Colin 10 months and Big Brother update

Colin is 10 months old....I can't believe he will be ONE soon! I think we are gonna have a double party for him and Carson, of course Baseball themed.

There haven't really been a ton of changes since his 9 month post...but here is what he has been up to lately.

• He will stand unassisted and now he claps while standing.
• He can walk with just holding on with one hand.
• He likes to walk in the walker, he was so proud of himself the first time.
• He started making the clicking noise with his tongue and does this constantly when he is in a good mood.
• He learned how to throw a ball and play catch.
• He just started waving, so cute!
• He loves the song "Elmo's world" he will just stare at us and smile when we sing it, he also loves his talking Elmo and laughs at it.
• He loves to climb on things that he is able to get on. I got the play tunnel out, and he and Carson are having a blast with it.
• He is really getting frustrated with the bucket car seat.
• He MUST sample everything we eat OR ELSE.
• I never mentioned this before, but he likes to prop his foot on his bottle while he is drinking it, so quirky.
• He is so busy these days, it's hard to get good pics! Here are some recent ones....

Big Brother: Colin and Carson have so much fun together, if we say "Where's Carson?" Colin will find him immediately with his eyes. 

Carson is such a sweet big brother, he will bring Colin toys, sing to him, he gets so excited when Colin wakes up from naps, and last night while they were playing in Carson's room, Carson was reading books to him. 

Carson loves to feed Colin finger foods, this is a big help while we are in the grocery store! 

Carson has the sweetest spirit, he told me "Mommy, I love Colin, he's my brudder". 

This was the only way I could get a picture of them, I had to strap Colin down in his car!

Happy 10 months Colin!!!!!!!!!!!

Carson stuff....

This post is mainly for me...so I don't forget how hilarious my little boy is, here are a few things Carson has said and done lately that just crack me up.

• When we draw, I usually write his name and a couple of months ago he started learning that we have names other than mommy and daddy. After that we started teaching him his last name and writing it. And he says it like "Phiwips" so sweet. He will hand us the chalk/crayon etc...and say "you wanna write your Phiwips" 
• A few weeks ago we were on our way to daycare and we ended up behind a school bus in traffic for a couple of minutes and he was so excited, and he wanted to know where the bus was going when it turned, so I told him that the bus picks up big kids to go to big school, and he said "oh, the bus is going to the dinosaur's house"....I guess he was just thinking of something BIG.
• Last week I met some of my girlfriends for lunch, and when I was brushing Carson's hair, I told him I was making him look handsome for the ladies, and he looked up at me and said "the ladybugs?"...:)
• When he was outside with Cory, he told Cory "I got something in my eye" and Cory said "what is it" and Carson said "a ladybug" and he just smirked, I guess that's his version of a joke...I don't know what the obsession with ladybugs is....he is really into bugs in general right now.
• He has never really been one to put things in his mouth, however he likes to put things in his EARS....he stuffs play dough in there and pretends its earplugs (he says earcugs) like Daddy wears when he cuts grass, and he has these little pencil topper animals that he puts in his ears like earplugs as well....oy.
• He LOVES to smell everything, and I mean everything. I think he gets this from me, I like odd smells like books (old and new), plastic wrapping, paper, etc...Anything new that he sees, he says he wants to "mell" it. He loves to smell his feet...total boy!
• Carson will still come sleep in our bed 1/2 way through the night, and one early morning, he heard Colin on the baby monitor crying while Cory was tending to him, and Carson rolled over with his eyes still closed and said "give him a bottle"...basically to get that baby quiet so he could get some sleep!
• He thinks now that saying no thanks will get him out of doing a task he doesn't want to do...like this morning, me, mom and Cory tried to offer him some breakfast and he kept saying "no thank you though"
• He has started answering questions with "no sir"...I guess he hears that a lot!

• He counts to 15 in Spanish and he counts more often in Spanish than he does in English...I think I need to tune him in to Dora to teach him some more since he likes it so much!
• He is completely potty trained during the day (oh how I hate public restrooms, I have now learned to never leave the house without Clorox wipes)...road trips take a bit longer now.....
• He is just the best big brother there is! These 2 already have so much fun together, I can't wait to see what happens when Colin can walk around really play with Carson!

I just can't believe how much of a kid he is now, he will be 3 years old in just a few months! My handsome little fellow! 

Carson Lately....

Oh Carson....who needs a TV when we have you! Seriously, this kid is hilarious.

Carson is a little over 2 1/2 years old and we often forget that. He acts much older than he is...

He absolutely loves music and singing, he now can sing his favorite songs entirely, and his favorite is still "Take me out to the ballgame" I am pretty sure we will be having a baseball themed birthday in August! I am also sure that a few Braves games are in store for this summer as well! I can't wait to get the boys matching Braves shirts.

He is ALMOST potty trained, he wears underwear to school and has been coming home with no accidents reported for the last week! He has pooped in the potty a few times, but really still prefers a diaper for that part, I am not worried I know he will eventually get it.

His favorite activities are playing outside (obviously!), playdough and coloring. Oh yeah and bossing Colin around!

He has really been loving books and movies. He is old enough now where he prefers the books that have a storyline, and he can sit still long enough to watch a good portion of a movie. He loves the movie CARS, and we watch it almost every night. He loves Mater, what's not to love!

Here are a few pictures of my adorable little boy:


Such an angel when he sleeps...

Such a handsome fellow....(Daddy taught him how to put his hands in his pocket, and he thinks its the coolest thing ever!)

The best big brother there is....

As goofy as they come.....

Just all around precious!

Brothers.......

I love my boys.....

They have such a sweet relationship already....

The first thing Carson says every morning is "oh! I need to see Colin" and he showers him with tons of hugs and kisses.

This is just one of the most adorable pictures I have ever captured......

On nights when Colin needs a bath, I ask Carson if he wants to take a bath too, and he says no. But once I put Colin in the tub, Carson is right there begging to take a bath too! He loves to pour water on Colin.

Colin already thinks the world of Carson, he watches him constantly and is always smiling and laughing at him....

The Boys Lately...

Carson (at 2.5 years old) :

• Counts to 20, skipping from 15 to 19 :)
• Sings the abc song, take me out to the ballgame, twinkle twinkle, are you sleeping, Barney song, Jingle Bells, and some other songs he learns at school
• Wears underwear every evening, will be wearing them to school in January
• Is constantly asking "Mommy, what you doin?"
• Loves yogurt like its candy
• Loves lollipops and gummies
• Loves his chocolate milk
• Loves to help us cook
• Has not had a passy in about 2 months! I was so proud of how adaptable he was, I can't believe I waited so long to take it away. We just clipped the top off one by one, night after night, telling him that the dishwasher broke them and he had to throw them in the trash and the garbage truck took them away. He STILL talks about how the garbage truck took his passies.
• He is in 2T clothes, size 5 diapers (hopefully not much longer), size 7 shoe
• He calls his underwear "ummywear"
• He loves to do everything by himself
• He loves his brother so much, and he tells him he loves him without any coaching, that makes me so happy; he loves to help me carry Colin's carseat to and from the car at school
• He can name his friends at school, and he tells us what he does at school
• His favorite toys at the moment are trucks, tractors, trains, balls, and his little people, and these tiny pencil toppers called sqwishies - he calls them his animals
• He absolutely loves the show Caillou and is starting to imitate Caillou (he told me there were Monsters in his closet, and it took me a while but I figured out that he learned that from Caillou)
• His memory surprises me every day, he remembers trick or treating at Halloween, remembers his Birthday, and he knows the route to daycare, and many other things I can't think of....
• He is absolutely hilarious!

Colin (at 4 months):

• Loves to stand up assisted and sit straight up so he can see what's going on.
• He is drooling like crazy and chewing on his fingers constantly
• I still swaddle him and he sleeps much better that way, still wakes to eat after about 6 hours of sleep
• He coos up a storm when he is "playing"
• Loves his passy
• He eats 6 oz about every 3-4 hours
• He weighs 15 pounds
• He wears size 2 diapers, size 3-6 months clothes (some 6 month stuff fits but is a little big still)
• Loves to grab his feet while laying down, he tried to get them in his mouth
• Loves to roll his tongue like a hot dog bun while he is cooing/babbling
• Is very close to rolling over
• Moves his knees and legs while he is on his belly trying to crawl
• Thinks he is 6 months old already, he will not be content lying down playing for long, he prefers to sit up or stand. The bumbo seat has been really helpful lately.
• His hair seems to be getting more blonde
• He is the happiest baby and is usually smiling, such a sweet little thing

This will probably be my last blog before Christmas......So...........................

 Merry Christmas to you all!

Halloween 2011

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! We started off by visiting a local church pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkin. Carson had so much fun running around and trying to lift the pumpkins, he also wanted to sit on as many as possible. 

Cory did such a good job carving!

Carson had so much fun trick-or-treating with his cousin Zoe, and they did such a great job! Halloween this year was such a blast since Carson "got it".....I can't wait for Christmas!

Here are some pics from our fun night!

A Princess and a Lion:

Me and my boys:

There are not enough words for the adorableness of this one :)

The babies did so good tagging along in their strollers:

Sweet......

The best house ever! This lady gave chips to the parents, toy cars to the boys and pink balloons to the girls.

The pretty Princess!

Lion and Daddy:

1 month

My little baby turned one month old on September 18th, time has flown by and before we know it we  will be at the 2 month check up, so surreal.

• He is doing awesome with the exception of some night time fussines, around roughly 11-2 ish, it is pretty tough to get him to sleep; I have gotten brave and have been trying him out in his crib in his room. 
• He has started to be more alert during the day, but still needs to eat every 3 hours at night and every 2.5  - 3 hours during the day (he eats 3-4 oz). This is the most exhausting thing for me since I am still breastfeeding and supplementing with formula. Its just a lot of work, very often, and Carson gets frustrated with the round the clock feeding. I keep telling myself to be patient and every baby is different.
• He can lift his head really well while being burped, I need to start some tummy time.
• He has the sweetest little smile and dimples, it just makes my day. 

• Carson loves to talk to him and hold him, kiss him etc....Carson only gets frustrated when I need to feed him, b/c I can't really do anything for Carson during feedings, and he continues to bring me toy after toy wanting to play....

• Colin likes swinging and the bouncy seat still, but he won't stay in there too long unless I rock him to sleep first (many times he needs to be swaddled). 
• He likes to sleep swaddled a little more now, but some nights he has a fit to get his arms loose so we just have to ride it out until he finally gets tired enough to sleep. 
• Part of me thinks he might have some reflux issues b/c I can rarely lay him flat on his back for more that 5 minutes, I can't remember if that is typical newborn behavior or not. I just keep telling myself that he eats well, keeps his food down, and is generally very happy so he is fine. He has a few fussy feedings here and there, so we are trying some sensitive formula. I think he just has some fussy time at night which is normal but I am starting to see some improvements. 
• He loves to be held and rocked, but that doesn't bother me, I just wish I had more time to devote to cuddling him.
• He is doing better keeping the passy in his mouth, so glad for that!
• He is in size 1 diapers and his newborn clothes are starting to get tight. In another week I will probably drag out some 0-3 month stuff. I think he is about 9+ pounds now.
• I love rubbing his little head, feet and hands and of course he smells like heaven. 
• Everyone said he has big hands for his age and I am starting to see that now.At his first check up, the nurse mentioned he was tall for his age  - I think he might be taking after the men on my side of the family (big and tall), but has Cory's face.

CARSON

• Carson is still being a great big brother as I mentioned above, and he has really loved being home with me. 
• He loves to help feed Colin at bottle time, and he gives him his passy when he cries and says "OK Colin" Once in the car, Colin got hungry and was crying and Carson said "it ok Colin, we almost home" HOW SWEET!
• My biggest surprise is that he hates daycare now, I had planned to take him once per week to give me a break and some alone time with Colin, but he gets hysterical when he realizes where we are going, and it breaks my heart so I will only take him when Colin or myself has a Dr. apt. It is going to be a tough transition when I return to work.
• I love having him home though, minus being exhausted, this is such a special time. 
• Carson is hilarious. He makes me laugh all day and I just wish I could remember all the silly things he does and says. 
• He loves our daily walks around the neighborhood, and he collects all kinds of random crap to put in the stroller basket. 

• He gets so excited when Daddy comes home (so do I!). He asks where Daddy is every 10 minutes each day!
• He has started to try to talk me into everything. If he wants something that he knows is against the rules (candy in the morning, or passy when its not sleep time) he says "I just HOLD it Mommy" he already thinks I am stupid! He will tell me that he doesn't need to go night-night, or if he drops candy on the floor "it not dirty mommy", or if Colin starts to get noisy he knows I need to check on him and stop playing so he says "Colin not mad Mommy."
• He does really well napping, thank goodness, and that's when I can either snuggle with Colin or get a few things done around the house, or a quick nap, just depends on my mood.

MOMMY:

• I have my 6 week check up this week and I think I had a stitch that did not dissolve for a while, so that's probably the reason I have had some discomfort this whole time.
• I have about 15 pounds to lose to get to pre-preggo weight, but truthfully I would like to loose about 30!
• I am starting to get use the crazy schedule around here. I just try to get out of the house once per day for my sanity even if its just a walk outside. We also go the Kroger, Target (or Tawwwget as Carson says), and Chick File.
• I look forward to a hot bath or shower EVERY night after Carson goes to bed.
• I am going to need a major makeover before I go to work, my hair is SO freaking long and my clothes are so old and gross. I really can't remember the last time I went clothes shopping for myself (w/ the exception of maternity stuff) and that is sad. I need and "mom's day out" big time!

Update!

We have had a pretty good few weeks so far, I love having Colin here...and I just love the newborn cuddle stage. It's like he has always been here and I don't know what we did without him.

Getting to know Colin:

• He is such a cuddly baby, he loves to be held, be in the swing or bouncy seat.
• He eats about every two - three hours. He is up to about 3 oz now, about half breastfed and half formula.
• He has some nights where he will sleep for about 4-5 hours at a time (in our bed), then other nights where he is awake every hour, the gas medicine helps and sometimes he just wants to eat again even if he just ate and hour earlier.
• He had his check-ups and everything looked great, the last weight check, he was at 8 lbs 4 oz (one week ago).
• He is obsessed with his hands, I am not kidding, I need an extra hand when I try to feed him just to get his hands out of the way.
• He really doesn't like being swaddled, which is so different from Carson as a baby.
• He is wishy-washy with the passy, sometimes he will take it, other times he wants nothing to do with it.
• He started to become more alert and looking at us and smiling :)
• He loves to be rocked, to ride in the car and any motion really.
• He enjoys the warm bath water but doesn't like getting bathed.
• He is still in newborn clothes and size newborn diapers although I think the size ones would work also. 

Carson:

• He is such a good big brother.
• He loves having Colin around and always asks where he is if he doesn't see him in the room.
• He has several names for him: Cawlden, Con, and Conyen
• Every morning he says (in a drawn out southern twang) "Good Mawning Cawlden" so cute.
• He likes to help us by throwing the diapers in the trash, throwing the bottles in the sink and he brings us Colin's passy, and helps swing him.
• Every time we even mention that Colin needs a diaper change, Carson runs into the other room to hurry and get his step stool positioned at the changing table so he can watch, it's hilarious.
• When we give the boys a bath together, Carson will give Colin some toys, and pour water on his belly, so sweet.
• He treats the bouncy seat like its his recliner.
• Whenever Carson wants my attention all to himself, he says "put in swing" referring to Colin, so funny. 

Mom and Dad:
I love being home with my two babies, Colin is so sweet and Carson entertains me all day. I even took them to chick file by myself the other day so Carson could play somewhere outside of the house, then we went to see the daycare staff to let them meet Colin, it was good to see everyone.

It took me a couple of weeks to really feel healed, I guess I thought this would be a breeze since I didn't  have surgery, but I just have to remind myself I pushed out and almost 8 pound baby!

Cory and I got to enjoy a lovely night out thanks to my mom and my aunt who babysat, it was a nice break but I did miss the boys. We ate at Tam's Backstage, if you are local to my area, it is a must-try!

I am really looking forward to Halloween this year, I can't wait to see Carson and Colin in their costumes, I am starting to brainstorm for their costumes!

Here are a few pics from the first 3 weeks:

Colin's 1st real bath with big brother:

All snuggled up after the bath:

Carson let Colin rock with him one night:

Enjoying the swing:

Hanging out with Mommy:

Late night awake time:

Getting dry after a bath:

Look at the sweet dimples!