I had Carson's pics taken at 5 months and Ella's pictures taken when she was between 6 and 7 months of age. We've always thought they looked alike, but here's the proof. Can you tell them apart?
Carson is on the left and Ella is on the right. Funny!
While we were at Babies R Us, we noticed Halloween costumes were already out. Can you believe that? So, we asked Ella for some input. Do you want to be a Backyardigan (from Nick Jr), a doctor, a dancer or Minnie Mouse. We were certain she would choose a Backyardigan. No, she said. Well, then who do you want to be? And she says, Diego (also from Nick Jr). I asked her the next day and she gave me the same answer. I think they're going to be out of her size. ; )
We are also learning how to go places without running away. When she ran away from me at the park while I was feeding Carson, she stopped and hid her eyes. Giggled and said you can't catch me. How can you not laugh? Adorable? She ran out of The Children's Place at the mall, across the hallway to Yankee Candle. Thank goodness she didn't break anything! She tried to hide another a clothing rack at Gap. And then she ran away from me at Target. That frightened her though because she couldn't see me although I could see her. She has been getting better after a few timeouts at the store and some serious discussions. Let's hope things improve! And she also decided to undress in the checkout lane at Target - just the shirt - but still - I guess she is showing off her new tricks.
On the other hand, Carson is a great shopping partner. He rarely cries, only when he is hungry, tired or in discomfort. He is over 10 lbs 9 oz and is wearing 0-3 month clothes; he'll be wearing 3-6 months in the next month. When I compared his weight to that of Ella's, he appears to be very close. After finishing his amoxicillin and getting through the side effects of projectile vomiting, diarrhea and decreased appetite, he is eating like a champ. 5 ounces 5 times a day - 25 ounces per day. We've even seen him drink 6 ounces on occasion. His vitamins make him constipated so we have started adding karo syrup to his bottles and sometimes have to offer prune juice (yuck!). Last night, we resorted to a glycerin suppository and we've gone through 4 outfits today. At least he feels better : )
Carson is very laid back and smiles ALL the time. Definitely a different personality than Ella's. We had to really really work for a tiny grin. He loves to chit chat and squeal. He giggles when you kiss his belly, legs, chest and neck. When he does tummy time, he holds his head straight up and steady. He reaches for toys, successfully grasps them and pulls them to his mouth. He loves to snuggle with his blanket, take baths and watch his big sister. And has officially taken up thumb sucking as of Sunday. We're in the awkward stage - he wants it, can't get it, won't take the pacifier and then fusses.
Ella is reciting the alphabet nonstop and sometimes hums. She can identify 11 of the 26 letters. She can count to 11, but then starts over at 8. We're working on counting in Spanish; she knows the names through 6, but she doesn't always get them in the right order. She loves to read books and is obsessed with Max & Ruby (another Nick Jr show). I really don't put her in front of a TV all day, but it is convenient when I am feeding Carson. She also enjoys playing with Carson's toys. She likes to play dumb. She asks where something goes when she knows exactly where it belongs. She listens to what you say and then turns it on you. She was fussy one day because she was hungry and I said - you don't have anything in your belly - that's why you're fussy. On another day, when she was fussy again she said, "I don't have anything in my belly - that's why I'm fussy." When she's asked to leave Carson at home, we've told her that we can't do that because Carson is part of the family. So, when I explained that I was going to change Carson's diaper in the other room, she asked to go. I'll be right back, I said. And she replied, I want to go. I'm part of the family.
As you can tell, they keep us busy but I don't know what we would do without them. They are a blessing... And Vic - he is such a wonderful husband and daddy! He is great about giving me breaks and jumping into his daddy role as soon as he steps foot in the door. Ella excitedly runs to him with a hug and says "Daddy". She also loves to wear her I Love Dad pjs. If she is wearing her I Love Mom pjs, it's only because her dad ones are dirty. Hope we made you smile : )
