The Louch Network

I know it's just a title but sometimes I wish it wasn't required because I just don''t have one!!  So here's a random post...Carson got to spend the week between Christmas and New Years with his dad!  It's hard to believe it's January and Carson is playing in the yard without a coat and playing with his new walk toy outside!  His eczema has been bothering him again and he's been itching a lot so we have an appointment with a dermatologist in a couple weeks to hopefully get it figured out.

Carson is a magnet to any electronics...he knows whenever a remote is within reach or when my laptop is close and he can reach the keys. 

Just too tired to make it to new years...  The only way I could get him to keep his party hat on was to catch him while sleeping.  Carson loved the clapper and the noise they made.

Emma is so good at playing or should I say giving Carson toys and so much fun to be around.  Carson sat still for quite awhile to listen to the story

We had a great Christmas this season with Carson bringing so much joy!  I wasn't sure about putting up all the Christmas decorations this year but with a few changes it went good and overall didn't tempt Carson too much :)  Ross and I both had to work on Friday and with daycare closed Grandma Louch got to watch Carson.  The plan was for Ross and I to go out for my birthday but Ross wasn't feeling the best so I took a raincheck.  I had a great surprise at work, I knew I was approved to have Monday off but found out I had Tuesday off as well!  We headed to Lawrence on Saturday morning with my aunt Kathy joining us for lunch to celebrate my birthday with my Grandma Janda.  My Grandma had quilted a special blanket for Carson, was so beautiful and such a great keepsake!

Carson loved all the paper and ribbon...

All handsome and ready for church.  We won't be going to a 10 pm service again anytime soon, let's just say everyone knew Carson was there!  I learned how to put on a clip on tie, a first for everything...  We started with two black shoes but somehow lost one (still haven't found!) so put on his christmas puppy slippers which helped him look not so grown up.

Carson was spoiled with lots of toys and books but the package of wipes is just so fun :)  Ross's first experience of getting to put a toy together on Christmas day.

It's amazing how easy it is getting for Carson to cruise around on his toy and furniture and his plops down are getting more graceful.

I didn't mind one bit not having a white Christmas as traveling was so much easier.  Was a great opportunity to get some pictures outside.

This rocking chair was mine I got for my first birthday!

We enjoyed the time with my family eating lots of good food and playing games and were so blessed for Emma to get to join us!  On Monday morning we took off to celebrate with the Louch's.  Glen made Carson a tractor (of course green!) and he had just a big smile when on it!

Celebrating at home with just the three of us.  We took Tuesday to relax and get everything put away and sort of organized.

Carson is continuously pulling up to standing now and is getting braver using hand(s) to reach and hold onto things while standing.  Love watching him imitate us clapping our hands and making mouth noises.  He loves to feed himself but hasn't quite figured out the chew and swallow before continuing to take more bites!

Playing "with" Carson has typically involved when we touch a toy Carson grabbing it and wanting to play with it.  But a couple times now he has shared his toys and rolled them back and forth!  This was his first present from daycare he got to open early.

Carson is beginning to make more sounds and babbling noises.  He will take steps forward with assistance by holding his hands.  He is starting to cruise by walking along the furniture when tempted with a toy he wants.  He loves to feed himself small pieces of food and starting to like a sippy cup a little bit more.  Has started to clap his hands together more and is crawling all over the place.  We have started to keep all of our doors shut and he has figured out how to open drawers and cabinets!  He has five teeth and a six one will soon be here.  He has his first high temperature illness this weekend and has had lots of cuddle time, hopefully goes away soon!

I love collecting ornaments as souvenirs from places we've visited and writing the date and who gave me specific ornaments. I still remember and Ross has the same ornament he got for his first Christmas. We decided we need to carry the tradition on and get Carson his first ornament as well. Our Christmas tree isn't fancy and doesn't have a theme but looking at it brings back such great memories.

Carson had a tease of Christmas at a friends one year birthday party and LOVED the wrapping paper.  I think he played with it for an hour or so before I took it away because he started to try to eat it.  It was fun to see him socialize with kids a variety of ages.  I like hearing the stories from daycare about him and his friends (last one was dumping the toys out of the containers so they could sit inside) but love getting to see it.  Back to the birthday party...Carson almost had he first kiss with the birthday girl but thankfully he started crawling away (we have a little more time!)

Carson had Cream of Wheat at daycare one day and loved it.  So we went and bought him some of it to try at home.  Lets put it this way, he is eating an adult sized portion all by himself at breakfast.  He even tried to feed himself the other day.  It mostly worked except when he put the wrong end of the spoon into his mouth or wasn't able to feed himself fast enough.