Carson turned 3!

I can't believe that my baby boy turned 3 a week ago. We had a wonderful birthday party with family, friends, a blow up water slide, and a huge bounce house. My goal for his birthday party was for Carson to have the most fun possible and I think we achieved that. But talk about a bad mother...I only took one picture the entire party and that was Carson blowing out his birthday candles. At least I got that right? Luckily several other people were taking pictures, so hopefully I will steal some of those for his memory book. 

Also luckily we got to keep the bounce house for the entire weekend, so I got to capture some "pure joy" moments the next day.

About to Body Slam Uncle Derik

Doing some flips his cousin Avery taught him

Jumping with a nervous little brother

Now onto some 3 years of life stats: Carson is 40 inches long and 38 lbs. He was born a man-child and he has continued to grow at a rapid rate. He is a talker. Let me correct that - he never stops talking. He is potty trained for the most part. He is perfect at school - go figure - but we still have issues at home now and then. He has moved onto his big boy bed. We bought a convertible crib before he was born, and we have officially gone through all of the stages. He LOVES his big boy bed. When we took the front of his crib off to make the toddler bed he kept falling out, so we transitioned to the full bed pretty quickly once he proved to us that he wouldn't get out during naps or night time. How did we do it? I threatened his life and he hasn't called my bluff yet. We also have a two way video monitor to where if I see him moving I can tell him to go to sleep. Or in the morning we can tell him he can get out of bed to join the family. 

This last year Carson completed his first full year of school/mothers day out 2 days a week. He also went to a summer program 3 days a week. He had his freak out moments at both schools and we pushed past it and for the most part he enjoys going. Anybody who has been around Carson for long periods of time know that he has a memory better than some adults, so going to school has really been fun for Garet and I because he comes home with new phrases, songs, and stories all the time. 

And finally Carson has filled the big brother role beautifully. He loves his little brother a lot and will do anything to help or make him feel better if he is crying. Some of my favorite things that Carson does for Caleb are: If Caleb is crying he will go talk to him, tickle him, or in his car seat play with his feet which he absolutely loves. If Caleb is crying in the car Carson will try to throw toys into his lap to make him happy, or he will start doing silly faces for him. Any mother knows a baby crying in the car gives you the most helpless feeling and my sweet boy always tries to help out. 

I could go on and on about things that I love about Carson. I could also write 10 blogs about things he does to drive me crazy. By the way that is a new phrase he uses with us "Mommy, you are making me crazy!" I wonder where he got that? Anyways, we have had a wonderful year and we will see what the terrible 3's bring us. I will be optimistic and say it will be the wonderful 3's. No matter what there will always be more goods than bads and more hugs and kisses than tears. 

 Happy 3rd Birthday Carson Anthony Black!