11 Months (+2 weeks)

After the much anticipated wait, I give you our baby boy. Now 11.5 months old. Can you believe it?! Insane.

I had seen this Calvin and Hobbes comic and was so excited to get Carson out by the pond. The issue with that is we had to wait for decent weather.

When I saw this comic, my original idea (and what we had set out to do) was this:

Adorable. However, the close up shot tipped the scale on sweetness, so the official photo was selected. And the overalls. Did you see the overalls?! In.Love. (credit to Becky on that idea) #worththewait

This little booger @ 11.5 months:
- He's on his feet! This has been a recent accomplishment and he's SO proud. He's still trying to figure out how to get down. We've have a couple naps where he starts to cry, we go in there and realize he's stuck. Stuck standing up

- He is getting better with his solid foods. It's a slow go, but we're getting better.
- The transition to the cup has been...well...pretty non existent. We've tried a ton of different styles and he just doesn't seem interested. We'll keep plugging away here...
- He's gotten close to escaping through the dog door but hasn't taken the full leap (thankfully)
- Loves ice, strings, balls, shoes, going on walks, being outside. Hates grass, shoes on HIS feet
- Has graduated to the big tub and loves to crawl around and splash in the water.
- His current favorite activity is taking toys and putting them places. On the table, in the bin, in the tub, through the slats of the gate. All the things. I think cause and effect is super interesting to him.
- Not a big book buff. He'll look at them but reading doesn't keep his attention for as long as compared to Miles
- Can climb up on things. But doesn't know how to get down.
- Wearing 12 & 18 month clothes. Will likely be into mainly 18 month by the summer.
- We're on a solid schedule! Wake up around 7-8am. Nap at 10am and 2pm and bedtime at 7:30-45pm. It's been amazing.
- He can sign milk and all done. The "milk" is not as consistent, but his "all done" is so cute. Waves his hands in the air and seems to say "a du!" I've been trying to get it on camera, but no luck so far.
- Sucks on the neck of his snuggies.
- His curls are coming in and I'm so excited :)
- Has 6 teeth!
- Has a cackly, gurgly laugh. It's so funny
- super wiggly on the changing table making thing quite interesting.
- If you sit on the floor, there's a 99% chance Carson will think of you as a jungle gym and crawl/climb all over you

Sweet little squinty smile

One thing that's great about this whole quarantine thing is watching these boys learn and grow. Carson is just a sweetie and Miles is this determined little dude. Watching Miles figure things out - you can just see his brain working. It's amazing. Stephen and I are just beyond thankful for these little boys.

Happy 11 months Carson!

COVID Diaries - Week 1

We survived the first week of "quarantine". While it didn't become an official Shelter in Place until March 25th, we've been distancing ourselves from pretty much everyone and everything - living the life before it was required. I keep thinking to myself, "is this seriously real life?". It's so strange. Strange to think this will be a historical moment in time that we'll look back on. So we're wanting to tally this "adventure", the weird things we find ourselves doing and document just how we get/got through these days together.

Before this whole thing hit, Stephen bravely set out to stock up both households (Short's and Gates') with the essentials.

Yes. Alcohol is an essential item.

I did a pickup order at Target for diapers, wipes and formula. They were having a sale. So on top of stocking up, I took advantage of the sale. Stephen, the Target worker and the lady behind him weren't quite prepared for the sheer number of items I purchased. (2) Carts and some semi-judgmental looks later, Stephen calls and says "Babe, I look like a hoarder!" My response "Baby's gotta poop!" Classic.

The kids have been doing great overall. We've had our fair share of days where things are just inside out and upside down. Their emotions are everywhere and they don't understand why. Stephen and I are trying to come up with more way to differentiate their days to keep things interesting or structured in a way. So we've bought them some new toys, outside play things and some educational items to help with our best effort to home school. (If anyone else out there is like us, I'd say Amazon is doing GREAT during all this lol)

Miles and I have studied Math and Science:

Art:

Engineering/Architecture:

And have worked on his colors:

Miles is teaching Carson about cause and effect:

And brotherly love:

Carson is also enjoying some sensory play:

this kid loves him some ice

And gym class:

Stephen is teaching Miles the appreciation of a good days work:

Which is rewarded by some time in your happy place....wherever that might be. For Stephen, it's here:

For Miles, it's here:

OR here:

Miles enjoying an oreo treat thanks to Aunt Becky

All of us are missing our friends. We've taken the "I'm going to run down to the Devlins", brunch, happy hour or dinner outings for granted. When all this is over, we know better. But for now, we'll make do with what we've got.

FaceTime happy hour with my girls group

Stephen keeping it real with the Devlins

The Devlins' response. Ha!

We are so hoping to see our friends soon, but for now, we're thankful to have The Gates as part of our bubble. I think the kids are too...

The real news and social news is insane. Both with terrifying and hilarious all at once. I have to admit, I am enjoying the memes.

But some things that come across are more alarming and further solidify the point to STAY HOME....

I mean.... it works I guess? But wtf!

We're home. And we aren't going anywhere anytime soon. So, cheers to all of you out there!! Stay safe!

ps. I know Carson's 11-mo pics are late. Promise - they're coming! Can't clothes shop and his outfit won't arrive until Sunday. But for now, hopefully this will tide you over.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S - Brought to you by Miles

Okay, so we all know Miles is working on his speech. He's trying new things and working really hard to have you understand him. For Stephen and I, we've learned his "language" pretty well. But, understandably, others might have a hard time.

I will preface this post by saying his attempts are getting better, we're seeing progress and by no means are we wanting to make fun. But, the similarities here are uncanny.....and pretty funny

He'll get there. We know he will. But I just had to mark this as moment in time so we can go back and giggle with him when he's older :P

On the bright side

SXSW 2020 cancelled. It was a huge blow. After working for weeks, months, it up and vanished. Just like that.

But, on the bright side, we got Stephen back! He'd been working and preparing for SX, and it was a lot of early morning and late days. But these boys...they were pumped to have him back. Me too :)

It's so funny. You blow in Carson's face and he blows raspberries back at you. ha!

Let the Sunday morning brunch commence!

The world is crazy now. Crazy. So many people in quarantine. So many people anxious in anticipation of what's to come. And others who seem to be ambivalent and not care, or even understand, what the repercussions of their actions might be.

But, on the bright side, the Gates help us forget the dummies in this world with this little love! Meet Lady Bird aka: Birdie!

So much unknown. The constant back and forth between, "we'll be okay" and "holy shit". Trying to keep up a good front for the kids ensuring their anxiety is at a minimum. It's different. It's a change.

But, on the bright side, these kids are resilient. It's insane how happy, goofy, sweet, lovable, and overall just amazing these little humans are amidst all this.

A little boogers with our cheerios for breakfast this morning

Watching Dada mow the lawn. He sat here for a loooong time. So sweet

Carson's curls are coming in!

Miles during "rest".... he was NOT resting. Where is he? Completely inside the snuggie. Head and all lol

Carson found the holy grail

He was quite pleased with himself

The boy's nightly attire. *Not pictured:  Stephen in his boxers* hahaa

Our so called Spring Break is over. Self isolation, social distancing and quarantine are now official.

But, on the bright side, we have the best quarantine buddies. 

Mud trucks with Ta-ta