A new boy!

Carson has totally turned a corner this last week. We didn't realize how off he had been the couple of weeks since I had started back to work, until the last week when he's been so unbelievably happy. I suppose getting into the daycare routine, being down to one nap, a cold and two teeth coming in all at the same time was a little much.

I must say, I love him being down to one nap. We can actually go places in the morning and he doesn't get cranky when he can't sleep. This morning we went to the coffeeshop behind our house with the girls and all the kids and Carson had a grand old time. He totally looks up to the older kids and just following them around, staring at them in awe.

He's simply loving life these days. My friends are so brilliant, they all told me that each stage is better and better then the last. And it's true. While I loved his first year, it's amazing how much I am loving these days. He's so much more interactive, he's got the most amazing little personality, he loves everyone in his family and he's totally warming up to all our friends now. Today we were out shopping and he was showing everyone his Thomas train, waving to people and smiling at all the ladies and even playing peekaboo** with a lady on the elevator. I'm so very proud of the special little boy he is. Being back at work, I value our time together so much more. We are having so much fun these days, I don't look as forward to 7pm as I did the last couple weeks.

Tomorrow is a big day - we're going to an open house (friends of ours just finished renovating their new house) where there will be tons of kids (none that he's met yet) and I have no doubt he's going to soak it all in and have a fabulous time.

** watching him play peekaboo is quite funny. He doesn't always quite cover his eyes, it's normally his ears, his head, his neck....maybe one of out every 5 he actually covers his eyes.

Mmm toast with jam!

He's such a little boy, he loves playing with his cars and making them go all over the house, the bathtub, his highchair, the stairs, the coffee table.....

Minutes before bedtime, with a little bit of drool to boot!

Carson's 2nd Christmas

We had a really really wonderful Christmas. We spent lots of time with our family and friends and had some special home time with just the three of us as well. We were a little sad that we didn't spend the holidays with our PEI family.. maybe one year.

Carson's favourite things were:
1/ Playing with all his cousins, and chasing each other around the house
2/ Sitting on Nono's lap and controlling the train under Grandma and Nono's tree
3/ Eating turkey and stuffing!
4/ The pile of wrapping paper
5/ Stacking blocks and then knocking them over

He got a ton of books (yay!), clothes (can't wait to put them on him), lots of sets of blocks, a UV safe outfit (not sure how to describe it) for next summer, a super nice spring jacket, a sit on book reader and music playing contraption, toys for the bath, more books and quite a few cars (his favourite is probably a police car that has sirens going). Ssshhh don't tell him, but I think we spent under $10 for him in Christmas presents. We knew that so many other people were going to buy him things that we didn't really get him anything.

All in all we had a wonderful holiday!

Days before Christmas...

He loves being upside down!

Standing around with Daddy

Playing with his new tool bench, making Daddy proud!

Getting ready to go to a Christmas party!

This is what happens when I leave Jeff to do Christmas shopping with Carson!

Playing in his drawer at Grandma and Nono's

It's Christmas Eve, Carrie and Rob and the kids are on their way over for some Christmas cheer - and we'll be in bed early tonight hoping that Santa visits our house!

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to wait until hopefully all the Christmas cards had a chance to make it to their destinations before I posted his picture with Santa. I didn't realize how quickly appointments book up to get family pictures taken. So Jeff and I are standing on the other side of the camera this year. Hopefully next year we will be on the ball and get them in time.

Irked.

I just came home from shopping. It's 9:45pm. You know what makes me angry? When I see parents out shopping at 8:30 at night, with their babies. And the babies are crying, upset, tired and cranky. Don't get me wrong. I'm not angry at the kids. I'm angry at the parents. The poor little kids are exhausted and you expect them to be happy while you are shopping? I really try to not judge people. Maybe it's the absolutely only time they can get out to Christmas shop. Maybe I just don't know the whole story (heck, the only part of the story I know is that they are out shopping!) but really, kids need to be in bed, or at least having quiet time at that time of night. If the kids are happy - then all the power to them, maybe they don't go to bed early. But these ones that are crying for no apparent reason, rubbing their eyes, frusterated, whiny... it's not their fault - it's the parents! And it makes me angry. Like really angry. I feel for the kids! I'm not one of those parents that hates all other kids (Can you believe i actually heard a mom say that? That she loves her own kid but hates all others? Can you imagine?), I love kids, I feel for kids, I understand them (well, for the most part) and my heart goes out to them.

Anyway, the kid I love the most is pictured below. Rant over - I'm off to bed.

He's loving his bath these days. When I put my arms out towards him to take him out, he crawls to the other side of the tub, then sits down and looks up at me and smiles. We do this about 4 or 5 times. It's quite adorable.

Oh Christmas Tree

I'm not great at taking pictures (when I eventually have spare time, I really want to take a photography course!) but here are a few of my favourite decorations and the final product!





There are even presents under it already! Not for us of course, for the #1 in our household...... Mr. C

Brrrr!

It's cold out there! It appears as if (and I'm really reluctant to write this) Carson is back to normal. But he's been sleeping more and all around in a much better mood! The past few weeks he's been off - clingy, whiny, fussy and just not happy. We do all we can to make and keep him happy and don't mind giving him all the attention he needs but it makes ME sad when he's so off. Anyways, today he's been in the best mood he's been in since he started daycare. We knew he was just having a rough time adjusting, but hopefully he's feeling more settled now.

We went to chop down a Christmas tree today (I know, and I'm sorry, but it IS from a Christmas tree farm if that helps!). It was bloody cold!

We've taken over the sleigh from Carrie and Rob (which was passed down from Dad and Arlene), so we bundled Carson up in a big duvet we used to use while camping and went traipsing through the farm to find the perfect tree. We met up with Kaethe, Peter and Justen (Jaeda was waiting in the car, it was THAT cold)



Within a matter of seconds we had picked our tree. It was about the 3rd one I saw.


Kaethe and Peter had already chopped down a Scotch Pine and we actually thought we were going ghetto with our tree and that Kaethe and Peter had gone fancy schmancy but when we went to pay, we found out our fraser fir was almost twice the price!

But it's beautiful, it's Carson's first tree (we didn't get one last year, we were a little busy) and I'm so excited to put it up tomorrow.


Now we are home, we've eaten dinner, Carson's gone to bed - completely tuckered out. Tomorrow we are supposed to be getting 20cm of snow - everyone is saying no one should go out unless it's necessary. I'm going to do Christmas baking, laundry, decorating the tree (and house) and spend time with my two favourite people!

Oh - and tonight Carson played peekaboo. But this time, he was the one who put the blanket over his head and would take it off a few seconds later when we asked "Where's Carson". We keep forgetting that as he gets older, he understands so much more then we think he does. He did it for so long, and then as soon as we thought to take a video and actually got the camera, he got tired of it and refused to play any more!

Dec 12th....

All day yesterday I kept thinking - what day is it? The date sounded so familiar and I kept thinking I was forgetting someone's birthday, anniversary, an appointment... something! Then last night while I was lying in bed it dawned on me. It was Carson's official due date. At the time I was pretty happy that he came "early" (although I really think my due date was wrong, but that's another story).

This morning both Carson AND I slept in till 6. It was bliss! I've always know that 5am was too early for him because he was waking up and started crying right away. Before, when he was sleeping in to any time between 6 and 7, he would wake up happy and just play in his crib for up to 45 minutes. This morning, he woke up at 6 and played (but only for a few minutes because I had to start getting ready and needed a few minutes of Carson before I did that). And he was in a wonderful mood. If he had slept any later, I wouldn't have been able to have any snuggle play time with him, so waking up at 6 is perfect for him AND us.

I don't want to jinx anything, but he seems to be settling into the daycare routine (having 3 hour naps from 12-3) and we may be crossing that bridge of him sleeping in longer too. He's eating better and seems to be not as needy for me at night. Although now when we pick him up from care he starts crying when he sees us. It's almost as if he just realized that hey - you haven't been here all day! But as soon as I pick him up and give him a nosey (or Eskimo kiss, I think nosey was just what my dad called it, so therefore it's what I call it) he giggles and opens his mouth and gives me a big sloppy kiss.

Toast is his new word. He really gets the T going and then the rest just sounds like o. But it's cute. And he wants to give me everything these days. His blankie, his sippy cup.... no matter what he finds, he rushes over to either me or Jeff and gives it to us. So cute.

Roseola

Carson has a rash - on his stomach. S noticed it this morning and it's gotten worse tonight. I called Telehealth and they said it's most likely roseola, which is contagious BEFORE the symptoms appear. It doesn't seem to have affected his mood at all, he's not super hungry - but that goes in spurts anyways, so I wouldn't even call it a symptom.

Update - two days later, the rash is gone!

1 year appointment

Weight: 23 lbs
Height: 30.5 inches

He only gained a pound since his last appt, but he's still following the right curve in the growth chart so I suppose their weight gain tapers off. He did NOT like the doctor looking in his ears and his mouth :( There's some fluid in his left ear which may be a result of his cold, but I was told to keep an eye on it and if he gets a fever and starts pulling at it, I'll bring him back to the doctors pronto. The needles didn't go over so well, he was NOT happy. But we played a few of his favourite games in the room while getting him dressed so he got over it pretty quickly. After the appt I went back to work and Jeff spent the afternoon with him. When he woke up from his nap he apparently was pretty grumpy, and for about an hour Jeff couldn't console him at all. He pulled out all stops and could not get him calmed. He's good now, in bed, after he fell asleep in my arms and I had to sit there for a few minutes and just breathe him in.

Not sure what to do.

Ok, so I've been mentioning how our sweet little boy loves to wake up super early in the morning. 5am. No matter if he slept alot the day before or if he barely slept at all. When he wakes up that early, he's not normally happy. He's yawning minutes after he gets out of bed and he's typically cranky. It eventually goes away and he's happy again, but he's not getting as much sleep as he needs. And yes, he does need more sleep. He has alot going right now (cold, daycare, down to one nap most days) so it's hard to tell what's normally and what's going to be the norm now. I'm sure we will settle into a routine in a few weeks.

It would be better for everyone involved (first and foremost, Carson) if he slept till 6. That extra hour would make a world of difference to him. Now - for those of you who can't tell from my blog, or don't know me in real life, know that Jeff and I are pretty laid back parents. We follow his schedule, we follow his lead and we change our schedules in order to make him happy. We've let him sleep when he's tired, play when he's not, eat when he's hungry, drink when he's thirsty... I don't think I need to go on. And so far, he's been a delight so I honestly believe that whatever we have been doing is working.

A friend of mine offered advice (I have no idea if she did this or not, or just read it, or heard about it...) that I'm seriously considering. She said that if you wake them up (well, just enough so their eyes would move under their eyelids) about an hour before they've been waking up, then you disrupt their sleep pattern and they should start sleeping later. I only take advice when it makes sense to me, and this makes sense. So... do I try it? If it works, it would be so worth it. Or, do I wait a couple weeks and see if he settles into a routine of waking up a bit later himself? I don't want to jinx anything. I'm going to set my alarm (I've been waking up around 4 but watch this be the first day I sleep "in") and see how I feel at the time. I'll keep you posted (like you had to wonder).

This morning at "Breakfast with Santa"

EVERYONE loves the weekend

Including Carson. Today was a completely different day, compared to the rest of the week. He got all the attention he needed and we didn't send him to care. So he was happy! We spent the time in between his naps at Grandma's.


He's started clapping and waving bye now, he was a big hit when Carrie and Rob went to leave and he kind of surprised all of us by waving and clapping. He's been doing it for a few weeks now, but NEVER on command o when he was supposed to do it. I remember even at 9 months, reading that it was around that time he should start clapping and of course I, wondering why, he hadn't. I've changed as a mom even since then, I don't worry about milestones and when he reaches them. I know he'll do what he wants, when he wants.

Christmas Card

I wish we could send this as our Christmas card!

Yes, I was up again at 5 with the squirt. I normally get up around that time anyways, but it's much preferred if I stay lying in bed for a while. I'm running out of ideas, I've been reading my bible "Sleep Solutions" and just nothing appears to be working. I'm hoping it's separation anxiety (well, not that I hope he has anxiety) but I like having an explanation, a reason for his behaviour. He still has a cold, so it's probably a mixture of a bunch of things. It's been a tiring week (he still sleeps through the night though, thank goodness) but I've been up at 4 (anticipating his awakening) every morning, a full day of work, and then dealing with him (and yes, it sounds harsh but these days it is) until bedtime. He's still not happy unless he's with me, leaving me not being able to do much of anything.

When he first started to sleep less, he was still happy. Now? Not so much. My only saving grace is he loves daycare and isn't unhappy there at all. It's only at home. And I would rather it be me dealing with him then our caregiver. Not that I don't trust her (I do. Explicitally), it's just I am in a better position to offer my undying love and attention. We have also been spoiled. The first year, Carson was a dream baby - he was happy doing anything, with whatever we threw at him (although we were pretty good to him too), and no matter what changes were made, he just sailed right through them. So, it's completely understandable he's going through this now, with so many changes, but it's harder because I guess we just expected him to go through it without so much as a peep. We were wrong!

We are going to get our Christmas tree this weekend. First stop, Carrie's, to pick up a sleigh that's been passed down from Dad and Arlene, it will be easier to take him for walks outside in the sleigh I think, then the stroller... with the amount of snow we have here in Ottawa! I know it's not very environmentally friendly, but we get a real tree. Growing up my mom always had a fake tree and I swore that when I had my own house, I was going to buy a real tree. And so, that's exactly what I do. Keeping the gaffer away from the decorations is going to be fun. I imagine we will start decorating the tree halfway up. Sunday morning is breakfast with Santa. Carrie and the kids and a few other families are going so it should be fun (maybe leaving Daddy at home cause he's sick).

I got the sweetest e-mail yesterday from a good friend of mine, it sent me into a tear-fest (in a good way) and after I ask her permission to post it, I will.

Life has changed!

Wow, has it ever. I'm back at work now, and the days just zip by. I only see Carson for about 4 hours a day now, and it's hard. I miss our leisurely days together.

But this week it seems to be harder on him then the previous two weeks. From the minute I get home (this week Jeff has been picking him up from care) until the second he goes to bed, Carson needs to be held by me. Sitting on me. Holding onto me. Some part of his body MUST be touching mine, or he's crying/whining. I know it's because he misses me, and I don't think at this age they have any concept of time so he KNOWS there's a time when I'm not around, so when he does see me he holds onto my for dear life. And it's hard. On both of us. I need to change my clothes, go to the washroom, help with dinner.... but he doesn't let me do any of it. Without him in my arms that is :)

And now that he's one, he thinks he is a big boy and doesn't need to sleep! He's been sleeping from 6:30 - 5 and then MAYBE a 40 minute nap during the day. Yikes. He's dropped to 10 hours sleep a day when it used to be 16. Maybe I bragged too much and now karma is back to kick my butt. He has a bit of a cold now, so that may be it. Maybe teeth? Maybe just the new routine. Who knows. I hope it doesn't last. Although, part of me is happy I get to see him in the morning before I leave for work.

Happy Birthday Carson!

I can't believe it's been a year since he's been here. Being in the hospital when he was first born seems like years ago, and it feels like he's been here forever - but it feels like he's growing up so fast. He's changed our lives for the better and I would never want to go back to the way things were before he was here.

He's just amazing these days. He's talking way more then before - just a few words like Go, Mama, Dada, Go Up and Go Down (although these ones you really have to force out of him). He stands up on his own more and more, he has way more of a personality as time goes on. Everyone comments on what a happy baby he is. Nothing much phases him, you can pretty go anywhere, with anything happening and he just takes it all in stride, smiling the whole time. Even the caregiver said - is he always this easy? We've been having some issues with napping (I think we jumped the gun on trying to cut out one nap) but it's not even like he's grumpy (well, not until about 1/2 hour before his bedtime) and he's still happy. I think he's also excited to be at daycare and doesn't want to sleep too long to miss anything.

I head back to work on Monday and am not sure how I feel about it. I've gone through every emotion and overall - I know I'm looking forward to the next stage. So far, he's been a complete angel for his caregiver. He loves the other kids, loves the dog (Gizmo) he watches his every move, and he loves the goldfish. I will miss the mornings though. He is so snuggly and happy in the morning and I will hopefully get a few minutes, but not the whole morning like I'm used to. But I will so look forward to picking him up at nights, and the time we do spend together.

If the next year goes as fast as this one did (and it will probably go faster, with me being at work), he will be turning 2 before I know it. He's not walking yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time and then things will be purely chaotic. He's already into everything. Every morning the house is in order, with everything in it's place. Give him an hour, and the house is upside down and everything is everywhere. But I don't care, it takes a mere minutes to get everything back in it's place. I'm glad I'm not one of those people that need everything to be in order every second of the day or else I would be pulling my hair out. I love seeing the way he plays with things, what he chooses to play with, the way he looks at things, the things he does and just the way he is. I love that kid more then life itself. I'm sure it will only grow exponentially. Happy Birthday Carson, your dad and I love you more then anything and we couldn't be more proud of our little guy.

We had a big party here today (well, 18 adults and 11 kids) and it was absolute chaos and mayhem - but we wouldn't have had it any other way. Carson played with all the kids, snuggled with the adults (he LOVES his Uncle Rob), ate some cake (of course, it's his birthday!) and opened way too many presents. He got trucks, tunnels, tents, leapfrog games, clothes, a couple sets of mega blocks and lots and lots of books (you can never have too many books). Don't tell him, but I've actually put most of it away and will pull a new thing out every once in a while, when it looks like he needs a bit of a distraction, and I still need at least a square foot of house left for me :)

Here he is while Jeff and I sang happy birthday


Loving his blankieBeing chased by daddy
The guests

Cake! (I made from scratch, both cake and icing I might add!)