Family Forever.

I can't believe it has already been a month since I last wrote. Now that Karson is on the move- the time is really flying by and so is he, flash baby. Within the last month we celebrated Karson's first Halloween, which was a success minus having his first cold and losing a sock on his golf cart ride (no worries it later emerged in the driveway). We all survived our first Hurricane together. We only lost power for 45 minutes, just long enough to take a good nap. Daddy has been working some overtime and I have been busy with trying to pass my classes this semester. Karson has been the busiest, learning how to crawl overnight, pulling himself up on everything, eating his first solids and just being a big ol' ham. At his 9 month checkup he was weighing in at 21 lbs and 29 inches, no wonder my hip is killing me. What a joy this little boy has become, he has a smile on his face just about all the time. Now that he is mobile all sorts of new worries have entered the game.

About a week ago we were cleaning up dinner and Karson and I had escaped to the bedroom for some post dinner cartoons and folding clothes. I stepped out of the bedroom for two seconds and I hear a crash. I screamed, Kurt came running and there was Karson lying on his back on the floor next to my four story storage container where I keep my hair and makeup essentials. Granted the majority of it was plastic, it still scared the crap out of me. The rest of the night I felt guilty for being negligent and underestimating his ability to get into things. After the guilt wore off,  it was time to prepare. We went to Ikea, bought a new storage container and screwed that booger to the wall. Today, we will be securing the rest of the dangers in this house. You just never know what kids will get into to. He usually gets into anything you don't want him to, like the nightlights in the outlets, the carbon monoxide detector, any drawer within reach, the glass behind the bar. He'll find anything on the ground, dimes, earring backs I've lost. In that regards he can be very helpful! I say, "Karson, no-no!" about 50 times a day and I know it is only going to get worse as he grows. We can't get lazy though, we know it will only make for a poorly behaved child in the future (I'll be damned he acts like a fool).

Yesterday, Karson decided to test my reflexes. I had him on the changing table and I was about five steps from him grabbing his shirt out of the closest. In about two seconds he had rolled over and was falling in mid-air, I literally slid on the carpet and caught him. He thought it was absolutely hysterical and my heart was racing in my throat. This child is fearless, he loves crawling to the edge of the bed, acting like Houdini and escaping the shopping carts and highchairs. I really don't know when I am going to grasp the concept that this child is on the move and fast. He will be my boo-boo child, seeing how everyday he earns a new scratch or cut. Most we can't even account for the incident. He keeps us all on our toes!

We celebrated Karson's First Thanksgiving at my mother's house. We had the entire family over, about 25 people. We have not had a turkey day like that is about 13 years, pretty much since my grandmother had passed away. She was Thanksgiving! I was a little melancholy about the holiday this year, but I knew we had to make new memories for spud and the other little ones. Kurt worked his tail off and cooked two turkeys, one deep fried and one oven baked. They were delicious! Everyone pitched in on the other yummy's and it was fantastic. We didn't have any leftovers, which could be a good thing. Karson tried mashed and sweet potatoes, they were a hit. We played card games, and reminisced about the old days, especially my Aunt's alien encounter (yes, you read that right, and its true!) The day was memorable and hopefully Karson will to have fond family memories that last him a lifetime. We want him to grow knowing that family is forever!

We started decorating for Christmas yesterday, the warm weather outside was totally throwing me off. We put up the tree today and realized every year Kurt and I debate about how the thing should be put together. Its only three pieces, you would think after three years we would get the hang of it. At this point its tradition. Karson decided to help by taking the tree stand hostage. He is a strong little spud. I had the camera handy, and snapped a few "in the Christmas tree box" shots. I've never been much on Christmas since being an adult, but this year I am giddy with excitement. Even though he has no clue what it all means yet, I want him to have those photos to look back on like I do. I just hope that he appreciates all the stress and craziness we have to go through to make the holidays memorable. I must admit even Daddy, who tends to be a little bit of a grinch is enthusiastic and ready to put up a good fight over the "Santa cookies". I'm so very thankful that my holiday off at work this year is Christmas. I do not look forward to the one's where I will have to spend away from my family. Such is life. I have some shopping to do! I think spud & I will venture out sometime this week and pick up some things for Dad. Then Kurt and I have spud shopping to do, nothing over board because I am sure he will be spoiled rotten like always.

What a wonderful start to the holiday! We will be sending our Christmas cards out soon, featuring the one and only spud who decided to act like a baby model at his Sears photo session. The pictures turned out so good that we were suckered into buying the entire CD. Not in the budget, but a exception had to be made. Good luck gearing up for your family Christmas!