Something Witty about Baby

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

2010-03-09T19:00:00.002-05:00

In the car, listening to the radio the other day I started singing along with Def Leppard:

"And I want
And I need
And I..."

from the backseat I hear a little voice sing "Animal."

No, he doesn't sing along with Elmo or the ABCs. He picks The Lep for his singing debut. Way to go, Buddy!

Ladies and Gentlemen...

2010-03-03T16:30:00.001-05:00

We have a potty-er!

After much discussion, prompting, pleading, etc. Charlie has decided that going peepee in the potty is awesome! Today he picked out a brand new Elmo potty and some matching underpants.

This must have been the magic ingredient. Within a few minutes of stripping from the waist down, he stopped playing and walked over to use the potty... standing up!

He's very proud of himself and the stickers he earned. I'm pretty proud, too.

The Indomitable Snowman

2010-01-31T21:48:00.004-05:00

Or perhaps that's Adorable Snowman... regardless, The Boy had fun in the recent snowfall. This is the most accumulation he has been able to get into, about 8 inches. He really enjoyed pushing it off the planters and such.

Yes, I realize he's wearing sneakers in the snow. He's got a pair of boots, but his big ol' feet won't fit in them, even after I cut the tongues, and they don't sell them here after October apparently.
waving hello to the camera (sorry, Auntie, he even said "cheese")

and then he lost his mitten. As soon as he touched the snow, the tears began and we had to go inside for some heat and "mucklit muck."
Toasty again in his gorilla jammies.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T13:05:00.001-05:00

Yes, it's that super busy time of year again. Charlie has been overwhelmed with awesome gifts from all over. We'll have pictures soon.

In the mean time, hope you all are happy and warm!

Giving Thanks

2009-11-28T09:06:00.002-05:00

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Charlie started saying "Thank you." Of course, it sounds more like "tan too," but it is clear what he is saying and he says it in proper context. So sweet!

Auntie's kitty, Lucy, was at Mama and Big Daddy's for the celebration and Charlie was very excited to see her. Being a small and skittish kitty, the same could not be said for Miss Lu. Charlie found her in a bedroom and was happily jabbering to her when she hissed a warning. Without missing a beat he started hissing back with a big smile. He was so proud to have learned kitty language!

A few other words and phrases he's been working on lately: yuck, tooty, water, buckle, and cracker. He's getting good at identifying body parts and loves to try on eyeglasses.

This year we are especially grateful for humor.

Not Slackin'

2009-11-11T21:01:00.002-05:00

In celebration of Veterans' Day, we joined some local military families at an indoor inflatables playground.

And we went to a messy art party earlier this week.
And this was at another playdate. Yes, he's doing shots of ketchup. Yuck.
This one's a little older, but it went along with the shots...

Drumroll please...

2009-10-17T10:02:00.004-04:00

Working out with Daddy
He's still working on that "lift with your legs" thing.

Hey, Ms. Nancy!
This haircut thing will go better if you let me steal a snack.
...probably.
Eh, it's not so bad.

(the missing pics here are Ted handing him over to me and then me handing him to Mom)

Oh, wait, this is not fun anymore.But I do look handsome. Can we go now? I'll drive.

Seriously, let's go. The door's right here.
Don't worry, car; I'll come play with you in a minute.

As promised

2009-10-11T10:18:00.004-04:00

The grandson of some friends was being baptised last night. So, we went to a different church than usual. Ted got Charlie dressed and when he came out wearing this shirt I just had to add the tie. He didn't even fight it.Although he did inspect it thoroughly.

Mid laugh...

At his (early) 18 month appointment, his stats were: 27 lbs. 4 oz. and 33 inches. His body is average so that he can have an exceptional personality. I think he started a growth spurt about 5 minutes after we left the pediatrician's office.

Enjoy the curls; he gets a haircut tomorrow!

The Green Eyed Monster

2009-10-07T09:13:00.003-04:00

Charlie's never had much competition for our attention or affection, but lately he's had to share the spotlight. He does not like it very much. At the same time, he is fascinated by babies. So, as long as we don't hold another child, Charlie is quite happy. But pick one up, like baby Carter here, and the head-butting begins.
Of course, when you are sporting pants! like these, how could you not be the center of the universe?Did I mention that we had some rooms painted? The flash doesn't do it justice. The wall is quite a bit darker and looks fab.u.lous with all his art.

Next time, I promise to post pictures of Champ.

Milestones

2009-09-20T13:12:00.003-04:00

Charlie started jumping this week. He was in the garage working out with Ted and studied him for a while. Then he squatted and jumped- both feet off the ground. He has been jumping all over the place since then. Now he's practicing standing on one foot.

Vocab check: dada, nigh'-nigh', yukky

Not exactly Charlie related...

2009-09-11T08:03:00.003-04:00

but my review of the Alamo was voted Review of the Day on trekaroo!
If you don't know about trekaroo, let me give it a little free press: It's a site where parents write travel reviews for attractions and accommodations. The important part is, of course, to include how kid-friendly the place is. The best part is, you can raise money for a charity by writing reviews, or you can earn free gift cards if you write 10 or 25 reviews in your first 2 weeks. Muy bien!

No Sir, That Does Not Go There!

2009-09-02T14:59:00.002-04:00

This morning Charlie opened the dishwasher, sat down on the open door, wiggled around... and peed. In the dishwasher.

Peed.

In the dishwasher.

The joys of little boys.

To redeem himself, at naptime I asked if he wanted to go night-night and he said "nigh-nigh."

Caitlin Comes to Visit

2009-08-22T15:49:00.003-04:00

I mentioned earlier that Charlie adores Caitlin. That might be an understatement. Since she left last week he has repeatedly gone in her room looking for her. Don't worry, she'll be back.

And now, what you came to see...

Reality check: sometimes he is Mr. GrumpusPlaying in the new living room

Hey, Sissy, whatcha doin'?

Open up... hey, look at me!

Noodgery accomplished. Booyah!

Almost Moved

2009-08-07T05:01:00.005-04:00

The big news is that we close on Monday. We are officially up to our eyeballs in boxes!

Caitlin is here and Charlie is thrilled. He loves her so much! He follows her around everywhere, fights sleep to be near her, and cries when she goes outside to play without him. She adores him right back. It's so sweet to hear her kiss his head and say "I love you."

Still loves the bath
"Helping" us pack- these boxes are really fun!
Riding a little horsey...
When babies find stickers
Coloring while watching Wheel of Fortune
How you doin'?

A Whole Lotta Firsts

2009-07-20T16:51:00.003-04:00

In the past 10 days or so, Charlie has had a lot of firsts. I hope I remember them all.

He waved and said "bye" to his friend Tucker, who incidentally said his first sentence to Charlie a few months ago.
He started drinking from a Big Boy Cup and mostly gets it in his mouth.
He kicks a ball now.
He's figured out how to climb on his rocking horse and how to get down.
He figured out how to put his face in the bath water and blow bubbles.
He stacked blocks without prompting at Alex's house today.
He mastered climbing and descending the steps at Mama and Big Daddy's deck.
He rode a Power Wheels Dora the Explorer Jeep with Clara.

Whenever there is furniture to climb that is a little too tall, he will pull up anything to use as a step. He loves to race me to the recliner and steal my seat!

He mastered "bye bye" a while ago. Any time I say it, he waves and heads for the door. This week, when I tell him "night night" he heads to the bedroom and waits by the bed. When we move to the new house in a few weeks, I think we will transition to a Big Boy Bed.

Pants Off Dance Off

2009-07-03T17:19:00.003-04:00

Our awesomely generous neighbors have let Charlie borrow the beloved Hokey Pokey Elmo while they are on vacation. He loves it! He's a dancing machine. Check it out...

And how 'bout that little Axl wiggle in there?

Tricks Up His Sleeves

2009-06-17T09:57:00.004-04:00

At 14 months old, Charlie is definitely interested in being a Big Boy. He's figured out all sorts of things for himself and is determined to be more independent each day. Last night he figured out how to push a footstool over to the couch to climb up on his own. He's been practicing going up and down stairs every time we see them (since we have none in our home). Here are some other things he's been discovering:

How to drink and dance at the same time...
How to talk to Mama and Auntie on the phone...
And how to play Peek-A-Boo in the fireplace. Step 1- Hide...Step 2- Surprise!

He's also becoming an escape artist. They have joked about putting an alarm on him in the nursery at church because he likes to go out the door when parents arrive to get their kids. I'm sure he is confident in finding his way around that big building by himself, but we're not ready for that just yet.

And now that I've taken pics off of Mama's camera, I can add these:
Kleenex box o' fun

Or a laundry hamper
Mama and Big Daddy's house is just so fun!

I Belong In the Zoo!

2009-06-04T11:45:00.007-04:00

Charlie and I went to the local zoo for the first time this week. It was so much fun! There were so many animals and displays. We look forward to feeding the giraffes next time and hopefully seeing the honeybee exhibit. He and Alexandrea were both exhausted after going through Africa...
And this big smile is reserved for his favorite cd by Leeny and Steve. Kids' music that is fun for adults, too? Awesome!

This week he has also started waving bye-bye consistently and blowing kisses. Also, when I say bye-bye he usually runs to the door to make sure he doesn't get left behind.

Where did we go?

2009-05-27T15:20:00.002-04:00

To a hotel!

We've been super busy again lately. We've done things like: get sick, try strawberries at the Farmers' Market (no go for Charlie, but he liked the ice cream), plan a trip to the zoo, get a new tooth (that makes 7 for those keeping track), learn to unroll toilet paper, ride an elevator, and a short trip to northern VA.

What's in store for the summer? Glad you asked. The aforementioned zoo trip is the cause for much excitement right now. There are also several playdates scheduled, a trip to Florida and some time with Caitlin, a trip to Tennessee, a family camping trip in the mountains, possibly touring a dairy farm, and playing outside when the weather dries up again.

Right now Charlie loves to clap. He gets very excited when a studio audience on tv claps, so his favorite show is Wheel of Fortune. At Mama's on Monday, Oprah was on and he enjoyed all the clapping he got to join. He even pulled away from nursing long enough to clap with everyone, then returned to the task at hand. Very funny.

He has also learned to point. Sometimes randomly. But usually if you ask him where the airplane or the goose is he points to the sky. Same thing if you say "bee-hengee" which is my Southern gal version of the Korean word for airplane.

Climbing is another favorite passtime. He especially likes to climb on boxes. Even more fun is climbing down, unless it is too difficult.

Happy Mothers' Day!

2009-05-10T11:04:00.003-04:00

A poem from Charlie:
Dear Mommy,
When you count my ribs, thanks for teaching math
When you wash my parts, thanks for the bath
When you give me chow, thanks for the sauce
These are a few reasons why I think you're totally awes-

(ome)

A Trip to the ER, with happy ending

2009-05-03T23:22:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I pulled out the bag of play sand and filled Charlie's new Sand and Water Transportation Station. While he was unimpressed, more interested in playing with a broom, it did attract the attention of the girls next door and their playmates. Soon, Charlie was surrounded by adorable girls and digging in the sand right along with them.

Then, out of nowhere, he started crying and trying to go inside. I figured he was hungry or tired and let him in to see Daddy. I cleaned up the sand mess, now strewn about the patio, and went inside to find a crying little boy. Now, Charlie fusses daily, and sometimes he cries for about 30 seconds, but this was unprecedented.

I tried to soothe him in all my usual mommy ways. Ted even broke out the arsenal of gripe water since Charlie's rigid body suggested gas or heartburn. No dice.

After much investigating we realized that he was favoring his left foot. He wouldn't stand on it or let us touch his toes without howling in pain. Into the car we went.

As long as we were holding him upright and letting him hold his foot away from our bodies, Charlie did fine. A dose of Tylenol seemed to take the edge off his pain but he clearly was not ok yet.

The next 4 or so hours went like this:
wait, get called to the desk by mistake, wait, get called again by mistake, wait, answer intake questions and get his pulse ox taken (he did enjoy ripping the disposable monitor off his finger), wait some more, get a stuffed bunny, wait, go to registration, wait, get a stuffed monkey, wait, get into a room, wait...

Then the nurse came in to check on him. She started examining his foot and noted that if it was broken he probably would not let her push on it like she was. But she ordered x-rays to be sure and commented on how sweet he was. Ted set him down on the bed/gurney and that's when it happened.

Did he fall off? Start screaming bloody murder? Pass a large amount of gas? Nope. He started jumping on the bed. No kidding, all the drama over and now he's performing Swan Lake.

The subsequent x-ray was, of course, unnecessary. But hey, we were there, we were going to have to pay through the nose, and you never can be sure with kids.

The good news is Charlie and his foot are fine. I'm guessing that maybe he had a dislocated toe that went back into place when the nurse checked him out. We'll never know. I'm just relieved that he's back to being the funny, happy, walking baby he was before.

(And by funny, I do mean funny. Today at church he started laughing, very loudly, during the consecration. He was really cracking up. I'm glad God has a sense of humor, too.)

12 Month Checkup Results

2009-04-29T20:09:00.003-04:00

Yes, we are late on this checkup. I didn't want Little Man to be feeling yucky from shots for his party and our pediatrician was on vacation last week. So, without further ado...

Height- 19 inches, between 10th and 25th percentiles
Weight- 22.625 pounds, between 25th and 50th
Head Circumference- 19.5 inches, off the charts huge; no wonder he wobbles when he walks

As usual, the doctor confirmed what we already know- he's perfect! He did very well with his shots and was charming everyone in the waiting room and measuring station.

P.S. Here's my favorite shot from Auntie's pics of the party

The Zoo!

2009-04-26T19:35:00.003-04:00

The following are some pics of Charlie at the Natural Science Center on Friday. He really loved the petting zoo part- chasing goats and sheep is fun!- and the aquarium was cool, too.

2009-04-26T19:13:00.001-04:00

2009-04-26T19:12:00.002-04:00

2009-04-26T19:12:00.001-04:00

Party Animal

2009-04-20T10:24:00.004-04:00

Hanging out with Mama before the excitement begins

Splashing around with Auntie. She had lots of fun, too.

Then Mommy and Daddy stripped me down for cake.

Hmmm... frosting?

This kind of destruction requires two forks.

Getting ready for presents

A new truck!

"It's Not Tax Day...

2009-04-15T14:06:00.002-04:00

It's my Birthday!" Our one-year-old celebrated with a hotdog from Costco for lunch. Then he had a nice nap. The weather is beautiful, so we'll probably go play outside for a while.

Our original plan: http://scfairtax.org/ but we just didn't have the time.

The Faces of Charlie

2009-03-25T20:47:00.002-04:00

He's determined to get around using the lawnmower, even when it's tipped over.

Here's the happy guy in his new Tow Mater pjs. He thinks they're funny, too.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T14:56:00.000-04:00

from the wee leprechaun...

100% Boy

2009-03-14T19:51:00.002-04:00

This is Charlie moments after sampling his first taste of dirt. The weather was beautiful last weekend, and while playing outside he discovered the planter you see in the background. Dee-licious!

The burst of spring reminded me that Charlie needed shoes. Now that he's walking and crawling on concrete, we must protect the tootsies. This is no simple task since his feet are wide, long, and fat. We trekked over to REI this week and picked out a pair of Keen sneakers. They were the shoes that made him cry less than the others. He still doesn't like to wear them. He barely will walk in them. Ah, the joys...

On a separate note, I have opened my etsy shop now. You can see what kind of wares I'm knitting at http://champsmom.etsy.com.

Gotham City's Next Hero

2009-03-06T21:29:00.003-05:00

Very realistic. His abs are rock hard.

Movin' and a-Shakin'

2009-02-23T22:20:00.001-05:00

I came home tonight to find Charlie cruising through the kitchen pushing his lawnmower toy! That's right- he's walking. And Ted got to be the first to see it.

Video to come.

Hangin' with the Big Kids

2009-02-06T23:59:00.005-05:00

These were all taken recently by Auntie. Again she captured the beauty, fun, and occasional silliness that is a day in the life of our family.

Charlie has become a bit of a socialite recently. We've had friends over a few times this week, all with slightly older kids. Not much older- we're talking toddlers and preschoolers here, but still older.
Well, Charlie loves it. Even though he's not walking yet, he thinks he's a big kid, too. He chases them around the house, shows them his favorite toys, he even refuses to nurse when they are here. It's a great new stage that I am really enjoying. It definitely makes this teething thing easier to deal with.

And, though I've said it many times before, I'll say it again. Charlie really does have the best laugh ever. I wish I could bottle it. If you're ever feeling a little blue, give us a ring. That kind of pure, unadulterated joy should be shared.

Who loves ya, baby?

2009-01-28T20:37:00.004-05:00

While we were stuck overnight in Memphis, Charlie discovered the joy of a mirrored door.

He also reached out and touched Elvis.

And had his first taste of Corky's barbecue.

And played crawl-under-the-bridge with Caitlin before we left Texas.

Time for Steak and an Amusing Story

2009-01-25T18:55:00.001-05:00

Not only does Charlie have 4 teeth now, he's working on at least 2 more that are very visible in the gums already. Those top teeth really just show up out of nowhere!

Amusing but really gross story:
Charlie and I are in the hotel while Ted and Caitlin are bowling. I have removed his diaper to give his tush some air time and he's crawling around having a good time. Then I hear a squishy sound. I grab a diaper and catch the deuce before it hits the floor. I wrap the dipe and call Charlie to the changing area so I can get him covered up. He looks at me, smiles, and pees on the carpet. Ah, little boys.

Right now he and Caitlin are crawling around playing with his cement mixer. Charlie absolutely loves Caitlin. She makes him laugh, and he'll just stare at her. We are some lucky parents.

Free Teef

2009-01-14T08:37:00.000-05:00

Over the past several days Charlie has had his first real illness. We all came down with a stomach bug while we were away. As Ted said, "at least we're all stuck here together in a small hotel room with only one bathroom." We survived and are all feeling better now. Just in time for Charlie to cut a new tooth. Top right.
It's not big enough to capture on camera yet, but when it is... well, this is going to be funny.

A Jolly Cholly Christmas...

2008-12-25T18:49:00.005-05:00

First- congrats to Jessica and Sean! They heard their baby's heartbeat for the first time this week. We can't wait for the cousins to meet.

Here's Charlie's Christmas Schedule:

1. Open April Mommies Secret Santa gift from Simone and eat it.

2. Practice for the talent show.

3. Take lessons from Max on sneaking out of bed. (Christmas Eve)

4. Wake up with some wicked bed head. 5. Open stocking. Eat toys. 6. Go for a ride with Violet. Enjoy the beautiful weather.
7. Get dressed up. Hang out with Auntie.
8. Practice drinking from a big boy cup.

9. Open presents with Gatlin's help. Laugh. A lot.
10. Fall asleep on Mama.
Merry Christmas, everyone!

P.S. He did crawl this morning, too, but I didn't get it on camera. He's still honing that skill, so we'll get some video of it soon. By then Ted should be able to help me upload it.

new pictures

2008-12-02T13:15:00.004-05:00

In case you didn't know that Lisa is an awesome photographer...

Who's got

2008-11-23T14:42:00.001-05:00

big bue eyes and refuses to nap?

This guy!

Last night I was holding him thinking about how much he looks like Ted. Don'tcha think?

First Snow...

2008-11-21T16:15:00.004-05:00

and we missed it!

We got a dusting of snow overnight that did stick. But Charlie slept until it had melted, so I could not get pictures.

This does give me hope that we will get some cute snowy pics this year, though.

He Wears a Lot of Hats

2008-11-13T11:19:00.003-05:00

Here Charlie is looking ever so cute in Big Daddy's cap. This smile is the one he reserves just for Big Daddy.

Here he's a sleeping model for the new Sheepy Pants that I made him

And this sums up his mood lately- crabby. Teething is no fun.

Swim Lessons

2008-11-03T20:47:00.003-05:00

Charlie had his first swim lesson today. He loved the water. He's already kicking, reaching for toys in the water, and holding himself up on the edge of the pool. Not too keen on floating on his back yet.

Also, a belated note to Daddy: "Hey, Daddy, happy birthday! I made you a present but I left it in my other pants!"

First Kiss(es)

2008-10-28T15:22:00.003-04:00

In addition to our recent travels, we've been to a few parties lately. Charlie, ever the ladies' man, even got some smooching in.

Mommy's favorite little tiger

Kissing Princess Gabbi on her first birthday

Making a move on Violet

Violet, the birthday girl

Check out this awesome bed head

Houston, We Have a Tooth

2008-10-26T23:33:00.003-04:00

I can't snap a picture because the babyman is sleeping, but he's got a tooth and a half! Ted got to feel the first one before he left for work yesterday. Today it is clearly visible above the gumline with its neighbor quickly gaining ground.

Six Month Stats

2008-10-17T18:54:00.003-04:00

Well, he's still short but catching up with his peers. He was very good at his appointment. Again the doctor said he's perfect. We agree, of course.

6 Whole Months

2008-10-15T20:21:00.004-04:00

I can't believe my baby is six whole months old today! It's a little bittersweet because he isn't my teeny-tiny baby anymore. He's getting so big. I love his funny, happy personality more and more each day.

Our celebration today included- a little visit with Mama, lots of belly laughs with Daddy, a 3 hour nap, a bike ride, and a bath.

Tomorrow is his checkup, so I will have stats and pics then.

Say Peas!

2008-10-10T13:08:00.007-04:00

First things first- Welcome Baby Brenna! We are excited to announce a new cousin born Sept 28. Her pictures are adorable and we can't wait to meet her in person soon.

I never did figure out how to do the video. But I'll keep trying. Here are some long- awaited photos instead.

I was working on transitioning Charlie to the nursery for naps at least. This is what he did when I put him on a pallet on the floor.

And this is where he went when I didn't strap him into the bouncer seat.

Charlie started eating solids recently. At first he would only eat about a teaspoon every day or two. Now he's a certified chow hound. He does not care for fruits (except figs) and he loves peas and green beans the most. I think Ted has as much fun feeding Charlie as Charlie has eating.

I love this picture because you can see Ted coaching him to open his mouth.

Another great tub shot

Last weekend we celebrated Uncle Jer's birthday at a park festival. As we were loading up, some adults took the kids to the playground. Charlie loves to go down a slide, particularly when there is someone going down the slide next to him. After giggling at Maxwell sliding for several minutes, we walked over to the swings. There sat Violet all alone in a giant swing seat. That big space behind her was just begging for another baby.

The results:

I tried. I failed.

2008-09-16T23:56:00.001-04:00

I edited some video of Charlie chasing Sid. It's really cute and I managed to cut more than 3 minutes of less-than-entertaining footage. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get it to upload correctly. I'll keep trying.

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-02T16:31:00.002-04:00

Gram, Popi, Charlie and I made the trek over to Franklin to visit Aunt Pat and Curt. We all had a good time. Aunt Pat commented many times on what a good and pretty baby Charlie is. He loved to make faces at her and Curt. He also really loved all the mirrors in their house.

Charlie is rolling over more and more and is scooting himself into some bizarre positions. As I type this, he is sleeping on the carpet in his nursery because he spun himself right off of the blanket I put him on. We're working on getting him to nap in the crib. So far I've only convinced him to nap near it. But since he is no longer allowed to nap on our bed, he's just going to have to learn. Oh, my little baby is growing up.

Our neighbor, Gabbi, no longer needs her walker so she brought it over for Charlie this weekend. He likes it even though his aim and control are still in the developmental stage. It's funny to see him walk backwards when he can't get his feet going the right way. I fear he will be mobile far before I am ready for it.

Who's a Lucky Baby?

2008-08-25T23:23:00.005-04:00

Last week we had a photo shoot with Auntie at the site where she and Uncle Jer got married. It was so much fun and we got some fab-u-lous pictures. I'll share a few, but I have to save some for her to post on her blog.

We also visited Mama and Big Daddy's church for the first time. Charlie was a hit and made several new friends.

This week is jam packed with activity, too. I have joined a local mommies board, so we are going to go to some events this week. I am most excited about roller skating on Friday! A local skating rink is opening just for us and letting us take our strollers out onto the floor. It's going to be so much fun! And when we get home, Gram and Popi should be arriving.

Ta Da!

Cutest tushy ever

This bib plus this diaper just begged for a Superman reference

Cooing

That's one delicious fist

Feet, diaper... sweet

4 month stats

2008-08-17T15:59:00.004-04:00

Yes, boys and girls, our Little Man is already four months old! As usual he is very busy doing New Things. Lately those Things include rolling over occasionally, sucking on his fingers/pointing to where his teeth are coming in, standing whenever possible (including in his new activity center), and every morning when he wakes up he tells the ceiling fan a joke and laughs.
Now for the stats:
His weight is 15 lbs, 1 oz which puts him in the 56th percentile for his age.

His length is 23.25 inches...
which puts him in the 6th percentile! Mama has nicknamed him SquattyBody.

Here's the dumpling in his new activity center, in which his feet almost touch the ground.

Fairly Useless Trivia

2008-08-12T11:10:00.002-04:00

I wish I could take credit for this, but it came to my inbox courtesy of http://www.paperbackswap.com/. I found it entertaining, though not baby related, and wanted to pass it on. Enjoy!

Little-known fact about August: it is a thief! The months used to alternate between 30 and 31 days all through the calendar, but when the Romans decided to give Caesar Augustus a month, they didn't want to annoy him (= they did not want to be beheaded) by giving him a shorter month than Julius Caesar's month that fell before his. So, poor February shuffled up and sacrificed a day to prevent an Imperial Tantrum. And September had a day wrested away from her too, so there would not be four "long" months in a row. The Romans were all about symmetry. And um, not getting beheaded.
In modern times, August is the Dog Days of Summer, the last gasp before Back-to-School. It boasts National Wiggle-Your-Toes Day and National Blame-Someone-Else Day and National Book Lovers' Day! Not to mention Sneak-Some-Zucchini-Onto-Your-Neighbor's-Porch Night, which is always a rollicking good time.

Mama's Onto Something

2008-08-09T22:29:00.004-04:00

I like her gear for bathtime. Charlie had a great time splashing her while I mowed the back yard.

Here's what Champ has been up to since the last post:

one l-o-n-g car trip to PA to play with cousins (waiting on permission to post pics/video)
one short car trip to F-ville to play with Shug and Violet
first time in an exersaucer
soothing himself to sleep
holding his bottle when I put it in his hands
telling jokes and laughing at them, he's very vocal these days
baby Pilates- he loves backbends, situps, and standing and stomping his foot
more hair loss
rolling back to tummy a few times
more teething- they are so close to breaking through!

His "I'm so excited you're going to pick me up" face

He loves the Jump Up but has to get his Detroit Lean on...

3 months!

2008-07-20T22:38:00.004-04:00

Charlie turned 3 months old this week. He's been very busy being a big boy. In addition to the teeth he's working on, he's been:

testing the "Charlie Jump Up." He keeps one toe on the floor at all times.

sitting in the BebePod and showing off his muscles. He likes to watch me in the kitchen.

going to open knit night. He modeled his new ribby wrap and a few others.

losing his hair.

and hanging out at Big Daddy's company picnic. All the kids were a hit at the picnic. Charlie was all smiles before the Z monster got him. Violet was practicing acrobatics, Max discovered the chocolate cookies, and Gatlin made a friend from Mexico.

Here are the blueberries I made before. Don't they look yummy? Shug (that's Kerry) brought over a ton of pears and we made some more food for the babies. The Magic Bullet was awesome. We even made figs that came out a wonderful texture for little ones. The freezer is now stocked with bluberries, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, and figs. Hopefully we can stash some veggies this week before we head north for the weekend. Ranier cherries are in season now, too. I don't know if I can make baby food with them, though, because I would probably eat them all while pitting them.

We got news this week that Uncle Duder is moving back to PA. We're really looking forward to having him in the same time zone. He's already promised to teach Charlie the things that he shouldn't learn from us.

Adventures in Making Things

2008-07-11T12:55:00.002-04:00

Again, I don't have the photos uploaded yet, but I do have a minute to update.

I've been working on some new projects and surprisingly have found time to do them. I've made these adorable Warm Heart Woolies wraps using buttons from Mama's collection. Get the pattern for free at www.warmheartwoolies.com. I've been using Cascade 220 Superwash Wool for them.

Then, I decided to branch out in my knitting. So, I'm getting the hang of knitting in the round and have the waistband of the Hybrid Ribby Wrap from www.littleturtleknits.com completed. I'm also branching out with different fibers that are suitable for diaper covers.

I fell in love with Berrocco Comfort yarn. It's hypoallergenic, soft as silk, and machine washable. The nylon is waterproof and the acrylic has the same absorption/nonwicking qualities as wool, though it is one use per wash since it is not antimicrobial. Anyway, because it is such gorgeous yarn, I've started the Super Easy Diagonal Blanket from www.fabulousyarn.com. It calls for a bulky weight, but worsted is coming along just fine. The detail on the edges is just closer to the edge. Also, if you are going to make this blanket, here's my advice... don't bother counting stitches after the YO because you can just measure the edges until it is the size you want. You don't have to keep track of the diagonal length. This is a really easy and quick pattern for anyone wanting to try knitting.

And, the latest venture is in the kitchen. I tested out the new pressure cooker on some gorgeous local blueberries. The whipped up very easily. I couldn't believe how quickly the were done. I did add about an ounce of mommy-milk to thin the puree. Fear not, blueberries are not one of the berries to avoid in the first year. I can already vouch for how delicious this food is and can't wait to try them mixed with some banana.
I'm also looking forward to getting in the kitchen with Shug and her new Magic Bullet blender. We'll be whipping up batches of food for our babies in less time than it takes to drive to WalMart and stock up on the pre-packaged stuff. I found great information on making baby food at www.missvickie.com and www.wholesomebabyfood.com.

Photorama

2008-07-10T13:37:00.006-04:00

Sometimes I just am beside myself with how cute this kid is!

Baptism (in a third generation handmade gown) Looks like he's been watching Zoolander. Check out his Blue Steel.

See? He does like bathtime now.
All tuckered out

Quick! While He's Sleeping...

2008-07-09T23:16:00.002-04:00

The new medicine is working wonders. Charlie's reflux is now under control. So, he decided to start teething yesterday. He does not care for teething tablets until they kick in- then he loves them.

We had him baptised on Sunday and lots of wonderful people joined in the celebration. We are so blessed to have so many people shower us, especially Little Man, with so much love- family, friends, neighbors, and a congregation of 1500 families!

And speaking of baptism- a special congratulations to our California family is due! Cousin Jennifer was also baptised on Sunday in a small ceremony. The pictures are beautiful. We're so happy the kids have this special day to share.

Ted went to work this week. While we are sad he isn't here with us, we keep him nearby in many ways. I tried talking Charlie into not growing until Daddy returns, but I don't think he was listening. We're already looking forward to a trip to pick him up soon.

Finally, a blast from the past blew through town this week. The world famous Mr. Wagner (my neighbor in college) stopped by for a visit on his way to the beach. He updated me on all our old pals, entertained and enlightened with Chicago Public School stories, and gave Charlie his first lesson about whiskey- only drink the good stuff. It was a nice visit and we hope to see him again soon.

Now I must sleep. I have pictures to upload, however Auntie is doing her fancy tricks to make some of them even better (hopefully to post on her blog), so I need to do some playing.

2 Month Checkup

2008-06-25T10:42:00.005-04:00

Yes, it has been too long since I updated. Babies have this amazing talent for calling you when you just settle in to the computer.

First, the latest news: Charlie had his 2 month checkup a week late yesterday. He's 12 pounds, 9 ounces and 22 inches long. I was really expecting him to be 13 pounds. He was mostly very content while there except for the actual exam part. He screamed at the doctor for checking his heart and lungs and he squealed a little when he got his shots. But then he fell asleep immediately. We are trying a new medicine for his reflux since it is still not really under control. It has to be custom compounded for him.

We all went to Big Daddy's family reunion last week. We were having so much fun that we decided to stay a day longer than we originally planned. Caitlin had fun playing with all the little cousins and with the kids her own age. Her favorite part was fishing with Uncle Bob.

Charlie went swimming for the first time. He did not like the kiddie pool because it was too cold, so we went to the big pool. He stayed in my arms and I swished him around to get him used to the water. He was asleep in less than 5 minutes. There are pictures of him in his adorable swim wear, but I don't have them on this computer yet. But I do have this one that Auntie took on the porch one morning.Just try and tell me that's not the cutest baby.

To see more of Lisa's fabulous work, check out her blog at http://figginsphotos.blogspot.com/

Road Trip and an Invitation

2008-06-04T12:49:00.004-04:00

We took our first road trip last weekend to visit relatives in PA. Charlie did great on the way up. He also slept at our bedside each night instead of on our chests. We're very proud of him. Since coming home, he has slept in his co-sleeper all by himself each night and for naps! We're pretty sure he's the best baby ever.

He really enjoyed meeting his cousins and aunts and uncles. Highlights of the weekend include: taking a nap on Aunt Evy and Futurecousin, seeing his first MLB homerun with Uncle Gerry, meeting all of Dee's animal friends, playing with William and Kaleigh, meeting Duder, and having his path named. We'll have pictures of Charlie's Chase (his path at Gram and Popi's) soon. Oh, and he got his first hoagie from Peppino's.

The trip home was not quite as smooth because Charlie was breaking out with what I think was contact dermatitis. We did get to stop and have dinner with Dave, Christy, and Sam. He felt better after the break and slept the rest of the way home. He was also a hit at lunch at Costco. The Moby wrap got him lots of attention and one woman enjoyed seeing a napkin tucked in to protect his head from mustard drippings from my hot dog.

Charlie will be baptised on July 6 at our neighborhood church at the 11:30 mass. We will have a get together here at our house afterward. Please join us if you are in the area.

The 10 Pound Bet

2008-05-23T10:26:00.004-04:00

Ted and I had a bet as to whether or not Charlie would be 10 pounds at his appointment on Wednesday morning. I won- barely. Little Guy was 9 pounds, 14 ounces and now 21 inches long. His checkup went well although he did start crying when Ted undressed him for examination. The doctor said, "Aw, you get the most pitiful award and you're the first patient of the day." Charlie must have taken that as a challenge because he was good the rest of that day, but yesterday he was very unhappy whenever he was awake.

We've been singing to Charlie a lot this week. He seems to enjoy Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Old L.A. Tonight (I particularly like the lyric "Sitting by the ocean/mapping out my plans of action, baby they include you.") I keep thinking Man, I hope this kid enjoys our music because we're going to be taking lots of road trips.

As promised... new pictures!

in his "Whaleboy" outfit from Aunt Evy

"Ever since I can remember, I been poppin' my collar..."

Ted calls this one Baby Lima Bean (in his homemade BabyLegs)

Now that he's definitely 10 pounds, he's outgrown the first outfit- his Jack Lalanne jumpsuit

And even though he is the spitting image of his daddy, I think I see a little of me in the last picture. Maybe it's wishful thinking, maybe it's generic baby similarities. A mommy's gotta hold on to some hope.

Like a Weed

2008-05-18T19:55:00.003-04:00

Little Man is growing so fast! He had an appointment last week on Friday and was 8 pounds, 9 ounces fully dressed. He'll be a nine pounder in no time!

The bad news from his appointment is that the poor baby has reflux. He's got some medicine that is helping, but he still has some episodes of sore tummy. We're looking into some other soothing options since he is downing gripe water along with Zantac and gas drops almost every day. It's heartbreaking to see the pain on his face after he eats. We are learning what helps each feeding, so hopefully he'll be fixed soon.

In other news- the boy proved his courage when a tornado blew by recently. We avoided damage, but the storm did pass right over us. It touched down nearby and there is quite a bit of damage in our area. Charlie and I hung out in the closet as the storm neared. He did not care for the lightning and the roaring sound was enough to literally scare the poopies out of him. Yes, it was scary, but Champ survived with very little crying.

We'll have pictures and updates from the 5 week appointment later this week.

Happy Mothers' Day!

2008-05-11T13:42:00.001-04:00

Wishing all the current, future, and potential moms out there a wonderful day

Mister Handsome

2008-05-02T13:00:00.003-04:00

This one's the picture of the day:

I almost forgot to tell you- Charlie lost his umbilical cord this week! He's got the cutest little belly button and we finally got to give him a real bath. He did not like it very much, but there were some calm moments.Showing off his new muscley arms

Not too thrilled with this bath business

Clean, dry, fuzzy, and happy again

In his monkey suit!

Growing so fast!

2008-04-30T21:44:00.001-04:00

Ted took a really cute picture today. I'll upload it soon.

At 15 days old, Charlie has put on a full pound since coming home. He's 7 pounds, 11 ounces now. And he's developed arm muscles!

Mr. Pee-body Goes to Church

2008-04-28T18:34:00.003-04:00

Charlie attended his first Mass on Sunday. He was, by far, the best behaved child in the crying room. We will be sitting in the sanctuary from now on.

The Mobywrap gets him lots of attention. People are very interested in it and the adorable bundle inside. He loves the wrap! I hate to take him out of it because he is so cozy and snuggly in it.

Birth Story

2008-04-25T19:10:00.002-04:00

I've tried to keep it suitable for the public, but this is birth we're talking about. If you are squeamish, you might want to skip this one. I have left some details out.

*Note- all times are approximate because I couldn't be bothered to take notes.

Wednesday, April 9: Doctor tells me I'm beginning to thin but no dilation.

Monday, April 14
5:15 pm: I'm sitting in the waiting room of my chiropractor's office when I feel my first ever real contraction. A couple more sporadic ones and I begin meditating to relax myself. I'm sure this isn't labor but I want to practice for the real thing.

6:30 pm: Ted is driving us home from our adjustments and I cannot talk to him during contractions. He begins timing them. They are averaging 5 minutes apart. I tell him not to worry, this isn't the real thing yet.

7 pm: We arrive home and I begin to finish the chicken curry I had going for dinner. My contractions hurt too much to stand at the stove and I realize that I don't even want to eat. I sit down, drink some Laborade, and start timing contractions- just so I have proof that this is not the real thing.

9:20 pm: Contractions are still coming regularly. I decide to take a bath to relax and get them to stop. In the bath, I listen to my relaxation cds and prepare myself for a night of restful sleep because, you know, this is not the real thing.

11 pm: I get out of the tub since contractions have slowed and the water is not so warm anymore. I put on pjs. I'm not tired yet, so I return to the recliner and resume contraction timing while Ted sleeps on the couch next to me. I leave him resting since this is not the real thing.

Tuesday, April 15
12:30 am: I can no longer deny that I am in labor. I gently wake Ted up and tell him "it's time." We gather our stuff, get into the the car and slowly head to the hospital.

1:30 am: We pull up to the hospital and I am taken to admissions. Ted parks, joins me, then we are escorted to Labor and Delivery. It's a very busy night. I get the last bed. A surgical tech hooks me up to a monitor and tells me that they will not admit me until a certain point so I am just there for monitoring. So, officially, this is still not the real thing.

4 am: Contractions are getting stronger, still about 3-5 minutes apart. I'm dilated to 2 cm. Doctor on call admits me. Ted calls our parents- reminds my mom to file taxes, then adds, "Oh, and Ash is in labor." I'm officially in labor! I'm also officially in pain and worn out from 11 hours of unmedicated labor. They give me Stadol so I can sleep. In a few seconds, I'm out like a light.

8 am: I wake from the Stadol haze in major pain. The drugs have worn off, but my contractions have only gotten stronger. I'm now 4 cm dilated. Going from no pain to strong contractions (again) is not fun. They offer me an epidural and I accept.

9 am: Anesthesiologist finally shows up to give me an epidural. I've now completed 12 hours of unmedicated labor with a 4 hour reprieve. The epidural kicks in fairly quickly and I am glad to have the pain gone but still have the awareness of contractions. Labor is kinda fun again. Doctor breaks my water since I am progressing so well.

My parents show up to the hospital and I am so happy to see them. They don't stay long- just wanted me to know they are there and rooting for us. Ted begins calling siblings.

11 am: I'm dilated to 7 cm now! I'm still feeling pretty good but tired. With all this progress, we're expecting baby before lunch is over. I decide to try to get a little nap in. Nurse gives me a bolus (like a booster of pain meds) to keep me comfortable.

1 pm: I wake from an on-again-off-again nap in pain. My epidural has worn off. The doctor okays another bolus. I'm still at 7 cm. They decide to try some Pitocin to get my contractions stronger so I can progress. I agree.

2 pm- 5:30 pm: My contractions don't get any stronger, but I can feel every bit of them because the epidural is only up to my thighs. Doc orders an internal monitor for my contractions, hoping to pick something up. It hurts. I beg the nurse to remove it.

Doc comes in to check me. Thinks I'm just feeling contractions until they move the monitor and I can point to the exact place they move it to. They remove it immediately and I feel a little better. Epidural is still not working above my legs.

My mom and sister are in the room with us- really helping me get through the pain.

Anesthesiologist is called in around 5. He's got to attend a c-section and then he will be in to pull back my catheter. By the time he arrives, only my feet are tingly. I still have not progressed and my cervix is now thicker than it had been.

Doc is ok with my slow labor but begins to worry when baby shows some distress. He leaves the decision up to me and says "We can wait, or you can have a section- either one makes sense at this point." Everyone leaves the room to let us discuss.

I turn to Ted and say "I don't know if I can keep doing this." He silently prays that we can have this baby as planned. At the same time, my mom and sister are in the hallway also praying. 2 hours away, my other sister is sitting down to dinner with her family. Her gratitude for the day (part of their evening grace) is "I'm grateful Charlie is on his way."

The doctor comes back. I tell them to start prepping me. The nurses buzz and calls are made for c-section drugs for my epidural. Now, we wait for the anesthesiologist to arrive. Pitocin is stopped.

6 pm: Still no drugs. I can feel and move my legs. Contractions are very strong and frequent. Everyone in the room is cheering me through each one. Doctor checks me one more time- I'm fully dilated. He looks up and says, "Next contraction, I want you to push" and tells me how. I'm in stirrups before the next contraction. Everyone is cheering for me. As I let down to relax for the next one, Ted whispers "You can do it. You're doing great."

I get almost no rest. The next contraction comes and I am ready for it. I push with all my might. The doctor gives me a local- I don't even notice.

Next contraction I give it my all. I'm not even thinking "I could be doing this for hours." I'm totally focused on that exact moment. I start to slip during one push and the nurse keeps me focused. I collapse after the last push and again Ted tells me "Good job. You can do this."

I feel so empowered that I want to keep pushing. Doc tells me that I don't have to wait for a contraction- just push whenever I'm ready. That next push was my son's head crowning. The relief of that push was amazing. One more push to deliver his body and I was done!

Charlie's first order of business was to pee on the doctor. Then he landed on my chest, was rubbed down, and latched on for his first meal in less than 30 minutes. I was refreshed and alert and so was my baby. No tears, just an amazing sense of awe.

My parents and sister came into the room once my legs were covered again. We celebrated this teeny-tiny boy.

I know it seems like I had a terrible time and that almost nothing went like I wanted, but it was all ok. I stayed flexible- as did my doctors- and so nothing was disappointing for me. We were lucky to have wonderful staff at the hospital. The delivery nurse, Suprena, even gave me a hug when it was all over. It was by far the hardest thing I've ever done, but with each passing hour the wonder of it grows and the bad stuff fades. Our little guy is the best prize I could ask for.

More pictures

2008-04-24T18:18:00.002-04:00

Since he is changing so quickly...

Looking at Mommy
First sponge bath at home
Tiny boy, big car seat
and big bouncy seat!

First Week Checkup

2008-04-24T12:45:00.003-04:00

Charlie went to the pediatrician for the first time yesterday. Establishing a new Standard Operating Procedure, he peed on the doctor (which he also did upon delivery).

Champ is up to 7 pounds, 2 ounces and his head circumference is up a centimeter. He's a great eater! We love our healthy boy.

Every day we are amazed by this little boy. He's so cute in his clothes that are all too big for him. His diapered booty is big and round in the cloth. He already wants to be just like Daddy. He loves to nap on Daddy's chest. Sometimes they snore together.

I'm working on a birth story now. I will tell you that my water did not break on the recliner :)

Announcing...

2008-04-19T11:07:00.003-04:00

Charles Reagan H.
April 15, 2008
6:21 p.m.
7 pounds, 1 ounce
20 1/2 inches long

First peek at Mommy

After some snuggle time

All cleaned up

Back in Mommy's arms

Quick update

2008-04-13T13:47:00.002-04:00

Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Ted got home last week and we've been very busy getting ready for Charlie.

Diapers are sewn- and adorable! I'll post a pic when I get one. I'm not kidding when I say that the inside material is so soft that I want to rub it against my face.

The doctor said last week to "start walking." Sounds easy enough except that walking during the day leads to pain during the night. Now I believe we have found a remedy for the night pains- sleeping in the recliner. Today is the first day in months that I have not hurt just standing or walking. Still have some lower back aches but nothing excruciating.

Ted is concerned about my water breaking and ruining whatever surface I may be on. He wants me sitting on a chux pad wherever I go. It makes me laugh but I guess I should humor him. Afterall, if my water does break in the recliner, I do not want to have to clean up a mess before heading to the hospital.

A random woman at Costco told me today that I am "cute pregnant." This, by the way, is much more appreciated than the woman at the airport who just laughed at me.

Another Chi-town Request

2008-04-03T21:30:00.000-04:00

Anyone have a pediatrician rec for Naperville delivering at Edwards?

Thanks!

Photo Contest

2008-03-30T13:42:00.003-04:00

The Nest Baby is having a Bump Picture contest. Top prize is a trip to Jamaica, a photo shoot/magazine spread, and a gift basket.

Not only would I love a vacation but I'd like to get Lisa some publicity too. Vote early, vote often, vote before May 5.

Thanks!

Portraits While Pregnant

2008-03-28T23:05:00.011-04:00

I'm not really into the usual maternity pictures, but I like portraits taken during pregnancy. Lisa came over today and took some fabulous photos. Here are a few of my favorites. (FYI, Sid is not the easiest subject since she is so timid. I'm thrilled to have shots of her!)

Sid wanting some snuggle time

Baby Violet, already walking all over her cousin

... like it's hot

2008-03-25T20:12:00.002-04:00

I think it is possible that Charlie has dropped. I noticed this morning that he felt lower and I think there is more room for snacks to rest on my belly.

Mom couldn't really tell when she stopped by today, so I could be way off. But maybe just maybe he's getting ready.

Guessing game

2008-03-21T15:38:00.001-04:00

I've set up a pool for Charlie's arrival. See the link to the left.

Sling and Wrap Contest

2008-03-21T10:56:00.001-04:00

Boo Bear Buns is having a "pick our new fabrics" contest on organic slings and wraps. Enter your choices for a chance to win one!

http://slingandsacks.blogspot.com

Diaper pics are coming soon!

Progress in the Nursery

2008-03-18T17:59:00.007-04:00

Working in 10-15 minute bursts, I've actually been able to make progress on the nursery. Here is the latest in before/after pictures of the biggest project.

Limited mobility

2008-03-17T21:37:00.003-04:00

Well, that did not last long.

I had an appointment today (I'm already to weekly appointments!) and asked my doctor about some pains I've been having off and on for a few months. Over the last week or so they have gotten more intense and last much longer. It's almost constant now.

Her advice? Stay off my feet, take it easy, and lie down as much as possible. Ugh. While I'm happy I wasn't put on bedrest, this doesn't feel that far from it. So I comforted myself by getting a pedicure on my way home. I've tried to stay off my feet all day and it does feel better. I was able to get up this evening a do a couple of things in a 10 minute spurt.

I've been feeling so great throughout this pregnancy that I am a little discouraged by this latest development. But Charlie is still doing well- very wiggly. And I do have help nearby. All I need is to keep my sanity a few more weeks. I've never been so happy to have Netflix.

This is what we call "nesting"

2008-03-14T10:33:00.003-04:00

So, up until recently, I have gotten tired easily during the day. Little tasks have left me needing a nap. Well, that's all changing now!

I've begun doing marathon errand running (which is actually better since I use less gas). Yesterday I ran errands for 5 hours. And when I got home I still had energy to start painting the dresser for the nursery. Perhaps some of my sister, Lisa's, energy rubbed off on me. After visiting her on Wednesday afternoon I am reinspired to make the nursery a true nursery instead of a cross-mojination of nursery/guest room/office. The little guy deserves it.

Once I get a couple of projects finished in there- re-moving the furniture and painting the dresser, I think it will be done. Then I can get back to sewing diapers! I'm hoping Mom will be able to play hookey one day soon and help me crank these babies out. So far I am using a one-woman assembly line and it is going really well. However, doing the same task 65 times gets boring no matter how many episodes of Arrested Development you have on dvd.

My tips for making your own diapers:
- Buy a real pattern. There are lots out there for free on the internet, but they are free for a reason. I am using the All In One pattern from www.verybaby.com. It is very versatile with easy instructions. Jessica also has a list of women who will put snaps on your dipes for a small fee if you don't want to fork out the cash for a snap press.
- Join a co-op. Yahoo groups has several diaper making communities where you can buy fabric and notions for close to cost. I love PULPurchasePower for the waterproof cover supplies. It is quick and the moderators are very good. I've also joined a couple of others for sherpa, lastin, loop fabric, and other notions. I bought flannel at JoAnn's and used a coupon to make it very affordable. Same thing with Alove suedecloth for liners.
-Buy some prefolds anyway. All In Ones are great for ease when you are on the go. They are user friendly, but not laundry friendly. Good, quality prefolds are economical, easy to use (with a little practice), and can be used for doublers in AIOs. There's also no shame in picking up a few premade covers.
-Take advantage of others. There is a site where women trade diapers and accessories called www.diaperswappers.com. I just picked up 6 newborn size covers in great used condition for $12- including shipping! It's also a great place to recoop money on systems that don't work for you and your baby.
-Educate yourself. Cloth diapers have come a l-o-n-g way since the days our moms dunked dipes in the potty. And while the old style diaper is still a great system, there are fancier, easier, and less yucky ways to diaper now. I found the info in the FAQ (under resources) at verybaby to be very honest and helpful. Many women check out www.diaperpin.com for advice, but I found it overwhelming and sometimes contradictory.
-Do It Yourself. Whenever you can, make your own dipes, wipes, wetbags, etc. All In Ones can run anywhere from $15-$20+ dollars each. I estimate that my diapers are costing me about $4 each, and that is because I splurged on some sherpa for the layer closest to Charlie's booty. Two sites for thrifty diapering that I really enjoy are http://www.borntolove.com/frugal-diapering.html and http://www.fernandfaerie.com/frugaldiapering.html. These ladies are awesome!
Good luck to all you crafty people! If you have more questions, let me know. I'll definitely be posting diaper pics soon. You've gotta see this stash.

Need Help from Chi-town Peeps

2008-02-29T13:39:00.002-05:00

I have a friend due around the same time as me who is having trouble finding a nanny or small daycare in Chicago. If you have any recs for agencies or specific people, please let me know!

2008-02-27T22:35:00.002-05:00

Well, I am sure now that I have felt both hiccups and Braxton-Hicks contractions since I last mentioned them. The hiccups felt like my belly had it's own pulse- very weird.

I am in a bit of denial about the 3rd trimester and my limitations. I would love to keep up the energy and activity of just a few weeks ago, but it is fast becoming obvious that I cannot. My feet, knees and hands swell if I spend too much time on my feet. But I have not been able to determine what is "too much time" yet. I did join the ywca pool and I'm hoping that it will help with the swelling and that activity will keep my energy up a little.

For the past few nights I have been on evening nap duty with the neighbors' daughter, born in October. They have company coming this weekend and they have their hands full with two very active older daughters. So I have happily provided and lap and shoulder for a sleeping baby each night after dinner. It's nice to interact with adults, too. Alas, this little routine will not be necessary starting tomorrow.

There's not much news to report baby-wise. Charlie is getting bigger for sure. He still enjoys hearing his daddy's voice every day. He seems to be bringing out a maternal, or at least more friendly, side of Sid. She's been far less neurotic lately and has even let visitors pet her! My doctor told me last week that Charlie is a happy baby. I like this doctor.

I didn't get any pictures of my belly at the shower, so I have not been able to post any yet. But I promise I will when I have a chance.

Spoiled Rotten!

2008-02-20T20:29:00.002-05:00

We had a very busy weekend!

Saturday was the Mother-Daughter Luncheon at our church and I took Mama for her birthday. We had a wonderful time, as usual. Good food, good company, and a nice fashion show.

Later that afternoon, Aunt Evy, Uncle Gerry, and cousins William and Kaleigh arrived. We caught up, ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant, and turned in early from a l-o-n-g day.

Sunday was the baby shower, hosted by Lovey (that's Kerry). Big Daddy, Mama, and Heidi helped with decorations and food, too. We had a lot of fun. The men and kids played in the backyard and enjoyed a fire in the pit. The girls played games and gabbed. There were so many great gifts for Charlie that I still have not put everything away! He is quite a lucky boy.

After the shower, family stuck around and we had a nice evening together. I am always so pleased with how well Ted's family meshes with mine. Lovey got to feel Charlie kicking while he listened to Ted's recordings. Sunday night I finally felt hiccups!

Monday morning, the Pennsylvania family hit the road again and I stopped in to visit Lovey and her kids. It was Mama's birthday, so I thought she might get home from work early. That didn't quite happen, but I did manage to stay there and have dinner with everyone.

Tuesday, after Mothers' Morning Out, I took a very long nap!

Now things are getting back to normal. I did some major shopping today and took care of some projects around the house. I even got some Mary Kay work taken care of :) The next few days should be pretty relaxed, and I am hoping to do some more finishing touches at home.

Funny baby story- On Monday Charlie was feeling particularly heavy. Some days he seems to get lost in my belly, others he makes his presence known. I said something about how hard he felt near my ribs. Kerry said, "Ooh! I bet that's Braxton-Hicks. Let me feel!" She put her hand on him and I could tell she was thinking "practice contraction," but when she moved her hand to a different, squishy part of my belly she nodded and said, "Nope, that's a baby."

I can't believe we get to meet him in 2 months!!

Where does the time go?

2008-02-16T06:58:00.002-05:00

I've been told that this is the time to get in some me time, to relax and sleep as much as possible. I've been lied to. There is always something that needs to be done- baby related or not. And Charlie has started a new trick of waking me up early in the morning and not letting me fall asleep again. Now, normally I can sleep like a champ, but I guess someone is trying to train me for the rigors of motherhood. Thanks, pal.

Since he responds so well to Ted's voice, Ted recorded some messages to Charlie before he left. In typical Ted fashion there are no stories or mushy moments. It's mostly just Ted driving and talking. Charlie particularly enjoys it when Ted talks about "the Lep" and he also seems to approve of Ozzy on the radio. I enjoy hearing him talk about food- pizza, subs, and fajitas from Pappasito's.

The diapers are all cut and the sewing has begun. I have just a few finishing touches to do to have a prototype for Violet to try this weekend. Cross your fingers for a big success!

I'd like to report on my belly size, but I am getting conflicting reports. Some say that I am small. Others gasp at how big I've gotten. I don't feel like I'm that big but I'm also looking from a different angle. It will be interesting to see how much stretching will happen. There will be lots of people around this weekend, so I'll try to get a picture and let you decide for yourselves.

3rd Trimester Weirdness

2008-02-07T11:03:00.000-05:00

I had a dream the other night about shopping at a regular store like Express or the Limited. I don't normally shop at those stores, so I thought it was really funny. All these pregnant girls I know are having erotic dreams and I'm dreaming of shopping.

The tiredness of third trimester is setting in. I like a good nap sometime during the day, although I rarely take one. I have been letting myself sleep in when my morning schedule is clear, so there's one more good thing about my life :)

The diapers are almost all cut and they are so freaking cute I could just squeal! Once I have one totally finished, I will post a picture. If only a photo could show how soft the insides are...

I still haven't felt hiccups I don't think. I've heard that you can really tell a difference but I don't know. I did, however, nearly drop the phone last night laughing. Charlie was tickling me near where my appendix used to be. Even though I am fairly certain those are his feet, it really felt like little hands wiggling. Coochie, coochie coo!

He's a Genius!

2008-02-04T08:41:00.000-05:00

Using the yes/no question system, Charlie, again, accurately predicted the Giants' win over the Pats in the Superbowl last night. In the last two minutes I thought he might be wrong, but then Eli and the boys pulled it off. My neighbors now want us to ask for lottery numbers.

Charlie enjoyed the halftime show. He danced through "American Girl." Maybe he recognizes it as it is one of the songs Ted and I sing together in the car. (On a side note, Tom Petty looked better last night that I have ever seen him. Still ugly but very healthy.)

I doubt Charlie will ever believe how many hours have already been spent trying to come up with a middle name for him. His first name was so easy for us to choose, but the middle is quite a task. He may end up with no middle name or not having one picked until after he is born.

New Record!

2008-01-31T11:38:00.001-05:00

Starting this week, I have been keeping a kick count log. While my doctors have not said that I have to, I think it is a neat way to track some quality time with Charlie. Now, I know I have told you that he is active, but this morning he set a new record for wiggliness. When he kicks or moves, I start my Pampered Chef timer and see how long it takes for him to move or kick 10 times total. This morning he wowed us with 10 good kicks in 47 seconds! Also, last night after I was asleep, he practiced his Tae Bo on Ted's back for a good while.

The tour of Labor and Delivery was uneventful. I had a huge list of questions that, fortunately for everyone else, the volunteer answered in her presentation. Ted is taking his job of "Gatekeeper" very seriously and has even started practicing telling people where to wait. The labor, delivery and recovery rooms are very nice. They are big and very calmly decorated. Ted won't have a good place to sleep, but he says he's been trained to ignore the elements. The nurses on the floor were very friendly to us as we walked around, and we did get to hear Brahm's Lullaby (which means someone had just delivered). After recovery, the room I'll be moved to is very small, but it still has the nice serene decorating. And, as long as there is an awake adult in the room, Charlie can hang out in that room, too. I'm hoping not to be there too long anyway since my bed is so comfy :)

Flat Soda

2008-01-28T12:58:00.000-05:00

I passed my glucose tolerance test this morning!

The Glucola drink is pretty gross. I made sure it was very cold and I held my breath and chugged. It was a little difficult to keep it down. I'm sure not taking my reflux meds beforehand did not help that. Ted drove me to the appointment, which was great because I did not feel so hot.

I had a bunch of other blood tests done today, too. But the only instant results were hemoglobin. Go figure- I'm borderline anemic. So, there's one more pill to take each day.

Our state just passed a law that if the mom doesn't have an HIV test during pregnancy, they will test the baby! I had previously declined the test because I knew I didn't need it. But now that they are threatening to stick my baby, I have changed my mind. I probably wouldn't care so much if the State also paid for these tests... having a baby ain't cheap.

Charlie's heartrate was the lowest we have heard it. I think we caught him while he was sleeping. He's still moving a lot, except when someone wants to feel him. Mom, Dad, Auntie, and Uncle John have gotten to feel kicks. Looks like Aunt Lovey (Kerry) will be the one with the magic sleeping touch as he calms down when she comes around.

At Katie's suggestion, I did try the flashlight trick. Ted thinks it is cruel, so I only did it one time. Sure enough, as soon as the light was on my belly, Charlie moved away from that spot. He definitely has a usual place he likes to hang out and it is rare that he curls up anywhere else.

Tonight is our tour of Labor and Delivery before class. I'm sure we'll have lots to say about it soon.

Baby Talk

2008-01-24T12:50:00.000-05:00

Lately Charlie has been responding to Ted's voice. On Sunday night when Ted would talk about football, Charlie would start kicking away. He correctly predicted the Giants' win over the Packers (in overtime with a surprise 47 yard field goal for those who don't know).

We've started using a yes/no question system to determine things like what to eat and even middle names. It seems he has his parents' sense of humor, though. So far the only names that Charlie has approved for his own middle name are: Urban and Presley.

In making room for Charlie and purging our closets of accumulated detritus, I found a collage that Katie made me when we were living in McNutt sophomore year. I came home one day to find it posted on my door. In typical not-quite-subtle Katie fashion, there is a picture of an infant with the words "A Good Idea" next to it. While she may have been a decade early, I wholeheartedly agree.

Funny story from birthing class:
We spent a few minutes practicing some breathing techniques. The class had been really boring up to that point and the breathing we were learning is something that 3 month old Violet has already mastered. Anyway, we practiced with dads coaching and encouraging moms. We almost got through one round when Ted sarcastically said, "Way to go, Cupcake" a la Vinny the pre-scuba instructor. I cracked up and so did the six couples near us. When I finally composed myself, I told our friend Nancy that Cupcake is not even one of Ted's nicknames for me. This sent another wave of laughter through the class. It's probably not nice to make very pregnant women laugh that hard, but at least it livened up the class (and I did not notice any puddles on the floor). My husband- the class clown. I'm so proud.

Third Trimester!

2008-01-20T16:12:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe how quickly this pregnancy is going. Today is the first day of the third trimester already. I know, in a few weeks I'll be saying "when is this ever going to end?" But for now I'm still enjoying it.

Not much new is going on with baby, although this is about the time that he should be opening his eyes. Which means he'll be able to see light through my belly. Cool. And my Pregnancy Week by Week book (thanks Kerry) is now giving approximate measurements of crown to rump and crown to foot. It's hard to imagine how something over 15 inches long is curled up inside my belly and still has room to kick and roll as much as he does.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

2008-01-17T19:19:00.000-05:00

With the "Winter Storm" we got overnight, I decided to stay inside the nice, warm house today. I've been working on putting the crib together. It is missing a few pieces of hardware, but I think I can get most of it done anyway. It's a much slower process with just one person working on it, though. Ted and I are usually a pretty good assembly team.

Charlie kicked Sid for the first time last night. She was very snuggly and would not stay off of the belly. Then whammo! he got her once on the nose. Surprisingly, she didn't even flinch. I'm hoping this means that she and he will get along well. You can all start crossing your fingers now. I did notice that since the kick she has not "made biscuits" on my belly but she hasn't avoided sitting on it either.

Oooh that Naughty Boy!

2008-01-16T07:59:00.000-05:00

Monday morning I went in for a regular checkup and the doctor went to listen to Charlie's heartbeat with the doppler. I pointed out where he was hanging out at the time and she found his heartbeat almost immediately. But before she could count 3 beats, he kicked the wand and moved to the other side of my belly. She found his again, raised her wrist to check her watch, and Boom! he kicked and moved again. It took seven tries for her to get a nearly 10 second count of his heartbeat! Apparently he had some important business going on and did not want to be disturbed.

That night we had our first birthing class. It's not really a comprehensive class, so I'm not expecting a lot out of it. We did both learn a thing or two which makes it worth our time.

First, each woman had to draw a picture of her pregnant self and husbands had to draw their wives. Then we shared our drawings with the class as a way of introducing ourselves. I drew a stick figure. I'm pretty sure I was the only one there that said, "I really love being pregnant." Now, maybe this is because I have the latest due date in the class- I don't know- but Ted and I have agreed that I'm just going to keep on being my fat happy self for as long as I can. This is not to say that I have had a perfect pregnancy. But even on the days when I have sciatica, nosebleeds, swollen feet, bleeding nose and gums and acid reflux I still feel great!

The second part of the class, the nurse divided us into boy/girl groups. The guys had to make a list of how they feel (Ted said "hungry") and how we are acting. The women had to make a list of all the symptoms and side effects of pregnancy so that the men could see "why they are acting schizophrenic."

Then we did some exercises and went home. Oh and there was a video of a lot of very young people with really bad haircuts.

The hardwood floors will be finished today. They are so beautiful! Sometimes I just stand at the edge of room and admire them. The crib and bedding should be here within a week. My goal is to complete the major parts of the nursery by the middle of February so that guests can check it out.

P.S. I did get a 'script for Prevacid for the reflux. One day of taking it and I am already feeling so much better!

Feeling Productive Today

2008-01-10T20:21:00.001-05:00

Now that we have carpet in the offices/bedrooms, things are starting to fall back into place around here. The hardwoods will be installed next week, so most furniture and boxes/stuff are back where they belong. Put away completely? Not quite.

Anyway, with this relative calm, I've been able to do some things that have been on hold for the past month. We set up a wireless network in the house so we can access the internet on the laptop from home without stealing someone else's connection. Not that we would ever do anything like that. This also means that we can both be on the internet at the same time and that I can be online while floors are being installed.

We also got haircuts today. Nancy hooked me up with a very mom-friendly bob. The back is shorter than it was last time. Ted likes it, too. With birth classes starting next week, Nancy and I had tons of baby talk this visit. She is signed up for the same class, so even when our hubbies cannot join us, we will not be alone.

I spent a good bit of time cutting diapers this morning. I still have 10 yards of outers to cut and all my flannel and microfleece (for the insides and fitteds), but it feels good to have one color done. Hopefully with Ted's help I can knock the rest out quickly.

We have picked bedding...

So we are working on nursery decor now, too. We have a great abstract photo done by Auntie Lisa that will pick up the red and blue. Hoping we can talk Aunt Evy into creating something fun with the orange and blue.

That's about it for now.

Photos!

2008-01-07T12:44:00.000-05:00

The bump at 24 weeks

Closer shot

A surefire way to make me giggle

Even more laughter

Proof that Ted was shopping too

Long Time, No Post

2008-01-05T19:56:00.000-05:00

Wow, so much has happened since the last post. I'll try to remember everything in the summary, but if I forget, I'll have to blame it on pregnesia.

Second, we've had Christmas versions 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 since my last post. When we returned from PA, there was a package on the doorstep from my Secret Nestie Santa, Lynn. She rules! I came home to a book, a cookbook (more on that later), warm fuzzy socks, nail polish and body butter. I was a very happy and grateful girl.
Ted and I exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve. After eating wings (we're so traditional), we had a small present opening session. He got me earrings and a gift card to a store where I can buy new clothes after April. I got him a book and The Jungle Book on dvd, which we watched right away.
Caitlin came to visit for almost a week, so we have been very busy. We had a sleepover at our house on Friday. Those girls wore me out. But we did get a chance to go see the lights at Tanglewood. It never gets old for me. Ted's parents joined us on Sunday and the whole gang went to my parents' house for another Christmas. The kids played together so well. Everyone had gifts to open. There was a puzzle for everyone to work on. It was a great day. I just love how all 16 people fit in with one another as if we've all been family forever.

New Year's Day was fairly laid back for us, considering an active 10 year old and her friends in the house. I made collards and black eye peas and grits (with recipes from the new cookbook). Soooo yummy. Ted made ribs for everyone else.

We took Caitlin back to Texas on Wednesday and stayed for a few days. Today is Saturday and we are in the Memphis airport on our way back. Thursday we went outlet shopping for Charlie. I had so much fun and I think Ted even enjoyed it. We picked up some 'future use' clothes at really good deals. I giggle every time I look at the little penny loafers. My favorite, though, is the bathrobe and matching slippers we found. They really crack me up.

We did have a couple of family photos done by my sister, Lisa. So I will be able to post a belly pic very soon. I'll try to get a shot of the robe and slippers, too.

In other baby news, I have officially passed the point of is-she-pregnant-or-fat for strangers. I'm getting comments and questions which means, to me, there is no doubt about the bump- even if you don't know me. I also saw a kick for the first time, sort of. I was lounging in the hotel room, watching tv, and Charlie kicked the remote off of my belly. Unfortunately, Ted was asleep and missed it, but I'm sure there will be many more to come.

We start birth classes next week and have to start searching for a pediatrician soon. The third trimester is just around the corner. I'm not sure I am ready for it because I am really enjoying the second. Hopefully I will continue to feel great and it won't make a difference.

The new carpet will be installed this week which means I will finally get to start on the nursery soon. I'm really looking forward to it, though it does seem a daunting task. Any decorators or seamstresses out there that wanna help?

Ok, I think that's enough for now. I promise to be back again soon.

Family Christmas version 1.0

2007-12-24T09:45:00.000-05:00

We have returned from our Christmas celebration with Ted's family. 10 adults and 6 kids under 8 years old- it was a very exciting day...

Mike, our brother-in-law, played chef all day (actually all week) and made a huge and fantastic meal for everyone. In addition to the two pans of lasagna with homemade sauce, he cooked his first standing rib roast (7 ribs total). 19 pounds of beefy fury! The rib cuts were devoured by breakfast the next day. Of course, we also had homemade cookies, sticky buns, mixed berry crumble, and a choice of two homemade dressings for the salad. If I've left any goodies out, I apologize- my brain is still in a food filled haze.

The kids had tons of fun opening presents. I believe each one was "exactly what I wanted!" Gotta love that kind of enthusiasm. We were also surprised to get a pack of adorable animal print onesies for Charlie (thanks to Bill, Jess and Gracie) and some notecards with cute little drawings of us- big preggo belly and all- from Chris, Mike, Aimee, Dee and Luke.

Now we will have our just-the-two-of-us Christmas before we get Caitlin for one more family celebration. Whew! That's a lotta Christmas!

On the baby front: Charlie is moving a lot more regularly now. He did his first Jean-Claude VanDamme move, kicking me on opposite sides of my belly at the same time, yesterday.

As a group of us were loading into the van to visit an Amish farmers' market, Dee (4), asked me why I don't have a puffy jacket like everyone else. I opened my coat a little and said, "Because I have a puffy belly instead." Chris said, "Dee, why does Aunt Ashley have a puffy belly?" and Dee quickly replied with a giggle "because she ate too much!" Funny, funny.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Slash Revealed

2007-12-13T18:57:00.000-05:00

After a few rescheduled appointments and having to wait an extra half hour to be seen today, we finally got to see Baby again. Here are the pics of our little cutie pie... Face, Profile, and the Big Reveal

Welcome Charlie!

Total Insanity

2007-12-10T14:11:00.000-05:00

Well, as you can see I have not posted ultrasound results. Fear not, we still expect to see the goods. But, through a series of unfortunate events, we had to reschedule the appointment for this Thursday. I promise to post as soon as I can.

On the disaster front- Ted did finally arrive safe and sound last week. Our travels were fairly uneventful. However, things on the home front were not so calm. Mom discovered 1/3 of the house flooded due to a broken water heater. A disaster team has been to the house daily to dry carpets, remove sheetrock/baseboards/vanity/etc. The plumber just left, so we finally have hot water again. Now we have to wait to hear from insurance before we replace carpet and wood floors, bathroom fixtures and doors. Kitty is pleased with the relative quiet now.

Ted has given the baby a new nickname. After discussing frustration with he/she, boy name/girl name, son/daughter, he decided to start calling the baby Slash. So, for a few more days we will be talking about Slash. Methinks this nickname might last a little longer, though.

Adventures in Black Friday Shopping

2007-11-23T20:31:00.000-05:00

It's about 8:30 now, and if it weren't for a turkey in the oven I would have been in bed an hour ago. Today was my first, fairly successful, attempt at early bird shopping on Black Friday. Here's how it went:

2:35- wake up 10 minutes before alarm goes off
3:00- leave house for shopping center (Order of store locations BabiesRUs, Target, Pier 1, Linens N Things, Kohl's, Old Navy)
3:20- arrive to find parking lot, find Target end almost empty. Park and watch a hooligan relieve himself on Target.
3:35- work up the nerve to brave the cold wind and join the crowd gathering in front of Kohl's.
4:00- doors open. Quick sweep for specific items, then a little meandering time for not-so-hot items.
4:20- begin looking for end of the register line
4:27- find end of line.
5:11- complete transaction and leave. Browse LNT and head to the car for breakfast, reading, and a break from the cold. Watch Target line get longer and longer.
5:50- crowd begins to rumble as people apparently try to "cut the line." Police and security calm it down. I gladly watch from the comfort of my front seat.
6:10- join the Target line now that it is short. Mad dash for electronics department for cheap dvds. Casually find the other items on my list.
7:11- pay and head out to car. All in-store shopping complete!
7:25- stop by grocery store. It's deathly quiet. Enjoy the calm for a few minutes.
7:30- stop by to visit mom for a few minutes.
8:30- arrive home. Fall asleep.

Around 2:30 I had to head back out to run a few errands. Started preparing food for tomorrow- yes, we're a little behind on the whole holiday thing. My first all-by-myself turkey is about ready to come out of the oven now. Soup is ready to heat.

Only a few minutes ago, I realized that I had been double charged for two items at Target. Fearing it would be a hassel to get credit back because I can't prove I only got one of each item, I call the store. Customer service girls says to just come in with a receipt and I'll get my money back. Sweet! I think I'll wait til tomorrow to go back, though. Even with the nap, today took its toll on me.

Will I do it again? As long as Ted watches the baby :)

Doctor's appointment, etc.

2007-11-16T19:17:00.000-05:00

I promise I will have belly pics up soon. As in, as soon as my darling husband gets home to take them for me!
Although, depending on what I'm wearing, I can pull off looking chubby not preggers.

My appointment yesterday was very normal. Blood pressure is good. Baby's heartrate is 152 bpm. (If you follow old wives' tales, this would indicate a girl. But, you know, those things are only true half the time.)