Carter's First Halloween

Carter did amazing on his first trick or treat. I dressed him as a monkey (insert inappropriate racial joke here). One of our neighbors hosted a pre-trick or treat potluck for the neighborhood so we went over there at around 5 pm. The food was set up in the garage and the weather was nice enough where everyone could hang out outside. There were princesses, strawberry shortcakes, firefighters, goblins...you name it and it was there. One of the parents actually dressed up as a mummy using his own gauze and white tape (he's a doctor and just had the stuff laying around the house). After that we went back home to warm up and let everyone get back home before heading out to trick or treat.  I guess I was the only one who needed warming because as soon as the first group of trick or treaters came to our door Carter dashed outside to follow them. I took the hint and we started our journey. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the door of the first house and it's across the street. That was our first and only house. After that, Carter decided it was more fun to run up and down the driveways with his one bag of candy. When I tried to get him to go to the door of another house he tried to run away from me and I took it as a signal that it was time to go home. As soon as we got through the front door, he turned around and started going back down the front steps sending the message he wasn't done yet. I let him get almost to the sidewalk before picking him up and carrying him in the house. He fell asleep on the couch 20 minutes later at 7 pm.

I love days like these where we have a great time and he wears himself out. Can't wait for next year! Here he is in his monkey suit.

Food Wars

For the last couple of days Carter has been really difficult during mealtime. Last night and tonight he started off dinner by crying. Now it's not uncommon for him to fuss if he doesn't get food fast enough or doesn't like what's on the menu but rarely does he break out into a full cry. I was so confused. Last night we had chicken stir fry with broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and rice. These are all things he's eaten and liked before so no problem right? Wrong. As soon as I tried to feed him some rice from one of his spoons he shook his little head and cocked it to the left in displeasure (his signature move when he doesn't want something). Thankfully, he ate the chicken and veggies that I put on his tray. I just chalked it up to him being moody and didn't think anything else of it...until tonight when it happened again.

Tonight we had leftover lasagna for dinner. I know he likes my lasagna based on him lapping it up two nights before. I fed him the first bite from one of his spoons and he took it with no problem.  However, when I offered the second spoonful, he spontaneously breaks out in tears. Like I've already said, my baby rarely sheds a tear when food is involved. I tried to think of what could be bothering him and then remembered that at lunch today I let him practice feeding himself with a spoon and that he really enjoyed  it. Eureka! I immediately fish out one of his spoons from the silverware drawer and give it to him with a small piece of lasagna. Score! He eats it and several more spoonfuls on his own. 

So it turns out that my baby throwing a fit was a good thing. He was just trying to tell me that he wanted to do it himself. I guess that's progress and I can't be mad at that.  The proof is in the pics. Look how proud he was of himself.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

My baby got his first haircut on Saturday while I was away in Chicago. Since Jimmy cuts his own hair on a regular basis I though it would be safe to have him do it. To be clear, I asked him to trim Carter's hair. Don't get me wrong, I loved his little afro but it was getting to the point where he cried every time I had to comb it out. So I just wanted an inch or so taken off so his hair would be more manageable. Instead, Jimmy texts me this picture Saturday afternoon:

I'm thinking that sure does look like a lot of hair and definitely more than a trim. I ask Jimmy to send me a picture of the finished look and he sends me this text: "A pic may not do it justice. Probably better to wait and see it live." Uh oh! This was not a good sign. Then he sends a follow up text saying: "If his hair was his secret power, he is now powerless." Oh no! I knew what this meant. My baby was bald.

When I got home on Sunday the boys were out so you can imagine my anticipation. Then when they got home, Jimmy takes Carter directly to his crib because he was napping. I peeked in on him but couldn't really get a good view. I could tell there wasn't much hair left though. To make a long story short, here is my new baby boy:

You can see by his profile pic that he did inherit the Canady head.  Not what I had in mind but he's still a cutie pie. Here's one last "before" pic to remember him (and the fro) by:

Wolverine Weekend

So I drove up to Chicago yesterday to hang out with my family and to attend the Michigan vs. Northwestern football game. Jimmy and Carter didn't make the trip and instead stayed home for a boys' weekend. The drive to Chicago really isn't that bad. It took me about 2.5 hours to hit city limits and then another 15-20 minutes to make it through the Dan Ryan traffic and to find parking (more on parking later). I arrived in time to join everyone at the movies to see Ides of March, the political drama starring George Clooney and Ryan Gossling. I liked the movie but there really wasn't anything compelling about it. Without giving the story away, it basically showed how corrupt politics can be. Nothing new. Nevertheless, the performances were good with supporting cast members Paul Giamatti, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Jeffery Wright doing what they do.

After the movie we hopped on the train in downtown Chicago and headed to Evanston for the game. I think that was the longest train ride of my life. Michigan fans sure do know how to show up. The trains were packed with the unmistakeable "maize and blue" that I love. The non-Michigan folk were upset at our takeover. The train was so packed, I felt like I was in China. Anyway, we made it to the stadium unsheathed. The Northwestern Stadium is small compared to the Big House but the good thing about that is there really isn't a bad seat. What was even better was that there were just as many Michigan fans as Northwestern fans and often times we out chanted them. Although the first half was shakey, with Denard throwing 3 interceptions and our defense looking pitiful, we ended up with a convincing win.  After taking the long train ride back to the city, we headed to Smith and Wolensky for a late night bite. I ordered the truffle mac & cheese and crab cake which hit the spot and by the time we got back to the hotel at 12:30 am we all passed out.

We woke up this morning to the cheers of the Chicago Marathon which started at 7 am. We had a great view from our hotel window of the starting herd rounding the corner on Michigan Ave and for a minute I was a little nostalgic about running. That feeling quickly dissipated as I climbed back in bed for a little while longer. A little later we had breakfast at West Egg on Fairbanks and Ontario. It was so good. A must visit if you're in the area and a block from Garrett's Popcorn which is always a great way to cure a sweet tooth. I recommend the Huevos Rancheros or the pancakes.

After breakfast we headed back to the hotel to pack up. Now, back to the parking. I avoided parking at the hotel because my dad told me it was $48 per night. Instead, I found a nearby lot that advertised $13 per day on Saturdays and Sundays. Score! Even if that price didn't apply for overnight parking the cost for 24 hours was $35 which was still a $13 savings. When I get to my car this morning and put in the ticket in the pay machine the screen showed that my total was $44. "What! How is this possible" you ask. Not only was the $13 no good for overnight but I was there for 24 hours and 5 minutes and the extra 5 minutes cost me an extra $9. So $35 +$9 got my bill to $44. I felt played. It always sucks when you think you're getting a deal only to find out later that you've been had. That exactly how I felt. I guess I should have checked my time stamp a little closer. It won't happen again.

I'm back home now typing in the comfort of my bed. All in all, it was a great trip. I love hanging with the fam. Can't wait until Carter is old enough to hang with us.