Growing

Charlie's lesson of the week: Charlie is starting to mimic us pounding on things and clapping, he is becoming quite the log roll expert and he is reaching for toys, people etc.

Parental lesson of the week: Everyone told me that once Charlie was born my life would change. It has but more importantly, I have changed. My priorities are different, my work ethic is different, Charlie trumps everyone - always. I don't feel like I'm loosing myself to being a mom I feel that I have a more clear sense of self every day. I'm not sure how this is a lesson... more of a realization.

Most memorable adventure this week: Babies-R-Us with Grandma - Charlie got teething toys, a high chair and a mobile for grandma's house, a new blankie, some super cute socks and much much more

Moment we could only get away with because Charlie couldn't stop us: My leaving the house every morning after having been home only long enough to sleep.

Simple moment of the week: Breakfast Sunday morning with Kate's parents... after a 70 hour work week Charlie and I couldn't stop smiling at each other.

Scariest or most frustrating moment this week: Charlie had to do a 'barium swallow' today. It stunk!!! We had to hold him under an x-ray like machine while a tech forced him to swallow this gunk so that they could see his digestive tract working. They were checking for reflux or any other abnormalities. This, all because he occasionally has milk come out his nose when he eats (only when he breast feeds and only when his head is in a very specific position). Well, after ten minutes that felt like an hour they told us what we already knew... Charlie is perfect. On a positive note... Charlie looked just like a mini wizard in his little purple hospital gown.

Deep thoughts of the week (by Charlie): Pooping barium feels funny.

Photo of the week: Please pardon the photo quality.... these were taken with my phone... more photos to come soon

Coming up on 5 months fast!

Hi! Dennis here...We really are liking this new format for the blog. It seems to be a great way to keep track of stuff that is going on. We hope you like it too. Charlie is growing so fast. We're amazed that he is almost 5 months old already! That being said...here's your weekly update and a photo or two.

Charlie's lesson of the week: "This slobber in my mouth makes really cool bubbles." Charlie is a gurgling, frothing, bubble maker lately. I am sure this has to do with the excessive drooling that has resulted from his starting to teeth a little. What else do you do with all that extra saliva...You make bubbles of course.

Parental lesson of the week: Charlie knows when you need to get work done. He must know because whenever I go to get on the computer to send out a confirmation or write an invoice he starts to fuss. He fell asleep the other day and I was sure I was going to get some work done. NOPE! Just as I tough my fingers to the keyboard he starts whining in the other room. Michelle and I came up with a pretty good solution. We put him in his "highchair" and set him where he can watch us. I also found out today that our battery operated back massager is a cool toy on his tray. It spins around like a little robot and Charlie really likes it. Now if I can stop watching him playing with it I may get some work done.

Most memorable adventure this week: With mom out working her tail off doing the murals at the daycare Charlie and I decided to take a little adventure. We put on his fleece dinosaur hat and loaded him into the stroller for a trip to our neighborhood park. A park we affectionately call "dinosaur park" because of the giant dinosaur that is there for the kids to crawl all over. Now Charlie is still too young to really play on this but I took him out of the stroller long enough to snap a picture of him in the mouth of the giant dino and send it to Michelle. We try to keep her up to speed on our daily activities with text photos.

Charlie couldn't stop us: My experiment this week with the boy was to see how well he could sit up on his own. I put him in the center of a bed and got him settled in. I then just watched him fall over backwards or from one side to the other. I was quite surprised that he sat up pretty well.

Scariest or most frustrating moment this week: Michelle is really putting the hours in on this latest mural job. I would have to say the most difficult thing I can see we are facing is that Michelle is feeling like she is missing so much of his little moments. I really appreciate all the work she is doing. I know how much I miss him when I have to go and work for just a few hours. I can't imagine the whole day. I love just being here at home together with them and sharing the time we can.

Deep thoughts of the week (by Charlie): Twisting and rolling is kind of fun. Not as fun as flailing outward in any direction that mom or dad isn't expecting. I wonder if gravity applies to me too?

Photo of the week: Okay it was a banner week for photos so here are a couple.

What a happy baby and he has so much personality! See you next week!

Weekly Milestones

After a few weeks of working at least forty hours I am really starting to miss my boy. When I do spend 'quality' time with him I am noticing that he is growing by leaps and bounds while I'm not looking. Since I am not seeing all the little struggles in between the accomplishments those accomplishments seem to be coming one right after the other. In response to this I have decided to start keeping better track of each week's milestones. This way I'm a bit less likely to wake up one morning to Charlie walking and talking totally unsure of how he got there.

So, here is my new list of weekly categories (inspired by facebook)...

Charlie's lesson of the week:
Walls and coffee tables can not be pushed out of the way - no matter how hard you grunt. If you roll into one of these objects you are stuck... crying is your only option. (Charlie has not yet figured out that he can just roll back the way he came)

Parental lesson of the week:
When taking Charlie out it is best to pack enough diapers. Otherwise you might have to buy some cheap ones from Rite Aide... after the first blowout you will understand why it is best to buy the name brands.

Most memorable adventure this week:
There were a bunch of notable adventures this week....
Charlie got to meet our friend Rodona Fields, spit up at Kelley Forrester and beat Kelley and her beau Craig at Trivial Pursuit all in one fun filled evening. He took Dennis and I to the zoo where we met Grandma and he insisted on having a bit of lunch by Duck Lake. And, Charlie had to get all bundled up for a trip up the hill to watch me paint some offices in Evergreen.

Moment we could only get away with because Charlie couldn't stop us:
My parents and I singing a rousing rendition of Aiken Drum after dinner on Thursday night.

Simple moment of the week:
Watching Charlie discover what splashing in the tub is all about... FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

Scariest or most frustrating moment this week:
My learning that no matter how much I want to be with Charlie, taking him with me to work is a bad idea. Better that I get the work done in half the time and come home to hold him. Big time bummer!!!

Deep thoughts of the week (by Charlie):
Does my bunny taste better than the caterpillar or does the caterpillar taste better than the bunny?...or perhaps the moose is best.

Photo of the week:

Tie Dye Charlie

SMILE!