
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Cute Sweater

Saturday, December 29, 2007
Sweet Potatoes


On December 21, we started to feed Carson some baby food. We have been giving him rice cereal for a couple of weeks now, and decided it was time to introduce him to some veggies. Kirstin gave me some extra baby food that she had left over from when the twins were eating it. So, we gave him Sweet Potatoes. He loves them. He did really well with them. He is so funny. I didn't know they would be so messy, considering I am a first time mom, so we had all of his clothes on. Luckily, with some Shout, we got all the potatoes out!! Since then, I have learned to keep him in his diaper. It is so funny because it will be all over his mouth and he will stick his hands in his mouth then rub his eyes. We are always prepared with nice warm wash cloths for him after he is all done eating. He now has 2 teeth that have broken through, so he will be eating solids before we know it!! He's growing too fast.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas 2007
This is what Carson got for Christmas. It wasn't much, considering it was his first Christmas and Santa knew he was too young to remember it. We had other people spoil him, so we knew that Santa didn't have to.
This is Jackson and the twins opening their gifts from Nana and Papa.
Dave and I are blessed with very generous parents. My parents got us a filing cabinet, that picture by Simon Dewey, and a complete stocking with Jones soda, nuts, bananas, oranges, chocolate oranges, Toblerone candy, batteries, Similac for Carson, etc. His parents got Carson a Peek-a-boo Rain forest thing for his crib that plays soothing music to help him sleep. It also has cute characters that move so he'll watch them and get tired. He is still a picky sleeper at night and needs to be rocked to sleep, but he really likes listening to it for naps. Peggy and Randy also gave us a DVD player for our bedroom, a folding table for camping and a Welcome doormat, which is so much nicer than my other one. Maddie had Carson and gave him this adorable mooing cow flashligh! Thanks Maddie! Gina and Beau gave us a gift certificate to Chili's for a date night and Nate and Angie gave us a baby sign language book that will come in handy.
This is the gigantic puppy dog that Gina, Beau and my parents got for him. It's so cute. My brother Nate and Angie gave him the cutest sweater, that I need to get a picture of and add it later.
This present was from Noel. She is so creative! I am sure we will get a lot of use out of our ice cream cups and scoop! Dave eats ice cream all of the time.
This is the picture my mom and dad gave us for Christmas. It's called "He Lives" by Simon Dewey. My favorite one by him.
Gina and Beau got this for Carson for Christmas. It's a fun toy that converts into something as he grows.
This is the Jumperoo that my parents got him for Christmas. He loves to jump! He has a blast in there!
Here are the Mangums on Christmas opening some gifts. I love drawing names for the kids because it's so fun to see what they all get!All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
Friday, December 21, 2007
The Petty Christmas Party
Dave and I have so much fun every year at the Petty Christmas party. It is always nice to see the Allen family and Grandma Petty. They Allen family used to live in my ward before I knew Dave, so I think it's so fun to see them considering I've known them longer than I've known Dave. We look forward to the dollar gifts because they are so fun! I got a purple flower night light, which Macey wanted, so I just gave it to her. She wanted to trade me it for her baton, but since I lack in the baton twirling skills, I decided to let her keep that one too. Here are some fun pictures.
Everyone opening their gifts. Funny Faces


Thursday, December 20, 2007
Teething At Four Months
I can't believe that Carson is already teething! The past 3 days he has been so fussy, slobbery and tired. I didn't put two and two together until today. I looked at his gums and sure enough, there is a little tooth poking through! I stuck my finger in his mouth and he chopped on it pretty hard. I felt something sharp and hard. He also started to cry because of him chopping down on my finger over that tooth. I gave him a little tylenol and I put his teething rings in the fridge so they were cold when I gave them to him. I have been putting him in his Snugli because he won't let me put him down anywhere! Not even in his exersaucer, which he usually can stay in for quite some time. He will sit there in the Snugli and have that huge teething ring in his mouth with a huge smile on his face. I think he really likes the cold. I know that he's been chomping on things and slobbering lately, but I thought that was just a normal thing for a baby to do...somewhat. His slobbering has gotten a lot worse the past few days, so that was a huge hint. I am so proud again, of this fun, yet loud milestone!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Eight Year Anniversary
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Sitting Up...Well Sort Of
Carson is so strong. That is one thing I know that Dave and I are both very proud of. I know all parents are proud of the smallest things, but I think this is a very big milestone for him. He is starting to sit up pretty well. After a few seconds he will start to lean forward. It is so cute how he wobbles to keep his balance. He loves to sit and stand up. When I change his diaper, he cries because he sits there and does crunches trying to get himself to sit up. So, I let him and took some cute photos. I am sure he will be sitting up in no time.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The Ward Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Four Months Old
As you all know, Carson is four months old now. He is getting so big. We took him to the doctor today to get his four month check up. He weighs 16 pounds, 12 ounces. The doctor told us his eyes will probably stay blue. He also said that his strength is advanced for his age. He is really amazed how strong Carson is. He said he may be an early walker. We will see! We hope, but then I want him to stay a baby forever! I also need to put Carson on his tummy a lot more. It was just hard because he spit up so much, but now that he's on a bottle, he really hasn't spit up. I am glad Dave came with me today because the poor thing got his shots again. He did really well. He didn't cry. He fussed like he does when he gets tired, but he didn't cry. We are so proud of him. He is such a good boy! I am also proud of him because after he woke up from his nap today, he took a bottle from me! I was ecstatic! I am glad he didn't want to nurse. It's sad in a way to break that bond, but yet I am so happy because now, I can give him to Dave in the morning and he can get a bottle ready and feed him while I sleep!! Hallelujah! I know I did many posts about his bottle feeding, but this is for sure the last anyone will hear of it because he's on a bottle and that's it! It finally happened! I am still grateful that Dave gave him a blessing. We are so happy that Carson is doing so well!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Millionth Blog
Okay, now he'll take a bottle from his dad at home. I should have been more patient to blog about the whole bottle fiasco. I used to top him off before bed, but we stuck a bottle of my milk into his mouth when he was falling asleep so he would learn not to depend on me now for bed. I am so happy this is all happening, but he does get his shots tomorrow so I'm wondering how he will react to the bottle. I'll let you all know how it goes...if you aren't sick of hearing about this bottle fun!
The Only One
Monday, December 10, 2007
Babies Are Smarter Than We Think
The Last Bottle Update

Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Rice Cereal
The past couple of nights, we have been introducing a little bit of rice cereal to Carson. I decided that was how I would top him off at night. I will feed him and then an hour later give him a little bit of cereal. It worked because he slept 8 hours. This was the third night we gave it to him and he seems like he is starting to understand a little better what to do with the white, tasteless mush. He really didn't like it the first night we gave it to him. He was only sleeping 4 hours each night, so that is what made us decide it was time for him to move on. That and me wanting to not have to nurse as much. He does seem to get a little hungrier sooner too. Plus, my sister in law said that is how she found out that her boys needed something a little more substantial. I put 5 drops of Karo syrup in it tonight so it would be a little sweeter like breast milk. He seemed to eat more of it. Pretty soon I will replace one of his meals a day with it and see how he does. We hope like crazy he'll like it more than a bottle. I can't believe he is already at this stage. He is growing up so fast!
Monday, December 3, 2007
More Fun

Monday, November 26, 2007
Christmas Decorations

Saturday, November 24, 2007
What's New With The Parks
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Thanksgiving
I am doing this blog a little early because I am sure next week will be a little hectic. I just wanted to say what I am grateful for. I have been having a hard time at night falling asleep, so this month I have been thinking about things I am grateful for to help me fall asleep. So, I thought would share some of those things. I am so grateful, first of all, for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am grateful for His atoning sacrifice for me and my family. I am grateful for the prayers that have been answered lately in my life. The night before I had Carson I got on my knees and prayed so hard saying I was discouraged...okay...ready for this baby to come. I told Heavenly Father I was stubborn and to give me a big sign that I was actually in labor because I had gone in twice for false labor. Once was after a 22 hour shift I had at work. Well, sure enough at 3 in the morning, my water broke. Then when Carson was born, every test they performed, I silently prayed to myself that everything would be okay. Everything has been okay and I am grateful for it. I am grateful for my two boys! Dave is so sweet and always asks me if there is anything he can do for me or get me. He's always thinking of others. I am grateful for Carson. I am grateful he is not on a bottle so I don't have to go back to work as soon. Just kidding Dave. I want him to get on a bottle as much as you do. I am grateful for his little personality. He is so happy. No matter what. That is an example to me because it makes me want to be like him. He always puts a smile on my face and occasionally a tear in my eye with how much love I feel for him. I am grateful for my family. Every member!! I know I have been a little agitated with little things that bother me with Carson, but I do love you guys. Be patient. He is my first and I'll start to relax soon, I hope. I am grateful for Dave's family, especially for my mother and sister-in-laws who are all so helpful when it I have a question about Carson. You all have been so patient with me as well. I am grateful for my friends. They are all so sweet and come to visit me often...thanks to Carson. I am grateful for Dave's job and the people he works with. He loves supporting our little family thanks to the wonderful company and people he works for. They have been so nice to me too! I am grateful for food, a roof over my head, and warmth. Anyway, I think that is enough, especially if someone is reading this. I just thought that writing the things I am grateful for would help me to feel the spirit of thanksgiving a little more.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Bottle Training Update
45 Degree Angle
I can't believe how fast Carson is growing and developing. He's laughing, he's tracking, and he wants to sit or stand up. Not to mention, suck everything that he can get his hands on. He can now lift his head at a 45 degree angle. I feel bad because I don't put him on his stomach as much as I would like considering he just lays there and spits up tons of food. He can look up at more for a couple of seconds at a 90 degree angle, but that's about it. I sit him in his bebe pod chair. He'll sit in there and I will put toys in front of him to track and to grab. He is so cute! I am still amazed as always about how fast he is growing.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
3 Months Old
Our 3rd Year Anniversary
This one is cute because it caught me crinkling my nose at Dave.
We are so happy here! We still are!
Jackson is so cute there!
You two look so adorable! It's so fun to see how little he was when we got married!
I can't believe how cute and little Macey was! Well, still is at 3 and a half years!

I just wanted everyone to know that Dave got me this beautiful Sapphire necklace with a sterling silver chain to go with it for our Anniversary! I gave him some framed photos of us with Carson and a mouse pad with Carson's picture on it. I also gave him a new wedding ring. As you all know, he lost his other one.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Bottle Training Update

Friday, November 9, 2007
Carson's First Cold
Poor Carson. On the 3rd of November, he started to get his first cold. He slept a lot that day and Dave and I had no idea why. That night he woke us up every hour crying. We couldn't really figure it out until we could hear him snorting. Dave grabbed his rocker/vibrating chair and put him in it. He slept really well for a couple of hours. I stayed home with him that Sunday morning while Dave went to church and taught our primary class. Then, my sore throat came. Carson and I both spent Monday and Tuesday in bed. We bought a humidifier, which I think has helped incredibly well. I think it has helped both Dave and me. I felt really discouraged trying to keep up the apartment and take care of Carson with little sleep with me being sick. I worry too much over this kid, but the next one I'll know what to do and feel a lot better. He slept a lot, which was nice, but I needed some help. Dave being the awesome husband that he is stayed home on Wednesday and helped clean things up and take care of Carson while I relaxed. He even took me out just so I could get out of the apartment that I hadn't left in 3 days. Now Dave is a little under the weather, but he's doing good! He didn't get it as bad as we did. I feel horrible because we've been trying to put Carson on a bottle and I didn't know that when babies are sick you shouldn't try to change old habits. It came to mind after lots of praying, but then I asked Kirstin and she helped confirm it. I knew he just wanted his mommy and daddy, and wanted nothing to change for the time being. So, we are waiting to push the issue when he is feeling better next week. I thought about how I tried putting him on a bottle a month ago, a few days after his vomiting experience with formula, and he didn't take it. Everyone who reads this, please pray for us. I go back to work on the 27th of November and I don't want my baby to starve! In my blogs I always feel that I have to tell about the picture I put on it. I have to explain this one because he is smiling. He doesn't look sick or isn't acting sick, but he is. He has had a smile on his face the whole time. This is one of many pictures I have of him this week and he is smiling in almost every one. This one was our favorite. He is such a fun boy, even with a cold! We've been giving him lots of hugs, love and kisses. We are grateful to have his rocker, swaddle blanket, and humidifier to help him while mom and dad catch some shut eye!















