Carter’s 1 Month Photo Session

It has only been three years since I did these monthly photo sessions with Charley, but I managed to forget how difficult they are, especially during the first few months.  Its so hard to find the perfect window of opportunity to feed, bathe, and dress her without ruining the outfit with spit up and keeping her happy...all before its time to feed again!  Luckily I had my little assistant, Charley, making faces and taking pictures with my phone.  Carter is such a good baby!  She eats and sleeps great and is so go-with-the-flow...thankfully!  She loves to cuddle and is overall the most precious baby!

I can’t believe I am posting this, but Charley has been pretty obsessed with the whole breastfeeding process.  She has always been “interested” in body parts, but now she’s all up in my business, in particular sister’s “bottle!”  She giggles when she sees the “bottle” and has even poked it...seriously!  So when I saw this picture on my phone, because I had to calm and feed the baby during the session, our conversation went like this...

Me: Charley, this picture is terrible!

Charley: No, Mommy, its great!  I got exactly what I wanted!

Me: And what was that?

Charley: Baby Sister’s eyes...look, they are open!

Note to self: retire blue long sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts!  I think that is all I’ve worn since Carter was born!

Happy Thanksgiving

Right before Thanksgiving we took Carter to the doctor and she tested positive for RSV.  Bless her heart!  She could’ve had it way worse, but her breathing was pitiful.  Charley had an ear infection the week before and Daddy had been sick for two weeks, so it was inevitable for the baby to catch something.  So besides yummy food, Carter’s first Thanksgiving was pretty uneventful.  She had to steer clear of most places and people...other than letting Kobey get a quick Carter fix!  And I had to get a picture of my coordinating sisters!

Carter’s First Trip to Kentucky

We had a long list of reasons why we absolutely had to visit KY as soon as possible.  So at just over one week old, Carter went on her first of many road trips to KY.  As much as Amma and I were hoping for a low-key weekend, Carter was very busy meeting everyone, getting newborn pictures taken at Gwen’s, eating at Catfish Kitchen, hosting a Sprinkle for Michelle and deer hunting...bless her little heart for being born into our crazy lifestyle!  Low-key...what’s that?

First of many matching, Sister outfits!  Charley HATED it!  She got dressed and LOST it!  She kept saying, “I look TERRIBLE!”  And fortunately for us, that sassitude rolled over to pictures.  

Granny Martha had surgery at the end of September, so she wasn’t able to come to Tennessee to meet Baby Carter.  She couldn’t wait to get her hands on her...and I am sure Carter couldn’t wait either!

We rarely go to Kentucky and not eat at Catfish Kitchen.  It’s like eating at “home” and Wes and Judy are family.  So glad to have a picture with them and Carter, just like we did when Charley was a baby.

Uncle Justin got to meet Baby Carter, but I think Charley was wanting his undivided attention.  I’d say after years of living the bachelor life, he has mastered juggling the ladies...just kidding...sort of!  I am beyond thankful for their Uncle and cannot wait to see the bond he will have with my girls!

We hosted a Sprinkle for Baby Khloe and Michelle at Dumplins.  I am so thankful for these friendships!

Look at that smiling face!  Kobey was beaming while he held Baby Carter!  

After a week of not really wanting to hold Baby Sister, Charley decided to hold and love on her!  

Granny Martha and Granddad Charlie with the blanket made by Carter’s great-great grandmother.  

Charley LOVED deer hunting.  She begged to go, so Granddad took her in the “old Toyota” and somehow he managed this kill.  Even though we had practiced being quiet and still, I don’t think she did either.  She must have been a good luck charm for her Daddy, too!

Carter’s First Week

We had a different set of visitors each day of Carter’s first week at home.  I love that so many people wanted to meet and love on her.  We are so blessed by such loving friends and family.  We got pictures with most of our guests, but we didn’t get a picture with Jason, Tracey and the twins...we were having too much fun enjoying their visit...and Charley and the twins were having a blast upstairs.

Charley and Keyton with their baby sisters, Carter and Khloe.  We are going to have so much fun together!

Charley was pretty territorial of her Amma when Carter was first born.  She kept trying to put a necklace on Amma and it would slide off and hit Carter in the face.  Amma told Charley to stop several times.  Finally Charley said, “If you would just put that baby down, I could get this necklace on you!"  Dr. Mukundan thought that was hilarious, and very characteristic of Charley.  He told all of his colleagues.  I’m so glad to know she is famous in the pediatrician circle.

This man is the BEST Daddy to his girls.  They are wrapped around his finger, and even though he likes to give us all a hard time, he wouldn’t have it any other way....well, maybe with less glitter, but then our chaos wouldn’t sparkle as much!  

Besides going to the doctor, Carter’s first outing was to Belk to pick up some things that Amma and I pre-shopped before she was born.  We stayed in Ann’s Personal Shopper room, but it was so nice to get out of the house.  

Happy “FROZEN” Halloween

We did things a little differently this year since we had a new addition.  Normally we trick-or-treat in the Artley’s neighborhood, but this year they came to our house for chili, play time, a little trick-or-treating and baby snuggles.  It was so fun to have Amma, Granddad and Granddad Charlie, along with Rachel’s parents.  We had the best time, but it was FREEZING outside.  Maybe something to do with so many Queen Elsa’s for Halloween?  Charley was ticked about not getting to wear “hee-haws” and beyond mad about having to wear a coat.  I think she even went as far as to say that she would NOT be trick-or-treating next year because princesses DON’T wear coats or tennis shoes!  We had several trick-or-treaters and they all had the same reaction to my already decorated Christmas trees...yes, I put them up before having Baby Carter...yes, it was still October...no, I don’t care who judged me!  After all, it was a very “FROZEN” Halloween!