Child of God

Carter was baptized over the holidays and his sister and brothers were there to celebrate, as well as many other family members. Carter's godmothers are Aunt Denee', Aunt Trisha, and "Aunt" Jenny. Pastor Tim performed the service. He wore Holten's baptism outfit (thanks, Jenny!!!) and didn't cry one bit. In fact, he just stared up at Pastor Lange the entire time he was talking. Future pastor?

Momo and Whamie prepared a wonderful lunch afterwards so we were all able to visit a little. The boys all played with Mason's toys and had a blast.

4 Generations

Here's a Doerfler family picture: Pa, Momo, Mommy and Carter! What a good looking bunch, huh?!!

Happy Holidays

 Carter survived his first Christmas. He got to meet his cousin Hannah from New Jersey (who is two months OLDER than him!), and he met Aunt Denee', Auntie Kristen, and many cousins for the first time. He's gotten sooooo big, he's only 3 months old but already wearing 6-9 month clothes. And such a happy baby - always talking and cooing and smiling and laughing.

My 1st Christmas

Here I am in my 'first Christmas' outfit (well, one of the many!). I am practicing my rolling, but without much success but I'm still trying! I love laying on the floor and just watching TV or watching and listening to my brother Mason.

Ho Ho Ho

Carter did great on his first visit to Santa, and all the following times he saw Santa this season!

Grandmas

Carter & His Niece

Haylie stopped by right after Carter had gotten out of the bath but she still wanted to hold him and give him some loving. It's hard to tell with his hands in his face, but he really enjoyed her holding him.

Ho Ho Ho!

A Thanksgiving tradition - visit Santa in Gruene and get our picture taken. Carter didn't seem to mind visiting with Santa as much as Mason did, but luckily it looks like Mason was smiling instead of trying his darnest to slide off the back of the saddle and run away from the man in the red suit!

First Thanksgiving

Carter celebrated his first Thanksgiving with lunch at Whamie and Pepaw's and supper at Momo's house. He just turned 10 weeks old and had his 2 month checkup. He now weighs 15 pounds 5 ounces and is 25 inches long. That's in the 95% for height and 93% for weight. And he's still got the red hair!

9 weeks old

At 9 weeks old, Carter is really smiling and talking. He is starting to sleep for about a 5 hour stretch at night, which I guess is technically sleeping through the night? He has a new-found love that his "Aunt" Jenny handed down to him - it's a Fisher-Price Smooth Motion Glider which is sorta a combination between a swing and a bouncey chair, but this thing really rocks!!! (okay, so actually is glides, but Carter LOVES it!). And isn't his outfit a cutie? Thanks Leati and Patrick!

2 weeks portraits

Here's Carter's first official portrait session, with one of our local photographers. You can't tell by these shots, but Carter wasn't quite in the mood for picture taking. Can you believe he was only 2 weeks old here?!!

Meeting Big Bubba Kyle

Here is Carter meeting his brother-in-law for the first time. Kyle works off-shore every two weeks and so Carter hasn't seen him yet but was able to meet him for lunch after Haylie's soccer game.

Trick or Treat!

Carter was a duck for Halloween this year and didn't seem to mind the costume. He was quite a cute little ducky, don't you think? He was 7 weeks old today.

1st day of school

The first day of school at the Mini-Mustang Cottage. As you can see, I was thrilled! I'm such an angel - at least that's what my teacher and Ms. Susan told mommy today! Hopefully I'll stay that way!

6 weeks

At six weeks, Carter is still growing and is now 14 pounds. He had his first day of school and was 'an angel'. He's still pretty much eating every 3 hours, except at night he will eat around 8:30 or 9, he'll have a little 'snack' around 9:30/10, then sleep until around 2 a.m. He has started smiling and laughing and even talking a little.

I love Mommy!

I just love my mommy! She took me to my first parade in Seguin and I saw all the farm animals and tractors, then we got to see pumpkins!

Meeting Bubba!

Since I was born during the school year, and football season, I was a little older when I finally met my bubba, Wesley. He likes me, but I really like him. He's going to teach me lots of tricks - especially how to ride the 4-wheeler and play the drums.

5 weeks

Here's our little chunky monkey, all 13 pounds of him! He's started staying awake for longer periods and will smile and smirk at anyone who'll give him attention. He's doing great at night, most nights just waking up two times to eat. He's been having some tummy time and doesn't seem to mind it too terribly much and he loves his bath time!

Pumpkins

Carter watched his first parade, had his first trip to the county fair, and first trip to the pumpkin patch. We walked down to watch the parade with his cousins Hudson and Cortland, Aunt Brittany and Momo. The big boys liked seeing all the tractors and animals, and Carter just liked hanging out with Mommy in the Bjorn. We didn't get many still pictures of the boys in the pumpkins, but this one came close!

Carter also had his first bottle today, from Momo! Mommy had to go to school for some home visits with her team, so Momo came over and watched him and he took that bottle like a champ! Good thing Mommy is like those milk cows!

4 Weeks

Finally, Mommy was able to capture Mason holding his little brother. I just asked Mason if Carter could 'sit by him' and he got a big smile on his face and Mason's legs starting flying. He could've held Carter all afternoon if I'd let him. He's gotten to be a pretty proud big brother.

3 weeks

Here's our Little Red Head just chilling out in the bouncey chair. He's starting to grow and still eating like a champ.

First Bath

So the cord finally fell off and we're able to submerse Carter in the tub. We aren't too sure what he thought about it, but at least he wasn't screaming so it couldn't have been that bad!

2 or 3 weeks

Carter's got quite a good big cousin Hudson, who's already got practice in holding the little babies!

Hands Full

Mommy's dreams have come true, and she really has her hands full now. Mason's really beem doing good with Carter, but just the past 2 days we've seen a little change in him. Hopefully we can shower him with enough love he doesn't get too jealous.

2 Weeks Old

Great news at Carter's two week checkup! He's now 10 pounds, 5 ounces and is 22 1/2 inches long. That's in the 88% for weight and the 95% for height. Doctor said he definitely got the height gene - and looks like he and Mason are complete opposites in the growth department, so far. He's still got the red hair and blue eyes, and we're doing pretty good with eating just about every 3 hours.

One Week Old

At one week old, Carter weighes 8 pounds, 9 1/2 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long. He had his 5-day checkup with the pediatrician the other day and all looks well. He's nursing well, having lots of wet and dirty diapers, and getting plenty of sleep.

Brotherly Love

Mason has really taken to Carter. He likes to love on him, almost smothering him, but always giving him love or kisses, trying to hold his hand. If Carter starts to fuss, Mason looks for his paci or blankie and gives it to Carter. If Carter is sitting in his bouncey chair, Mason pulls his chair up and sits next to him. Daycare printed out a picture that we sent to everyone when Carter was born, and they say that Mason takes everyone over and shows them the picture.

Going Home

We left the hospital today and headed to our home in the country. Momo brought Mason to the hospital so we could ride home as a family, and I think Mason really liked it.

It didn't take us long to get things unloaded and unpacked, and we're adjusting well - and eating well thanks to Whamie and Pepaw who brought over a few meals. Some of Mommy's teacher friends are coming over Monday, and hopefully I'll meet some other friends and family soon - so y'all come see me!

Proud Big Sister

Here's Carter meeting Sissy (Chelsey). She was a big help to Mommy during delivery, and hopefully she still has feeling in her right hand!

Happy Birth Day!

Freeman Carter Cone entered the world today, Wednesday, September 12 at 10:26 a.m. I weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces and is 19 1/2 inches long. I have red hair and blue eyes.

Labor was induced, starting around 6:20 a.m. with a pitocin (sp?) drip. It was a little slow at first, but once we started progressing, it went pretty fast! Once again, Mommy was a birthing machine. She amazed Aunt Brittany the entire time. Daddy and Sissy helped hold Mommy's hands so she could push real strong through the 3 contractions it took to get me out. Yeah, Mommy!!!

Still Waiting

39 Weeks

Mommy is really starting to run out of steam, I think. She really wants to meet me but I'm not ready. And all Mommy's friends at school keep asking her when they can meet me, which I don't think helps her mood any, but at least we're closer than ever.

Mommy and Daddy are supposed to show up to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Hopefully you'll have news of my birth not long after that. Mommy and I'll stay in the hospital a few days, because Mommy's having surgery on Thursday, so feel free to keep us in your prayers and thoughts, and stop by to visit.

Progress

37 Weeks
At today's checkup, Mommy is 1 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. She will go back to the doctor next Wednesday. This weekend there were some Braxton Hicks contractions and I was moving a little too, but then slowed down a little because I'm running out of room. Yesterday was Mommy's first day of school so it was a very busy day to say the least. Daddy has a very important meeting is being sent to on the day I'm due, so Mommy's doctor said they will induce on Wednesday, September 12 if I haven't already come. I know Mommy is trying to get everything organized and make things work conveniently for Daddy and school, but I'm afraid I'm getting a little too anxious to come meet all of you. It's all in God's hands!

The Waiting Game

35 1/2 weeks
Mommy gained 8 pounds the last 3 weeks (so much for being on track on the scale!). I keep moving around, but the doctor said that my head had moved down so hopefully I'll get comfortable and keep my head down so I'll be in the right position to come out. Mommy will go back and see the doctor in two weeks (the day after school starts!).

Daddy took Mommy out to dinner and a movie last night and I had to remind them they weren't alone so I was giving Mommy some pain in her left side. But, she's pretty tough so it didn't stop her from enjoying the movie. I know there's so many wonderful friends and family anxious to meet me, so I'll try not to take my time coming out to meet you all - just have a little more patience with me until I'm ready!

Brotherly love

Here's how Mason "loves baby". He knows that Mommy has a baby in her tummy and when you ask him about it, he'll go pull up her shirt, pat the tummy a few times, then give it love.

Getting Bigger

Here I am at the beach in Mommy's tummy. Doesn't she look great?!! (This picture was taken in April. In July, Mommy put the same bathing suit on to play with Mason in the backyard and it didn't cover the whole tummy!)

33 Weeks
At this time, Mommy's only gained 29 pounds (lots less than when she had my big brother in her tummy!). I'm still moving around A LOT, and even though at the sonogram I was in a breech position, I think I've turned around from that, several times over. Mommy doesn't go back to the doctor until August 13, so we'll see what he has to say then when he does a full exam (yeah!).
I'm also pressing on Mommy's right side a lot. Sometimes you can even see some strange shapes coming off her tummy. I guess I must be getting a little bigger because Mommy doesn't seem to be eating as much food as before, and she's always going potty. I can't wait to get out and meet her, and all of y'all!

Week 30 Update

At our 30 week sonogram, Carter was very cooperative and we got some really good pictures (well, as good as sonogram pictures can be). Several measurements were taken, and at this time, he's about 4 pounds, 1 ounce (which is a few ounces smaller than Mason was at that time!). We were actually expecting to hear a bigger baby this time around, but not everything's so small - his head is measuring several weeks early! Just the part Mommy wants to hear is big! And at this time, he's in the breech position but is nothing to worry about with 10 more weeks to go. Carter is already moving around A LOT so should move into place before it's birth-day time!

Mommy has started to get full faster like she did in the begining so lots of little meals for her. There's always room in her tummy for ice cream though! And aside from a lot of sweating and a little bit of numbness during sleep (which goes away when changing position using that huge body pillow), the nights haven't been too bad. Let's hope things stay this way!

Next checkup is on Monday, July 23 (the day before Mommy and Daddy's anniversary!).

I'm a Boy!

We had a sonogram and even though the doctor won't confirm (or deny) anything but Daddy says it's obvious - I'm a boy!!! So, no need for Mommy to run out and buy any new clothes for me. My name will be Freeman Carter Cone, but everyone will call me Carter. Keep checking my blog for updates (and I'll keep having messages for Mommy to type for you to read!).

Me in Mommy's tummy, still!

See, this is AFTER Easter when the family went to the beach. Mommy really isn't all that big, but she sure is a big fisherman! She caught a stingray off the dock at the house - how cool!

Me in Mommy's tummy

Mommy was taking it easy on Easter, because I'm busy growing in her tummy. This is not the best picture of my mommy because it looks like I'm really big inside her, but I'm only a few months along at this point (maybe 4-5 months?).