Christmas Day
Already a pro at Christmas festivities, Carter really enjoyed his first actual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We spent Christmas Eve at our house with Grandpa Shaffer, Grandma and Grandpa Jernstadt, and Uncle Mark. On Christmas morning the three of us opened presents at our house then headed over to Grandma Webb's house in the afternoon. We had fun with Grandma Webb, Uncle Josh, Uncle Mark, and lots of other family and friends. Grandma Baldwin and Grandpa Pries stopped by to see us too.

As you can guess, Carter was bombarded by presents. He even slept through some of the present opening (it was a tiring experience!) but he bounced back in the evening and enjoyed playing with his new toys and watching the crazy card games that happen at Grandma Webb's house.

Santa after his huge Christmas dinner...

Wearing Daddy's Michigan Santa hat Christmas morning.

Not completely sure about Santa...as long as he didn't have to face him he was o.k.

He really got into ripping the paper!

Cool new blocks

A lot of yawning happened after opening all those presents!

Uncle Mark teaching Carter how to maximize the noise and motion in the exersaucer.

Loving his first Christmas!

Christmas with the Burke's

Carter got to celebrate his second Christmas over at the Burke's house on December 23rd. It was more crazy present opening and having fun with Tyler, Drew, Kayley, Jim and Betsy!

The kids posing in front of the tree...it was hard to get everyone to focus...

Santa and Mrs. Clause

A very cute present!

Carter checking out his new Wheel Pals

Early Christmas

We celebrated Carter's first Christmas experience when Aunt Lee and Elsa came to visit December 14th - 17th. Carter and Elsa had a lot of fun together opening presents, practicing their sitting up, and hanging out with their grandparents and great aunt. They smiled a lot at each other during this visit and seemed to pay more attention to each other. As you can see below, they loved checking out each other's sitting techniques. There was a lot of tipping over during the sitting sessions but they are both getting the hang of it!

Trying to sit together...I think we captured this shot just before some tipping happened.

Carter checking out his new alligator hand puppet. Who knew alligators roar like godzilla?

A cool new book about doggies!

Carter and Elsa hanging out in their p.j.'s. Elsa is always so festive!

Carter in one of this favorite new contraptions - the Johnny Jump Up. So far he just spins around on one foot and slobbers on the front part...we hope actual jumping happens soon.

On bad hair days, it's nice to know you can just throw on a doo-rag.

Back to Work

As many of you know, I'm now back to work full time and Carter has started daycare. I started back the Monday after Thanksgiving. Luckily my work let me start a "flex" schedule which means I work Monday - Thursday from 6am - 5pm. This allows me to be off work on Friday and be at home with Carter. Dave is doing the same type of schedule but he works Tuesday - Friday and stays home with Carter on Monday. We feel very lucky to have such a wonderful schedule and for only having Carter in daycare 3 days a week.

If you know me, you know I'm not a "morning person." I'm not really a night owl either, I guess you could say I like my sleep. A lot. So getting up at 4:45am 4 days a week isn't exactly fun, but believe it or not I am still very grateful to be doing it. Getting to be with Carter that extra day a week is definitely worth the lack of sleep. Plus it wasn't like I was sleeping tons the last few months anyway!

I'm also very grateful to Dave for having to take the morning shift (and not complaining). Since I'm off to work before they are awake, Dave has to get ready for work plus get Carter ready for daycare and drop him off. I get the awesome job of picking Carter up, the absolute highlight of my day. I honestly don't think I would have been able to drop him off that first day...or week...it was hard enough just thinking of him being dropped off. Definitely the worst part of being a mom is having to drop your child off to a stranger and trust they will kiss and rock and comfort and genuinely love him like you do. The good part is that Carter seems to love Julie, his daycare lady. We were referred to Julie through another daycare provider and when we interviewed her, both Dave and I thought she was wonderful. We also found out she provides daycare for a friend and we grilled her about Julie. She got rave reviews so after interviewing some other places and people, we decided she was the one.

This is Carter's second week and he seems to be the same happy and smiley baby as always. When I pick him up he is always sitting on her lap smiling and Julie goes over their day with me. Sometimes there are other children waiting for their parents and they all seem very happy and talkative too. At most, Julie has 6 kids but on most days she has 4 (some of them are part time like Carter). Yesterday I met the mom of Desire', a three year old little girl who also goes to Julie for daycare. Desire' was telling me all about their day and was very enthusiastic. She kissed Julie about 5 times before she let her mom put her boots on to go. The mom told me Desire' has been going to Julie since Carter's age. I feel so much better when I see and hear these types of things from other parents and kids. It seems that they all love Julie so much.

I wish I could be home with Carter every day but I know he is getting excellent care and he will be a well rounded child. I'm sure daycare will allow him to make friends easily and challenge his mind. Plus I know this is way harder for me and Dave than it is for Carter, for him it's just another fun adventure in life!

Carter's Baptism

Carter was baptized at St. Paul the Apostle Church on Sunday, 11/28/06. He was very blessed to have his Godparents with him - Aunt Lee and Uncle Bob, as well as his grandparents, Great Aunt Nancy, Great Grandma (Gigi), and Uncle Josh.

Carter had on his own special three piece suit for the occasion (my original baptismal gown was a little too "girly" for him). Both he and Elsa did very well during the mass before the baptism. Elsa even sang along with some of the hymns! Carter did not enjoy getting wet during the actual baptism but he was only upset for a minute and settled down once we dried him off. He did very well overall, Dave and I are very proud of him.

Thank you to everyone for helping us celebrate this special occasion! We really appreciate the love and support from everyone.

Grandma Sandy and Uncle Josh

Carter with his Godparents - Aunt Lee and Uncle Bob (and Elsa!)
Carter and Elsa hanging out at the baptism "party" at Grandma Baldwin and Grandpa Pries' house.

Carter's First Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful holiday weekend with family and friends. Carter and cousin Elsa hung out and compared notes on sitting up, rolling over, and babbling. Carter celebrated his 3 month birthday with Gigi (the original 8/21 birthday holder). We ate several delicious Thanksgiving dinners at various grandparents’ houses. Lee, Mom and I enjoyed an awesome pedicure at the spa. Carter (almost) saw his very first hockey game … (he at least experienced the “rink” atmosphere and met some of Daddy’s hockey friends). Plus he opened his very first Christmas present! (A little early due to packing constraints when Elsa and Lee come back at Christmas time).

Overall it was a fantastic weekend full of fun “firsts” for Carter. Below are some pictures from the weekend.

Carter in his Turkey Day attire.

Aunt Ellen with Elsa

Carter and Elsa working off their turkey dinner in their gym.

Spending the day at Grandpa and Grandma Jernstadt's house

Uncle Brandt meeting Carter for the first time

Opening his first Christmas present

Gigi with the babies

3 Months Old!

Carter turned three months old on 11/21/06. He was lucky enough to celebrate with his Great Grandma (Gigi) whom he also shares his birthday with!

Carter celebrating his birthday with Raggedy Ann & Andy also.

Quality tummy time. At 3 months old he is really enjoying it now!