Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today, Daddy turns the big *2-9*....WHOA! Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to the most wonderful Daddy (and husband) in the whole, wide world. We love you SOOOO much!

Love,

Carter & Mommy

And, here are a few of Eric's baby pictures for your enjoyment!!

LOL.

I know I've said this before, but when Carter is in his doorway jumper, he is in the BEST mood!! He just loves that thing. It's so easy to get him going when he's in it. Just the slightest silly look or funny sound will get him giggling... losing his breath type of giggling. It's so darn cute!! Watch for bubble blowing when he really gets tickled. He loves to laugh and blow bubbles all at once.

A "New" Toy

So, Carter has this one toy. He got it from Grandma Cindy's collection of toys at her house, so I like to call it a "throw back" toy. For the longest time, I just thought it was a rattle. Then, one day, several months back when Carter started the absolutely-everything-goes-in-my-mouth-phase, he got it in his mouth apparently just the right way, and exhaled. I heard a whistle, and was completely confused. Of course it was a total fluke, and by accident, he and I both discovered that this rattle is also a musical instrument! Well since that day I've been trying to get Carter to make this toy whistle again. Yesterday, he finally got it after I demonstrated for him (about a million times). He LOVES it and now has a new favorite toy! And he's pretty good at taking turns with me, too!

New Foods

Lately we've been trying out all kinds of new foods on Carter. Not very successfully, but occasionally he surprises us! His favorite "real" food that he's had lately is bananas. He doesn't really like the texture if he's fed it from a spoon, but he LOVES frozen bananas from his mesh baby feeders. I just froze some strawberries and peaches, so we'll see how he likes to those.

Also, he seems to be okay with clementine oranges and string cheese, but sometimes the texture gets the best of him!! In this video, he was having somewhat of an "off" day with foods. I'd given him oranges and cheese prior to this, and he seemed to really like them. When we tried again, not so much. Over the holidays, we had a choking scare with a carrot. Since then, Eric and I both have been pretty nervous about giving him bigger pieces of food. I think the funniest thing about this video is Eric and me. Our conversation and commentary is classic "first time parent." We obviously don't have a clue.

All we can do is keep trying, and keep laughing! He'll get the hang of it soon!!

Daddy, I ♥ You!

This boy just LOVES his daddy... and the feeling is definitely mutual. I enjoy so much watching these two interact each day. He is starting to say "DA DA DA DA" a lot, and sometimes I think he even does it with association to Eric. Eric can make him laugh and giggle like no one else can. They are so sweet together, it just melts my heart every time.

In this video, I'm trying to engage Carter, and talk to him.... and it's like I don't even exist. His world, at this moment in time, is 100% about his daddy, and likewise for Eric. I might as well have not even been in the room! But, I'm sure glad I was if only to capture this. Precious.

A few moments later, Eric gets him really tickled. He is putting Carter's foot in his own mouth, and popping it out really quick. Yes, something only a daddy would think to do. They must have done this for 10 minutes, and Carter had the pruney toes to prove it! EEEWWWWWW!!!

Letter to Grandma

Dear Grandma Cindy,

I just LOVE my new ride I got for Christmas. I kind of forgot I had it because it's been in the garage.... until last night! Mommy said it was finally warm enough, so we went for a quick spin around the block before it got dark. I had a lot of fun, so I just wanted to say thank you again. I can't wait until next time. Mommy wanted you to see a few pictures, and even a video, of me driving! Can't wait to see you this weekend! I love you!

Love, Carter

PS: Tell Bop Bop I love him too, and thank you!!

9 month check up

Carter went to see Dr. Nail today. He is now 19 pounds, 8 ounces, and is 28.8 inches long! He's in the 50th percentile for weight, and 90th for height. He also got another Hep B shot, and his 2nd flu shot booster. I expected a little bit of a fever with that, and a grouchy baby, but he did just fine with both of them, thank goodness! Here are a few pictures of Carter at 9 months!

Up to no good.

Awww... just playing and being sweet.

This boy loves his books!!

This is Carter's new way of saying, "No more, I'm done!"

And this is Carter's newest thing. I guess it's just a matter of time, now!

We Couldn't Resist

Finally... my video uploaded!! Carter's dancing is hilarious. He bobs his little head, and every time it makes me think of that obnoxious movie, A Night at the Roxbury. Eric and I were goofing around, and we looked the song up on YouTube and played it for him. He didn't disappoint... Check out his moves!!

Just a Boring Update

I haven't been a great blogger lately. In my defense, I've been trying to upload a video and some pictures for about a week now, but for some reason I can't get them to work. I guess I'll keep trying.

I have to admit, I'm always very relieved when the craziness of the holidays are finally over. We got our Christmas decorations and lights taken down the first weekend of the new year, so I'm glad my house is back to normal.

As of tomorrow, Carter will be 9 months old. I can't believe it! He goes to the doctor for his check up on Friday morning, so be on the look out for an update on how that goes. He's still not crawling, but I can tell he is more and more interested in moving on his own every day. He's a master roller, so that gets him anywhere he wants to go. But he definitely gets frustrated sometimes. You can tell he just wants to be able to do something more! He has started to pull up on things when he's sitting down. This started a few weeks ago when I taught him how to pull up on my shoulders when he was sitting in my lap, facing me. It's the first thing he does now when I set him up from nursing. He thinks it's SO FUN to stand in mommy's lap! He's still very big on clapping and dancing. It cracks me up because he'll dance to something he hears on TV or the little jingles his toys play. The other day I was driving with Carter in the back seat. I could see him in the baby mirror bobbing his little head to the song that was playing on the radio. He loves to dance in his high chair when he's having a meal. He must know it's impossible for us to hit the moving target with the spoon. This makes a lot of messes! We're also working on waving "hi" and "bye." He doesn't quite have those down yet, but I know he will soon! He's SO vocal these days, too. I'm hearing a lot of "DA DA DA DA" and "BA BA BA BA." He also likes the hard "G" sound. Lots of "GUH GUH GUH." And as always, lots of grunting, squealing, and yelling.

I've really noticed a lot of changes in his personality this month. It's like he's really starting to understand the world around him! I just love watching him grow and learn every day. I just can't say enough how blessed I feel that God chose me to be this amazing little creature's mother. Here are a few of the pictures I've been trying to upload... finally had some success!

I got copies of the pictures my inlaws took of Eric's family Christmas. Carter in his new ride!

Carter loves his Grandma Cindy

A rare photos of the women in the Beckman family.
Eric's mom Cindy, Eric's grandma Hazel, Eric's sister Beth, and me.

The three of us on Christmas Day... in the snow!!

And, here are a few photos from a playdate last week. Carter and two of his best friends, Mia and Presley. They are SO funny together!! Yes, Carter is playing with Presley's purse. It's his man purse. =)

Hi Moms!!

Oh Presley.... she's always wanting to touch all of her friends! =)

Carter says, "Seriously... can I get a little bit of PERSONAL space here?" And someone must be calling Mia on her flip phone...

Carter in the midst of a melt down. Mia says, "Don't cry, friend!"

It's a lot of fun getting these babies together to play. They are so funny how they interact at this age. The mommies always have a good time, too!

Lila is here!

Carter and I went to the hospital today to wait on the arrival of Lila. Elizabeth and Lucas are good friends of ours. Elizabeth's mom and my mom are best friends who have known each other since elementary school. We were excited we got to be there when she was born, and we got to see her just a short while later.

Congratulations Liz and Lucas! She's just beautiful!

Can't wait to see her again soon!

Lila Claire Tesh

January 4, 2010

1:36 pm

7 lbs. 4 oz.

18 inches long

Sweet baby girl sucking on her fingers

Lucas is a very proud Daddy

"She's too young for you, Carter!"