Carter Pants- One month old today!

Wow--that month went by a little too quickly. Carter is doing well. She's decided that perfection wasn't really worth it and has been giving us some trouble at night. As soon as it's time for mommy and daddy to go to sleep she decides she's super gassy and uncomfortable. Last night she finally fell asleep at 2:15 only to wake up to be fed at 2:45 and then again at 6..sheesh...really not awful for this age but frustrating after we had a few really good, easy weeks in the beginning. Trying to figure that one out...any advice? I've tried gas drops and gripe water but haven't really noticed much difference. I've been supplementing formula because she was wanting to nurse constantly and was still not satisfied so that could be causing problems.... Tonight we will start her in her crib so hopefully she will respond well to a more regular night-time routine. During the day she is really good. She can entertain herself for awhile which is totally foreign to me :) She also doesn't really love taking a binky like Harrison, also weird, but probably a good thing in the long run (you know given that harrison is almost three and loves his binky more than he loves us---he will take naps just to have it).... She spits up but not nearly as much as he did..... (at least the beautiful burp cloths from Jen and Kari are getting lots of use-THANK YOU!)

Sometimes having two is almost easier than one since they both can amuse themselves at times....sometimes though it is NOT but I know things will get easier :) We love this sweet baby and are so happy to have her. It's surreal to be a family of four and I am so grateful to have two healthy beautiful kids (and for all of the family and friends who take care of us and have taken time out to visit, help, bring food, and come amuse my first born :))

tired and a little cranky, but just hanging out--awhile after this she needed her swing..she LOVES that thing (almost carted it upstairs last night in a moment of desperation)
mommy-please take this silly bow off my head
at the mall so harrison could ride the train and daddy could visit the apple store
daddy's girl. Cory is much better at picking her up and holding her and she LOVES it.
trying out some settings on my camera


big socks--little feet
tell tale spit up on the sleeve
why oh why are you trying to prop me up like this mommy?

Because you can never have too many pictures, my friend Elysa is a budding newborn photographer and came over last week to take pictures of carter while harrison and her son jonah run rampant all over the house and took advantage of the lack of supervision. The pictures turned out great! And the dining room floor has almost recovered!

captions are overrated

And take too long when you have a newborn who will want to eat any minute now. I know you just want to see pictures anyway....not read witty banter from me. Here's the breakdown: Harrison got a new hat and learned to take pictures of himself, we played in the rain, my mom came to visit (that's her shoved in between two carseats...we need a bigger car!!!), thanks for the socks alissa, we painted with pudding, and here's the recipe (TRY it):

taking advantage of paternity leave

We really enjoyed the 2 weeks cory was home with us for paternity leave. We tried to take advantage and go lots of fun places....my mom also came to visit last weekend which was awesome and Harrison LOVES his grandma. Now we're on day 5 of "by myself with 2 kids" and today was the first time I ventured beyond the playground or just dropping harrison off at preschool. Laurissa, our nanny, was going to come over and take Harrison to story time this morning but had to cancel at the last minute so I decided just to take him myself. We also went to Chick fil a afterwards (we passed it on the way there...I'm surprised we made it to story time first :)). I survived. Never thought I'd be able to nurse in a crowded restaurant with a toddler and no husband but we did it---Harrison is incredibly well behaved when he has to be and baby carter is learning to put up with a lot. Such is life with two kids I suppose. Enjoy the pictures!

First official family outing-Red Robin!!

I have a picture of Harrison making that same face...

At the Air and Space Museum in NoVa

Carter's 'angry old man face'

I insisted on making carmel apples...it's harder than it looks--Harrison lost interest quickly and went outside to "work" in the yard with daddy. Oh well.

I love her girly hands and fingernails :)

cute kiddos in their jammies

Yes-we'd take a toddler and baby into downtown DC on a weekday :)

beautiful fall leaves at the zoo