Carter- 2 month old

My boy...

Weight: 16.7 lbs. and Length: 24 inches - that puts him at 99% in weight, 95% height and 99% head size - he is no dainty boy.

Started him on rice cereal (in his bottle)

He had become quite a snacker, so we have had to time feedings now to be three hours apart

Still hates to sleep.  At night we can get a solid 4 hours if we are lucky on the first stretch, and then it is all downhill from there.

Started to reach for toys on his play mat.. love when he does that.  If he gets his hand stuck in the toy though he freezes and has no clue what to do.

Has started to be a bit more independent.  We can get some good tummy times and bouncer chair moments in which is AMAZING.

Has a girlfriend... our air vent on the ceiling of the living room.  He finds her every day, and every day it starts loads of coos and smiles and bashful glances.  It may be the cutest thing you have ever seen.

We discovered he was tongue tied and had a procedure to correct the issue at 10 weeks.  He was a total champion about it and only let it bother him for a day.  His mother- a mess.  Carter- stellar strong boy.

Managed to gain 10 ounces in less than 48 hours... I mean... how is that even possible??

Loves, loves, loves bath time.

Coos and talks all of the time.  Has the sweetest voice and melts my heart every time.

Sticks out his bottom lip when he is feeling some sort of sad.  Pretty much getting me to do anything and everything for him... I am in trouble.

Advanced to size 3-6 month clothing and size 3 diapers in this month.

Has managed to make his mother and father more and more head over heals for him.  He is kind of a handful, but oh my gosh can he make our hearts EXPLODE with joy.  He makes us both tear up weekly as we hold him, all because we are so madly in love, a tear is the greatest gesture to explain the emotion.  We ADORE you son.  ADORE you.

Dear Nana, Thank you

This lady deserves a shout out. She is teaching me how to be a mother, and if I turn out half as good as her, Carter is a very lucky boy. Barbara Bellando Calver you have been our rock in becoming parents. The three of us are so lucky to have you. Love you is an understatement.

Happy Fourth of July

We celebrated the fourth in Carlsbad at Nana and Papa's house with all the family.  It was Carter's first introduction to a lot of the family and Nate and I just loved showing him off.  In Carter's early days, he had a tendency of getting over stimulated easily in big crowds- hated not being a part of the party.  Which just meant... no sleeping.  And with no sleeping, came a few tears.  Luckily everyone wanted a piece of the babe and we were able to pass him around and get him a few short breaks of shut eye.

After everyone left I drew myself a bubble bath in Nana's bathtub (this was a treat beyond treat that Nate and Barbara had me do frequently to get some me time in) and listened to the fireworks from our bedroom while Carter started his night sleeping.  I can't wait to take little boy to see fireworks next year!!

Carter showing off his eye contact skills towards his Auntie

One Month Check Up

This day was a big deal for me.  It marked the first time Carter and I drove in the car together alone.  I was stunned and tickled pink when I looked back and noticed my car seat/sleep hating baby had fallen fast asleep, leaving me to a peaceful car ride (one of my very first, with me as the driver, since Carter was born).

Carter: 1 month old

Carter in a nutshell by one month:

Gained 2.5 pounds in the first week and a half

Loves a good swaddle

Does not love a binky (working on it) or the car (working on it)

Favorite music- Mumford and Sons - the kid is rad.  Putting that music on (and really only that music) soothes him almost instantly.

Went on first Mommy/Baby excursion to the grocery store (for a hot second, and I was a nervous wreck)

Loves the outdoors- calms him almost at once

Tolerates the front pack carrier- I am so very happy when he likes it.  Free Arms!

Has been to San Diego once

Likes to party- stays up when we are with a lot of people, which I end up paying for later.

Knows his Mom - or at least I like to think so.

Smiles LOADS- not sure how much is gas, but melts my heart every time

Started cooing a tad around 3 weeks

Peed on Nana's face once, on Mom numerous times, and has even given my hand a good number two when changing him.

Ami got him to sleep in his co sleeper around week two- this was heaven sent.

Could probably eat all day long if he didn't get tired

STRONG kid.  His head barely wobbles, its kind of amazing.  During tummy time he literally army crawls to the other side of the blanket - makes his Dad so proud.

Learning to like bath time.  I am hoping it gradually gets better.

HATES being dressed or undressed.  Hates it.

Has stolen our hearts.  He is a bit of a handful (not sure how much of that is just newborn baby though) but as long as you are tending to him, he is such a joy.  Gives great eye contact, and melts your heart.  I am madly in love with him.

Trips to San Diego

Nate started to go down to San Diego for work a lot right after Carter was born.  Since the thought of being a lone with a newborn was far more intense than I could handle, we went down to and spent time with Nana and Papa.  We did this a lot.  In fact, it got to the point where we were in San Diego more than Los Angeles and we loved it.

Daily pictures to Dad

Nate's 28th Birthday

Poor Nate kind of got the short end of the stick on his birthday this year.  Carter was only 3 weeks old and I was still very stiff when it came to leaving the house.  So, Karly, Ryan, John and Laurie came to us and we had a bbq and watched the world cup along with some friends and Nanoo who was in town.  Nate said he loved it, but looking back, I wish I would have bucked up a bit better and done a little more for him. 

Either way, we love you Nate and are so grateful you are ours.  

Happy Birthday!