15 Months!

I stopped taking "Mr. Elephant" pictures monthly - now that Carson's a "big boy". :-) I figured every 3 months would be good this second year. Here's 15 months. I no longer even have hope for a "good" picture with it - haha.

I think the elephant is shrinking though....... :)

15-mo. checkup

Carson had his 15-mo. checkup today. Dr. says that he looks good and is right-on developmentally. He's definitely a growing boy!

Weight: 29 lbs. 12 oz. (96%)
Height: 33 1/2 in. (97%)
Head: 47.6 cm (18.74 in.) (63%)

Brilliant

I know that every mom thinks that their child is brilliant and wonderful.....but I'm just so amazed by Carson every day! Maybe it's partly that I don't know enough about children yet....I don't know what they typically do when.....so when he does these cute little things, I'm just so amazed and happy. He just brings such joy and happiness to our lives. I knew that I was going to love being a mom, but it's so much more wonderful than I even imagined.

Tonight, I let Carson open a Christmas present from Aunt Julie. Emma, always a good big sister, helped him. It was the coolest Little People tractor. He loved it. As I was getting it out of the box, I noticed that Carson walked off into the kitchen. I didn't give it much thought until he came back and sat down next to me. I went to move the wrapping paper out of the way and I noticed that it was gone. Then I realized - he had wadded up the paper and taken it into the kitchen and thrown it away in the garbage can. I seriously was just so shocked. How does he know how to do that?? I was just so proud of him! It's such a little thing, but I'm just so amazed to watch him turn into this little person! I can't describe it! I just adore him!

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed other little things like that too. He's been going to the sliding glass door to try to let Emma back in from outside. And since we've had snow, he tries to grab the towel to help wipe her feet when she comes in! I guess it just shows that they really are these tiny little sponges, just watching everything we do. :-) He also goes to his room on his own for bed. We ask him if he's ready for night-night and he usually gets up, grabs his blankies, and walks to his room! I just love it. Tonight, he took off and blew kisses to Daddy as he walked down the hall. Adorable! He's been doing the same for baths or when he needs his diaper changed too. We had a LOT of practice with that last week when we had a touch of the flu. Almost every time he pooed, we'd ask him if he did, and he usually nods and/or takes off for his room! It just still shocks me sometimes that he understands what we're saying. :-)

He's the sweetest little boy too. When someone asks for kisses, he goes around the room with them. He almost always starts with Daddy, then comes to me, and then to Emma. He doesn't want to leave anyone out. Such a sweetheart.

I know all of this is probably so silly to other people, but I just find it so absolutely amazing. And I just don't want to forget anything as he grows up! It just makes me smile. :-)

Oh - and he pointed to a ball the other day and, clear as a bell, said "Ball!" I'm telling you - brilliant! Haha. :-)

Emma - Santa 2010

We've been to see Santa quite a bit this year. :-) We went again today so Emma could see Santa at Petsmart. We have our framed (Petsmart) Santa pics displayed for each Christmas we've had with Emma.


We also went to Greenview a couple weeks ago. We tried to do both kids, but, once again, Carson was not crazy about Santa (so I unfortunately ended up in a couple pics).


Proceeds for both went to local shelters. Merry Christmas to all the furry babies out there too!

My favorite things

I need to remember to post all of those little things that Carson does that make me smile. You know, those little things that no one else would ever care about. I wish wish I could videotape everything. I just hope I never forget all of these cute moments that make me laugh. :-)

Some of my favorites:
- the way he grabs a book and literally just backs up with it until he finds a lap to sit in. I just find it so incredibly cute. He doesn't even look where he's going, he just goes straight back until he hits something/someone, and sits. :-) I LOVE that he likes sitting in my lap. I'm sure there will come a day that he won't, so I'll treasure it now. :-)
- the way he quacks every time he picks up his "animal sounds" book. :-)
- the smile that he gets when he sees his "sister" Emma! He totally adores her. Today, I asked him for a kiss. He shook his head, but walked right over to Emma, patted her on the head, and kissed her on the nose. Adorable! He now (pretty clearly) says "Sissy" whenever he sees her. He points, smiles and yells it.
- the way he still shakes his finger in the air when we read "No more monkeys jumping on the bed" (from Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed).
- his new "language". It sounds like French or something to me, but it's totally precious. He talks and talks and talks. I can't wait until someday I understand it! He is saying more and more (recognizable) words though - "Uh oh" "Daddy/Dad" "Mom/Mama" "Sissy". He tries to say his own name. Doesn't sound anything like Carson of course, but it's consistently the same "babble". He points at himself and says it. Then he'll point at Daddy or Sissy and say that. He's also got a "babble" word for milk too. That's my guess at least because he typically yells it as he hurls his empty sippy cup at me. Haha.
- his laugh. That deep belly laugh. I've tried to videotape it because it's completely infectious. Even when he's laughing because he just threw something at me, it's still so darn cute. I try my hardest not to laugh back.....but.......
there just isn't anything much better than a child's laugh!

Sick again

Seems like I could post that every week. :-( I was hoping that this year would be better than last, but maybe I'll hope for next year. Carson got sent home yesterday with a fever (and possible diarrhea). We didn't have any (diarrhea) issues last night though, so hopefully it's just a fever/virus. His fever broke last night and he seemed fine, but was back this morning so Daddy stayed home with him. Today was Santa's visit at daycare though, so we're bummed that he missed that. But hopefully cuddling time with Daddy will help him feel better today. And interactions so far with Santa haven't been all that great, so I'm sure Carson's not sad to miss it!

Lucas sent me this picture at work last night - poor guy!

Photo Shoot

Normally, when I post about a photo shoot, I'm referring to Carson. But this week, we had a photo shoot w/ Patricia Mingus for the furriest member of the family! :-) We should get the proofs next week. I can't wait to see how they turn out. Patty worked hard - I'm sure it's pretty difficult trying to get a picture of a dog and a toddler! Either one on its own is probably hard! But I'm sure she got some good shots and I can't wait to see.

We also took Emma to see Santa yesterday (at Greenview Nursery). Emma did a wonderful job - she's a pro at getting her picture with Santa. We'll go next week too for our traditional Petsmart photo. We tried Carson again too - no go. Santa is just too scary this year. :-)

I think poor Emma has been suffering a bit since the pictures though which makes me feel like a horrible mom! I think all of the up and down on furniture really bothered her back legs. She's been limping pretty badly since then. :-( I'm hoping that some rest will help her feel better! It's hard work being so beautiful.

My babies on the way home from Emma's photo shoot. They both slept very well that night!