changed his diaper he got fussy and cried for most of the rest of the day, I think his little legs were sore. He alternated between crying and sleeping the rest of the night, it's so hard to watch your child hurt. And the info they give you nowadays says not to give your baby Tylenol unless their fever is over 100, because Tylenol can make the immunizations less effective. We had a hard night, but once he fell asleep, he did good and only woke up once to eat.
At 2 months old, Carson can/is:
Weighs 12 lbs, 13 oz. and was 23 1/2 inches long
--Eating 5 oz. every 2-4 hours during the day, and usually sleeping 8 or 9 until 4 or 5, though sometimes he wakes up at 3 to eat.
--Sleeping through the night often! The first night was June 18.
--Rolling over from tummy to back. He's done this 3 or 4 times, the first time was June 23 on his 8 week birthday!
--Wearing size 1 or 1-2 diapers
--Wearing 0-3 bottoms, and mostly 3 month tops, although some 0-3 and some 3-6 fit him.
--Sleeps in his crib swaddled with his arms out
--Cooing, gurgling, and doing lots of talking
--Smiling and laughing at things and people
--Going longer stretches between eating, yay!
--Loves his play mat, he loves to look at the baby in the mirror
--Loves his paci
--Much more alert, spends hours awake during the day
--Is a good napper
--Loves bath time.
--Occasionally sucking his thumb when he can find it. :)

From the Very Start

I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart
Our life together has just begun,
You're part of me my little one
As mother with child, each day I grew
My mind was filled with thoughts of you
I'd daydream of the things we'd share
Like late-night bottles and teddy bears
Like first steps and skinned knees
Like bedtime stories and ABC's
I thought of things you'd want to know
Like how birds fly and flowers grow
I thought of lessons I'd need to share
Like standing tall and playing fair
When I first saw your precious face
I prayed your life be touched with grace
I thanked the angels from above
And promised you unending love
Each night I lay you down to sleep
I gently kiss your head and cheek
I count your little fingers and toes
I memorize your eyes and nose
I linger at your nursery door
Awed each day I love you more
Through misty eyes, I dim the light
I whisper "I Love You" every night
I loved you from the very start
You stole my breath, embraced my heart
As mother and child our journey's begun
My heart's yours forever little one

23 Things a New Parent Should Know

1. The more time and effort put into decorating a nursery, the more likely that the baby will sleep in your room.
 
2. Things that don't wake a sleeping newborn: loud noises and bright lights. Things that do wake a sleeping newborn: sitting down to eat dinner.
 
3. Maybe they'll say it's the eyes. Maybe they'll say it's the mouth. Whatever it is, people will insist on telling you that your newborn looks like you. It's almost never true.
 
4. You may not want to cut your baby's nails because you are afraid of making him bleed. However, if you don't cut your baby's nails, he will probably scratch himself and, then, he'll bleed. So, why postpone the inevitable?
 
5. There is no greater thrill than the first time a baby calls out "mama" or "dada," even when it is directed toward the cat.
 
6. Sleeping a lot and eating a lot are traits highly cherished in babies. Unfortunately, neither are particularly admired in adults.
 
7. As a new parent, strangers will often approach you to ask, "Is he a good baby?" Surprise them by saying, "No, he's kind of an #$$hole."
 
8. You will discover that there must have been something very, very tricky about composing a melody for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," The ABC's," and "Baa Baa Black Sheep."
 
9. From the moment you arrive home from the hospital, you will be asked if your baby sleeps through the night. Tell them you don't know. Tell them you spend most nights out clubbing.
 
10. Make sure you learn all the noises that farm animals make. Even though most people no longer live on farms, the sounds that sheep, pigs and cows make are priority number one when teaching your little one to talk.
 
11. If he is wearing a nice outfit, it is likely that your baby will poop.
 
12. If you are wearing a nice outfit, it is likely that your baby will poop.
 
13. Despite advances in science, no one has figured out how to diagnose a dirty diaper besides sniffing at it or peeking in it. When you're in public, learn to do this discreetly.
 
14. Never in your wildest dreams (or worst nightmares) did you ever imagine how much you would be talking about poop. Unless you work for a laxative company. If you work for a laxative company, you are probably already talking about poop a lot.
 
15. Strangers are friendly when you're with with a baby. That said, strangers are even friendlier when you're with a puppy.
 
16. One of the surprise perks of having a baby? When you're with one, you can talk to yourself out loud and people don't look at you like you're crazy.
 
17. Everyone tells you to "sleep when the baby's sleeping." It's good advice. But, remember, it's "sleep when the baby's sleeping... unless the baby fell asleep in the car and you're driving."
 
18. Don't beat yourself up over every little thing. Babies have really low expectations.
 
19. If you think you might be posting too many pictures on Facebook, you probably are.
 
20. No matter how much you love your child, naptime is never long enough.
 
21. When people come to visit in the first weeks after you come home from the hospital, remember they are there to see you and the baby. Remember they don't expect you or your house to look perfect. And remember, if you are talking anywhere near the baby monitor, there's a good chance they can hear you.
 
22. The secret to being a good parent? There isn't one. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
 
23. When all else fails, if you can't stop your baby from crying, turn on some music and dance around the living room. Even if the crying doesn't stop, at least you'll enjoy yourself.