Watch Me Grow: 11 Months

We are one month away from having a one-year-old.

I'm already a mess. And it's just like everyone said it would be.

I'm that sappy mom who whimpers at the site of one of his baby onesies, cries when looking at old pictures, and sulks when he wants to do something himself. And when he pushes me away? Oh, this mom has a downright meltdown.

I'm just not sure I'll ever come to terms with this toddler stuff. It's horrifying, really. I guess I need to face the facts and let it happen.

Carson at 11 months:

In the Closet: Mainly 12 months, some smaller, some larger 

Diapers: Size 3, but just getting through our stock. We have the 4s ready for your tushy. 

Teeth: Five! Two on the bottom and three on the top.

Grub: Most anything and everything. Except honey and nuts of course. You try it. You like it. You eat it. And when you don't like it? You throw it on the floor. And then Jake comes running.

Sleep: 11-12 hours. Love you for this child.

New Activity/Development: Walking, but not very well. You're close buddy.

Loves: Blueberries and animal crackers. Going upside down. Climbing Stairs. Walking toys. Getting into everything. A little game I call "hide and appear"...hide around anything...doors, chairs, blankets, coffee tables, toys....then appear. You love it and laugh hysterically.

Hates: Being ignored. Getting your diaper changed when you don't feel like it. Falling down when you are tired (your screams could be heard a mile away). Vacuums.

Carson, you are such a big boy.

I can't believe how independent you have become. You don't like us to hold your bottle, you don't like to be rocked, you push our hands away if you don't want something, and you make it very apparent something isn't going your way by screaming very loudly.

At least you still give me the occasional cuddle at bedtime. They are few and far between, but those nights, the nights you let me rock you to sleep, are just priceless.

Two nights ago, I found myself holding you so close, and so tight, just staring at you for what seemed like five minutes. Forty-five minutes later, I finally managed to lay you down and tip-toe out of your room.

Your dad and I sometimes fight over who gets to put you down. I always win. But that's because he is a gentleman and gives me what I want. Are you taking notes?

I just can't help it. It's the one time I can stare at you, play with your hair, stroke your cheeks, touch your little lips and kiss you goodnight without you trying to pull away to play with the next thing you can discover.

Discover. Huh, that's a word you should know. It seems you are discovering each and every thing you are not supposed to. I like to call you my tiny destructor because that's what you are. I pick up the same mess three times before we even walk out the door in the mornings.

Speaking of morning. You have a thing for pooping right before we walk out the door. Every. Single. Morning. Is that your way of saying you wanted just five more minutes with your mommy?

I'll take it.

The other day, you were trying to knock over the tall glass vase in the basement, I, from across the room say, "Carson, no, no." You stop, look up at me and start shaking your head left to right. Brian and I were both like, "where did he learn that!"

So what do you do? Go back for the vase, so we say no again. And you shook your little head back and forth again. It was so so cute.

You took your first steps this past Sunday. A few days past your 11-month birthday. You have been trying a lot more this week, but you seem to fall a lot. I have a feeling you'll be an actual walker by next week.

Can't we please just stop the time and enjoy this very moment, right now? I don't want to think about tomorrow, or you walking, or your first birthday, or your first day of kindergarten, or when you leave me for college. You better to go to college mister.

I just want to think about tonight. Your very first Halloween.

A night where we will dress you up and take lots of pictures, goo and ga at you in your costume while you look at us like we're crazy.

We're not crazy sweet boy. Just totally in love with you.

But for tonight, I just want to enjoy our not-yet-one-year-old.  

10 Months
9 Months
8 Months
7 Months
6 Months
5 Months
4 Months
3 Months
2 Months
1 Month
Newborn

A Birdie Baby Shower

This past weekend, I helped host a baby shower for my sweet sis-in-law. She's super special, so her friend and I gave our best efforts to make it just perfect.

My kitchen table was covered with serving dishes and decor for days leading up to it, and Brian was annoyed by my crafting for weeks, but I must say, it turned out pretty perfect.

And that means a lot coming from me. I'm rather anal and can't seem to plan a party without thinking of every single detail.

If you remember, I revealed the invitation to you here. Bird-themed for a sweet baby girl named Madison.

We tried to include a little bit of everything.

Delicious bites. Simple decor. Small (but noted) details. Personal touches.

The menu was simple. The shower was a "brunch" baby shower starting at 10:30, so we decided on a yogurt bar with various toppings, breakfast casserole muffins, sausage balls and mini quiches.

Yogurt toppings included blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, pumpkin granola, almonds, chocolate chips and a cookie stick.

The drinks were cherry limeade (recipe here), lemonade and water. I served them in wine bottles and kept them cold in a metal beverage tub. The dessert table included cupcakes from Cupcake a la Mode and chocolate "bird nests."

 

Some of the small details incorporated were favor treat bags adorned with custom bird tags (more details below), a clothesline of bird onesies using twine and clothespins, decorated mason jars for utensils, and mason jars as cups. And pink paper-striped straws. I don't care if these are everywhere right now, can mason jars and paper straws get any cuter?

Note: I found that Wal-Mart had the cheapest mason jars. I believe I paid $8 for a case of 12.

All the food was labeled using clothespins, glue dots, and custom made tags. Both tables were decorated with paper pinwheels of all sizes (tutorial here).

I prettied up the chandelier by hanging paper birds and pinwheels with twine.

I also used the cutest wooden bird house on the top plate of a tiered server, purchased at Hobby Lobby, which now serves as decor in my house.  

Small birds nests made with plant filler and jordan almonds gave the table just the right touch.

A custom-made banner that said "Baby Madison" greeted guests in the front room and was hung on the fireplace mantle.

A 4x6 framed print instructed guests to fill out advice cards. Print read "It can be practical or it can be sweet, let's share words of wisdom or advice about the one we are waiting to meet!"

An 8x10 framed print accompanies the food table that read "First we had each other. Then we had you. Now we have everything."

Bird nest favors were made using this recipe. To my surprise, they were super easy and pretty fast! The hardest part was dropping them into the individual bags and tying the tags.

I purchased strawberry cheesecake jelly belly's from Amazon, purchased the treat bags and raffia ribbon at Hobby Lobby and made the custom tags that read "Thanks for filling the nest" and "tweet tweet."

And....that's it! Thanks for letting me share all the details with you.

I'm a little sad it's over because I had so much fun crafting, designing and making things for this shower. Good thing Big Boy has a birthday coming up.

On to the next party.

A Perfect Day

I'm a different person today than I was last year at this time. For obvious reasons of course.

I have a new special someone in my life. A special little boy that Brian and I created together. The boy who brings tears to my eyes just thinking about.

And brings our family together in ways he doesn't even realize.

Together for laughter, experience and traditions. Traditions like going to the pumpkin patch.

He won't remember this day, but it was perfect.

It may have been windy, a rather short trip, and he might have been coming down with a cold. But, I'll never forget his first trip to the pumpkin patch.

You see, Brian and I had never been to the pumpkin patch together before. It was a first for our family.  Just the three of us.

It's the little things in life, and the traditions we create together, that make it all so worth it.

Hey Hey

oh hey friends. Oh hey Friday.

Carson says hey. It's dreary in Kansas City today.

The hubs begged for a blog post today, literally.

It's pretty cute that he reads my posts and loves all the pictures of our little man.

I guess I can't blame him. Good thing I take a lot of photos, because sometimes, I don't have much to say.

Like today.

I'm headed to PowerPlay with my company this afternoon for some fierce games of Whirley Ball and go carts. Gotta love Friday afternoons where you don't have to work.

I missed last week's Instagram phone dump pics, so I have a ton this week. 

The iPhone has definitely upped my picture taking. And I am clearly obsessed with my kid.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

Cheers

I totally meant to blog this week, but some contraption called an iPhone has consumed all of my time.

Yep, that's right, this girl finally got an iPhone! Cheers to that! I might have been one of the last employees to receive one, and that girl who earned her spot on the IT guy's shit list (I begged for months), but I don't care. I'm pumped. I'm obsessed. It's that cool.

Thank you to my amazing company for finally switching me over, and being oh so awesome to allow me to use it as my personal device as well.

I have totally been missing out friends.

I've mentioned before that I was the last lone soul on earth with a crackberry, and I'm positive now that I truly was. Anyone would be crazy not to own this genius piece of technology. I'm not completely foreign, as I'm an owner of an iPad, but I feel that much cooler.

Yep, I'm cool. And so are you. Because I'm sure you have an iPhone too.

I wish I had more exciting things to share with you these days, but I don't. Only news about my kid. I know...geez, not more about her kid? But, he's so freakin' fun right now.

He's standing. Unassisted. 

Growing like crazy. And learning to talk more. 

He's eating real food like ground turkey and breakfast casserole. 

And edamame and Craisins. Yes, they come out whole in case you were wondering. 

He's waving goodbye. And understanding how things work.

Wearing shoes. Making the transition to sippy cups. And becoming a toddler.

And continuing to just melt our hearts. Every. Single. Day.

My husband trimmed his hair around his ears the other day when I wasn't looking and I could have killed him when he told me. I didn't notice, but seriously, don't mess with my baby's precious locks!

What else have we been up to? Hmm, Nana came this past weekend to snuggle. Brian is redoing our downstairs bathroom. Jake is busy hovering under the highchair all the time, and I am addicted to my iPhone.

Carson, well, he just loves the swings.

Hope you all had a fantastic week. Cheers to the weekend!

...a few days late

TOP | favorite time of our nightly routine | please don't inherit dad's road rage

MIDDLE | screaming fall | glowing morning hair | swinger

BOTTOM | twinsies | big boy toy | unassisted standing...and yes that's a shot glass

Design Menu

My free time has been occupied by the computer these days.

Not only do I spend quite a bit of time organizing photos and layouts for this here blog, but lately, I've been designing. Art prints, invitations, announcements and cards, paper embellishments for parties, you name it.

With my friends having babies, people getting engaged and getting married {not in that order necessarily, but maybe}, I've had the opportunity to create some fun stuff in the past few years.

I've realized the more time I spend designing and creating, the better my creativity and eye for design becomes. And, I find myself searching and discovering new places to find inspiration.

First off, I've never considered myself to be a graphic designer, but I do have enough design sense and software skill to be one.

I have a degree in journalism, where I specialized in advertising and PR. Sitting through college courses and completing group projects is where I first learned all about layout and design. And lucky for me, my day job requires me to use most of my skills from college. Every single day.

But, let's get real, designing a customized nursery print over an ad for the Kansas City Business Journal is much more fun.

So, I've decided to share my design adventures with you. Who knows, maybe I'll even open an Etsy shop someday. Who am I kidding? I don't have time for that. But really, it's a long-shot idea I've kicked around.

I must make mention, in this crazy world centered around technology, that I pull inspiration from numerous sources. Pinterest, Etsy, blogs, Card Web sites, etc.

Most of what I design is not entirely my original ideas.

{Gasp!} Yep, I love finding inspiration from others creative ideas and successes.

While some people may think that's wrong, I can assure you that 10 other people have done the same thing. It's no different than someone recreating a DIY project from Pinterest, or a knock-off purse company making a designer look-alike.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery my friends.

Why else would fabulous people with fabulous blogs share their projects, ideas, crafts and inspirations with others? To have it recreated of course.

I will always give credit where credit is due. Because that's what the right thing to do is.

I've showed you a few things before on the blog, but never had a dedicated section to it. Soon, once I find more free time, I plan to post some of my design projects.

Until then, I'll share my sweet sis-in-law's baby shower invite that just went out last week. I pulled inspiration from this invitation on Tiny Prints and added my own touches.

It involves sweet birdies, polka dots, pink, and the name of my soon-to-be baby niece.

+Designed using InDesign

+Birds: Found here

+Fonts: Baby - Futura XBlk BT, Names - Ma Sexy, Body text - Skinny Jeans Solid

+Printed to cardstock paper, trimmed to bleed, and added rounded corners 

using corner cutter from Hobby Lobby

I'm so pleased with the way it turned out. I love the rounded corners and the patterned back.

My creativity couldn't stop with just the invitation, so I carried the theme to the envelope labels. One of my favorite ways to address invitations is with wrap around labels.

I did this with my wedding invitations years ago and have been using this format ever since. It's super easy and eliminates the hassle of doing a mail merge and using the label wizard in Microsoft Word.

+Designed using InDesign

+Printed to 8.5x11 full sheet Avery labels, trimmed to size, and added rounded corners

Invitations, check. Next up on the design menu is other fun embellishments for the baby shower.

Banner, food display placards, hmmm...Pinterest is calling my name.

I can't think of a title.

Wow, what a weekend.

Saturday was the day the Cats and the Chiefs pulled off epic wins. I had faith in my wildcats, but to be completely honest, I had lost all faith in the Chiefs.

Carson also had his first ever sleepover. With a girl. It may have only been for a few hours while we finished watching the game at a friend's house, but nonetheless, his first sleepover.

Don't worry, we were responsible parents and made them sleep in separate pac-n-plays. He's not allowed to spoon just yet.

It took forever to get the little monster to go down. He just didn't want to stop partying, and I guess he somehow knew the Cats would pull off a smackdown of the Sooners.

It was such an exciting game to watch. And I'm so proud to be a Wildcat.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Last Wednesday, I got home before the boys so I called the husband to see if he could stop and get something at the store on his way home. No answer. I called again ten minutes later. No answer. 

I don't even know why my husband has a cell phone. He seriously never answers my calls. Anyone else have this problem? Please say I'm not the only one.

Anyways, he gets home as I tell him he can fend for himself for dinner. No answer meant a missing ingredient for the new recipe I had planned to try. "I'm sorry, my phone was on silent."

So we go about our nightly routine...he fixes himself a PB&J (Yep, I'm that serious) and then looks me square in the eyes and says, "Honey, I have something to confess and I need to get it off my chest."

I really had no idea what he was going to say, but I had an idea it had something to do with him not answering his phone. I thought of a thousand silly things at that moment. Did he forget to pick up Carson and had to turn around? Did he get in trouble at work? Did he run into an old girlfriend? Hell, I didn't know.

It's funny how the priority order in my thought process has changed...Carson comes first, then how to provide for Carson, then marriage. I know, it's backwards, but that's a whole other post for discussion.

So, I look at him and don't say anything. I gave the look of, "Just tell me. What did you do?" He lets out a sigh and says he got a speeding ticket on the way home.

No big deal, right? Right. I wasn't mad at all. Shit happens. In fact, I was relieved. Relieved it wasn't any of the other things that popped into my head before he spilled the beans. I wasn't pleased that he got caught in a speed trap in which he knows better, but secretly, I was sort of happy he got a ticket.

If you know my husband, he's the world's best driver. He's only had a "few tickets in life" and "has never been in a wreck other than that one time." He is the smartest, most "efficient" driver on the road and everyone else is just stupid. Just ask him, he'll tell you.

There's just that little tidbit that always gets me, his road rage. He's more patient than me by a long shot, but when it comes to driving, he's aggressive and impatient. Even though we will most likely arrive at the same time, he makes getting there stressful because he gets so angry.

So, I'm hoping this ticket made him think about his driving habits (Babe, are you reading this?) And I am happy he decided to tell me. Even if it hurt his driver pride just a little.

For the record, Brian is a good driver. And he's safe. I'm always the passenger and he's always the driver. If his driving was that bad, he wouldn't have the privilege of driving around a hot blonde so often.

Clearly, I'm talking about Carson.

Watch Me Grow: 10 Months

Well kid, you've stepped into double digits. And are getting closer and closer to taking your first steps.

I'm starting to plan your First Birthday and trying to do it without flooding the computer.

It's just crazy little man, I can't believe you are almost one year old.

Your daddy and I have had so much fun with you this past month. Not that you weren't fun before, you always have been, but you're becoming more interactive and understanding how things work.

Last week, you discovered that if you throw your food on the floor, Jake will come over and eat it. You thought it was absolutely hilarious. At first, we thought it was just the foods you didn't want to eat, but once you started giving him your favorites, we realized you really understood what you were doing.

Watching you entertain yourself was priceless, so we watched and laughed with you. Until we put a stop to the habit and decided you need to eat.

Speaking of eating, you don't miss a meal. You love your food. It seems you have a bit of a sweet tooth, because you always go for the fruits/sweet foods first. You get that from your mama. I see movie dates loaded with Sour Patch Kids, Nerds, Hot Tamales and Raisinets in our future. Please share your Halloween candy with me someday. Pinky swear?

We hit a big milestone about two weeks ago. You stood up. By yourself. Unassisted.

You love to stand now. And squat like a frog. And crawl with one leg.

Your a bit of mama's boy right now, but also love reaching for dad when others are holding you. You don't have stranger anxiety, but you reach for us when you're tired or cranky. It's nice knowing that you depend on us, but I hope you aren't shy. You don't cry at all when dropping you off at daycare anymore. In fact, you will look up from playing with your friends and wave goodbye to me. It's so stinkin' cute.

You also throw your hands in the air for touchdown, clap and high five. Sometimes, you won't do it on command. I guess you make the rules for now.

Another thing you have started doing is mimicking sounds back and forth. If I make a popping sound with my tongue and the roof of my mouth, you'll mimic the sound back. We love watching you do this. You also recently discovered your tongue. It's not unusual to find it hanging out of your mouth, or you chewing/gumming it.

We are starting to get you ready for the next room at school. You will transition at 12 months. In the new room, you will wear shoes everyday, only use sippy cups and take one nap a day. That last one scares me a bit, but we'll eventually get there. Together.

You see, Big Boy, you're powerful like that. You make all the stressful things in life seem distant. All the drama seem petty. And the worst of days instantly better. You can make your daddy cry at the drop of a hat, and mom's moodiness disappear in a second.

You're special. And the best thing that has ever happened to us. If you keep this up, I'm going to have a really hard time not spoiling you rotten.

Love you booger,
Mommy

Carson at 10 months:
In the Closet: Mostly 12 months, but still able to fit into smaller sized pants

Diapers: Size 3

Grub: You're an all formula baby now, went through our breast milk stock pretty fast. You take four 7 oz. bottles a day. As far as food goes, we pretty much give you anything to try now. You love chicken and pork, but aren't too pleased with beef and turkey yet. Your favorites are bananas, sweet potatoes and string cheese. 

Teeth: Just the bottom two, but I think your top ones are starting to come in.

Sleep: We have sleep down to a science now booger. I like to rock you at night still, if you'll let me, but if not, I place you in your crib wide awake and you put yourself to sleep. Same with napping. Your bedtime is 7:45ish and you wake up around 6:45ish. Two naps a day. For sure an hour long. Sometimes, you'll take 2+ hour naps.

New Activity/Development: Standing unassisted! Waving goodbye, high fives, throwing hands in the air for touchdown, mimicking sounds back and forth

Loves: Making messes. Getting into everything. Food and sippy cups. Going upside down. Paper. Cups. Walking toys. Door springs. Putting your fingers where they don't belong...like in my nose. The dishwasher. Jake. Playing peek-a-boo behind walls, furniture, etc.

Hates: The vacuum and the food processor, but you don't mind the blow dryer...weird.

9 Months
8 Months
7 Months
6 Months
5 Months
4 Months
3 Months
2 Months
1 Month
Newborn

Gosh, I just love this day

It's the weekend folks!

We have a busy weekend ahead. A birthday party, a baby shower, k-state football, and all that other crap that always muddles up my weekends. Chores, laundry, house projects. Whaa Whaa. Such a buzz kill.

It's supposed to be beautiful, a little brisk, but the kind of weather that screams fall. Don't you just love the fall?

I plan to treat myself to a pumpkin spiced latte from s-bux, dig out the fall decorations, and pull out the packed-away boots and scarves to get ready for the fabulous fall.

What are you doing this weekend?

Here's some instagrams from this week and last. Follow me at kutterchaos if you want to see a lot of pictures of my kid.

TOP | tv dinner #onlymyhusband | mama's monkey

MIDDLE | skyping | not feelin it today | not a clue as to who has more fun with the bath letters

BOTTOM | sure sign of fall in our house | little wildcat | not a bad morning view #houston