Blog Challenge, day 25: Pedialyte type of day

Today, Carter is 11 months old. However I do not foresee me taking his 11 month picture today and posting it. That is because he is sick. After sleeping in until 8:33 this morning, he violently threw up all over us both while I was trying to feed him his bottle. Completely makes sense why he was so finicky taking his bottle and after 20 minutes still hadn't finished it. Also explains even more why he didn't really want it in the first place. Completely unlike him. He is a big eater. Other than this mornings episode of being sick he is happy, active and taking naps. Today is going to be a pedialyte type of day. Sure wish the hubs wasn't out of town on business on today of all days. Did I mention I am also trying to paint our dining room. Hard with a very mobile & active guy and a traveling hubs and now add under the weather baby. Love my fun and regularly hectic days the more mobile Carter continues to become. As for the past few days of missed posts. It is what it is. I underestimated how difficult it would be with the hubs gone on all these business trips and our little man occupying all my hours. Not to mention how exhausted I am when he goes to bed I am soon to follow right after when it's just me all day. Although I never want Carter sick and makes for a less productive day, I enjoy every minute of the extra snuggle time he wants. Here is a picture taken so far today. Like I said, happy and active so pictures don't show a sick boy. Makes me happy.

Blog Challenge, day 19: Snow

We have had quite a bit of snow the past week. With some very low temperatures (-7). Thankfully the low temps were only around for one day. Other than that it has been mid teens to high 20's/low 30's. Today however was 42. I felt like busting out my flip flops, tank top & shorts. Not really, but close enough. Remember we are closer to the sun here in Colorado, so as long as the sun is out & shinning bright, a cold day can seem much warmer than it should. This AZ native however is learning that doesn't mean there still isn't ice on the ground among all the leftover snow on the roads. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive vehicles!

Here is a picture of little man looking out at the snow Monday. Temps at the time were 6 degrees outside. Brrr it didn't get warmer than 10 degrees that day so the only place we made it to out of the house was the gym and that was all I could handle for me and little man.

Blog Challenge, day 18: Trip to AZ for two

Carter & I took a trip to Arizona for a few days beginning of November. There was a very important and big reason for going, my dad, Carter's Gampa was in the Country!!! Prior to this trip, we hadn't seen him since Carter was just over three weeks old. He has been dearly missed and we were very excited to get to see and stay with him for a few days. Gampa was trying to make it out to Colorado to visit our family of three however his reasoning for being in Arizona continued to be prolonged so he flew us out to see him. 

There are possibly close to 50-75 more photos from our five days with Gampa, but they are on his camera and computer. Once he shares them with us (Internet connection is not the best where he currently is), I will do a post of photos that he captured. Wish I had them on my camera to share now because I captured so many wonderful shots of Carter & Gampa together. And Carter getting away with too much while he was visiting Gampa too. While there we also got to see Jeff's parents, Grandparents and brother, as well as my Grandma Vi. Carter had five days of family fun and getting loved on by grandparents and Great-Grandparents.

Thank you dad for flying us out and treating us to such an amazing and wonderful time. You are missed more than words can express. We are looking forward to seeing you again in January, this time in Denver when we celebrate little man's 1st Birthday! 

Love and miss you & see you again soon!

Carter asleep on my lap during flight to AZ

Gampa & Carter having fun

Carter's 1st time playing the piano and both guys enjoying it

Carter all smiles getting ready for a day out and about in AZ

Carter & mama

Carter and Nana

Asleep at Nana & Papa Johns while all of us hang out and catch up

 

Carter's last nap at Gampa's in the rented crib 

(thanks dad for renting a crib for his stay)

At Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on way to CO

Phoenix Police Bear given to Carter by Gampa

UPDATE: Found another photo from our trip and it's too precious not to edit and include in this post

Carter snuggling with his Gampa!!

Blog Challenge, day 17: Goodbye infant carrier hello Convertible Car seat

We have said goodbye to our infant carrier recently and hello to our stage 2 convertible car seat for young Carter. Although it was beyond heavy carrying him in his infant carrier because the two of them combined weighed a lot, I loved our infant carrier. And have now realized how EASY it was to not only switch between cars because of the base that stayed in each car but also the convenience of being able to carry him into places without having to take him out if he was asleep.  That is no longer the case since I cannot just take him into a place in his stage 2 car seat and the base is attached to his new "big boy" seat so to switch between cars has become a lot more difficult and somewhat a pain. Oh well. I still love it.

Adios Peg Perego infant carrier and hello Recaro convertible seat!!

Carter Grey - 1/14/11, leaving Hospital and going home

November 2011 - one of the last times in his Infant Carrier

Hello Big Boy Recaro seat

He loves it!!!

Blog Challenge, day 16: In-n-Out Burger

Today, Jeff and I were both talking about how we would like a burger for dinner. When discussing where we should go for a burger, the only thing I kept thinking of is my all time favorite, In-n-Out Burger! We used to frequent their various locations in Arizona, possibly as often as once a week. Needless to say we did not get a burger tonight but I am still wishing we could have driven a few miles grabbed an In-N-Out, like we did back in Arizona. 

Below is a picture of my In-N-Out burger from a recent trip to Arizona (more on that trip to come in a post soon).  I enjoyed In-N-Out, three times while there for five days last month. How I order my In-N-Out burger....

Double Double, Protein style, no salt on patties, no onion, light mustard instead of sauce and extra lettuce! So delicious and oh how I miss that burger. 

Blog Challenge, day 15: Friday fun

Tonight the three of us had a night out downtown. Friday fun! It started off at the Pepsi Center for a Colorado Avalanche game. This was not the first time at the Pepsi Center for Jeff, but it was for Carter and I. Jeff had a work meeting and event and Carter and I got to be his plus one. :) Experiencing a sporting event, new location or anything for that matter with a almost 11 month old and very observant little guy is so much fun. You notice so many new things through their eyes and see everything so differently because how they react or notice things. For example, I actually noticed all the pictures of past performers and big games that are displayed as framed pictures on the walls of the club level because Carter noticed and pointed them out as we would walk by. Otherwise I probably would have walked by most, completely unnoticed.

It was a fun night out for some Friday fun with my boys. After the game in the high 20 degree weather we decided to grab a bite to eat at a favorite downtown spot, Osteria Marco. Carried a sleeping Carter in on dads' shoulder with a big blanket and laid him down on the bench next to me. Carter slept while we enjoyed a great meal.

Friday fun night was fun for me because I got to do something different, had the chance to meet and talk to new people, experienced everything through the eyes of a child and had a fun filled great night with my two guys!

Happy Friday to you & yours. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend.

Here are pictures from tonight:

Our 1st Hockey game in Denver

Our bathroom picture - sorry about the flash

Posing at the game

(favorite wallpaper in restrooms at Osteria Marco restaurant)

(Carter asleep in booth - doesn't even know he is out to dinner after the game)

Blog Challenge, day 14: First words

Carter has a few words in his vocabulary now. As a parent, every milestone is exciting. Every new word is thrilling. I shriek like a teenager who is seeing Justin Bieber in person whenever something new happens with Carter. New word, I shriek. New tooth or teeth, the same reaction. I find it all exciting and wonderful.

Carter's 1st word was back on Sunday, August 7, 2011. Jeff, Carter & I were shopping for things for our house all day and while we were at Bed, Bath & Beyond, it happened. I was pushing a cart, Jeff was pushing Carter in his stroller and Jeff told me to come over where they were and listen to Carter. I heard him as I was walking up and became overly exciting and acted somewhat hysterical. Carter of course kept  quiet whenever I would walk up and as soon as I would walk away, he would start again.  His first word....."mama"!! Yippee.

Carter's 2nd word was spoke a day shy of six weeks later, on Saturday, September 17, 2011.  His second word was "dada"! So cute.

He actually knows which of us is which and will say it when he wants one of us. If one of us walks away while playing with him, he'll say "mama" or "dada". When he wakes up. When one of us walks up to him, etc. Carter's first two words were the most thrilling and mean the most to us both. Melted my heart when he said, "mama" and again when I heard him say, "dada".

Since those two first words, he now says, "ya" and "no". We think there are a couple others he somewhat says and is trying to say right now but not enough to share. He is definitely a talker and excited for when it all makes sense to us one day. Until then, enjoying the few words we know and all his baby talk.

Blog Challenge, day 13: Croup

Has your baby ever had Croup? I hope not. Carter got it when he was four months old.  Croup was a horrible thing to experience as a parent and required a trip to the Children's Hospital ER around 4:00 a.m., one day back in May. 

Carter had just gotten over the stomach flu the week before. Daycare sent him home one day with it and I kept him home the rest of the week to ensure he wouldn't pass it to anyone else. Although we kept anyone else from daycare catching the stomach flu, I caught it just in time for the weekend. Awesome.

The next week started, we were both better and life went back to normal. Carter went back to daycare for a day and I to work. Then, the next morning (around 2:00 a.m.), I heard him coughing on his monitor. After checking in on him with his cough which was nothing at the time, I woke up around 3:30 to him barking like a seal. That is what his cough changed to in an hour and a half. Poor guy was having the hardest time breathing. Kept trying to cry but couldn't due to the breathing issue and continual barking cough. I kept holding and talking to him, trying to calm him down while we called his on call doctor.  After listening to him over the phone, she said we MUST get him to Children's Hospital right away. 

Once there, without any delay they checked him in and hooked him all up to start monitoring his breathing and other vitals. Without much delay they decided he needed some steroids which they were hoping would open up his throat and help his breathing return to normal.  Unfortunately that didn't work so they next sent in a breathing specialist and we had to do a breathing treatment. They kept us there for 3 hours after his breathing treatment and continued to monitor his breathing. Finally he was on the up & up and we were released. Between Jeff and I, one of us pretty much held him the rest of that day once we were home from the hospital. Jeff and I were exhausted but glad our little guy was better and on the mend. He was checked out Thursday of that week by our Pediatrician and his oxygen levels were fine and all was good. Of course I was not going to take any chances with taking him back to daycare and he and I continued to stay home the remainder of the week.

Here is a picture of little man's foot while we were in the hospital. They monitored his oxygen levels from his big toe.  I had a picture of him with the breathing mask on but deleted it that same week. It was too sad of a picture and nothing I wanted to look back on and remember. This is enough to remember that horrible and scary day.

Blog Challenge, day 12: Sparkling water and crystal light

I love water. I think it is delicious and refreshing but sometimes I just want something more. Sure I could spice up normal water with some fruit but I have something better. Do you ever enjoy a little sparkling water? It is such a refreshing and different way to drink water and also get hydrated. It tastes great on its own, with sliced fruit such as lemon, lime or orange or even some fresh sliced berries. Of course my favorite way to enjoy sparkling water if want a little treat is to add a packet of Crystal Light to my glass, stir and enjoy. Such a delightful, flavorful, yummy and guilt free way to hydrate. Sparkling water and crystal light is one of my favorites and I like to enjoy a glass (or more) a couple times a week. If you have never paired the two before, give it a try.

Blog Challenge, day 11: Halloween 2011

This Halloween was Carter's first. Although he is too young to really understand all the fun that is Halloween, it was still great to experience it all with a little kiddo. We know that every year it will be that much better to experience Halloween fun with Carter as he starts to figure it all out.

There were three things we did to celebrate Halloween this year:

1) Attended a pumpkin carving party with friends and lots of other kiddos. We did not get around to carving our pumpkins at the party as we were busy hanging with Carter and some other young kiddos around his age. Getting all the kids in costumes and trying to stay in one spot long enough to get photos of them all together was task enough. He took a liking to twin girls (5 months old) and we all hung out together the majority of the time at the party.

2) Carved two pumpkins at home a couple days before Halloween. Next year, we decided we will wait to carve pumpkins until the day/night before Halloween. This will help keep them fresh looking longer since it is so dry here. They tend to curl in after a couple nights....we found out the hard way. Do you keep or throw out your pumpkin seeds after carving? I decided to roast our this year and coated them with splenda and cinnamon. Delish!

3) Handed out candy to all the Trick-or-Treaters that came by on Halloween. This was our first Halloween ever together handing out candy, not only as a family of three but for Jeff and I as well. Years prior we were always at parties or out to dinner, and that was because we didn't get many trick-or-treaters where we lived all the years before. This year Carter was dressed in his costume all night and was included in greeting all Trick-or-Treaters and passing out candy. Great to see all the various costumes and have another memory for Jeff and I with our little guy!

Here our pictures from our various Halloween events:

Da-da, Ma-ma & Carter the Giraffe at the Pumpkin Carving Party

Just me and my Giraffe - love him!!

Carter with the twins, Molly & Ellie

I don't remember if this is Ellie or Molly but she DID NOT LIKE her costume! 

She kept crying. Carter was curious what the crying was about trying to cheer her up by poking her cheek. It didn't help. :)

Pumpkin carved by Meghan

Pumpkin carved by Jeff

Our little pumpkin (Carter's Halloween PJ's) and our two carved pumpkins

Splenda & Cinnamon roasted pumpkin seeds

Blog Challenge, day 10: Please excuse me, I'm EXHAUSTED

Please excuse me, I'm EXHAUSTED. This holiday weekend was fun, memorable and beyond busy. So busy that it is just a little after 9:00 p.m. and everyone is in bed. I am on my way to bed as well. I've already fallen asleep on the couch for a few minutes while I was thinking of all the things I need to get done this week. Therefore, with so much accomplished and taken care of and experienced this weekend, and all that is to come this week. I'm off to bed.

Here is a picture from this past week of Carter sleeping....love how he sticks his little bottom in the air when sleeping on his tummy and tucks his hands under his body so they stay warm. Too cute.

Carter passed out on Meg last night while she was babysitting him. 

Precious! He is such a snuggle bug.

Wishing you sweet dreams and a good nights sleep. xoxo

Blog Challenge, day 9: Date Night

Tonight's post is going to be a short one. Why? We are having a date night. Sans our little man!!!!!! Thanks to a dear and great friend of mine, Megan. We have been friends since we were six. She lives in Denver. She's a sweetie. She has offered many times to watch him but we feel bad asking. Then two weeks ago we got together for lunch, it came up (babysitting) and I said sure. Called and asked her last week and here we are on our way to date night. Meg is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G with Carter and he adores her. Hoping he behaves for her tonight. Thanks Meg for babysitting and giving us a REAL date night without our precious little boy. We appreciate tonight more than words can tell you. See you two in a few hours. Until then, mom & dad are going out on the town. Yippee!!!!


P.S. This post, just as last nights, is courtesy of the "blogger" app on my iPhone. Although I need to go on our computer and tweak last nights a bit, I love this application. I completed this post while in the car (Jeff is driving) on our way to dinner. More on iPhone and favorite apps in a future post.

Blog Challenge day 8: At night

There are a few things I cannot do without every night, well most nights. Let me share:
1) Checking in on my guy, Carter. Even though most every night I put him to bed, I still have to check in on him EVERY night before going to bed. IT.IS.A.MUST for me!
2) Carter's sound bear being on. It keeps him peacefully sleeping even while I am down stairs quite possibly being my normal, loud, klutzy self each night.
3) My pink, warm, fuzzy, cute UGG slippers. I need a new pair but they don't make this style any longer so I am going to keep them for a little while longer. Love that they are not only comfortable and my favorite color but also keep my feet warm!
4) Water next to my bedside. It is dry here. Very dry. Water helps keep that dry tickle in my throat more controlled during the night when it prayers me thank goodness!
5) Sudoko! I unfortunately am too tired some nights but many nights I try to complete at least one puzzle in my book. I also date, sign and write a little note significant to the day finished the puzzle in the book. Makes it that much more special when looking back at all the puzzles I have completed thus far. If it isn't Sudoko then it is either a book or tv. If it isn't either of those, then it is straight to be because I am simply too tired for any of it.
6) Saying goodnight and giving a kiss goodnight to Jeff. I truly believe the saying, "Always kiss me goodnight" and try to follow it.
7) Saying a prayer. Either just the one say with Carter every night and hopefully most nights saying my own.

That is all. I am off to Soduko, say my prayers, take off my slippers, take a sip of water and off to bed. Sweet Dreams.

xoxo

Blog Challenge, day 7: Thanksgiving 2011

Today is Thanksgiving. It isn't just any Thanksgiving though, it is Carter's 1st Thanksgiving. It made this year that much more special and amazing. We spent the day with some of my extended family. Thankful we have such amazing family here to spend the holidays with. Thank you to my Grandma & Grandpa Moose (full real name left out for online purposes) for hosting Thanksgiving and having us over. Love when we get to see and spend time with family but really love when Carter gets to. I know he is young now and won't remember these first moments but everyone else will, pictures captured will help and things like this blog post will help too.

Here are a few of the pictures captured today:

Carter sleeping in his running stroller after this mornings run - we brought him & the jogging stroller into the house as to not disturb him and he slept for 2 hours just as you see in this picture. I had to wake him up for his bath and bottle so we could move on to be with the family

Carter playing with his Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa's doggies; Alex & Condoleezza

(the dogs are such good sports with Carter - he chased them around the house - under the table, everywhere he could get on his own - he had a blast and they are so good with him - I have possibly 30 pictures of him chasing the dogs)

Carter & Da-da

Some of the boys in the loft watching basketball

Carter waiving hi to ma-ma and the rest of us talking at the table

Carter loving Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa's stairs - climbing them with da-da

Good job buddy, keep climbing

(thanks da-da for making sure I don't go "boom")

Carter snuggling with his Great-Grandma and admiring her necklace

Great-Grandma playing "this little piggy" with Carter's toes

Five minutes later - little man is fast asleep 

(thanks for Snuggling with me, Great-Grandma)

He wore himself out

Thankful he can fall asleep and stay asleep for a good nap while we all hang out around him & keep enjoying each others company

Carter - the people you spent your first Thanksgiving with:
Great- Grandma & Great-Grandpa Moose, Great-Uncle Johnny, Great-Aunt Lori, 2nd Cousins Marshall & Isaac and family friend, Dave.  Not to be left out...Alex and Condoleezza.

There are so many things I am thankful for and that we are thankful for. Love that there were multiple moments today where we took time to talk about and give thanks for all that we are thankful for this year. Hope you and yours had an amazing Thanksgiving and gave thanks for all that is great in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!!

(picture courtesy photobucket)