The Weekend Recap

[Beware: Carter photo overload] :)

We had a busy weekend, that's for sure. I guess, technically, the chaos started Thursday night when we had really bad storms in central PA. Our drive home from Seth's softball game was terrifying and we immediately headed to the basement when we got home. The power went out, of course, and left us in the pitch black as we scrambled with our cell phone lights to find flashlights, lanterns, and candles. A loooong 20 hours later, the power finally came back on. You really forget how dependent you are on power until EVERYTHING relies on it. On Friday, I sat at Carter's daycare for an hour to charge my phone, and then had lunch in the local grocery store cafe because they had wi-fi.

On Saturday, we went to a Pine Grove Furnace State Park and had a picnic with my parents, Bradley, Michelle, Jason, McKenna, and Eli. We sent my parents on a scavenger hunt to get there and Michelle and I had prepared all the food and were prepping our picnic site for the day. We had nice weather for the most part, but had some spurts of rain here and there. It wasn't a big deal, though, because we had a canopy. The kids played in the water, mud (ahem, Carter Nicholas), and everywhere in between.

After the day in heat, we stopped for ice cream on the way home. C-man had a few bites, but not too much (more on ice cream later).

On Sunday, Seth had to work but Carter and I had a fun day playing outside as much as we could with the heat. The child LOVES his water table, and cried when I brought him inside.

Carter even had his first popsicle, though he was truly not into it. After one bite, I put it in the freezer. He looked at me like I was nuts for giving him something like that.



On Monday, we went up to my parents to celebrate Memorial Day. The guys went shooting and fishing (for snapping turtles...don't ask) and we basically did a lot of swimming and relaxing. Carter loved his new inner tube!

It was SO HOT on Memorial Day, so Michelle brought the fixings for ice cream sundaes. I gave Carter his first ice cream cone and he LOVED it (though I had no doubts). Here he is enjoying his treat. :) Could you just not eat him up?

Now, back to reality! Seth only has a few more days of school left for the year....lucky duck.

A Weekend Away {Ocean City, MD}

Seth and I were fortunate enough to get the opportunity to spend three nights away this past weekend in a friend's condo in Ocean City, Maryland. We had been looking forward to this mini trip for several weeks, and I stalked the weather forecast all week leading up to the day we left. Carter stayed with Gramma and Pa so that we could enjoy some time away (and, contrary to rumors/jokes/hopes and dreams, NOT to create baby #2...just throwing that out there).

This, my friends, was our Friday morning view. Ahhhh. Temperature does not phase me in the slightest, so I was up, packed for the beach, and rarin' to go by around 8:00 a.m. This would allow maximum tanning/reading time. Seth was thrilled.

Before we set up shop, we left all of our stuff in the car and just walked on the boardwalk for awhile. The lovely news for us is that we chose the weekend of the annual classic car show. [sense the sarcasm] After yelling to each other over the engine revving and tire pealing, we finally set up on the beach. We were pretty much the first ones out, which I expected at 9 a.m. in mid-May, but within an hour or two, there were lots of people setting up! Here is Jesus the day before "rapture," and, if He's anything like me, He was probably thinking "I could put a lot of people out of the classic-car misery if I did, in fact, come again today." But, alas, He did not.

The view of the glorious boardwalk - probably one of my most important criteria for United States beach selection. You simply cannot beat the people-watching on a boardwalk. I dare you to name a better place. Ha! :)

After I was suitably sunburnt, we had lunch and then headed back to the condo for the afternoon, relaxed, and then went to a rib place for dinner. It was very good!! Afterwards, we decided to rent a movie since we haven't done that in a very long time (pretty much the amount of time since Carter's been born!). We rented Grown Ups, which wasn't that good. But it was fun to rent a movie anyway!!!

On Saturday, we hit the beach early again, and lounged it up real nice until I was even more burnt. Then, it was time for the all-important mini-golf match. We get uber competitive when it is time to mini-golf. After some ice cream and locating an indoor, air-conditioned, mini-golf place, it was gametime.

I feel like I should spare Seth the humiliation that was that round of golf. I'd tell you our score, but I want to stay married. Let's just say....Wife, 1. Husband, 0. Love you, babe.

Afterwards, we went back and got ready for dinner and went to Harpoon Hanna's, which was delicious!! It was a great choice. Some boardwalk walking rounded out the night. Here were are on the boardwalk Saturday night!

  



On Sunday morning, we grabbed some breakfast and headed home, with a stop to see Mike and Sarah, and their precious new baby, Ethan. All in all, we had SUCH a good time and it was so much fun to get away, even for a few days. I will say that, ohmyword, I missed Carter so much. I knew he was in good hands and having a blast (and OH, sleeping 12 hours straight every night. Stinker.) but I just missed those chubby little cheeks and his sweetness so much!

Carter's Third Time "Voting"

This is the third time since Carter has been born that he's gone to the polls with Mommy and Daddy. Here he is in all his (unintentional) Patriotic, adorable glory! :)

What a difference a year makes!

(Sidenote: I so very distinctly remember this day in May 2010. I was at my wit's end and when Seth walked in the door, I practically jumped into his arms and said "Please, let's go somewhere. Anywhere."

First Steps, Teething, and Various Medical Ailments

Our handsome little man has been taking steps like crazy for the past two weeks. He took his first two steps on Mother's Day (for his very proud mama), and has been taking many small groupings of steps since - think five steps here, six steps there. Just this past weekend, he took seven steps at my parents. I think he'll be off and running in no time at all!!! I can't wait [famous last words] because I think it'll be so much fun to play with him outside!

He had his well visit on Friday and has tipped the scales at 30 pounds. Yes, 30. He's our chubber bubber. :) 


He is currently breaking all four molars, which has been....interesting. He isn't nearly as miserable as the other teeth, but they are clearly bothering him. He also has a nasty cough which sounded like croup, but that seems to be getting slightly better now. But you didn't think that was all, did you?? Please. It's the Ran household. He also has what appears to be pinkeye and is therefore being treated for that just in case! Add all of this to three vaccinations on Friday, and it has made for a somewhat unsettled baby. We're on the upswing, though!

Mother's Day

Before I was a mom,

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a mom,

I had never been puked on, pooped on, chewed on, peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a mom,

I never held down a screaming child

so doctors could do tests or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a mom,

I never held a sleeping baby
just because I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew how much I would love being a mom.

Before I was a mom,

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small

could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love,
the heartache, the wonderment,

or the satisfaction of being a mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

before I was a mom.

[So thankful for the little boy who made me a mom, and for a husband who is thankful for what I do.]

Carter's Birthday Paw-ty

We celebrated Carter's birthday party on Saturday. The theme was "puppies" and I did my best to incorporate the puppy idea in as much as possible without it being cheesy. Here are some photos of the party!

(important details omitted)

Welcome sign at the gate!

Month-by-month progression photos, the kids' "doggy bags," party hats, and a puppy-themed book for guests to sign as a record of who celebrated with us!



It's his party and he'll cry if he wants to.

Happy boy!

Loved the party hats!

My streamer creation!

The food table - hot dogs, hamburger sliders, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, veggie tray, chips and dip.

  Dessert table!! Favors (puppy chow), cupcakes, smash cake, peanut M & Ms, chocolate covered pretzels, and real dog bones for the furry pets at home! :)

Carter's smash cake - made by mommy.

Cupcakes also by mommy...vanilla cupcakes with vanilla icing and mini "dog bowls" (cupcake liners) on top...the "dog food" was cocoa puffs. The other cupcakes were chocolate with pea-"mutt" butter, "dirt" (crushed oreos), and a dog bone cookie.

Customized water bottle labels and the babes playing in the cooler.

Presents - he was a very spoiled little boy.

Hugging his girlfriend, Haylen

He LOVED the cake!

The end product.

Pinata time!

Carter, the big birthday boy!

Big brother, Bentley, who was the resident puppy mascot.

All in all, the party went very well! We had a lot of fun and the weather was nice and sunny. Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us - we hope you had fun too!

 

Twelve Months. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It's hard to believe that it has been a WHOLE YEAR since we were prepping to meet you, but everone did tell us the first year would go incredibly fast. I can hardly believe I survived, to be quite honest. Some days, I felt like I was put through the ringer. I've heard, though, that the first year is the hardest, so maybe things will be slightly less high-maintenance now, yes? :) Any maybe you'll continue to sleep as well as you have been? Pretty please?

Okay, since that's out of the way.

Carter,

At ONE YEAR, you:

- Weigh either 28 pounds or more. You haven't been weighed for a bit, but your 1 year visit is next week!
- Wear size 4 diapers during the day, and size 5 Huggies Overnites during the night.
- Are STILL wearing a few 12 month clothes (it's a mystery we don't fully understand), mostly from Carter's or Children's Place, but almost completely 18 month.
- Did not get any more teeth in the past month, still keeping you at the grand total of 8. You are getting 2 molars right now though, which have made you occasionally miserable. Poor thing.
- Continue to really develop your personality...you have two very distinct traits. You are INDEPENDENT and you are CLINGY. Strange, I know. :) Sometimes you will play so happily on your own and sometimes you need to see mommy and daddy at all times.
- Are so adorable with "props." You totally know what to do with a cell phone and a remote. Such a boy. :)
- Babble a lot more like you want to be saying something.
- Crawl everywhere....and FAST.
- Are so daring. You walk all along the furniture, let go and stand on your own for 20-30 seconds, and then grab back on and cruise everywhere. I think you'll be taking your first steps very soon!
- (Knock on wood, cross fingers, etc.) You have been sleeping through the night again pretty much every night from about 8 p.m. until 6:30 or so a.m. Every once in awhile (and it has been awhile), you'll cry out briefly during the night, but you settle yourself fairly quickly.
- Continue to be obsessed with Bentley's bowls. If we dump them out so you can play with them, you cry. You want them full of food and water.
- Refuse to leave sneakers on. Well, you'll leave your Robeez on but not the hard-soled ones you are to be wearing at daycare.
- Still nap one time at daycare, and two times on the weekends.
- Moved up a room in the nursery at church to the "movers."
- Are a sucker for towers. Whenever someone builds you a tower, you crawl immediately to it to knock it down.
- Have absolutely zero interest in TV and haven't for several months. Every once in a great while, you'll watch Baby Einstein but nothing on TV interests you.
- Have pretty bad separation anxiety if you're hungry, tired, or bored.
- Don't really like baths anymore unless there are new and exciting toys. You cry almost everytime we put you in, though you calm down in a few minutes and have a blast. Then you cry when we get you out.
- Drink only from sippy cups during the day and a small bottle of whole milk at night. The good news is you are about to break yourself of the nighttime bottle on your own. You really aren't very interested anymore and still sleep fine without it!
- Say mama, dada, da (dog), ba (ball, bottle), and what sounds like "that"
- Wave, clap, and immitate anything we do (clicking our toungue, doing noises with your lips, etc.)
- Do a really funny thing where you smack (lightly) the side of your head when we say "Could've had a V8" (from the commercial)
- Continue to eat very well and whatever we're eating.
- Started dancing when you hear music, mostly Veggie Tales.

We love you so much, squirt, C-man, baby love, dude, babykins. You are the love of our life and we can't wait to celebrate your birthday with you. This will probably be the last full "what you're up to" post but we'll continue to let everyone know of all of your developments! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Lessons Learned

Almost a whole year of being parents. On one hand, it seems like I blinked and the time has passed. On the other, it feels like we’ve been doing this parent thing for way longer. We’ve learned a lot over the past year. To document this monumental milestone in our lives, here are some of my/our lessons learned a few days shy of our baby’s first birthday. Grab a cup of coffee – I’ve learned a lot.

I’ve learned that epidurals are heaven, and people who choose to go drug-free are not heroes, they are crazy. Kidding. (Sort of.) :) Without a doubt, this made the delivery so much more memorable to me (rather than torture) and I would never consider it any other way. I’ve also learned that, when you are in labor, a doctor telling you that you are not does not go over well.

I’ve learned that breastfeeding is HARD and caused amounts of stress that I was not prepared for. Next time, I’ll take the books seriously. And hire a live-in lactation consultant.

I’ve learned that the “baby blues” can happen to anyone, no matter how loving of a marriage you are in, how prepared you think you are, and how much help you have. Boy, are they tough on you. Which leads me to my next lesson learned – family, friends, and neighbors are more than willing to help out and it is a God-send. Always let them help.

I’ve learned that “sleep when the baby sleeps” is essential – sometimes even when they are almost a year old. I’m just sayin’. Oh, and whoever coined the phrase “sleeping like a baby” is a liar. Babies sleep like crap. I never want my child to sleep like a baby.

I’ve learned that, once you have a child, “getting ready” means taking a shower. And maybe putting on some clean clothing.

I’ve learned that my husband is capable of doing things I would have never thought – watching the baby without me (even overnight!), changing many poopy diapers, running errands with him, and on and on. (Though sometimes he may act like he's not capable). :)

I’ve learned that teething is cruel. To everyone involved.

I’ve learned that daycare kids do get sick…but so do non-daycare kids. I’ll be thankful for these frustrating sicknesses now when he’s in kindergarten. And I'll be thankful for the day when people stop assuming every sickness is solely because we have decided to place him in daycare.

I’ve learned that my baby is healthy, no matter how “large” a perfect stranger will claim him to be.

I’ve learned that separation anxiety is frustrating…and also soul-touching. He just wants his mama. Even when I’m missing sleep, I can’t help but sniff his soft, stick-up hair while I rock him back to sleep and be so thankful he’s mine.

I’ve learned that boys will be boys. They don’t like their fingernails clipped, even as a baby, and then do not even think twice about eating the dog food when another snack is not readily available.

I've learned that baby boys do not pee on their parents nearly as much as movies and other people might suggest. In one year, I have never once been peed on (knock on wood). The pee-pee tee-pee is just a marketing ploy!

I’ve learned that pets become more annoying after you have kids. I know I’m not alone here, RIGHT?! I mean, did he always stand in my way before and I just didn’t notice it??? (To be fair, he is also really good with Carter and is such a good sport about Carter "playing" with him).

I’ve learned that working full-time and being a mom is tough, but also rewarding.

I’ve learned that date nights are the key to sanity. But also that, when I’m on one, I can’t stop thinking about Carter and how I can’t wait to get home to put him down for bed/give him a bath/feed him/hug him. I miss him even when I’m gone for a few hours!

I’ve learned what it feels like to worry non-stop. Is that cough really pneumonia? Whooping cough? HE HAS A FEVER?! Heaven help the nurse line.

I’ve learned that every little milestone is huge in our books. First teeth, first crawl, first laugh, clapping, peek-a-boo, “sooo big” – all are incredibly exciting to parents (maybe not to those who we bore with the details, but to us!).

I’ve learned that a rear-facing car seat in a two-door car is horribly frustrating and time-consuming. Your child will get his head bumped many times a day as you get in and out.

I’ve learned that you should never claim what you will and won’t do before you have kids of your own, because when the time comes, you do what works.

I’ve learned that apparently, 6:30 a.m. IS sleeping in now. Boo.

I’ve learned that the most random objects make the best toys – think: paper towel rolls, spoons, container of tic tacs.

I’ve learned that when people swear around my baby, I want to smack them.

I’ve learned that open-mouthed kisses from a droolly baby are the perfect kisses.

I’ve learned that the maker of the snack trap, Baby Einstein, the pacifier leash, mum-mum’s, and grocery cart covers are the true geniuses of our day.

I’ve learned that daddies have no idea about planning a first birthday party and they should never impose something stupid like a “budget” on the mommy for the aforementioned party.

I've learned that babies have cat-like reflexes that, when combined with your expensive camera, result in a lack of expensive camera.

I've learned that when you give a child something messy like spaghetti for dinner, their hands will instinctively go right to their hair.

I’ve learned what it feels like to love a child so bad it hurts.

Carter Nicholas, we love you so much and are so thankful we get to be your parents. You are such a joy to us. We can’t wait to watch you grow up and experience all having a little boy has to offer. We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished already and we pray you’ll grow up to be God-fearing, respectful, loving, and kind.

We love you lots.
Mommy and Daddy