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!

My First Mother's Day

As a little girl, I loved to play with baby dolls.  I loved to take care of them.  I always wanted to me a Mommy.  I have had a furry child now for 6 years.  The day that I found out that I was expecting, I truly could not have been more excited. 

I sure didn't know how special Mother's Day would be.  I don't think I can truly describe the joy that this year has brought me.  While there are many challenges and it's not always easy, it's the best job on earth!  I love our little family. 

Matt helped Charlie pick out something special for me.  While I'm sure I will love my massage, I could not have been more thrilled with the card.  It had a sticker for Charlie to wear that said I love my Mommy and a pin for me to wear that said My son loves me. 

On other news, my doctor who delivered Charlie is the sweetest person I know (and a wonderful doctor too).  She called me to wish me a Happy Mother's Day!  There sure aren't many doctors that would do that on a Sunday.  She said that she remembered how special her first Mother's Day was and she wanted to wish me a very happy one as well. 

We spent the day as a family and it was a truly special day with a lot of outside fun time.  Charlie was busy playing with all his birthday gifts. 

Here he is in his wagon

and playing with his sand table

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and mother-in-law.  Thank you for being such wonderful Mother's to Matt and I.

and we're walking!!

Happy Birthday Charlie

Charlie, Today is your day and it's all about you.  I can't believe you are ONE! 

That's right, Charlie....you are one!!!

I will write more for your one year/12 month post.  As for today, it started this morning for you at 7am.  Daddy, Wally and I woke you up.  Daddy and I sang Happy Birthday to you.  We got you all ready for school in of course the appropriate Birthday Boy attire but you weren't cooperating for pictures. 

You were off to school for fun and lots of attention.  When Mommy left you this morning, you were busy fighting with your friend, Matthew over the push toy.  I think you stole it from him but I didn't say anything since I figured I would let you get away with it since it was your birthday and all.  And, I figured I would let Miss Belinda referee. 

You ate a great breakfast and lunch.  You had pancakes and, of course, yogurt for breakfast.  You had lasagna, spinach, oranges, and bread for lunch.  Your teachers told me that you ate well today so I think you enjoyed your food.  You only took a 30 minute nap (your usual) in order to not miss out on anything. 

Mommy brought you cupcakes for snack. 

You were quite surprised and didn't know what to make of the singing by everyone and all the attention!

You ate with your buddies, Patrick and Chase. 

Poor Bubba and Ryan were left out but soon enough they will be eating with you guys.

You and Chase are best of buddies and your teachers tell me that you all do just about everything together.

You loved your cupcake!

You even tried to share with Mommy, but you managed to eat it all until and you were "All Done".

Tonight, your Daddy and I tried to make sure that you had your favorites...cheese, mac and cheese, tomatoes, peas, and of course your spinach and rutabaga squeeze pouch.  It's all about Charlie after all.

You also got a couple of gifts tonight.  You have to wait until Saturday when you have your big party for the rest of them.  Tonight, you got a shirt, book, and sand toys from your very sweet teacher, Miss Belinda, whom you love.  You cry when she leaves everyday. 

You also got a lawn mower from Mommy and Daddy. 

We squeezed in a walk with some playing outside. 

Buddy, I would say all in all, it's been a wonderful day with many more fun things planned for the next few days.  If only you had your own email and cell phone but don't worry, you've had a lot of people sending messages via Mommy and Daddy.  Happy Birthday Charlie!  We love you!!!

Random

First with the random Charlie updates:

- Charlie got tubes last Thursday, April 19th.  All went well.  The worst part was probably that he was screaming so badly right afterwards.  They sent us out the back door and down a freight elevator.  Matt and I thought they did it so that way we didn't scare all the other children and parents in the waiting room.  My friend's baby got tubes this past week and went to the same place.  Her baby did not scream and cry so bad like Charlie did but they still sent them out the back door.  :-)  Charlie was fine once we got him home and got some food in him.  He was starving and had quite the appetite for the rest of the day!  My mom was here for the week which was already planned but she decided to stay since the surgery got scheduled and was a huge help to us.  Charlie got lots of loving form her and seemed to be 100% by that evening when I got home from work.  He seems to be doing great so far and we are hoping for an ear infection free month or two. 
- Charlie is loving to crawl all over us these days.  He loves to get right in our faces and give the slobberiest (not a word, but you get the point) kisses ever.  I don't mind them but even him being my boy, they are pretty gross.  These days, I've been letting him ride on my legs.  I figure it's a pretty good workout....all 24 pounds of him!

- Charlie is starting to try walking.  The problem is not motivation.  The boy lets go and flies to the floor. It's been pretty scary for me since the worst fall was under my watch.  He's only had a few bumps so far but he is really testing my reflexes, which aren't the best might I add. 
- Matt, Charlie and I went out to dinner on Friday night. I gave Charlie some diced fresh tomatoes. He loved them!   Afterall, he is my boy and I can eat my weight in tomatoes.  I'm pretty sure my Papaw was smiling down from heaven!  

- I love Charlie's giggles. I think they are so cute and he is giggling at about anything Matt and I do these days. We aren't really that funny (shocker, I know) but it's nice that our boy finds us hilarious. I know it won't always be this way. Anyways, last week, he was going crazy so I started recording it. I found myself watching it one night a couple nights almost every night so I figured I would share.

- I'm in full planning mode for a certain someones birthday. I haven't done very much and plan on keeping it simple but I'm very excited!! I can't wait to see all the family that comes to celebrate the occasion with us.

Other randomness:

- I never wrote about my Grandpa which I planned on doing. It's been almost 3 months since he passed so I plan on getting that done. Stay tuned! 

- I have some house projects that I have been planning in my mind. First, is outside. I wanted to work on our deck furniture. It's a little worn to say the least.  (I took this picture last night to show how badly worn out current cushions are.)

I have some new cushions on order, which I plan on taking better care of, and a few more pieces to put out there which will hopefully arrive before Charlie's birthday in a couple of weeks..  Matt and I worked hard on the yard this weekend. Matt stained the deck and mowed the lawn.  We both worked on planting and mulching.  With the rain and Charlie, well, being Charlie, we still managed to get  it all done.  Saturday night, we were exhausted and sadly today I am sore!  The yard looks wonderful though. I sure wish I had a before and after picture.   

I have some other projects such as painting a piece of furniture and redoing the upstairs bathroom (Charlie's bathroom).  Maybe sometime this summer.

- I realized that Wally has a back seat on the blog these days.  It's just not fair but such is life.  Charlie came along and Wally has handled it all wonderfully.  I think he still gets a lot of attention from us but it's definitely different for him.  I'll have to do his own blog post sometime soon!  He is such a sweet dog.

- We had such a wonderful weekend.  I enjoy my weekends so much these days.  Even though we did some yard work, we still got to go out to eat one night, go to the park, and even hang out with friends Sunday night.  We just don't see our friends often enough.  It seems like we are all so busy but every time we see one another, I'm reminded of what good friends we have. With that being said, it's my friend, Amy's birthday!  Happy 25th birthday Amy!  ;-)

My Grandpa

It’s been a few months which is really no excuse.   On Tuesday, January 31^st, my grandfather took his last breath and passed away quickly and peacefully.  He was able to join my grandmother who passed a little less than 20 months prior. 

My grandpa was a man who came from little.  He grew up very poor on a farm in Kentucky and from parents who had very little formal education.  From a young age, he learned the definition of “hard work”, something that stuck with him all his life.  Education was very important to him and I am told he graduated from high school in the top of his class.  He joined the Air Force and even earned a Bronze Start while serving in the Korean conflict (something that no one seemed to know until later).  He received his doctorate from University of Kentucky.  He was the first person to receive a doctorate in his family and I joined him as the 2^nd.  (He was very proud of me when I joined the club!)  He was a professor in the Agriculture department at Berea College.  He truly cared for all of his students, being an advisor to them and encouraging them to be the best citizens they can be to their community at large.  I believe this is a quality my mom also inherits as a teacher.  I remember my mom bringing potential students with her for a weekend trip to Grandpa and Grandma’s so that they could see the college.   My Grandpa was an active member of the community, including his church community.  He was a proud man and had no problems telling you what he believed to be true. He was not shy to share a Bible with you.  As I mentioned, my grandpa was a very hard worker.  While I believe that I have a good work ethic, I will never truly work as hard as he did.  Even when it was probably more difficult to admit, he didn’t give up or really think there was anything that he couldn’t do.  He didn’t ask for help.  He loved his yard and was a gardener.  His roses were out of this world beautiful and fragrant. 

He loved his family.  In fact our last conversation was centered around that.  He missed Grandma a lot and felt sort of lost without her by his side.  He was quick to tell anyone about her.  It was very sweet.  I don’t know that I necessarily saw that side of him while she was alive. 

My grandpa was one of the most hard headed, stubborn people I have ever known.  He was truly a one of a kind.  If he felt that something needed to be said, he said it.  He was quick thinking, which in the later years, due to Parkinsons wasn’t as easy to recognize.  He battled lung cancer and suffered from palsy and Parkinson’s, which affected his speech and maybe some of his recall at the end.  Although, many times you could tell it was at the tip of his tongue and he would get so frustrated not being able to communicate effectively.

I have some very fond memories and many stories from the time I spent with him and my grandmother growing up.  I used to visit them regularly.  Apparently at a very young age, I climbed the ladder behind him once to try to join him on the roof.  I loved to play outside and he loved being outside.  He was working though.  I remember riding in the John Deer tractor with him.  (I think I drove it once and, to no surprise of anyone who knew him, was not doing it right according to his standards so never got to do it again.)  I went with him to the Ag Dept farm to feed the animals.  I loved to go see the pigs.  I remember going on walks with he and Grandma.  I would ride my bike all the time when I was at their house.  I took trips with them and remember them going to the beach with us.  I remember them coming for most all of my birthdays and coming for the weekend in Grundy.  I remember going to church with them.  I remember every Christmas with my entire family and what fun it was to be with so many people and I loved to see all of them, along with my cousin, aunt and uncles.  I remember playing games and cards with him.  He would rush rush rush you until it was his turn and then he took his sweet time.  J  I remember our trip to Paris together.  He loved to pick at me (and anyone else for that matter).  I will never forget how much he picked at me for going to Paris and eating Italian (it was truly some of the best Italian food I had ever had).  He couldn’t believe that I didn’t enjoy the cheese and wines but I was only 17 and hadn’t quite developed that taste.  I remember going and spending a week with them when I was in college to help out when he had the cancerous tumor removed from his lung.  I also remember washing my car and him telling me how I did it wrong.  J  He was a man who knew there was only one right way to do everything and it was his way.  I remember all the graduations (high school, college, and pharmacy school).  He was so proud.  I remember him being at my wedding and standing up at the reception dinner to tell a story about me.  I will never forget watching him, trying to preserve every moment that weekend, and remembering how much I loved him and he loved me.  I remember bringing Charlie to meet him for the very first time.

I’m thankful for all of these memories and more that I just can’t articulate at the moment.  I know that he is a better place with my Grandmother and I’m thankful he didn’t suffer and feel that even though his time was up on earth, he still has lots more to do.  I’m sure he is busy in Heaven, probably even setting a few people straight! 

The weekend of the funeral was somewhat surreal to me.  It was my first time leaving Charlie.  I couldn’t bring him because he was recovering from a week of sickness that had really taken a toll on him.  While he was in full recovery mode, Matt and I just couldn’t reason sticking him in the car for 12 hours or putting him on a plane with so many people to share more crud with him or for them to share crud with him.  It was a wise decision but I so badly selfishly wanted to show Charlie off and let my family love on him.  I knew Grandpa would have liked him being there too.  While I didn’t know when Grandpa would pass, I really think I had processed the fact that it wouldn’t be long.  He was just so weak when I saw him about 6.5 months prior.  It doesn’t make it easier but I know in my heart he is so much better off and he was lonely and ready to be with the Lord.  The trip was also difficult because I came to this small town, their house, etc. and saying goodbye was hard to do in some ways all over again, but this time for good to the house and all that it meant to me.  I don’t know when I’ll be back in Berea, Kentucky and doubt that I’ll ever visit that house again, a place with SO MANY memories!  I don’t know that I’ll see some of the people that I’ve known for years, friends and neighbors of my Grandpa and Grandma’s.  Wow, talk about some great friends.  I hope when I’m their age, I have friends like what they had.  Friends who truly loved them!  I don’t even know when I would see my family again.  We are all so spread out and getting us together isn’t was easy as it once was.  We have other responsibilities, jobs, etc. that get in our way.  I came with a heavy heart and left with a little bit of emptiness and trying to process all that I was feeling.  I left around 5am on Friday and was back around midnight on Saturday night/Sunday  morning so it was a fast trip with not much sleep.  As it’s getting ready to approach the 2 year anniversary of my grandmother, I don’t think I’ve stopped missing either one of them but I realize I’m extremely fortunate to have known these 2 people and to have been so close to them.