He's not really a baby anymore, and although at times it brings a tear to my eye, it usually makes me smile :). Carson is getting so big, and so smart, and as hard as it is to believe, even more fun every day!
Carson loves to copy everything his older brother and sister do. Every. Thing. His actions and more and more of his words are a direct reflection of Coop and Izzy. Usually that turns out well. Of course, the big kids now know they can get him to say 'butt,' and spit (blow raspberries), and stick out his tongue, and jump on his bed, and this list continues to grow... It is pretty cute, but we've already started having the conversation about what it means to be a bad influence (thank you Stan and Jan Berenstain).
Carson is such a talker!!! He has countless words down already, and he tries to say pretty much anything you ask him to repeat. My favorites are 'wuv ooh,' butt, dah-DEE, owie, a-MEN, cookie, Kiss-y (for our daycare provider Kris), Coo-coo and Izzy. I love when he 'scolds' Izzy by wagging his finger and saying 'Eat!' or scolding Homer, saying 'Sit!' Pretty much everything he says is cute and it's nearly daily that he throws new words around.
Check it out :)
He now climbs on everything, including the couch and kitchen chairs, he's getting better going down the steps, he's close to running (for some reason those little legs haven't figured out that gear yet), he has that typical 18 month bravery, and he gets plenty of knocks and bruises along the way.
The little weirdo loves Wheel of Fortune and likes to say the letter names when he hears them. He claps for the contestants and everything! He has a favorite cartoon thanks to his big bro and sis: 'Sine-sores' (for dinosaurs), and he likes anything with animals that he sees on TV. He is less and less content looking over Izzy and Cooper's shoulders when they're on the iPads (which he can also say, and freak out about when they have to be put away!!)... He wants to play himself! Carson loves music, especially the Frozen soundtrack. He points to the CD player and says 'Up up!' for me to turn it up, and he spins and dances and bops his little leg.
His teeth are perhaps his defining feature right now...
He gives big hugs and wide-mouth kisses. He is a great snuggler and I love it! He's even getting more comfortable giving hugs to new people or those he doesn't see often.
He loves to listen to stories and brings us books often. He backs up right into a lap and listens patiently. He loves 'The Very Cranky Bear,' 'Ten Tiny Toes,' and any book he can do animal noises or touch body parts with. He knows lots of animal noises and all the simple body parts!
He lives for playing ball. The tee, bat, and ball are always the things he goes for when we play outside. He loves to play and be goofy, especially if he can just be in his diaper or run around in a towel after bath time. He has the best giggle and when he flashes that toothy smile, the room just lights up.
Sleep is great-he has a good bedtime routine down and naps one nice long afternoon nap :)
He wants to be independent, but of course still needs help for everything, so freak-outs are more common, but I think with his words coming so fast, it's possible this will be a quick phase. One can hope :). He is generally very go-with-the-flow, and for that we are soooo thankful!
Carson has a special connection with both Cooper and Izzy. Cooper commonly goes in after naps and keeps him company if I'm in the middle of something, and sometimes he'll 'keep and eye' on Carson for me. Cooper is patient with him and takes time to talk to him and not just tolerate him. Izzy and Carson love to be goofy together. It's common to catch them up to no good :). Also, Izzy likes to play dress up with him and play babies with him. Jeremy is not such a fan of this, but it is ADORABLE!
Carson, We. Love. You. You are the perfect comic relief, the perfect third pea in the pod, and an awesome little boy. We love watching you grow, and you continue to amaze us with each day. Thank you for keeping life in perspective and reminding us how fast time flies... And to just enjoy the little things. We love you so much!
