We had such a fun weekend celebrating Uncle Jeff's graduation from NYU Business School. We hadn't seen him since Carson was just a few weeks old, so it was really fun to see them play... now that Carson is so much more smiley and fun!
Jeff and Carson. I think his eyes are so weird (Carson, not Jeff) because his Mamo had taken about a zillion pictures and the flashes had to be getting old!
Just love this one. Sigh! Can't get enough of those smiles.
Dinner out on Saturday night to celebrate while Carson spent the evening with Grandma.
Jeff just had to get his picture taken with him wearing Carson after I told him how much the ladies love Sean when he's wearing it. Honestly. I had a woman come up to me one day at the mall and ask me about Carson while Sean was wearing him... she said, "A man wearing a baby is so sexy!" Whoa! So, ladies, what do you think of Jeff? Pretty sexy, right!? Especially with that burp rag on his shoulder! Super hot!
Here Carson and Lila are meeting for the first time. Lila, our friends Matt and Lan's daughter, was SO CUTE! Carson totally blew it with her though. He fussed the entire time! Maybe she'll give him another chance... she did like his toy!
Swimming at Aunt Sheryl's with Uncle Jeff, Aunt Jenni and Aunt Jackie. And Mommy and Daddy. Carson seemed to like it pretty well! I love all his ROLLS in these pictures!!! He is so fat! Yum! Yum!
All in the past two weeks, we have had a birthday party, an engagement party, a crawfish boil, a Cinco de Mayo party, two Mother's Day parties, a wedding shower, and our weekly playdates! And all the while Sean's been working a 12-hour night shift at work! Whew!
Luckily, I've gotten pretty good at handling Carson on my own both at home and when we go out. It seemed like such a juggling act at first, but now I'm pretty impressed at how quickly I can make decisions regarding what to pack, when to feed or pump, and how to make it all happen on time! And this from the world's most indecisive person!
It hasn't been fun feeling like a single parent, but Sean is really doing an important job. He's working on one of the many teams who are trying to stop the oil leak in the gulf. This makes him a little unpopular... unfortunately... but they are working so hard, I am really proud of how they are handling the situation. For the next two weeks, Sean will be back on his regular day shift and then back to nights again. Carson and I are enjoying having him back on his regular shift! Please say a prayer for the men and women who are working so hard to fix this devastating situation... and for the gulf and all its wildlife and the families who depend on it for their incomes. I feel like we're holding our breath until this is all resolved.
And now for some pictures of all the fun we've been having...
From left to right... Karter, Jayce, Carson, Caroline, and Maci at our first playdate! So funny!
I need to take some more pictures at our next playdate because these babies are growing up fast, and our group is expanding! I have said it before, but I just can't say it enough... our Wednesday play group is awesome! I LOVE everything about it! The kids are so cute and so fun, and the mommies are amazing friends. I always look forward to it!
Me and Barbara on her birthday. We had so much yummy wine and cheese, I can't wait for another reason to celebrate... do we even need one?!? Let's just have more wine and cheese!! (By the way, can you tell this woman has twin girls? Check out the bottles and high chairs! Ha!)
At Sarah and Nate's Cinco de Mayo party, I took this video of Carson laughing at my dear friend, Beth. Of course, that's after I stared in disbelief and then wiped the tears from my eyes... precious!
Next up... Mother's Day! Sometimes I still can't believe how blessed I am to have Carson in my life. I find myself saying, "Sean! This is OUR baby!" It was a nice day, I only wish Sean could have been there.
Carson with Mommy and Grandma
Don't look too excited, Carson, really.
A bottle from Grandpa
Playing with Aunt Jenni
Cozy with Uncle Butch
It's a good thing Carson can't see Lisa's tattoo, because he'd be so scared! I'm scared! Ha!
Flying with Uncle Johnny
First dip in the pool!
My fourth grade teammates and I threw a wedding shower for our dear Emily. She hates to be the center of attention, so we threw it "southern style" and didn't make her unwrap her gifts in front of everyone... and we had so much food it was a bit ridiculous! It was so much fun to see all the girls and bring Carson up to school for a visit, even if he was cranky tired!
Meredith, Me, Beth, Melissa, Emily, and Sarah- the BEST team ever! I'm glad summer vacation is only days away because I miss these girls and I'm going to make them hang out with me and Carson all summer long!
Getting a bottle from Miss Suzie. So sweet!
Meredith and me with our babies, Eloise and Carson. They are just two weeks apart! It was so fun to go through our pregnancies together and now to watch our sweet babies grow up together! She is so much fun and such a supportive friend... and so much tanner than I am! I had no idea I was so pale!
I am so lucky to have been able to call all my teammates at school my close friends. They're what I miss most about not teaching anymore. It's a good thing Carson keeps me so busy, or I'd really be upset! Hopefully one day they'll take me back!
If you've been reading my blog for the last few months, you probably know how badly I took my pregnancy weight gain. I'm a little embarrassed by that now. In fact, I'd like to go back in time and tell my pregnant self to "shut up and eat another cupcake."
At the time, I was completely freaked out by what I would look like after the baby was born. And how do I look after? Not half bad! I thought I'd be crying my eyes out over stretch marks and impossible to lose fat... but I'm not! I don't really care! Ha!
I definitely don't look the same as I did before I had Carson, but my attitude has changed too. My body did an amazing thing, and through breastfeeding it continues to support my little man now! How awesome is that! I appreciate my body now more than ever before.
Don't get me wrong, I would love not to have stretch marks, fatter than before butt and hips, or a little extra to love around my middle, but to be honest, I don't care enough to do a whole lot about it. I'm sure my hubby might like me to care a little more, but then again, I think he might like my new body image better than he liked my old body.
I truly realize now that there are so many more important things in life than how I look in a bathing suit. I'm reminded of that everyday I spend with my husband and son. Now when I choose to eat healthy foods and exercise, I'm doing it to stay healthy and happy for my family. I feel like a brand new person.
As of today, I am officially resigned from my teaching position. I thought I would have a lot to say about this, but strangely enough, I don't. In fact, writing my letter of resignation seemed more like checking something off my to-do list rather than the significant, life-changing event that it was.
1. Shower
2. Feed baby
3. Write my resignation letter
I spent the last six and a half years teaching 4th and 5th graders, and only the last 11 weeks raising my new baby boy... but it honestly feels like a lifetime ago that I was in the classroom. My days used to be consumed with classroom management, teaching strategies, conferences, and grading papers. Now, my days are filled with feedings and diaper changes... and I'm perfectly happy with that. I can honestly say that I hardly ever even think about what's going on in my classroom. That's not because I don't care, because I do. I loved teaching and I'm sure I'll return to it one day. If anything, being a parent is reaffirming my belief that all children deserve the best education possible, and a teacher who truly cares about them. I think I feel this way because I feel so called to what I'm doing right now- being a mother to my sweet Carson.
I know without a doubt that this is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing with my life right now. There isn't a thing more important to me, nor anyone I'd rather spend my day with than my son. He is the most important job I'll ever have, and I couldn't feel more blessed to be his mother.
My little man is growing up so fast. Sigh. It seems crazy that only 2 1/2 months ago he was this tiny little thing that only ate, pooped, and cried all night long. Now he's smiling and cooing and being all-around adorable (and sleeping through the night)!
A few of his likes: eating (obvious- you don't get two chins any other way), playing on his play mat, getting his diaper changed, listening to mommy and daddy talking (he's started "talking" back), and best of all... waking up!!
Enjoy the super cute baby smiles, ignore the annoying baby talk.
It is so true... I do think my child is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I am one of those parents. But don't worry, I still love my furry son, Jet! He has been at the dog trainer (hopefully on his way to becoming a master hunter- he got his third pass this weekend- only two to go) since Carson was born. For Easter weekend, Sean brought him home to meet his little brother.
My three boys. I am so outnumbered! (Sean is working the Kramer look.)
They already love each other. (Actually, Carson didn't really even notice Jet.)
On Easter Sunday we divided our day between all the grandmas... first we went to Nee Nee's house where Carson (and mom and dad) got spoiled with lots of Easter goodies, and then over to my mom's for dinner.
Here's Carson with his great-grandmother, Nee Nee.
And here's one of Carson's favorite places to nap. (It's one of my mom's favorite things too.)
Uncle Justin, Aunt Jackie, and Aunt Jenni.
I've begun to notice an annoying trend. Does anyone want my picture anymore? No. Does anyone want a picture of me with my son? No. Does anyone want to take their picture posing cheezily with my son? Yes, everyone. Poor Carson probably has permanent flashes in his eyes.
I forced my sister to take my picture holding Carson (it took about six requests and me handing her the camera) and ended up with a pretty cute picture of Carson (what picture of Carson isn't cute?), and a horrible picture of me. I give up.
The Hales have been pretty busy the last couple of weeks... here's some pictures to show you what we've been up to!
Sean spoiled me with a push present... I've always wanted a little blue box!
What was inside the box was even better! I love my new earrings. I haven't taken them off since he gave them to me!
Play-date at Kristin's! Here's Carson, Karter, and Keaton. We had so much fun! I LOVED talking with Kristin. She's such a great mommy and I learn so much from her. As I've mentioned before, I'm kind of an anxious person, and Kristin always has a way of putting things in perspective and making me relax! Plus, her kids are so cute and so sweet!
A close up of the two babies! Karter and Keaton made me realize how much I have to look forward to as Carson grows up!
Play date with Eloise! Meredith and Walt went to watch the Bears play basketball, and Carson and I headed over to help the babysitters- my teammates from school! Is it too soon to print the wedding invitations?
At one point that evening, Carson started fussing (as usual). We put both babies on Eloise's play mat... then Eloise started fussing. As soon as she started, he stopped and listened! You could see the wheels turning in his little head, "who is this other baby?!?"
Here's a sweet picture of Emily soothing Carson. He gets so fussy in the evenings, so I sometimes hesitate to take him anywhere... but if Emily is going to be there, then I'm going! She kept him so peaceful the entire night. It was really sweet. I loved watching them together!
I'll have to post about our Easter weekend a little later... Mommy is always on duty!
Picture me and Sean, walking through First Colony Mall, out on a date, holding hands, talking about what a beautiful baby we have when we pass by.... Victoria's Secret. Would I like to go in? No, Sean, I'm still at least 12 pounds away from my pre-baby weight, thank you very much.
"I'm actually feeling pretty fat today. I'm still wearing maternity pants and the scale seems to be stuck for the last two weeks."
"Are you kidding? Look around! You look great!"
"Really, Sean? I mean, I guess I could look a lot worse. Thanks! I guess I really look pretty good!"
"Yeah! You do! But, I'm not trying to discourage improvement."
Thanks.
(I told Sean I was going to blog about this, and he was so embarrassed. He's worried that he'll sound like a terrible husband. I told him not to worry, if anything would make him seem like a terrible husband, it's what I'm about to discuss next...)
Flash forward about a week, when the UPS guy stops by. We get a huge package from Beachbody.com and I proceed to open it- expecting to see the after-workout drink mix that Sean ordered. You see, he's been working out everyday and is quite determined to be more fit than his buddy, John, who he has started this crazy workout competition with. Ever see the infomercial for P90X? It's insane, and these two have decided to compete to see who is more fit at the end of 90 days. They did the fit test together, and even took before pictures. I'm getting a huge kick out of it, and have been teasing Sean pretty much nonstop. Although, as I've reminded him... I'm not trying to discourage improvement. Haha!
There was definitely some after-workout drink mix in the box, but there was also this...
I was pretty sure Sean wasn't interested in lifting and firming his butt... so I can only assume he bought this for me. I laughed SO HARD, and then called my sweet husband.
"So, Sean, is this your way of encouraging me? Or, did you just buy it for the pictures on the box?"
"I thought it was worth a laugh! If you don't want to use it, it's not a big deal."
"OK, I can take a hint!"
That night I gave the Brazil Butt Lift a try. (The instructor- cheeseball. The workout- pretty good!) My butt may have a long way to go, but as I was able to laugh my way through this experience with Sean, I think my marriage is rock solid!
