Laughter

Lately Carson and Noah will just start laughing at each other, sometimes for no reason I can see and it's soooo stinking adorable.  I wish I could get it on video and have tried a few times but get it ready too late.  It never lasts very long but sometimes it really just seems like Carson looks at Noah, gets excited, laughs and then it makes Noah laugh and they carry on a giggle fest for a few minutes.    Carson will do the same thing to Matthew but never me, I guess he just spends too much time with me and I'm not that exciting.  These two sure can turn a day around with their laughing!

I know this sure seems like a pointless post to most of you, but after reading our blog from when Noah was little, I have already forgotten so much that he did, I want to have all these memories since I seemed to have the worst memory, I sometimes really wonder sometimes if there is something wrong with it!

Isn't he Sweet?

Such a handsome boy!  A few weeks ago we had some pictures taken for Carson's 6 month,some of the boys together, a few of Noah, and the family.  If you want to see all of them go to http://www.picturesbyashley.com/apps/photos/ and our album is toward the bottom.

Well anyways this handsome boy still doesn't sleep through the night and we aren't just talking getting up once, it's usually still 3 times which comes out to about every 3 hours.  Not exactly great for an almost 7 month old.  Noah wasn't ever a good sleeper either, he didn't sleep through the night consistently until he was a year old.  I thought with Carson I was due a baby who slept through the night early but apparently it doesn't work that way.  (still a little bitter if you can't tell!)  Now since we have had 2 boys that don't sleep well at night the nervous mom in me wonders if it's me?  What do I do or not do that makes my children get up so much?  

Anyways last night I went back in our blog to see what Noah was/ wasn't doing at the age Carson is at just to compare the two and I read about Noah's nights at this point.  We had already pretty much weaned him off of eating at night he would just wake up and want his pacifier most of the time grr.... I remember how I thought Noah was bad at least we weren't still feeding him.  So last night I decided was it.  I was going to give up some sleep and start working on Operation Carson Sleeping Through the Night.  I can tell you right now Carson is winning.  Matthew ended up on the couch and Carson ended up sleeping with me in the bed, the little turkey!  When he woke up for the first time around 11:30 we moved him into our room so he wouldn't wake up his big brother since we were going to let him cry for awhile  and it wasn't for awhile, he went on and on for a long while!  I kept going over to him, sshhing him, rubbing his back and was still crying the same so I picked him up and tried rocking him.  He just looked at me in the dark all content and whenever I would put him down he would start all over again so after I was way past ready to go to sleep I laid down in bed holding him next to me.  The little cutie, went right to sleep without being fed and stayed asleep until 3 in which I just fed him so we could both go back to bed.  Then he was up and wanting to eat again at 5:30.  I figured we weren't going to go from 3 times a night to nothing, so we will just work on one feeding at a time.  I'm just hoping this doesn't take too long, I have to remember the prize, a full nights sleep of UNINTERRUPTED SLEEP (that's the key) hopefully most nights when we are done with this.  Oh it's been way to long since that has been a norm for me!  

Refresher

Friday afternoon, I left town with some moms to head to Bloomington-Normal for the Hearts at Home Conference.  On the way up Jen and I hit up Tuscola outlet mall, found some more summer stuff for the boys then on to Bloomington to meet up with everyone else to eat at Biaggi's it was a delicious dinner and boy was I stuffed.  It was so nice to eat and talk, and only have to feed ourselves and not entertain anyone!  Then  we went to the campus where we had Moms night out, where there was a brief worship session, and a comedy type show with a lot of improv.  It was a good show! Afterwards we had some ColdStone ( I  was bummed for not getting Homewood yet but this totally made up for it, my favorite! ) and then headed to the hotel.

We didn't get much sleep since we had to start early but it was nice to have some uninterrupted sleep! Then on to the conference we went the next morning.  The first session was by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, I like them, listening to them made me want to watch their show.  Then the rest of the day was workshop sessions which some of them were better than others.  Overall I had a great time, it didn't really matter what we were doing or what was going on.  It was nice to get away for a day, relax, and get to talk and hang out with some amazing women.  Jen and I left late afternoon before everything ended so we could get back a little earlier and see our kiddos before bed.  It was great to see them and hang out with them for a bit.

 I can tell you last night and this morning were so much easier after feeling a little refreshed, makes me a much better mom.  Last night I was so relaxed with them, I loved it.  I need to do this more often!  I love my children sooo much, but let's face it some days are just tough with them and every once and a while we just need a break as moms!  Thanks to my hubby who took care of them the majority of the time, did a great job and had the house pretty neat when I got home (he knows the way to my heart, haha)!

Slipper Love

Noah is still in love with his new slippers, playing on the deck, napping, at night, all day though out the house, yeah he's a little obsessed! 

This outfit just cracks me up, preppy shirt that goes with plaid shorts, athletic shorts, and his slippers.....I don't remember how we ended up like this, but I know it wasn't how the day began, haha! 

What a Day

Wow, was the weather beautiful today or what?

I woke up tired, worn out, grumpy and just wanting to go back to bed.... Then I forced myself to take the kids grocery shopping, didn't go as well as normal.  Then by the time we got back it was beautiful, we unloaded groceries and enjoyed the sunlight coming in through the windows during lunch.  The boys went down for naps, took great ones.   I was productive instead of lazy during their naps and then after naps we spent almost the rest of the day outside!  The day turned out to be an awesome day!  

Outside we blew bubbles... 

 Love this face, he was squealing at the bubbles, haha

 Carson enjoyed the outdoors as well.  He just chilled in his stroller for awhile watching Noah and I

 Noah pushed Carson around for awhile

 Scooting around

Matthew got home earlier than normal and  took the boys on a little stroll while I made dinner alone (that hardly ever happens)

 Then after dinner we went back out for some more fun, then came in to get ready for bed... Check out little cutie Jones loving all his Cars items and ready for bed.  We had got him these Cars pajamas from Kohls.  He's the one that spotted them, and I couldn't resist getting them for him.  I never thought I would think this stuff was cute before, but seeing him get so excited, I end up thinking he looks so cute in his character stuff.  Nana Jill gave him Cars slippers this morning and he wore them all day inside.  He even wanted to wear them outside but  I let him throw a fit and switched to his tennis shoes anyway and right when he came back in each time he wanted his Cars slippers right back on.  He is even sleeping with them right now!  Funny how they get so attached to stuff already.  

 Eating a snack before bedtime.  Our  fruit loving boy, he had pears and strawberries.  He would live on fruit if we let him!  

I dont' know what it is about sunshine and great weather after winter that makes you in a good mood and gives you more energy but I love it.  

I ordered the 30 day shred a few weeks ago and said as soon as it came in I would start it.  Well I got it a week and a half ago and finally started today.  I have been putting off scrubbing my shower forever and did that after working out tonight.   I made 5 ice cube trays full of baby food for Carson, organized most of my cabinets during the boys naptime.  It feels so good to be productive, hopefully the weather will stick around, I need some motivation and that bright shiny sun sure helps!  

Blessed!

Aren't these two handsome little boys?

Carson is getting big so fast and Noah is talking/growing up more and more every day!  

These two still love each other.  Carson loves to watch his brother and play with his toys and Noah still loves to get all up in Carson's business all the time.  We sure do have to keep an eye on these two.  One of them likes to knock the other one down, steals toys, throw toys, lay on top of his brother, which can be so frustrating but they also have all these moments that melt my heart!  I am so thankful for my two healthy BOYS!  

This parenting two young children has really had me worn down lately!  I have pretty much been worthless each night this week after the kids went to bed but am trying to play catch up and did get a lot done yesterday.  I may always have an ongoing incredibly long to-do list since there just isn't many chances to be productive but looking into those adorable faces of you two and having sweet moments with you guys make it all worth it!  

We love you so much boys and thank God for you everyday!  

Carson's Dedication

I'm sorry Carson, today was your baby dedication at church and your mom forgot to bring camera or  the video camera.  We do have witnesses but I'm sorry we don't have a picture or video for you to be able to watch.

 It was such a special service for us, you had all of your grandparents there!  You are one blessed little boy to have so many people love you.  Pastor Tyler did your dedication just like he did Noah's and spoke about your name meaning and we all prayed for you!  You and your brother did so well up there, we are so proud to be your parents.  You already have so many people praying for your future Carson, we look forward to seeing you grow up in the Lord and to see the awesome man you are going to be!  Love you buddy!

Big Mess

 This was Carson last night after eating some baby food.  

First we tried green beans, failed miserably as you can tell.  He spit it all out and was throwing a fit kicking his feet, and knocked the whole bowl out of my hands and all over him.  I left him in the mess, and continued on with carrots.  Worked much better, he ate quite a bit, and boy is he a messy eater.  He tries to slurp food off the spoon and ends up spitting it everywhere.    Momma Jones doesn't do too well with messes.  After this feeding, he went straight on to a bath and clothes, burpie, bib, and bouncy seat cover went right to the washing machine.  

 Carson thought it was really fun to make such a mess for mom to clean up!

Good thing he's cute!  

I have a 2 Year Old

This week we have a two year old.  Some days it seems like 2 is the best age Noah has been so far, but this week boy oh boy is he two.  He loves the word No.. Sometimes it's cute and funny other times it's very much not!  I don't think he always means to say No, he just says it to mean yes and no sometimes.  I will ask him a questions and sometimes he does that cute noooo, then he smiles at me like mom yes I want to do that.

He has started throwing lots of things again, and especially thinks it's fun to throw things at his brother, I can't leave the room while they are close to each other, if  I do it's a risk!  He is a boy and can be so aggressive sometimes with Carson, it's hard to get him to understand to be gentle.

Our days are split personalities, some of the cutest moments where Noah is just being flat out adorable and other's where he makes me want to pull my hair out!

Tuesday we were leaving daycare and I was putting Carson in the car while Noah was on the other side of the vehicle throwing rocks like he does at every chance he gets.  Then I was on my way to his side and he looked at me, grabbed a rock and looked right at the brand new looking car next to us (which by the way people were sitting in) and deliberately threw the rock at it.  I was so embarrassed and felt so bad and went to the window to talk to them, they said it was so no big deal not to worry about it but it was still so embarrassing. I know he's a boy, but the defiance is so hard to deal with. He knows so many times he's not supposed to do what he's getting ready to do but does it anyway We need to start potty training soon and with him I don't even know where to begin.   Right now, we ask him if he has to go on the potty before bath some nights and he usually just starts freaking out.  If anyone has some good potty training tips, we are open to anything!

On Wednesday, Matthew took Noah outside to play all morning and of course he loves it out there and has missed it soooo much.   I came home from Carson's appointment and it was so cute Noah was just jumping around on the driving squealing and yelling outside, outside.  He was just so excited to be outside!  I wish we would of got in on camera, some day he would of laughed watching himself freaking out about being outside.
This is one of those moments that just makes me want to squeeze him and kiss him a million times!

Being a parent is such a challenge sometimes, but also the most rewarding thing I have ever done, I wouldn't trade it for anything though!

Carson at 6 Months Old

Wow, my little baby is getting so big!  I can't believe he's sitting up and sitting really well all of a sudden.  He hasn't been laying down much these days except to sleep.

Carson had his 6 month appointment yesterday and he weighs  17lbs 7 oz, and is sitting at 49th percentile for weight.  At his 4 month appointment he was in the 36th percentile, so our little man just keeps on growing! In the area of height, he is now 26 and 3/4 inches and at the 57th percentile.  At his 4 month  appointment in height he was in the 40th percentile and how he is in the 57% percentile.  Our tiny little baby sure has been trying to play catch up to his big brother!  

At the appointment they said, everything looked great and he seemed to be right on target!  He sure was trying to grab everything, everything they brought close to him he snatched up!  And of course he gave them all his cute, sweet, little smiles to show them how happy of a baby he is!  He always does this when people talk to him, if it's between the hours of 7am and 5:30 pm, he does great and smiles pretty at anyone who talks to him!

Carson, at 5 months, you are....

-still getting up multiple times every night, warning that mean mom and dad are coming out soon and we're going to be working on this
-loves standing up and sitting up to play
-can roll over both ways but pretty much chooses not to most of the time and would rather not lay down period so he doesn't get many chances
-is in size 3 diapers
-is getting to big for his 6 months clothing, we have a few 9 month things we are pretty much rotating every few days.  I hate to buy a lot more (plus you can't find much long sleeve stuff out anymore) since hopefully warm weather to stay is around the corner
-is doing better at  taking longer than 20 minute naps the last few days and doing better most days with the bottle.  Thankfully he is consistently eating more than 2 oz at a time, it was driving me bonkers!  Still doesn't take as much at each feeding as he should (most likely because the little stinker gets up at night still to eat)
-has started some baby food, but haven't got on real schedule with it yet or have a system down
-wants everything he can see, loves to reach and grab for anything (faces, hands, hair, toys, his brother, you get close he wants you)
-likes to watch some of his big brother's shows for a few minutes
-starting to reach for people, when he is in his walker and wants out he just looks at me with his arms out reaching towards me and whining like "mom come get me out!"

Carson you sure can be a sweetie, and sometimes you even let me cuddle with you.  The other night I stole some cuddle time when you were sleeping, you got up in the middle of the night, and fell asleep eating.  Mom just continued to rock you for awhile, just enjoying what a sweet sleeping baby you were!  I know you are going to be running around here before we know it!  We love you Carson!