Ten Months

(Notice his Asheville shirt)

I'm late in my monthly Carver update. I hate that.

However, there are several new things going on in Carver's little world these days. We have been super busy the last few months, as evidenced by my lack of blog postings-- no time. But, it's been a great Fall so far. Carver is growing and changing so rapidly these days. I love it but it makes me sad. I'm feeling a little more sentimental than usual about another month being behind us. I miss teeny, tiny, Carver (well, sort of teeny). I miss holding him all day, snuggling with him at night. I miss the exhaustion and the euphoria of the early days. (Well, the exhaustion is still there). I miss his tiny baby yawns and precious facial expressions. Ok, I miss most of it.

BUT, I love this phase too. Yes, he's getting bigger, and "growing up so fast!" but it's good. Really, really, good. Because with each passing day I get a bigger glimpse into his personality, and his character, and I see flashes of the kid he is becoming. And I love it, flaws and all. (Wait, he doesn't have any flaws, he's perfect). Just kidding. He is strong-willed, difficult, and impatient, but he is also quick to smile and laugh, he's affectionate, friendly, joyful. He's a series of contradictions, like we all are. And, I love all of these parts that make up him. I wouldn't change anything. Not one thing.

Well, anytime he wants to quit spitting up I'll not complain.

The Details: 10 Months

1) New trick: Carver can wave! He does it all the time. Sometimes at appropriate times, (hello or goodbye), but then he does it at any random other time also. Usually it is just one arm raised straight in the air, but occasionally he does "wave" his fingers also. Too. Cute.

2) Sleeping through the night-- mostly. He probably still gets up 2-3 times a week, but for the most part he is sleeping much better. He goes to bed at about 8:00 or so and gets up around 7:30...or 8:15 if I'm enjoying my morning coffee too much to get him up...) This has changed my whole world view. The sun is shining brighter, the grass is greener, food tastes better, people are nicer...Or, maybe I'm just not utterly and complete exhausted anymore. Either way, the change is great.

3) New sounds-- I have no idea how to describe them, but take my word for it, it is hilarious.

4) Eating habits-- No more breastfeeding (thank the Lord. Literally.). He is not a big eater in general and we are having a lot of trouble getting him to eat anything except "Level 2" baby food. He seems to have very strong aversion to anything with texture. No puffs, no table foods-- even Level 3 foods (barely chunky) make him gag... I'm worried. I have visions of therapists in our future (to help with the eating issue). Wish Aunt Ellen lived a little closer :) Maybe he will catch up, maybe I am overreacting but-- worried nonetheless.

5) Walking-- with help. As in, if you hold his hands he will take a few steps. If he's holding on to a walker, or something he can push, he can walk it all over the house. He really prefers standing or walking to just crawling. I wonder if my next monthly update will include him actually walking on his own. We'll see.

6) He is into everything. And he races around the house. He never rests or even takes a break. Baby jail is still used but I let him out of it a lot, which he loves, but then I spend all of my time chasing him around the house. He has a pretty short attention span, he is fairly destructive, and he has a seemingly limitless supply of energy. You would think I would be much thinner than I am now, all I do run around the house after him.

7) He loves the dogs. Right now he really likes to climb into Lea's crate-- with her. Not a great idea, clearly.

8) He has graduated out of his whale tub (which he used for 10 whole months-- thanks aunt Megan!) and is now just in the big bathtub. I spend most of his baths trying to make him stay seated. Sigh.

9) Teeth-- 5! Three on the bottom and two on the top. But not the center two-- rather the third ones over. Random.

10) Curly blond hairs are really growing in the back of his head. I need to get a good picture of the curls, they're pretty adorable.


Praying the next couple of months pass a little slower. I'm not ready for him to get any older.