"Ooooh, I can't wait any longer!!!" 
"Holy cow!"
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Settling In
The 2nd full day in our new house was quite an improvement over the 1st. Nichole & I still enjoy it as much as ever but the kids are really warming up to it.
Carter is back to his normal 10-ish hours of sleep & he's getting to play with more of his toys now that we have the room.
Speaking of room, Athena's attitude has shifted 180 degrees. At first she didn't want to go out alone (if at all...she is really testing the limits of her bladder) but now she'll spend upwards of an hour out all by herself. It's almost as if something clicked in her head, "You mean to tell me that this is MY yard? And I can go out whenever I want? Well, why didn't you day so???"
If she thinks she likes it now, she'll love it in the spring when we put the fence up so she can roam from corner to corner of the...HER yard.
As far as us, the kitchen is almost complete (a man's gotta eat!) and the living room is not too far behind. Next up will be the playroom and garage...yippee!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Carter is back to his normal 10-ish hours of sleep & he's getting to play with more of his toys now that we have the room.
Speaking of room, Athena's attitude has shifted 180 degrees. At first she didn't want to go out alone (if at all...she is really testing the limits of her bladder) but now she'll spend upwards of an hour out all by herself. It's almost as if something clicked in her head, "You mean to tell me that this is MY yard? And I can go out whenever I want? Well, why didn't you day so???"
If she thinks she likes it now, she'll love it in the spring when we put the fence up so she can roam from corner to corner of the...HER yard.
As far as us, the kitchen is almost complete (a man's gotta eat!) and the living room is not too far behind. Next up will be the playroom and garage...yippee!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Monday, December 7, 2009
Finally!
The move went relatively smooth due in great part to family and some great friends. We are so grateful to be blessed with such selfless people in out lives.
Last night was our first night there. Carter seemed unaffected with the exception that he felt he had to eat every 2 hours throughout the night.
Athena still isn't quite sure despite all of her stuff being there and a big back yard to play in, but she is slowly warming up to the place.
Both Nichole & I can't believe we actually had that much...crap (okay, someone had to say it) in that apartment. Its gonna take a few days (snicker) but everything will be in its place.
It already feel like home.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thanksgiving 2009
Carter made it through his first Thanksgiving virtually unscathed (he has a few self-imposed scratches, but that will decrease as he gains more dexterity in the coming months).
His Holiday Marathon started last Sunday (as tradition holds on the paternal branch) at Namp & Nina's. Needless to say, neither Mom nor Dad held Carter for much of the time that we were there...only the occasional feeding and addressing the expected, ahem, wardrobe malfunctions.
Carter got to spend some QT with more of his Dad's side...reading time with Aunts, getting introduced to Cousins, hanging with Uncle Buck.
He did get to partake in some traditional Thanksgiving eats...his favorite was the squash.
Carter is turning out to be a party animal. If there is some socializing to do, then sleep can wait. This sounds like a solid plan on paper but things didn't quite work out to his liking. Fortunately, he did decide to eventually succumb to the nurturing arms of the Sandman. He also slept in a bit as well...
His Holiday Marathon started last Sunday (as tradition holds on the paternal branch) at Namp & Nina's. Needless to say, neither Mom nor Dad held Carter for much of the time that we were there...only the occasional feeding and addressing the expected, ahem, wardrobe malfunctions.
Carter got to spend some QT with more of his Dad's side...reading time with Aunts, getting introduced to Cousins, hanging with Uncle Buck.
After a 3 day break, we headed down to Upstate New York (to spend time with Pepé & NaMé) and enjoyed the company of Mom's family. Again, we did not hold Carter that much as Uncles & Great Aunts monoplized "Carter Time" (much to his delight).
He did get to partake in some traditional Thanksgiving eats...his favorite was the squash.
Carter is turning out to be a party animal. If there is some socializing to do, then sleep can wait. This sounds like a solid plan on paper but things didn't quite work out to his liking. Fortunately, he did decide to eventually succumb to the nurturing arms of the Sandman. He also slept in a bit as well...
We hope all of our friends & family had a great Holiday filled with safe travels and warm companionship. As always, we are thinking of each and every one of you.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Timing (in regards to diaper changing)
Ideally, one would like to change a diaper after a transaction has occurred.
Occasionally, a subsequent transaction occurs immediately after the application of the fresh diaper.
A rarer incidence is a transaction occurring at the same time as the changing of the diaper.
It is at a time very much like this when one wishes they somewhat resembled the Hindu god Kali, (the wife of Shiva).
I guess I should have heeded the warning signs: a slight reddening of the face, crossing of the eyes, a few low grunts/growls.
It was at this moment that time slowed down. I knew what was about to happen, but felt like I was but a spectator. The transaction started to…well, transact I guess.
I remember thinking, “Wow, how much longer can this go on?”. Amusingly, with my technical background (I’m sure Old School has an opinion on that…) I quickly ran some ratios through my head…estimated length of “transaction” compared to length of subject’s leg…apply ratio to the average length of an adult leg…carry the 2….divide by Π…OH MY GOD!
Luckily the Haz-Mat team was quick to respond (Mom) and we had the situation well under control.
Hopefully, next time we will be better prepared.
Occasionally, a subsequent transaction occurs immediately after the application of the fresh diaper.
A rarer incidence is a transaction occurring at the same time as the changing of the diaper.
It is at a time very much like this when one wishes they somewhat resembled the Hindu god Kali, (the wife of Shiva).
I guess I should have heeded the warning signs: a slight reddening of the face, crossing of the eyes, a few low grunts/growls.
It was at this moment that time slowed down. I knew what was about to happen, but felt like I was but a spectator. The transaction started to…well, transact I guess.
I remember thinking, “Wow, how much longer can this go on?”. Amusingly, with my technical background (I’m sure Old School has an opinion on that…) I quickly ran some ratios through my head…estimated length of “transaction” compared to length of subject’s leg…apply ratio to the average length of an adult leg…carry the 2….divide by Π…OH MY GOD!
Luckily the Haz-Mat team was quick to respond (Mom) and we had the situation well under control.
Hopefully, next time we will be better prepared.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Just trying to help out
Carter thought he would try and help out in the mornings by feeding himself. Or at least try to:
Oh, and by the way Auntie T, Carter loooooves his parsnip breakfast smoothie!
Oh, and by the way Auntie T, Carter loooooves his parsnip breakfast smoothie!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
1st Halloween
It was Carter's first Halloween and he decided to go as Rocky the Flying Squirrel. He thought the blue cap and goggles would really bring the outfit together and hopefully make people ignore the hoodie.
Athena wasn't too enthused about her costume, but I explained to her it was a package deal. She agreed to the antlers but not to the white gloves. I guess you gotta pick your battles, eh?
Athena wasn't too keen on some of Aunt Ann's Halloween decorations...
Although he didn't get any candy per se, he had a great time hanging with his buds at Aunt Ann's house.
Athena wasn't too enthused about her costume, but I explained to her it was a package deal. She agreed to the antlers but not to the white gloves. I guess you gotta pick your battles, eh?
Athena wasn't too keen on some of Aunt Ann's Halloween decorations...
Although he didn't get any candy per se, he had a great time hanging with his buds at Aunt Ann's house.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
BPF & a Wedding
We finally got Carter started on BPF (Big People Food). Last week I had pureed some carrots & parsnips (don’t worry, I didn’t puree them together…that would just be gross) and froze them in ice cue trays to make individual servings.
So, this morning I popped out one of the carrot cubes, steamed it an added a little bit of his virgin White Russian cocktail (between you and me, its just formula, but he seems to like it better if I refer to it as this) to spice it up.
As you can see in the picture, I’ve created a make-shift high chair. Technically, it is a chair and it is high, so deal with it. Due to recent activities, most of the contents of our apartment are either in cardboard boxes or strewn out awaiting to be placed in cardboard boxes, so please excuse the most of the background images.
I started with a few tiny spoonfuls. He took them into his mouth and appeared to be planning on a quick exit strategy, but I played the part of the goalie and tried to keep the puck in play (there’s a mishmash of analogies, eh?).
I could also see that not only is it about time for him to start on solids, but to start to walk as he was looking to get out of that chair to avoid any more carrot contamination.
Instead of forcing the issue, I bottled up the leftovers and sent them with him to daycare. I called in around lunchtime to see how he was doing and one of his girlfriends was feeding him the carrots as we spoke!
Excellent! Next week…parsnips!
Seeing how I haven’t posted in awhile I thought I would throw up some pictures from this past weekend as well.
We attended a family friend’s wedding in Connecticut and Carter was the life of the party. Of course the Bride got a little attention, but Carter had his own receiving line forming soon into the event.
At first we were going to dress him in a black onesy with a tuxedo design screen printed on (only because his “You might be a redneck…” t-shirt was in the wash), but we relented and clad him in something a little more appropriate.
Here is a picture of my two favorite people:
And here is a picture that you could tell he was just tickled to be part of:
Now, I’ve heard of people wearing lampshades at some parties, but this is a little different:
So, this morning I popped out one of the carrot cubes, steamed it an added a little bit of his virgin White Russian cocktail (between you and me, its just formula, but he seems to like it better if I refer to it as this) to spice it up.
As you can see in the picture, I’ve created a make-shift high chair. Technically, it is a chair and it is high, so deal with it. Due to recent activities, most of the contents of our apartment are either in cardboard boxes or strewn out awaiting to be placed in cardboard boxes, so please excuse the most of the background images.
I started with a few tiny spoonfuls. He took them into his mouth and appeared to be planning on a quick exit strategy, but I played the part of the goalie and tried to keep the puck in play (there’s a mishmash of analogies, eh?).
I could also see that not only is it about time for him to start on solids, but to start to walk as he was looking to get out of that chair to avoid any more carrot contamination.
Instead of forcing the issue, I bottled up the leftovers and sent them with him to daycare. I called in around lunchtime to see how he was doing and one of his girlfriends was feeding him the carrots as we spoke!
Excellent! Next week…parsnips!
Seeing how I haven’t posted in awhile I thought I would throw up some pictures from this past weekend as well.
We attended a family friend’s wedding in Connecticut and Carter was the life of the party. Of course the Bride got a little attention, but Carter had his own receiving line forming soon into the event.
At first we were going to dress him in a black onesy with a tuxedo design screen printed on (only because his “You might be a redneck…” t-shirt was in the wash), but we relented and clad him in something a little more appropriate.
Here is a picture of my two favorite people:
And here is a picture that you could tell he was just tickled to be part of:
Now, I’ve heard of people wearing lampshades at some parties, but this is a little different:
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Budding Artist
About a month ago, as I was picking Carter up from day care after work, Miss Kathy showed me some of the artwork that the kids had worked on that day. The day care providers erected a huge tree out of construction paper. The tree's limbs displayed it's fruit...plums. (Well, I assumed they were plums. I didn't want to ask and be corrected in front of the kids.)
When I lookd closer I saw that every plum had one of the children's names on it and when I looked even closer I could see that each child painted their own plum. Also, surrounding the tree were pictures of the children as they were painting.
I had almost forgotten about this until last week when I noticed that Carter's "parent information pocket" on the classroom door was stuffed. When I took out the contents, I found (to my pleasure), Carter's plum and pictures. I was so proud!
These will soon be framed and on semi-permenant display at the soon-to-be-open "CHS Art Studio". I anticipate more works of art soon.
Who knows, if the body of work grows considerably we may need to seek out a curator (hint, hint, Aunt Jules).
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Changes
As I was putting Carter to bed the other night, I started realizing just how much he’s changed in the short time since he has arrived.
I recall how we got up every hour and a half to feed & change him. Now the little guy is sleeping through the night.
It used to be that he was in the same exact position when he woke up as when he went to sleep. Now, by morning, he has totally spun around to face the opposite direction (I still question Nichole if she does this throughout the night, but she denies it).
When I bottle fed him I had to do it in ½ ounce increments as his little mouth and belly couldn’t hold that much. Now he polishes of 6-8 ounces in the bat of an eye and asks for more. He’s also started eating rice cereal, so it’s only a matter of time before he’s experiencing Dad’s cooking!
Speaking of eating, he is now practically holding his own bottle. Well, almost…he is constantly reaching up and swatting the bottle with his hands and holds them there for longer and longer lengths of time. I think it’s cute when he does it as I’m feeding him, but Nichole doesn’t find it to amusing when she has him. Actually, when he does this trick with her he reminds me of a young Sugar Ray Leonard working the speed bag in the gym!
It wasn’t long ago when all we would 9or could) dress him in was “premie” onesies and he would swim in them as well. Now he’s wearing t-shirts adorned with dogs and jeans or cover-alls. I’m even tempted to cut out the toes in his favorite jammies as they are suddenly too short.
He used to “only” speak to me with his huge beautiful eyes and was less verbose than Harpo Marx. Now he’s gurgling and laughing more and more. He gets most of my jokes and I get all of his (we obviously share the same sense of humor).
I know this is nothing novel or anything that hasn’t happened to anyone else, but it is amazing and scary at the same time how fast our little one can grow and change.
It makes me never want to take my eyes off of him.
I recall how we got up every hour and a half to feed & change him. Now the little guy is sleeping through the night.
It used to be that he was in the same exact position when he woke up as when he went to sleep. Now, by morning, he has totally spun around to face the opposite direction (I still question Nichole if she does this throughout the night, but she denies it).
When I bottle fed him I had to do it in ½ ounce increments as his little mouth and belly couldn’t hold that much. Now he polishes of 6-8 ounces in the bat of an eye and asks for more. He’s also started eating rice cereal, so it’s only a matter of time before he’s experiencing Dad’s cooking!
Speaking of eating, he is now practically holding his own bottle. Well, almost…he is constantly reaching up and swatting the bottle with his hands and holds them there for longer and longer lengths of time. I think it’s cute when he does it as I’m feeding him, but Nichole doesn’t find it to amusing when she has him. Actually, when he does this trick with her he reminds me of a young Sugar Ray Leonard working the speed bag in the gym!
It wasn’t long ago when all we would 9or could) dress him in was “premie” onesies and he would swim in them as well. Now he’s wearing t-shirts adorned with dogs and jeans or cover-alls. I’m even tempted to cut out the toes in his favorite jammies as they are suddenly too short.
He used to “only” speak to me with his huge beautiful eyes and was less verbose than Harpo Marx. Now he’s gurgling and laughing more and more. He gets most of my jokes and I get all of his (we obviously share the same sense of humor).
I know this is nothing novel or anything that hasn’t happened to anyone else, but it is amazing and scary at the same time how fast our little one can grow and change.
It makes me never want to take my eyes off of him.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
And now for my next impersonation...
(Don't worry, a "real" post is coming soon.)
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
He rocks that bubble-hawk!
Carter was experimenting with a bubble-enhanced hairdo this morning:
And, of course, he just had to add the bubble goatee van dyke:
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
More Odds & Ends
It's been a week since I've seen Nichole & Carter as they have been visiting down in Upstate New York.
Even though Nichole has been keeping me supplied with cute Carter videos via cell phone I've been going through some massive withdrawls (from both Mother & Child).
So once again I have sifted through the recent pics & vids in order to present you with the following:
"Okay I know I've rolled in some questionable materials in my time, but pulleeze, will someone change that kid's diaper!!!"
From the "Can you blame him?" Department:
Just like me, Carter's favorite place is snuggled up close with his Mom.
"Gimme little kees!"
Not that she doesn't get any attention, but...this is Athena's typical location whenever I am feeding Carter...right on my feet!
This pic was taken just before Carter & his Mom left last Sunday. Isn't that cute? I can almost hear Athena telling Carter that she is going to miss him.
...And now I can hear her saying, "Okay, bu-by...have a nice trip...don't let the door hit you on the way out...bon voyage...you're burning daylight...alright, let's leave already!!!"
I was took this video just before they left. It reminds me of one of those man-on-the-street newscast bloopers. See for yourself...
Quite often, Carter looks like he so wants to say something and I'm always wondering what exactly it is.
I'd like to think that I could show him these videos when he's old enough so maybe he could fill me in...
Me: So, Carter check this out...it looks like you want to say something. What is it? What possibly could you want to say? "Hello, Daddy"?..."Mommy, I prefer the right "side" to the "left"?..."Hey, Athena, let's play"?...what was it???
Carter: Hmmm, actually I think I do remember this...I was thinking...
Me: Yes, yes...?
Carter: I was thinking..."I gotta poop...uh, scratch that...I just pooped."
Me: ...
Even though Nichole has been keeping me supplied with cute Carter videos via cell phone I've been going through some massive withdrawls (from both Mother & Child).
So once again I have sifted through the recent pics & vids in order to present you with the following:
"Okay I know I've rolled in some questionable materials in my time, but pulleeze, will someone change that kid's diaper!!!"
From the "Can you blame him?" Department:
Just like me, Carter's favorite place is snuggled up close with his Mom.
"Gimme little kees!"
Not that she doesn't get any attention, but...this is Athena's typical location whenever I am feeding Carter...right on my feet!
This pic was taken just before Carter & his Mom left last Sunday. Isn't that cute? I can almost hear Athena telling Carter that she is going to miss him.
...And now I can hear her saying, "Okay, bu-by...have a nice trip...don't let the door hit you on the way out...bon voyage...you're burning daylight...alright, let's leave already!!!"
I was took this video just before they left. It reminds me of one of those man-on-the-street newscast bloopers. See for yourself...
Quite often, Carter looks like he so wants to say something and I'm always wondering what exactly it is.
I'd like to think that I could show him these videos when he's old enough so maybe he could fill me in...
Me: So, Carter check this out...it looks like you want to say something. What is it? What possibly could you want to say? "Hello, Daddy"?..."Mommy, I prefer the right "side" to the "left"?..."Hey, Athena, let's play"?...what was it???
Carter: Hmmm, actually I think I do remember this...I was thinking...
Me: Yes, yes...?
Carter: I was thinking..."I gotta poop...uh, scratch that...I just pooped."
Me: ...
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Shhhh...
As I looked up I saw what caught her attention...it was a deer. For the sake of safety, we walked off to the should where Athena at down. We spent the next 5 minutes silently observing each other. Seemingly unimpressed with us, the deer loped off.
It not rare that we see deer despite the fact that we reside smack dab between 2 of the busiest streets in the city.
The cool thing is that Athena (aside from she noticing them before I do) is so calm about seeing them. She is definitely NOT in cat mode!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Saturday, July 4, 2009
I Swear to God!
As plain as day, he just said "Hi".
Of course, with us saying "Hi" back to him about 50 times over the next minute he might as well said "Bye" cuz he's starting to doze off.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Meeting
Carter & Liam met for the first time this weekend.
I can already imagine the trouble these two will be getting into together!
I can already imagine the trouble these two will be getting into together!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Odds & Ends
Here's a few of the pictures that have been piling up over the past week or so:
"There's nothing better than a warm blanket after a bath."
"Training for the next Olympics."
"Giddy up!"
"Wazzup???!!!"
"I've got the whole world in my hand..."
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