Another First...

I have been going to our church's Mom to Mom group on Thursdays this semester. It has been so neat! It is based on the scripture in Titus 2 about experienced mothers mentoring young mothers. I love my little group and our mentor moms. I have just been bringing Drew with me to the meeting. Our mentor moms have been so sweet to hold Drew and play with him so that I can listen. I really appreciate them! But... I decided that this week I would leave him in the church nursery for the first time.

I was a little anxious - I'm not gonna lie. I have never left Drew with anyone but Wade or Grammie. The ladies in the nursery were so sweet, though. They made me feel totally at ease with leaving him. They even filled out his first report card. :)

He took his bottle well for them (something I have been worried about). He didn't sleep for very long, but I knew that he probably wouldn't. When I picked him up, one of the ladies said that she held him the whole time that he was sleeping. She "just couldn't put him down." :) It made me feel good that they loved on him!

He came home and took two 3 hour marathon naps and slept great last night! I guess that his busy morning caught up with him.

The nursery was a great experience and I am now totally comfortable with leaving him on Sundays. So, we'll finally get to go to "big church." YAY!

Clarification...

Sorry folks, didn't mean to frighten you. I DO NOT have cancer. He didn't see a tumor, just a sinus infection. I wasn't clear on that in my original post.

Never fear - I'll live to blog another day! :)

And the saga continues...

Today I went to the ENT for my stupid ear. (I'm so glad that Clayton can't read. I can only imagine the chastisement that I would get for using the word "stupid.")

It was a long appointment filled with him saying a lot of "how interesting" and "that ear really does have a lot of fluid." He took a thorough history and then told me that I would probably need to have a tube put in that ear. The good news is that it would provide immediate relief. The bad news is that it would fall out in 8-12 months and the problem could come back. Lovely.

At the conclusion of that discussion, he decided to drop a huge bomb on me. He starts with, "I don't want to frighten you, but..." It's never good when a doctor leads with that.

He continues to say that there is a chance that I may have a nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Apparently, that type of cancer usually presents with persistent fluid in one ear.

Excuse me? What's that? I come in with an earache and now you are telling me that I could have a cancerous tumor???? Seriously?

My mind immediately started racing and fearing the worst. (I've never really been a "glass half full" type of girl!) I was completely freaking out!

He went and got this scope thing to look in my nose and see if he could visualize a tumor.

As this contraption is in my nose, he says, "how interesting..." I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, "What do you see? Am I dying?!??!" But I held my tongue and waited respectfully for him to elaborate.

He said that he could see that I have a sinus infection. His theory is that all of this ear stuff started with a sinus infection that snowballed. The sinus infection caused inflammation to my eustachian tube, which then restricted the fluid in my ear from draining. He thinks that the sinus infection was resistant to the last two antibiotics and that I need a "big gun" antibiotic.

So the plan is to complete a two week course of yet another antibiotic. He also wanted me to schedule the tube placement for two weeks from now. If the antibiotic cures my sinus infection and releases the pressure in my ear, then I can cancel the procedure. So, long story long, I am on another antibiotic and may or may not get a tube put in on March 12th.

That concludes my dissertation on my stupid ear. Was it everything you thought it would be and so much more? :)

For Cindy...

Wade just shouted at me from the office, "Babe, get in here NOW!"

I was fairly certain that there was a fire, someone had died, or that he had developed the cure for cancer in some sort of secret laboratory.

I hauled bootie in there only to find him with a huge smile on his face pointing at the computer screen.
I've created some sort of geography monster!

4 month stats

Here are Drew's measurements from today's doctor's appointment:

Weight: 16 lbs 13 oz (75-90%)
Height: 26 1/4 inches - Another nurse came in to recheck because he was soooo long! She got the exact same thing as the first nurse. What can I say - Carpenter men are TALL! (90-95%)
Head: 16 1/2 inches (25-50%)

Dr. M. wants us to start rice cereal with Drew. I am a little hesitant to start it so early, though. We had a lengthy discussion about it, and Dr. M. had several really good points about why he likes to start solids at 4 months. Hmm.... still thinking on it. Maybe I'll get brave.

Poor Drew got two more shots. :( He was not too happy about that! Nothin' that a dose of Tylenol and his Miracle Blanket won't cure.

Drew is 4 months old!!

Drew is 4 months old today! I have to say that there is something so special about the 4-6 month time frame in a baby's first year of life. I absolutely love this phase! They are sleeping better, they start smiling and cooing non-stop, they aren't quite mobile (mobility adds a whole new set of mommy worries - choking hazards, falling, bumped noggins, etc.), you finally feel like you have them figured out... It's just such a fun time in their little lives! I plan on soaking in every minute of the next few months.

Our little man is developing such a personality! He is smiley and giggly - just a sweet little doll baby! He is happiest after he eats and right when he wakes up. Drew is also super ticklish (his ribs and his thighs are his favs). We also learned this month that he thinks sneezes (real or fake) are hysterical. Oh, it's the little things in life, right?

Monthly Stats:
Weight: His 4 month well check is tomorrow - I'll let you know about height & weight
Height: Ditto
Clothes: 6 month & 6-9 month (He is getting so long! His little toes are squished in the 6 month sleepers!)
Diapers: Size 3s!!!! (I know a 2 year-old that still wears size 3s! I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that our little bruiser will not be wearing size 3s by his 2nd birthday!)
Eating/Sleeping Schedule: Still eats every 3 hours during the day. He is pretty consistently awake for 1.5 hours then asleep for 1.5 hours. He takes 6 1.5 hour naps and then sleeps for a 7-8 hour stretch at night. I really should try dropping his 10pm feeding, but I am hanging on to it. It is the only time during the day that Wade & I are alone with Drew. It is fun to be one-on-one with our littlest baby.
Developmental Stuff: Drew coos non-stop! He makes the "oh" sound mostly. He gets louder when he is tired. When he starts squealing and fussing, that's my cue that he is ready for a nap. Drew has great head control and loves being upright. He loves his Bumbo, exersaucer, and Johnny Jump Up because they all let him be upright. He also loves to look at himself in the mirror and holds toys with both hands. He will reach for your face if you get close to him. He just smiles and rests his hand on your cheek. It's the sweetest thing... He also recognizes us and smiles as soon as we are in his sights. The second sweetest thing...
"Firsts": First Ear Infection (1/29), Rolled Back to Front (2/14)

My new favorite picture of my sweetie pie

His eyes make me melt!

Monthly Picture with the monkey (Check out those thighs! Too cute...)
You all know that I love me some baby feet!

This picture just makes me giggle.

Here's a little video of Drew talking. He has found his voice and he isn't afraid to use it! He must be following in his big brother's footsteps - another loud boy to add to the mix! Our house is anything but quiet. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Drew Baby,

What a great personality you have! You are such a laid back, easy going, super smiley baby! I must admit that in your first few weeks of life (when you were miserable with constant reflux), I never imagined that you would become such a doll! You are such a blessing!

I can't even remember what our family was like before you were here. You have changed us all for the better. Your brother adores you, your Daddy lights up when he sees you, and I cannot stop kissing your sweet little face. My prayer is that you will always know how much you are loved. You are a precious jewel, and I feel so lucky to be your Mommy.

Love,

Mommy

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Here's my Not Me! Monday for this week...

I did not oversleep last Thursday resulting in a mad dash to get Clayton to preschool. I did not then rush around the house to make sure that my children looked pristine, resulting in exactly 2 minutes to get myself ready. In that 2 minutes, I did not hurry to throw on a shirt, socks and shoes only to realize, as I was running out of my bedroom, that I totally forgot to put on my jeans. Nice. I'm sure that the no-pants look would have scored me some lovely looks in the halls of the preschool! Ahem, I mean if that had happened. Which it did not.

I did not get totally annoyed with my 3-year-old for taking too long to draw a card during a heated game of Candy Land. I did not tell him, "Quit being pokey or I'm not going to play with you." How childish would that be? I mean, who's the adult here???

I did not declare last Friday to be a pajama day for everyone (including myself). No way, not me! We get up and atem and dressed every morning, even if we aren't going to leave the house.

I did not then spent the entire day cooped up in the playroom wearing my tattered Texas A&M Maroon Out shirt from 1999. (Insert WHOOP here!) Hello - that shirt would be almost 10 years old, if I was wearing it. I do not still wear old tee shirts from my good 'ole college days. Nope, not me!

I did not answer the door and greet the UPS man looking a total fright in my 10 year old college tee shirt and grey sweatpants. I would never open the door looking so crazy!

I did not tear up as I put all of Drew's newborn and 0-3 month clothes in a Tupperware bin destined for the attic last night. I mean, he hasn't worn any of those clothes months, I should be over the sentiment of not having a "newborn" anymore, right? (sniff, sniff)

I did not eat a big 'ole bowl of Rocky Road Blue Bell while watching the Biggest Loser last week. That would totally defeat the whole point of the show! There is also the chance that if I was eating ice cream while watching the Biggest Loser, which I was not, that Jillian might come right through the television screen and slap me! I would never take that chance.

Happy Monday, my friends!

A Carpenter Friday Night

It's Friday night at 11:28pm. All of the "cool kids" are out on the town partying the night away.

Not so at the Carpenter household.

Wade & I are sitting in a blissfully quiet house, putting quotation marks around "cool kids" (which, in and of itself makes us completely uncool!), watching a precious babe slumber peacefully on the video monitor, and challenging each other to a geography bowl using THIS site.

I know, I know... we are so lame!

You should go HERE and try it yourself. I mean, er, if you don't have anything else to do on a Friday night. :)

How'd you do?

My geographical genius of a husband only missed 3 states (incidentally, his first two states were South Dakota & Colorado - virtually impossible without a bordering state filled in) and was only off by an average of 9 miles. As for me... well, let's just say that Geography was never my strong suit.

Happy Weekend, y'all!

Bloggy Randomness...

Tuesday was Texas Day at preschool. Clayton looked like this...
Is it just me or is he looking older every day???
----------------------------------------------------
I guess that they took Texas Day and lumped it in with Presidents' Day because our conversation on the way home went like this:

Clayton: "Mommy, did you know that George Washington was the first president of the United States and he and his son, John, got in a fight because they both wanted their own land and Barack Obama is our president right now and the Texas flag is red, white, and blue and red stands for bravery and white stands for purity and blue stands for loyalty." (It was the longest runon sentence ever and the child never took a breath!)
Me: "Uh... okay."

You know that it's bad when you have to go home and google the information that your child reports from his preschool lesson!
---------------------------------------------------
Today we had a pajama day at home, and it was lovely. We played upstairs in the playroom all day long. Drew is really starting to take interest in his toys - it's so fun to watch his little wheels turn.

Clayton disappeared to the bathroom while I was laying Drew down for a nap. When I came into the bathroom, he was playing in the tub fully clothed. Whatever, dude!

I totally get Van Gogh...

By the title of this post, I am sure that you are thinking that I have had some huge art-inspired epiphany while studying The Starry Night. Um, no, not so much... I wish that I could say that was true, but it simply is not. I don't understand Van Gogh from an artistic perspective so much as I now understand the whole cutting his ear off thing. Because, after three weeks of the ear infection that just won't leave, I am contemplating doing the exact same thing!

We had such a fun weekend planned, but I felt like I didn't really get to enjoy it like I wanted to. For starters, I can't hear anything in my right ear. I keep turning my head to "my good ear" and trying to read lips. I'm falling apart - perhaps I should back off on all of my ugly comments about Wade turning 30...

Anyway, my mother-in-law and father-in-law came in town to watch Clayton play soccer and to celebrate Wade's birthday. It was so nice to have them here - even if I felt like I was the worst hostess on the planet! They were so sweet to play with the boys and even let me take a nap on Friday afternoon as soon as they got here. And, let me tell you, I slept hard! It was bliss.

On Saturday we went to Clayton's soccer game. He had a blast showing off for his Grammy & Papaw, of course. He scored 3 goals and raced over to give high 5s to his cheering section after each one. What a ham! We also decided that co-ed sports are probably not the best option for our little flirt. He and this precious little brown-curly haired girl got into a tickle fest right in the middle of the second half. I was laughing and snapping pictures, but Wade didn't think it was so funny. He kept muttering something about "getting his head in the game." Whatever. He's 3!!!!

On Saturday night, my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and nieces came over for dinner. They brought the most delicious steaks. YUM-O! (Thanks, C & LA!) It was so fun to spend time all together. Wade really appreciated getting to see his family and continue the celebrations of his BIG birthday. :)

Running to give high 5's after a goal

(My biggest fear is that he is going to bite his little tongue off while he is running!)

The infamous tickle fest with #8
Yay Clayton!!!

Still trying to figure out the whole congratulatory line up after the game

Grammy & Papaw with their boys

A yummy valentines treat after the game

And, just because I can't resist, a few pictures of my other little heartbreaker...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Little Casanova & Drew's New Form of Entertainment

Today was Clayton's Valentine's party at school. And, oh my gracious - it was hysterical!

First of all, they are all just so darn cute! A room full of 3 year olds = instant entertainment (unless, of course, you are their teachers and you are responsible for disciplining them). I, however, was there for entertainment purposes only. :)

Two of the moms came up to me at different points during the party. Apparently, both of their little girls come home claiming that they "are going to marry Clayton." What?!?! Guess our little Casanova might be following in his Daddy's footsteps. Carpenters have a genetic predisposition to finding their mates early in life. Wade & I met in the 4th grade and we were the "late bloomers." Wade's mom & dad met before elementary school as did his sister & brother-in-law. Let's hope that we can hold off young love for a couple of more years!

A few days ago, Clayton and I were talking about Valentine's Day. He asked me why we celebrate Valentines. I told him that it was a day to tell everyone how much you love them and to give lots of kisses and hugs. Well... I guess that he took that to heart. He kissed and hugged each of his classmates (yes, even the boys) before he left school. His teacher said, "I think that Clayton is the most loving child that I have ever seen!" I would have to agree - I think it's one of his best qualities.

When we got home Clayton said, "Te Amo Mucho!" I was shocked. I guess that was their Spanish lesson for the day. :)

They made Big Red floats! Another one of the many things that they do at preschool that I would NEVER attempt at home. God bless 'em!
They made Valentines gifts for the parents. I thought they turned out so cute! All of the boys had on top hats and bow ties in their pictures and the girls had on a boa and fancy jewelry. They have their handprint and a bible verse on the back.

On to my second born....

We busted out the exersaucer this week for Drew. He LOVES it!

"My parents have totally been holdin' out on me!"

"Where has this thing been all my life?!?!"

Yes, Clayton has already asked if he can get in the exersaucer. I'm sure that he will maneuver his little hiney in there and get stuck. And, you better believe that I will get pictures....

Happy 30th Birthday, Wade!!!

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Thank you for all that you do for our family. You are my heart, my rock, and my best friend. I love going through life with you by my side.

Here's to many more years of growing old together! (With you "growing older" 6 months ahead of me, of course! Sorry... just had to rub that in one last time!)

I hope that you have a great day. We love you!!!!!

Wade's Totally Rad Birthday Bash

Wade is (almost) 30!!!! Yep, my hubby will enter his 30's on Wednesday! I, of course, have 6 more looong, blissful months in my 20's. What can I say? I fell for an older man. he he he

We celebrated on Saturday night by inviting some friend over for an 80's themed birthday party. It was so fun! I had my doubts about everyone dressing the part, but our friends did not let us down! There were ghostbusters, Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel Air, bright colors, some lovely sequins, crimped hair, blue eyeshadow, the "preppy look", side ponytails, leg warmers, leggings, big hair, etc. It was hysterical! Everyone looked very 80's! Actually, I think that the 80's look must be coming back, because a lot of us found our outfits with the normal stuff at Target and Walmart. I even found Aquanet (which was labeled "unscented" but smelled just like the 80's) and a banana clip at Albertson's. I am praying that the 80's hair doesn't come back, though, because one night of that was murder on my locks.

Thanks to everyone who made my hubby's party totally rad!!!!

Clayton helped Wade blow the candles out.