Six Weeks Old

Here we are at the six week mark. Carter is growing like a weed. He weighs about 9 pounds now, can hold his head up for a few minutes and has found his fist. He is very alert when he is awake. He has started following with his eyes. He sleeps great which is amazing because his sisters are not quiet! They can be running through the house squealing and banging things and he could be sleeping on the couch and never even flinch - it is amazing. I pray it continues.
It has been on the chilly side here. The little cap he has came all the way from Michigan - a gift from Granny (my mom).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas from us to you!
We spent a quiet day at home - just the 5 of us. We hope you had a blessed day with you families as well.
Love from all of us - Jason, Kim, Sarah, Emma, & Carter

Five weeks old

A rare moment when all was well with the world - our world anyway. Emma usually is moving so fast you can't see her in the picture - she is just a blur. Time marches on - Carter is 5 weeks old now and his first Christmas is right around the corner. This is usually my favorite time of year but I think I am just ready for it to be over. It is not easy being away from our families and all our friends. It will be very different this year.
Not much new to report on from Carter. He is arching his back while on his belly. His head comes up and then his feet. It amazes me how strong he is. He is so sweet. It was hard to imagine what life would be like with three kids, a new state, a new house, TOAG (mission training)...I cannot imagine life without him. He is such a little blessing.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Kim

Four weeks old

Carter is officially four weeks old. I just shake my head at the thought. He is changing so much. I don't have a baby scale to weigh him but I am guessing he is about 7.5 pounds or so. I suppose I could always weigh him on of the produce scales at the grocery store. :-) Although, that would mean I would have to go to the store with the kids - a trip that should be exciting when done with all three for the first time.
All the kids did great on car ride up north. THe girls sat in the very back and watched 2 movies on the way up and colored and slept on the way home. Carter did great his first road trip - slept almost the entire car ride (3.5 hours) to Williams & back home. Williams is a little north-west of Flagstaff. It is above 7000 ft. in elevation and there was snow. It was also quite cold (reminded me that I do NOT like being cold). He also slept the entire time we were on the train - hardly a peep out him. The girls had such a great time riding the Polar Express. We had hot chocolate & chocolate chip cookies, sang Christmas carols, saw Santa and each of the kids received a sleigh bell from Santa. If you are ever in the area while the Polar Express is running - I highly recommend doing it.
I hope you are having blessed holiday season so far. Are you ready for Christmas? I am as ready as I'll ever be this year.
Love,
Kim

Rained On!

We went to the Phoenix Zoo today for the first time since arriving Arizona and we got rained on! It really does rain here. Not often, mind you, but it does rain. We had fun in spite of the rain. We saw most of the animals - only one area seemed to be under major construction. It seems to be a small zoo but nice. The girls seemed to have fun. The giraffe exhibit was pretty cool. They have feeders up pretty close to the walkway as well, there is a lookout area you can climb to to watch them eat.
Carter is now three weeks old. I will begin to sound like a broken record soon - time is flying! He is such a good baby! He has really only kept me up all night a couple of times - for the most part he has been sleeping through the night since he was born. They do exist - babies who are good sleepers from the beginning. We are truly blessed.
Next week we are heading up north to Williams, AZ to take a ride in the Polar Express! It should be lots of fun. Be on the lookout for details.
Blessings,
Kim