Goodbye Walk with Daddy

Dave left this afternoon for his big Alaska trip with his dad and brother, Jeff. They are going to McNeil River to watch the brown bears feed on salmon. It should be an amazing experience and quite the adventure. They will really be roughing it...which isn't necessarily Dave's preferred way to travel! If you are interested in where he is going, you can see more info at http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=mcneil_river.main.
Before Dave left, we took Carson on a walk in his car. He is completely over rides in his stroller now that he has a big boy car and wagon! I must say that Carson is a very responsible driver. While in his car, he leaves his hands at 10 & 2 on the steering wheel, like a model driver's ed student. Today he just figured out how to honk the horn. It was a nice way to spend some time with Dave before he left for a week. We will really miss him!

Visit from Grandma

Carson's Grandma Szekeres came to visit. They had a great time playing and reading together. Dave and I even got to go on a fun date night to play miniature golf while Grandma stayed with Carson. It was great to have her help, and Carson had a good time bonding with her and showing her all the fun things he does in his gym class.

Future Soccer Player

Carson is enjoying his new soccer outfit from the Rodbergs. His daddy certainly hopes he will follow in his footsteps and be a soccer player someday. He is also playing his favorite game - opening and closing doors. He could be entertained for hours doing this!

Couples that Read Together, Stay Together

So Carson and Clare are still going strong. Yesterday Clare and her mama, Sara, came over to help us pick out outfits for our family photo session we had this morning. While Sara and I were going over outfits, the two little ones were sharing books, and looking very cute together! Carson was actually playing nicely and not being too aggressive with his girlfriend. It was cute to watch him crawl after Clare as they explored the room, just like little puppies!

Fun in the DeMuth's Backyard

Last night we went to Kristen & Jason's birthday fiesta and had lots of fun! The food and booze were flowing. Unfortunately, I was still on my cleanse so I didn't get to partake, but Dave made up for it. Carson had a great time playing in the backyard, on the little swing set and sandbox, and with Milo (a fellow redhead) and his daddy Antony.

Books, Books and More Books

I'd like to think this is a sign of a future reading lover, or complete genius of course, but I'm not sure if it counts when most of the time he "reads" his books upside down! Carson absolutely loves books. His favorite are the ones with flaps to lift, pop-ups and things to feel. It amazes me how he remembers where the flaps are and how to lift them. I love to look across the room and see him smiling as he turns the pages of his books and stares at them intently. The best is when he starts laughing to himself as he is "reading". I sure hope it is possible that the love of reading or being read to is already being instilled in him.

Double the Trouble, but Twice the Fun

We had Austin with us for the day and the boys sure had fun (when they weren't both trying to play with same toy)! Between the two of them I think they managed to take every toy and book out of the baskets. They did share a little bit and even hugged (initiated by Austin of course) and held hands (suprisingly initiated by Carson. We also went to the doctor's office so that Carson could get his immunizations and that was pretty crazy....there is a reason why it is not physically possible to have kids 8 months apart! I don't think they like the doctor's office very much....go figure!

For the Love of Blueberry Bagels

So Carson tried a blueberry bagel for the first time while Auntie Erin was visiting and we were eating at Einstein's. It was love at first bite! We had to go to the market later that day for blueberry bagels. Erin and I figured out a way to put a "leash" on the bagel so that he could gnaw on it while we shopped. Dave was in Utah with his dad and brother and insisted that I videotape his new obsession. I am in the process of trying to upload the video.

So many toys, so little time!

Carson is such a lucky boy! He got so many great toys, books and clothes for his birthday. Our home is starting to look even more like romper room. I didn't think that was possible! His current favorites are his new wagon, tunnel and touch 'n feel flashcards. His girlfriend, Clare, came over to try out his new stuff.

Carson's 1st Birthday Party

Carson had a birthday celebration on July 12th at Ashley Falls Park. It was a very hot day and there were about 50 people, including his little friends, there to celebrate with him. We ate lunch and played in the grass and in the park. His new wagon from Grams and Grandpops was a big hit with the babies.

When Carson was first presented with his birthday cake, he didn't know what to do with it. That soon changed and he proceeded to take handfuls of the cake and slowly lick his hands with his eyes closed. He appeared to be in ecstacy! It was hysterical to watch his sensual cake-eating. Cleaning him up was not quite so hysterical....I had to get frosting out of his eyelashes! We all had a great time and it was so nice to have so many friends and family members there to celebrate Carson's first year of life. It seems like ages ago that we were in the NICU in Santa Barbara and I was sending everyone updates on his progress!

Carson is ONE!

Well now that Carson is officially a big one year old, I thought that instead of bombarding you with the ridiculous number of pictures I send out monthly, I would just start a blog. If you are interested in Carson's daily adventures, you can visit this blog and see what we are up to.
Unfortunately for Carson, he woke up sick on his 1st birthday. We played around the house and I took him for a cruise around the neighborhood in his new car. This present was a big hit. For dinner we went to Carson's favorite restaurant (and one of his parents suburban favorites), Red Robin, where he shared our chicken sandwiches and thoroughly enjoyed his birthday ice cream sundae that he so kindly shared with us.