Well we must be doing something right...

Because Carson was an absolute angel on our trip.

We couldn't get a passport for him on time, so we had to drive to Syracuse (3 hours) to fly to Florida. Our trip started Friday morning, we left the house around 6:30am. He was perfect on the drive. We got across the border with no problem and made it to the airport in time. We took two flights to Florida and he was either laughing or sleeping the whole time. I nursed him during take off and landing to help with the pressure in his ears and it couldn't have gone better. We landed in Florida around 5pm.

Then the obnoxious lady sitting behind us offered to get our overhead bags for us. Which was thoughtful, but ended up resulting in the arm of Jeff's glasses breaking off. This in turn, started us on our tour of Orlando trying to find a place to fix them. After about 16 hours of being in the car, plane, walking (a minor Carson-breakdown around 9pm that was quickly resolved by Dwight driving around the parking lot) - we finally made it to the house (without Jeff's glasses being fixed, they are now held together by crazy glue and tape). When we woke him Carson up once we got to the house, he was just laughing and smiling at everyone. He ate, then went to sleep. That was the latest he had been up in about a month. I would have thought he'd be super cranky, but he surprised us all. Then, he slept till 5:30 am!! That was the first time I've slept through the night in almost 3 months.

The house was BEAUTIFUL! A huge bungalow with four bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (2 ensuites). This was the view from the backdoor (we had our own pool and hottub) and the big greatroom.

Saturday the boys went golfing, and the girls stayed by the pool, went for a few walks and just relaxed. Then we all went out for a bite to eat, then once again back to the house to enjoy the weather.




On Sunday, Jeff Carson and I drove Lyne, Dwight and Sienna went to Disney World. Even though we weren't going, just driving through the gates got me all excited. I can't wait until Carson is old enough so we can take him there. Then Jeff's parents came to visit. They were staying about an hour away from us, so they came and spent the day with us. The first of two breakdowns was when he awoke suddenly from a nap in the car. He woke up and just started screaming and was completely inconsolable (despite major attempts from Grammie and I) but luckily enough we were right around the corner from home, and as soon as Jeff took him out of the car and held him, he went back to sleep.

Of course, this never really happens so I used it as a photo-op. What a mean mommy. Look at those big crocodile tears!

Then once again, for the rest of the afternoon he was his happy cheerful self.

Monday, the girls went shopping at the Outlet mall (big reminder that I must lose all this baby weight!) so I channeled all my spending on Carson. He now has a summer wardrobe bigger than mine.

Then Jeff took Carson for his first swim! He loved the water, just like his mom and dad.

Then, just as quickly as it began, our trip was over. Tuesday morning we got up early and took 3 flights back to Syracuse and then a 3 hour drive home. After they lost our luggage and the lights were left on in the van so we had to get a boost - we made it home safely and our little Carson was again, amazing.


The trip was too short, the travelling time too long. But I'm happy we went, I loved having the sun on my face. It was great not having to bundle him up all the time, he loves being outdoors and is so content to look around and check out all the new things. I hadn't had a chance to use the bjorn before this trip and he loves it. I will be getting a ton of use out of it as soon as a) the weather gets nicer and especially b) when he grows out of the infant car seat.




He is starting to smile more and more and he laughs all the time. He is definitely the happiest baby on the block, and I would say, without an exageration at all a minimum of 20 different people would stop and look at him and just say what a gorgeus baby he was. Lyne and Dwight even commented on how amazed they were with how good he is. He puts up with everything and anything.

This is my new favourite sleeper on him:




He really is such a sweet little guy, he doesn't make strange at all. Not that he did it much, but he no longer cries for no reason at all. We know exactly what's wrong when he starts to cry. The one that kind of makes me giggle is when he's nursing and he's so tired he lets out this little pathetic whimper/cry and has the cutest little face, it makes my heart melt and I smother him with kisses at that point. Then he snuggles on my shoulder and I put him to bed.

Wish us luck that our luggage makes it home soon!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday!! The camera is already packed, so no birthday picture wishes.

Well, we are leaving bright and early (actually, so early it will be DARK and early) tomorrow morning - will post pictures and an update upon our return. Wish us luck! The forecast looks beautiful for our sunny South destination.

12 week weigh in

He's 2 days short of 12 weeks and he weighed in at 13 lbs and 2 oz today. He IS a big bruiser!!

Just in case anyone is wondering why I post/blog so much - I'm eventually going to print out this journal and keep it. It's much easier to type then write, and at the same time I can update our family and let them know how things are going.

I'm such a nerd. I went over the list of stores in the Orlando Outlet Mall and wrote out the name and location of the stores I want to visit. I swear - I keep telling Jeff one of the things being a mom has taught me is to be so efficient. I multi-task like it's nobody's business and I get more done while Carson is down for a nap then I would ever do in a whole day or weekend. So, knowing I will only have a few hours to shop before I have to get back to nurse Carson, I thought I'd concentrate on the stores I know I want to visit.

Congrats to Phil and Nicole who just had a baby girl on Monday, Mirabel. What a beautiful name, and her picture is absolutely to die for.

Crisis averted

Yesterday I had a blocked duct and was worried about the possibility of mastitis (only really because we are leaving on Friday and I wouldn't want to be sick on our trip) but just as the books say, it seemed to have worked itself out.

Carson's face in this first picture makes me giggle.







Carson had a 5 hour nap yesterday to make up for his missed nap on Monday. Today? Packing. Laundry. Barrhaven Drop in Center with Nadia to weigh the babies. Tomorrow? Cleaning lady - must vacate the premises so maybe a movie?

Our bank account looks sad after we bought the van yesterday.

Wow

Packing to go away with a baby is stressful. I have about 3 lists on the go. I wouldn't be as stressed if we were going to visit someone, so I would know what stores are around in case I forgot anything - but I don't know what we will be near in Florida. Ok ok, I know there will be stores, but this is my first time travelling with him - it's to the States, and somewhere I've never been.

And yesterday, I noticed his nose is a little runny so I knew it would eventually happen but PLEASE Carson don't get a cold right before our trip! Today it didn't look so bad so I'm hoping it was just something in the air.

I'm going to try and squeeze in a shower while he's taking his morning nap, then off to the bank to get a bank draft for our new van, drop off some baby and maternity clothes (don't worry Julie, not yours!) at the women's shelter drop-off, go to Jeff's work to drop off the bank draft and home again to make sure Carson gets his afternoon nap. Yesterday he was a bit off schedule and only slept 3 times for 20 minutes each time instead of his 3.5 hour nap and it made for a cranky baby come bed time.

Just cause I love him....

We went to Dino and Alexis' this morning to visit with the whole family (sans Mom and Ricky who are still in Florida), then we came home and Carson crashed from about 2:30 until... (he's still sleeping and it's almost 6:30). He was awake more during the days this weekend then he normally is so I think he's just catching up.

I just look at him and think he's so frigging cute and I want to eat him all up. That's why I take so many pictures, I think almost every minute of his life is picture worthy.

5 days till Florida!

(I don't know why certain pictures post sideways and don't have the time to figure out why)

Yay for Saturdays

It was SO nice outside today, Jeff and I ventured out to Westboro. We stopped and had lunch at a fantastic restaurant (Milagro Grill). Carson was awake the whole time and in a great mood. He got a tad fussy just as we were leaving but as soon as he was in the stroller, he was happy as a clam. Here he is at the restaraunt with Daddy - and throwing out smiles like they were free:




Here he is all cosy, ready to go walking in the fresh air!


We took a walk around Westboro, made a stop at MEC (of course) and we bought a stroller dashboard for our new jogging stroller (to hold a water bottle etc..), made a quick stop at Julie and Tim's, a quick stop at Shamil's to pick up a golf travel bag (to hold Jeff's clubs for our trip to Florida) and then to Carrie and Rob's for a nice long visit.

Holy Happy Baby!

Carson is about the happiest we have ever seen him today. He's been smiling non stop for the past hour. He's in bed now, he goes to sleep for about 45 minutes after he's been awake about an hour first thing in the morning.

Once again, he slept from 7:30pm till 8:00am, with a quick feed at 3:30. No wonder he's so happy.

I'm just checking out the weather network now and it's looking pretty nice so I think we may head down to Winterlude. I think we'll keep him in the stroller, I think he's still too young to be outside in the baby bjorn, I don't have anything to put him in (like a snowsuit or anything). Anyone else with a young baby who goes outside with the baby in a carrier? Do you put them in a snowsuit? This would probably be good for me to figure out. I always have kept him in his car seat, and then plunked that in the stroller so he has his clothes, a blanket over him and then the cosy (bunting bag thing) over that.

Carson knows when the camera is pointed at him and he doesn't smile. As soon as the camera goes away he's cracking the biggest toothless grin ever.

Look at his chunky legs!


He lifts his head so high up all the time and just looks around, he's like his daddy and wants to know what's going on all the time.


This bunny makes him so happy.



NB: the majority of these pictures are being taken in our basement, with the fulgiest yet SUPER comfy couches and blankets :) Please don't hold this against us.

I won't post about Carson's sleep anymore (ok ok, he slept again for 12 hours with one brief feed at 3:30am). I love putting him down for a nap. I can read him like a book - I can tell exactly when he gets tired and I put him down right away. He makes a few cries of protestation but then he just closes his eyes and he's off to dreamland. He's exactly the same at night - even though we try and keep him up an extra 15 minutes to try and get his bedtime later then 7.

Carson laughs all the time now. My heart melts every time he does it. We have tons of toys, but the two that really make him laugh are these:




It's so amazing that he recognizes Jeff and I now. If I've put him in his chair while I start to make dinner, do laundry or anything and I come back to himn - he gives the biggest smiles. This morning, I put him on the bed while I got dressed and he was just lying there laughing - happy to be in the same room as his mommy and daddy. Jeff mooned him the other night, and he laughed. If you massage his legs and move them in the bicycle motion - he laughs. If you pull him up with his arms, to stretch, he laughs. When he's lying on the couch with his Daddy, he laughs.

I know he's only going to start laughing more and more, and I can't wait. I never really have my camera around when we are doing these things, but I'm trying to keep the camera around with me to capture these moments.

Oh no!

I'm in trouble! There is an outlet mall near where we are staying in Florida.

These are the stores for kids:
Carter's
Disney's Character Premiere
Hartstrings
JM Originals
K*B Toy Outlet
Little Me
Oilily
OshKosh B'Gosh
Polo Ralph Lauren Children
Strasburg Children
Stride Rite Keds Sperry
Tommy Kids

Granted, I don't know all these stores but the ones I do know - my credit card could do some major damage. Good thing for my bank account that I haven't lost all my baby weight yet or else I may be living in a cardboard box when we got home.

Blog worthy

I feel it necessary to document this. Last night Carson went to bed at 7:10 and and it's now 7:35 and he's still sleeping. He woke up at 4:00 to feed and was back in bed at 4:45 (he was super hungry). Did you hear what I said? That's 12 hours!

I still can't believe how easily he goes to bed. He doesn't cry for longer than two minutes (that's not an exageration) and maybe he needs to be comforted once about 5 minutes later for another one minute and then he's out cold.

Here is proof.

Yes, the secret is out. Carson sleeps on his stomach. I know it's a no-no, but he likes it. We grew up sleeping on our stomachs and it's funny how the more people who find out he does, the more people admit they had a kid who did as well. Anyways, we've gotten over the guilt and have accepted it.

The results are in...

I won't keep you waiting much longer - he woke up from his nap around 5:30 and was falling asleep by 6:30 but we gave him a bath, fed him and put him down at 7:30. Then the little gaffer slept till 3:30! He got up for a quick bite to eat, was in bed at 4 and slept till 5. Needed a little pat on the bum and slept till 6:30. It may just be a coincidence but I'm going to try keeping two afternoon naps and see how that goes.

Non-baby related:

He's back in bed now, when he wakes up, Jeff and I are taking the Civic to get the door fixed (rust spot that's been there for the past 4 years, Peter kept telling me to get it fixed, I didn't, it's worse...) so that we can sell it. Because yes, Jeff and I have bought a mini van. The Civic was nearing the end and we needed to get another car, so we figure no time like the present to take the plunge.

I'm a bit sad, the Civic was the first (and only car) I've ever bought. It had a mere 8km on it when I drove it home 8 years ago. It's been good to us, I haven't put a cent into it and we are still going to get most likely about 5 grand for it and it's been paid off for about 5 years. I loved that car. It's taken me so many places and through so many things. But, it's not practical to put a car seat in. It's had it's run and now it's time to move on.

So now we are a total Toyota family - Jeff and I will probably fight over the Matrix (I LOVE my Matrix) but I'll happily take the Sienna. I know I'll enjoy more space, even though the Matrix is bigger inside then you would think it is. The van will be great for our annual trip to PEI and Jeff's friends are looking forward to having a van to cart all the guys around for their golf trips. It will also be better when baby #2 (and maybe #3) comes along.

Run #2

I did it - went out again today. I'm taking it slow, my legs are pretty lazy and it's bloody cold outside.

So Carson slept from 12:30 till 2 and he went back down at 2:45 and is still sleeping (it's 4:30) I'll let you know what time he makes it to bed (cause I know you are all sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to hear the results)

Trying something new....

In hopes to get Carson to sleep at 8 instead of 7, I put him down earlier for his afternoon nap. What I'm hoping to accomplish is he will take two afternoon naps - waking up around 5 instead of 4 and maybe going to bed at 8 instead of 7.

It's probably all wishful thinking, because whenever I try and manipulate his schedule, he puts me back in my place and lets me know he's running the show :)

I know I shouldn't complain - and it's for selfish reasons that I'd like him to go to bed later, so I can get a bigger chunk of sleep... but I'm hoping we can come to a compromise.

Non baby related (well, for the most part)

Tonight I went for my first OUTSIDE run of the year. Actually, the first outside run in about 9 months. And it felt fabulous. Utterly fabulous. I didn't go far, maybe 4km. But, I ran the whole time and only walked about the last 100m, to cool down. I came back in, made a salad to go with the steak Jeff was BBQing, nursed Carson, ate dinner, took a bath and am now settling down for bed. I feel the most Christy-ish I have in a long time. It's wonderful.

Most people I know with young kids are having trouble getting them to bed early. Us on the other hand, are having trouble keeping Carson up. He goes to bed at 7, barely a minute later. I am very adamant about getting him into his crib when he shows signs of drowsiness, I know I hate being overtired so I don't wish it upon him. I wish he went to bed around 8 so he'd sleep in a bit later, but if he's up at 5... let Daddy deal with him :)

Monday... again

I think we'll head to Boomerang today and look for some 3-6 month old summer clothes to bring to Florida. I can't wait to walk outside with him in his Bjorn and not worry about the cold.

I called the airline yesterday and they said I can only bring a stroller for him - no baggage - so we can only bring 4 pieces of baggage in total (for the three of us) so it looks like Jeff can't bring his golfclubs because we need to bring a stroller AND a carseat...how annoying is that???

Picture Day!

Carson had a bit of an off day today. He wasn't really cranky, he just would only sleep on ME. I would put him in his crib and he did not want to be there at all, I didn't want him to get overtired so I let him sleep on me. It's really the first day he's been like this, so I figure I'll let the little bugger use and abuse his mom :)

So - we didn't go out anywhere, rather stayed at home, played, slept and I took pictures (71 to be exact!) Lucky for you, I won't post them all here.

TGIF!

I guess that's it!

Jeff booked our flights, we are heading to Florida on Feb 23rd until Feb 27th. We are flying out of Syracuse, that way we don't need a passport for Carson. My passport is expired too, and there is such a backlog we had no idea if we would be able to get it in time or not.

I must admit, I am a little worried about how Carson will take to being in the car, at a hotel, and then on a plane.... but I'm sure he'll be a trooper. Now I'm starting my list of what to pack!



Update: Nadia and I spent the afternoon at the movies, I came home and the house was spotless - I LOVE having a cleaning lady.

In the afternoon he's the cutest

Hmmm...

There's a good chance we may be heading to Florida at the end of the month, it all depends on me getting a passport for Carson. Which, I think is a tad iffy, because we need this registration of birth which we don't have - but I'm on hold (probably for the next 4 hours) and searching online for info on travelling to the States with a newborn.

Brrr!

We ventured out yesterday into the freezing cold, spent oh too much $$ at Costco and vowed to stay inside today, where it's toasty warm. Jeff even took the car with the car starter which means we are definitely in for good today.

I made it to the gym last night! I think it's better I go on my own rather than bringing him along cause I dont have to worry that he'll be crying and they will ask me to leave.

Yesterday I think Carson was cranky that I took him out in the cold - evidence below.

Our little boy

Looks so old today! I tell ya, it's all about what clothes he wears.

Ready to go walking!

So on Friday I picked up our new jogging stroller, and we installed the baby car seat adapter just now so I'm ready to start power walking tomorrow. You can't jog with babies until they are about 6 months old, so this way I can use the new jogging stroller (so easy to maneuver) with his car seat snapped right into it.

Now everyone is napping but me - maybe I'll use this time to go shower (normally I bring his bouncy chair in the bathroom with me while I shower) so I'll be ready to go when both Carson and Jeff wake up :)

He looks like who?

Everyone who has seen Carson says he looks like Jeff. Family, friends and even strangers (no kidding, we were in the doctor's office and the lady sitting next to us looked at him and said - wow does he ever look like his father). But really, there is a certain time when he looks just like his mommy, and my family will all vouch for it.



Here's Jaeda and Carson:



From the other night, we had a grouchy hour and a half (that's probably the longest he's gone being grouchy, I don't know what I would do if I was a parent with a child with colic!) But before and afterwards, he was happy - as always:




Now we are off to Rona and maybe out to lunch, depending on how the little one does. Then Carson and Daddy will be watching football tonight, pictures will most likely follow.

Wowsies.

Kirstin and Brad had their baby boy yesterday. The Yowsies part?

At home
10 lbs 4 oz
No drugs

Those 3 words are not any part of my vocabulary. But she said it was great - the midwife cleaned up, made coffee and bagels, made sure breastfeeding was working and then left. Kirstin was in her own bed with her new baby! I did not enjoy my stay at the hospital at all. Don't get me wrong, the staff & accomodations were fantastic but it was being in this strange situation, I just wanted to be at home in my own space, my own bed with my husband - I actually left the hospital a night early, I didn't want to be there another night.

Also, my little sister Sam is 21 today. That makes me feel old. Happy Birthday Sam!!



I just had a cold piece of pizza for breakfast - how healthy is that?

Very busy day(s)

Yesterday was spent shopping, although I ended up empty handed. Then Jeff and I went looking at new cars (ok, vans) - we were going to try heading out to dinner but then Carson was getting a bit fussy so we took him home, gave him a bath and put him to bed instead.

Now it's the norm that he sleeps till about 2 or 3 and up at 5 or 6 rather than it happening just once in a while. I would love it if he slept till 4 and then woke again at 7, but I can't complain and I am sure that will come with time :) I really don't have too much trouble getting up in the middle of the night, I love cuddling him at that time after he's eaten and before I put him back to bed. I know these times won't last forever so I'm trying my best to enjoy it before it's just a think of the past.

Today I met Carrie, Ethan, Isabelle, Nadia and Miss Sofia for breakfast - it isn't as easy as it used to be when just the three of us would meet - now it's the three of us, two toddlers and two babies! Then some shopping took place, Nadia and I ended up breastfeeding in the change room at the Bay (there is only ONE nursing station at Bayshore and it was taken) - then we all headed our separate ways. Lisa came over to pick up some dessert cups for her dinner party, then Carson and I headed out again to pick up our new stroller. My dad and Arlene bought us this(in mesa orange) and it finally came in. We had bought it at Kiddytown so we just browsed around (I love that place), then headed to Babies R Us to pick up a diaper bag (the one I had originally bought, a backpack, doesn't really work for us) and a few necessities. Then we headed home and here we are, waiting for Jeff to come home.

Wow - my life really revolves around this little guy now, he's all I talk about!

I'm glad that's over!

He cried like I've never heard him cry before - he had these big crocodile tears and it broke my heart. But he's a tough boy and he is fine now. I nursed him right afterwards and that somewhat soothed him. The tempra did the rest :)

He weighs 11 lbs and 13 oz and he is 59cm long - which places him in the 50th percentile. Jeff whispered to him "that means you can beat up 50% of the other boys out there" I rolled my eyes.

Carson's first time in the bumbo!

Not looking forward to today....

Our little guy is getting his 2 month shots today :( Our appointment is at 9 so I'm giving hit a hit of Tylenol (as per doc's recommendations) just before we go. They say lots of babies get sick (run a fever etc..) from them, so the Tylenol should help control that.

I don't like needles myself so it's going to kill me to see him get needles (can I close my eyes while holding him?). I now know that my mom was being honest when she used to say "If I could take all the pain from you, I would" becuase I would take 20 needles just so he didn't have to take one.

He's really really cute right now - in a white sleeper. Jeff loves him in white sleepers, he thinks he looks angelic. I would take a picture, I actually just tried to, but the battery was dead - so too bad for you. He had a great sleep last night (7 hours straight!) too bad I had the worst sleep ever - next time I better be able to enjoy his sleeping marathon.

My mom and Ricky leave for Florida today for a whole month - we are definitely going to miss them! We went out to dinner with them last night and with Nadia, Sean and Miss Sofia and both babies slept through the whole thing!

I'll update later on his weight/percentile and let you know how the little gaffer did. Now it's time to go wake Daddy so that I can take a shower.