{10 Months}

My little man Carson.  You are now becoming a big boy, almost 1 already.  As clique as this sounds, where did that time all go! 

You are laughing like crazy especially while sister is running circles around you.  Smiling at strangers is your forte which has led to numerous unwanted conversations and an extra 20 minutes to our trip.  {Texans know how to talk!}

You have been weaning your formula feedings to only about 4-6 ounces per feeding.  The amount of food you consume during breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks is as much as I eat {practically}.  For example today you have 6 mini waffles and Madison did not even finish one.  Along with that you had watermelon and 3 ounces of formula.  Wow Manny you can eat!

You had a double ear infection that was cured with 2 rounds of antibiotics {note the kids are 6 oz different in weight, just under 23 lbs!}.  My suspicion is that your 6 teeth {all of which are poking out now} had something to do with those ears a bit {I know, there is not SUPPOSE to be a correlation}.  Your bottom two are about half way there and your top "fangs" are about a fifth out.  The top middle two are just now breaking the skin.

My smiley man I love watching you grow and play.  Opening and closing doors, pulling EVERY book off EVERY shelf is a favorite and you do not sit still for any book, let alone one that Madison is trying to read but you find eating the paper much more interesting.

Today we had lunch with Daddy and you would not stop staring and smiling at him.  After a difficult morning Daddy said he already felt better having such a happy man in his company.

You love you sister still and are beyond patient with her.  She loves wrestling around with you and all I hear is grunting coming out of that voice box.  I mean, literally she is laying on top of you.  Such a sweet boy you are. 

And of course you love your Mommy.  Little man, Daddy will be holding you and you will arch your back so you can lay your head on my shoulder.  Being near to Mommy is a must {just the way I always hoped}.

I love you to the moon and back sweet boy.

father like daughter/son

My little family makes me laugh.

As we walk out of a store the sneezing begins.

Madison

then

Carson

then

Ben.

Ben and I have always laughed about every time we go from inside to outside he sneezes.  And guess what trait the kids picked up.....

Sneezing!

Thank you Lord ;)  I know you are laughing right now.

lasting friendship

Moving to Texas was one of the hardest decisions and most difficult transitions I have had.  My positivity and optimism {most of the time} helped get through days of "what did we do."  But a large amount of credit goes to my closest friend in Texas, Lynn.  I distinctly remember the first time I met her I felt a friendship forming.  As a mother herself she was understanding of my stress and always provided positive reinforcement.

Lynn thank you for being such a wonderful person, friend and playmate to us.  Our life in Texas would not be the same without you.  The Lord knew I NEEDED you and what better place then to put you right next door :)

This is a regular occurrence, I mean like 3-4 days a week.  We get together, try some tot school or just enjoy playing.

Lynn is extremely sweet with my two and such a wonderful mommy.

Trying a new tot school idea....Just shaving and corn starch.  The mess was extensive!  For sure, an outdoor activity.

Caleb and Madison are acting more and more like brother and sister instead of a googly eyed friendship.  Caleb wants certain toys, as does Madison.  You can imagine the tug of war over the one sprinkler sprayer {thank you Lynn for purchasing a second} or the puppy walker that is technically Carson's.  I know the kids are growing from the friendship and sharing is said at minimum 35 times whenever we are together.  These have been great memories!



Note: We almost rented a house in a nearby neighbor.  We walked in and decided we hated {it was dirty!} it.  By complete chance this house went up on the same day, we saw it the next morning, signed papers and moved in by 2 that same afternoon.  God truly showed me His presence.  He knew my heart was heavy and my optimism dwindling.  Having Lynn and Caleb next door has been the most amazing blessing!

first hair cuts

"Watch a Moooovie"

This is what Madison kept proclaiming as she sat in her fire truck for her first hair cut.  She could care less what was happening and actually, I am not even sure she understood what we were talking about.

Madison watched the Lorax, danced under her cloak and smiled big for pictures.  She is my ever pleasing little girl.

Note the Lorax on TV

Note her hair

Carson looked like a big boy.  His hair wet, combed and cut made me cry {note: I am really not that emotional mother either}.  I felt a sense of loss.  My baby is getting big.  I soon realized I was going to be that mother that cries at the small moments because he is my last baby.  This is my last "first hair cut" and my last "first roll over."  For some reason seeing my handsome baby becoming a big boy engulfed my heart more than I expected. 

I look at him now and realize these last few months I need to cherish even more.  Not that I haven't already but the little everyday quirks are soon going to be a distant memory. 

Shagging Son

This was completely the hair stylist fault but we pretended she hadn't just knicked him.  Poor little guy just needed Mommy's hugs and he was all better.

I have a knot in my throat even looking at this picture.  HE IS GETTING SO BIG!!!

tot school {J} {K} {L} {M} ~ too many!

I must begin this post with... I can not post all the pictures from all our tot school activities.  We really do so much coloring, painting, chalking, tracing that if I posted every single one of those {I actually just don't even take pictures of it anymore} this blog would be full of the same things. 

I decided {because I am only 4 letters behind} that I am going to try and focus on more of the unique activities and not every activity we do for every single letter.

Whoa, now that I have that off my shoulders I feel so much better!

Jelly fish

The "ROARING" Jungle animals and the "RIBBITING" frog we accidentally caught in the pool

Just a big boy getting bigger

Because she is just so cute when she markers her whole face up

This sums up our entire summer...Popsicles, Heat, Naked Kids

Jello Fun

Jello Jungle Animals

New Box Play House ~ Thanks to an awesome and creative Daddy {Coloring the house was the highlight for Madison, even if that entailed "accidentally" coloring the real walls as well.

Helping Daddy is now a struggle to see just who holds the drill

Making Music

My little daughter amazes me.  She can trace lines and letters {the easier ones}

Playing with Tea Bags and learning how the colors spread and mix.  Making Daddy cookies with LOTS of sprinkles

Big boy with his big boy hair cut

Rolling, rolling, rolling gone

Our Toddler Time at the library had the cutest duck winner ;) {not really but I would have voted for her!}

My Mike from Monsters University {note the spoon is Mike as well}

Ladybug

Lion

Lamb

Lemons and Limes

Mailing Letters

Magnets

 

Obviously this is not quite in order but we are caught up!!!!!  N is next week and I am already brainstorming a few ideas.  Hope you have a great day friends and family!