Pumpkin surgery

So today we decided to do some good ole pumpkin carving. We went over to our friends The T's. We ended up getting one of those little pumpkin carving kits and I have to say it made pumpkin carving like ten times more fun, at least for the guys. I think Ben and I just felt like we were in the O.R. doing pumpkin surgery without all the risks. Anyway, we had a great time. We also found out Charlie isnt much for pumpkin guts. One hand full and he would'nt go near the stuff again. So, I could see this being a Carlson tradition...

Pool time!

This should have been posted a long time ago but hey, better late than never. So couple weeks ago we were lucky enough to get out to Colorado and Georgia and see some family. We were outside Atlanta staying with Anika's aunt and uncle. Charlie loved it! He hasn't ever really been around a dog or horses so the whole time he ran between the two pointing and giggling. Just as he would get close to the dog he would get scared and would turn around and run away. He sure loved being around Grandpa and Grandma Forbes. We ran by the Coca Cola factory and did a tour. We probably taste tested close to 70 something different Coke brand drinks from all over the world. We were soooo bloated!! Sorry Charlie, you only got to taste one type of apple juice.

From there we headed to Colorado to see the Carlson bunch. Charlie tried to play big cousin to Aiden but he's still learning what gentle means so he had to be big cousin from afar. He spent most of the time trying to chase around his bigger cousins Bella, Kiya, Spencer, and McKay. I think he thought he could do whatever they could. We ended up one day grabbing one of those Walmart kiddy pools. For some reason we didnt think twice about it till the kiddos got in the kiddy pool but outdoor hoses dont really put out very warm water. So, most of the kiddos weren't too keen on playing in ice water. Nonetheless, Kiya and Bella went for it and still had a good time. Anyway, Charlie loved being around Grandpa and Grandma Carlson and we had a great time. Anika, Charlie and I wish we were closer to everybody!! Hopefully time will go quickly and we will be out that way in no time

Happy Birthday Charlie

Well our BIG guy turned 1 year old!! And what better way to celebrate than to stick a ginormous chocolate birthday cake in front of him and let him go at it (first time eating cake...at least i think...unless grandma and grandpa snuck him some). So I kinda envisioned Charlie seeing this cake and going nuts, grabbin handfuls and shoving the cake in his mouth till it wouldn't fit anymore and covering his face in frosting. Charlie's mind kinda envisioned it differently. Probably something like this: "Dang that cake looks kinda like mud! Mom and Dad must have put this in front of me to...stick my foot in!" Not just stick his foot in, he layed that thing up there like that cake was a foot stool and he was gonna kick back for a bit. Anyway, with a little coaxing he did finally take a handful and chow down but he must be like his dad, not really a cake fan. Grandma and Grandpa F also came into town for the big day so we got some photo's with them as well-the whole weekend was lots of fun!

Charlie and Aiden

Well, we finally had a little time off after Intern year so we jumped ship and headed off to Colorado to see my sister's new baby Aiden. He was already a month old so we were feeling a little behind in our bonding and needed some catch up time. It was interesting to watch Charlie interact with little Aiden, and I do mean "little" Aiden. Was Charlie ever that little cause now all I can remember is him always being big and giving my arm cramps from holding him? The first thing Charlie did was offer Aiden a graham cracker which Aiden politely passed on, I think he was afraid it would ruin his dinner. He also tried to pat Aiden on the head but to me it looked like he was trying to smack him upside the head. Charlie is working on his "gentleness". I know we're only year old parents but seeing how little Aiden was makes you remember how little your kid/s used to be and all the things they do when they are so tiny i.e. smile for the first time, coo, laugh, roll over, sleep in your arms, hold their head up, and finally, finally sleep all through the night. Ah, the good ole times says the dad with only a 1 year old. Anyway, it was great seeing my little sis as a new mom and all the "cool" and also "not so cool" moments that come with parenthood. She will be and is a great mom!!

Charlie had a great time with his girl cousins and being around grandpa/grandma and his uncles and aunts. Anybody get tired of chasing him up the stairs? Grandpa as always was sneaking him stuff he's never had before like brownies and m&m's so I'm sure Charlie was thinking that his parents have been holding out on him. Oh well, he could use a little more baby weight....hmmm, not really. Thanks everybody for the great trip and wish our Okie family could have been there.

Congrats Doctor ANIKA!!

Well, after four years of beyond hard work Anika graduated from medical school on June 7th. Luckily, our schedules worked out and I was able to go along with all her family to California and help celebrate her accomplishment. In fact, her dad was able to do the "hooding" portion of the ceremony which was pretty cool. It was pretty fun being on the opposite side this time and watching her cross the stage and knowing how much hard work she had put in the last couple years. Pretty proud moment!
Way to go wife-y!!

It was fun being back in California. Felt a little bit like an oasis although, Philly is pretty tropical. I mean where else can you get a "water ice" and "philly cheese steak" within a couple minutes of each other. Isn't that the epitome of an oasis? Anyway, we hit San Francisco, rode down the winding street of Lombard with our heads out the windows screaming like it was a roller coaster (pretty un-doctorly like but hey it was fun), went to the piers and saw the sea lions, toured Napa Valley, and ate like hogs or at least Charlie and I did. Anyways, it was a great trip and fun to see family. To top it off Anika and Charlie were able to head to Hawaii with family to do a little work while I went back to Philly to get some relaxation...or is that backwards....?

The NEW PICS

So we have been plotting and strategizing the latest family pictures almost as if we were going to war. First, its the location of where this will all go down and then its the proper colors to bring on the attack and whether we should match or just try and accentuate each other and then its the actual poses that will awe the masses. Oh, and dont forget the hours of preparation for the picture battle (Charlie spends hours in the bathroom already preppin) and then if you're a Carlson its keeping your eyes open long enough to snap the photo. So in conclusion, my wife dominated this blitz-krieg and family photo day was a great success. Also, thanks to the great photographer Danica Nelson (you make us look good girl-thats hard work at least in my case)

Gotta love baby bouncers!!

So my next goal in life is to meet the man/woman/genius who invented the baby bouncer. This thing is amazing. It not only bounces your kid around while exposing him to 360 degrees of toys and things to bite and chew on but it babysits him, and sometimes for more than an hour. Charlie loves this thing. He will literally sit and bounce himself for 30-45 minutes straight without stopping then take a lunch break to chew on one of the toys then back to work and bounce for another 30 minutes. Now if it wasn't for the fact that I'm wondering what all this bouncing is doing to my little guy's brain, I would recommend this thing to every parent I know-wholeheartedly!