A little taste of lately

So much hair.

Cheese!!!

"I can see you, I know you think I can't, but I can." 

Obligatory baby looking out the window picture.

I fit them both in the grocery cart!

And they enjoyed it!

Father's Day 2012

This is how we roll...

Unexpected surprises

Today Charlie and I were in his room playing when I decided to change the sheet on his bed. After I got it changed I put him in his crib to keep him contained while I did a couple of things in there with him. And who knew...the little fella decided to pull up on the crib fully for the first time. It was so fun that I was right there and happen to have my camera. He was quite proud of himself!

John Deere

Summertime fun!

Summertime uniform!

John Deere hat!

Charlie is 10 months old

This is one cute kid! We have had a fun month. Charlie is 10 months old and full of life.

• He has really grown in length this month. I feel like I put him down for a nap one weekend and he woke up much longer.
• He is still sleeping like a champ and for that we are grateful!
• Charlie loves to eat and we are trying more new foods - rotisserie chicken and grated cheese are two of his favorites. He's also eaten fresh carrots and tomatoes from the garden!
• He loves exploring everything in his path.
• He has two more top teeth that are on their way through....just waiting for them to bust on in.
• He enjoys time in the swing outside - that was a new one for him this month. It's fun to put the boys next to each other and watch them squeal and laugh. They both LOVE it.
• We haven't been to the doctor in more than a month!!
• We do take the boys out to eat with us but so far have kept Charlie in his carseat. Those days are coming to an end soon. I'm fearful of two boys in highchairs. Very afraid.
• Charlie has the best belly laugh and you can really get him going. We often play and tickle after his morning bottle. It's just us in a quiet house and it's one of my favorite times.
• I started a part-time consulting job this month and it's a perfect fit for our family right now. I'm working between 20-30 hours a week and still have lots of time to be with the boys. God provides!

Total Cuteness!

"I didn't do it..." 

Christopher makes a face similar to this one.

And he's off!

Table manners

We have some work to do with feet on the table...morning stretches? yoga? bad manners?  The last picture is my favorite!

9 months old

We started out Charlie's 9th month with a bang. Ear tubes!! On May 2 we went in and he had them placed in his ears. So. Much. Better. I was delighted how well we began to see the effects of them. Everyone told me it would be immediate and wonderful but until you see it you don't really understand it. The thing that surprised me the most I think was his hearing. There was nothing that alarmed me about his hearing before tubes and I felt like developmentally he was on track, but wow, he can hear so much better now! He had his follow up appointment and everything looks excellent!

• He weighs 18 lbs, 4 ozs (20th percentile) and is 27 3/4 inches long (45th percentile) and continues to grow right on track.
• Charlie is consistently sleeping through night - about 6:30pm to 6:30am. Yea!
• He can belly crawl ALL over the place, and he's fast!
• Two top teeth are in. One morning while feeding him breakfast I heard him grinding his teeth and realized there must be something on the top to grind! And there they were poking through.
• He continues to get into everything Christopher is "working" on - which irritates Christopher at times. Sibling rivalry!
• Charlie is a great eater and loves everything. I've begun making some of his baby food. He really likes pears and nectarines and sweet potatoes. He also really likes squash and zucchini and the best part is they are from Lollie and Grandad Richard's garden. Doesn't get any fresher than that! He's also eating fresh bananas, yogurt and loves crunching on a crackers. We try something knew every few days. So far, so good!
• We've continued to enjoy Mommy and Charlie days at home while I'm not working. Heavenly!
• I feel like this month is when we hit our stride. It's fairly easy to get out of the house with the two boys dressed, fed and happy. Maybe it's easier because I've had 9 months of practice!
• Charlie was baptized on Sunday, May 27. We enjoyed a wonderful day with family and dear friends. Mimi and Pawk came into town and we had a great visit. Lloyd Nicholson and Melissa Craven are his godfather and godmother and they were both part of the service. Lollie, Grandad Richard, Uncle Byron and Aunt Jill were all there too.

I have a 2 1/2 year old

6.12.12

Christopher,

This is your half birthday as you turn 3 in December. You bring joy, fun and love to my life every day. I love starting my day by getting you up. You are so happy in the morning (really, all day long!). I'm amazed at how much you have developed and grown since December. You are so smart and you are talking up a storm. You know your colors and numbers. You LOVE trucks.

Fridays are a highlight in our home because it's trash pick up day. The sound of the trash truck coming down our street is apparently music to your ears! Most Fridays you are already downstairs so we are able to run outside and watch the trash truck. The guys know you by now and honk the horn and wave as they drive by. Big fun!

You love music and will drag your guitar, drum, piano and anything else that makes noise around so we can play "band." You have some good lookin' moves kid.

In the car you love to point out al the trucks and will tell me what color they are what they do - white trash truck, yellow tractor, orange dumper, etc. It's a fun game we play in the car.

Water is a favorite pastime. Any. Kind. Of. Water. Swimming pool, bath, kitchen sink, water hose, sprinklers...you get the idea. You even have a "water hose" you drag around so you can water things. It's really just a bungie cord that your Daddy gave you to play with and it has become a favorite of yours.

You and Charlie have a fun time in the backseat of the car. When he's not sleeping the two of you make each laugh. Super cute.

You are all boy and love to play outside. You come in completely sweaty, stinky and red faced but so happy and content. You love the park as well as our backyard. Just being outside is all you need!

We love you buddy and each day with you is a gift. We are so thankful the Lord entrusted us with you.

Mommy