Big Daddy's House

My obsession with HGTV has fizzled slightly. I have now moved on to The Food Network. I don't have time to cook anything remotely gourmet, but for some reason I really like watching Giada make pasta. (What's with her obsession with lemon zest?)

In my last post, I was at my whits end. My hubby must have picked up on it because while I was in Chicago last week he taught Carson how to feed himself, hold his own sippy and crawl. Seriously, the man is a Saint. As Nate put it, "A little tough love from Dad works wonders." Translation: Carson's "fits" don't work on Daddy.

I am okay with the fact that my son has me wrapped around his little finger. Speaking of wraps, the winner of last season's The Next Food Network Star makes a mean hot wing wrap on his new show Big Daddy's House . Now, my big daddy may not be able to make a hot wing wrap, but I bet he could get our son to feed himself one!

James and the Giant Peach

Carson is a peach, except that....he won't feed himself peaches, or anything else for that matter. Seriously, he won't pick food up off of his plate. Oh, and he won't hold his own bottle or sippy cup either. He can pick all of these things up, he just won't bring them to his mouth. Uggggggggg. When I cut up food, put it in front of him and walk away, he SCREAMS like I'm beating him. And when I put it in his mouth for him, he literally looks at me and says, "Mmmmmmmmm."

For the record, he eats like a truck-driver when food is put in his mouth for him. HELP!!!

(Sorry, Mom & Dad - no time to add pics. I'm off to Chicago for work. You'll have to wait until Sunday evening to get your Carson-fix!)

The Three Musketeers

Sammy & Rylee (and Carson) - they are Carson's best friends at school. They have been together since he first started actually. I found out yesterday that both Sammy and Rylee will be transitioning to the toddler room at the end of July. I seriously almost shed a tear! Rylee turned one on July 1st, so she's slightly overdue for the transition, and Sammy turns one at the end of August, so she's a little advanced. Regardless, they feel it best for the two girls to make the transition together. Umm, what about my kid?! They can't leave my little man behind, can they? Who is Carson going to play with now?

Carson, looks as if Roman will be your new BFF by default. No offense, Roman, but BOO.

Addition & Subtraction

I am so good at math....we have added two people to the Ross family in the last seven days and have lost one bachelor.

I have a cousin! Lucas Paul Ross was born on 7/7 and weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces. Get big, Luke, so we can play!


I have a new aunt! Melissa Valentine married my Uncle Boog on 7/11. I had a great time giving Grammie & Paw-Paw hell while Mommy and Daddy danced the night away at the reception. Welcome to the family, Aunt Melissa!

Oh, no.

Oh, yes! Carson has mastered being a cutie...



...as well as:

Kabobfest

For the past two years, I have hosted a family BBQ at my house for my mom's side of the family. This year's event pretty much revolved around Carson-watching. My family's attraction to Carson is best described as "vulture-like." It was cute, really, and allowed me time to take care of the food and down a few beers throughout the day. Life is good!

And by the way, Carson is 9-months old as of Monday! Here are his big-boy stats:

Weight - 22 lbs. 12.5 oz (85%)
Height - 30" (95%)
Head Circumference - 45.6 cm (55%)

What's on the menu?

Again, if Carson could speak, it would have gone something like this...

MOMMY: "What do you want for breakfast today, Baby?"

CARSON: "I'd like diced peaches and pears for breakfast....and a few Ritz crackers. By the way, I ate mashed up spaghetti and meatballs for lunch yesterday at school. I also had corn and diced peaches. What do you want to eat for breakfast, Momma?"

MOMMY: "I believe I'll eat crow, Kid."

Carson decided to graduate to table food yesterday. That's right, just hours after I blogged about my frustrations. Coincidence? I don't think so...Carson, you continue to teach me valuable lessons and put things in to perspective. I love you, Bug!

Another one bites the dust.

I love my kid dearly, but I am annoyed with his "non-baby" progress. Here we go...

1. Carson will not drink from a sippy cup. When you put it in front of his face and attempt to put it in his mouth, he screams and throws a fit. When you put the cup on his high chair tray, he runs it through his Ritz crackers and Puff supply and then hurls it on to the floor. Annoying.

2. Carson has no interest in holding his own bottle. Why would he? Mommy let's him lounge in her lap like a "pig in slop" (I'm pulling from my rural vocabulary with that phrase!) while he devourers a warm bottle. Carson must some how know he'll have to feed himself for many years to come, so why rush it? Annoying.

3. I am Carson's personal PEZ-like Puffs dispenser. He will eat 20 Puffs in one sitting, if I feed them to him. He does pick them up off of his high chair tray and hold them, throw them and move them around; he just won't put them in his mouth. (Side note - he will self-feed Ritz crackers, just not Puffs.) Annoying.

4. Carson will not eat table food. I think he's texture-averse. He ate a nearly-crunchy-green-bean-rice-cereal concoction like a champ yesterday, but he would not eat mashed potatoes off of my plate. When I put them in his mouth, he "fake" gagged and spit out the mashed potatoes. When I tried to trick him into eating a spoonful of half-green beans and half-potatoes, he spit it out. When I gave him a spoonful of chunky green beans and rice cereal, he ate it and then smiled at me. Annoying.

I am a first-time mom who is trying to transfer her professional, left-brained, project leader, persuasive, control-freak skills in to raising a strong-willed 9-month old boy. If Carson could speak, he'd say something like this....

"Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, I'm gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust "

Wildlife Reserve

a.k.a. My Backyard - take a look at our friendly "neighbors."

Not just a deer, but a Buck.

These two were playing in the sun like puppies!

My Daddy's Day

This week was my daddy's first Father's Day, so I tried my hardest to make him feel special, because he's the best daddy ever! After we got up on Sunday, we snuggled on the couch together and played on the floor. It was fun!


Mommy and Daddy and I went to breakfast with Grammie and Paw-Paw since they were in town for the weekend. (They came in for Daddy's Open House on Friday, which Mommy said was a success!)


After Grammie and Paw-Paw headed back to Illinois, Mommy and Daddy and I went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner. Check out the picture Mommy took of us - Nathan Earl Ross, Carson Earl Ross and Kenneth Earl Ross - what a good lookin' bunch of men we are!

It's a Jeep thing.

You wouldn't understand.


(Nate's first baby is in this picture - Maverick!)

Ten random things...

that have happened since Mommy last blogged:

1. Mommy has worked a lot.


2. Daddy has worked a lot.


3. I have a really bad cold and now take Tylenol like a pro.


4. Mommy, I hate to tell you this, but I have a girlfriend. Her name is Rylee, and we hold hands during buggy-rides at school.


5. Mommy bought me new Pedipeds because my feet are huge.


6. Mommy, Aunt Melissa, Aunt Melissa's friend (Amber) and Mommy's friends (Kathy and Susie) stayed out until 5a while partying it up in Chicago last weekend for Aunt Melissa's bachelorette party.




7. Mommy and Daddy worked outside all day yesterday and got everything "summer-ized"...whatever that means.


8. Daddy and I hung out last weekend while Mommy was out of town. You get an A+, Daddy, for taking care of me!


9. I need to sleep more. I really am a happier baby when I nap more than 1 hour a day. Go figure.


10. I got my first tooth. I told you not to stress out, Mommy!

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!