1st Swim

First time swimming (floating) in the pool.

Success!!! He floated for almost 45 minutes in his car. This gives me great joy because it means future pool trips with the boys by myself might not be awful.

Carson also enjoyed the water with his puddle jumper life jacket. Thank goodness he has shown some independence at the pool and doesn't require me to hold his hand the entire time. We do need to work on kicking the legs and moving the arms to keep him from getting stuck in the middle of the pool floating.

Overall a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with family, good friends, and firsts.

Looking Ahead

It's always fun to think of what your children will be when they grow up to be adults. I think my husbands first thought when the kids were birthed was "Wouldn't it be cool if he was a first round draft pick?" I say "Really? Do you know what the chances of that really happening are?" and he responds with "So you are telling me there is a chance!"

Back to future occupations...we gave Carson a chance to try out his cooking/baking skills last week. I can honestly say that I think we are going to mark that occupation off of the list. Several of my friends have let there kids test out the kitchen and have had great results. Happy kid, not too much of a mess, and a meal that tastes good and the child is proud of making.


Well not my child. we attempted cupcakes. Not even made from scratch, whip your own icing kind. The easy box mix and canned icing. He made such a mess and could not follow simple directions. He saw this new adventure and went bonkers, then lost interest, then went bonkers again. Hence the batter everywhere and the sprinkles everywhere. When we finally finished I think he took two bites of his cupcake and moved onto a new activity.

 All in all, not worth it. I think we will wait a few years before we try to bake/cook anything all together again. Secretly I think Dad was relieved that the sports dream is still alive :)

Bugs, Bugs, Go Away!

If this is a preview of what our summer situation with bugs is going to be Carson just might become the kid in the bubble suit.

No, they are not spider bites, or chiggers (I have already gotten those this year), or anything else exotic that would cause them to be that big. Mosquitos!!! And he happens to be allergic to the most common summer bug there is. I know I'm being dramatic but, come on man! I'm about to by stock in OFF bug spray because he will bathe in it every morning from now on. Again I'm being dramatic but those old people were right when they said "when your kid hurts, you hurt right along with them."

6 Months and Counting

1/2 year old Caleb Micheal Black

This is by far my favorite month picture that I have taken yet. 6 months...how did we get here so quickly? The biggest milestone this month is that we are FINALLY sleeping through the night! whooo hooo! Other stats are ---

Length: 26 1/2 inches (50th percentile)

Weight: 17lbs 8 ounces (50th percentile)

Clothes: 6-9 month and some 12 that are small

Diapers: Size 3 during the day Size 4 at night

Sleeping: Generally 2 naps Morning two hour nap and afternoon two or one and half hour nap. Occasionally he will take a dinner nap (if we are lucky) At night he is sleeping 8-10 hours YEAH!

Food: Breast Milk, Formula (if I have a margarita), Stage 2 baby foods anything but green beans and peaches. Our pediatrician told us to start introducing cheese, yogurt, beans, and juice this month and to also get that sippy cup in his hands to start teaching him.

Activity: rolling both ways, on his hands and knees rocking but mostly going backwards, sits when propped up but prefers the sexy pose (leaning on one hand), and chewing on anything he can get his mouth on. He has learned what to do in his bouncer this month and loves it! He gets a good hour of bouncing in every day.

Other Random Things: Continues to LOVE his pacifier, he is still my snuggle boy with being held and falling asleep in anybody arms, He could be entertained by Carson and Rogue all day long. He loves both of them so much and I love when they can make him giggle. He hasn't made any significant sounds yet, but he is a champ at blowing bubbles. 

With Baseball season in session we took some prop pictures with a glove and...

Our favorite team's bobble head. Go Rangers!!

Happy 6 month Birthday my love! Before we know it he will be a 1 year old :(

Road Trip

This last weekend we went on a road trip to good ole Abilene. We originally were only making the trip to go to my 7v7 HSU soccer tournament where I played on the alumni team, but ended up being able to make it to our niece and nephews 2nd birthday party. Out of the entire weekend I took 3 photos.

Carson on the hotel phone. He loved that thing! By Sunday he was calling Mimi and Poppy's room without assistance and would hang up and want to call them right back. Serious phone obsession!

My cutie boy in his hat that finally fits. It's newborn size and he is almost 6 months. He has a little peanut head :) but a cute one at that.

And finally Mr. Ethan's birthday cake. Elynn's cake was exactly the same but pink with flowers. What a cute idea! Simple but perfect for a little one's cake who can't beg for some super hero just yet.

I know, random pictures but that's how life is with this Fam.

Potty Problems

Carson still refuses to sit on the big potty so our potty training has come to a halt. He does great at home with his junior potty and he has attempted a few times at school (with some minor accidents) on their small potties. We will be upstairs playing and he will tell me "mommy it's coming" so I will try to take him to the bathroom real potty upstairs and he refuses. This is when I know we are pushing the holding it time period and we sprint down the stairs to the little potty still posted up in the kitchen. Yes, I have tried to move it. Yes, Carson moved it right back to the kitchen to its "spot". Don't even ask about public potting...disaster! Not to mention that Carson is way too big for public changing tables. I'm afraid one day the wall table is going to snap and not only will I use the curse word sh*t but it will be all over the place.

My brother is convinced that Carson sees the big potty the same way the little boy in "Looks Who's Talking" saw it.

Lol! That picture makes me chuckle. "I want to eat your pee pee!" I know, I know, just a minor bump in the road. He will get it when he gets it. We are coming up on age 3 quickly and I might have to take drastic measures. I'm not sure what that is yet but I will come up with something. Enjoy your diapers now Carson because one day you will wake up and they will be ALL GONE!

Mini Photo Shoot

Do you know how hard it is to get two 5-6 month olds and two 2 year olds to lay next to each other and smile all at the same time? Very hard! This was our first attempt and out of the 20 something pictures this was the best one.

By the time we finished (or more like gave up) we were sweating, the babies were grabbing each other, and the big boys were bolting to play with something else. Attempt #2 will happen when we can bribe them with something really good...yes we bribe our children :)

That might be a sub-par picture, but we did get a good one of the little cuties. They are easier because they don't move (although Graham will be moving very quickly very soon) and since they are still some what new they are easily entertained by their goofy mommies.

 The things that bring us joy have changed drastically in the last 3 years. Who knew we would melt just seeing these sweet baby smiles.

Here next week we are going to try for some bluebonnet pictures and honestly, it will be hit or miss. They will be full on smiles and cooperate wonderfully or full of frowny faces and running around like mad men. We will all have to wait and see.