My New Favorite Activity

Around 7 pm, Chloe has been getting a little silly lately.  Carson will jump around crazy and she laughs and laughs.  Carson seems to like having an audience too.  Here is a short video.

Chloe had her 4 month check up.  She was 27 1/2 inches long and 19 lbs 2 oz.  She seems to be about the size Carson was at 6 months.  She took the shots like a champ.  We are now working our way to sleeping through the night.  We cut out one of her two middle of the nights feedings.  In a few weeks I'll probably try to do away with them completely.  I asked the doctor if she was waking up because she needed to it and if I should keep feeding her in the night.  He responded "Look at her, she doesn't NEED to be eating in the middle of the night."  Proof - check out the chunky thighs below.

Carson is taking a sports medley class.  They learn a new sport each Saturday.  It has been pretty cute.  So far his favorite has been whatever they played most recently.

Here is Chloe all bundled up while we watch Carson play.

We started Chloe on cereal and then veggies last week.  She is doing great.  She'll actually eat it so I'm pleased.

 Although most of the time I'm dealing with this:

Bib Eating

 And this:

 Spoon Grabbing

 And this:

Handsucking

Here is just a cutie picture:

Chloe playing Legos with the boys (don't faint mother - she was kept away from all actual Legos and she was not left unattended next to small Lego parts.  No choking hazards!)

Kisses and Cuddles

Alright moms of boys...when do your little boys stop wanting to cuddle and have kisses?  Carson's independence grows stronger everyday and it hit me the other day that I may only have a few years left.  I don't know as I never had brothers.

Carson has always been independent.  He was the type to run into nursery at 18 months without even saying goodbye to me.  He tackles new situations with very little trepidation.  He must get this from his dad because I was terrified of unfamiliar settings as a child.  After his first week of preschool he informed me that he didn't need me to walk him to the door anymore.  So as the other moms walk their kids to the door, I stand by my car and watch to make sure he gets in ok and then give a wave to his teacher.  After a few more weeks he told me he didn't need a goodbye kiss anymore (although I usually say "kiss" and he does it before he realizes that he wasn't going to).

I dropped him off at the primary program practice - 100% new situation for him, and he insisted that I didn't need to get out of the car.  So I made sure he followed some other kids in and I figured he would be ok from there.

Don't get me wrong, I think his independence is extremely admirable.  I wish I had a little more confidence in new situations even now.  I am constantly impressed by this aspect of his personality.

There are still several moments a day when he wants to cuddle or lay across my lap as I scratch his back and we say silly things to each other.  He usually surprises me with an "I love you" when I'm feeling down (or grouchy).  He is very sweet.

So how many more years do I have of cuddles with my son?  And then after that I guess you find a new way to connect and let your son know you love him.

Indian John

Carson has become quite sensitive to us laughing at the things he does or says.  While we laugh because we think he is cute, he gets embarrassed and upset.  So we try and hold it in.  It's a really hard habit to break.  Especially when he comes into the room and tells me he is Indian John and that he has a wacker.  (Translation: he is Indiana Jones and he has a whip).

Happy Halloween!

We've had quite a fun week. We went to the fair on Wednesday.  This was my first time in Phoenix.  It's also probably been 10 years since I've been to any fair.  We went Wednesday morning.  Got in free with a donation and got $2 rides and games.  It was smaller than the fairs I'm used to in Washington, but still fun.  Carson refused to go on any rides (after we bought $20 in tickets).  So we saw the animals and ate lunch (more on that later), then I went on a ride (a crazy, whip you around, up side down kind of ride).  After that, Carson was much more willing to go on a few rides.  He did the giant slide first - I was shocked he went through with it once he was at the top.  He ran towards me when he was down yelling "Mom, I was brave!"  Then he did a few other little kid rides.  He really liked the little kid roller coaster.  We played a few games, he got a few stuffed animals as prizes and then we headed out.  On the way home Carson said "I was really scared.  Then my brain said in a quiet voice 'you will be brave.'" (he whispered that part).  It was pretty darn cute.

So - next year, we are NOT eating lunch/treats at the fair.  $45 and gross, crappy food.  Next year we'll eat lunch before and then just get a treat at the fair (funnel cake?  yes please!).  What did Chloe do you ask?  Sleep - almost the entire time.  She was very agreeable.

Chloe rolled over for the first time on Thursday.  She hates being on her stomach and immediately starts yelling, but she just keeps doing it.  She has also taken a few real naps for me the last few days.

Karl and I went to a Halloween party.  We were Waldo and Wenda.  This is the first time we have ever dressed up since we got married.  For Karl, it's been almost 20 years since the last time he dressed up.  The party was fun...another set of Waldo's showed up though...bummer.  I taped and then painted our shirts.  At first I used a fabric spray paint, but one can only did the front of one shirt and it also bled (sorry Karl).  So then I switched to Acrylic with a fabric paint medium added.  Way better.  Carson really liked wearing my Waldo accessories.

We had our ward trunk or treat last night.  Carson ran around crazy with the other kids.  Chloe chilled in the stroller.  Both looked pretty cute.  I made Carson's cape a while ago.  Then I bought him a black shirt and pants, the mask and belt.  I made Chloe a tutu skirt and died one of her onesies orange.  Then I made her a curly hair bow (cork screw I think it's called?).  We also carved pumpkins last night.

Chloe's Room

Here are some pics of Chloe's room.  I know it's not Martha Stewart level, but I think it's cute.  I am especially proud of my tree - which I drew and then painted free hand.  I am not very artsy able so I was amazed that it didn't end up looking ridiculous.

2 Months (plus a little)

Chloe hit her two month mark a week or so ago...I just haven't gotten around to blogging it.  Her weight was 15 lbs 13 oz, height was 25 1/4 inches.  Both were off the charts again.  They are following the normal curve though, just above.  She is quite chunky, just the way I like 'em.  She is already wearing 9 month clothing.  I can't get her 6 month onesies to snap anymore, she can't straighten her legs in the 6 month sleepers, and all her little 6 months shorts are either too tight around the belly or too tight on her thighs.  So... 9 month clothes for my 2 month old it is.  She still isn't sleeping through the night and she just takes cat naps all day.  Other than that, she is just doing the normal cute baby stuff - gurgling, cooing, smiling.  While Carson used to start kicking crazy and get all excited in the bath, she seems to completely relax and just smile at nothing.  Oh - and her favorite new thing to do is grab whatever she can (blanket, burp cloth, dress, shirt) and pull it up to her face and then chew on it.  I'm constantly pulling her shirts down and trying to replace it with a toy.  See pic below.

My First Before and After

So I went garage sale-ing the other weekend.  I was looking for a dresser, but then I saw one of those old metal milk cans.  It was yellow with a couple of geese on it (one of my favorite decor themes).  She asked for $5...we settled on $3.  See the before - I forgot to take a picture until after I had already applied one coat of primer.  So imagine it brighter yellow and the geese much more vivid.

I spray painted it white.  I then used my Cricut to cut out a black vinyl W.  First time cutting vinyl and it went perfect first try.  Which is unusual for me when I'm doing crafts.  It was super easy.  Then I ran to Hobby Lobby to buy some fall flowers.  I know nothing about flower arrangements so I asked for some help.  I think it looks a little scarce but they were expensive and I didn't want to spend more than I already was.  So - what do you think?

Translation

Carson has learned "Praise to the Man" in primary.  Below is his version of the chorus

Hail to the prophet
ascended to Heaven
Traitors and tyrants
Now I fight him in vain
Mingling in garden
He can plan for his brethren
Death cannot conquer
He can throw again.

My Little Skeletons!

and they glow in the dark.

Streaker

I picked Carson up from preschool yesterday to discover he had had an accident.  I knew because he was wearing the extra outfit that I always make sure is in his back pack for just such an occasion.  I checked in with his teacher to make sure it was all okay.  He had gone to the bathroom, but I guess he didn't make it because the next thing she saw was a naked bum Carson running across the back of the class room to get his backpack and then he ran back to the bathroom.  She said none of the other kids saw so it didn't make a big scene.  Luckily, she was laughing as she told me this story.  I guess I never thought running naked in public was something I needed to specifically teach him.  I mean, we talk about privacy and privates at home, but I guess I never specifically said "don't run around naked at preschool."  I will say - he makes me laugh.

The teacher was sweet to focus on the positive - Carson was just taking care of the situation all by himself.

Super Cutie

Chloe's Eczema is completely cleared up on her face.  It's improved on her body but is still there.  We've been doing Aveeno Eczema bath wash and Cetaphil Eczema lotion (per the doctor's recommendation).  We have an appointment next week so I'll ask about it.  I am so glad her face looks so much better (and feels better).  She is probably glad too.  The first time I put the medicine on her, I think she liked it because she got really happy afterward.

She is just getting big and chunky.  She is quick to smile.  I am having a hard time capturing it though.  She gets really serious when I pull out the camera.  I love that her hair sticks up on top.  She is still not sleeping great at night.  She goes maybe 4 hours.  Her nights seem to run from 2:30 am to noon...but since I can't adjust to that it's not working out.  Luckily, she is pretty pleasant when awake and easy to get to sleep (when she's tired). I'll often lay her down and she'll put herself to sleep without a pacifier or anything.  Carson never did that so it always feels like a little miracle to me.

Karate Kid

We signed Carson up for a Karate class at the local community center.  There are 13 4 years olds in his class.  I thought it would be total chaos, but the teachers actually do really well.  It's obvious they have worked with a lot of children.  It is pretty darn cute.  They learn some moves, talk about strangers, talk about how our best weapon is our mind, etc...and then play duck duck goose.  I have a video but I can't figure out how to get them off our new camera...so they will come later once Karl helps me with this issue.

The Fox and The Hound & Eczema

Carson and I rented the Fox and The Hound from the library this week and we watched it today.  When the lady has to leave the fox in the woods (I'm assuming you all have seen it), Carson started balling.  Huge tears streaming down his face.  I felt so awful for letting my kid watch such a sad movie.  It broke my heart to see him so sad.  I love my little tender heart.  I offered to turn off the movie but he was determined to see it through.

Also, I took Chloe to the doctor today because she started getting red bumps all over and her face almost seemed scaly.  She has pretty bad eczema.  So we got a prescription ointment and I'm hoping this will help clear it up.  It looks awful and makes me sad.  I'm sure it is itching her like crazy too.

Conversations

Last night (at 3 am I might add), Chloe and I had our first conversation.  She was all smiles at me and then started making sweet coeing sounds and gurgles.  I of course responded with the same.  I love this part of motherhood - when you finally start getting a little bit of response.  It's just so wonderful.

Scholastic

Carson just came home with his first Scholastic book order flyers!  I loved these when I was a kid.  I would circle all the books I wanted and then add up the total (usually over $100).  Then my mom would make me whittle it down to something around $15.  Now that I am the mom, I am having a really hard time not ordering the entire flyer.  I will have to give myself a budget again.  I think my excitement over book orders is catching though - Carson seems pretty excited too.  He and I just spent a good amount of time looking over all the books.

Stats Update

So Chloe is 23 3/4 inches long and weighs 13 lbs 6 oz.  She is off the charts for both.  Carson was 23 inches long and 11 lbs 11 oz at his one month appointment.  She is definitely a little bit bigger of a baby.  I think they'll even out pretty soon though.

I also discussed with the doctor how much she spits up (projectile spit up across the room type) and how she gags when she is laying down.  She definitely has reflux, but her projectile spit up isn't often enough to warrant anything further...and she's gaining weight fine so he said not to worry.  Still, the game of "when will she projectile spit up" is not fun.  I have to always be prepared (I spread a burp cloth across whatever we are sitting on just in case).

One Month and Oh So Chunky!

 She is now one month old.  She's got chunky thighs!  She is now good at sleeping during the night time (although she still wakes up every 3 hours to eat...but at least she goes right back down).  She is horrible at napping.  She wakes up 5 minutes after we set her down almost every time.  So I'm stuck holding her or gambling that she won't wake up.  She is starting to make cute little sounds.  I've gotten her to smile a few times but I look forward to when she'll do it all the time.  Today was our first venture to church.  I had to leave every meeting to feed her or change diapers, but it was still nice to be there.  She also was pretty relaxed so I never had to get up for crying reasons.  She can still wear her three month onesies and dresses, but the little diaper covers are too tight on her thighs and all her sleepers are too short.  So we are wearing a lot of 6 month stuff already.  She has a doctors appointment on Tuesday and I'm excited to see her stats...not excited for the shots.

He's On Board!

I think Carson is now fully on board with this little sister thing. While driving in the car he said "Mom, I like being a big brother now...but it is very difficult." When I asked him what was so hard about it he laughed and said "Silly Mom, it's not hard." So I think he may not know the definition of difficult. He also now gives her the same goodnight process as he gives me, regular kiss, hug, fishy kiss. He hugs her so sweetly and gently. I have gotten her to smile a few times and he was very upset that it wasn't at him. I had to reassure him that in a month she'll be smiling at him all the time. He also calls her by sweet little names such as "Sweety Princess." Chloe is also not the only one that likes her chair.  I caught Carson watching a cartoon like this.

I love my sweet little boy. With me taking pictures of the baby all the time, I have also been taking lots of random pictures of Carson. He loves to do random poses. I was trying to get some nice pictures of the two of them together, the deal was if he cooperated, we would then do a photo shoot of just him with his cape on. See the magic below.