One week old...
One year old...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Charlie is 2!
Time just flies when you're having fun! Charlie, you are the light of our lives. You dominate our thoughts, conversations, and days and that's just how we like it. You are such a special individual and we're so blessed to have you in our family. It's so fun to watch more and more of your personality unfold. You crack us up, you make us cry with gratitude, and you teach us how to truly love. Happy birthday, Little Man, Big Guy, Cheby, Char-Char, Chucky Ricky, our little Charlie. We love you.
One week old...
One year old...
One week old...
One year old...
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Charlie- 23 months
We have an almost 2-year-old on our hands. He's so darling and fun but can throw a fit when he wants to!
He's getting so much better at talking. Often I'll hear, "Hel. Peas." from the other room which means, "Help, please!" So cute. He also likes to grab our hands (or push on our bums) to get us to come with him, usually while saying "C'mon".
If he hears a plane or dog barking, he puts his hand to his ear and cocks his head to the side. Then we all listen. The other day, he "listened" his way into Grandma and Grandpa T's backyard because he could hear the creek rushing.
He's loved to point out our noses or ears, so we've been teaching him other face parts. He now knows chin, cheeks, teeth and eyebrows.
We've had a few warm days (hallelujah) and have spent them at the park. He loves the slide, sandbox and climbing on the play structures but still doesn't want anything to do with the swing.
He's starting to learn his colors, although almost everything is blue. He loves to color (so do Sam and Lily) and his favorite part is putting the markers in and out of the package and taking the lids on and off.
He loves watching "Little Einsteins" and blasting off when Rocket blasts off. He gets so excited to countdown and blast off that he makes sure I'm watching, too and we do it together.
There's a large construction site a few blocks away and as we drive by Charlie yells out "dee!" when he sees the digger (backhoe) and "da ta" when he sees the dump truck. Often, we'll just sit in the car and watch all the heavy machinery for awhile.
Every night when John gets home from work, Charlie puts him through the "Charlielympics". It's basically a game of follow the leader through the living room, including crawling through the IKEA tunnel (yup, John goes through the tunnel), climbing over the ottoman, sitting in all the chairs and culminates in sitting in the tiny, child-sized rocking chairs. Charlie sits down in one and tries to get John to sit in the other one and every time, John has to say he's too big. Then Charlie will get up and trade chairs and try to get John to sit down in the other one.
He's started sitting down and "reading" to himself, which has me over the moon. He'll jabber along while looking at the pictures and sometimes, he'll say the words he knows go with each page. In particular, he's been loving his "Potty" book and reads the last three pages over and over ending with a big "Hip, hip, hooray!" (He's so into it that he puts the book on the floor, and stands up so he can jump on the "hooray!")
"Listening" to the stream in Grandma and Grandpa T's backyard led to throwing rocks in the gully, of course.
Checking out a pine cone at Liberty Park
Showing off his beautiful necklace- he's very into accessories recently, especially jewelry and hats
I love that he lines up all his cars, trucks, trains and buses in a row
We sure love our little man!
He's getting so much better at talking. Often I'll hear, "Hel. Peas." from the other room which means, "Help, please!" So cute. He also likes to grab our hands (or push on our bums) to get us to come with him, usually while saying "C'mon".
If he hears a plane or dog barking, he puts his hand to his ear and cocks his head to the side. Then we all listen. The other day, he "listened" his way into Grandma and Grandpa T's backyard because he could hear the creek rushing.
He's loved to point out our noses or ears, so we've been teaching him other face parts. He now knows chin, cheeks, teeth and eyebrows.
We've had a few warm days (hallelujah) and have spent them at the park. He loves the slide, sandbox and climbing on the play structures but still doesn't want anything to do with the swing.
He's starting to learn his colors, although almost everything is blue. He loves to color (so do Sam and Lily) and his favorite part is putting the markers in and out of the package and taking the lids on and off.
He loves watching "Little Einsteins" and blasting off when Rocket blasts off. He gets so excited to countdown and blast off that he makes sure I'm watching, too and we do it together.
There's a large construction site a few blocks away and as we drive by Charlie yells out "dee!" when he sees the digger (backhoe) and "da ta" when he sees the dump truck. Often, we'll just sit in the car and watch all the heavy machinery for awhile.
Every night when John gets home from work, Charlie puts him through the "Charlielympics". It's basically a game of follow the leader through the living room, including crawling through the IKEA tunnel (yup, John goes through the tunnel), climbing over the ottoman, sitting in all the chairs and culminates in sitting in the tiny, child-sized rocking chairs. Charlie sits down in one and tries to get John to sit in the other one and every time, John has to say he's too big. Then Charlie will get up and trade chairs and try to get John to sit down in the other one.
He's started sitting down and "reading" to himself, which has me over the moon. He'll jabber along while looking at the pictures and sometimes, he'll say the words he knows go with each page. In particular, he's been loving his "Potty" book and reads the last three pages over and over ending with a big "Hip, hip, hooray!" (He's so into it that he puts the book on the floor, and stands up so he can jump on the "hooray!")
The biggest snowstorm we had this year (probably about 14 inches) and it was in March! Silly Utah. Charlie loved "helping" John shovel the driveway and then he and I explored the backyard. The snow was up to his waist and he needed my help to walk through it. Even with all his snow gear on, he climbed to the top of the playhouse and down the slide. He was so slippery that he slid off the slide and kept going for a few feet on the snow!
"Listening" to the stream in Grandma and Grandpa T's backyard led to throwing rocks in the gully, of course.
Checking out a pine cone at Liberty Park
Showing off his beautiful necklace- he's very into accessories recently, especially jewelry and hats
I love that he lines up all his cars, trucks, trains and buses in a row
We sure love our little man!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
16 weeks
I'm 16 weeks along with this pregnancy and time still feels like it's going very slowly. But I DO get to find out the gender in 4 weeks, so that's something to look forward to in the immediate future!
I started feeling the baby move this past week, which is so fun- it makes it seem so much more real (like there's actually a baby in there instead of just a life-sucking force.)
I'm totally showing and have been for weeks. It could be because this is my second pregnancy, or it could be my late night Wendy's habit- who can know? I DO know that I've been in my stretchy waist maternity jeans for 2 months already and I don't think they're gonna make it through to the end.
I'm feeling much better nausea-wise, although mornings are still hard until I force myself to eat something. And I definitely still have my dry heave moments, usually involving stinky laundry, gross stories, or poopie diapers. You know, the usual.
I'm still exhausted. I thought my energy would pick up a little bit now that I'm in the second trimester but I still am so wrecked by the end of the day (or at any given moment during the day). I nap with Charlie every day and it saves me. On the days I don't take a nap, I'm whimpering by 5 pm.
The weird aches and pains have started, too. I went to a movie last weekend with John and I was uncomfortable the whole time- I'm such a lemon.
The weird, vivid pregnancy dreams are back, too. Today I dreamt that I was trapped in a sinking ship with my family and all I had to help us survive was my cell phone and a set of bow and arrows. Wha?
I'm slowly wrapping my head around having TWO children. It will be strange and hard but I think it will be so much fun (once I get the hang of it!)
I started feeling the baby move this past week, which is so fun- it makes it seem so much more real (like there's actually a baby in there instead of just a life-sucking force.)
I'm totally showing and have been for weeks. It could be because this is my second pregnancy, or it could be my late night Wendy's habit- who can know? I DO know that I've been in my stretchy waist maternity jeans for 2 months already and I don't think they're gonna make it through to the end.
I'm feeling much better nausea-wise, although mornings are still hard until I force myself to eat something. And I definitely still have my dry heave moments, usually involving stinky laundry, gross stories, or poopie diapers. You know, the usual.
I'm still exhausted. I thought my energy would pick up a little bit now that I'm in the second trimester but I still am so wrecked by the end of the day (or at any given moment during the day). I nap with Charlie every day and it saves me. On the days I don't take a nap, I'm whimpering by 5 pm.
The weird aches and pains have started, too. I went to a movie last weekend with John and I was uncomfortable the whole time- I'm such a lemon.
The weird, vivid pregnancy dreams are back, too. Today I dreamt that I was trapped in a sinking ship with my family and all I had to help us survive was my cell phone and a set of bow and arrows. Wha?
I'm slowly wrapping my head around having TWO children. It will be strange and hard but I think it will be so much fun (once I get the hang of it!)
Monday, March 21, 2011
JohnnyT is 33!
It's JohnnyT's birthday today. He's bummed that he's no longer 32, only because that means he's no longer 2 to the 5th power. What a nerd. Love him.
We spent the weekend together after a week basically apart. He spent four days in Las Vegas and two days here at two different work-related conferences- the SmallTalk and Mountain West Ruby conferences. Geek heaven.
It was so nice just to be together as a family. We went to the temple in the morning with his family and Elder Sam, recently returned from the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Mission, then spent time shopping at Gateway and eating an early dinner at Happy Sumo (wait, is it MY birthday? What a great day!) We bought JohnnyT some new pants and Charlie some rad sunglasses. Then John, Charlie and I played in the backyard until bedtime. It was cold but my boys weren't phased at all. Charlie decided to climb to the top of the fort and send all the golf balls down the slide. John spent the rest of the weekend working on house projects, including cleaning up my "desk of shame" in the kitchen and organizing it into a beautiful work station. (Again, whose birthday is it?) Sunday we heard Elder Sam's great talk in church and helped at the open house at Grandma and Grandpa T's house afterward. Lots of family and friends and for Charlie, throwing rocks into the gully.
Saturday, JohnnyT opened one of his presents- a canvas print of this photo which had us both a little teary-eyed. Sometimes we just get overcome with gratitude for our little family.
Then this morning, he opened another round of presents. These two shirts from BustedTees. The man loves a good geeky t-shirt- ahh, the joys of a tech department dress code (hint: there is none.)
Happy Birthday, JohnnyT! We love you so much!
We spent the weekend together after a week basically apart. He spent four days in Las Vegas and two days here at two different work-related conferences- the SmallTalk and Mountain West Ruby conferences. Geek heaven.
It was so nice just to be together as a family. We went to the temple in the morning with his family and Elder Sam, recently returned from the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Mission, then spent time shopping at Gateway and eating an early dinner at Happy Sumo (wait, is it MY birthday? What a great day!) We bought JohnnyT some new pants and Charlie some rad sunglasses. Then John, Charlie and I played in the backyard until bedtime. It was cold but my boys weren't phased at all. Charlie decided to climb to the top of the fort and send all the golf balls down the slide. John spent the rest of the weekend working on house projects, including cleaning up my "desk of shame" in the kitchen and organizing it into a beautiful work station. (Again, whose birthday is it?) Sunday we heard Elder Sam's great talk in church and helped at the open house at Grandma and Grandpa T's house afterward. Lots of family and friends and for Charlie, throwing rocks into the gully.
Saturday, JohnnyT opened one of his presents- a canvas print of this photo which had us both a little teary-eyed. Sometimes we just get overcome with gratitude for our little family.
Then this morning, he opened another round of presents. These two shirts from BustedTees. The man loves a good geeky t-shirt- ahh, the joys of a tech department dress code (hint: there is none.)
Happy Birthday, JohnnyT! We love you so much!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Emergency preparedness- 72 hour kits
With the disaster in Japan on my mind, I feel so helpless and scared. My heart is heavy with compassion for the people there and my head is full of worry about my own little family. Many of the recent disasters in the world have shown me that I need to be prepared, because a large scale disaster can strike any time and anywhere. So to combat my worry, I decided on a plan of action. My first step: to create 72 hour kits.
John and I were lucky enough to be gifted with kits for Christmas several years ago (thanks, Grandma and Grandpa T!) So I had a good start. First, I gathered clothes for our kits (which we had never added to ours). We happened to have gone through our closet last weekend in preparation for a yard sale, so I had a large stash of clothes to look through. I chose a pair of pants, shirt, and sweatshirt for each of us (along with socks and underwear). Then I found some comfortable shoes that were starting to look shabby but still had plenty of wear and added those. Charlie didn't have a kit at all, so I found an old backpack to fill with supplies for him. I chose clothes that he'd fit into for at least six months (my plan is to check and replace/replenish our kits every six months, more on that later). I added diapers, wipes, a blanket (lovey), and shoes. I had hand-me-down clothes and shoes for him that I didn't mind sacrificing to the kit- I recommend using the upcoming yard sale season (or your local thrift store) to find clothes for yourself or kids that you don't mind putting in your kits.
Next, I pulled out the contents of the kits to check the expiration dates on the water (yup, water expires) and food. Our kits have dehydrated/ration type food and a small amount of water. In our kits, the food was still good (several years later) but most of the water needed replacing. I just replaced it with bottled water from the grocery store. Each bottle had a small expiration date stamped on it, but I rewrote the date on the lids in Sharpie so it'd be easier for me to read next time I check it. For Charlie's kit, I put in some water and some packaged food that will last at least six months (mostly dehydrated apples and granola bars). As I did this, I wrote a REPLENISH card (idea from this excellent post by SeattleMamaDoc on emergency preparedness) which has the date I checked our kits, when I need to check them again, and when the food and water expires.
The rest of the kits' contents were in great shape. We have toiletries, toilet paper, garbage bags, a basic first aid kit, flashlights (both regular with batteries and emergency hand-crank), road flares, emergency solar blankets, waterproof matches, and an emergency whistle in ours.
SeattleMamaDoc's post lists more important items that our kits are missing: children's medicine, prescription medications, copies of important documents, games/books, and storable milk (for our milk drinking toddler). I will be tracking these items down and including them in the next few days.
Another recommendation from her blog post that I think is excellent is purchasing a large storage tub for your kits and/or supplies. Our kits are in backpacks and are meant to be portable. However, we don't have enough water or food in them to last for 72 hours. Each person in your family needs 3 gallons of water per day (more for nursing mothers). So for our family, we need to have at least 27 gallons of water (and likely more). There's no way to fit that in our backpacks! We need a separate container for the water (perhaps some jugs like these) and all the food we will need.
Now, about the REPLENISH card. Writing a card and putting on or in the kit is not going to do me any good if I don't remember that it's there! SeattleMamaDoc recommends setting an appointment in your day planner, iCal or Google Calendar to check your kits every six months. I set mine up in Google Calendar to email me a reminder to check our kits. That happens to fall about four weeks after this baby is due. So our food and water and clothing needs will change at the time that I next check the kits.
John and I were lucky enough to be gifted with kits for Christmas several years ago (thanks, Grandma and Grandpa T!) So I had a good start. First, I gathered clothes for our kits (which we had never added to ours). We happened to have gone through our closet last weekend in preparation for a yard sale, so I had a large stash of clothes to look through. I chose a pair of pants, shirt, and sweatshirt for each of us (along with socks and underwear). Then I found some comfortable shoes that were starting to look shabby but still had plenty of wear and added those. Charlie didn't have a kit at all, so I found an old backpack to fill with supplies for him. I chose clothes that he'd fit into for at least six months (my plan is to check and replace/replenish our kits every six months, more on that later). I added diapers, wipes, a blanket (lovey), and shoes. I had hand-me-down clothes and shoes for him that I didn't mind sacrificing to the kit- I recommend using the upcoming yard sale season (or your local thrift store) to find clothes for yourself or kids that you don't mind putting in your kits.
Next, I pulled out the contents of the kits to check the expiration dates on the water (yup, water expires) and food. Our kits have dehydrated/ration type food and a small amount of water. In our kits, the food was still good (several years later) but most of the water needed replacing. I just replaced it with bottled water from the grocery store. Each bottle had a small expiration date stamped on it, but I rewrote the date on the lids in Sharpie so it'd be easier for me to read next time I check it. For Charlie's kit, I put in some water and some packaged food that will last at least six months (mostly dehydrated apples and granola bars). As I did this, I wrote a REPLENISH card (idea from this excellent post by SeattleMamaDoc on emergency preparedness) which has the date I checked our kits, when I need to check them again, and when the food and water expires.
The rest of the kits' contents were in great shape. We have toiletries, toilet paper, garbage bags, a basic first aid kit, flashlights (both regular with batteries and emergency hand-crank), road flares, emergency solar blankets, waterproof matches, and an emergency whistle in ours.
SeattleMamaDoc's post lists more important items that our kits are missing: children's medicine, prescription medications, copies of important documents, games/books, and storable milk (for our milk drinking toddler). I will be tracking these items down and including them in the next few days.
Our finished kits- the shoes are attached on top for easy access (and because I couldn't fit them inside)
Another recommendation from her blog post that I think is excellent is purchasing a large storage tub for your kits and/or supplies. Our kits are in backpacks and are meant to be portable. However, we don't have enough water or food in them to last for 72 hours. Each person in your family needs 3 gallons of water per day (more for nursing mothers). So for our family, we need to have at least 27 gallons of water (and likely more). There's no way to fit that in our backpacks! We need a separate container for the water (perhaps some jugs like these) and all the food we will need.
Now, about the REPLENISH card. Writing a card and putting on or in the kit is not going to do me any good if I don't remember that it's there! SeattleMamaDoc recommends setting an appointment in your day planner, iCal or Google Calendar to check your kits every six months. I set mine up in Google Calendar to email me a reminder to check our kits. That happens to fall about four weeks after this baby is due. So our food and water and clothing needs will change at the time that I next check the kits.
It feels so good to have started to organize some emergency preparedness for our family. I'd love to hear about your ideas- it really helps to have buddies in this process!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sophie's portraits- sneak peak
I took some portraits of John's cousin's little girl, Sophie. Isn't she a doll?
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Charlie- 22 months
Still catching up, but here's some notes about Charlie at almost 2!
We have afternoon church now which means that Charlie often doesn't get a nap. One Sunday during sacrament meeting, he just conked out. It was so cute.
When Charlie wants to go outside he'll bring me his boots or my boots and say, "Boo" and then the sign for outside.
My two valentines dressed for the holiday and checking out our patchy snow after church.
Charlie's been more interested in drawing and the chalkboard. He loves it when I draw different shapes for him and he knows and can recognize several shapes (and a Stop sign!)
-He's started to put his finger to his mouth and say "Shhhhh..." He loves to do it while we say prayers.
He's finding more humor in life all the time. He recently started cracking up while watching certain TV shows or reading certain books (especially Blue Hat, Green Hat).
-John has been making forts out of blankets and couches and Charlie loves them. Hiding and chasing are two of his favorite things and having a fort to hide in or chase through has just amped up the fun!
-He loves playing with toddler apps on the iPad and can navigate them pretty well.
We have afternoon church now which means that Charlie often doesn't get a nap. One Sunday during sacrament meeting, he just conked out. It was so cute. 
When Charlie wants to go outside he'll bring me his boots or my boots and say, "Boo" and then the sign for outside.
My two valentines dressed for the holiday and checking out our patchy snow after church. 
Charlie's been more interested in drawing and the chalkboard. He loves it when I draw different shapes for him and he knows and can recognize several shapes (and a Stop sign!)-He's started to put his finger to his mouth and say "Shhhhh..." He loves to do it while we say prayers.
-He's talking lots more; one of our favorite things he says is, "I deeee!" which means, "I did it!"
-We're all working so hard on teaching and learning to share and take turns. The other day, he gave James a toy without being prompted. And then when he wanted it back, he kept signing please and waited patiently until James gave it to him. We were all so proud of both of them! (Of course, ten minutes later Charlie was tackling James to the ground to get something that he had).
-Learning to have bottles only at naps and bedtime (this is a Mom and Dad learning curve!) We're hoping to phase the bottle completely out by his 2nd birthday.
He's finding more humor in life all the time. He recently started cracking up while watching certain TV shows or reading certain books (especially Blue Hat, Green Hat).
-John has been making forts out of blankets and couches and Charlie loves them. Hiding and chasing are two of his favorite things and having a fort to hide in or chase through has just amped up the fun!
-He loves playing with toddler apps on the iPad and can navigate them pretty well.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Different this time around
Thank you all for your kind words about our new little one. We are very excited. I'm sure many of you have felt the way I do right now- it's a little overwhelming to think about actually having two children. Whoa. The practical aspects of it sometimes blow my mind.
I feel like this pregnancy is going so s l o w l y. I'm 14 weeks now but I feel like I've been pregnant forever. And have forever still to go.
Being pregnant this time around is just so different. I feel better than I did with Charlie, but it could just be that I'm more used to it and I'm busy chasing my toddler around. I've been less nauseated but so so SO tired. I have to take a nap every day or I just cannot function. So if you call me around 1 pm I won't be available. :) I'm so lucky that Charlie still takes a good nap every day- I'd be sunk without that break.
I feel like this pregnancy is going so s l o w l y. I'm 14 weeks now but I feel like I've been pregnant forever. And have forever still to go.
The main difference in this pregnancy is that I'm not just sitting and dreaming about this baby all day as much as I did with Charlie. I'm already so focused on Charlie and delighted by him that I just don't think about it. I definitely have those, "Oh yeah, I'm pregnant" moments. I am excited for sure and so happy but it's just different.
I am totally convinced I'm having another boy just because that is what is familiar to me. I am in boy mode. I will be shocked if I'm having a girl (although, the odds are 50/50).
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
I'm going to need one of these...
and Charlie's going to need one of these...
image from Etsy
because baby number 2 is due on Labor Day! We are very excited and happy to add to our little family! Thanks to everyone who already knows for their joy (and help!)
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Jolly Green Giant giveaway winner
Hi all-
I forgot to announce the winner of the Jolly Green Giant giveaway. I entered the possible number of commenters into Random.org and the winner is commenter #5, Kimi and Joe! I'll contact you shortly to get you your prize. Thanks for playing along!
I forgot to announce the winner of the Jolly Green Giant giveaway. I entered the possible number of commenters into Random.org and the winner is commenter #5, Kimi and Joe! I'll contact you shortly to get you your prize. Thanks for playing along!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)