Christmas Eve

Last night, we got all dressed up for church.

Then we went over to Park & Ashley's house for Christmas Eve dinner. Carter stayed there while we went to church (thankfully, the 8pm service instead of the 11!). Park and Ashley were quite disappointed that Carter slept the entire time we were at church. We were quite pleased.

After church, we came home to Cart Cart and Nonna's, where Carter played in his new Christmas pajamas (a Stegall family tradition). Sure, he should have been in bed, but...it's Christmas!

Christmas Eve Eve

We had a relaxing day at Nonna and Cart Cart's house today.

Carter did some posing in front of the Christmas tree this morning.


Although his highchair seemed a bit too big at breakfast this morning, we did manage to make it work for him by dinner time!



And Carter was quite happy to finally meet his Aunt Ashley!

Safe Arrival

We arrived in Atlanta last night - only 45 minutes late. We brought all cameras and cords, so we expect to keep blogging while we are here. After a rough time getting to sleep last night (probably due to being over exhausted), Carter seems to be settled in and very happy to see Cart Cart and Nonna. We'll post some pictures soon!

Early Christmas

Since we are traveling to Atlanta for Christmas, we had an early Christmas at home last night. We opened up all the presents we aren't taking to Atlanta with us. After some initial trepidation, Carter embraced the gift-opening (more accurately, he embraced the paper that the gifts were wrapped in, but he also seemed to enjoy most of the contents, save one stocking stuffer).

Really, mom? Socks? For Christmas??

From his Grandma Bronwyn and his Grampa Ron, a Spuddy Buddy - a stuffed Idaho potato!

Carter got several good books. Two favorites from his cousins Eleanor and Thomas, a good night New York City book, and from his father, a copy of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. They are going to start checking things off the list very soon!

Look at all that loot! (Won't he look sweet in his new lion shoes from Mama Helen and Daddy Phil?)

Carter's Christmas has already been great - and it's still officially days away!

Thomas' LARGE Christmas

Thomas has had a large-tool-riffic Christmas so far! Since we are traveling to Atlanta for the holiday, we have had early Christmas celebrations at home with Joo, Patrick & Kirstin and ourselves. Thomas was MOST pleased with his super-sized level from Patrick and Kirstin. Note that I didn't even capture the whole thing in the picture! Not only is it a very pretty blue and made of aircraft metal, but it also has 10 leveling positions (we'd be quite pleased if someone could tell us what those might be - we can only come up with two or three...) And then tonight he opened up a gift from Mama Helen and Daddy Phil - the biggest speed square he'd ever seen. It's a happily large Christmas for Thomas.

Good Sitter

Carter has nearly mastered sitting in the last week or so. He's figured out how to bend his knees to give him a sturdier base. He definitely prefers playing in this position!

Carter's First Art Project

The Moonbeams room (Carter's room at daycare) did a holiday art project today. Carter's fingerpaint (or, more likely, finger-, hand- and face-paint) masterpiece is below. Surprisingly, he didn't try to eat the paper, but his teacher was quick to point out that this was probably because she was holding it down. Who knew babies could do art so young? Apparently, they strip them down to their diapers, strap them into a high chair and let them go to town.

Yeah, they forgot the "r" in his name, but seeing as how they hand glitter-glued each baby's name on their art, I don't really mind.

And here's a great thing about having a baby - we get to eat the attached candy ourselves!

Putting it All Together

He started to get it at the end of dinner last night, but tonight he figured it out from the first spoonful...

Carter has discovered that he can combine his skills of eating food and blowing raspberries. First you put food in your mouth, then you blow. The combination creates a very messy (yet hilarous end). I realize that this won't seem so funny to me if he keeps this up for many nights (weeks) in a row. I also realize that he is quite likely to keep this up thanks to my reaction (uncontrollable laughter). I just couldn't help myself. My face may have been covered in carrots but it was so funny.

Christmas with Joo

Joo came over to celebrate an early Christmas with us tonight. She and Carter enjoyed spending some time together.
And Joo got to give Carter his first taste of carrots!

Discourse on a Rattle

We aren't sure exactly what he's saying, but were just sure that it is terribly insightful.

And yes, this is about a full minute of nothing but baby talk. But we could have made it much, much longer...