Kisses from Carder

One day this week, (Tuesday I think) Carder put his arms on both sides of my head and pulled his face close to mine, mouth wide open.  He planted his open mouth squarely on my chin and rubbed it around.  I wasn't quite sure of this at the time, but I think I had just gotten my first kiss.

In the next couple of days, he repeated this action with increasing frequency.  However, his aim went from my chin to my cheek.  And right now, I am getting lots of wet kisses each day.  These kisses are always coupled with one of his cute little hugs, too.

All of those tears I cried waiting for him was SOOOOO worth it.

Many the Milestones

Life has been really busy lately.  In the last few weeks, Carder has experienced several milestones:

First Snowfall (11/17/2011)

First Glimpse of Our Decorated Christmas Tree (11/18/2011) and he loved the lights...


First Long Roadtrip (11/21/2011-11/27/2011) during which he made his first trip into another state.  He traveled through Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.  On the way to Georgia, we left at 6:45 pm after we both worked all day and drove straight through the night.  Carder slept in his carseat from about 7:30 pm until around 5:45 the next morning.  He was a great traveller - all things considered - and my mom thinks we should change his middle name to "Roadtrip".

During this roadtrip, it was his first time meeting several new relatives and loved ones.  These included Great Grandma (Gin Gin), Great Grandpa (Pop), Great Grandma (Janice), Aunt Karina (my best friend), Aunt Cameron (my college roommate) and her 6 week old daughter Ella Kate, and several other friends of mine and Derek's.  He also met his great aunts and uncles.  The only person missing was his Uncle Andrew (who is currently on a tour of duty with the military).

He had his first Thanksgiving (11/24/2011)

And, he had his first overnight stay in a hotel.  (11/26/11)  I didn't think to take a picture of this as a milestone at the time.  Oh well.


During the roadtrip, he became very interested in cups.  So, on 11/28/2011, he made his first attempt to drink from a sippy cup.  He has now mastered drinking from it, but hasn't figured out how to hold it at the right angle to get anything from it yet.  However, he will gladly drink from it if Derek or I hold it for him.

On 12/18/11, Carder tried meat for the first time.  We gave him turkey in preparation for Christmas.  He seemed to enjoy it despite how disgusting it smelled.  And, TMI I know, his poops after the meat smelled just as nasty as the meat in the jar did.

Also, in the last few days, he has started to do this thing where he puts his arms out and grabs hair on each side of my head and pulls me closer to him - almost like a hug.  It is super sweet and it absolutely melts my heart.

Six Months Old

At Six Months:

• Weighs 17 pounds 2 ounces
• Is 27 1/2  Inches
• Is wearing 6-9 Month Sized Clothing - but has almost grown out of anything with feet already!
• Is eating between 6-8 oz per feeding, 4 times per day. 
• Is eating 3 Solid meals per day.  Has tried Rice Cereal, Oatmeal Cereal, Bananas, Avocado, Green Beans, Butternut Squash, Pears, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Green Peas, Carrots, & Parsnips.  The only thing he doesn't care for very much is Carrots.  This boy LOVES his solids.
• Is consistently sleeping through the night (falls asleep around 7:30 or 8 and will sleep until 6 or 7 in the morning. Will often awaken during the night but will fall back asleep fairly easily).  However, the last couple of weeks he has been awakening around 4:00 in the morning.
• Sleeping unswaddled.
• Consistently smiles and coos and laughs.
• Still loves to "blow spit"
• Has discovered his feet and is enthralled with them.
• Helps out during diaper changes by putting his hands on his thighs and "holds" his legs.
• Will clasp his hands together below his chin (cutest thing ever...)
• Loves to lounge in Mommy and Daddy's bed (always with close supervision)
• Still isn't the biggest fan of tummy time.
• Loves his bouncy seat and jumperoo.
• Consistently rolls from tummy to back. Is showing signs of rolling from back to tummy.
• Loves to sit with assistance anywhere he can. He is very close to sitting unsupported and will be doing that before long.  Likes his Bumbo chair for limited periods of time. 
• Loves to stand with assistance.  Will stand while holding on to something without assistance for a limited time.
• Loves to stare at the ceiling fan, windows, lights.
• Loves his Tigger, Ball with Beads, Haba rings, and his crinkle bear.
• Tolerates rides in car seat quite well
• Is wearing size 3 Disposable diapers