Momma Lou

We have had a very special week around here.  Momma Lou (aka Momma Wu) and Ed drove down this past weekend.  Ed had to head back to work on Sunday, but we got to keep Momma Lou all week!  It was such a treat!

Not only did the boys have a blast getting to spend time with her, but she was also a big help to me.  

Thank you, Momma Lou and Ed, for coming to see us!

Photoshop for Moms

This past week my photographer, Robin Winkles, hosted a class teaching the basics of using photoshop.  She is retiring soon so I knew I couldn't miss it in hopes she would share some of her secrets.  I used some early birthday money to purchase Photoshop Elements, which I love.  I feel like I have only scratched the surface on learning what I can do with it.  For now, I am sticking with the basics.  

 Disclaimer:  Even though Robin wasn't able to pass on her eye for photography, thankfully I have some pretty adorable subjects that make my job easy!

So if you have any fun tips or tricks for using PSE feel free to send them my way!  

Happy 11 Months Carson!

Here is what Carson is up to this month:

Bath time is one of his favorite times of the day.  He loves to be in the water and splash!  

Still army crawls everywhere.  I have seen him get up and crawl on his knees, but he moves so much faster with his own version that I don't think he will ever change.  

LOVES the TV remote.  If he sees it he will do everything he can to get to it.

 Whether we are saying hi, bye, or night night, waving is one of his favorite things to do.  

Started calling us "Ma" and "Dada"  He also tries to say bye bye which usually comes out "b... b..."

Now has 8 teeth.  4 on top & 4 on bottom

Plays pat-a-cake on command.  He claps, shakes his head for "roll em up" and then throws his hands up in the air for "throw them in the pan."  It is so cute!

Enjoys listening to us sing songs, especially when Connor sings.

Really into dancing, especially to this particular song.  He does this same dance every time it comes on.

This month he also started pulling up on everything.  He is slowly starting to cruise around the furniture.

Loves his crib!  A lot of the time I wont even know he is awake and will check the monitor to see this...

He will sit in there and play for a long time before even thinking about crying.  It might have something to do with us letting him have his pacifier in there.  I can already see how sleeping may be totally different when we stop using it.

He sleeps from 7:00pm- 8:30am at night.  Then has 2 or 3 naps a day.

Still not a fan of being in the car seat for a long time, especially when he is sleepy.

He has gone through a little separation anxiety  phase, but he gets over it very quickly.

Really into books this month.  Will next to his book basket and spend lots of time looking at them.

Wearing size 24 month/2T clothing and size 4 diapers.  

Already has started being picky about vegetables.  He will act like he is gagging or just push it out with his tongue.  I have learned that if I hide it in his other food he will usually take it.

Can be silly one minute and so serious the next.  He is such an observer that he will just zone in on whatever has his attention.

These are just a few of the fun things about this little boy.  Can't believe we are just one month away from his 1st birthday!

Under The Weather

I have taken on my role as nurse these past few days with the boys (Along with my co-nurses Daddy, Mimi, and "Momma Wu".)  After a visit to the doctors office this morning, we had some good news and bad news.  Good news was that they did not have strep (which has been going around).  Bad news was Connor has a really bad ear infection.  She said it was bright red and was shocked that he never once complained about it.  So a painful ear, not a sore throat, has been the culprit for his decreased appetite.  A virus was to blame for all of their other not so fun symptoms they have had this past week.

Thankful that this is all temporary and looking forward to seeing the thermometer say 98.6. 

In the midst of all this my baby is now 11 months!  Post coming as soon as Mr. Carson feels like having a photo shoot.    

Just For Fun

Nana's Birthday

The Mitchells came to town this weekend so we spent Saturday night celebrating Nana's birthday.

The kids enjoyed being able to play on the new swing set.

Grandmommy joined in on the fun too!

Carson and Hannah had plenty of entertainment with their older siblings around.

These two are growing up so fast!

Grandmommy & Cole

 "Happy Birthday to you!"

 It was a wonderful night spent with a wonderful family!  We love you, Nana!

Birthday Girls

Every year on September 7th we get to celebrate two very special ladies in our family.  We love you Nana and Aunt Rachel!  Hope you both have a wonderful day!

What's next mommy?

Our Labor Day weekend was filled with lots of fun events.  We had so many different things planned that all weekend Connor kept asking me "What's next Mommy?"  He was really enjoying all of the fun things we were getting to do!

Carson had his first taste of Friday night football.  We met up with Nana and Poppa for dinner and then headed out to the DS field for their first home game.  The boys both loved cheering them on.  Carson was so cute clapping and waving his arms all around.  He could feel the excitement in the air!

 We made it almost to half time before we left.  Wimberley ended up winning by a lot so I don't think we missed too much. :)

 Saturday morning we loaded up the car and headed to SA to meet the Armstrongs at Sea World. We have seen the Shamu show several times, but this was the only time I had ever seen them just stop preforming.  They decided they just wanted to swim around and play instead.  I guess they needed a holiday weekend too! :)  

 Typical scene with my boys- Cole and Carson happy to be riding the carousel.  Connor happy to be watching the carousel.

 Carson was such a trooper the whole day!  

 Connor and Jenna checking out the baby seals.

 Love these boys!

This never happens, but on Sunday we were ready EARLY and were just sitting around waiting.  We wanted to let Carson get every last minute of sleep he could so we filled our time with a little photo shoot.  

I prefer to hold the little monkey right side up! :)

Sunday night Cole and his dad headed to the 1st A&M football game in College Station.  With all of the fires along the way I was thankful they made it home safely.  

Monday was our much needed day of relaxation!  We loved having Cole at home with us.  The weather was so nice that we even went outside and didn't break a sweat! :)

I hope everyone has a great week!

Week 2

Noah's Ark was our Bible story this week so we decided to take a trip to the Nature Center.  We meet up with 2 other families that are doing the same curriculum and let the kids do some exploring.  Connor seemed to really like the reptile room.  I even heard him tell a snake "No eat the fruit!" Can you tell that we spent all of last week talking about Adam and Eve? :)

 This was our first time out there, but they have the neatest gravel pit where the kids can "dig for dinosaurs."  There are huge dinosaur bones hidden underneath that the kids can find.  Connor left covered in dirt and dust with a huge smile on his face!  As we pulled away he said "Thank you for taking me to the science center.  That was a great day!" So sweet!

Another favorite for Connor this week was the sink or float game.

 It was fun making predictions on what would happen and see how excited he would get with each object.

Our second visit to soccer cubs had major improvements!  He does SO much better in situations when he knows the routine and what to expect.  I think I need to start bringing his sweet teacher a treat every week!  Can you imagine coaching 3 year olds while all of their parents sit and observe?  She is a patient woman!

We are off to our first football game of the season tonight.  Seeing that kickoff is not until 30 minutes after bed time we are going to be lucky to make it to half time.  Thankfully both boys are down for a nap right now!  Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!