The duck says Quack!

Charlie's Birthday Party Recap

I'm really going to let the pictures speak for themselves.  What a wonderful day!

Thank you to my Mom for all your help.  You always work so hard and as always, out did yourself. Also, to my Aunt Margaret who also worked hard all weekend.  When you put the 2 of them together, they can outdo any combo I've ever seen.  They were speed machines and had the kitchen cleaned up with very little help from me!  Also, thanks to Uncle Brian and Drew.  They all drove from Atlanta to come and be a part of this weekend.  What a treat for Charlie, Matt and I.  Brian and Drew were busy all weekend putting together toys for Charlie.  Thanks to Grammie for the very cute (and delicious) "1" cookies.  Thanks to both of our sisters for the help with decorations!

And for everyone else, thank you for making Charlie's birthday so special.  We love you!!

Happy 12 months Charlie from your Mommy

Charlie,

It's hard for Mommy and Daddy to believe that you are 12 months old.  We wonder what we did and what we talked about prior to you.   The last year has been very challenging with lots of sleep deprivation, trips to the pediatrician, time off work.  For the first 6 months, I don't think I managed to make it out of the house without spit-up or something from the other end on me.  You were one messy boy!  Your Daddy and I joke that the chair in your room has more resolve on it than chair due to all your reflux issues. 
Even with all those challenges, getting to know you over the last year has been awesome.  Every day, I get to see a little more of that sweet personality and I'm totally in love with you. 

Mommy waited a week before writing this one because she wanted to get your stats from your doctor so that she could have them for memory sake.  You weigh 24 pounds 9 ounces (75th percentile) and are 31 inches long (90th percentile).  You head circumference is in the 80th percentile at 18 3/4 cm. It's been a whole month since we've been to the doctor's office since his post tubes, you seem to be feeling great and haven' t had any more problems with ear infections. It was nice to just go for a well visit.

You are wearing mostly size 12-18 month clothes, size 5 diapers, and size 4 shoes. 

Let's see here....You are up to a lot this month.  You went from crawling FAST, cruising and pulling up onto everything (including trying to use Wally which never works out but you don't stop trying),  standing unassisted, walking around holding on to our finger,

and even taking a few steps.  You had a few falls along the way though which means we've had a couple of bumps this month.  Thankfully, none that were too terrible.  While you are very busy, you do still have a few minutes for cuddle time. 

You manage to stay still for walks.  You love to be in your stroller and you make it look so relaxing.

You have started show a shy, more reserved side.  Your reservation reminds me a lot of how I was a child.  It took me some time to warm up to people and I tended to always be drawn to softer, quieter people like my Uncle Stuart and Papaw.  I notice that you are the same way.  Once you warm up to people though, you seem to me fine.  Luckily, you don't seem to have any separation anxiety. 

You started pointing this month.  You point to everything. You are starting to know what you want and getting frustrated with Mommy and Daddy if we don't figure it out quickly.  Maybe you do have your Mommy's patience after all.  You wave at everyone.  You even started saying Hi when you come in to daycare every morning.  If you are in the right mood, you will talk back to us and try to repeat anything we say.

You are a good eater.  You consistently love cheese.  You have finally stopped having any issues with your reflux which means you eat anything.  You have really taken off with table food and pretty much eat whatever we eat.  You like meat loaf, mashed potatoes and green beans, all of which are some of your Mommy and Daddy's favorites. 

You are a good sleeper!  I didn't think I would ever say that.  You typically go to bed about 7:30 and wake up around 7 in the morning.  You may make a little bit of noise when you roll over during the night but you are out.  If you are at home, you typically take 2 naps still.  Your longest nap is typically in the morning.  Daddy and I have learned that if you miss one or it gets cut short, you don't make up for it so we try not to mess with nap time.  As for napping at school, that's a different story.  You only get in about 20-30 minutes during the day.  It doesn't make for a happy boy in the evenings so we sure wish that you would get more rest but you are just too busy to sleep and your teachers say you are happy. 

Charlie, I think every day you do something new. It's so much fun to see what you are doing. I'm loving that you are becoming more communicative. Your only new word that you say consistently is "Do" which is dog. You point to Wally and say it all the time. You want to be wherever he is.

You have started repeating a few words back to us. You even said "Nigh Nigh" when we were telling you "night night". It's really fun to see your speech develop....you are making your aunts proud!

I can tell you Charlie that the first year of your life has been the most amazing year of my life and I am so proud to be your Mommy.  Your Daddy and I love you so much and we look forward to seeing you grow over the next year.  Happy Birthday sweet boy!