No More Socks Since I'm Mr. Chatterbox!

Been busy these last few weeks, so I haven't posted much... But I assure you that in the interim, Carter has been practicing his [incessant] chatter! The boy DEFINITELY got my talkative genes!

Exhibit A (which also shows off his upper range around the 15 second mark):


Exhibit B (which shows off his ability to keep talking even with a fist in his mouth...):


And also we've reached the point of the futility of socks. Yes, it's summer, socks are now OFF the wardrobe list. Carter has found his toes and anything covering them, well, gets promptly removed by him. Demonstrated for you in Exhibit C (socks since removed, but look at that reach for the toes!):



We've almost hit the 4 month mark, so I'll post again later this week. Just thought I'd share some of the fun!

Have a great night!
~kerrie

Like Father, Like Son

Quick post to let everyone know that Matt's first Father's Day weekend was, well, less than stellar... Both of my boys were laid up with a bug, so most of the weekend was spent lounging around the house, resting, and feeling under the weather. Bummer, eh? Happy to report that as I write this, Carter is back to his healthy, chipper self! Matt, well, he's off to the doctor; I'm positive he'll pull through...

Despite his grogginess, Matt was thrilled with his Dad's Day gifts, especially the great stuff from Carter! You see, with Mommy's help, Carter gave Daddy ALL of the illustrated kid's books by one of Daddy's favorite artists: Tony DiTerLizzi (might know him from the "Spiderwick Chronicles" books/movies). So I can already predict some great bed-time-story-fun in our little boy's future!

Finally, no photo of Carter and Daddy from the weekend, as the camera battery died (but I don't think you want to see the boys tucked up under the covers in their PJs...). Instead, here's a quick shot from last week of Carter attacking his giraffe (taken from his activity mat).
Matt's off at the doctor's office (evening appointments...awesome!) and I think it's time for getting some dinner ready! Hope all of the dads (especially mine!) had a great one!

Have a great week!
~kerrie

PS Carter also did really well for his second round of babysitting with our pals, Myja and Gundar (and their son, Noah). I was out collecting an award for "Young Engineer of the Year" for New Mexico (I LOVE that I still meet the "young" criteria...I feel so old and tired lately!!!). Looks like our guy is happy around everyone watching over him!

Sweet Dreamin'

It's been a whirlwind these past few weeks with travel, activities, and visitors! Carter got to meet Clay and Jill (Matt's buddies from Ft. Smith, AR), Kaleb and Robin (Matt's buddies from Ada, OK), the Book Club gals (Kerrie's buddies from Albuquerque), and even got his first experience with a sitter (Paul, Kerrie's co-worker, and his wife, Eileen)...All in the course of two weeks!

And how did he handle all of the excitement? Like a champ! But even champs get tired...so here's a shot of Carter recharging (or catchin' some Z's) with Mommy:

Looks like the 'ol "work/life balance" requires a little sweet dreamin' eh? Fine by me! Who doesn't like an early-evening nap?!

Hope everyone is gearing up for Summer (officially starts on Sunday) with some sunscreen and flip-flops! (Which also means that the monsoon season starts for us in New Mexico too! Yay for rain!)

Have a great day!

~kerrie

Talking....It's in the Genes

Well, the boys survived while I was up in Denver for work. The house was still standing, Carter had his bath, the laundry was nearly done, and Matt finished washing up all of the dishes. Maybe I should go out of town more often?! :)

This post is about genes...as in, which genes have been passed on from Matt and I to Carter. You see, EVERY time someone looks at a photo of Carter, they all say that he looks like Matt. Looks like Matt...Matt...Matt...Matt... NEVER, does he look like me.

Well, we figured out which genes he DID get from me...the talkative genes! I came back to town on Saturday night and it appears while I was out, Carter decided that he should try his hand at "talking." And talking... And talking some more... Apparently, at 3 months old, there is a lot that needs to be said!

I mentioned previously that we've been having "conversations" with him to help out his language skills, and well, it appears that it's been working! Here's a short video from last night of our conversation about the weather. Sounds like he knew today was going to be cloudly with a little drizzle on the drive in to work. Where he gets his information is anyone's guess...

For your enjoyment, here's "Mr. Talkative" and his weather report:

If he starts rambling off the winning lottery numbers, I'll be keeping that to myself... Here's hoping everyone is enjoying their week!

~kerrie

The Boys Are On Their Own!

Do not attempt to adjust your interwebs, everything is under control. My control, that is! Old-Man Greenie is running the show for a couple days while Momma is out of town. Carter is very excited - and to celebrate our first day of lone-wolf-and-cub-ness, we decided to engage in the age-old tradition that every father and son should be a part of: Lion Wrestling. Before anyone asks, yes we are professionals, and no, no animals were harmed (much) during the course of our endeavors.

At first Simba here thought he had an advantage over my boy - sure, Carter's never faced a lion opponent in the ring before, and his unfamiliarity with the four-pawed foe allowed the yellow furry feline an early advantage. It was almost enough to force Carter to tap out, but Greenfelders are made of stern stuff (sterner than wusstastic lions, at least). Just look at the ferocity in his eyes - Carter is not an opponent to be taken lightly, ladies and gentlemen.

Fortunately, my mane man (the pun, gentle readers, is the most exquisite form of humor) quickly recovered and went to town on the business end of the king of the jungle here. As you can see, the tables turned quickly, and profoundly.

In the end, we ruled the match a draw - Simba went back to his den nursing his wounded pride (and his well-bent tail) while Carter and I retired to the kitchen, pondering what manly mischief we could work ourselves into. I suggested peanut butter pancakes and bratwursts for dinner, but Carter insisted we eat our fruits and vegetables. Just when I was thinking I was making headway on turning him into a he-man, he goes and shows off how proud his Mommy should be of him. Kids today.

So far, this boys-only thing has worked out, but then we're only into hour 9 or 10 of it thus far. We'll keep you posted on our progress. You may keep an eye out for any news reports about a man and son wielding katanas on motorcycles, though. For a final impression, let us leave you with the image of a pit-fighter extrodinaire, a real eye-of-the-tiger contender. A champion, gentle readers.

Carter is 3 months old!

The first 3 months have just flown by! And Carter's third month was filled with accomplishments:

• He's started to laugh (mainly at Daddy)


• He successfully started "school" (and they LOVE him there!)


• He treated Mommy and Daddy to their first overnight hospital stay in the pediatric ward (not fun!)


• His hair is starting to come back in (although it's blonde, so you can't see it...)


• He successfully slept through the entire night (and continues to do so!)


• He's moved into "size 2" diapers (for 15+ pound babies)


• He's moved into size "6-month" clothes (he's too tall to wear the 3-month clothes)


• He's averaging mile-long walks (ok, that's us...he just sleeps in the stroller)

And the most fun accomplishment, Carter is starting to have "conversations" with us. We say coherent stuff and when we pause, he babbles away - highly entertaining for us! Funny story: he was wearing his "little aviator" outfit the other day and I asked him, "How was flying today?" (you know, like he's a pilot...) And he let out the largest burb! So then after I got done giggling, I said, "So, spent a lot of time at the airport bar, eh?" And once again, another big burb! Hehehe!

...so maybe you had to be there....

I'll post a couple fun photos from the month to wrap this up. Here's his "Month 3 Photo" (on a handmade blanket from CJ - thanks!):

Here's his "completely innocent" look in his "Noise Maker" Dr. Seuss outfit:

A tear-jerking photo from the hospital (which again, was MUCH harder on the parents than it was on Carter - we're just so glad it's over and everything is fine!):

And showing off his baby blues in his "Born in '09" outfit:

I'm off to Denver for the rest of the week, so here's hoping Daddy isn't a nut job by the time I'm back!
~kerrie

Little Elvis?

So Carter has these striped pajamas...and if you don't zip them up all the way, it looks as though he's wearing an "Elvis" costume (either skinny OR fat Elvis will do for this analogy).

After bath time last night, we had him up on the counter and before he would let us zip them up all the way, he was shaking that pelvis, just like the King!

Tried to capture a couple videos of the excitement....so here goes (turn the sound on for the REAL enjoyment!):

Little Elvis - Part 1


And for the REAL pelvis shaking...

Little Elvis - Part 2


Hope everyone is having a great week!
~kerrie