Carter 3 month videos & update

Carter's 3 month update

Up close and personal

Posing in his 3-month onesie

he sleeps...

Smiling @ Krenma

Kren propped him up in their seat at EatnPark

"ok Grandma, I'll sit here and be really good."

Hey Dad, look where Gram lets me sit!

His favorite cardinal

Well, I'm officially a slacker, but Carter is so fun that I dont want to spend any free time updating this blog if I can spend it with him! I hope you understand:)



I will start by telling you about his 3-month check up with the surgical team at UPMC Children's on Monday, February 15th. Carter slept the whole way, so he was a happy and alert little fellow for the team. He flirted and even reached for Dr. Losee's assistant (a beautiful brunette) and then when Matt (cleft coordinator) was going through the surgery expectations with us, Carter was looking at him so intently as though he was hanging on every word...taking it all in so that HE knew what to expect in pre-op and after the surgery! It was adorable! When Matt said, "boy, youre a serious guy," Carter immediately flashed him a big smile as if to say, "awe shucks, not all the time." Dr. Losee explained the actual surgery to Josh...I was a little busy so I kind of missed some of it, but the jist of it is: they will make two incisions to repair the lip...he wont have any stitches (amazing) and once he's eating on his own (2days), he can come home! Josh & I can stay in his room with him during his stay at Children's, too:) Dr. Losee weighed him...15 lbs 6 ozs!!

As far as his personality...he smiles nonstop...unless he's hungry or overly tired. He enjoys Gavin's antics and his grandmas watching him. He's into technology--stares at my phone, camera, remotes and the TV. Baby Einstein's Baby Neptune is his fav DVD. He loves the tunnel playmat from Aunt B & Uncle Kirk...especially the whistling cardinal on it...but above all toys he loves smiling at the boy who matches him in the mirror!!

He's officially a KHS basketball fan, but he adores his cheerleaders the most. Josh and I are loving every minute with him...we even fight over holding him in the evenings b4/as he dozes off:) He's officially grown out off all the 0-3 month clothes and 3-month sleepers. He looks soooo long in the 3-6 month outfits and 6 month sleepers, but they fit him perfectly! All is well at the Coursens!!

Carter's 2 month update

Carter got to meet Aunt Carole and see Debb again:)

Here are some in his 2-month onesies...he was pretty tired so he wasnt a smiley as usual.

Meeting his cheerleaders for the 1st time!

Here he is with Taylor:)

With Erica...

With Lexi...

With Jessica...

With Sheleena...

With the Whole Gang...including Coaches Travis, Julia, Kayla & Chelsea

With Jayme and Jess...

With Kayla...he's really checkin her out

With Kayla & Ashten...

And with Julia & Aimee...he made his rounds:)

More of him on his 2-month birthday...checkin out that mobile in bed again!

Bath Time is getting better--if mom gives it alone he's an angel:)

Check out that belly!

I LOVE his FEET!!!

At his two month appt he weighed 13 lbs and 4 ozs...yes he's a big boy! He was over 25" long and was in the 90-95% in all categories for his age. His interests at this stage of his life include: food, nautical themed mobiles, food, swinging, food, bouncy seats, food, dancing on mom and dad's lap, food, cheerleaders and more food:) He smiles all the time and is getting that laugh figured out. Josh & Grandma Darlene got to hear him really giggle at Grandpa Terry about a week ago! He spends his Saturdays with the cheerleaders at competition--he seems to really like Cheer Music! He sleeps up to 4-6 hours at a time through the night and takes a few catnaps throughout the day. We're very blessed to have such a good-natured little boy--the only time he really cries is when he's hungry! Enjoying EVERY moment! Here's a video clip of him checking out himself in the mirror of his bouncy seat:)

Carter Update

Carter n Daddy

Carter n Mommy at his 1st cheer competition

His winter hat...he likes it!!

enjoying his mobile

Back to Work

I started back to work on Monday...really couldnt take the time to blog about my feelings until now because this weekend I spent every waking and sleeping moment holding Carter because I didn't want to see this time come to an end. I spent Sunday afternoon and evening bawling my eyes out and as a result I had Carter worked up. Poor guy. It wasnt the fact of going to work or even leaving him with my mom...it was that "THIS TIME" we've had together was over. All I can say is that my mom was/is again my life saver. She came to my house between 5:30-6:00 and helps out until I leave for work at 7:00. I hope I dont have to ask her to do that too long, but I am soooo thankful for the help! She entertains Carter while I get dressed, do hair/makeup & eat breakfast then she helps pack lunch, pack items up or carry bags to my car while I feed Carter one last time:) God definitely blessed me with a wonderful mom!

My parents take turns holding, feeding & entertaining Carter and Gavin...Krenma has to change all diapers though...as multi-talented as he is, diaper changing is a skill that grandpa somehow never acquired:) "The boys" are being good thus far at Grandpa Randy and Krenma's house...Gavin gave Carter a hug yesterday...wish I could've seen that!!

Grandma Darlene is taking care of Carter at home today. Josh is working from home, too, so he's there to help out if needed. I'm sure Carter had a nice relaxing day at home. Having to leave so early for work, I appreciate that Grandma D is willing to take care of Carter one day a week, too:)

All I can think about is summer now--spending time with him--these years are so precious because children adore their parents now...I'm sure it will be a different story when he is a teenager!

New Pix

Smiles all the time, now

He wants to giggle and laugh...he just hasn't figured out how:)

Carter & Gavin on New Years Day...As Grandpa George would say, "that guy matches me."

Gavin wanted to get his hands on Carter

New Year's was too much for these two

New Years Eve

Carter's First Bottle!!

Caught these two napping

He loves his new hat!

Carter Update

Just a quick update...everyone has been asking so I took him to find out...Carter weighed in at 11 lbs 12 ozs with Sherri at Clarion Hospital on Wednesday! He's a growing boy! Later that day he got to meet his cousin Donna and Great Aunt Mary Lou:) Donna said, "he's cute enough to be one of mine!" Knowing Donna's love for her family, mommy took this as quite a compliment!

On Thursday, Carter went to dinner at Foxburg with his mom and dad and then spent a quiet evening at home for New Year's Eve:) He was such a good boy at dinner! We are excited to see what God has in store for Carter in 2010!