Holy Sad Story

So, saddest story ever...Tater died. I got a call from the girl I work with that we were buying him from and I guess he had a genetic liver thing and died at the vet's office. So terribly sad but we're very grateful that this happened before we brought him home. That would've been the worst. Luckily the girl that is selling the puppies, has a very generous sister-in-law who is willing to give up the "pick of the litter" so we will still get a puppy. She has several dogs already I guess so it's not a make-or-break thing for her I guess. So, I'm bummed that I just got my way with the name Tater and now we have to come up with a girl puppy name. I'm partial to Polly and I also thought Nixie was kind of cool, we'll see what Dave thinks! He's already veto'd Polly but we'll see :)

Here's a picture of the cutie-pa-tootie:

Carson was a walking maniac today! He took probably 6 or 7 un-assisted steps earlier and then he spent about 45 minutes walking back and forth between me and the couch (4 or 5 steps each way) and then when Dave was home it was between me and him. He's very excited about walking and I make sure to praise, praise, praise! I just can't believe how quickly he picks up on stuff. I showed him "high-5" and it only took about 2 times for him to pick it up. Also, while eating I showed him the sign for "more" as he was whining for more food. It took about 2 or 3 times of showing him the sign while saying "more" and giving him more food and he started doing the sign...well at least mostly. I knew that was what he was doing...so it was definitely close enough and seriously impressive it will only get better.

I'm stuck in American Idol hell tonight...lol. I try and avoid the obsession but usually get sucked in around the Top 12ish. But, it is the first episode so it's a requisite. I'd rather be watching The Biggest Loser haha!

Dave and I stayed up too late last night and watched Blood Diamond. I wasn't thinking that I would even enjoy it but by the time it was getting late and Dave suggested we finish it the next day, I was hooked and made myself stay awake to finish. Seriously interesting and movie...the ending left it saying that blood diamonds are still smuggled into the diamond trade and it is up to the consumer to make sure that the diamonds they buy are "conflict free". How does one figure this out? Do I just call the jewelry store? I can imagine it would go something like this:

Me: I'm wondering how I can find out and assure that my diamond is "conflict-free"

Jewelry Store: *yells in back* "hey Bill, we got another douche-nozzle on the phone who just watched Blood Diamond"

I don't think it would go so well. But actually kind of funny to think about.

Ok here's a recent picture of Carson

PS Dave loves Paula Abdul

Dude I'm excited

My class at National Camera was FANTASTIC! It went over some pretty basic stuff which I already knew and really only touched on some of the more basic functions of the camera but those things I did NOT know and I feel like I've gained so much knowledge already! I have the more advanced class next week and I just can't wait now!

Here is my example of what I learned! I give you, my messy bathroom:There is plenty of light in the bathroom where you don't need to use a flash. Everything is in focus and nice and crisp. HOWEVER it's soooo yellow. I had this trouble when trying to take pictures of Carson in the bathtub. I didn't want to use flash because it washes his facial tones out so much but if I didn't, then everything looked so yellow. Ok, here's what I learned in class...a minor adjustment to the camera and:

Look at the difference!!! I'm standing in the same spot, it's the same stuff I just made an adjustment and look how much more "normal" and less yellow/orange it looks. The colors are truer to what they should be. Dang, now I'm excited to take pictures of Carson in the bath and see how those turn out!

Carson had his 1 year check up at the doctor yesterday. He's weighing in at 24lbs and he's 30 inches long. He's in the 50% percentile for both head circumference and for height. He's in the 70% percentile for weight. He's finally "evening" out. Haha, he's always been at about 50% for head and height but usually about 95% for weight. Now that he's moving around so much more, he's slimming out a bit. They say babies will triple their birth weight by their first birthday which he did exactly!

I took him to my work to visit after the doctors office. I was debating if I even should since he had FOUR shots and a finger prick. Poor baby. But he was a perfect little ham for everyone. He was smiling and flirting with all the ladies I work with. You gotta love that!

I read this review yesterday and now I'm even more excited for the movie Juno. One of these days, Dave and I will go see a movie in the theater! The problem is, we have very different ideas of what we should go see lately. Dave wanted to see Beowulf and I wanted to see Lars and the Real Girl. Not that either movie is superior to the other, it's just that we have very different taste and I sure as heck don't want to pay money, find a babysitter, and drag him to a movie that he doesn't really want to see in the first place. And vice versa.

We've recently re-started up our netflix membership. That way the movies come right here, granted we have to wait a little bit longer to see them, but oh well. At least we don't have to find a babysitter!

Well, Carson and I are going to see Santa today I think. Dave is working today. I will put up some pictures later!