10 Months!!!

Wow - Carter turned 10 months old yesterday!!! Weighing in at 15lbs 12oz, 27.25 inches. We didn't get to do pictures until about 8pm - so he was quite sleepy. This is just a preview, I'll hopefully do some more!

The next couple of weeks are going to be an adventure as I am only 1-handed (had a cyst removed from my left wrist yesterday morning). Sure makes it tricky with such an active baby!! He is now 1/2 army crawling, 1/2 regular crawling. Nothing stops him! He will go over, around, or through just about anything to get where he wants. He is also pulling up to a stand all the time, but the problem is that Carter likes falling backwards. It's a game to him since mommy always stays close enough to catch him. He still eats some baby food - but is also eating a lot of table food - potatoes (mashed & sweet), carrots, peas, pancakes, meat, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, just about anything!

Carter has been saying "dada" for awhile now - but it's more like "dadadadadadada" - not really any association. However, I swear he said banana (ok, "nana") while eating a banana last week. He also babbles many other consonant/vowel sounds, and I THINK he even got out "mama" at dinner last night. He certainly is a momma's boy these days - doesn't like having me out of view if he knows I'm home.

I will also be adding 2 videos - one of him saying "dada" while I try to tell him to say "mama". The other is him CRAWLING! Enjoy!

Just pictures!

9 Months!

Carter is 9 months old today and weighed in at a "whopping" 15lbs 2oz (27 inches long)! My tiny little baby is getting so big!

Lately he has been getting much better at entertaining himself for a little while in the pack 'n play. It's helpful to use the pack 'n play to contain him, because he sure is getting fast at that army crawl! He gets up on his hands and knees a lot too, but crashes to his tummy before he moves anywhere. I bet it won't be long! He is also sitting up like a pro - though if he starts to topple over, he still doesn't catch himself a lot of the time.

As always, Carter loves to stand and "run" across the room, holding onto someone's hands. He also has started to try climbing on EVERYTHING - from the ground, or when he's being held. He jumps in his exersaucer so much that it tires ME out just watching him!

Carter is getting to be a pro at eating his puffs (baby cereal), and I'm starting to work with him on some baby sign, like "more" and "Mom" (though I expect it'll be awhile 'til he actually uses it).

Carter also went on his first John Deere tractor ride with Papa last week. I REALLY want to take him on a bike ride, but it's not recommended until 1 year old, and his head is still at least 3cm too small for the smallest bike helmet. So my next goal is to set up the baby swing outside! He LOVES the fresh air and sleeps so much better after he's been outside for awhile.

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter!!! Carter really enjoyed his Easter basket, but he liked the treats for mommy and daddy more than his own. He got a stuffed bunny, a book, bubbles, PJ's, cherry flavored puffs, and a chocolate train.

Ready for the Easter Egg Hunt!

Look mom, I found one!

Yesterday we went to the farm to take some spring/Easter pictures - then played on the swingset a little bit.

8 Months!!!

Happy 8 months Carter!

Carter is starting to get very mobile, making it difficult to find time to update his blog (in addition to being back to work with a long commute). He's been doing a lot of rolling all over the place, most of this month. He can get wherever he wants to go, and no longer stays on a blanket. He loves to sit up, and can ALMOST do so unassisted, but I need to stay close or else he'll do a face plant!

On Thursday, March 11th, Carter starting "army crawling". He pulls himself along with his arms, dragging his legs behind him. Now he can get everywhere even faster, and I bet he'll be crawling soon! Check out the video:




Due to all this moving around, and that he's cut back on eating this past month (we think he may be starting the teething process), he's barely put on any weight. He's now at 14lbs and 25.5 inches. When he eats, he's really enjoyed his new foods such as mango, banana, and pears. He likes chewing on raw carrots too!

I almost forgot to add, that our first experience with the new pediatrician was a success! To start with, Carter slept almost the entire way there, and back home. Thank goodness since it was my first long-distance solo trip with him. Dr. Kaplan (at Penfield Pediatrics) was very thorough, and the office staff is VERY accommodating. He had his 6 months shots (at 7 months) and also his first flu shot. We go back next Saturday for his follow-up flu shot (yes, Saturday, they made a special exception so that I could get him there without taking a day off work).

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Happy Birthday Papa!


Got my arm out of the swaddle so I could sleep on my tummy!

Hey dad, I need some hair gel!

So this is what happens when I'm not home...

Joshua & Justin teach Carter how to play their Nintendo DS!

Carter is starting to figure out his sippy cup, but I'm pretty sure he drools more out than makes it into his tummy! Mmm...prune juice! And yes, he always pulls off his LEFT sock, trying to start a new fashion trend I think.

Tomorrow we go to Rochester to meet Carter's new pediatrician at Penfield Pediatrics. Pray that the weather isn't too bad for my first "long" drive alone with Carter!

7 Months ~ Happy Valentine's Day!

Sorry...I've been really bad about updating Carter's blog!

Carter is 7 months old today, one day before Valentine's Day! I HAD to go out to buy some cute little Valentine's stuff for taking his pictures, but first, an update!

Over the past month, Carter has really been moving around a LOT (perhaps one reason it's harder for me to update this blog). He just rolls everywhere he wants to go, and is always reaching for and grabbing his toys.

Speaking of toys, Carter has a "toy bar" that goes across his carrier to keep him occupied while we are out. Well, you know how when you're in a store and touch something that makes noise (a toy, musical greeting card, etc.)...you just HAVE to push that button...you listen for a second, then wish it would turn off to stop drawing attention to yourself, or maybe look around as if someone else pushed the button (okay..maybe I'm the only one who does this...). Well...the frog on Carter's toy bar plays music...and I was definitely the one walking around Target today with everyone turning to see where the music was coming from. At least I have a cute baby to blame it on!

Back to the update...Carter occassionally gets his knees up under him for half a second, but his feet are ALWAYS moving, so when he does learn to crawl...LOOK OUT! He is also SO close to sitting up on his own. Last night, he sat up for about 25 seconds without being held at all, but that was because he was mesmerized by something. Usually he is too interested in grabbing a toy, and topples right over as soon as I let go. It won't be long though (and we got him to sit up pretty well for his pictures).

I returned to work 2 weeks ago (another reason I haven't updated the blog...as I want to spend ALL my free time with Carter now that there isn't much of it). I leave the house at 6am, Mike is home until almost 2pm, then Papa watches Carter until I get home around 5:30 (Mike gets back about 12:30am). It's working out pretty well so far, and Carter welcomes me home each day by spitting up all over me (Papa swears he doesn't spit up all day, until I come home).

Carter is also LOVING his "solids". So far he has had prunes, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, and peas. Tomorrow he gets apples (another thing I froze for him back in the fall), then peaches and bananas!

We also switched Carter to a pediatrician in Rochester. It was a tough decision, as we really liked his pediatrician, and I'm worried about his doctor being so far away if something IS wrong...but with my insurance only being good in Rochester we had to either switch, or go broke (and there's always the ER or urgent care in a real emergency). I've heard such good things about this doctor from friends at work, and his first appointment is this Thursday!