January

Since I have left facebook, I am going to try and post pictures on here instead for everyone to see.

You better enjoy them, because this was a lot of work!

Heres what Carter was up to in January:

Bath time splashes

Blowing kisses

He emptied the toy basket in his room and dragged it into the living room to read a book in it

He was bobbing back and forth in it and I told him he was going to tip over...and guess who was right...

Sitting naked

Hes only allowed to have pasta on bath nights

goofing around with mommy

cross-eyed drinker

playing with daddys gloves

He loves to play in the pantry

daddy and carter

real men drink straight from the bottle

loves to feed himself. Food only makes it in 50%

of the time












wearing Mr Potato heads glasses. He loves to make us wear them too

Good till the last drop






































daddy was cleaning out a junk bin and found his old glasses















best seat in the house, empty pizza box
















wrestling with Alexander

















cuddles with Cheeko






















multitasking....I hope the distracted driving law is not in effect in 15 years or someone is going to have some tickets!














playing in the pillow wall daddy made to keep the bedside table free of mr. destruction





















so handsome










having a fit because he couldnt have a banana after he pigged out on supper. He actually cried in the corner of the cupboards!

I told carter to call daddy in boston

escape artist




















"Im not tired, mom, please dont make me go to bed"

15 months

Call me a liar, cuz I am posting a blog in an off month!

Carter has changed a lot this month, and started talking more, so I figured it would be worthy to do one!

At 15 months, Carter:

- is in 12 month and 18 month clothing.

- is getting taller, but still short for his age. The pants keep getting rolled up at the bottom

- has go-go gadget arms. This kid will get stuff off the kitchen table, but still requires 3 inches of his pant legs to be rolled up. So the only obvious explanation is go-go gadget arms!

- aden means again

- dis is this

- anana is banana

- can go down stairs, and loves to crawl up and down the stairs

- points to the pantry or his highchair when he wants to eat

- says uh oh (the cutest thing ever lately!)

-loves playing in the pantry. His favorite items are KD and the dog treats. He points to the dog treats then to Cheeko and then stares at me. The dog loves Carter now that he is getting a lot more dog treats these days!

- is getting his 2 I teeth (finally!)..so that brings the tooth count to 8. 6 on top, 2 bottom

- is so happy these days. I hate putting him to bed since we have so much fun goofing around after supper and playing

- is getting better at sleeping through the night. Hes still up early, but its better at night

- loves rocking out to his tunes in the truck. He head bops and kicks his feet

- wants to be on the couch all the time, but thinks its OK to run on the couch, so usually couch privledges end in tears since we always tell him to when he tries to run and jump

- understands when we tell him 'sit' or 'on your bum' whenever he tries to stand up on his toys

-is such a pig. It seems like he's eating all the time lately, so maybe its a growth spurt. The other day for breakfast he had a banana, an eggo and some of grandpas toast. I would be stuffed after that!

- loves bath time, will even run to the bathroom when he hears us fill the tub

- lifts his shirt to show us his belly

-points to his head

-loves to push things around and make truck noises

14 months old

Yesterday Carter was 14 months.

Ive decided Im going to do these posts every 2 months now, since Im back at work, and he's not drastically changing like he was month to month.

A little update:

We are all getting back into the swing of things now that Im back at work, we're back from Mexico and Carter is sort of sleeping through the night.

Carter LOVES his dayhome (I say this a lot but its true).

He usually cries when we come home since its boring at home and none of his friends are here.

He is such a little character, and I love watching him interact with his friends.

Its scary to think that in 4ish months we will start potty training and move on to a new phase in his life.

At 14 months, Carter:

- is about 22 lbs

- is wearing mostly 12-18 month clothing, but I just retired some 9 month clothing we was wearing

- has 6 teeth (worlds slooooooowest teether)

- loves to run over Cheeko with his toys

- copies everything now, from sounds to movements, he is a spongs

- has wicked hissyfits and tantrums, especially when he is told No

- can use a fork, but prefers his hand since he can get way more in his cakehole at a time

- LOVES pasta and chicken

- loves to see how things work

- occassionaly sleeps through the night. He is getting better but we have started to let him cry it out and put himself back to sleep

- is done with a soother. He started not wanting it and taking it out of his mouth and trowing it out of his crib about 2 weeks ago so we decided last week to try and take it away. So far so good, we gave it to him last night after him screaming all night but thats been it

- hates loud sounds like the vaccuum or the dog barking, or the sound of the shovel when hes outside helping shovel the driveway

- loves to look at the pictures on my camera after I take them and will sometimes kiss the screen

- loves giving kisses to anything and everyone. Makes the pucker sound now too if you say "kisses"

- points at himself. We keep saying "Carter" when he does this so he knows his name

- loves to play with the magnets on the fridge

- likes to close doors, like the fridge door, the front door and his baby gate after he climbs the stairs

- obsessed with our water cooler and keeps playing with it and spilling water everywhere

- hates the snow, just like his mommy!

- loves the stinky feet game, when he pulls off his socks and gives them to us then we sniff them and go "Ewww" and make silly faces. He loves doing it to himself too

- loves to "boing". I will pick him up under the arms and just lift him up and down as we are walking somewhere and say boing boing boing until we get to where were going

- always mouths words, no sounds comes out but hes almost whispering

- loves to lay on his back, life his feet up and smash them on the ground. He really loves this in the tub

- will rub his hands together when we say "wash your hands". He will also do this when we use a facecloth or baby wipe to clean him, he is independent and wants to do it himself

- loves to pick little pieces of dirt or garbage off the ground. Always finds the little crumbs or pieces of paper in the house and comes and gives it to me.

Working Mommy

So Ive been back to work going on 4 weeks now, and Ive had a lot of people ask me how its has been going, so I figured I would write about it.

**Side note**
For those who dont know, I work in Group Life Insurance. You know those little handbooks you get that explain your benefits to you but that you probably didnt read (Dental Insurance, Life Insurance) well I make those, and the main Contract that your Employer keeps.

First off, going back was super annoying.
When its 10am and I am sitting in the lunchroom eating my snack, with my work clothes on, dont ask me if Im back.
Of course Im back.
I didnt break in, wearing nice clothes and high heels, to eat my yogurt in a building full of people I dont know(and the rest I barely like!).
Use your head.
Also, its no coincident that over a period of 9 months I got increasingly plumper and rounder and then suddenly I was gone.
I did not get fired for getting too fat, and then they suddenly rehired me back about a year later.
Again, use your head.

Now that THATS out of the way, lets get started!

Going back was also about as hard as I thought it would be.
I cried 3 different times the 1st day. I didnt think I would miss him that much. Ive been without him overnight a few times now, so going to work was going to be easy, right?
I had no problem leaving him, I knew HE would be fine, but it was the fact that I couldnt just go pick him up, or talk to him, or kiss him that sucked.

It took DAYS to get all of my systems back up and running, and took 2 fricken weeks for me to even get a phone and another week to get my number working properly again.
Super great customer service skills!

And speaking of systems...
I was testing a new system for about 6 months before I went on Mat Leave, and during my time off the new system went into production and everyone starting using it.
Testing a system is completely different than actually functionally using it.
Found this out the hard way as well.

I went back to work really cocky.
Meaning, I thought I remembered a lot of stuff.
I also helps that I work with Mark, so he would always come home and tell me about the different updates that we were doing to this new system, so I felt like I had an inside advantage.
Long story short when I got back to work I was told I was not going to be using the new system until after our big rush time of January, and that I would be in the old system.
WOHOO! I thought.
I know that system like the back of my hand.

Well, turns out that was a lie, and I was thrown out to sink or swim.
I have a really big problem of not asking for help, and my work has a really big problem of not offering help.
I have spent DAYS going through 2364 emails (yup, thats how many emails I had received in my year off), looking through different job aides and asking questions, but I am just not retaining this information!
While I do love a challenge at my job(I hate sitting around doing nothing), i consider a challenge to be making a non swimmer swim to the end of the deep pool and back on his first try, not plopping him in the Atlantic Ocean and making him find his way back to dry land.
Toe-May-Toe.
Toe-Mah-Toe.

As well as a new system, I also have a new Manager.
When I left we had a Manager(who has since got promoted twice) and a Team Lead (aka Supervisor).
My Team Lead was awesome to talk to, got things done, and kept me running smoothly.
She went on Mat Leave about a month before I did, and decided to stay at home with her little girl (jealous!) so thats something else that has also changed.

Our new Manager came from a different area, Annuities (American RRSP's) and doesnt have an extensive Group Life Insurance back round.
This means I have to rely heavily on my coworkers who are busy doing their own work, and dont have time to be my teacher.

So for me, all of that has been a challenge...no wait....headache.


Something else that is very different for me is the "friendships".
People that were attached like Siamese Twins are not speaking, and others who talked endlessly about each other behind their backs are going to lunch together.
I swore I graduated high school waaaay back in 2002?
I think I am going to keep to myself, and not get wrapped up in the drama and potential BS.
I am not a chick who has a problem sitting by myself eating my lunch!


Outside of work has also been hectic.
On Mondays we bowl so we feed Carter supper and thats it. I sneak into his room and kiss him goodnight when we get home around 10 and its bed time.
Tuesdays and Thursdays I go to Step Class at the gym at suppertime.
This means I pick Carter up after work(ish) and spend about an hour or so with him at home, and by the time I get home from the gym and inhale some supper, its his bed time.
I work at 6am so most times when I see Carter in the morning hes screaming his face off cuz he is up way too early and is tired.
Lately he has been better about sleeping, so on any given Tuesday/Thursday I see him for 2 hrs.
And just cuz he's in bed doesnt mean my day ends.
Theres still lunches to pack, dishes to wash, toys to clean up, you name it!
By the time 8pm rolls around Im exhausted, my feet hurt and I just want to read a book and lights out by 930.

I feel like these 4 weeks have been so slow at work, but so fast when I get home.
It will be Christmas before we know it, then busy time hits at work.
I will be at work from darkness in the morning till darkness at night.
I'll be lucky if some days I even get to see him.

I dont know how people with 2 kids do it!
I cannot picture us having another any time soon, its so tiring!


So there you have it!
Going back sucks, but I have bills to pay and Im not the first working Mom, so I know its possible!

Twelve

Holy crap, we made it :)
Ive only cried twice about it so far (tears of joy), but it is only noon ;)

MY BABY IS ONE!!!!

Its hard to believe that 365 days ago I was laboring at home, still hours away from going to the hospital and giving birth to my sweet little redheaded boy.

In some ways, it seems like just yesterday.
I still remember the whole day. I remember the pain, I remember the tears, and I remember everyones eager faces as we made our way to Floor 3 at the hospital to see what Pat was going to be.

I remember the tear filled first months(not tears of joy) , the anxiety ridden nights, and me thinking I was never going to have more kids since I was having such a hard time.

But then I look at my bright eyed, smart little walking son and I can hardly remember how little he was.
I see little babies in the mall (or where ever) and I forget that Carter was once THAT tiny.
7 lbs. Thats it! Its hard to believe that only 6 months ago he learned to sit on his own, I barely remember the days of being able to put him in the crib or on the floor and he wouldnt have moved and inch while I was gone! Boy, I miss those days!!

Not everything has gone according to plan in the last 12 months, but thats life!
In some ways I am the exact mother I want to be, and in other ways I feel a tiny bit of failure (just a little).

I wanted a natural labour, and thats exactly what I got.
I wanted to breastfeed him for a year, but I was only able to for 4 months.
I didnt want to give him a soother, but when he took 5 sucks of it and he drifted off to sleepyland I just couldnt take that away from him.
I wanted him to be a strong, independent boy, so we dont make a big deal out of it when he falls down or Cheeko knocks him over.

Having Carter has changed everyones lives. Most times good, other times not so much.
Being a parent isnt an easy job, but its been the most rewarding.

I am looking forward to going back to work, but Im sure that will wear off my lunchtime my first day back!

Carter has started at his dayhome as of last week and he LOVES it, but I knew he would.
I was very fortunate to meet Tania in our prenatal classes, but it wasnt until our Playgroup was formed that I got to meet a really great group of Moms who really helped me out.
Im so glad I was able to meet them, and spend a majority of our first year together and have other people there to tell you its OK, and that your child isnt weird!

When I drop Carter off, I dont feel like Im leaving him with a stranger.
Carter loves Tania and I know that this is going to be a great fit for our family, and it will make my return to work a lot less stressful, since I already feel like Im abandoning him.

I was saying to Mark last night that I cant wait for him to grow up.
I look forward to doing finger painting on a cold winter weekend, or going camping and him riding his bike in the campground. I look forward to having a handful of kids over for his birthday parties and taking them swimming and bowling and all that fun stuff. He can have friends over for sleepovers, and he can go to the Grandparents house and get spoiled for a whole weekend. We can stay up late on the weekend and watch movies. We can bake cookies together and run around at the park. I cant wait!

But never again am I going to wish for him to grow up.

This year went amazingly fast. I am so glad I got to spend this time at home and watch my little boy grow and discover.
Almost makes we want to do it again right now!!




At 12 months, Carter:
- is 21 lbs
- is in 12 months clothes
- is walking and even running (started a few days after he was 11 months)
- is so interested in food. Will try to grab our plates when hes already eaten is own supper
- is on homo milk, no more formula!!!
- is always talking. He cant do anything without being a motormouth
- always wants to be picked up. If I am sitting then he will try to pull himself onto me, and when we stand he pulls at our legs to be picked up. SO annoying
- still obssessed with the TV. Turns it sideways, smacks it, turns it on and off
- copies sounds he hears, like coughing, laughing, yawning, horns
- knows that if he fake coughs that we will ALWAYS look at him, so thats his new highchair trick
-loves Cheeko, always giving him hugs and crawling on him
- is so affectionate. He will kiss and hug his stuffed animals
- started to throw temper tantrums (already?!) when he doesnt get what he wants. Not giving in to him, Im setting the rules now!
- throws everything, his toys, his bottle and even his food. Might be a baseball player
- plays hard. Hes always banging things and throwing things and generally being as rough on stuff as possible
-tries to dress himself. He tried to put his shoe on the other day
- loves pushing the kitchen chairs around

T-1 = 11

So 1 more little month until CLo turns ONE!!!!

At 11 months, Carter:

- is 19lbs 10 oz. Need to beef him up a couple more pounds to turn his carseat around. YaY!!!

- is 29 inches

- is moving out of 9 month stuff into 12 month stuff

- speaking of clothes, this kid is spoiled. He has more clothes than he will ever wear. Kinda want baby #2 to be another boy, then the clothes will be used well, AND we dont have to do this again with girl clothes. Girls clothes are 20 times cuter than boy clothes, so we would be in trouble!!

- is thisclose to walking. He has taken lots of steps, the most being 5

- loves to stand, perfected his standing while on holidays

- will only walk when he is busy playing and doesnt realise he's doing it. He will just fall or bend his legs if we try to get him to walk

- is getting his 3rd tooth on the top...sooooo much drool

- getting more hair, slowly but surely

- has started to point

- hates socks and will usually pull his shoes off to eat them

- was in his first earthquake, too bad he'll never remember!

- went to the ocean for the first time

- went to BC and the US for the first time

- makes friends everywhere we go, he's a little flirt

- tries to drink the bath water. So gross

- helps dress and undress himself

- is so very, very determined. Wont stop until he gets whatever he is after

Double Digits!

Ten sounds so much older than nine, but alas, my big boy is 10 months old.

At 10 months, Carter is:

- 19 lbs 11oz

- 28ish inches.(hes too squirmy to get an accurate reading) Mr Shorty....always have to roll his pant legs up!

- is wearing some 6-12 months stuff, lots of 9 months stuff and some 12 month stuff.

- is getting his top 2 teeth at the same time right now, complete with a teething cold. I still hate teething!

- chats all the time, and has said Dog a couple times and Hi Daddy

- still has the cutest dang smile and dimple

- dances by bending his knees and bopping up and down, as well as stomping his right foot

- has gone on his first camping trip in our new (to us) trailer, and it was not as successful as I had hoped

- loves to share anything and everything. Even offered his toy to the ladies on The View when Cheeko didnt want it (we watch too much TV!)

- doesnt like Treehouse TV but loves watching the news. No Barney or Dora in this house!

- makes the click sound with his tongue

- LOVES to self feed! He especially loves eating Cheerios. and toast with a little bit of jam.

- is allergic to kiwi and yogurt

-is always grabbing at our plates, he wants to eat everything- he also loves water. Loves drinking it, and playing with it. Bath time is a mess, he is always in Cheekos dish and I even caught him reaching in the toilet once when I left the seat up (GROSS!)

- loves to stand on things and crawl over things. He will push his toys up to the TV stand then stand on top of them, and it always climbing on the highchair. He loves to stand on my feet or legs when I am on the ground with him

- stands on his tippy toes, which especially hurts when he is standing on my legs and digs his tiny toes into my thigh

- has stood on his own a few times for quite a long time (6+ seconds)

- will put his ear to the ground and look under the coffee table to his toys on the other side

- has taken a step back in the walking on his own department, since he has taken many falls on the face, and discovered that he can drop down to his butt, crawl and stand back up to where he wants to be. Might not be an early walker after all

- cries when told no, or he cant have what he wants

- hates anything on his head. Always rips his hat off in the sun, and his toque off during our morning walks (yes, very Canadian of me)
- has an obsession with the dog bed and dog bones