4 months!

I don't have time to blog today (amongst the crying baby, busy and demanding toddler, not to mention all the unpacking and laundry to get done . . . ) but I wanted to celebrate another mini-milestone.

 

Carter - 4 months old

 

Carter Loves - nursing, being talked to, being sung to, babbling when being talked and sung to, napping and sleeping in no particular pattern, being bounced on a fitness ball, showers and his bouncy chair with hanging toys

 

Carter Hates - going anywhere in the car, being strapped in his car seat, times of the day when his tummy hurts (which is still often), getting dressed, wearing hats, going to a restaurant and evening hours in general

 

 



We just got back from Grandpa Dwaine's big birthday bash at Thumper Pond . . . more to come! 

 



the big hunt

Here in Minnesota, Christmas comes in November for all those who love to hunt. And there are a lot of them . . .  you see them everywhere . . . big, burly and bearded - wearing blaze orange and a big fat smile. Carl is one of those hunters . . . and Jocie will be next great hunter in our family (minus the stereotypical description).

 

 

Joc couldn't do any actual hunting this year because she hasn't taken gun safety yet, but she did help push some woods and sat in a stand with Carl . . . she said she really liked it ( . . .really??). Thank goodness I can just go to the local grocery store to buy our meat now-a-days, because the hunt was unsuccessful. Bambi = 1, Carl = 0.

 

 

But that doesn't mean that everyone can't get together and eat like the hunt was successful! The food was plenty (as always) at "Deer Camp", and Carter got to meet his Great Grandpa Kuznia. He's almost 95 and probably healthier than me. 

 

 

 

 

We were delighted on Saturday to wake up to a coating of ice on everything. Just another charming trait of being in Northwestern Minnesota. The ice totally ruined my idea of going to East Grand Forks for the afternoon . . . I haven't been "home" for a year and a half!! That's just crazy pants. I guess there's always next time . . . when ever that is.

 

We can't end on a depressing note. So here are a few snaps of my littlest chicklettes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They're pretty cute, if I do say so myself.





pumpkins, costumes, candy and such

Well folks, I bet you didn't know it was Halloween yesterday, right? And so I bet you don't know what's coming at you first . . . okay, I don't know where to go from here, so let's just get on with the pictures, shall we?

*not like you care, but none of these are edited....I've been up to my eyeballs in editing for the last two months and these are good enough :)

 

 like, OMG mom. don't take pictures of my face. I haven't showered yet.

 

Carving pumpkins is always a fun event. Cleaning up after it, is not. Everyone scattered and I was left with this. Urg.

 

The main event? That's right! Bring on the candy!

Joc didn't come with us this year. She stayed at home and passed out candy. She's getting too old :(

 Yes, our kids are running across the street. And yes, we looked both ways before they went.

(Jocie's pumpkin is eating the littlest pumpkin, Ella and Claire's pumpkins are on the lower step and you can tell whos is whos by the teeth...:) and Carter's is the little one who looks like it's sad/mad....how fitting)

AND - Introducing Carter's BFF

This is Ty Johnston!! (my dear friend Nicole's son) He and Carter already have things in common...

1. He was born early (37 weeks)
2. He spent time in the NICU
3. He is home now and is as healthy as an ox
4. He's as cute as a button
5. He eats like a man and poops like one too

I was so excited to be able to take newborn photos for Ty, and I gotta say, he was the best newborn I have ever worked with. Slept like a champ and didn't mind being posed one bit. His mama did the beautiful editing :)

I can't wait until these boys get to play together!


Hope your Halloween was as sweet as ours!

OMG we saw JB

Big Shocker - I haven't blogged in a while. *insert sarcasm* I haven't been distracted from my bogging because of a screaming baby, whiny, attention seeking middle children, or a teenager who wants to be driven anywhere and everywhere because she wants to be anywhere but home.  Oh no. That's not it at all. *end sarcasm*

I love my life. I love my children. I love my family. Really. I promise. :)

Subject change - - on to the fun! Ali and Daysha came down for a long weekend to hang out and ..... wait for it .... to go to the Justin Beiber Concert! That's right folks! I paid money to leave my chaotic, loud, crazy house to go to a chaotic, loud and crazy pre-teen packed stadium full of crazed SCREAMING kids. Sound like a good plan? Honestly - it was awesome! It gave me a chance to get out of my house, get dressed up (or at least of of my pj's), go out for a nice dinner at PF Chang's, and watch my two oldest daughters experience their first concert while we danced, screamed and sang right along with everyone else. It is something we will never forget.

 (pre-gaming was a must)

 

 

 Can't you just hear the ear splitting screaming??

 

 

Thanks Ali and Daysha for a great time! And thanks to Daysha for the concert pics.

We also got a chance to hang out with my dad for a few afternoons before my dad and Barb fly south for the winter.

Because Bopa was coming over, we just had to put Carter's first hockey jersey on.  He loved it!

My dad is known for holding babies in what we all call, "The Bopa Hold". He can usually get babies to stop crying by holding him like this . . . it even worked on Carter (for awhile).

Then, Carl and Jocie went to a football game, my dad took the two other girls to a birthday party, Carter napped, and I got a chance to edit pics and blog. It's quiet in my house. It is fabulous.

(his cheeks are getting so big that they are collapsing his mouth!)

 



Tomorrow we will dive into our pumpkins and transform them into Jack-O-Lanterns. More to come...

3 months

Carter is the big 0-3 today! ;) It feels strange because on one hand, time is going so fast that I can hardly believe he's already 3 months old. On the other, it feels like he's been apart of our family for way longer than just 3 months!

 

 

this photo took a while to get....the collage below is more accurate :)

 

 

 

 

3 Months Stats:

 

Carter Likes: crying, nursing, snoozing while being held/cuddled, toys (especially ones that hang or make noise), rattles, showers, his bouncy chair and looking outside

 

 

Carter Doesn't Like: car rides, baths, wearing hats, changing clothes, not being held, the time 30 minutes after being fed until the next feeding, or his swing (for the most part)

 

 

Weight: 13+ pounds

 

Clothes: just starting to grow out of 0-3 months clothes - into size 3 month in the "Carter's" brand

 

Diaper size - 2

 

Number of chins - 2+

 

 

 

Carter,

 

We love you so much! We can't wait for you to grow even more! You are getting so big and filling out nicely (we love all your new rolls). Within the next month, we are looking forward to you growing out of your colic (please! please! please!) and also beginning to sleep for longer amounts of time at night.

 

Love,

 Mommy

family photos

With the fall season comes a lot of families who want their family photos taken. This year is no different.  Since the end of August, I have been busy every weekend doing photo sessions for many different families. The families might be different, but the scene is always the same. The family pulls up to the location and we both give the 'ol "hi there" wave.  Out pops the mom looking frazzled, nervous and excited all at the same time.  Frazzled because she has spent the last 2-3 hours getting her family ready against their will, dressed to the nines in their new coordinating clothing. Nervous because she doubts her family will be able to take a good photo, and excited because there's still some hope that all will work out!! The kids pile out of the car and immediately act shy and intimidated OR wild and rambunctious. Uh oh, Mom looks nervous again because the kids aren't "acting like themselves". The dad is last out of the car.  He looks annoyed as he walks towards me looking like he's marching to his death dressed in an outfit that he wouldn't be caught dead in around his friends. This is the true "picture" of what it's like to get your family photo taken . . . wait a minute . . . that's probably not good for business . . . what i mean to say is: don't feel bad if getting your family photo is stressful. I get it! And even though your kids act weird/naughty, and your husband pouts, there are always a few good ones that you'll love! :)

It's taken me quite a few weeks, but I think I have finally edited our family photos for the year. I will post all, except for the couple that will be gracing this year's Christmas card. I wouldn't want to spoil it for you :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we had to do a few fun (aka stupid) ones :)

 

 

 

This year's photos were different from last year's for a couple of reasons.

1.  We have a new family member (dah)

2.  We went to a new location

3.  The cops were called to said location because we were "trespassing" and we were asked to leave.
(the real reason why the cops came was because there was another photographer there and she wanted the spot we were using, so she called the cops on us and then left --- what a b-word)

4.  I asked Claire to be good while were we trying to get photos taken and she bent down, scooped up a hand full of dirt and threw it in my face.

5. I made Carl take a few pictures with me . . . just the two of us. This never happens. He was all awkward, and nervous that I would post them . . .

Ah, family photos. I love them so much . . . it takes a little effort to get them, but it's always worth it!

I'm living a fairytale . . .

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful princess named Snow White. She had "lips the color of a nose, and scales as white as snow" (Snow White's self description). She loves wearing beautiful dress as she cleans the castle all day long.

 

(in reality, I can hardly get Snow White to pick up her toys)

 

 

I also live with a little dwarf named Grumpy.

 

 

 

He is an adorable little dwarf that can be super sweet at times (he's starting to smile when he's awake!). However, Grumpy prefers to scream and cry all day and into the night. He also loves to burp and fart, which is probably why he cries all the time. On a positive note, he turns into an absolute Prince when he's Sleepy and falls into a deep, deep slumber. 

 

 

Who am I, you might ask? Why, I am the Wicked Queen. I used to care about being fair, but now a days, all I want is few minutes of peace and a good night's sleep. You can see me around town looking haggard and unkempt. But you better not mention my appearance! I live with a Huntsman who would drag you out into the woods and you would never be seen again.

 

 

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Why do I have a dwarf that loves to bawl??

Someday, I will have a family of dwarfs who are Happy. Hell, I will even take Sleepy, Sneezy and Dopey!  Then, I will be able to live happily ever after.