April 29, 2011
twenty-seven months
Charlie has really been loving that the weather is nice and he can go outside and dig in the dirt. He is all boy when it comes to getting dirty.
Now that he is really talking, Charlie comes up with the silliest things. He'll say "I have an idea guys" and then tell us some gibberish about cars or trucks. If you try to tell his an idea he always argues that it is not an idea. I guess in this house, Charlie come up with all the good ideas.
Posted by jill at 10:04 PM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2011
twenty-six months
Charlie's language abilities have exploded! The boy whom I was worried would never talk is talking in sentences and saying new words every day.
It is so nice to hear him express himself, even if it hasn't helped as much as I had hoped with the occasional meltdown.
We love this crazy, little guy!
Posted by jill at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2011
twenty-five months
I am excited to report that Charlie has decided to pronounce the long "e" at the end of words, such as Audrey, Channy and Charlie. He used to do this just fine but hasn't for quite a while, instead using a short "a" sound. One day out of the blue, he just started saying things correctly.
Charlie's behavior has gone up and down over the last few months, but this month he has been what we refer to as a perfect gentleman. There have been the usual tiffs with his sister and such, of course. That's my good, sweet boy!
Posted by jill at 09:12 PM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2011
two years
Our little guy is two! Charlie has come a long way in recent months. Pretty much anything Audrey does, he wants to do too. It is fun to watch him look to her for cues on how to act, though not always in his best interest.
He is clearer in communicating his thoughts and can even tell stories with a little help. Charlie is still pretty goofy, but we have started seeing a serious side of Charlie too. Sometimes he tells us something with such conviction it is hard not to laugh.
One of our favorite things about Charlie is his dancing. It is a cute little circular skip that requires a great deal of concentration. We love you, Char char!
Posted by jill at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)
December 29, 2010
twenty-three months
I had decided that December was officially the month that Charlie went insane. We had a really rough patch in the middle of the month with a lot of crying fits and tantrums. Then just as quickly as crazy Charlie appeared, right before christmas, we had our old Charlie back.
Charlie still thinks it is funny to throw food sometimes at meals and is hit or miss on his cooperation with diaper changes, but is more often than not such a sweet little guy.
Trucks, trains and balls still top Charlie's list of favorite things. His talking continues to get better and better and he is stringing words together. We are not sure when this happened, but he no longer will say a long e at the end of words, they all end in a short a sound. He CAN say it, he just won't. This boy has ways of doing things and that is that.
Posted by jill at 11:01 PM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2010
twenty-two months
Charlie is officially done with a morning nap! It had become more of a habit for him to go down in the mornings and usually he wouldn't even sleep, but would be cranky without the quiet time. Not being tied to the house in the morning is great and Charlie and I get some time just the two of us while Audrey is in school.
This month, Charlie really starting realizing he has an opinion about what he does and wants to do what he wants, when he wants. With our new found morning freedom, we have been getting out more, but when it is time to leave somewhere he is having fun, such as the library, playground our Audrey's preschool classroom, a fit ensues. We feel that terrible two year mark coming closer every day, Charlie!
Posted by jill at 09:44 PM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2010
twenty-one months
Our Charlie is always on the go. The picture below is pretty much what I see of him any time we leave the house. All he wants to do is run. Away from me. Luckily, he mostly sticks to the sidewalk.
We are excited that Charlie finally is able to say a version of his own and Audrey's names. His Charlie sounds like he is saying "Char char" and Audrey is "Awa" but we can totally tell who he is talking about. He also has started to string two words together.
On Mondays during Audrey's dance class at the park district, I have been dropping Charlie off at the child care. He loves it and now wants to go there every time we drop off and pick up Audrey from preschool. He is always happy to see me when I pick him up, so that makes me feel good!
Posted by jill at 10:42 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2010
twenty months
Our boy is twenty months!
Charlie has learned one of the most dreaded of toddler words: mine. We were able to keep it out of Audrey's vocabulary for much longer, but I guess that is what happens when you are the little brother. He still is pretty sweet and can usually be persuaded to share after being asked nicely.
It is getting harder and harder to take happy pictures of Charlie because once the camera comes out, he cries to "look, look" at the pictures already taken. Our new tactic is the sneak attack before he even realizes his picture is being taken.
It only took twenty months, but it seems that Charlie has finally figured out that he will get his diaper changed when it is dirty and it is futile to fight it. Diaper changes have been a wrestling match with Charlie every time for as long as I can remember but all of the sudden he is cooperating. Hooray for small miracles!
Posted by jill at 09:22 PM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2010
nineteen months
At Charlie's 18 month check-up the pediatrician and I discussed Charlie seeking some help for his talking - or lack of talking. He was saying quite a few words but had still been getting easily frustrated and we thought maybe progressing his speech would help. Well over this last month, he has been learning new words like crazy without any therapist's help.
Charlie still loves balls and his stuffed dog Bandit and has now acquired a love of trains. We can hear trains from the nearby tracks and the faint sound of them gets him all excited.
For now, Charlie is a better sharer than his big sister. If she is fussing about wanting a toy that he has he always gives it to her willingly. He is such a sweet boy!
Posted by jill at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)
July 29, 2010
eighteen months
My boy, you are a year and a half old today! My little guy is growing up so fast; I swear time sped up tenfold when I became a father. These past few weeks have been really fun, we can practically see the gears turning in that head of yours.
Now I know it gets frustrating not being able to communicate with us to the extent you obviously would like, but the word "ball" comes across loud and clear! We need to work on this obsession before you turn into your Uncle Jeff! You've been saying some new things too, just the other day you started saying "knee" with a whole lot of enthusiasm (just like your big sister used to, I guess it's just a fun word to say). And you've been repeating things from books (which you now love to read with all of us, even Audrey), especially sounds from Mr. Brown Can Moo. Can You? I love hearing "boom, boom, boom" in that little Charlie voice.
You love to play and simply cannot get enough of whatever your big sister is doing. One thing that has been constant is your good humor, you love to laugh and be part of the fun. I came home from work earlier this week and as soon as I opened the door I heard "Dada!" and here comes Charlie running to greet me. You looked up at me, smiled and then started dancing for a minute and then ran off again to see what Audrey and Mama were doing. That's my boy!
Posted by Thrillmer! at 09:22 PM | Comments (1)
June 29, 2010
seventeen months
Seventeen months and Charlie has a new obsession: balls! I don't know if it is because it is one of the few words he can say and we understand him, but he really loves balls. "Ball" is usually the first thing he says in the morning and the last thing he says at night.
From what I understand, uncle Jeff was obsessed with balls at a young age. Maybe we have the next great basketball player of the family in the making here.
Charlie is still our crazy little guy, but will finally sit still long enough to make it through an entire book. He loves picking out books to read before naps and bedtime, his favorite being Goodnight Gorilla.
Posted by jill at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2010
sixteen months
Sixteen months and always on the move. Charlie never wants to sit still, especially for diaper changes. He has been moving to music for some time now, but I think has officially discovered he loves to dance. His latest moves look like he is moshing it up in the pit. There is no sitting under a tree leisurely blowing bubbles for this guy. The minute we walk outside he is off running. And as always, when he wants something he is impatient, but when he is being sweet, he is super sweet.
Posted by jill at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)
April 29, 2010
fifteen months
Charlie has made some big steps this month, both literally and figuratively. Most notably, he is walking! I can tell how happy and excited he is to be on his feet like everyone else. While I'm sure the occupational therapist would disapprove, I love his cute wide walking stance. He has added please, thank you and sleep to his sign language repertoire. Charlie is one polite little guy.
Posted by jill at 09:03 PM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2010
fourteen months
Oh, Charlie. When you are happy, you are really happy and when you are mad, you are really mad. More and more he is getting frustrated by all of the things that a fourteen month old can't do. He is using sign language for more, eat, milk and all done, which helps a bit. His words are still limited to pretty much mama, dada and, more recently, cheers. He wants to tap glasses constantly through every meal.
Charlie takes steps here and there, but still prefers crawling. It won't be long now, sweet boy!
Posted by jill at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2010
thirteen months
Our boy is getting so big! Charlie's favorite things these days are waving at everyone and everything and giving kisses. He is much more daring with standing on his own, but has not taken any solo steps yet. He has mastered pushing the wagon and can even maneuver his new push toy in a big circle around the entire first floor of our house by himself. He has ten teeth now and a whole lot of drool to show for it.
Charlie is starting to realize that he does not get to do all of the things that the rest of us get to do and he gets pretty frustrated. Not being able to say much more than "mama" and "dada" and not caring to use the sign language I have been showing him for months does not help these situations. Diversion is the key and he is usually back to his happy, lovable self fairly quickly.
Posted by jill at 08:20 PM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2010
one year
Charlie is one today! Between burnt fingers, stitches, head bumps and such, I wasn't sure we would make it to this day!
Since Audrey wears a crown most days, she wanted Charlie to have one too. We made him his very own birthday crown on the fly yesterday out of felt, elastic, a hole punch and Audrey's new favorite craft item, glitter glue.
Charlie would have been happy with just balloons but opened a few books and toys that he can make noise with.
My sweet boy isn't a baby anymore. He is a silly boy who is always laughing. He is cruising along furniture, using his sign language a bit and says a few words, mostly mama and dada. We love you, Charlie!
Posted by jill at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)
December 29, 2009
eleven months
Every day that gets us closer to Charlie's birthday is another day I can't believe he is almost one year old. He is on the move and into everything! Any large object he can grab he pulls himself up into a stand on with no fear. This month he has started to wave at everyone and everything, dance, share his food and shake his head no to any question you ask him. He is such a sweet boy, we just wish he would be more careful!
This evening we had a fun dinner at my cousin Lori's and delivered Mackenzie's christmas present. Connor and Mackenzie were both so good about playing with and sharing their things with Audrey and Charlie. It was great to see everyone!
Posted by jill at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2009
ten months
Oh, Charlie. You are getting so big! Now that the crawling is perfected, he has already moved on to pulling himself up and has even started a little bit of cruising. This is all going way too fast. Please stay my baby for a bit longer!
Posted by jill at 04:48 PM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2009
nine months, the stats
Our happy boy had a checkup yesterday. Charlie is 21 pounds and 28 5/8 inches tall. As one of the nurses said, he is "growing like a weed." Audrey thought that was really funny and has repeated it about one hundred times.
Posted by jill at 10:00 PM | Comments (0)
nine months
Charlie, my boy, you are nine months old! You're growing so fast and the funny thing is, it seems like it's not nearly fast enough for you. You're so full of energy, so full of life, it's hard for us to keep up!
You've been crawling on your belly for a month, but now you're getting up on all fours and trying for real. You're really close, you'll be there in no time at all. Even crazier is the fact that you're trying to pull yourself up on furniture too. Charlie, I'm not ready for this yet!
You love to babble and "sing" all the time, almost as much as you love to flash us your huge smile. Eating is one of your favorite things, though I'll be happy when you get out of the stick-everything-in-my-mouth phase. Perhaps your greatest joy in the world is to play with your big sister, which could not make us happier. It's been a great ride so far, little guy, we can't wait to see what's ahead!
Posted by Thrillmer! at 08:59 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2009
eight months
Charlie, or "my little guy" as Audrey calls him, is eight months today!
Charlie has made some great strides in his physical development over the last month. He graduated from scooter to army crawler over the weekend and is quite efficient.
He is doing a great job with sitting but really doesn't want to sit still long enough in one spot to even bother with it.
The babbling is nonstop and all of us are sure he is saying a version of our names, even Audrey.
Posted by jill at 11:22 AM | Comments (1)
August 29, 2009
seven months
Charlie is on the move! If he wants to get somewhere he will roll and scoot on his tummy. He mostly does this in Audrey's room while trying to chew on all of the things Audrey doesn't want him to touch, such as books and Meow. He has yet to get up on his knees so thank goodness we are still far away from crawling.
He had his first occupational therapy session this week. Charlie's trunk muscles are weak, keeping him from sitting up for any length of time. He's improving bit by bit; as you can see in the photo above he can now sit long enough to pose for a photo or two. And he sits with us for dinner in his booster seat...it would be an understatement to say our little guy has enjoyed exploring solid foods. He sometimes cries between bites, we can't feed him fast enough!
Posted by jill at 10:05 PM | Comments (0)
July 29, 2009
six months
Our sweet boy is six months already! He really is genuinely a happy baby. Audrey and Natasha make him even happier.
Charlie just started a two-a-day nap schedule, one of them during Audrey's nap!, and I am hoping it sticks. Without fail he has been sleeping through the night for 10 hours each night.
Charlie had his six month check up today. Though the doctor and nurse both referred to him as a big baby, his stats are average, right around the 50th percentile: 18 pounds and nearly 28 inches long. He is rolling over but has been a bit slow sitting up so the doctor suggested as much tummy time as possible to work his stomach muscles. Poor little guy.
Posted by jill at 04:48 PM | Comments (1)
June 29, 2009
five months
Charlie is becoming a really giggly, happy little guy. He wakes up in the morning laughing and squealing with delight. I don't know where he gets it, none of the rest of us are morning people.
We keep thinking a tooth is going to show up any day now. There is definitely teething going on, as evidenced by all of the drooling and chewing. We swear he says "hi" and I know he says "mama" when he is upset and crying. And he is so close to rolling over.
This month Charlie found his toes and discovered he could get them into his mouth. It seemed to be a short phase and he doesn't do it very much, thank goodness.
Posted by jill at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2009
four months
It's hard to believe you've been with us for a whole third of a year, Charlie! You've come come a long way from that little guy who used to scream his head off for hours at a time. Well, you're still that guy from time-to-time, but now you're so much more!
You've become quite personable over the past few weeks, always quick to catch an eye and flash a smile. You're still very much in your own little world, but you're definitely becoming more and more observant. I had to capture this shot of you conversing with your twin brother in the mirror during this morning's bath.
As I'm sure you'll deny it later, I had to get a photo of you with your new favorite toy: Audrey's first baby doll...I suppose she's now your first baby doll too. This shot is a bit deceptive as you're usually chewing on her face. Baby and Bug are your best pals, it's fun to catch you "talking" to them.
While Mama ran out for a bit this afternoon, I tried to prop you up on the couch for some four month poses. I failed to capture the magic of you slowly falling over, but did manage to get this photo which I really like. It's not often we catch such earnestness on your face.
Keep up the good work, kid - your Mama and I love you!
Posted by Thrillmer! at 09:31 PM | Comments (1)
April 29, 2009
three months
Charlie hit 3 months today! The boy has been a lot of fun lately...sure, he still can't do much, but I'd say his nature in general is rather gregarious. He's flashing smiles all the time and trying to talk here and there. For a guy who can't get around, he certainly appears very active - those limbs are always moving. Even though he hasn't shown much interest in standing, he did give it a try today. We'll be seeing more of that, I'm sure. He's putting in a good 7-8 hours of sleep most nights now, which is much appreciated (especially by Mama!) I can't wait to see what the future has in store for this little guy - happy three months, Charlie!
Posted by Thrillmer! at 09:47 PM | Comments (2)
March 29, 2009
two months
At 12 pounds 12 ounces now it is hard to remember just two months ago when Charlie was just a seven pound infant. His newborn crying is starting to subside and more and more he is happy to just hang out and smile at us when he is awake. He is starting to hold baby conversations with us now too. Charlie loves to be talked to and will respond with adorable cooing and gurgles. We will have to get that on video and posted soon!
Posted by Thrillmer! at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2009
one month
How has an entire month gone by since Charlie was born? It has been quite an adjustment having an infant in the house again and we are loving getting to know this little guy.
Charlie has been giving us smiles since day two that, at least for a while, make us forget about the lack of sleep.
At one month Charlie is obviously not doing much more than eating and sleeping but he has had some impressive tummy time in recent days. We are excited to see his developments in the months to come!
Posted by jill at 02:06 PM | Comments (1)