ReMARKable Run

On Saturday Aaron and I ran in a 5K for Mark Evans who is a long time friend of my family, who was critically injured in a motorcycle accident 3 years ago. We had so much fun participating in the run and were happy to see so many people there. This was Aaron's first 5K (well that he can remember) and he ran the whole thing. He has been getting ready for a couple of weeks and he did great. Finding time to work out is tough when you work long hours and I couldn't believe when he would come home and go running after work, late at night, alone, in the rain, he is tough! He had so much fun that he came home talking about us doing a triathlon together this summer, um... we'll see, are there any that don't include swimming? :)

And off to Arkansas for New Years

We finished off our busy Christmas break with a trip to Arkansas to spend New Years with Aaron's family. We had a great time and it went by super fast, as always. Josie was, of course, so excited as soon as we turned down Aaron's old street. She just loves Arkansas. It started off pretty rough because Carson was sick. He had a fever and was just so congested. He wasn't sleeping good and had such a hard time nursing. Well finally that tooth came through he got much better. I am seriously hoping that the sickness is coincidence with the new tooth and not what will happen with each tooth because that could be brutal.

We spent lots of time with family, lots of time eating, saw Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, rocked in 2010, I chopped off my hair, logged lots of miles running hills, and spent lots of time playing games.

And then when we got back, we went straight to my family's house to spend time with Cory and Delaney before they headed back to Utah. We went to the movies, out to eat, and stayed up so late. (We, meaning everyone but Aaron he was sick, sick, sick) Then on Saturday, Aaron went to the Cotton Bowl at the new stadium, which he says is awesome. He had great seats, here is a view from where he was sitting.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning was very exciting, I think we were so excited for Carson to wake up when in actuality it was just another day for him. He did enjoy all the wrapping paper, which he of course wanted to eat! We didn't really get Carson any presents so he only had a few to unwrap and we only got each other a couple of gifts so the actual unwrapping part didn't take too long. The most excited person may have been Jo Jo who could smell her stocking. After we finished unwrapping gifts and relaxed for awhile, we got ready and went to my parents house for a huge dinner and more presents. The food was fabulous and it was fun to watch everyone open gifts. Carson got lots of books this Christmas which he loves and was spoiled by his aunts, uncles, and grandparents. (Which is why Aaron and I don't have to spoil him :) I joke around about what Aaron and I got for Christmas because it clearly shows how we spend our time. Aaron got work pants, shirts, socks, etc.; while I got running shoes, socks, clothes, and a jogging stroller. Hey somebody has to support this running habit of mine. :)

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas, you would not believe what we found

Yes an entire blanket of snow covering the ground.

Poor Dad still had to go out because he works so hard

Carson and Mom stayed warm inside, Josie ran all around the yard.

All the presents were wrapped so beautifully under the tree

And the Piersons waited in anticipation to see what their gifts could be.

Clothes, new shoes, perhaps a new bedroom set

And of course, soft reminders, it doesn't matter what I get.

A fabulous dinner is how the night began

Steak on his new grill, made by my man.

Oh no, how could we have forgotten lime juice for the punch!

It still turned out great, not even some leftover for lunch.

The sky has turned dark, Carson's time for bed draws near

We must get him down before our roof is covered with 8 tiny, reindeer.

A bath for the babe, then tucked in his new pajamas so snug

Mom and Dad find special presents, waiting for them on the rug.

Darling new pajamas for Mom, stripes for Christmas red and white

Even pajamas for Dad that he could wear that very night.

A yawn from the babe, it is time to go to bed

But wait, "we need a family picture" is just what Mom said.

Then after reading the Nativity, we take time to remember

All our wonderful blessings this year from January to December.

A great job, a beautiful home, becoming a father and a mother

Health, great friends and family, and the best - each other.

As Mom and Dad finally climb into bed, snuggling up close

Dad whispers, "I love you" as Mom's eyes start to doze.

A thought crosses my mind on this Christmas so white

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

6 Months

So my little guy had his 6 month check up yesterday. My goodness, 6 whole months and 3 BIG shots. I went ahead and gave him the flu vaccine. He was a trooper though. His official stats are:

Weight: 16 lbs. 8 oz. (25th)

Height: 27.5 In. (75th)

Head: 17 In. (30th)

I talked to the doctor about my milk and how I was worried it was affecting his weight gain but she said she didn't think so. She thinks he seems extremely active to her and is burning his calories and since I just barely started rice cereal all the additional food will bring his weight gain to where it should be. So that made me feel better. Honestly, I'm super proud of myself for nursing this long. I wasn't sure I would.

Just a few milestones this month:

Sitting up, he still falls over but enjoys sitting and playing with his toys.

Sippy cups, he loves to drink water.

Rice cereal, he loved it! We could not get it to him fast enough. This is the video of his first feeding and as you can see he cried in between each bite because he wanted it so bad.

He has started saying ba, ba, ba and I think ma, ma, ma but I probably imagined it. :)

And, big news is, the First Tooth! He got it right on his 6 month birthday. His Grandpa Pierson found it. Teething is not so much fun.

Other than this he's mostly doing the same things as before grabbing for everything, but started looking for toys when he dropped them. Putting everything in his mouth, laughing more, all the normal stuff I think. Loves for us to sing to him. Still loves his bath time and grabbing our faces.

No hair growth and has kinda lost interest in rolling all the way over. He still doesn't seem to show any hesitation to have other people hold him or new people.

5 Months

So I guess I better get Carson's 5 month post up before its time for his 6 month one. No check up this month but I think he is probably still long and skinny. I hope his weight hasn't gone down because I noticed that my milk supply is lower and so he is getting bottles more often. I just hope I am finding the right balance between nursing and bottle feeding. Sometimes I'll think he's still hungry after I feed him and I'll give him a bottle and he won't drink any but then sometimes he's not acting that hungry but I'll try giving him a bottle and he'll down 4-5 ounces and then I feel horrible that he was so hungry.
So other than the milk drama, and well the daylight savings drama, his 5th month was a lot of fun. He has gotten so much more interactive and we are having so much fun with our cuddly, happy boy. That laugh continues to be the joy of our lives.

Major things this month:

Rolling over all the way.

Major obsession with his feet, grabbing them, pulling off his socks, holding on to them, its an obsession.

Sleeping more, and by more I mean taking less naps but for longer. Yea!

He's my little thumb sucker, during everything! We went through a major phase of thumb sucking while nursing.

He loves to reach out and touch our faces, especially our mouths. I was feeding Carson in our bed during his early morning feeding (which I haven't been able to get him to drop! he still wakes up around 5 to eat and then goes back to sleep for another few hours...) and I was tired and thinking in my head how do I drop this feeding...and we were laying down and I was half awake, half asleep and then all of the sudden I feel this sweet, tiny hand reach up and rest on my cheek. I look down and sweet Carson is looking up at me and holding my cheek in his tiny hand and then he just closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. I love this boy.

He loves to play Peek A Boo, he just thinks its pretty funny.

He is playing with Josie a lot, he gets excited when she comes running in the room and he wants to reach out and touch her.

His favorite toys are his exersaucer, his Johnny Jump Up, and he is finally enjoying his swing. I wish it wasn't so cold and I would take him to the park to swing.

He still loves bathtime with his daddy, although dad wasn't home as much this month, and reading stories with us. I checked out this book from the library where this baby learns all these funny sounds and he REALLY loved that one.

November was a fun month but I can't wait for his 6 month post (hint: food, sitting up, and darling new noises)

Christmas Shots

A friend of mine is getting into photography and she offered to take some pictures of our little family for Christmas, we were so excited! Here are a few of our favorites. I had to wake Carson up from his nap to get there and so he was pretty calm the whole time but we still got a few of his smile. Now I am trying desperatley to convince Aaron to let me send out Christmas cards this year but he is being so tight! So if you think the Piersons should send out a Christmas card please leave a comment so Aaron will see how much people love getting them. :) But if I have to choose between sending out Christmas cards and being able to buy my 3 month supply of peppermint ice cream before they take it away again....I don't know what I'll do.