You Are My Wild

A photo a week (accept when we don't) from birth to graduation posted every Tuesday.

Week 1

 

Doing what Carsen does best, sleeping on his boppy bed with help from his pacifier.

Week 2

 

It's winter outside and no central heating makes for a bundled newborn under a pile of cozy blankets.

 

Week 3

Nothing beats the cuddles of a sleeping baby after nursing.

 

Week 4

Passport photo time!

 

Week 5

Tummy time with daddy.

 

Week 6

A visit to the neighborhood clinic, to get weighed, resulted in a family photo.

 

Week 7

I'm convinced Carsen needed his new playmate so he wouldn't fall behind on newborn baby skills.

 

Week 8

Sunday was cold, so we spent the day inside watching the Tour de France and the Men's single Wimbledon championship in bed with Carsen.

 

Week 9

First visit to the USA. Meeting grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. Nothing like over stimulating a baby after changing 7 time zones.

 

Week 10

We took Carsen on his first cultural experience to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. This exhibit is by Laura McPhee titled River of No Return and can be found at the Kemper Museum. I cannot wait for Carsen to get older so we can go on more cultural expeditions, and he can experience the beauty of art. "Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnet." - Oscar Wilde

 

Week 11

Spent the evening with our dear friends Sarah & Dana and their three kiddos. It was a beautiful evening to be outside.

 

Week 12

The joy that this smile brings to me.

 

Week 13

Carsen was exhausted after a fun filled day. Fell asleep in his favorite spot – the swing in the grandparents’ backyard.

 

Week 14

A quick trip back to KC for a root canal.

 

Week 15

An epic week with epic friends has begun.

 

Week 16

Brought to you by the talented Layne Grime. This is our kiwi friend Naomi "watching" our son. She claims to be good with children.

 

Week 17

Spent 11 days with the Tobias Tribe in Albuquerque. This is their youngest, Eden, lovin' on Carsen. He doesn't mind the attention.

 

Week 18

Enjoying my sleeping son with the early morning light.

 

Week 19

The weather has been perfect here in the Midwest and Kevin decided its time for the boy to get a taste of soccer. Carsen laughed the whole time.

 

Week 20

Carsen loves Little John’s bumbo.

 

Week 21

One of Carsen's favorite times is when Kevin flips him upside down and gives him kisses. And yes, those are Adidas track pants... He has the jacket to match.

 

Week 22

Bottoms up photo shoot.

 

Week 23

My dear friends, Layne & Jon have been in town teaching the 2013 photogenX track for the past week. The timing could not have been better and it's been such a blessing having a heart friend here. Layne took this photo the other evening and it totally represents Carsen's personality and how others [Cambria] love to make him laugh. Thanks Layne for this photo and for loving and listening and believing in me. I love you.

Week 24

Super Baby. Super Carsen. Baby bench press.

 

 Week 25

Even the happiest of babies has his moments. Although it took me a while to actually get this shot because Carsen would stop crying the minute I went to take a photo. What can I say; the boy likes his picture taken.

 

Week 26

Carsen and #thelion.

 

Week 27

This is what happens when you give a six month old his birthday hat.

 

Week 28

 

I've always been a little clumsy when it comes to breastfeeding in public. I know mommas who magically nurse their babies without anyone noticing. Not me. Everyone knows what is happening under the cover and I usually need Kevin to help me get set up. I'm not sure if today was just a good day, or I'm feeling more confident all around, but today I nursed Carsen in public without making a scene. And I didn't feel like a hot mess. I'll chalk that up to a win for us!

 

 Week 29

 This kid is nearly crawling and is a bit of a baby model. Every time I go to take his photo, Carsen stops what he is doing, turns and grins at the camera. Jase, he might need modeling tips from the expert in a couple years.

 Week 30

Lauren, my sweet South African friend, and I finally got our babes together for a play date. Carsen and Asher had the same due day of May 12, but ended up 9 days apart. They were instant buddies, and I foresee a great friendship full of fun! Thanks Lauren for such a great time! I'm glad to make this a weekly get together.

 

Week 31

A few days late, but what can I say, our home has been plagued with illness. These two sickies sittin' on the bed. And yes, those are Christmas pillow cases. I now feel festive.

 

Week 32

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! This little man loved eating the wrapping paper on his gifts!

 

Week 33

We spent New Year's Day afternoon with our friends Lauren and Struan and their little boy, Asher. It is so much fun to watch Carsen & Asher "play" together! Cannot wait to watch these two grow up together.

 

Week 34

Carsen LOVES bath time. Whether laying down kicking the water with his feet, sitting up and playing with his toys or scaring the poop out of his momma as he attempts to stand up, Carsen is bath time's number 1 fan. P.S. That smile. Those eyes. They light up.

 

Week 35

The only time Carsen is completely still is when he sleeps. This was an epic 2.5 hr nap that I nearly ruined when I took this photo and startled him. Thankfully, he quickly helped himself back to sleep. The last few days and nights Carsen has struggled sleeping. It's the 8-9 month sleep regression and he's regressing with full force. This photo gives me hope and reminds me of yesteryear.

 

Week 36

 

I'm told he has my eyes and smile. I know he has my love for life and adventurous spirit. A part of me lives on, always with him. I'm honored to be his momma.

 

Week 37

This week I pulled out a few pots & pans and wooden spoons for Carsen to bang on. He loved it! ...And like everything else each pan and spoon somehow found it's way into his mouth.
 

Week 38

 Carsen enjoys eating! But according to Kevin, I'm a messy feeder. Which might be accurate  given Carsen's face when Kevin feeds him. I embraced the messy, took Carsen's bib off and let him go to town with some blueberries and sweet potatoes with chicken and zucchini. Let's just say his white onesie is finished. But we had fun!
 
Week 39

 We met up with our Australian/Kiwi friend, Sam, at Knead. It was a great time of catching up and hearing how he won over Sarah's heart! Congrats you two. Carsen, Kevin and Sam all look super excited!


Week 40

Carsen LOVES roughhousing with daddy.

This is one of his very favorite spots to be, on his daddy's shoulders.

Week 41

 Afternoon sushi with friends in the totseat. This is a great thing to have when restaurants have no high chair.

Week 42

  Bath time in the new house.

Week 43

 This hallway is great for play and light.

Week 44

 Carsen, the flying fish!


Week 45

Laugh because you can!

Week 46

HGTV, African style.


Week 47

 

Carsen went through a sleep regression and no longer nurses to sleep. We now wear him in the ergo to sleep for naps and bedtime. Kevin is the master at transferring him from the ergo to bed, but nap times are me, and Carsen usually wakes up soon after I unstrap him. Needless to say there have been a few months that morning and afternoon naps look like this: Carsen asleep in the ergo and mama sitting on the bed either looking at her phone, reading or sleeping not wanting to try the transfer in fear of baby waking. I think we are just now coming out of this phase. We shall see.

Week 48

 Carsen loves climbing our front gate. And every so often he will start shaking it like a crazy baby and I can only imagine him yelling, "Let me out!!!!"

Week 49

 

We spent many of Friday evenings with our friends Lauren and Strooh and Carsen's best buddy, Asher at the Bluebird Market.

Week 50

 It was a rough week for Carsen. Teething plus a stomach bug and fever = two very hard and long nights. Thankfully, we made it through.

Week 51

 Started to pack and I have this kid to help me. I get heaps done this way (said no mother ever). But he's cute and he's taken my heart.

Week 52

Went on a momma & son date to the Cape Town Aquarium on Friday. Carsen loved it, and we had a sweet time together celebrating motherhood and life.

Week 53

We took Carsen to get his first hair cut. Within 15 minutes my baby left and I now hold a toddler. Oh and we are going to "fix" it tomorrow.

Week 54

We took the cable car to the top of Table Mountain. This outing was special to me because it was our first family outing in Cape Town where I hadn't already done it before. It was a first time for everyone and so very special.

Week 55

This fountain is a block from the house we are staying at for the month of June. This was right before Carsen got extremely wet! It's nice to have a place close by to cool off in the heat.

Week 56

We didn't bring back many of Carsen's toys from South Africa, so we bought him these awesome foam bath letters. I think I have more fun with them then he does at the moment, because he is content with blowing bubbles and playing with the colander from the kitchen.

Week 57

 Summer evenings are my favorite with a baby/toddler. Carsen prefers eating dinner outside which is fine with Kevin and I. His new favorite food is watermelon. Since Carsen now has three front teeth we've been pretty liberal in letting him try a lot more food [still all healthy and natural, and no sugar except from fruit]. He will eat his watermelon down to the core and refuse to let it go unless I give him a new piece. This is going to be the best summer yet. Carsen makes my life so much more rich.

Week 58

 Carsen is transitioning between one and two naps. Depends on the day, the previous nights sleep and what our day looks like. I still nurse him to sleep, something I do not want to change thank you for asking, and then move him to his cot. This moment is right before I moved him. Completely out from a full morning outside at a new park.

Week 59

I bought this little pool at Aldis for $7.49. Best investment I've made since being in KC. We spend nearly every waking minute outside and this small pool brings sweet relief to this humid Midwest summer!

Week 60

  Playing in nana's kitchen!

Week 62

Cousin time! Love this clan with my whole heart. So happy to have them all together.

[Yes Week 61 is missing... Life happened and we opened Wazziwoo]

Week 63

Boys need to be rough-housed. And no one is better than daddy!

Week 64

Carsen loves being loved on by his cousin Rebecca. No better way then getting a raspberry on the belly!

Week 65

We had a Wazziwoo photo shoot with five 4-year-olds and this little guy. He was in his baby happy place with bubbles and side walk chalk that he ate. Yummy!

Week 66

"Really mom? A girl's bike."

Our neighbor gave this tric to us, but since we already were given one, we past this one on to our baby friend Aubrey.

Week 67

Carsen colored for the first time and loved it! He prefers his left hand, just like mommy and daddy. It's never to early for our kiddos to create... Although at one point he enjoyed eating the crayons more than actually drawing with them.

Week 68

It was real quiet this morning so I went searching for Carsen and found him reading in his room.

Week 69

Some moments in the day can be harder than others.

Week 70

Mom, I think we're just going in circles...

Week 71

 A boy and his the dogs.

Week 72

 Splashing in mud puddles is like a science experiment.... Very serious business.

Week 73

 Carsen is my little bookworm. If he isn't throwing or kicking a ball you can find him reading a book. The other morning I found Kevin and Carsen sitting on the kitchen floor reading a book together while waiting for their oatmeal. I pray Carsen stays a reader as he gets older, and gets lost in the stories on the pages he turns.

Week 74

 Every Friday we go to Xtreme Gymnastics from 10am-12pm for their free open gym. The place is packed the whole time and Carsen LOVES it! The kids, the bars, beams, trampolines, and pits. He runs around from activity to activity with no fear. At time moment, he did NOT want my help as he walked on the balance beam.

Week 75

This boy and this dog. Carsen loves Mocha, and Mocha likes Carsen. This is Mocha's nap spot. Except when Carsen is around.

Week 76

This is Carsen's coloring box...  Literally, I put him inside and he colors the box. It gave me a solid 20 minutes of play by himself.

Week 77

Jack Sparrow went trick-or-treating with Elsa, Anna and Darth Vader this year. Unfortunately, Captain Jack was terrified of Vader and burst into tears at the sight of him so we never got a photo of everyone together. But it was a fun time nonetheless.


Week 78

 Watching a little Mickey Mouse Club House before bed. Carsen doesn't want much TV, so when he does, he's pretty fascinated with the whole deal.


Week 79

Carsen loves reading books about choo choos.


Week 80

 This is a few days late (but the photo was taken during the correct week) because my family was invaded by the stomach flu! We took Carsen to the Kansas City Union Station to see the AMAZING model trains. Carsen was in train heaven, running from train set to train set saying, "choo choo!" and pumping his fist.


Week 81

 Advent Day 1: Take out the Nativity and talk about baby Jesus. He found the baby and the sheep!

Week 82

We like trains and remotes around here.

Week 83

 Don't be fooled, Carsen didn't lift a finger when it came to making this gingerbread train. He ran around shouting choo choo as I worked my tail off to make this display of icing and colorful candies stand up straight. Let me just say, I thought the process would be a lot more fun. Here's to hoping next year has a bit more audience participation.

Week 85

This Christmas will forever be known as the "Christmas of the Trains". Carsen was gifted every type of train you could possible think of. Books on trains, block trains, train tracks, more trains, etc. And he LOVES every single gift, playing with them each and every day. Let's just say, when we return home, we will be giving away some of his other toys to make room for the new ones. I have some dear friends who do this with their kiddos, and they are turning out to be very generous souls. I pray the same character is built into my son.

[Yes, Week 84 is missing... Life happened and I'm imperfect]

Week 86 

I had a different photo from Sunday, but then Carsen and I hung with my best friend, Sarah, and her two youngest babes and I knew this had to be the photo for week 86. Out of the blue, and for no other reason than the fact that he loves Sarah, Carsen stopping playing, walked over and planted a kiss right on Sarah's lips.


Week 87

 On Friday, Carsen and I went over to the Czerwinski's for pizza, a movie and popcorn. Carsen watched maybe a fifth of it, and played with anyone and everyone the rest of the time. Sarah and I talked a good portion of the movie. Seeing my babe with my best friend's kids... It's one of the greatest things. I am so grateful.

This shot was taken during the previous, which is why Carsen looks so "into it"! 


Week 88

 Monday was a beautiful day, so Carsen and I spent most of it outside. I love this photo because right as I was snapping the shot he spaced out. He occasionally does this, just like his momma.


Week 89

 We came to the library for story time, but sometimes you just need to be by yourself with a good book.


Week 90

 Occasionally, Carsen likes to dress himself. Note fuzzy hat and monster slippers.


Week 91

 My son hardly naps during the day (you would think I give him espresso intravenously throughout the day). This makes for a long day for us both. To make it through, I've starter doing some "organized play". We both have enjoyed it as it gives us something different to do and look forward to. During this time we started working on colors (something Carsen has grasped!) and now we are moving to a letter of the week. I know he might be a little young to completely understand, but I figure while we read, paint, cut and paste we can have a theme and maybe it will sink in as we play. This week is the letter "A", and Carsen painted his letter "A" on Monday. He doesn't love getting his hands dirty, so I bought clothes pins and cotton balls. The perfect toddler paint brush!


Week 92

every day, when Kevin walks through the front door, Carsen leads him into our bedroom where they rough house on the bed. This includes, but not limited to, throwing my son high into the air and watching him crash to the soft bed below. Mostly, I hear from the other room shouts and laughter of glee. The other day however, I heard nothing and peeked around the corner to find both resting and watching old Pluto cartoons (one of Carsen's favorite shows to watch). Apparently it has been a long day for both of my men.

Week 93

 I save cardboard boxes. I use them for making Carsen letters, shapes and other fun activities. But with this box, Carsen decided this was his tunnel of fun!

Week 95

 

My son cracks me up. He wants to play in the sandbox but does not want to have sand on him. He LOVES bubble baths but does not like the bubbles on him. He enjoys painting, but dislikes when the paint gets on him. 

This photo was taken while he frantically tried rubbing off the sand he just dumped on himself.

Week 96

 

Basketball... Greek style.

Week 97

 

We spent the weekend in Omaha with my parents. No business. No real agenda. Just playing, talking and watching basketball.

Week 99

 

These two have a serious love/hate relationship going on. They will totes be BFFs in a year or so. But at the moment they love each other followed closely by one of them annoying the other. But this rare moment, where both are still at the same time had to be captured.

Week 101

 FaceTiming with Daddy!

Week 102

 

Sometimes water fountains turn into water parks.

Week 104

 

I cannot believe it's been two years. Although I've missed a few weeks, because hey who is perfect, I'm so happy to be capturing Carsen each week as he grows. 

This week we celebrated Carsen's birthday, and my parents bought him a balance bike! Although he needs an extra inch or two before he can actually work the bike himself, he LOVES it! And I will have the joy of riding him around until his feet can touch the ground :)

Week 105

 

Sunday afternoon rest time. When your child won’t nap and you desperately want to.

Week 107

 

Opa gets pretty excited when reading to Carsen. And visa versa.

Week 108

Totally forgot I had this photo for this week! Carsen LOVED painting his train. His concentration and focus were one of a kind.

Week 109

FaceTime with Oma is a hoot!

Week 110

 

Summer is in full swing with high temperature and humidity! You can most likely find Carsen & I outside in the baby pool splashing and making memories.

Week 114

Y’all, I missed three weeks in here! How does that happen?! With moving, a big order for Wazziwoo, business trips to KC and family reunions the time just slips by.

This weekend we spent a day (yes one day) down in KC with the Grimes family. This happens once a year and we try our hardest to make it a priority. I love when these cousins can get together and it makes me so sad when they say goodbye. I wish they could grow up playing together more, but I’m grateful for the time they do have together.

Week 119

Carsen loves helping his Opa outside. Whether watering the flowers or filling up the bird feeder. He might be the green thumb in our family, which is fine with Kevin and I. Maybe he will be the doer of our dream to have a garden!

Week 120

 

Carsen loves playing with his opa. And opa loves being a kid.

Week 121

Carsen loves to read and especially likes when Oma reads to him.

Week 123

With the help from my friends, family and social media I was able to pick this week's You Are My Wild photo. Number 3 won hands down. And while I love this shot because just look at that face, my favorite photo was #4. The one with his shirt over his head because I think it really represents his personality and his love to laugh and make others laugh.

Thanks to everyone that gave your input and help! Thank you for enjoying this You Are My Wild journey with us. It's more fun together.

Week 124

 

I love my Kitchen Aid mixer for many reasons. But reason number one has to be how easy it makes it for Carsen to help me bake. I love sharing these moments in the kitchen.

Week 125

 Carsen celebrated National Coffee Day by eating his first ever donut. (Thanks #krispykremedoughnuts).

Me: "Carsen, what do you think?" 

Carsen: "Oh! It tastes so good! Yummy! Mommy, I love it!" 

Week 126

After playing in the cupboards all morning, I told Carsen to open up… This is what he did. 

Smart boy. 

I cracked up.

Week 127

Bath time is a party when you have Mr. Fish.

Week 129

Sunday was a beautiful day to be outside, and my family took full advantage. My dad was winterizing the house and that included one last look at the tomato plants.

Carsen is instructing Opa and Trinity as to which tomatoes they need to pick up high.