CARTER'S ROOM IN THE CHATEAU

December 2002

Between baby care, decorating, shopping and traveling, December was a very busy month for us. The first order of business was to decorate Carter's first Christmas tree, so on December 3rd, while Brad was in Tampa on business, Stacy pulled out a tabletop tree for the nursery. She decorated it with a colorful garland of wooden beads and lots of little toys, and Brad even acquiesed to colored lights. Stacy put the tree on a table next to Carter's crib while Carter was sleeping. An hour or so later, Carter woke up for his 10 PM feeding. There were a couple cries and then silence. When Stacy walked in to the nursery, Carter was on his tummy, pushed way up on his arms, staring at the tree. He couldn't take his eyes off the lights!

Carter was very busy this month with some new "firsts." He started experimenting with a sippy cup while Stacy was working in the kitchen one night. Apparently he thought it was just another toy to chew on and then was so surprised to get a mouthful of water! He's also learning to sit up without support, but he can only hold his balance for a second or two before he topples over onto us. We are excited to report that Carter is starting to grow some hair on his bald little head. It's very fine and very blond (although there may be a little hint of red in it) but it is there.

Carter also attended his first Christmas party. Gator and Peggy Wright were kind enough to invite us to their Christmas party and since we couldn't bear the thought of a babysitter and figured we would only stay a few minutes anyway, we brought Carter with us. Brad explained that at 5 months a baby is more like an accessory than an extra guest! Carter was well-behaved and we were glad to introduce him to the Wrights, who last saw him in the hospital nursery.

Much of this month was spent trying to take the perfect picture for a Christmas card. Thank goodness for the digital camera; we must have taken hundreds of pictures before we found the right one. And Stacy even managed to get most of the cards mailed before Christmas Eve, which almost never happens!

The Christmas season began with a trip to South Carolina Friday the 20th to visit Bill, Bryan, Jenny and of course, Dutch, Bryan's yellow lab. Overall the drive was better than the October trip, but two or three stops to nurse Carter in addition to the stops for gas, food and bathroom/diaper changes really do add on to the travel time! We had a wonderful visit in Greenville with Stacy's family. In honor of Carter's first Christmas, Bill, who usualy "decorates" for Christmas by putting lights on a ficus tree, even got a little Christmas tree. We also had a chance to visit with Stacy's high school friend Kem and her family. Then the weekend was over and it was back on the road, headed back to Richmond.

After one night of sleeping in our own bed, we packed up Monday the 23rd and headed to Williamsburg to spend some time with Don, Marty, Brooks and Mike. You cannot imagine how packed our car was with gifts and baby gear -- fortunately for Stacy it was a short drive as she was wedged in the back seat under a pile of toys and gifts. Then it was back to Richmond the evening of the 24th to meet up with Carol and Win, who were driving in from Florida (via Columbia for a visit with Bryan). It was a cold and rainy night but they made it to the house around 9 PM, and even though it was long past Carter's bedtime, he greeted them in a stellar mood! He was all smiles meeting Great-Granddad Parrish for the first time!

Christmas morning Brad, Carter and Win drove down to Williamsburg with Carol and Stacy running a little later but not terribly far behind. We arrived at the Pattens to find Don, Marty, Brooks, Mike and Neal, and soon after we arrived Myrtle and Sherod joined us. The morning was a bit of a blur between trying to socialize, exchange gifts, take care of Carter, and enjoy the wonderful brunch Marty had prepared. Late in the afternoon we packed up our loot and said our good-byes, heading back to Richmond, since Brad and Stacy both had to work the next day.

Carol and Win spent Thursday with Wendy and Carter, playing with his new toys and then we had a birthday dinner for Carol that night. Unfortunately, all the packing and unpacking and baby play took their toll on Carol's back. Carol and Win managed to make it home to Florida (again via Columbia) and, while they very much enjoyed their visit, it will probably be our turn to make the long drive next time!