Visit to Arkansas

Carsen and I flew home last weekend to spend time with my family.  We really had great time!!! Carsen went to his first football game to see his cousin, Tessa, do a drill team routine.  She is such a doll! On Friday, we spent the day hanging out with my Dad. Friday night my Mom kept Carsen and Daniel and I went to the church Bazaar.  I never knew how much fun one could have at a church function!  We got to see people we haven't seen in a really long time.  Not to mention the buzz we got(shhhh...don't tell Mom). Got to love being a Catholic... lol! Anyway at the end of the night was the big raffle drawing.  They called my name out first for the Wii. And then they called Daniel's out for the basket of Booze.  We were a lucky family!

Carsen at the game.

Tessa

The Wii I won

Daniel and his basket of booze!

Carsen is holding his own bottle. :-)

Our first lesson in Calculus...

Carsen is getting curious about so many things around the house.  So Preston thought he would introduce him to Calculus. He was really patient in the beginning....

But then...not so much

Church Bound!

On Sunday, Travis and I took Carsen to church for the first time. We attended St Elizabeth Ann Seton. This is the church were Travis was baptized.  He was the best 4 month old baby in the church. He slept through the first half and observed during the second half.  When we went up to receive communion, he reached for Fr. Henry's hand while he was trying to give him a blessing. I think he wanted to eat it.  He wants to put anything and everything in his mouth. Of course I took some pictures of the event.  I'm such a nerd.

He was so excited on our way in. :-)

Fr. Henry and Carsen...new BFF's

Carsen is participating in his first charity. " Baby Bank". It raises money for under privileged babies.  What a philanthropist!

I did it for my Mom!

As most of you know, October is Breast Cancer awareness month.  Travis's mom (Ulli) and his grandmother (Edi) have had this battle to beat. Today Travis ran the Race for the Cure 5k in honor of both of them.   Travis's mom just finished 6 months of chemotherapy and radiation. She has been such a courageous woman.  They call them "survivors" but I think of them as more than that. This race will be a new tradition in our family every year.  We love and miss you Ulli and Edi!  

Peek-a- BOO Pumpkin

This is Carsen's first trip to the Pumpkin Patch! We really had a great time with Katie and Cole. Thanks for inviting us Katie!

"Cole is trying to show me all kinds of new stuff. "

"I think I can push over this pumpkin."

"Awe...maybe not. I'll just stand here and look cute" 

"My mommy is telling me all about Halloween and how her mommy made it special for her."

 

"This hay looks yummy... I think I want to try it!"

"This Hayride sucks! Get me off and feed me ASAP!

"I got this thing down...I cry mommy jumps. This is the LIFE!

Love Carsen

Congratulations Ulli!

Congratulations Ulli on finishing radiation.  We know it's been a long road and we are very proud of you! 

Daddy's Little Helper

Travis is teaching Carsen how to do payroll.  This will be his job starting next week. :-)

Carsen says..."Boring!"

Carsen says... "Mama, Can I go play? Please!!!"

Yucky Shots!

Today was Carsen's 4 month well visit.  He weighed 16 lbs and 5 oz's. He is now 25.5 inches long. Both measurements are in the 75%. Whatever that means.  He was so good with the doctor until they administered the shots.  There's no feeling worse than when your baby looks at you like "why are you doing this to me".  My heart just broke.  I got the biggest frog in my throat.  Luckily, Travis went with me to help.  He's such a GREAT dad!  

I'm 4 months old!

Hello everyone. Carsen is 4 months old today.  He woke up in the best mood this morning. We enjoyed spending time together today on the floor(see pictures and video).  Everyday it seems like he is learning something new.  I can't believe how fast he's growing.  His personality is really starting to show.   I think he might be teething. He's grabbing and putting everything in his mouth.   I don't mean to get sappy but he's just every joy I've ever wanted out of life. Whenever I get sad (which is a lot lately) I just take one look at him. And that's all it takes. What a gift.

He has so much to say... I listen to every word. :-)

Rice Cereal....YUMMY!

Lately... Carsen has had a real interest in what we're eating. So we decided to try him on some cereal.  He's the cutest thing ever. Travis had fun feeding him. They are two peas in a pod.

Welcome Nash David Belle-Isle

Carsen's new friend Nash David Belle-Isle has finally arrived. He weighed 7 lbs and 12 oz. He is 19.5 inches long.  He is so adorable. Nash has a full head of dark hair just like his daddy. Mom and baby are doing GREAT!

 

Here are some pictures of the happy family!

Proud Daddy!

Happy and relieved Mommy!

Ecstatic big sis! Kylie was so excited to meet her little brother. She got to skip school today.  It was such a bid deal! :-)

I love my new little friend!

Big Boy Bed!

The sad day has come.  Carsen has officially slept in his big boy bed all night.  I know this should be a good thing but I missed him.  He's not even in my room anymore. You'll now find Carsen in the "Big Boy Room" which is right next to Preston's room! :-)

We went to visit Lara today.  She is getting very excited about Nash's arrival.  We took a peek at the nursery. So cute! Mary did a great job on the walls.  I'll post pictures of the final product later. 

 

Home to Arkansas

We had a GREAT time in Arkansas last weekend. I was so excited Travis was able to go. He has never met that side of my family.  It  was a whole new experience for him.  It was good to see the family.  Carsen got to meet his Great Grandmother for the first time.  She's 81 and never looked better. I hope i got those genes!  She held Carsen for a while and even fed him a bottle. It was so adorable.  The reunion was such a beautiful day.  The weather was perfect.  I really enjoyed spending time with my family from my mom's side.  Carsen was the hit of the party. The poor thing was passed around all day.  I hardly got to hold him.  He never cried.  What a trooper. 

Travis and Chip playing horseshoes. :-)

This is my Mom's mom. Doesn't she look AWESOME!!! Carsen doesn't have the photo thing down. He needs to take lessons from Cole. He never takes a bad one. :-) 

Hi Aunt Teresa! Thank you for feeding me my bottle! -c

SURPRISE LARA!!

We pulled it off! We threw a surprise baby shower for Lara.  She is having her second boy and did not want a shower. Well... she was over ruled.  Lara was completely shocked and overwhelmed. You can really tell by her attire.  Thanks to Amy, Katie, Kylie, Michelle, Myssy, Sara , and Susan (Lara's mom) for your help in putting this together and making it so special for her.  I made my first pork tenderloin. I'm so proud of myself.  I can add another dish to my list.   Here are some pictures from the evening.  She is schedule to have Nash David Belle-Isle October 2nd. We can't wait to meet him!!

Oh Brother!!!!

As most of you know Travis' 2nd son, Preston is living with us here in Texas. He is attending Allen High School and working for Travis at the clinic on the weekends.  He' s been such a great help and addition to our household.  I'm excited that he will have some time to get know his little brother before he goes off to college.  Tyler, Travis oldest son, is a senior at Augusta High School in Kansas. He's really bummed he is missing out on this time with Carsen.  Tyler is in the process of visiting colleges. Travis hasn't said anything but deep down I know he wants him to be a K-Stater. Go CATS!!! We miss him!

Catch up time...

OK...I"m so sorry for not keeping up with this.   Carsen is now 16 weeks old.  He has already reached some major milestones. Social smiling and laughing, grabbing (especially my hair),  cooing constantly, and  wanting to put everything in his mouth. He really has a lot to say.  Last weekend he rolled over for the first time. Travis was in Scottsdale, AZ  for a veterinarian conference.  He missed it. :-( Lately, Carsen is wanting to stand.  He thinks this makes him a big boy. It's the cutest thing ever.  I just enjoy every minute with him. We are completely inseparable.  I'm going to try and be better at this. I'll try and update this once a week.  We are going home to Arkansas this weekend to spend time with my family.  I'll let you know how the trip goes.