Silly the Elf is BACK!

Silly the Elf has made his return trip from the north pole to the Rettig house and boy is Sean excited! It is such a cute tradition that helps make the days leading up to Christmas more fun (you know when you were a kid it seemed like it took FOREVER for Christmas to get here). Last year, Sean named his Elf "Silly" and so that is his name forever. We've read the book to re-fresh Sean's memory, 1. you don't touch Silly, 2. He watches you while you make good (or bad!) choices and reports it to Santa, 3. He flies back to the North pole each night and hides in a new spot, etc. Every morning Sean runs down the stairs to find out where Silly has hidden this time. Dan and I make it pretty easy for him but we might start getting more creative to see how Sean reacts. It is a great tradition that I am sure we'll continue for years to come! Here are a few of Silly's hiding spots.

Thanksgiving

We traveled to Charlottesville for the long weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with Dan's family. The weather was really nice and the everyone enjoyed spending time together. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked but here are a few.The sign says, "Carter House"

Out for a walk in the neighborhood.

Sean got a ride!

Thanksgiving Program at School

Well, I was all organized and had everything laid out so that we could get out of the house at 8 am and to Sean's school early for his program. The diaper bag was packed, I had the camera, the video camera was charged....or so I thought. So, I didn't get to video the program and then I am noticing the quality of the pictures is not so great. That is disappointing. Let me just describe it as easily as I can. There was a little singing, a little dancing, and a little nose picking (but at least he didn't eat them!). Sean seemed super proud of himself and all of the kids did a great job considering how many songs they sang (it was a combination of the two 3 year old classes). It was a great first experience and Carter was an angel as she was hanging out in the baby bjorn front carrier. Here is to looking forward to many more singing programs to come and having video of them as well!

Snuggles before we left for school.

All dressed up looking cute!
At least one of them was singing...lol

Follow Your Bliss Photo Shoot

While we were in NC we had a great photo shoot with my sis. Here are a few of my favs! There are too many to post!

Christmas decorating....a little early!

We decided to get the Christmas decorations for the inside of the house done a little early this year since we'll be coming back into town on Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving. Sean was, to say the least, excited! He helped Dan get all of the stuff down from the attic and marveled at each new ornament as it as pulled out of the box! He insists that we keep the lights on at all times and often is caught playing with many of the ornaments. The best though was the day after we put up the tree he woke up early and came running downstairs to see what was in his stocking....uhhh your over a month early on that one buddy! We need to get through thanksgiving first! He keeps trying to change the day on the advent calendar and we aren't even to December yet!! He will be busting with excitement by the time Christmas actually comes!

Carter looks excited to help!We seem to have an excessive amount of ornaments just about 38 inches high...hmmm..

ok, that is exhausting, time for a snooze!

A few things...

Brr...it was our first really cold morning of the Fall. I guess winter is on its way. I cannot really bundle her up too much as she gets so upset in the car she oftens get overheated and sweaty. Halfway to Sean's school I realized her hat was completely over her face...oops! At least she looks cute it it! Sean got a new dinosaur hat as well.Hmm, I'd like to lick the blanket!

Rawr!

We've been working on tummy time a lot lately. She isn't as good with head control on her tummy as Sean was at this age. She'll tolerate a few minutes on her tummy. There was even one day that Sean and I looked down to find her on her tummy because she had rolled over. We didn't see her do it but she did!

Tummy time is tough!

While I am here I might as well eat my hands!

Getting stronger!

She had one rough night of sleeping which made me nervous. I've been really enjoying not waking up in the middle of the night! She was back to normal the next night with her usual 8pm-6am routine. She also usually goes back to sleep until I wake her up around 8:15 because we have to go take Sean to school. Napping is still a work in progress. She is at least sleeping in her crib and she does go to sleep on her own but won't stay asleep for more than 45mins to an hour at the most. The problem is that isn't enough for her so even after that nap she often shows signs of tiredness quickly after. Sean's school schedule doesn't help at it almost always falls during a "nap" time for her. So, we'll just do the best we can.

Sean still is in love with his baby sister. I asked him who he was going to marry the other day. It used to be me, now he is going to marry Carter! The thing is she soo loves him back. Once he comes near her she just smiles at him! He loves making her smile so that works out nicely!She is getting so big!! 10 weeks already!

Kisses for baby sister!

She loves him back!

Tonight we had our Friday night picnic in the living room with pizza and Cars 2. Sean got the movie about a week ago and has been re-enacting it with all of his cars figures all day everyday. That boy loves Cars!! He has been doing wonderful at school this week (after a rough couple days a week or so ago) and has been practicing for his big Thanksgiving performance next week. I'll definitely be getting that on video!! 3 year olds singing songs in unison?!? Not sure how they'll pull that off but I can't wait!

What a great day!

So, I am convinced that my children decided to give me a bday present just a day late. First off, Carter made it all the way TO and FROM Sean's school without crying (I did have the static on full blast, but whatever works) Then, all day she napped so great! I decided to re-visit the sleeping in the crib plan. This time, once I noticed she was tired, I swaddled her up, gave her the paci and walked away. Within 5 mins she was sound asleep. She slept for 45 mins. I was so happy! About 45 mins later she again showed signs of being tired (because she needed a longer nap than 45 mins) so I did the same thing and she fell asleep on her own AGAIN! I actually had to wake her up to take her to pick up Sean's school. Wow! So around 1pm she needed another nap. This time she fought it for a few mins but also passed out and then slept for 2.5 hours! I laid down with Sean at 2pm thinking she'd wake up any minute. Well, I woke up an hour later at 3pm and she was still sound asleep. So, figuring she'd be hungry I came downstairs to make her bottle. I waited and waited and she finally woke up at 3:30pm. Then, she was practically falling asleep again while eating so I put her back down and she slept until 4:30 pm. WHAT!?! Who is this child? All afternoon she was so smiley and happy and I think it was because she finally got the naps she needed! She might have been extra sleepy because of her shots yesterday but who knows? Sean also had a great report at school! It was a wonderful day. Now lets hope for more like this! :o)

2 month check up

Carter had her 2 month check up today and did great! She is officially 12lbs 2 oz (75%) and 24.5 inches long (98%). When I heard she only grew 3/4 and inch since last time I thought her height was slowing down but the Dr. explained that still puts her at the 98% percentile! What a big girl! That explains why she is wearing 6 months pajamas comfortably!

Carter's room

Carter slept in her bed for the first time last night. She was getting too big for the bassinett...literally! She was sound asleep by 7:15pm, woke up at 5:15 am to eat and then went back to sleep until 8 am. I think it was a success!

Even though the bed is so big, she still seems so big to me!

Seems like she is ok with the idea!

All snug as a bug!

Carter's new chair

While the kids and I were visiting my parents in NC Dan was home working on a special project for Carter. He re-finished an old rocking chair for her room. We figured we'd use the chair for her monthly pics. So here is Month 2.

Children's Museum of Greensboro Part 2

Sean and I spent the day together and visited the children's musem down at my parents house. We had a great together. Sean loves the museum that he calls, "Nama's Museum"
Camping!

Riding in the fire truck

Filling up the racecar

Curious George Exhibit

Cashing out

The levers

Carter is 2 months old!

She had her first laugh last night! It was so cute!
PS. Those are totally jeggin's she is rocking except her legs are too skinny to fill them out!

Bathtime fun for Carter

Carter has loved the bath since the first time we put her in the water. She has been getting very excited in the bath and kicks and splashes all around. It is her favorite time of day! Even if she is tired or fussy she is always happy in the bath. We even got a couple belly laughs afterwards!

The Park with Nama.

It was a really nice day today so we headed over to the playground and had some fun!

I love my Nama!

Getting brave!

Being Silly