A few new things…

Grandma and Grandpa Willett left yesterday, so Carter had only me to entertain him today. Actually Carter did most of the entertaining last week. It seems Carter could do no wrong last week, and the little charmer soaks up all the attention! He was all smiles, clapping, and waving, plus his “big boy” routine, which involves flinging both arms in the air to show how big he is. Grandpa also got him to imitate a fake cough, which he then proceeded to do all the time. Their impression of Carter was that he plays hard, eats, then eats more, sleeps, constantly on the go, eats, eats more, and sleeps… The little guy eats a tonne since he is constantly on the go go go… even during diaper changes. Did I mention he hates getting dressed or having his diaper changed since he would prefer not to sit still for 30 seconds. They also found him to have that little “sparkle in his eye” like uncle Trent when he was little… always upto something (good or bad), with a smile on his face.

It was an evenful week while Grandma and Grandpa Willett were here: Carter cut his two top teeth, he took his first step, and he learned to pull himself out from under the water at swim lessons!! He has also started to play a little chase me game, which involves us crawling after him – that usually results in very excited laughter. Carter cruises around the coffee table and couch with ease but he has now started to take steps between them. Today he took two steps since he had to avoid the dog while he walked from the couch to the coffee table, since his hands were busy shoving the fake remote into his mouth.

At swimming they now have me pull him in off the wall, dunk him, then RELEASE while he is under water, then use one hand to gently guide him back to the wall (while under water), and let him grab the wall and pull up. The instructor does it with ease, and Carter kicks his legs, grabs the wall & pulls his head out. Well, last week my gentle guide was like a big upward shove to the wall due to my fear, not his. (So while Carter may have gotten it last week, it took mommy two weeks to get it.) He’s doing really well and doesn’t seem to mind the water one bit.

Carter has his appointment today. He’s 19lbs 10oz and 30 inches long. So, yes he is very tall and skinny: 45%tile for his weight and 92%tile for his height.

9 Months!

I can’t believe Carter is 9 months old!  He is definitely becoming more of a toddler than as baby now. His appointment isn’t for another week, so I’ll update on height and weight then. He’s still very tall and lean – wearing 12month pants that fit the leg but fall down at the waist. He eats very well, but he’s busy busy all day long.

He has been crawling for almost 2 months now, so he is very quick. He can also pull himself up & sit back down with ease. He loves to walk around the coffee table and couch, and now he can walk pushing the lawnmower like toy (or laundry basket if it is left around). He will get into just about anything he can: all items on the TV stand are fair game, he can pull things off the tables now too, and he is learning to open drawers & cabinets lately. Today while shopping, he proceeded to pull things off shelves and hangers, and somehow he managed to get his little friends paci… all while buckled into his stroller. He has also figured out how to get out of the shopping cart seat unless strapped in.

Carter continues to be pretty happy. In fact a regular comment from strangers is: “Is he always so happy?”. He is quite the little charmer, and will flash anyone a smile to pays attention to him. He’ll go up to other moms at play-dates, and he doen’t even blink when we leave him with the baby sitter. I posted some pouty picture on flkr, to document those “other” moments.

Carter is still very much in love with Holden, and poor Holden takes every little bit of abuse. Holden lets him crawl all over him, chase him with the walker, and pull himself to standing while grabbing his fur for support. In return Carter shares his biscuits, cheerios and baby food. Yes, lately Carter will drop a baby food covered hand over the edge of the highchair to let Holden lick it clean.

Carter babbles a fair bit now. He can say Dada and mama but I still don’t think he knows that that is us. He also has this godfather raspy groan thing he does alot now which is pretty funny. He also loves to bang on the table, or wave once and a while to get your attention.

He is down to two naps a day now, and goes to bed at 7pm. He is however an early riser, which Shawn and I still have not gotten used to. He usually gets up at 6am ish, although once in a while he’ll sleep in until 7 or 7:30. How sad is it that I think 7:30 am is sleeping in!! And then there are the days that he wakes up at 5:30; believe me, mommy does everything she can to get him back to sleep on those days!

Carter now has 2 little teeth on the bottom. He has only bitten me twice (still breastfeeding). He’s such a boob baby that I think he doesn’t like to chance anything that will lessen his boob time. I think he knows that he is pushing the limits when he pinches or bites because he always flashes his mischievous grin at me and will wait a few days before he tries again. Tonight was funny, Carter got his own payback when his little boob pink caused himself to shoot breastmilk in his eye!! Anyway, he is also eating soft chunky food & cheerios. He loves mangoes and yam chunks. He’s also drinking from the sippy cup, which he plays with, drinks from, and chews on.

Lately we go to playdates, the park or hiking to fill our days. He also has a good time at swimming. He has little interest in holding still to learn to float on his back, but he has a good time splashing and jumping off the edge. Sunday, Grandma and Grandpa Willett arrive, so I’m sure he’ll have fun with them.