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)

Blog Challenge, day 6: 8 & 9 month pictures

Carter Grey - 8 & 9 month pictures

Carter - 8 months old

Carter - 9 months old

These photos amaze me just how much he has already changed and that he is already 10 months old.  Time is going by too fast but we're trying to enjoy every moment.  When people always say, "it goes by so fast, enjoy it while it lasts", they aren't kidding.  We love our little guy and are amazed how FAST the past 10+ months have gone by.

Be back tomorrow.

xoxo

Blog Challenge, day 5: Six month weight & height

Never posted the stats from Carter's six month doctors appointment......

Weight: 16 lbs, 15 oz
     Percentage: 39%
Height: 26 3/4 inches
     Percentage: 65%

*** I'm stretching for this post. Is it bad that at this early into my challenge I am stretching it?!?! Hopefully not. We have a friend in town staying with us who we're having a great time catching up with and during the day I was busy with various appointments scheduled at our house for the day so needless to say I haven't focused on our blog AT.ALL.TODAY! I decided today this will be my post. Amazing to look at these stats and see how different they are now....mostly his weight!***

Happy day 5 of the challenge - how many more to go...yikes!

Blog Challenge, day 4: Carter's 1st Hair cut

There is a kids salon near us that we stumbled upon a couple weeks ago. It is called Jack & Jill Kidz Salon. What a cute name, right?! Yesterday, we had a hair appointment for Carter. Although we buzzed his hair ourselves when he was 3 1/2 months old, this was his first "true" hair cut done by a professional. For first time kids cuts, J&J has a special keepsake package they offer; certificate with a photo and locks of his hair. I was hooked that they would be the place for his first cut after I learned of that nice little memento.

Carter sat on Dad's lap for his hair cut. He did so well for the appointment. Didn't squirm, cry, and was a good boy. He really enjoyed the part of having his hair sprayed with the water bottle to make it wet. The hardest part was getting him to keep his head down while cutting the hair at the nape of his neck. Thank goodness for Velcro on his shoes and the help of another stylist kneeling down with me to keep his attention down when necessary. Fun experience and love how his hair no longer looks like a ragga muffin.

Here are some pictures from yesterday:

Little man rocking his new hair style:

He looks so much more grown up.  Love his new style and know we'll be back for future hair cuts for our little man.

Blog challenge, day 3: Ten months old

Our little Carter Grey turned 10 months young on Saturday 11/12/11. He is such a joy. We're very fortunate because most of the time, Carter is very happy and content and curious of everything going on around him. After his second two hour nap for the day on Saturday, I got him ready for a night out.

Before we left the house we took a few photos to capture his ten month birthday. Cannot believe ten months have already past.

Carter, after waking up from his afternoon nap. Notice his rosy cheeks?!?!

(still rocking his Michigan shirt after watching the game earlier)

Carter's 10 month picture

The past ten months have been such a joy and looking forward to all that is to come. 

We love you little guy!  

Blog challenge, day 2: more teeth for little man

So exciting, little mans top two front teeth have broke through the gums as of this week. These two teeth are now officially numbers three (his left front) and four (left front right)! Cannot believe our little man has four teeth.

We're happy to report that the only signs of these teeth breaking through the gums, was again nonstop drooling and rosy cheeks. THAT.WAS.IT! He still slept, took good long naps and was cheery as usual. Not sure how we lucked out again with such a happy and great baby while his second round of teeth came in but not complaining. Doubt we'll always be this lucky with teething so we'll take it while we can get it.

Blog Challenge, Day 1: BIG things week of August 21, 2011

Day 1: I found this post in my "draft" file and never posted it back in August.  Oops.  So I'll start day one with this old post.....

This week there were a few BIG things for Carter Grey.  BIG things ranged from milestones to a very important visitor.

Sunday (8/21/11), my Grandma Vi, his Great-Grandma Vi visited from Scottsdale, Arizona.  We had the pleasure of having her stay with us for a few days.  She spoiled him rotten,  spoiled us rotten and spent so much time with Carter.  They played, snuggled and did lots of shopping.  Thanks Grandma Vi!!  We miss you already and you are ALWAYS welcome back as a guest, anytime.

Tuesday (8/23/11), noticed that Carter wasn't just teething anymore with no visible proof (aside from his never ending drool and necessity to always chew on something), his two bottom teeth had broken through his gums. I was beyond excited.  Such a big and exciting milestone in my mind.  I kept hugging him, giving him kisses and shrieked like a little girl over and over.  Aside from his somewhat elevated temperature and rosy cheeks there were no signs of his teeth making an appearance and he did not react the slightest bit different from his two first teeth breaking through his gums.  He was still taking naps, eating and sleeping through the night.  Another great note is that Great Grandma Vi was here visiting when that happened and share in the excitement with me

Thursday (8/25/11), he went from sitting, to being on all fours, back to sitting.  Again, I shrieked over and over and cheered him on for this accomplishment.

Loved all those things that week.  Looking back was a fun & busy week and very thankful I wrote out this post back then so I could remember it all right when it happened and be able to share.

Tomorrow, day 2 of the 45 days of my Blog Challenge.....stay tuned

Blog Challenge - 45 days of blog posts

Today starts a self assigned blog challenge. I know that I have neglected our blog, however I am not sure why.  I'm on the computer probably every day even if only for a few minutes some days I probably could have updated on one thing or another. Time to make the time to post updates. This challenge will be filled with posts on things from our past few months as well as the present. There is sooooo much I haven't shared due to my slacking.  Get ready for the updates.

Now why 45 days? Because there are only 37 days until Christmas. This way my last post as part of this challenge will take us through Christmas and straight into the New Year. At first I was only going to do a 38 day challenge to ensure I post the day after Christmas and then the challenge would end. However I want to go past that and into the New Year. Seemed like I was not giving it my all with only 38 days and 45 seems even more of a daunting task to me.

Stay tuned...day 1 to start......now....ugh!!