Melmo

Carson has a new friend, Melmo. Most of you know him as Elmo. He watches Sesame Street at Miss Julie's house and has a Melmo he plays with over there. He recently has been grabbing is diaper when we were ready to change him and saying what we finally figured out was Melmo. Duh...mommy - Melmo was on his diaper. He is extremely fascinated by Melmo so we may need to go get a Melmo for our house and not just Miss Julie's.

"He's Walking"

We have been practicing for quite some time now the walking thing with Carson. About two weeks ago he took what we call his official first steps...he walked from Cory to me and then back to Cory. Since then, he has been getting a little more brave. He walks back and forth between Cory and I. He went from walking with someone holding both of his hands, to one hand, and now a finger. This weekend we have really worked with him and encouraged him on. Today, Cory's aunt and her boyfriend came over for a visit and to show us pictures of her visit to Germany and Italy. Carson was playing with his toys and we were chatting it up. All of a sudden Cory started saying "He's walking to the kitchen!" Of course, we all stopped talking and all started cheering and "Oh my goshing" so much that it freaked Carson out and he started crying...he obviously thought he was doing a no no. Guess, Cory and I need to learn to control ourselves and our excitement. I think we are only a week or two away and he will be running around the house. :)

Fruits of my Labor

I FINALLY HAVE DONE IT!!!! Ever since we moved into our new & 1st home last fall, I have really tried to do the home owner thing...things you necessarily couldn't do when you rented. Yes, I have painted Carson's room whatever color I wanted and didn't have to get approval from anyone.

Something else I always wanted to do was have a big garden in the summer. Fortunately, our yard in the back has a little section that was the previous owners garden. So, not having much experience in the whole growing things aspect, I thought I would start out with what I thought would be easy...tomatoes. So I went to Lowe's (go figure) in the spring and bought some plants that would hopefully grow some big, fat, juicy tomatoes. I have been watering and miracle growing for some time now and nothing was occurring until about a week and half ago...had a little teeny tiny tomato on one of the plants. I was THRILLED. I came in and told Cory...I did it - I have a tomato. His normal laid back self just kinda looked at me. Because we have been getting rain, I haven't been watering as much. However, last night I went out and looked to find 3 ripe tomatoes. There was only one problem - they aren't what I expected. I was all ready for my big, fat, juicy tomatoes and this is what I got:

I guess next year I need to ask the Lowe's employee where the big, fat, juicy tomato plants are.

1 yr Pictures

I got the proofs today from Carson's 1st birthday pictures. Considering the time we had, we really got some good pictures. I have attached a few of my favorites.

The boys are sick

This weekend has been a long weekend!!! At first we thought that Carson was not feeling well because of his shots last Monday but he is still sick with a runny nose, cough, and the whole stomach thing so I think he has caught a little bug. Cory also hasn't been feeling good so I think he may have a touch of it as well. To say the least, both are CRAVING my attention...every minute. I don't have a problem with it because that is what I am here for :) To make it easier, we put the air mattress up in the living room so that they could both lay down together. However, it is 7:47 pm on Sunday night, I haven't had make-up on all weekend or done my hair, which rarely occurs. I did manage to take a shower last night and have gotten 2 loads of laundry done. I just got Carson down for the night so I am going to go sneak off for a LOOOONG hot shower. Hopefully, I can get back in my routine tomorrow.

Toys...what toys?

Carson has a lot of toys and books. However, he has found the kitchen cabinets and prefers to pull out what he can and play with whatever he can get his hands on. He has been pretty good about not pulling out the stuff every night but tonight must have been the exception. As I was trying to get dinner ready, he decided that he was going to pull out all my plastic bowls and containers and bang on them and push them around the kitchen floor. Guess it is time for more child-proofing.

Feeling Better

I have had a few phone calls today asking how Carson is doing. He is feeling much better, thanks for the thoughts. He spent the day playing with Nana (Cory's mom) and some of his new toys he got for his birthday. Ms. Julie, his sitter, has taken this week off so Nana took a few days off work to sit with him.

Carson is a very intuitive little thing. I can tell the wheels are constantly spinning in his head. He always points to things and wants us to tell him what they are. Well, today I came home from work to find him with his new play phone. I jokingly looked at him and said answer the phone, it is for you. The little fart picked up his phone, put it to his ear, and said bye bye. I was shocked!! The kid never seems to amaze me.

Those Stinkin Shots

Carson had his 1 yr Dr. appt yesterday so he had 5 vaccinations. To say the least, the shots have made him sick. He has been running a fever since 5 this morning, won't eat, and has been throwing up. All he wants is to cuddle with his momma and dada. Fortunately, since our company just left today, I was off work and we were able to snuggle...all day. He has been asleep since 7 pm and hopefully, he will sleep all night and wake up feeling better.

My Two Favorite Boys

Today was finally a day of relaxation. The boys, Carson and Peyton, got in the pool today and played with the hose. We also went to the playground and went for a walk. We then came in for bath time. Both boys really love the water, so bath time is a ton of fun. Both are now snuggled away in their beds. We have determined this weekend, that these boys will be friends for life.

1st Birthday, came...and...went

Wow! What a 1st Birthday for Carson. His birthday weekend started out with a bang. We went to the ocean with Nani, Pops, Aunt Marci, Steve, Aunt Mendy, and Peyton. Oh did we have fun. Carson wasn't too sure of the water or the sand but quickly got over it and had a great time.

We then came back to Mooresville for a 1st Birthday party with friends and family today. He wasn't scared of the cake like he was for his first year pictures. He got A LOT of books, which are his favorites. He got a little tricycle and money for his new swingset. Thank you to all who shared in this special day with us.


As for me, I am EXHAUSTED. Who would have ever thought that throwing a 1 year old a birthday party would wear mommy out but it did. Carson is recovering well and we are enjoying our time with my family...we can rest next week.

Pictures with a 1 yr old

What a day! I came home from work early this afternoon because we were having a photographer come to the house to take Carson's first pictures taken. This is the first time that we have had his pictures professionally taken besides Portrait Innovations. I was very excited but I should have known it would not go as I would hoped...as nothing with a 1 yr old goes like you think.

The photographer, who is a friend of a friend of mine, brought a little cake so Carson could smash. Well, you could say that Carson takes after his father and doesn't like anything to be on his hands...no icing. To say the least, the cake sitting next to him on the bench SCARED him to death. He cried...and cried...not a good way to start out the session. So I was fine not getting any smashed cake pictures. I got Carson calmed down and she was able to take a few pictures. Then we were going to go outside and take pictures. Bad timing. As we were getting ready to go outside, the clouds opened up and it down poured. Did I mention, it hasn't rained for a week and the day that I want to do pictures, we have a thunderstorm. So we waited...and waited...By the time that the rain had stopped and we were ready to go outside, Carson was done..not cooperating. Thank goodness that Hailey was patient. She was able to get some pictures...hopefully we will have some smiles and not tears in some.

The Wiggles

Carson likes to watch TV in the morning. His favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the Wiggles. If you don't know who the Wiggles are - it is a show consisting of 5 British guys who dress up, sing, and act crazy. For some reason, Carson is fascinated with them. I was getting ready this morning so I turned on the Wiggles and sat Carson by the TV. I knew then I had 25 minutes to get ready without interruption. As I was getting ready, I thought he is really being quiet so I figured I needed to see what he was in to. When I looked, I found a little boy sitting very patiently in front of the TV just watching the show...too cute.

Hugs

Today, we had a first. Carson actually gave me a hug...and he knew what it was. Of course, we always hugs and kiss Carson but we are not so sure he knows or understands.

Well, this morning, Cory brought Carson into the bed with me around 7:45. When Carson got in the bed he very sweetly said Mama. I opened my eyes and there were some very bright blues eyes and a big smile looking at me. Thinking that I would have to initiate, I asked Carson if I could have a hug. He then smiled and put his head town on my shoulder...so cute. I couldn't believe it. You can say today was a day filled with many hugs...I asked for and took as many as I could get from him.

Fireworks

Happy 4th of July a few days late! Cory and I both had the day off and it was great. On Tuesday evening, we went to see a fireworks show in Statesville. We were a little concerned about how Carson would handle the big booms...but to our surprise he LOVED the fireworks.

On Wednesday morning, our neighborhood had a parade which featured a lot of decorated strollers and bikes...we even had Elvis. After that we took Carson to get his haircut and then came home to prepare for a block barbeque. Even though we have been in our house for 8 months, we still haven't met everyone on the block so thought we needed to be social and mingle. There we met, a 7 month old little boy that Carson was very fascinated with. Carson was also very in to a 18 month old little guy who Carson looked down to...Yes, our 11 1/2 month old is taller than an almost 19 month old. :) As I watched the other children, I couldn't believe that Carson was that 7 month old about 5 months ago...OH, how he has grown. Then I would watch the 18 month old (which is only 6 months away) and I immediately got a headache...OOOOHHHH - what I have to look forward to!!!! You could say I got quite an experience in the 4hours we were there. Again, Carson loved the fireworks that they guys shot off and would clap after every one.

Poo Poo

Carson is really starting to mumble jumble with his words. He can say mama, nana, dada, lala, baba, bilabila (we really don't know what that means but he sure does say it a lot). Everything else is Ba. He typically is starting to repeat what you say to him or at least he will try.

Today, I had a meeting at work so Nana picked him up from Ms. Julie's house. When I called to check on him, Cathy made the comment to me that she was getting ready to go and change his diaper because he had poo poo. Believe it or not, I heard this little voice on the phone saying poo. Yes, nana has taught him how to say poo poo and he is very proud of it. It is quite funny and cute to hear him say it. Our little guy is really growing up!!

The Deer Blanket

Cory has hurt his back so in an effort to relieve some pain, he put the blow up queen size bed on the middle of the living room floor to sleep there tonight. Carson thought this was the best thing. Carson played for a good hour and half on the bed while Cory was trying to relax. I came in the room to find Carson under the deer blanket...something that came with Cory when we got married. The deer blanket is the ugliest thing...but is VERY, VERY, warm and cozy. Cdub loves to play hide and go seek with it. After hide and seek was done, he snuggled up next to Cory and they both fell asleep.

Bubbles

I got Carson a bubble gun yesterday at the store so this afternoon we got it out. He was absolutley fascinated by all the bubbles. At first, he wouldn't touch them but he got used to them quickly.

After bubble time, he went for a dip in his baby pool which wore him and Daddy out. Both are now asleep in the recliner. I can only pray they are both asleep for the night so I can have mommy time.