My Beef with Blogging

Dear friends & possible blog stalkers,

I receive many complaints about not blogging enough and not sharing enough updates on our family. I hear what you're staying. I do. And I love reading all of your blogs on a regular basis! However, I have a few issues/beefs about blogging.

Reason #1- (In the form of an example story) I like to read my friend Rachel's blog. Rachel and I were close friends in Jr. High, but we lost touch after high school . Thanks to Facebook... we reconnected, and I read her family blog. Well, she had this adorable story about her son, Gavin, who's about 5 years old. You see, Gavin had a missionary tag from church. He liked to wear it everyday. One day Rachel asked Gavin why he wore it so often. He said, "It's my baker's tag. I own my own bakery. It's very successful."

I thought that story was so adorable. I'd never met Gavin, but I just knew I liked him. So, I go over to Rachel's the other day for a BBQ. It's the first time I've seen her in years!!! I see Gavin. I'm a complete stranger, and I ask "where's your baker's tag?" He looks at me funny and must have been thinking, "Who is this lady, and how does she know about my baker's tag?" I felt very strange after that. I had this odd window into this boys life, and he had no idea who I was. I thought it was kind of creepy.

I wouldn't want someone to bombard my poor child with stories that he didn't know I was sharing with the world. You have to admit, that is kind of scary.

Reason #2- Blogging makes it WAY TOO EASY to share WAY TOO MUCH INFORMATION! Sometimes I see someone, who I may not talk to very often, and after reading their incredibly personal blog, I feel uncomfortable knowing things about them that they probably wouldn't have shared with me in a normal conversation. For example- fertility issues.

Reason #3- Blogging makes for good/awkward gossip. "Hey, did you hear that so-and-so is getting divorced?"

It's not my business to share that information, and I try to avoid that sort of thing, but I'm a stay-at-home mom- What else am I going to talk about? The color of my child's poop?

Reason#4- It takes FOREVER for me to post anything! Getting the pictures and text to look good together--- what a headache.

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I've considered going private to avoid Reason #1, but going from public to private is often the
"cause of death" for anyone's blog. Plus, I never remember to visit private blogs anyway. So, I basically keep my blog so that I have links to everyone elses'. Selfish--- I know.

In conclusion, I'm not sure what to do. I'm not completely convinced that blogging is a good idea. I love reading them, but the possible consequences frighten me. That's why I don't post more. Thoughts?

Out of Curiosity...

Check out these pictures... and take the poll!

Who does Carson look like more- Daddy or Mommy? What do you think?

When Daddy's use Sunscreen...

This is the result of Jeff taking Carson out for an afternoon walk in the park on Saturday. As they left for their stroll, I said, "Don't forget to put sunscreen on him."

This is how Daddy returned him to me. There was no doubt about Dad using sunscreen!

Carson's First Cabin Trip

Grandma Dennis helped us pick-out (and purchase) this awesome Jeep All-Terrain Stroller for our camping trip, and we love it! It's light weight, easy to use, and works great on gravel/dirt roads! It's a great hiking stroller. Carson likes it too... when it's moving. We had so much fun with it in Kamus, UT on Friday night.

Uncle Stephen and Carson enjoying the mountain air
How can you say "no" to those eyes?

We had to come home early from our weekend get away, but it was fun while it lasted.

A Few of His Favorite Things

Carson leads an exciting life, and I've finally gotten in the habit of taking pictures of it! So, here are a few of his favorite things:

#1 Being Naked! Diaper changes included.

#2 Sitting up like a big boy.

#3 Shower time

#4 Flashing Baby/"Gang" signs

#5 Play time on the floor

#6 Sunday naps with Dad.

#7 Reading

#8 Crying when he's tired

#9 Trying to stick his entire fist in his mouth. Fingers work too!

#10 Drooling

#11 Talking

#12 Flying

And last....but not least.... #13 Stealing Mommy's Heart & Attention!

Carson's Blessing

Jeff and I were going to wait until February to bless Carson, but our Salt Lake Ward really wanted us to bless him there. So, the Bishop invited us to bless him on January 18th. I already had the outfit and there weren't any scheduling conflicts with our families, so we decided to just do it. Daddy and Carson ready to head off to church.

Carson is a very happy baby, but he does his share of crying, especially when he is tired. He's also incredibly stubborn about falling asleep sometimes. So, Jeff and I said a lot of prayers about Carson "being good,"ie not crying, for his blessing, and our prayers were heard.

Carson ate and feel asleep right before Sacrament Meeting. Fifteen of our family members gathered to give him a blessing. As Jeff began, Carson's eyes opened wide. Apparently, all the men in the circle bounced him calmly during the blessing, and he was perfectly still. Jeff gave him a lovely blessing, and presented him to the congregation. As soon as Jeff returned Carson to my arms, Carson drifted off to sleep and didn't make a peep until organ began the closing hymn. I couldn't have been more pleased. What a great blessing!

After church, we went to Jeff's parent's home for a nice luncheon.

After the luncheon, we took pictures with family and friends. We also played Rock Band ;)

Four Generation Photos

Grandma Wall wanted to take a picture with her two grand kids, Emma and Carson. She wanted Emma, who just turned one, to hold Carson for the photo. Here was the result-

Love Attack #1

I love Emma's face here, "What? What did I do?"

We tried again.

Love Attack #2. Yes, she is trying to eat his head. Disclaimer: Carson was fine and recovered within seconds. We separated the two, but Emma got one final love attack in. We didn't catch it on camera.

The happy cousins keeping their hands to themselves.

It was a wonderful day, and I sure do love my little family!

Goodbye Salt Lake

Jeff got a job offer on January 9, 2009. We exercised our faith and Jeff took the job. With the change, we knew we needed to move from Salt Lake County to Utah County quickly. We moved 8 days later.

I was really sad about leaving our apartment in Salt Lake, because I really loved it, but I knew that we were doing the right thing. There were a few times during move preparation where, thanks to postpartum emotions, I broke into tears.

However, as soon as Jeff and I took a few pictures of the apartment, I felt totally content about moving. Here is my tribute to the apartment we lived in for our first year of marriage... and the apartment that we brought Carson home to.

The living room

Kitchen

Kitchen Table & Laundry

Carson's nursery- The one he never slept in.

We're now settled in our new, temporary living arrangements. Jeff is enjoying his new job as a Programmer, and I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to stay home with Carson. Life is good and our Salt Lake apartment will hopefully sell quickly. It's an awesome apartment, but I don't miss it at all.

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

Well, I could type all day about Christmas, but I'm lazy so I won't. Besides, a picture is worth a thousand words.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!