Carson's First Birthday

Yesterday was Carson's first birthday!! I can't believe it has already been a year. Although the weather was kind of awful, we still had a great birthday party. We decided to have the party outside since the past few weekends had been beautiful so we rented a pavilion at Pinnacle. Unfortunately this weekend decided to be different...cool and rainy. Not that I didn't already know, but his party really showed me what wonderful friends and family we have. Thank you to everyone that came for sticking it out with us, especially the DQ, Nashville, and Conway guys for driving in the rain to get there. We are very lucky to have you all in our lives...Carson told me he was so glad you all came to celebrate his first birthday. ;)

I have a very talented mom and some very creative friends as well. My mom made Carson's birthday cake and it was awesome. Thanks Mom!

My friend Kerri made this yard sign for Carson. I'm so excited about having this to put out every year.
My friend Laura made Carson a personalized stool. It matches his room perfectly!

Carson wasn't too crazy about opening presents, but got excited now and then. Sydney and Will really enjoyed helping him. He got lots of cute clothes and fun toys. He has had a blast playing with everything the past two days.

Carson on his 4-wheeler that Lolli and Pop gave him.

Carson really enjoyed his cake. He really didn't know what to do with it at first, but it didn't take him long to figure it out.

Pulling Up

Sunday night we were all on the floor in Carson's room playing when he crawled over to a box of diapers and pulled himself up. He is also enjoying trying to get the hearth to pull up. It's like a game for him. We will really have to watch him until we get something to put over it. I'm not up for any trips to the ER.

Carson's First Thanksgiving

We did our usual traveling for Thanksgiving this year. We went to Nashville Wednesday night so Cam could hunt on Thursday. After eating lunch at his Granny's we headed back to Little Rock. We stayed with Mimi and DoDo in Conway Friday night before heading to Searcy Saturday to have dinner at Aunt Robin's. It was great getting to spend time with everyone. Here are a few pictures of Carson enjoying himself as usual.

What a ham!
Kicked back doing a little light reading
Baby Mozart
What a talented boy, "Look Mom, no hands"

THANK YOU MIMI FOR COMING UP TO KEEP CARSON MONDAY AND TUESDAY!!

Carson Crawling

Carson has been crawling, if that's what you call it, for the past couple weeks. He gets up on his knees and rocks back and forth but falls back to his stomach before he starts to crawl. He pulls with his forearm and elbow, and pushes with his feet. One knee gets going but the other won't work with it. He looks like an army guy crawling on the ground.

Carson Skinny Dipping

Carson had his first swimming experience last weekend at Uncle Chuck and Aunt Karen's house. We thought he would enjoy it since he loves baths so much and he did! He wasn't crazy about Syd splashing water on him, but he loved kicking around.

No Spoons for Me

Going in...
Coming out!
No way Mommy!

Carson has been eating cereal before bed out of a cereal feeder for almost a month now. Last night we decided to see how he felt about eating it from a spoon. He was not having it! I'd put it in and he'd spit it right back out. I guess we'll continue with the cereal feeder for a while longer. I'll try and sneak a spoon in on him every once in a while to get him more used to it.

Carson in his Bumbo

We tried out Carson's Bumbo chair yesterday and he loved it. He looks like a little man when he's sitting in it. He has also started rolling over...YEA!!! This past Friday I laid him down on the floor on his belly. He played for a little bit then started to get fussy. I just let him kick around for a little bit and finally he got himself over. He has done it 4 or 5 times since then and it gets a little easier each time. When he gets over to his back Syd and I clap and cheer for him and he looks at us like we're crazy. I'm so proud of my little man and his new trick!!

Bath Time

Carson's umbilical cord FINALLY fell off last Saturday. Yea!! I couldn't believe it took so long, 3 weeks and a day. Sydney's came off pretty quickly if I remember right. Anyway, our pediatrician said he could take a real bath, rather than a sponge bath, a week after the cord fell off. We only cheated a little and waited 5 days instead of 7. It looks like it's healed well though. He loved sitting in the water and Sydney had a blast getting to be in the bath with him. He did take a little tinkle straight into the air after sitting in the warm water for a few seconds. I've been told several times that little boys do that. It was so funny watching Sydney when she saw it going up in the air. This is not a new thing for Carson, but a first in the bath. He's tinkled a few times when you change his diaper or give him his sponge bath, but it's always been aimed at his own face. He gets so mad (as would I), but it's so hard to catch. I only have so many hands!! Having a little boy is definitely different in that department.

Carson's 1st Trip to Church

Last Sunday was Carson's first trip to church and my first day back since he was born. He was a really good boy. He slept the whole time!! He was definitely teasing me though...there were several times that he made that "I'm about to scream" face, but I was always ready with a passy to stick in his mouth or a hand to rock his seat. Didn't he look adorable in his little blue outfit. Thanks Laura!!

First Visit with Kyle

Don't they look terribly interested in each other.
My friend Valerie and her son Kyle came to visit us last Friday. Kyle was born January 27th, so he and Carson are close in age. We are looking forward to them being buddies as they grow up, but looks like it's going to take a little while. :)