18 Month Check-up

Thursday was Carson's 18 month check up and of course he has grown! He had a much bigger growth spurt than he did between the 12th and 15th month visits. Since his 15 month visit, his head has gone from 47" to 48" around, he has grown from 31" long to 33 1/2", and gained four pounds from  24lbs at 15 months to 28lbs 2 oz. He is in the 79th percentile for weight and the 76th percentile for height, so he is tall for his age and his weight matches his height. The doc says he looks great! But Kyle and I already knew that ;)

 

It's the Holiday Season!

The last of October got past me and so did the whole month of November without me being able to update the blog!! This is just one of the many signs that the holiday season is in full swing! So I will start with the end of October and hopefully can remember enough to update our friends and family!

 

 

This Halloween was so much fun with our little man! Last year, he hated being in his costume, couldn't sit up and his favorite treat was baby oatmeal! This year on the other hand, he enjoyed wobbling around in his dragon outfit, carrying his bucket full of suckers, trick or treating, and play games. We went trick or treating about a week before the actual day at my sorority house in Norman. We wondered how he would do walking up to strangers, but once he saw he could put stuff in his bucket he was in love! Then on actual Halloween we went to our church, Crossings Community, and did their trunk or treat activities. He really enjoyed the little games and the live band.

 

 

From the picture it may be hard to imagine but he is a very lively dancer. You can tell that the music takes over his entire little body!

Also, in October we visited Downtown OKC's Pumpkinville. They decorated the children's park at the Botanical Gardens with hundreds of pumpkins and all sorts of fun activities for the kids to do. While we were there we got to try fresh pressed apple cider and listen to a story in a gigantic candy corn tepee. Carson seemed to really enjoy all the climbing around on the pumpkins. That was one of my favorite October memories so I hope it is something our city will continue to do for many years!

 

 

November was extremely busy at the Bertholf house. We had OU games or other activities every weekend and during the week either I had school activities in the evenings or Kyle had to work a few extra hours. It felt like we were always on the go! Between all the busy we did get to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving. We stayed here and went to my mother's and grandparents house for dinner. My brother and sister-in law and sister and brother- in law also got to join us for the holiday and holiday weekend. It was so much fun to have them in town and to spend so much time with them. Adam and Devan are expecting a baby boy in March and we were thrilled to get to see her little baby bump! It'll be so fun for Carson to have a boy cousin close in age.

Right before Thanksgiving we also had some family pictures taken. A sweet first grade teacher at my school has started doing photography on the side and had a little photo shoot near Lake Arcadia. The entire time Kyle and I thought we'll be lucky to get one good shoot because busy one year old was being a ONE year old!! He either wouldn't smile, wouldn't look at the camera, or wanted to be left alone, but she managed to do it!

 

 

Carson turned the big 1-8 (months)  Dec. 1st! We have his 18 month wellness visit next week so I will definitely update you on his growth next week. He is very much a boy and loves doing all things boy, playing in the dirt, wrestling daddy and doggies, and playing outside. He has started repeating everything he hears and holds little conversations with himself or whomever will listen. He loves books, music, Jake (our dog), Elmo and most the gang, any ball he can throw, playing in the backyard with his fake mower, and helping around the house (pretend sweeping, dusting, feeding the dogs, and throwing trash away). He doesn't like to stop, so any activity where he may need to stop you'll hear a little bit about it from him :) It is really fun to see his toddler personality come out the older he gets.

 

Until next week take care!

 

Happy Halloween!

Oct. 7, 2012 After getting his pumpkin

 

Happy October! There really hasn't been too many exciting things this past month in our little household, which is a good thing! We needed a little time to slow down!

Now we are starting to get ready for all the holiday fun! We started off the soon-to-be holiday season by visiting a pumpkin patch. We visited TG Farms in Newcastle. It was probably the least attractive pumpkin patch we could have picked but I had a Groupon and Carson LOVED it anyway. While there we got to pet a baby cow and baby goats, run through a hay maze, play on the playground, and pick our own pumpkins right off the vine! I think Carson enjoyed running free, rolling in the hay, sliding, and riding in the wagon the most. It was a very cold weekend and we were unsure how long Carson would last but the weather didn't seem to bother him a bit. There are several pumpkin patches in OK so we hope to make trying out new ones till find our favorite each October a new family tradition.

 

 This was his initial reaction to the tire pony swing. Once it started swinging he was all smiles :)

 

This past month we went and saw an ENT about Carson's ear infections. Thankfully when we went in his ears were clear! We met with an ENT that Carson's dr. had recommended and we really liked him. He basically said we could go either way right now, tubes or no tubes. Since Carson has just had his 4th infection and his ears looked great the day of the appointment he really couldn't say he definitely needed them. So he gave us some information about the pros and cons and all about the two different procedure options and told us to think on it. He didn't feel that the infections now or in the future would cause Carson any type of developmental delays, which is what we were most worried about,  so we have decided to wait on tubes and see if what we are doing now works for our little guy. But after meeting the doctor and really liking him, if tubes are in our future we are happy we found such a great ENT. I really feel kind and caring doctors are kind of rare!

 

This month Carson and I will get to enjoy Fall Break, and as a family we will be enjoying some (hopefully) Sooner wins, Halloween candy, and lots of snuggles!

 

Happy Halloween!!

I look forward to sharing what Carson will look like in his Dragon Costume next month!

 

 

 

 

It's Football Time in Oklahoma!!

Carson and I Aug. 30, 2012

 

Carson and I Sept. 3, 2011

(We haven't successful gotten one of Kyle and Carson or of the family in our OU attire yet, its not as easy as it was a year ago ;) )

 

It's Fall!! This one of my most favorite times of the year! I love the cooler weather, football season, great food, and the upcoming holidays, there is just so much fun to be had!!

 

August was an extremely busy time here at the Bertholf residence. I went back to work and forgot how to manage a child, house, and classroom, but I believe I have somewhat settled back in now. On top of that Kyle's company has continued to grow which equals him being extremely busy as well! And it seemed we had a birthday party or baby shower every weekend in August. Now that we've gotten back into a routine all the busyness feels manageable!

 

Carson turned 15 months on Sept. 1, I waited to update you till we had our wellness visit which was Thursday. His month was equally as crazy as his mom and dad's. Carson recently had to switch classrooms at daycare because he had become the victim of a serial biter!! It started repeatedly occurring the 1st day I went back to work, so needless to say I wasn't happy to go back to work at first. Long story short the incidents kept occurring and I kept picking up Carson with bite marks that looked like his arm was a corn on the cob. So I asked if possible to switch rooms and we did! The daycare was nice about the whole thing and extremely sorry Carson was on the receiving end of the whole deal. As for the biter, don't worry interventions have been put in place. I actually prayed for that poor family too, I know I would be heart broken if Carson was the biter and worried sick about what I'd have to do if the daycare would have to ask me to leave. So hopefully things work out for that little nibbler and Carson will eventually adjust to his new room too.

Right after starting his new room Carson came down with a throat infection of some kind (they tested for Strep and it was negative) that then turned in to an ear infection. When it rains it pours around here. The doctor has now suggested we see an ear, nose, and throat doctor since Carson has had the max number of infections in his first two years of life. I am not sure how I feel about tubes for several reasons but I am praying God will lead us in the right direction, and I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Now that he is fifteen months he weights 24 lbs, is about 31 1/2'' long, and his head is 47" around. In all those areas he is in the 50% group. He now has 12 teeth, four front on top and bottom and two molars on top and bottom. He loves playing with his blocks, trucks, books, and bat the most, but he'll play with anything he can get his hands on. He still really enjoys all food, especially fruits, veggies, and breads. He can say apple, more, Elmo, shoes and of course all the same as the previous month. He has fell in love with Elmo this month. I bought him an Elmo pop up book last school year and it quickly became his favorite book, but within the last month he started saying his name and loving to carry the book around. So he now will sit and watch a little Elmo and he now has an Elmo stuff animal to tote around. He can say Moo for a cow and say cow, point to his eye and say eye, and he is starting to point to his nose but doesn't say nose. And during Labor Day weekend he learned to slide down the slide at the neighborhood pool while seating up (Thanks Brett). Usually he'd lay back and go down. To bad the break through happened the last day to pool was opened. I feel like there is probably a million more things I could tell about our little man but it all just happens so quickly, within a week a new thing can happen, that these are just some of the highlights!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful September and until next month, Boomer!! Sooner!!

 Both were taken Sept. 7th, he enjoys going outside with the dogs! Anytime they need to go outside he feels he must too! 

 



The End of Summer Vacation :(

Kyle and I had such a great time in San Diego! We stayed at a beautiful hotel in Downtown San Diego and it was right by everything we wanted to do. We got to send time on Coronado Island, see a Padre's game, the San Diego Zoo, hang out in the Gaslamp district, sun bathe at the beautiful pool, and Most Importantly send time with each other! It was a quick trip but we did so much and really enjoyed taking time to be together!

Our trip was also my first time away from Carson, and he did great (So did I ;) )! My mom, Grandma Lynch, stayed with him. They had a lot of fun running around together. He was so excited when he saw us walk in the door after our trip, but I think he was equally sad to see Grandma go.

Right after we got back we also had Kyle's 10 year high school reunion. I can't believe he has been out of high school for 10 years, I still feel we are like 23!! It was really neat to see his high school, which has changed a lot he said since he was there, and meet many of his classmates. It was just another reminder how time really does fly by!

Carson turned 14 months August 1st, and he continues to get bigger and busier! He has 10 teeth, and I noticed the 11th one coming in today, talks all the time, loves to do everything on his own, runs and starting to climb, sweeping the floor (random I know), and loves playing with his toys. He currently is saying NO, bubbles, dog, mama, da for dad, eye and points to your eye or his, hot, ball, and mine. He is getting better at using his spoon and fork while eating, which I am thankful for because he refuses to let us feed him most of the time! He also got his first pair of Nike tennis shoes and when he has them on look out because he forgets to walk and just runs!! We also had his hair cut, the used the clippers and everything so I feel this is his first real hair cut. And it makes him look so much older!

July really flew by and Kyle continued to stay busy at work and we all continued to stay busy do things around the house, seeing friends, and enjoying the last leg of summer break.

And so today marks the last day of my summer vacation and being a summer stay at home mom
:( We have had such an amazing and eventful summer and I am soo grateful I get to have so much time with my little man. I am looking forward to a great year with a great group of students and all the wonderful adventures my little family continues to take. 

Happy July!

 July 4, 2011 at the Edmond Parade

 July 4, 2012 after the Warwick neighborhood parade. What a difference a year makes! 

July 4, 2012 waiting for the parade to start.

July 4, 2011 waiting of the parade to start!

Carson is now 13 months and an officially toddler! He is walking and getting into everything, but it sure is fun to watch him gain so much independence. This past week he even started trying to climb on to things, so I'm sure before long he'll be climbing out of the tub, the pool, and on to the couch! Kyle thinks he'll be running before too long, because he has picked up so much speed while walking. So needless to say we have been busy this last month!

Carson loves to try and do everything on his own these days, including feeding himself (aka lots of laundry). He likes to build with his block which were from his cool friend Rhys, and tear things down, throw his ball, play anything that has music, and "draw" with his markers. He also loves all food and we haven't found anything he won't eat yet.  

Carson and I have had such a good summer. We go to the neighborhood pool about once a week (which he is really enjoying), take weekly walks, visit friends, go shopping (which he is not enjoying), and playing around the house. I'm so glad I get this opportunity to spend so much time with him and watch him learn new things.

School starts soon after August begins so this next month Kyle and I are trying to fit everything we wanted to accomplish in, including our trip. We would like to do a lot around the house and we are slowly getting those things done. Over the holiday we painted our room and redecorated it, there are just a few other things we want to do in there and then that project will be done. I'll post pics as soon the entire project is finished. Other than the house projects we are taking a trip to San Diego (a belated 5th anniversary celebration), we have a couple of weddings, and Kyle's 10 year high school reunion to close out the summer.

Also this past month, Carson's little buddy Nash just celebrated his first birthday on July 4th. We are so fortunate to have several friends with little ones pretty close to Carson's age, but Nash is the closest in age so it makes their little friendship so neat.

 He had a  fun birthday party and I forgot to take pics of the two of them :( The top picture is the two of them when we went and visited Nash in the hospital July 5, 2011. The bottom picture is the two of them at Carson's bday party June 2, 2012. Nash and his parents are the sweetest little family and I looked forward to keeping in touch and watching these two continue to build a friendship!

Lastly, last night Kyle, Carson, and I were rear ended leaving the restaurant after dinner. Everyone is fine and the damage to my car appears to be minor, we are just thankful Carson is ok! The driver and passenger were under the influence of prescriptions and other substances. The driver was an 18 year old girl and the passenger was a 17 year old girl. Since the driver was an adult she was taken into custody and the other was held until an adult could come and get her. When we were first hit we made sure everyone was ok and checked the damages, my car was drivable so we were just going to exchange info and go on. But when the driver handed us over a year old insurance card we decided we needed to call the police and get an official report. From there the situation went from bad to worse. We started to realize the girls were not acting coherent and something was not right. When the police arrived they assumed so too I guess because within a matter of minutes the girls were questioned and given sobriety test and then taken into police cars. We had to stay through the whole thing for whatever reason, and listening to the girls and cops and all the craziness I felt like we were on an episode of Cops! Kyle and I both thought it was hard to watch because we really just wanted to make sure the accident was on record for insurance purposes (in case they have none) and had no idea two people would be taken into custody! But thank God we did because who knows what could have happened to those girls or anyone else had they kept driving on.

So I guess I should also add in car repairs to our list of things to get done before school starts too!

Though we may have a lot going on we are enjoying the wonderful summertime with friends and family and our little boy!

Happy July Everyone!



Carson's the Big One!

June 1, 2011

June 2, 2012

After eating his birthday breakfast at McDonald's. He ate every bite of his oatmeal! Please excuse the morning hair, we were in a hurry to have breakfast before Kyle went to work! 

Carson turned the BIG ONE Friday, June 1st!! My what year this was!

I waited till today to share all about his big birthday so I could also give you all the official doctor stats since today was our 1 year wellness check.

Carson is 30" long, weighs 21 lbs & 15 oz, and head circumference of 46". That puts him in the 50% for height, 40% for weight, and a little over the 50% for head size. Doctor says he looks great and is healthy!! He also got three shots and blood taken from his finger. He cried during the shots but the moment is was over so were his tears. I think he was the most upset about his finger, he held it and looked at it all the way to the car.
Mother's Day weekend Carson started taking three or four steps on his own and by the time his birthday rolled around he was able to go almost all the way across the room. Now this week he is walking everywhere!!! He is still taking a spill here and there but he is so proud and excited every time he makes it somewhere!

Everyone always says it goes by fast, and that is so true, even without kids, but I think you notice how fast life really is flying by when you have a little person to watch grow and change so much! Every month Carson grew and changed by leaps and bounds but I think this past months was one of his biggest changing months. In the past month he went from crawling everywhere to walking, from 6 to 7 teeth and the 8th one is almost out (and the doc pointed out a molar that is starting to make its way through the gums), "talking" more than ever, leaving the bottle behind and enjoying whole milk, eating almost everything in sight and hardly any baby food, moving up to the 1 year old daycare room, and becoming a true toddler. It was hard to see all these changes and know my baby isn't a baby anymore, but now that we are here in this phase I am excited to see all the wonderful things he is going to learn and do!  

On June 2nd we held Carson's 1st Birthday Bash. It was a lot of fun. We kept it small so Kyle and I could make sure it was all about Carson! We had some of his good baby buddies over to the neighborhood clubhouse/pool and my mom, sister & brother-in-law, and grandparents. He got so many wonderful gifts and had fun splashing around in the water.

Carson's Cake.

He did more licking of his fingers than smashing into his cake.

As soon as the website will let me load more bday pics I will post them!

Now that the big party is out of the way, Carson and I will be enjoying these next couple of months together for summer vacation. Hopefully it will stop raining around here so we can do more outdoor activities together.

Kyle finally has gotten to hire some people to help him with all the accounting needs of his company so hopefully he will also get to enjoy some more outdoor activities!!

Tomorrow Kyle and I our celebrating our fifth year of marriage, I can't believe we have been married that long. It has been a fun and exciting first 5 years so I can only imagine the next 5 being just as entertaining!

June 8, 2007