It's Tricky - It's Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Trrrrrricky)

Here's how this went down...Mommy, Daddy and I were at a friend's house last night for a BBQ. Fun! Mommy and Daddy seemed so impressed by Jonathan's walking and Sophia's "big girl bed" that I felt I had to pull a little something out of my bag-o-tricks. So, I clapped my hands together last night AND fed myself a banana cookie - both for the first time.

Who knew eating kabobs, or chicken-a-bobs as Sophia calls them, with Mommy and Daddy's friends would inspire me so much?!

Monsters, Inc.

Angels and Demons

I loved this book. Let's hope the movie is better than Ron Howard's take on "The Da Vinci Code."

My little bug has learned how to throw fits. And quite well, actually. He tenses every muscle in his body, wrinkles is nose, closes his eyes and squeaks out a very high-pitched sound. This can go on anywhere from 5 seconds to two minutes, depending on how long I can stand it. I'm not sure if the fits are caused by separation anxiety or frustration, but what I do know is this -- Goodbye, child-care books. Hello, parenting books. (Sigh.)

Angel...

Demon...

Dance Party USA

The Casey Clan was in Missouri this weekend visiting family, so we road-tripped it to Salem to join in the fun. (Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Casey for letting us crash your party...again!) The day was filled with great food, good conversation and genuine family-time. We even managed to "bust-a-move" to Mr. Casey's Elton John renditions on the baby grand. Thanks for the serenade, Maestro!

And it was great to see you Jason, Kori, Jackson and Sidney. Safe travels back to Sooner-country!

Weeeeeeeee!

The weather last Sunday was beautiful, so we loaded up the bug and his stroller and headed to a nearby golf community that has its own lake/beach. After a stroller ride around the lake, we put Carson in a kiddie-swing. He loved it! Another family was there playing in the sand and heard me say I forgot my camera. They offered to take pictures of Carson and email them to us. How nice!

Thanks to the Westhughes, Carson's first swing-ride was documented. : )

Chatty Cathy

Parent-Teacher Conference: Yes, Carson's day care hosts parent-teacher conferences for all ages. What did I learn about my blue-eyed wonder? He's a social butterfly - so much so, that he insists on facing outward while taking his bottle so that can keep his eyes on his friends. He's even had trouble napping lately because he cranes his neck while in his crib to check out " the action" in the room. I can't wait to see what first grade brings.

I mentioned to my friend Kim that I distinctly remember getting reprimanded by my first grade teacher, Ms. Campbell, for talking during story time. Typical first-child-and-therefore-pleaser that I was, I was mortified by the scolding and cried.

Note to self: Self, do not over-react when Carson brings home a note from his first grade teacher saying he's too chatty. You were, too!

Family Ties

Did anyone see that Michael J. Fox special that was on a week or so ago? God love Marty McFly.

This weekend was another family-filled couple of days. My sister flew in on Wednesday; Carson loves her! He didn't really take his eyes off of her at first. I think he was thinking, "Umm, you kind of look like my mom, but you aren't her. This is weird." My parents joined us on Friday for a day of shopping. I actually left them all at the mall for a couple of hours to go get my hair cut. When I rejoined them, Carson's diaper was hanging down to his ankles. No one thought to change him in my absence. They all got an "F" for the day with that one. (Mom, your grade was raised to an "A" after your Baby Gap spree. :)

Nate spent all day yesterday with the boys for Boog's bachelor party, so Mom, Dad, Brooke, Carson and I had a relatively lazy Saturday morning. (Okay, so my dad planted some stuff for me outside and didn't "lounge" as much as the rest of us. But my landscaping looks better than ever. THANKS, DAD!)

Needless to say, I barely know what to do with myself today without the Flesner clan around. I miss you guys already!

GQ

Carson may not have had on his "Sunday-best" today, but he's still a cutie in my book.

Backlogged

I have done a terrible job of blogging these last few weeks. I guess that means I am getting busier at work, so I try not to take the "Where are the blogs?!" comments I get from my parents personally - it's PwC's fault!

LAST WEEKEND
My parents were in town! Nate and I actually spent Saturday evening at Busch Stadium (No, the Cardinals weren't in town. Friends of ours invited us to an exclusive tour of the stadium - appetizers on the field, a tour of the clubhouse and press box, dinner overlooking center field, etc. And in case you are wondering, Albert Pujols' boxer-briefs hang on a plastic hanger just under a picture of his kiddos in his locker.), so my parents manned-the-fort and watched Carson for the night. I honestly think Carson had more fun than they did. Being "entertained" 24/7 took on a whole new meaning for him.


On Sunday, we had breakfast with my parents before they headed home, which was followed by a very lazy afternoon for Nate, Carson and me. The three of us then met Nate's mom and dad and Greg and Carrie for dinner. What a great first Mother's Day?!



MONDAY & TUESDAY
I spent Monday and Tuesday in Chicago for work. Other than writing down Carson's food specifics, Nate was on his own and did a great job. It was almost as if the boys didn't miss me. What's up with that?!

Weekend Warrior

That's me! My parents don't seem to be slowing down and are keeping me on the go constantly. This weekend we went to Table Rock Lake for an awards banquet for my Grandpa Ross. He received the Physician of the Year award from the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. (Wow - what a mouthful.) This was my first time in a hotel, and I loved it. After we settled in, Mommy and Daddy pushed me around the resort in my new pimp stroller. It's for big boys - I face forward in it and can see everything that is going on. Some lady in the gift shop told me I was cute and gave me a green smiley-face sticker. Mommy smiled and put it on my bib. I'm pretty sure I scratched it off at some point during our adventure and stuck it to my sock, at least that's where it was when Mommy got me ready for bed.

Anyway, I slept in my pack n' play all night long. It was cool. I can't wait for our next adventure!


Dad's checking out the hotel specs while I read my lady bug book.

Don't Grandma and Grandpa look nice?!

Is this thing over yet?

I'm checking out Great Grandma's necklace....it's a toy, right?

Awwww...

Take me home, please.

Clips

At my parents' request, here are my attempts at capturing "Da-da":

Attempt 1


Attempt 2


Attempt 3