Carter, of course

I thought I would be so much better at posting while I was on maternity leave but I guess not! It is crazy to think that Carter is two months old now. He has changed so much already and it is so fun watching him discover the world around him. He loves to watch faces and lights and has started to roll over. Carter has also found his smile and he busts it out especially after being changed from a dirty diaper. At his seven week appointment, he weighed in at 11 pounds 3 oz and 22 3/4 inches long. He is out of newborn clothes which is sad and some of the three month clothes are getting short!
We have been battling baby acne for a while now but it seems to be getting better. He loves to take showers with James and get his hair washed in the sink. With all the hair he has, we need to wash it ever couple days but I guess beauty has it price! His eyebrows and sideburns are red and the rest of his hair is still brown with blond highlights. Who knows which color this kid will keep. So far the eye color is grey/blue but I hear that changes until they are a year so I guess we will have to wait and see on that one.

Check out the disco moves! The week before Thanksgiving he was blessed and it was such a special day. Carter looked angelic in his outfit from the Rejholecs and we were blessed with family who traveled here for the big day. Another big day is coming up for our family, my sister Nicole is getting married March 20! Carter is very excited to be getting a new uncle. Also, we are taking our first plane trip to Idaho next week for Nicole's graduation. Look out Idaho, here we come! I am nervous to be flying with a baby and have no idea how I am going to pack everything, like the car seat. Hopefully everything works out!

A week old already?

I can't believe it, but Carter is a week old already. We survived a week! There is a serious learning curve when it comes to all this stuff, but it has been such a growing experience and James and I have discovered what a great team we are. I really have a great husband who is very hands on and helpful whenever he can.

We have found that Carter has a stubborn personality, wonder where he gets that? If he is hungry, he want to eat NOW, and if he needs his diaper changed there is no quieting him until his toosh is clean. We are finally getting the hang of nursing which has made a world of difference for both of us.

He had his first doctor appointment on Monday and the doctor said he is a keeper! He also loved the 'surfer hair'. Carter has also gained an ounce since leaving the hospital so that helps me know he is getting enough to eat, a big relief. All in all, we are all doing great and learning how to survive on a couple hours of sleep at a time. Our families have been a huge help watching him so we can take a nap or a shower.

Milestones of the week: first hair washing (check out the curls!) and sleeping four hours straight!

He is here!

Carter Dean made his debut on October 14 at 2:21am after a long night of labor. He weighed in at 9lbs 7oz and is 21 inches long. We are so in love and learning how to take care of a newborn. He is already known for his awesome highlighted hair and being a cuddle baby. Lessons learned so far: the pacifier is your friend.

James is an awesome dad and Carter loves to lay on his chest. He goes back to work tomorrow and we both are dreading it. It is amazing how quickly this little man has become our entire lives.

Its a...

BOY! Looks like Cocoa and I are about to be out-numbered. We had our appointment yesterday and everything looks great. The baby is measuring perfectly and had no problems showing his stuff, so it looks like my little chat with him worked! The doctor even commented that the baby was incredibly co-operative. James was of course super excited, although he claims that if it was a girl he was okay with that too. In fact when the picture came onto the screen, and we could very easily tell what we were having, James yelled "YES!" with a Tiger Woods fist pump.

So we are now pouring over thousands of boy names and I am started to look into furniture for his room. I am getting bigger by the day, or at least it feels like it, and the baby has graduated from nudges to full on acrobatics. Right around 8pm, he wakes up and dances around for a couple of hours. James was able to feel the baby for the first time last week, which was fun to be able to share some of what I have been feeling for a couple of weeks now. Other than that we are busy and just waiting to meet this little guy.

Shy Baby?

Today was my 20 week appointment and it was a journal-worthy visit! We were only expecting to hear the heart beat, but after the doctor's assistant found out we couldn't get in to see the ultrasound doctor until next week, she offered to take a peek for us. After listening to the heart beat, and the baby was moving around all over the place, we all thought that the baby would be co-operative and show us what we wanted to see. Well guess who suddenly decided to be shy?! We saw everything from the face, the spine, the arms and legs, but that was it! Instead of helping me out and giving me a direction in my baby shopping, the baby mooned us, and that was it.

It is hard being disappointed since we got to see the little squirmer for 10 minutes kick and move, but COME ON! James, being the husband that he is, took me to dinner and Sees testers for dessert. Then I did some damage in the Macy's shoe department. This kid is already costing me!

Next Wed we have the appointment with the ultrasound doctor where we are hoping the kid will be less stubborn. If not, its grounded.

Guess whats coming around October 15th?

our baby...

Moose

The day before Thanksgiving, we picked up this guy as an early Christmas present to Cocoa. Meet Moose, a year old Chocolate lab. He is a total love-bug and Cocoa's new best friend. He can often times be found looking for food and trying to get into the pantry. He is a cuddlier and is working on putting on some weight. He is keeping us busy!