Me and My House: September 2010

Hey Peeps!

It's me - Carter - Carter James Watts. That's right, I've learned my whole name...although I'm still not sure what the 2nd name is used for. I'm back to give you the down-low-skinny on my 2nd month of life. I can't believe I'm already 2 months old! Pretty soon I'll be a grown-up! Don't tell mommy though, she gets emotional every time I mention it. Here's my birthday pictures...

Pensive Me

Cute Me

Hilarious Me

I've been a very busy boy lately. I'm learning how to hold up my head, and it's a full time job. My goal is a 90 degree angle, but it's so hard to get there. Just in case there are some newborns out there reading this, here's a head holding tutorial for you: First of all you have to get your parents to put you down on your stomach. It really helps if they put a rounded pillow under your stomach. If they don't "get that message," I'll tell you that it is possible without the pillow; however, it might make it very difficult for beginners.

Next you have to concentrate really hard on which muscles you are working. You are trying to work your neck muscles. Your parents will probably get all up in your face and sometimes wave toys in front of you, but do not become distracted.

If you need to rest, that's ok! The more you do it, the better you will get. I'm so close to the 90 degree mark, it's not even funny! Hint: you know you're close if you can look up and see the ceiling! Once I perfect this skill, I'll probably try walking next. That looks pretty easy!

On Labor Day we traveled to Waverly and Wedowee, and I got to meet all my great grandparents and a total of 22 new family members!!! I'm telling you, they came from all over the place, just to meet me - Washington DC, North Carolina, South Alabama, etc... I also got to watch my very first Auburn game on tv! Daddy says that he's going to take me to a game one day when I'm older. I'm pumped!!! I've heard the phrase "WAR EAGLE, BABY!!!" several times this fall and...I'm pretty sure that's me. Mommy talked more about that weekend in THIS POST.

The very next weekend, Grandmama, Aunt Rebekah, and Aunt Anna Kat came up to go shopping for wedding dresses. I tried to tell them that I wanted to sit at home and watch football with Daddy, but mommy took me with them. I cannot seem to shake her! I watched Aunt Rebekah try on so many dresses it made my eyes hurt. She picked the one that I liked the best though. She must think that I have really good taste :-)

I was dedicated that Sunday, on September 12th. Let me tell you, it was a big deal! Mommy and Daddy got me up when it was still dark, fed me, and then gave me a bath! I tried to tell them that it was altogether WAY too early for a bath, but that didn't stop them! Grandmama made a big breakfast and then - out of nowhere - Papa and my cousin Summer showed up! I know - crazy, right? - but then when we got to church Nana and Papa J were there!!! I had no idea that they even knew where our church was! I decided it would be a good idea to "test" the parents and throw a small fit right before they had to walk into the service with me. That way I got to suck on my paci throughout the dedication. I thought I would look a little more tough with a paci in my mouth since mommy dressed me in "fancy" clothes for the big event! Everyone agreed it was a great service. I'm telling you, I must have really great parents and a great church family. They all promised each other that they would raise me in a Godly home and church. They even promised to help each other out. That's what I'm talking about - teamwork!!!

Just as soon as the service was over, we had to say goodbye to Grandmama, Papa, Aunt Rebekah, Aunt Anna Kat, and cousin Summer. They had to go back to their houses! Nana and Papa J got to stay and play until the next day though! We had lots of fun, except for that night when Nana found a wet spot in the floor. Daddy and Papa J crawled up under the house and found a leak. We had to call the plumber. I'm pretty sure that if I just knew how to crawl, I could have helped them fix it though. Maybe I should work on crawling next!!!

Mommy and I took some food to Mrs. Mary and her baby girl, Hannah. Hannah was pretty cool - for a girl. I'm pretty sure I could beat her up, but mommy says that's not being gentle and "we have to be a gentleman to girls." She makes me look like a giant though, so I'm considering hanging out with her a lot! Mommy said the reason we are such different sizes is because I was 3 days late and she was 3 weeks early. She's very punctual! During our visit, I told her lots of stories and taught her a few things. She listened very carefully.

My favorite day is Saturday. That's when daddy is home all day long. Daddy and I hang out all day long on Saturdays....sometimes we let mommy hang with us too!

My brother, Fischer, turned 1 last Friday. Mommy says he's "rambunctious." I think that means "awesome!" I sure do hope that I'm that "rambunctious" when I turn 1 because he's super fun!!! We took him to the dog park on Sunday. I loved watching all the dogs play! Fischer had a blast!!! I wore this outfit in his honor.

I had my 2 month doctor's appointment the other day. WOW - I didn't see that coming!!! Mommy told me that the doctor was going to give me some shots. I figured that all the other things I had been given up until this point had been pretty cool, so I wasn't afraid of the shots. Well, I should have been. Shout out to all you babies out there - BE VERY AFRAID OF THE SHOTS!!! They acted like everything was normal - they even fed me right before we went in to see the doctor. The doctor came in and wiggled my arms and legs, flew me around like an airplane (my favorite part), and talked to mommy and daddy for a little while. Then the nurse came in and gave me some funny tasting stuff to drink. Milk is so much better though. Then, they held me down and tried to kill me. I was brave and only cried while it hurt though. I calmed down when mommy said the shots would give me superpowers to fight of evil germs, then she let me drink the rest of my bottle.

Speaking of fighting off germs, my parents must trust me a whole lot, because they left me in the church nursery last Sunday for the first time all by myself. I was brave and didn't cry at all when they dropped me off. Some really nice ladies got to hold me, and I treated them well. I let them know how I felt about getting my diaper changed by a stranger and hunger pains, but other than that I was "a perfect angel."The ladies asked mommy if she had really bad heartburn while she was pregnant with me. EVERYBODY asks her that, and I do not understand why....she says it's because I have a lot of hair, but that doesn't make any sense at all! WOMEN - I'll never understand them!!! Mommy said that I did a great job in the nursery, and I'm pretty sure that means they'll let me stay at home by myself soon.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY 2 MONTH MILESTONES:

- I was 12 lbs 10 oz (97th) & 24.5 in. (75th) at my appointment.

- I'm still eating like a champ (six-seven 40 min feeds per day). I get very mad when mommy stops to burp me. I try to eat and burp at the same time!

- I'm taking five to six 1-2 hour naps throughout the day.

- I'm holding my head more upright when on my tummy (somewhere between 45-90 degrees).

- I continued to sleep through the night (7-8 hours).

- I am always flashing social smiles & cooing.

- I smile and coo when playing peek-a-boo (I also rhyme).

- I'm ticklish on my sides and feet.

- I "Read" books.

- I kick and punch constantly.

- I track moving objects with my eyes.

- I look when I hear sounds.

- My grip is getting stronger - I'm still holding on to things I touch.

Oh, and I almost forgot...

- I ran a marathon....and I'm currently training for an Ironman.

- Coach Chizik said I could start next year if I am walking in time!

We headed to David's Bridal today to play Say Yes to the Dress with my sister Rebekah who is getting married in February! She found her dream gown, and we had a fun day of playing dress up. She's going to make a beautiful bride!!!!

Carter is being dedicated at church tomorrow. We are very excited to stand in front of our family and church and dedicate him to the Lord, his creator. Above is a picture of his daddy (on left) and him (on right) wearing the same dedication outfit. We are blessed to have him in our lives, and we cherish every day!

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3

For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD.