THREE WEEKS OLD

Pictures with MaMa and DaDa

Jimmy and I are both enjoying our time with Baby Carson. Neither of us can actually believe that we have TWO CHILDREN! At times it seems so surreal yet at others it seems like we've never been without our boys. Lord willing, we'll both have many years with them!

A Day in the Life of Carson

"I'm so bored...all I do is sit here all day..everyone says I'm so cute...but really I don't do much."

"Hum...let me think...I could poop, cry or sleep...what should I do today?"

"Guess my life isn't all that boring...it's a lot better than when I was inside that dark womb...there's more to look at out here. And everyone one picks me up, carries me around and loves on me."

I'll just sit here a little while longer...maybe Ayden will come and play with me again.

"I've been up for almost thirty minutes now...I'm pretty tired..I guess I'll go back to sleep...night, night."

Driveway Play

Because the weather has cooled down, we have a new afternoon activity each day. While we wait for Jimmy to get home from work we play out on the driveway.

Here Ayden is racing around with the mini-baby stroller that Billy gave him. Usually his dollbaby from Dad or his Elmo is in the stroller, but this day it was all about running behind the stroller and crashing it in to stuff!

Also, Jimmy's mom bought Ayden this hat when he was just a baby. We got it out a few months ago, but just recently he has been asking to wear it. He wears it all the time, all day long--sometimes backwards, sometimes sideways, sometimes pulled down low over his eyes. He knows he looks cute in it!

These overalls are "Carharts" that Jimmy got for him at a yard sale last spring. All he needs is a John Deer tractor now!

Ayden in the Baby seat

This little chair is for the baby and it's called a "Bouncy Seat." It has a switch on the bottom that makes the whole chair vibrate, lulling the baby to sleep. It's been in the attic since Ayden was a baby, but now we have it out for Carson to use. He rotates from this chair, to the swing, to the bassinet (sp?) and back to the chair. But whenever Carson's not in it, Ayden takes over and uses it as his TV recliner!

Halloween Treats from PaPa

Every year Dad sends me Halloween cookies from Maggi's bakery back home. I never share them with Jimmy...they are just for me.

This year, Dad sent Halloween goodies for all! Candy, bubbles, popcorn, baby shoes and a picture frame. Thanks Dad! It is so much fun getting surprise packages in the mail!

Two Weeks Old

Carson doesn't do much, so I don't have that many pictures of him. (Most of my postings are of Ayden because he's at such a fun age!) But I still try to take as many as I can of Lil'Bit. Don't worry, he won't be slighted in his Baby Book. I'm still getting quite a few!

Our GAP Model

It's finally getting cool enough to get our fall clothes. Jimmy dressed Ayden in this before they went out for the day. I thought he looked so cute, I had to take a few pictures. He's not a baby anymore!

Uncle Nick in Town

Uncle Nick made the sacrificial trip down to check out his new nephew last week. He had business in Chattanooga so he spent the morning with us. He got to see the baby and give Ayden a cool baseball game toy. For the rest of the day Ayden kept asking for NICK!

Also, Dad, Nick is on his way to beating your average. He's been here once a month for three months. Come Christmas, he'll be five-for-five!

Trek to Augusta

Friday we tried our luck and drove to Augusta for the day. We were feeling pretty ambitious taking a "road trip" with a twelve-day old! But it was actually Ayden who made the car ride stressfull, not Carson!

We had lunch at Nanna's and then joined the Hendricks (and the senior-citizen crowd!) for dinner at Ruby Tuesday's at 4:30. We were on the road to go home by Ayden's bed time. We timed the evening drive perfectly...an hour and a half of blissful silence!

After lunch, Aunt Jessica and Aunt Kaitlin came over to visit. They loved on the baby and played with Ayden. He is not feeling left out in the least because of his little brother--in fact, I think he's getting more attention than ever!

Gifts from WCA

The Senior girls from my school brought over two huge gift baskets from the teachers and students: one for the baby and one for mom! Everyone pitched in and contributed cards, baby clothes, hats, booties, bibs, gift certificates, brownies, cookies, fruit, bubble bath, lotions, hot teas and more! I felt very loved!

The girl in the picture is Maggie. I taught her for five years and she has baby sat for Ayden a couple of times. She and her mom are the the ones who organized the gift collection.

This picture of Ayden was funny I thought because with the hat (knit by one of my colleagues) and the cane (actually one of those sugar candy sticks one of the girls had) he looks like a performer! Always the ham!

Naked in the Rain

These pictures were taken back in August after a hot, humid rain. I never posted them...I don't know why. But I couldn't resist posting them now. His little but cheeks are so cute! Ayden had a ball running around naked in the wet puddles!

Gifts from the Cox Family

Yesterday Ayden received a surprise package from Cary, Kevin, Cate & Emma. It was full of his favorite things: two Sesseme Street cars, an Elmo cup, an Elmo ring, Elmo stickers and yummy snacks! He loved it! Jimmy loved it too, because it kept Ayden busy while he was watching the Kentucky-Florida game!

Gifts from Nanna, John & Granny

Everyone has been so good about making Ayden feel loved and special. And it's working! He is so into his little brother! He thinks he is his coolest, newest toy!

Last week, Nanna brought Ayden lots of presents: two new books, a soccer ball and a winter coat! She also brought a cute out fit for Carson. Now he has a total of four outfits that aren't Ayden-hand-me-downs! Thanks, Nanna, John & Granny for loving both of the boys so well!

One Week Old

It's eight o'clock Sunday night...this time last week we were heading home from Victoria Bryant Park without a care in the world. Little did we know that just a few hours later we'd be holding our little boy! Now it seems that he's been with us forever. It feels good to be a family of four.

Family Weekend

This weekend we had a house full! My children will never lack for people who love them!

The Augusta gang was here in stages and Billy & Nikki drove in from Florida. Everyone pitched it to help with meals, cleaning, holding the baby and playing with Ayden.

Joshua Carson wakes up to the World!

Because Carson's eyes are closed 22 hours of every day, I was very excited to get this pic! He looks so cute, peeking out from his blanket. I love his square face and soft, light hair.

Mama Love

Nothing to say about these pictures, except, "How is it possible to love Ayden so much and still have room to love another just has much?" I can't get enough of my sweet boys.

Papa Lends a Helping Hand

Dad drove in Monday and was planning to leave very early Thursday morning. After Jimmy and I both confessed separately to him that we were nervous about being by ourselves, he graciously offered to stay another day.

He mostly helps by playing with Ayden and making him feel special. They've gone to McDonalds together, to the park, and shopping. He's also helped with Joshua Carson, especially our second night home when he seemed to be struggling with some painful gas. (I guess he got that from me! Ha!)

Jimmy and I will be home tomorrow alone (yikes!) but then Billy & Nikki will be here all weekend. Jackie, Dan, Danielle and Mom, Grandmother & John will be up too at different times...I'm very thankful for all the extra hands!

All my Babies

After visiting me in the hospital, my dad took Ayden out to Toys R US to buy him his own little baby. Ayden has named his baby Baby Mac (after his favorite dog on the TV show "Clifford.")

Last night, after I had changed Carson, Ayden laid his baby beside the real baby and then climbed up beside the two little ones! I love my little guys!