Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Charlie- 21 weeks
This week's biggest event was my parents leaving.
Here's a few more updates:
*I've had a cold and sinus infection and Charlie was a little snuffly, too. I took him to Dr. Bentley to rule out an ear infection for him and luckily, he isn't sick. (The breastfeeding is working, I guess!) We did get an update on his size out of the visit- at almost 5 months old he weighs 19 lbs 8 oz. What a chubby bubby. Love him.
*We're still calling him Che and Charlie as his primary nicknames. He's also picked up Buster, Chucky Ricky, Bugs, Buggy, Munchkin, Munch, Mister, Babes, and so many more.
*I start school next week (my goal is to earn a bachelor's degree in under 10 years. Wish me luck! Come on 2010!) Luckily for me (and Charlie) I only have class two afternoons a week and we have lovely tenders in Auntie Kate and Grandma Sue. I have been feeling anxious about leaving Charlie, despite leaving him with such excellent caregivers, because recently he's been refusing the pacifier AND the bottle. I just felt so badly about leaving them without those tools. However, we've been practicing getting him used to the bottle again. And today, SUCCESS!! With a lot of patience, I got him to take a bottle today- he drank 2.5 ounces! It took him about ten minutes to get past wanting to just bite the nipple, but eventually he remembered that he could get DELICIOUS MILK if he sucked on it. Once he remembered that part he slurped it right down, no problem. He even held the bottle by himself for awhile.
Nom nom nom
Here's a few more updates:
*I've had a cold and sinus infection and Charlie was a little snuffly, too. I took him to Dr. Bentley to rule out an ear infection for him and luckily, he isn't sick. (The breastfeeding is working, I guess!) We did get an update on his size out of the visit- at almost 5 months old he weighs 19 lbs 8 oz. What a chubby bubby. Love him.
*We're still calling him Che and Charlie as his primary nicknames. He's also picked up Buster, Chucky Ricky, Bugs, Buggy, Munchkin, Munch, Mister, Babes, and so many more.
*I start school next week (my goal is to earn a bachelor's degree in under 10 years. Wish me luck! Come on 2010!) Luckily for me (and Charlie) I only have class two afternoons a week and we have lovely tenders in Auntie Kate and Grandma Sue. I have been feeling anxious about leaving Charlie, despite leaving him with such excellent caregivers, because recently he's been refusing the pacifier AND the bottle. I just felt so badly about leaving them without those tools. However, we've been practicing getting him used to the bottle again. And today, SUCCESS!! With a lot of patience, I got him to take a bottle today- he drank 2.5 ounces! It took him about ten minutes to get past wanting to just bite the nipple, but eventually he remembered that he could get DELICIOUS MILK if he sucked on it. Once he remembered that part he slurped it right down, no problem. He even held the bottle by himself for awhile.
Nom nom nom
Empty nester needs visitors!
I'm SO not used to having an empty house! Charlie and I felt so lonely Thursday and Friday this week- my parents had gone back to the UAE, John had gone back to work, Aunt Barb had gone to California with Steve, Kerry, Sam and Lily, and even the guys working on the master bathroom had taken a few days off! It was very quiet around here.
Friday night, my cousin, Christine, and her husband, Ben, and Baby Spencer came over for a fun BBQ. It was really fun to catch up and share a meal together (John's perfected the flank steak on the grill- come over and try it!) Spencer has gotten so big and it was so fun to see him and Charlie interact.
Later we had an impromptu photo shoot with the darling babies.
Two big guys! Charlie's thighs gave Spencer something to work toward ;)
What a cute grin!
I was so glad when I got some visitors in the afternoon- Andrea and Susie and Evelyn came over to play. Evelyn loves Baby Charlie and had a good time trying out his toys (and when Charlie declined the bottle she found for him, she sucked on it herself for a while.)
Friday night, my cousin, Christine, and her husband, Ben, and Baby Spencer came over for a fun BBQ. It was really fun to catch up and share a meal together (John's perfected the flank steak on the grill- come over and try it!) Spencer has gotten so big and it was so fun to see him and Charlie interact.
Later we had an impromptu photo shoot with the darling babies.
Charlie's new favorite trick: sucking on his lower lip
Two big guys! Charlie's thighs gave Spencer something to work toward ;)
What a cute grin!
Farewell to the Emiratis
We spent this week soaking up the last moments with my mom and dad while they were here. We took video of Grandma and Grandpa reading and playing with Charlie to show to him.
They contemplated packing him into their carry-on luggage...
We all went to the airport to say farewell. I cried, of course. I will miss them so much and I know Charlie will, too!
They arrived in Dubai safely and we've Skyped with them every day since (sometimes twice a day!)
It's not the same as having them here, but I am so grateful for technology that allows me to talk to my family halfway across the world and for Charlie to see them and remember them!
They contemplated packing him into their carry-on luggage...
We all went to the airport to say farewell. I cried, of course. I will miss them so much and I know Charlie will, too!
They arrived in Dubai safely and we've Skyped with them every day since (sometimes twice a day!)
It's not the same as having them here, but I am so grateful for technology that allows me to talk to my family halfway across the world and for Charlie to see them and remember them!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Charlie- 20 weeks old
We're a week behind... oh, well.
I know this first pic is blurry, but I love how excited he is! He was kicking his legs and waving his arms and just going crazy. I love the expression on his face, too.
Gotta love the toothless grin and those elf ears...
We're working on getting Charlie on a more regular schedule and beginning to sleep train him. John is the best at helping get Che to sleep. Often they fall asleep together.
I know this first pic is blurry, but I love how excited he is! He was kicking his legs and waving his arms and just going crazy. I love the expression on his face, too.
Gotta love the toothless grin and those elf ears...
We're working on getting Charlie on a more regular schedule and beginning to sleep train him. John is the best at helping get Che to sleep. Often they fall asleep together.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Charlie- 19 weeks
I guess we've been too busy to blog, which I always take as a good sign- I'd rather spend more time living my life than documenting it! (It's kind of a marathon post, no wonder I didn't have time to blog last week!)
*Aunt Chelsea loaned us a Bumbo seat to try out- Charlie's little fat thighs barely fit in the legs holes. He can really sit well in it and he seems surprised to be in that position. I also bought Charlie a few new teething toys, including Sophie the Giraffe . He loves chewing on her nose, ears, antlers and feet and I love that she squeaks when he grabs her!
*Charlie spent some time practicing the piano with Daddy. I love that music is such a big part of our family and I hope Charlie loves it as much as we do when he grows up. Lately John has been transposing the lullabies I sing to Charlie as theory practice. I've also noticed that putting music on in the car will help calm Charlie and keep him from crying, a trick I am grateful to have discovered since Charlie still really hates being in the carseat.
*We've been working on establishing a bedtime routine with Charlie and part of it is reading books in his rocking chair. He's begun to be really interested in books- some favorites currently in rotation are Goodnight Moon, Five Little Ladybugs, Daddy Kisses, Mommy Hugs, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
*I spent a morning testing how it feels to be a mother of five while tending for my former charges, Kate, Emma, Thomas and Sophie, in addition having Charlie, of course. It was INSANITY. I was only there for 4 hours and by hour 3 I was resorting to bribery (for the big kids) and grandparents (for Charlie). The kids were very good and loved being with Charlie but it was still too much.
*We have a little swing in the backyard that my dad installed when Sam was a baby that both Sam and Lily LOVE. We tried Charlie in it (backwards, leaning forward and only slightly swinging) and it was a hit again! He loved it! He kicked his little legs and smiled and made the funniest faces! I tried to capture some of them but these photos don't do his expressions justice.
*We've loved having my parents here- it's been so fun for Charlie to get to know his Grandpa Mark.
*Grandma Bev is one of Charlie's favorite people (we are really sad that she's leaving for the UAE soon). He always lights up when she comes into the room. He knows her so well because she has lived here his whole life. She sat with Charlie in the backyard this week and helped him practice his sitting up. He even did it on his own for a few moments- does that count as sitting up? He's only 4 months old!
*We went to Timpine for an evening, where Charlie helped Grandpa T in a fierce checkers game against Forest (his second cousin).
*We visited Hollywood Connection with Sam, Lily, Steve, Kerry, Aunt Barb, Grandma, and Grandpa. The kids rode the rides but everyone participated in a game of mini-golf, even Charlie (he and John were on a team.) Both Steve and John got holes-in-one but John got his on the last hole of the course, so he won himself a free Coke!
*Aunt Chelsea loaned us a Bumbo seat to try out- Charlie's little fat thighs barely fit in the legs holes. He can really sit well in it and he seems surprised to be in that position. I also bought Charlie a few new teething toys, including Sophie the Giraffe . He loves chewing on her nose, ears, antlers and feet and I love that she squeaks when he grabs her!
*Charlie spent some time practicing the piano with Daddy. I love that music is such a big part of our family and I hope Charlie loves it as much as we do when he grows up. Lately John has been transposing the lullabies I sing to Charlie as theory practice. I've also noticed that putting music on in the car will help calm Charlie and keep him from crying, a trick I am grateful to have discovered since Charlie still really hates being in the carseat.
*We've been working on establishing a bedtime routine with Charlie and part of it is reading books in his rocking chair. He's begun to be really interested in books- some favorites currently in rotation are Goodnight Moon, Five Little Ladybugs, Daddy Kisses, Mommy Hugs, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
*I spent a morning testing how it feels to be a mother of five while tending for my former charges, Kate, Emma, Thomas and Sophie, in addition having Charlie, of course. It was INSANITY. I was only there for 4 hours and by hour 3 I was resorting to bribery (for the big kids) and grandparents (for Charlie). The kids were very good and loved being with Charlie but it was still too much.
Charlie with Emma (age 8) and Sophie (age 2).
*We have a little swing in the backyard that my dad installed when Sam was a baby that both Sam and Lily LOVE. We tried Charlie in it (backwards, leaning forward and only slightly swinging) and it was a hit again! He loved it! He kicked his little legs and smiled and made the funniest faces! I tried to capture some of them but these photos don't do his expressions justice.
*We've loved having my parents here- it's been so fun for Charlie to get to know his Grandpa Mark.
*Grandma Bev is one of Charlie's favorite people (we are really sad that she's leaving for the UAE soon). He always lights up when she comes into the room. He knows her so well because she has lived here his whole life. She sat with Charlie in the backyard this week and helped him practice his sitting up. He even did it on his own for a few moments- does that count as sitting up? He's only 4 months old!
*We went to Timpine for an evening, where Charlie helped Grandpa T in a fierce checkers game against Forest (his second cousin).
*We visited Hollywood Connection with Sam, Lily, Steve, Kerry, Aunt Barb, Grandma, and Grandpa. The kids rode the rides but everyone participated in a game of mini-golf, even Charlie (he and John were on a team.) Both Steve and John got holes-in-one but John got his on the last hole of the course, so he won himself a free Coke!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Free Ewok!
My sister-in-law, Kerry, and brother, Steve, and their two kids have been taking care of this cute dog for a few months out of the kindness of their hearts. It isn't their dog. It's Kerry's sister's roommate's dog. They are extremely allergic to dogs. So the dog has to go- this week!
She's very sweet and great with kids. She's an older dog, so she's pretty mellow and not bark-y.
Her name is Cocoa, but Sam and Lily have named her Cocoa Lola Spiderman. They really want to find her a good home instead of having to take her to the pound.
I know you've always wanted to own your own Ewok!
Please leave me a comment if you are interested!
She's very sweet and great with kids. She's an older dog, so she's pretty mellow and not bark-y.
Her name is Cocoa, but Sam and Lily have named her Cocoa Lola Spiderman. They really want to find her a good home instead of having to take her to the pound.
I know you've always wanted to own your own Ewok!
Please leave me a comment if you are interested!
Monday, August 03, 2009
Canyon Cookout
Goal: Family Togetherness in Nature
Location: Millcreek Canyon
Agenda: Build a fire. Roast some wienies. Eat dinner (including homemade baked beans a la Grandma Bev. Yum). Be outside. Roast some marshmallows. Enjoy each other. (And if you're Sam and Lily, get as dirty as possible.)
Mission Accomplished!
Auntie Barb cuddled Charlie so that John and I could eat our dinners
Grandma and Charlie
This is how Lily ended up. Kerry looked over at her and said, "There goes my feral child." I think she looks like one of the Lost Boys.
Location: Millcreek Canyon
Agenda: Build a fire. Roast some wienies. Eat dinner (including homemade baked beans a la Grandma Bev. Yum). Be outside. Roast some marshmallows. Enjoy each other. (And if you're Sam and Lily, get as dirty as possible.)
Mission Accomplished!
Auntie Barb cuddled Charlie so that John and I could eat our dinners
Grandma and Charlie
This is how Lily ended up. Kerry looked over at her and said, "There goes my feral child." I think she looks like one of the Lost Boys.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Discovery Gateway
We're scheduling all sorts of fun activities while Grandma and Grandpa are in town. This week we went to the children's museum, Discovery Gateway, with Sam, Lily, Kerry, Steve and of course, Grandma and Grandpa. Charlie didn't really participate but he loved watching the kids play. Sam and Lily love going there- Lily was especially into the baby dolls this time. And even Johnny had a lot of fun exploring and playing, especially with the gadgets and engineering toys.
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