Carter McAllister Levine: January 2006

One Month Old!!!!

John and Nick

My mom has a little wine while my new friends check me out - Nick gave a subtle hint about Harvard but Mom claims I'll be attending The Harvard of the Midwest (she mentioned something about M, go Blue?).

Uncle Alan

My uncle Alan took a spin with me - look how big his hands are compared to mine (will mine grow that big?).

Nana, Papa G

Even when I sleep they love me. My Nana and Papa had my parents over for dinner - all I got was my formula in a bottle. They had drinks from a bottle that was fun white and red colors - none for me though, just the white stuff, thank you very much.

My nana

My nana let me sit up like a 'big boy' today. Check me out with shoes on and everything (who knows if everything matches, they never ask my opinion in the morning).

McAllister's House

I made a visit (yes, yes of course with my parents) to my grandparents Nana and Papa G today. After I ate I sat around for a bit. Oh and that's my Dad trying to get me to grab his hand - what's up with that game, can't we play some cards already??

New Toy

Now that I've been staying awake beyond my meals (no more food coma) I had a chance to try out a new toy. I hope mom and dad let me play some more with this one, it sure is a keeper.

Balding? Happy? Hm?

I'm so happy here - but now that I see my picture I'm a bit concerned about that bald patch. Do they make baby Rogaine?

Morning time

Dad isn't quite awake yet but he still managed to get me changed and in this handy dandy pair of pants. Oh and he showed me who was boss with an over the head onesie (I gave him the business putting one of them on when I was a few days old).

Who are you?

I just got a new diaper but gosh darnit if I can recall who did that for me - I kept asking, "and you are," but the person never answered me. I'm thinking if I spit up on them I can keep them 'marked' - and I'll at least note who's worked with me before.

Crashed

Mom walked me, and walked me, and then walked me some more. You'd sleep as well after all of that activity - and it sure is great I can cat nap just about anywhere.

Running Suit

I have a running suit on for my 'walk'. You never know when I'll decide to get next to Mom on our walks and just run alongside her.

Awake

I've eaten, been changed and gosh darnit if I'm not content right now.

Mom, Dad and Carter

Mom and Dad are tired, but happy!

Mark and Jen

Mark and Jen get a grown-up lunch break while the grandmothers hold the babies.

Nikhil

Here's my new friend Nikhil (Jen and Rocky's boy, and Leela's brother), who was born just 12 days before me. He came over for lunch and our first play date.

Nana and Kiki

Here's Eleanor (aka Nana) and Christine (aka Kiki) showing off their grandsons. Nana and Kiki's daughters all played together growing up, and now their grandsons will, too!

Cutie

Eventually Mom and Dad will realize this is the look of mischief, but for now they just think its me being cute!

Hi Mom!

Here I am looking right at mom , don't know why she got so darn excited about it...

More couch time

Still happy on the couch!

Alert time

I'm starting to enjoy being awake more. I liked mom doing the bicycle with my legs!

Pop Pop Levine

My pop pop came to visit today on MLK day - look how happy he was to hold me in my favorite position (second only to having a bottle in my mouth).

The Levines

Our first family portrait. Mom and Dad are so happy I'm here (even if they aren't quite sure what day of the week it is, and feel like they are stumbling around in the Twilight Zone).

Redhead!

Look at my red hair! Everyone wonders if it will stay red...we'll see....

No swaddle can hold me!

This is how I love to sleep - arms out - no matter how tightly Dad swaddles me. Drives him crazy that I "escape," but I'm just that strong already!

Nana

My Nana came over to keep Mom company while Dad was at the Bears playoff game. We had a great afternoon. She held me for almost my whole nap. Another set of comfy arms to snooze in. Heaven.

Bears Lose

No one prepared me for a Bears loss and as you can see I cried like a grown-up Bears fan.

16 ounce curl

I always try to emulate my dad - and I knew he was enjoying his 16 ounce workout at the Bears playoff game. Mom wouldn't give me any of the good stuff so all I could do was pretend.

Heisman pose

Can a dad dream that his son is practicing the Heisman pose (and on a Bears Sunday no less)??

Foster calms me down

I started to fuss a bit, but Foster calmed me right away. He was so good with me!

Foster and Carter

Foster was so excited to hold me! My Mom was at his birth almost 13 years ago, and it meant so much to her to see him holding me. She says she's counting on Foster to teach me how to play video games, since she can't make sense of any of the ones Foster tries to teach her.

Rose and Dee with Carter

Mom was happy to have Rose come visit!

Rose visits

My new friend Rose drove all the way from Kalamazoo with her son Foster just to meet me! We had a wonderful visit. I can't wait for them to come back, and hopefully they'll bring Charlie and Midge back with them.

Snoozing

Snoozing...again. Just can't get enough sleep.

On the couch with Mom

Here's where I relax with Mom in the mornings. I'm more alert these days, but I still sleep most of the day away. Mom wishes she could, too!

2 Week Birthday

I had my 2 week birthday today - and it included a visit to my Doctor. She was a very nice lady (and I'm not saying that just because she happens to live in my neighborhood). A few quick notes:
My length remains unchanged
My head size is on the chart and as expected
12/30 - I weighed in at 10lbs 1oz
1/4 - I weighed in at 9lbs 12oz (we all lose a bit of weight but most lose more than this)
1/13 - I weighed in at 10lbs 12oz (Dad tried to extrapolate where this would take me but the numbers got too staggeringly large too fast so he stopped).

And yes my height and weight are off the charts - as in I'm well into the upper 10%.

My room

I thought I'd take you on a tour of my room today - I'm spending more and more time there so it made sense to share it with all of you (my adoring fans). I'm never a great fan (initially) of my changing table - but at least (eventually) I can look at the fun picture on the wall.

Toys and books oh my

I noticed my bookcase today - I can't wait to have some of the books read to me (and I hear there are plenty more throughout the house). The toys and things are up so high I can't reach them, though.

Glider time

At night-time my parents use this great glider chair to feed me and put me back to sleep. The room also comes prepared with a bib, blanket, burp cloth and if you look real close - an Economist (I prefer the colored paper of the Financial Times, though).

Go Cubs

Check out the rug at the base of my crib - yup, I already have an allegiance to the North Side. I'm moving on to baseball because dad nixed my trip to the Bears playoff game.

My crib

I finally took a nap in my crib today - I do enjoy my room and check out the great sheets. Oh and don't you just love a good stretch - mm, delicious.

Grammy fed me!

Grammy came by to visit me and got into the action - I ate my usual 3 oz's and then got a good nap on her shoulder.

I love to sleep

I got in a great nap after my bath today - I love having clean hair, and eventually having on a nice clean outfit.

Clean clothes

Check me out getting a nice clean outfit on after my bath - I couldn't decide if I was tired or angry. I sure love bathtime but enough of being naked already.

Pre bath

Just before my second bath I got some quick zz's.

Yoga Pose??

Mom just loves the way I curl up when I rest on Dad. And check out my funky hand position - I bet you can't do that and stay asleep!

Samantha

Cousin Samantha looks on while I finish up my afternoon snack. Check out her cool shirt - "I love the outdoors". I wonder if I can get a footy outfit with that saying?

Cousin Alex

Cousin Alex held my hand while I was snacking over the weekend. When I get older he promised to teach me all he knows about Harry Potter.

Gentle, Gentle

Samantha and Alex (after washing their hands patiently) got to see and touch their new cousin. They offered names along the way and afterward for me, but my parents are sticking with Carter.

Cousins

My cousins came to visit this weekend -Samantha and Alex were very patient and waited for my nap to end before playing with me. Of course I was hungry so I got a snack while they hung out with me.

Adventure

In the spirit of adventure and trying new things I'm testing out my bouncy seat (think magic fingers in a chair, without the need for a quarter). It didn't create a milk shake with my breakfast - thankfully.

Go Bears

I went for my first walk today (well I was in the stroller the whole time). Check me out in my great Bear suit. I'm lobbying dad to take me to the playoff game in this next week (he's noncommittal at this point).

Late night visitor

Aunt Chip came by (with Uncle Dave this time - but he was camera shy). She and Dave were my first late night visitors - I got a bottle while they had a glass of wine.

Vincent

My friend Vincent came to visit me today - he was very gentle as he touched me to let me know he came by. He's got a brother on the way that we both can't wait to play with.

Angela

Angela came to visit me today (she didn't get to hold me in the hospital on her visit). I slept nicely in her arms.

Clean and Happy

I am one week old today!

Peek a Boo

After My Bath

After my bath I got wrapped up in this great hooded wrap.

Bath 'n Mom

Look how happy mom is - I didn't cry or fuss during my bath and I think she was pretty amazed.

Bath Time

I'm so happy my hair is finally clean - I can cancel my hair appt. now.

Pacifier

I tried a pacifier for the first time today - not sure why my dad kept gently pulling on it, though (I think he reads too many baby books).

My Swing!

I got to use my swing today - only on the slow speed, but it worked and I napped like a champ.

Papa G 'n Carter, plus Mom

Midway thru my nap my mom came to hang out and look how happy everyone is.

Papa G and Carter

Papa G (until Carter is 21 he can't know what the G stands for) held me for my entire nap - no small feat given that I nap for almost 3 hours usually.

Jokes

Oh my head hurts from another of Dad's bad jokes.

Yawning

I love my sleep (just like my mom) and I'm minutes from getting some more - oh and check out my leg lifts.

Showing Off

Check out my shoulder - who knew they made off the shoulder shirts for newborns (let alone boys). I have the only model but I'm hoping to make it the "it" thing for 2006.

Aunt Liz

My Aunt Liz came to visit me - she brought dinner, but I don't get into Thai food. But I did love having her shoulder to lie on.

My kimono

I love my cotton outfit - it's not too hot, it's not too cold - its just right. Oh and check me out awake and not crying after being changed!

I'm Awake!

I'm actually awake after drinking a bottle - but would someone wash my hair (or did they put that crazy Grecian Formula in it?)

Napping Again

This is really my favorite way to nap - I can sleep for hours on someone's chest. And as you can see - I do my best to try and make the person holding me nap as well.

Nap Time

I really love to nap - and especially using my hands to lie on. Dad's shoulder is nice - but my hand is better.

Finally Home!

We're all finally back home - our first few minutes together in the house. I loved the car ride home and fit perfectly in my new car seat. But I can't wait to check out the house - Chip gave me some insight on the design and layout, architect to baby.

Chip

"Aunt" Chip visits Carter on New Years Eve - he didn't get any of the bubbly, but he created some bubbles of his own in his bottle.

Mom!

Mom holds Carter in the hospital - styling in her gown which was flown in straight from the runway's of the Hospital Clothing Show (it's a short show with only one outfit - but it can be worn in many different ways, including doubled up).

Grandma's

Carter's grandmother's visit in the hospital - his first visitors of course!

Dad

Dad is enjoying a few moments holding his new son in the hospital room - we were all excited when he joined us in the room full-time.

Size!!

In case there was any real doubt given his parents, here is some proof of Carter's birth weight. He'd have hung around on the scale to let me take the shot, but the Pediatricians were actively making his entry into the world much healthier.