Now Accepting Donations..

I just went to upload all the pictures off our camera from basically the last 2 months of our lives. And we are officially out of memory...so I couldn't even load the cutest pictures of Carter (or blog about them). We have an external hard drive somewhere. (Not that I know how to use it.) I'm now officially taking donations so we can get a new Mac...since ours is more than 4 years old. Thanks in advance for your help ;)

But seriously--How do you store your files? I'm not even an big photo taker...I can't imagine what its like for those of you who take way more more pictures than I do... Help?

Carter's Compost Pile!

Thanks to Mark and Liz for these awesome onesies!

Welcome to Real Life

Shawn went back to work this week. On top of that, he had to go out of town to New York for three days. Carter's first week at the babysitters' and I've had to drop him off at 6:45am to be on time for work by 7. Hello Exhaustion. Then I pick him up at 1:15pm and we're on our way to a whole afternoon and evening together. No breaks. When he cries-its me. When he needs his diaper changed-its me. This is pretty standard when just one person is taking care of Carter...Shawn did it all those mornings he watched him when I was at work. And I do it every afternoon before Shawn gets home from work. And that's just fine and dandy because there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You know the other person is coming home, and you'll be able to hand off the kid...even for just a few moments. But with Shawn out of town, no break is in sight. There is a reason there is a Dad and a Mom when it comes to having kids...because when one can't take it anymore, the other can step in. I almost started crying yesterday when I thought about what it would be like as a single mom. I can't even imagine. Single parents have strength beyond anything I can comprehend at this point. Needless to say, I'm ready for Shawn to be home. Thankfully that happens tonight!

I never liked it when Shawn went away before, but having a baby...Having a baby changes everything. I guess I better toughen up and get used to it because I'm married to a man who goes on business trips.

A few faces to express myself...just in case words weren't enough.

Oh yes, that is my third shirt today. Does it have spit up all over it? Why yes. Yes it does. It's late enough I don't care anymore. Happy Thursday folks!

P.S. My sister brought me cupcakes tonight. She is officially on my "Wonderful Person's List" (which I may have just created. Just now.)

8 Weeks Already?? (late night ramblings by Melissa)

Hi. It's 3:50 in the morning. I'm up feeding Carter. I can't help but think- "he's 8 weeks old already ?!?" He is growing and changing so quickly. He definitely left the newborn stage and is now entering the baby stage. He is starting to get chubby. He is smiling now and frowning and they are both so cute! He is starting to get new peach fuzzy hair on the top of his head. But those are all the simple easy to describe changes. I feel like he is different everyday...I couldn't tell you how exactly. And I could just stare at him. All. Day. Long. And I can't really explain that one either. Carter is so adorable and so precious. I'm still trying to figure out how Shawn and I were trusted with him... We don't know what were doing! Everyday is an adventure as we learn while Carter grows. I feel so blessed to have him. Sometimes it's so trying or so draining, but then I am quietly reminded of all of my love for him. It helps me keep going. I love being a mom. I never really wanted to be...and always thought I'd suck at it... I'm amazed at how naturally the whole thing has come to me...and how much I love it.

Editor's Note

Shawn discovered an App that will load a picture multiple places (like Blogger, Facebook, etc.) at the same time. So don't mind the random photos of Carter (in all his cuteness), that's just Shawn wanting to share with you.

Enjoy!

My Pink Crayon

This is my Pink crayon.

I've had it pretty much as long as I can remember. I'm talking like whole life people. I don't remember when I got it-Couldn't have been older than 5.

It was used mostly as a toy, but it is also a piggy bank. Over the years I would put my change in it. Here and there hoping to someday fill it all the way to the top. Well, college happened and marriage happened...Life happened really...and I forgot about it. A few weeks ago I was nursing Carter in my old bedroom and I saw my Pink crayon in the closet and thought, "That has a ton of change in it--I should cash it in!"

I told Shawn, and he thought it would be a good idea. The crayon was maybe half full. Shawn said, "I bet there is $40 in there. You should take it to the bank and use the money to go shopping"

On Friday I took my Pink crayon to the bank and POURED my change into the machine and watched the total go up and up and up...

Guess how much money was in my Pink crayon? Just guess.

$181.85!!

So, after opening a bank account for cute Mr. Carter, I am going shopping with the remaining $150.00. I'm going to buy whatever I want, and Shawn can't argue with me. I can't explain how awesome it was to discover the change I'd paid little attention to over the years brought me so much joy. The moral of the story: Keep a piggy bank and save your change!

Oh and anyone want to go shopping with me? Let me know :)