All Hallow's Eve...Keep Your Path Clear of Kats

Today is Halloween, and Carter dressed up as a Cat for his Halloween party at daycare. Matt and I were worried that the costume that was purchased for him in August would not be something he would take too kindly to wearing. You see, since August, Carter has run around the house, meowing with the kitty, and hugging it. Our concern was that he would not want to don the outfit of his affection. This was just not the case. Now I wonder after wearing it for part of the day today if he will want to take it off!

Even Kitties need runners!


meow, mew

"Is he sleeping through the night?", "Does my butt look big in this?", and "It's not you, it's me"

These are all questions you need to answer with a lie. People really want your child to be sleeping through the night, for you, because they know how difficult it is to be sleepy and ... oh, who am I kidding. People really want your child to NOT sleep through the night, so you can live the same difficult experience they had with their children.

This all being said. I am not one for lies, and I often give up information, even when not solicited. Nolen is not sleeping through the night yet. But hey, come on...he is only 6 weeks old. Also, Carter did not even sleep through the night until he was over 3 months (and let's remember, we can't compare Carter and Nolen - they have a whole lifetime for that one, why start early?) Some nights are better than others - but it seems the older Nolen is getting, the better he is getting at putting himself to sleep - he is just more aware and wanting to sleep less. For this I am glad that I have a maternity leave that extends beyond 6 week, but I live in fear of the fact that I will be working again in the new year. It would be nice to answer the sleeping question confidently, and honestly at that time - on a full nights rest. For the time being I am up several times at night, and Matt has been taking over when Nolen decides that at 5am it is time to be up for the day.

Personally, sleep is something we spend a lot of time talking about in reference to young infants, yet it is the least interesting thing about them. For example, Nolen has started cooing and smiling big time. Last night at dinner Matt was giving Carter some options around eating (translation: Carter thought he was done dinner after a few bites and was starting to melt down). Nolen just looked up at Matt, gave a big coo, and a grin that filled his entire face.

The next time you run into a new parent, stop yourself from asking the age old "sleeping" question. It is pretty boring, and unfortunatly, can tak a lot of time to answer.

Nolen --- and his cute dulcet tones

Ali's Visit.

Laura and Alison came for a visit...and the company has been amazing. Carter has had a blast, I have felt sane for a few days, and even Nolen is getting in on some of the action!

More Pictures of Carter and Nolen!

 
 

I think the most popular request I have had since bringing Nolen home has been, "More Pictures of Carter and Nolen!" I am not sure you know of what you ask.

I think when Carter and Nolen are together, I spend about 90% of my time ensuring that Nolen survives his encounter with his brother. This is not to say Carter is not gentle with Nolen, but come on...he is a toddler, toddler gentle vs. gentle of an older child is two very differnt things. I know that if I was armed with a camera, to capture a Carter and Nolen shot, the perfect shot...there may be one less child at the end of the photo shoot.

So for now, you will just have to survive with pictures of Nolen, and maybe we will be lucky enough to have pictures with the two of them...but don't count on it any time soon! 

Vids ARE cool!

 

Erik, teaching Carter how to play - Matt is so happy, now he has someone to play x-box with! 

Weighing in at

Poor Nolen. He has been sick longer than he has been out of utero. Not very sick mind you, just a common cold-stuffed up nose, funny coloured poo, same old, same ole.

After our well child visit after Nolen was born, we learned that he was gaining on average, just under 2oz a day. The average newborn gains 0.5oz a day. It was no surprise then, when visiting the doctor yesterday to check on the progress, or lack thereof of his cold, we learned that Nolen is just over 12lb. It was not a fully accurate weigh in because Nolen had clothing on. Doctors offices are obsessed with naked weigh-ins for children (I am glad this is not a trend for adults! I would never comply with that!)

So, even despite the cold, he is getting bigger, and growing more and more every day. Good baby!