Sleepy little memories

Sometimes when Carter cries up in his room, he falls right back to sleep...and as excruciating as it is to wait it out, it is usually pretty clear whether he needs us or whether he is 3 minutes away from nodding off again. But oh, even those 3 minutes can feel like a lifetime, and I inevitably get a knot in my stomach and don't breathe quite right until he's sleeping soundly again. Tonight he fell asleep at around 8:15pm, and based on his normal schedule, he shouldn't be up again until 8:00am (with the potential for a quick snack around 4:30-5:00 am). But just as we were finishing a West Wing episode at 9:45, the red light on the monitor was beaming and the screen showed a very upset little man. I went upstairs to see what was going on- because it just wasn't the kind of cry you ignore- and I think he had some kind of nightmare (??). Anyway, I started rubbing his back and quietly singing a little, and he gradually started to settle down. He finally closed his eyes, sighed, wrapped both his little hands around my arm, and laid his cheek against my hand. Sometimes it hits me that I really am somebody's mommy, and I found myself just staring at that angelic face, praying I never forget these precious little moments. As I ever-so-sneakily loosened my hand from his grip (and promptly woke him right back up),  he rolled on his back, squinted up at me, and gave me a huge sleepy smile before passing out again.  And I melted. That little boy upstairs has absolutely stolen my heart!

Books, Baths, and Bedtime Fun!

 Bedtime has become a family affair these past couple of weeks, as this 20-something pound ninja baby finds new ways to wiggle out of our hands every night! Getting him into his pajamas around flapping arms, kicking legs, and a twisting tummy literally leaves us out of breath at times. I know, we are total rookies!  Although I offer an extra pair of hands, bedtime is really Dad's time to hang out with his little man. While I should take this time to read, clean, or just sit in the silence I never hear throughout the day, I always find myself listening to thumping feet and muffled giggles as my two boys roll around on the floor above me...and I can't tear myself away! The older Carter gets, the more fascinated he his by his dad, and the more he absolutely adores him. And to be honest, watching my husband transform into this little boy's hero has made me fall in love with him all over again. 

February 2012

8 MONTHS! 

8 month old Carter is wild, absolutely wild! And I love it! He is so much fun and keeps me laughing every day. Changing diapers and getting this little wiggle worm dressed is getting to be virtually impossible without a second set of hands, yet somehow we manage... My little dust mop rolls all over the floor- wood or carpet...keeping him on a blanket is thing of the past, and he can army crawl across a room in seconds. He is especially interested in anything that stresses his mom out- hanging iphone charger cords, for example!  We are frantically baby proofing the house these days and he keeps pointing out what we've overlooked. He loves eating new foods (yogurt is his new favorite!), and he makes all kinds of sounds-- mama and dada are heard on a regular basis--but I think it's still merely a coincidence if he says it while looking at me or Taylor :) He sleeps well at night, but naps are hit or miss... we went 3 days straight with an hour morning nap and a 2.5 afternoon nap, and I was sooo excited about all that i could accomplish in that 2.5 hr window- running 3 miles, showering, doing work at a normal hour...but then Thursday, after a 30 minute afternoon nap turned into a screaming session, we decided to spend the afternoon in the stroller, walking around our yard and walking up and down the driveway on this beautiful spring-like day in hopes of lulling this strong-willed little man into a much needed nap. But to no avail... Carter likes to keep his mom on her toes... just when I think we're in a routine, he switches it up on me! But if he's still his smiling, happy self after only 30 min of napping, I can't complain. I am fascinated by every little thing he does, so much so that I filled my phone's memory up with videos from the month of February only! I just can't believe that my sweet little newborn is suddenly capable of moving himself around the house and learning to open books and clapping and interacting with me like a little person...babies are just amazing! 

SO happy every morning and every time he wakes up from a nap!

Sweet Gamer- so exhausted by the baby

Showing off some new moves to his dad and grandpa

He somehow tore that piece off... these baby toys are no match for our big guy!

He got his first cold... and although he didn't get much sleep while he suffered through it, he still had quite enough energy to get into situations like these...

Lunch with his grandparents... he can only stay calm in a high chair for a few brief moments, so we all end up eating in shifts when Carter joins us at a restaurant!

Meeting Caitlin Bodzy and Charlotte Bury... surrounded by girls :)

They're starting to get used to him

Trouble...

Making friends...there wasn't even food on his fingers here!

Hard at work

Hanging with his grandpa

Big guy

I love this new sleeping position... but he is way too light of sleeper for me to capture it on camera, so here's the next best thing

Such a tough life

Shopping with mom - he loves sitting in the front of the cart, smiling at all the other customers. 

Buddies

Loving his new toys and hanging in his pack and play--as long as we're nearby to keep him company

Best invention ever... the johnny jump up... he's obsessed!

After his baptism - he did so well and of course loved all the attention!

The closest she has ever come to a human without food or some other type of coercion.

Working on waving

Grabbing everything he can get his hands on

The army crawl...

THE messiest eater ever..and so proud of it!

Two more teeth! 

He loves the books with flaps to lift up... and he'll stop and look at me when I get to a page he recognizes to wait for me to read the words he knows. And then starts laughing at me. Too cute.

Playing with grandpa