Elf on the Shelf

We are starting a new tradition in the Black household this Christmas season. Elf on the Shelf. First we introduced the elf to Carson and he got to name him. He choose the name Christmas Tree so we rolled with it and are going to shorten it to Chris. Then we explained to Carson that Chris the elf is going to be here everyday in December to make sure that he is going to be a good boy because at night time Chris flies back to Santa to give him a daily report. Now I will admit that my son is pretty intelligent, but does he understand all of this? Of course not! He does understand good= presents bad=no presents.

After tomorrow hopefully he will get the idea that he gets to wake up and find his friend Chris the elf in all kinds of different places. Maybe as it gets closer to Christmas, if Carson is being a extra good boy, Chris the elf might have little gifts for him when he finds him in the morning.

I love Christmas traditions and thanks to my mother in law this is another one we will get to add to the mix.

Here is Christmas Tree the elf sitting on Carson's table with his coloring book waiting for him to find him on the first day of December. 25 days to go!

First Mommy Moment

I had a first this week. For the last two days every time I have gotten in my car I think to myself...something smells really bad in here.

Check list of possible smelly things:
- dirty diapers on either boy
- dirty seats from overflow of prior dirty diaper
- dirty diaper that was left in the car on accident
- spit up/throw up from bigger boy
NONE of the above

Finally I tell the hubby...my car smells like poop and I can't figure out what it is. He searches for maybe 20 seconds and finds a sippy cup under the passenger side seat, opens it and almost throws up. According to him the cup had ice cube shaped curdled milk in it. I took his word for it and told him to just toss the cup. I'm pretty cheap but when it comes to things like that I'm willing to let go of a sippy cup.

Writing this blog makes me *blah* all over again. I'm not going to say I won't ever make that mistake again, but I will defiantly be more careful for quit awhile. Thinking about it, I've gone along time without that happening...good job to me!

Now I'm going to go get an air freshener for my car....*blah*

2 weeks

6 pounds 12 ounces so our little peanut is gaining weight but still has awhile before he reaches Carson's birth weight.

He is still in Newborn everything and most of it hangs off of him. Thank goodness our nephew Ethan was a little peanut also or we wouldn't have had anything for Caleb to wear.

He is a champion sleeper...for now. I'm so scared to make this statement because we had a very hard first 6 weeks with Carson. Hopefully Caleb will continue to have 3-4 hour stretches of sleep at night and keep Mom and Dad pretty much well rested.

Carson loves his little brother...again - for now. We haven't had any jealousy issues yet but I'm sure they will arise soon enough.

We are in love and are enjoying every second with our new little man.

October 30 Surprise Here Comes Caleb!

The details of Mr. Caleb's birthday....

As many of you know Caleb's due date was not until the middle of November so he defiantly decided to surprise us and come early. Sunday morning October the 30th I woke up and knew that Mr. Caleb was going to make his arrival soon...how soon? I wasn't sure but I had a good feeling that it would be that day. My water was leaking just a tiny bit to where you question if you are really leaking or peeing on yourself. I told Garet what was going on and he did what any other guy would do...shrugged his shoulders and asked what that meant. I told him might want to get some clothes together for the hospital but I didn't want to just sit around because who knew how long we would be waiting for something to happen. I was convinced that contractions would hit me first because the odds of your water breaking is very very slim.

So we continued to get ready for church and headed out thinking we would go to church get some food afterwards and re-evaluate the situation afterwards. Church was great - we worshipped, listened to a great sermon, and I was still feeling fine. When the service was over and everyone was leaving I looked at Garet and told him I was nervous to stand up. He replied that we couldn't stay there all day so I proceeded to stand up. Thats when the flood started down my pants and on to the floor. I walked quickly to the car and Garet got Carson out of Sunday school. While all of this is happening still no contractions but I knew we needed to get to the hospital pronto.

We arrived at the hospital after a quick stop at Whataburger (I knew they wouldn't let me eat once we got there) priorities people! Passed off Carson to my parents and headed for labor and delivery. This entire time my water is leaking...now there is no question to peeing...it's a river. Sorry if that's TMI but for future mothers you WILL know if your water breaks there is NO question. Once checked they measured me at 4 cms and then started me on pitocin to get regular contractions going. I barred those as long as I wasn't too uncomfortable then informed my nurse I was ready for the epidural. I'm not too proud and once I got it they turned the pitocin up considerably and I was complete (10 cm) in an hour. I pushed 3 times and Mr. Caleb arrived. 6 lbs 3 oz 20 inches long. Perfection in my eyes :)

We spent a short 24 hours in the hospital. Caleb checked out fine and I was feeling fine also. Overall the entire experience was great and relatively easy. I highly recommend Centennial Hospital in Frisco. They did a great job and catered to our every need.

Introducing Caleb Michael Black