Introducing...

Carson Jeffrey Gengelbach

Born November 10, 2012

1:25 PM

9 pounds 9 ounces

21 inches

 

He is the most perfect addition to our family.  We are all in love!  I didn't know if I could love another child as much as I love Brielle, but Carson just threw those fears out the door!  He truly makes our family complete and I can't imagine it any other way. 

 

We love you Carson!  We love your adorable little nose, amazing head of wild black hair, your perfect fingers and toes, your little grunts and nuzzles, your smell, your eyes, your funny looks, your sweet sleep smiles, your one sweet dimple, the way you sleep with your arms above your head, the way you can already lift your head, and your peaceful sleeping body.  Everyday we find one more thing to love about you that we didn't notice the day before.  You are truly amazing! 

 

Brielle couldn't be more proud of her baby brother and she truly loves being a big sister.  We thought she would do well as a big sister, but she has surpassed our expectations.  She is patient when we are stuck in the house for hours at a time.  She begs to hold him whenever he is in the right "mood".  Her face lights up when his eyes are open and she can talk to him.  She cuddles him, talks to him, tries to soothe him when he cries, helps with diaper changes, grabs items when I forgot, picks out his clothes, cleans binkies, and plays by herself when Grant or I are not available.  All in all she is the best big sister a little brother could ask for.  You are amazing Brielle!

Welcome to the world Carson!  Proud Big Sister holding Little Brother for the first time!  She couldn't get enough of him.



 Thank you Kimberly for coming in on a Saturday to deliver Carson!  I can't imagine if we had waited 10 more days!

 Birth Day celebration for Carson!  Brielle picked out a delicious pumpkin cheesecake to celebrate this special day.  Aunt Dianne and Uncle Bob brought another cake to celebrate his Birth Day as well! 

 

Carson got Brielle a little gift too.  It included face paint.  Can you tell someone likes to paint her face?  Brielle is a rainbow tiger if you couldn't tell!

Grandma and Papa are in love with Carson Jeffrey too! 
Carson's middle name is in honor of Papa. 
What a great namesake, role model, Dad, and Papa!

More face painting!

 We are thankful Uncle Bob and Aunt Dianne were able to stop by and celebrate Carson's Birth Day!!!!  Thank you for the delicious cake!

 
Check out Brielle, Grant, and Papa!  Look closely at the marvelous face creations by Brielle.  She was very proud if you can't tell by that grin!

Grandma helped Brielle make a 'Welcome to the World Brother' shirt to wear on the day we took Carson home.  Our family of 4 is ready to go home!

Carson is ready to go home too!  Brielle helped Grant carry the car seat the entire way to the car.  She was very protective of her little brother!

 

It's pretty cool sitting in the back seat with brother! 

Home at last!

Pretty great to be home with our little brother!  Brielle's smile sums up how we feel about having our little monkey, Carson, home.  Very blessed! 





We Voted!

Brielle and I voted after work today.  She had the choice to go home or vote with me.  She chose to vote.  She ran and told her teachers and all of the kids that she was going to 'vote with her Mommy'.  She had to get out of the car to tell the kids that were leaving school that she was going to vote.

 

At school the kids had their own election and voted for their favorite color.  Brielle voted for purple.  She'll find out tomorrow which color won. 

 

She was a great little helper at the voting site and was very interested in everything I was doing.

 

She turned in the ballot.

 

I voted sticker!!!!  So excited!!! 

She asked to wear the sticker to school tomorrow.  Too cute!   



Brother Countdown

Grant and Brielle made a paper chain to count down to baby brother.  It's getting close!  This chain used to touch the ground.  We all made predictions on the date that baby brother would be born.  Today was Brielle's day, but it doesn't appear brother will arrive.  :)  So now Brielle is joining Grant's team and rooting for his date.  Ha! 

Hopefully we'll know soon!

Cute Outfit

Thanks for the cute dance outfit Aunt Dianne and Uncle Bob for Brielle's 4th birthday!  Brielle finally got to wear it outside of the house. 

 

Look out world...this outfit brings out a HUGE smile! 

Halloween

Halloween was a blast this year!  It started with a special Halloween breakfast (pumpkin pancakes and ghost toast).  Yum!

 

Look at this cute fire fly!  She got the idea from an Angelina Ballerina book.  It was fun to see her big smile and idea come to life!  She painted the wings and we made most of the other parts of the costume.   

 

Check out her glow-in-the-dark booty!  :) 

 

Perfect pumpkin all lit up! 

 

Brielle trick-or-treated around our cul-de-sac, but really wanted to visit Crump and Alli.  So, Grant took her to visit the Crumps.  I heard she even almost did her Monster Mash dance for them.  Later she told me:

"Mommy...I don't really like going to peoples houses I don't know."

Hence the reason she only went to a handful of houses.  I can't say I'm too disappointed.  We don't need anymore candy or her thinking it's ok to go up to a stranger's house. 

 

 

Brielle's favorite part of the night...passing out candy! 

 

Wow!  Check out my night! 

Halloween Week at Dance

Brielle's class got to wear their Halloween costumes to dance class.  You can tell by this picture that she was on top of the world to wear her fire fly costume - possibly even a little too giddy.  :)  She was laughing and dancing the entire class period.  

 

Parents were invited in to see their Halloween dance - The Monster Mash.  It was adorable! 

Brielle waited patiently for her sticker after the performance. 

 

Waiting for a special Halloween treat!  Thanks Ms. Melissa!

 

The girls got to go on a Halloween parade to show-off their costumes to the big girls. 

School Pictures

Check out these cute school pictures.  Sorry they are upside down.

 

Chore Chart

Brielle finally finished her first chore chart.  I believe we started this back in July...

 

I wouldn't say this was the most beneficial chore chart, but she did improve on brushing her teeth in the morning, she learned to make her bed, she learned the importance of exercise, and actually suggested picking up toys occasionally.  She even earned twin Pucci Pups. 

 

I think we will try a new chore chart soon, but this was a great place to start!  Nice work Ladybug!  Proud that you finished the whole thing!

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin carving time!  Grant and Brielle spent Saturday morning carving the perfect pumpkin.  Brielle was the designer. 

Check out the cuteness! 

 

Happy pumpkin carvers!  Happy Halloween! 

Love those faces (even the pumpkin - ha)!