Merry Christmas from the Watsons!!

Jack and Carly

Carly is starting to play in the floor and Jack is just loving every minute of it! He's quite a champ. He willingly takes all her hair pulling, smacking and kicking. When he thinks you aren't watching, he's kissing her. They are pretty good buddies!

Cuddling with Carly

We don't hold Carly very much. Don't get me wrong, she gets LOTS of LOVE and AFFECTION...but we have tried super hard not to over cuddle her. It's paid off...she has slept through the night since she was just a couple weeks old, she is content just to play on her own, and she rarely ever cries.

Tonight, she had fallen asleep sitting on the couch next to me while we were watching tv, and I couldn't help myself. I picked her up and cuddled her as long as Todd would let me. Carly doesn't normally sleep anywhere but in her crib or pack n play. She's so used to going to sleep on her own, she fights it if you try to hold her...just ask her grandparents who try to force the issue! Cuddling Carly tonight reminded me of how wonderful motherhood truly is. It must sound silly, I've only been a mom for 5 months, but sometimes you get caught up in your routine and just forget to take the time just to cuddle. I suppose I should apply the same concept to my marriage.....

I picked this picture just because it's amazing how much she has changed in 5 months, and how much she has changed me. I pray every day that I'm the mom that God wants me to be for Carly. I know He picked Todd and I to raise her, she is our blessing.

Carly's Dedication

Proverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (NIV)

This past Sunday we had Carly Dedicated. What that means is we stood up infront of our church and promised to teach Carly about God and to bring her up with Christian values and faith. Todd and I decided to dedicate her to the Lord and save baptism until Carly chooses for herself that she's ready to be baptized.

After church, our families came to our home and had lunch. This picture is of Carly and all four sets of grandparents! Plus, Gangang who was the only great grandparent who attended. (Carly has 6 other Great Grandparents) We are so blessed that our families came to join with us for Carly's dedication. It means so much to us that they love and support us, and her.

We are blessed beyond belief.

Carly's First Halloween

Carly was a little Chick for Halloween! She was so adorable, if I do say so myself! She was a trooper too. I dressed her up four seperate times! That's how it is when you've got LOTS of grandparents that don't live near each other! It was a great weekend! We went to a Halloween Party at her Grana and Papa's on Friday and a Harvest Festival at Papaw Jeff and Mamaw Betty's church on Saturday.

Carly's Eating Babyfood!

Carly has started experiencing fruits!! I have given her applesauce, bananas and pears. I bought "one of everything' to see what she enjoys and then I am going to make it myself. I'm really excited about being able to do that for her too. These pictures are from her eating cereal. She wasn't thrilled about cereal like she was the fruit. Of course, I wouldn't be either.

I can't believe how big she is! She is 26 inches tall and weighs 15 lbs 13 oz. She's in the 97th percentile for her height!! She's passing along her clothes to her older cousin Mady when she grows out of them! It's crazy. I have already had to overhaul all she owns and go out and buy her all new things! She's going to be tall like her daddy. Much taller than me I suspect! I cannot wait to see her as a little girl! Todd says Carly will be a tomboy, but I am praying not!

Life with Carly ....

Things are pretty good for us right now. Carly is growing so big, so fast! She will be 4 months old in 13 days. I can't believe it. It seems almost like it should be longer, but at the same time it's flown by! Carly has so much personality right now. She's always smiling. She is very laid back like her daddy. She only cries if she really needs something.

About a month ago, we had portraits taken and Carly did so well. She lasted for an hour and a half before she checked out. Lori Jackson did them, and they turned out AWESOME.

I finally got Carly her own Bumbo seat last night. We haven't gotten to try it out yet, but I am so excited about it!!! She's been sitting in everyone else's!

Carly does really well staying away from home. She's spent the night with grandparents three times, and she does amazingly well. Part of me is grateful and part of me says "Hey! You're supposed to miss me!" .. hehe.

I am very excited for the holidays and everything that is to come. We have been so very blessed!