Blog Hiatus

I tend to get so behind on the blog and being the particular person I am, I can't just start in and blog, I have to do it in order which keeps me further and further behind.  I think when I left off from the blogging world, Charlie was only 15 months so I'll start there and try to catch up in one post.  Now he's 17 months and if I don't start blogging again, I'm never going to catch up.  One day, I'll look back and vaguely remember this time and won't have the documentation to support it so I better get to it. 

So, as for catching up, August was a little bit of a blur.  It was a fine month.  Matt and I celebrated our anniversary.  We went to a couple wineries and stayed on the downtown mall in Charlottesville.  It was a lot of fun.  Charlie was sick that weekend.  He stayed with his Grandpa and Grammie.  They gave him lots of love and so did his Aunt Knee-Knee (Courtney).  By the time we got back, he was doing significantly better.  As I remember it correctly, the whole month was HOT.  Today, as I type this blog, it's in the 30s but I'm not complaining.  This summer was hot and it was much worse that I remember as far as the mosquitoes.  They were all over Charlie and I every time we went outside. It didn't stop Charlie though.  He loves to play outside.  Here he is with the water table that his Grandpa and Grammie got him to play with over at their house.

Ok, so backing up, Charlie turned 15 months on August 10th

 

and he had his 15 month appointment and because I need/want to remember his stats, I'm going to include them below:

Weight:  25 lbs. 4 ounces (70th percentile)

Height:  32 inches (80th percentile)

Charlie also attended his first birthday party for his friend Henry. It was at Romp and Roll and he really had a great time.  I didn't get any pictures.  I know, bad mommy.  (I really have no excuses now because I have a smart phone.)

Lastly we went to the Children's museum for the first time.  It was good that we had Wyatt and Ali to introduce us.  However, Charlie felt right at home very quickly which led to us getting a membership.  We've been back several times.  He loves it!  His favorite thing at the Short Pump location is the train or as Charlie says "choo choo" and at the Richmond location is the Carousel.

In September, we went to the beach for a week.  We had a blast and I actually do have pictures to prove it.  But, that post will have to be separate so it's coming soon, I promise!  Also, Matt and I got smart phones.  The phone is much smarter than me.  I love having a nice camera to take pictures quickly of Charlie. 

Charlie and I started going to the park a lot more.  He loves the park and the swings. 

 

Also, football season started.  Ugh!  It's not been a good season for the Hokies.  I honestly can't keep track of it.  I'm busy following Charlie around most of the time.

Charlie had his first dentist appointment.  He has a couple of teeth where the enamel is missing so his pediatrician reccomended that he be followed by a pediatric dentist.  Charlie has full out stranger anxiety so letting the dentist stick his finger in his mouth wasn't fun for him or us but the dentist was really quick.  Anyways, as we already thought from discussing it with one of our friends who is a dentist, Charlie may have had a high fever/virus when those teeth were forming.  The dentist said it could have been in my 3rd trimester before he was born up until he was a year old.  It's actually on 3 teeth.  It's not a big deal and is pure cosmetic.  (I don't even think it's that noticeable.) I guess depending on the severity it could increase his risk for cavities but we'll go back every 6 months so they'll keep a close eye on him.  It has no effect on his permanent teeth.

Charlie went back for a test Romp and Roll class.  He had a good time playing in the gym. 

 

He is close to doing a somersault and it very obsessed with climbing on our ottoman and couches at home. 

 

Moving on to October which is close to being over.  Seriously, the months are flying by!  We have been busy. It's been very warm with only a few days of colder temperatures.  Charlie got to spend a week with his Mim here at home.  Matt had to go out of town and I was working.  Well, I was planning to work more than I did but I came down with a stomach virus.  I would have rather been working, trust me!  Charlie got to go to his 2nd birthday party for his friend Wyatt.  It was such a fun birthday party at the SPCA.  They had so many cute activities including going and seeing the cats and dogs.  This was perfect for this age group. 

 

 

I think I could tear up over Wyatt already being 2.  Where does time go?  He was just a baby and I was jumping at any opportunity that Mark and Ali gave me to come over and give him snuggles.  He's such a sweet child and has a great personality. I hope that he and Charlie find themselves to be friends as long as Matt and Mark have and Ali and I have. 

Well, I'm typing this today as I'm off from work due to Hurricane Sandy.  Although, in reality probably won't get this posted until tonight so I can get all the pictures loaded on. Luckily we were spared from damage as a lot weren't.  I was as prepared as I will ever be for no electricity.  I didn't actually have to find out how prepared I was, thankfully.  I stockpiled water and worried about not being able to find D batteries (even though all flashlights were working well). My parents are in the midst of a lot of snow at the moment and are in much worse shape than we were. 

A little more about Charlie over the last couple months...

Charlie's personality is coming through more and more these days.  Matt told me just the other day that he loves this stage that Charlie's in.  He really can't get much cuter. 

It seems that he did have a hard time for a couple of months right around 14-15 months as he just was having a hard time communicating with us and it was causing a lot of frustration on both ends.  He had a long drawn out period of tantrums every.single.night.  However, he's picking up words like crazy lately and is really starting to be able to communicate with us more.  We also taught him a few signs like more, all done, etc. which helped around the dinner table to make all of our lives easier.  We also noticed that he had a hard time transitioning from daycare to home so we tried adding in a little Seasame Street when he first got home.  I can't really explain it but 15-30 minutes of Seasame Street helps his mood and allows us some time fix dinner and get things straight when we get in from work.  We also started 1 minute time outs which is more of a punishment for Mommy and Daddy right now but he's starting to understand the consequence of his actions and we really don't have to do time out very often.  I don't think it's stopping him from tantrumming but I think it does seem to help.  Lastly, I've come to the realization that he's just at the age of tantrums unfortunately.  With that being said, it's getting better as far as the tantrums in the evening. 

There are so many cute things that I just don't want to forget about during this age. Charlie is such a laid back, quiet child. Don't get me wrong, he can be very loud when he wants but he's not a sqealer like a lot of children. Unless he is in the middle of a tantrum, he hardly ever whines or cries. He is starting to try to give us kisses and will give the best bear hugs. He laughs a lot. It's music to my ears. He loves to talk and babble but only when he's comfortable around you. He can be a little shy. I love him talking. I love that an apple is a papple and a banana is a nanna and Elmo is Melmo and a pumkin is a Kaka.  He can now tell you almost any sound that an animal makes. He's been saying "quack quack" the longest and just starting hissing for a snake recently. When he says Wally, it kind of sounds like Lollolly. It's a lot of L's. He just started saying ice cream which sounds nothing like ice cream. :-) This may be why he started saying ice cream.

 

I would guess that he's at least up to 20 words...some of which he uses consistently, others which may have not been said within the last month. He loves giving high fives. Even when he's being shy, he'll sometimes not be able to resist the high five. He's really into being independent and doing things all by himself like brushing his teeth, combing his hair, etc. He's started taking an interest in helping you put his clothes on. He's fine with running around the house in only his diaper but is very obsessed with socks and shoes so most of the times, we have to keep them on. He wants to wear his shoes which is one of his favorite words to say and also wants you to wear yours. He will bring us ours when we take them off. We have found him putting our shoes on as well.

Just today, he wanted to put my socks on me. As for other things, he's very particular about making sure that his toys are picked up at the end of playing with them. He's likes everything to be in it's place. I wonder where he got that! I love it.love it. love it. that he thinks everything should go in it's designated spot. That is so not his Daddy! Charlie loves balls, choo choos, cars, trucks, and playing outside, especially at the park.

He loves his wagon rides and being in the stroller.

He's into bounce houses as he's been into them a couple of times. 

He just runs and laughs the whole time. Charlie is running everywhere. He goes so fast.
He's tumbling and climbing on everything, including Wally.

He loves Wally and wants Wally to be whereever he is. For the record, Wally's pretty into being around Charlie especially when food is involved.

He also loves kitty cats and in fact just started saying kitty cats when he sees them.  Before, he would call them Coco (his Aunt Knee-knee or Courtney's cat).

He loves looking at pictures of family and friends.  That makes me so happy because I truly value my family and friends.  Charlie and I sat down one night this week and looked at pictures from Matt and my wedding.  It brought a tear to my eye as I was showing him pictures of his great grandparents who are no longer here.  I know they were looking down from Heaven and smiling at us.  I know Charlie already feels the same way that I do about my grandparents.  While he doesn't see my parents as often, he gets excited when he does see them or even sees their picture.  He sees his Grandpa and Grammie regularly and he loves going to their house and equally gets excited when he sees them in pictures.  Here he is hanging out with Grandpa earlier this month.

Charlie absoluately loves his Daddy.  I don't know that I've ever seen anything like it.  It's so sweet and at times can be extremely hurtful to me when he gets angry that I have to hold him instead of Daddy.  That being said, Matt is such a great father and I'm very lucky to have a partner that is so hands on all the time.  Matt is truly special so I understand how Charlie feels about his Daddy.  Lately, Charlie's been in a "Mommy" phase.  Not sure why but I'll take it and not complain.  :-) 

Tomorrow is Halloween and I think this is a good place to wrap up this post as it's time for me to go pick Charlie up from daycare.  Charlie had a Fall Festival at daycare this weekend.  His Grandpa and Grammie came to see the cutest boy in the world all dressed up and his Mim, since she was in town, got to see it as well.  Grandpa helped provide some pictures as I didn't bring my camera (big surprise) and couldn't take pictures on my phone because the battery was dying.  Ugh!  The number one problem I have with my new phone.  Anyways, here is the daycare and some pictures from the festival.

Mrs. Jenn, the director is always so sweet to Charlie!

Charlie is overwhelmed by crowds and wasn't quite sure what all was going on.  However, he managed to do quite well by winning the cake walk on his first and only time playing.  He also won the Halloween contest.

 

I'm pretty sure he's the cutest puppy I've ever seen.  He got his first trophy which is proudly being displayed in our living room.  It has created a little jealousy though as his Daddy's trophy for winning a decathlon (that's another post) was up in the attic (I may have taken it down a year or so ago) so they are now both being proudly displayed.
 
I'm hoping I haven't lost my loyal followers and readers.  I'm sorry for the long post but once I got started, I wanted to get everything written before I forgot it; I know family will be happy to see some pictures.  I promise and I'll do better and pictures from the beach are coming soon.  I'll leave with a picture of our little pumpkin who was on the move fast tonight, making it hard to take a picture.

Puppy Love

Charlie has been a little rough with Wally lately.  Charlie loves Wally, laughing and smiling at him most of the time which is why I know he isn't purposely being mean.  We have recently had to take away a spoon because Charlie was hitting Wally with it.  Anyways, Matt and I have been working with Charlie on being sweet to Wally.  We have been praising him when he gives sweet pats and hugs so the last couple of days, it seems that Charlie has really showed an interest in loving on Wally and giving him hugs.  I must say I love to turn to see Charlie hugging Wally and Wally laying there and letting him do it.  (Of course, Wally was trying to play with his toy and Charlie was a little occupied with his snack!)

Wally is for sure a very sweet dog.  He is so good around Charlie. 

Momma and Bubbles

Please disregard the food on Charlie's mouth.  He enjoyed a cookie prior and it was almost bath time, so I just didn't bother wiping his mouth.  Here are a couple of videos of Charlie talking tonight.  He is also saying "Daddy" all.the.time.  :-)  It's about the cutest thing I've ever heard. 

Anyways, we were trying to get him to bubbles for the camera but instead he said Momma. 

And finally Bubbles for the camera.

Charlie's Dance Moves

I was trying to clean up the kitchen tonight and as I'm cleaning up, Charlie is busy making a mess.  Such is my life these days!  He is like a tornado going through the house.  Anyways, I noticed that he kept playing music on one of his toys and going see him twirling around.  It took a couple of times but I realized that he was busy dancing.  So, I got some of his dance moves on video. 

This boy surprises me every day with what he comes up with!

Furniture post

My time for redecorating is little and honestly, I'm exhausted taking care of Charlie and doing chores, that I am spending spare time just relaxing and enjoying this stage with Charlie.  However, in the week that Mim and Pops kept Charlie, Matt and I got several things done around the house.  There are always things on the to do list but most of them will just have to wait. 

Anyways, I took a secretary from my Mamaw and Papaw's house when I went home. I had measured prior and knew it would fit perfectly in the space that I wanted to put it in. I wanted it to be distressed to match the table in our breakfast nook.

It was my week long project but I found it to be relaxing while painting.

I've never done anything like this but am very happy with how it turned out. 

We are enjoying the extra storage space too.

Charlie's Truck

Mim, Charlie wanted to show you how he plays with the truck you got him.  It seems that it's a great toy to ride on. 

Tomato Festival and Water Play

I apologize in advance but I'm playing catch up and just about every post has videos and no pictures.

This past weekend we went to the tomato festival and they had a petting zoo which was a hit with Charlie. He is getting so big.

The festival was crazy. There were so many fun things to do but of course I didn't have my camera. It was very hot and we were worn out when we got home. It may have had something to do with Charlie deciding to wake up at 4:30 that morning.

Charlie loves to play in the water.  We have been doing a lot of water play, both at school and home.  It's a way for Charlie to get to go outside but also stay cool. 

These videos are a little slow and his flip flops weren't staying on too well which meant he was sliding all around in his shoes.

Charlie Turns 14 Months--The Month in Review

MORE PICTURES COMING SOON!!
Things about you this month

This month has been very busy.  The most significant part of the month was probably the time you spent away from Mommy and Daddy.  I don't think you had a hard time but now that you are home Mommy and Daddy are holding on to you tight.  We missed our little buddy a lot!  As for other things you visited the zoo this month.  You loved it.  It was such a fun day.  You did get a little tired during a part of it but you were able to sleep it off so that you could make sure to enjoy a fun lunch where you could laugh at your friend and future babysitter, Olivia. 

Your memory skills are really great and I can see such a difference.  With that skill, comes a little frustration as once you have determined that you want to do something dangerous or get into something we don't want you to and we are trying to redirect, it's pretty impossible.  You may give up but you are likely to go back within the day to retry.  You are obsessed with going outside.  You love to help Mommy water flowers and think it's pretty funny to get sprayed a little with the water hose. 

 

You had a weird spell that lasted about a week where you screamed when we gave you a bath.  Not sure why that happened but luckily that seems to have passed, hopefully for good, and you are back to loving baths and splashing just as hard as you can.  You get to have water day every Wednesday at school. One time when we took you to the pool, you spent so long walking in the pool that you scraped up your poor toe so badly that it bled a lot.  You have been swimming several times and seem to love it.

You have gotten better at your aim and throwing skills.  You are also getting stronger.  You are constantly trying to pick up things that are much bigger than you or convert everything into a push toy and push it around the house.

You stopped taking a bottle this month.  You gave it up pretty easy or so I hear.  You did it at your Pops and Mim's house so I don't really know how Mim did it.  She tells me it was easy though.  Next year, they can potty train you!!  :-) 

We have been able to go to church a lot this month and you are really loving the nursery. You seem to be one of the only little boys in your group which doesn't seem to bother you at all. You get excited to go in and play with the toys and the nursery workers always tell us how good you did.

You've been eating a lot this month and I think you may have gained a pound or two.  You are really growing and I am concerned that you are going to outgrow your clothes and shoes before the end of the season.  You are a big boy.  You are in mostly 18 month clothes.  Although, you we have started pulling out 18-24 months and I even bought you a 2T outfit and a pair of 2T pajamas.

More cute things from this month that I want to remember on top of everything else above :-)
- At the zoo, it would be a toss up on which you enjoyed most:  the ducks or the walk-in aviary.  The zoo was very hands on.  You fed the birds which landed on you in the aviary.  You got to feed the giraffe's which is definitely high up on your list of things that you enjoyed.  They also loved you since you were doing so good feeding them.  You even got a lick on the head from a giraffe.  Anyways, after we got home, you spotted a bird on our fence in which you tried to hold your arm out to get it to land on you.  When I told you, no, that it would come land on you, you started quacking at it. 
- You love to dance. 

You like music.  You have a Elmo video that you love to listen to about ducks. 
- Your Pops likes to laugh at you.  It's very sweet to your Mommy's ears to hear the joy that you have brought him, your Mim, and all of us.  You also laugh A LOT at him.  :-)
-  Your Aunt Meredith has a cute video of you snorting. 

I don't know that you've been this loud around me but you provided a good laugh for you aunt and grandparents! 


Firsts during the month:
- You had your first stay at Mim and Pop's house without Mommy and Daddy
-  You love to be outside but prior didn't really care too much about exploring the yard.  You were just as happy on the deck but this month, you have discovered the yard and want to be out there so you can pick up pine cones.
-  You rode your first carousel this month.  It was from the quarter machines.  You also rode a fire truck and a few other toys.
-  You played with a lot of kitty cats this month and LOVE them.  You even got scratched by one.  That's not a great first but it was a small scratch that healed nicely and quickly.  It didn't seem to stop you from wanting to play more with the kitty cat the next day.


Your vocabulary
- Not a lot of new words this month but I think you are saying out when you are ready to go outside and also grunting "uh" when you want to be picked up. 
- You are making the vroom sound when playing with cars and or getting rides on your fire truck car that your Grandpa and Grammie got you for your birthday.
- You Mim and Aunt Meredith tell me that they think you are saying something that sounds like Kitty Cat which you consistently said around the cat.
- You also seem to say they same thing when you want us to come and play with you or you want to play with an animal and get it to chase you.  Wish I knew what you were saying but it's pretty consistent.