Our Penguin!!

Carter's Update

Hi Carter here-

Just reporting in on my 8 week anniversary. All is good with me. Heading to the pediatrician next Tuesday for my first round of what is like 100 shots now a days. Baba, Papa, Noni and Nono tell me they used to get one shot and a slap on the butt but apparently now I get 100 shots and a lecture on obesity in children, oh well. I am probably at like 14 pounds now. Really trying to pack it on for when I start crawling.

Got to meet most of my cousins in the past few weeks. I say most cause cousin Will headed to heaven early. Lilah and I hung out at her baptism while Tommy, Alexis and I got to chill in the No (Fresno to those not in the know). While in LA mom and dad had a kick back for me at baba and papa's while they were off gallivanting in Greece and Turkey. Came back from LA with bags under my eyes- thanks mom and dad for the sleep deprivation. The No was cool and my Hoff family is getting quite large.

Came back to the Sac and hung out with Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Tom. Dad and Tom put a monument to the Koenig name on the front porch. The monument is a 400 pound limestone stone with huge black Koenig lettering. It is a little ridiculous but as long as I get first dibs on it I am cool.

My buddy Philip finally arrived home yesterday after spending a week in the hospital after his birth. I told him not to play around with breathing in his poo but he wouldn't listen. Glad to see him and know he's alright. I included a pic of the two of us from last night. The kids almost bigger than me already. I'm gonna need to learn to walk or spell or something just to feel older!!

Mom heads back to work part time next week so I am excited for her. Glad it is only part time. Krissy my babysitter came today to learn the ropes. I cried the whole time to make sure she was up to the task. She did well. I head to daycare next week too which should be cool. Baba heads into town the following week and last weekend I got to spend a whole night with Noni, Nono, Aunt Mary Jane and Grandpa Joe. It was really cool and mom and dad looked pretty well rested when they picked me up the next day.

All in all I can't complain. Not because I actually can't (the whole talking thing), but because I have had a pretty good time so far the past 8 weeks. Can't wait to see what the next 8 weeks has in store. Well holler at your boy when you get a chance.

Love Carter Moe

This Week Carter's Favorite Toy Is...

...his blanket on the floor. Ahem, ok, I'm lying. I'm ashamed to admit it, but Carter's new fascination seems to be the television. Last week, he hated it. This week, he's completely absorbed by it. While we normally wouldn't be okay with the chosen "toy," he's been so fussy that we're thrilled for even 10 minutes of baby babble instead of crying. We've at least managed to switch the channel from Mad Men or Entourage to Wonder Pets when he's watching. Wonder Pets to the rescue!!!

Carter's Cousins

Carter (5 weeks) & Lilah (5 months)

Carter (6 weeks), Tommy (4 years) & Alexis (almost 2)

In the past two weeks, we have traveled to Southern California and Fresno for different family get-togethers. The first was our niece, Lilah's, Baptism. The second was a Hoff Family Reunion. In both cases, Carter got to spend quality time getting to know his cousins. We're very lucky to have family so close.

Bathing at Baba's

These pictures were too cute not to post. We spent this past weekend at Dave's parent's house (aka Baba and Papa). We're not sure whether they have a newborn bathtub hidden away somewhere, but Dave found the perfect alternative -- a Carter sized sink! It truly was like his own jacuzzi tub.

Katrina's Visit

This post is a little behind, but two weekends ago, we were visited by Katrina -- one of our best friends from SoCal. It was a great opportunity for 'Tree to meet Carter and for all of us to catch up. The last few months have been busy for everyone! 'Tree also came bearing gifts for the C-man, including this adorable hat! On Saturday, we made our annual trek out to Apple Hill with our other friend, Elizabeth. Despite the rain, we all managed to have a wonderful time. We enjoyed apple cider donuts, apple cider, corn dogs, caramel apple wedges, caramellows, chili, and beef jerky. Did I forget anything? The sugar hangover was felt by all! We even found time to swing by a winery for Jackie to restock on a recent favorite: Hangtown Gold from Boeger Winery. We also brought home an apple pie caramel apple, apple dumplings, nuts, apple butter (that was confiscated from Katrina at the airport) and Dave's favorite raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce. Yummy. We wish we'd taken pictures of the venture, but we forgot. We're thinking about another trip in early December to cut down our own Christmas tree -- we'll make up for things then!

Put Me In Coach!

Last night, Carter and I accompanied Dave to his softball game. As you can see, Carter started out ready to play, but quickly found the whole thing a snooze fest. That left mommy stuck in the outfield listening to the girls of the opposing team make comments like, "look Sarah, we're in formation out here so everything looks like a crescent!" These girls didn't even have the courtesy to put their hair into ponytails or wear sports bras. The boys were loving it, but mommy definitely was not. P.S. Thanks, Baba, for the awesome outfit! Next week, we're going to bring his ball and mitt!

Rookie Mommy

Here I'll pose the question that I asked Dave earlier: if I tattoo "new mommy" in henna on my forehead, will it absolve me of all of my sins? Today, Carter and I made a trip to Target. I put his car seat in the front part of the cart and everything seemed fine...of course, I forgot to account for th efact that the cart is roughly 3 feet tall. The car seat on top adds at least 18 inches. And, I'm only 5'3". I'm also sleep deprived and scatter-brained. What does this all up to? It means that instead of leisurely walking through the main aisle and checking out cute clothes that I can't quite fit into, I should've been more aware of the cart and where I was steering it. That way, I wouldn't have run into the little old man in his motorized wheelchair/cart. He mumbled something like "hey, hey, hey" and spectators stared at me in a very accusing, judgemental manner. I consider it a sign of emotional and hormonal progress that I didn't cry, but instead am able to laugh about my little "incident." Elderly people beware!

This Week Carter's Favorite Toy Is...

...his activity mat! He coos and talks to the butterflies, listens to the nursery rhyme music and jungle sounds, and occasionally even manages to kick or grab one of the dangling toys. His favorites seem to be the mirror and the rattle. Mommy and daddy love it because we get 15-20 minutes of active play time with Carter. It's so great to watch him as his brain begins to process all the lights and sounds! And, bonus: he'll be fully prepared for our next jungle trek.