Nine Month Review

Dear Charlie,

Here we are, another month has passed. I'm in awe of how quickly time is passing with you. This month was another busy one. At the beginning of the month we had your 9 month well baby check up. You were 21.5 lbs and 29". Staying steady in the 75% range. No shots this month. Just had to have some blood drawn, which you took like a champ.

Father's Day breakfast

All around June was a very busy month for you. We started swim class as well as Kindermusick. In swim class you learned how to go under water and "swim" from one person to another. Kindermusick is a fun class especially because we get to spend time with your cousin Joseph and Nonni. You boys aren't much for sitting on our laps. You both walk and crawl all over the room, checking everyone and everything out. You love to shake the egg rattles and are even starting to bounce to music at home. Along with these classes you've also been able to spend lots of time with your cousins. That is one of the many benefits of Aunt Beth babysitting you on Thursdays.

Kindermusik

This month we also took a trip to see Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Rach in Indianapolis. While there we did lots of swimming and squeezed in a few play dates as well. Norah & Molly came over and you all loved the pool. We also had a breakfast date with Reagan. She was nice enough to share her waffle with you even though you kept trying to pull her hair. You also enjoyed swinging in your swing from Great Gma & Gpa.

Norah, Charlie & Molly

Love playing with Aunt Rach!

Giving Reagan trouble

Hanging with Gpa

Swing time with Gma

Drying off with Dad

All in all this month was all about movement and activity. It didn't take you long to master crawling. You then started pulling yourself to stand at every opportunity. With all this movement comes a hungry boy. You are enjoying 3 meals a day (4 oz jars) as well as nursing or taking a bottle 4x/day. Along with movement and eating you have been waving and also saying maa maa and baa. We can't wait to hear you say and do so much more! But it's a bittersweet time as well. The other night I snuck into your room to check on you sleeping. What I saw brought tears to my eyes. I am in awe of how big you are and how much time flies by. I can't believe this big boy was once my tiny little baby. Now you are a wiggly worm who cannot wait to explore everything around you! 

Charlie's Seventh month!

Dear Charlie,

Your 7th month flew by. At the beginning of the month you met two very special people, your Great Grandma and Grandpa.

They traveled all the way from Maryland to meet you and to celebrate Easter. We went to St. Mark's for the early morning service and when we returned the Easter bunny had made a special visit. You enjoyed taking everything out of your basket and inspecting every little item.

That weekend we also met baby Norah. Norah's Mom is a good friend of mine from college. It was so great to meet her and celebrate her arrival.

This month you really explored your voice and food. You say baa, ba, da and momma when you are upset. You enjoyed apples, corn on the cob (which I later learned was a no, no), squash, pears and more. You love to eat and I am already starting to see how big of an eater you will be as you continue to grow big and strong.

 

At the end of the month we had fun celebrating your cousin Sophia's 1st Communion. You had a blast going down the slide with your cousin Joseph. You also surprised us by trying to crawl out of your tub.

This month was a busy one, which I think will be the case for a long time to come. You were a big help as we got the house ready to put on the market. You also are started to rock on your knees and soon you will take off. Next step baby proofing...

One month old

On Tuesday, October 4th Charlie turned one month old. It is unbelievable how time just flies by. During August and basically after we hit the 30th week of pregnancy time started to move like molasses. Before that my pregnancy flew by. Again, time is moving at a ridiculous speed. Our boy is growing so big. We haven't officially weighed him or taken his length, but of course like giddy kids we jump on the scale and measure him with a tape measurer. Clearly, we are first time parents. From this mornings weigh in Charlie is about 10.2 lbs and is 22" long. We go back to the doctor on the 19th and will have official stats then.

Changes in the last month:

• more alert & awake time
• his eyes follow objects
• he makes eye contact with us
• lifts his head when on stomach-did this since day two-strong boy!

Sleeping/Eating patterns:

• still confused about days and nights
• during the day waking or being woken every three hours to nurse
• at night fusses quite a bit/produces lots of saliva, sometimes sleeps 4 hours or 5 minutes

Music we are listening to & singing:

• Mumford & Sons-we decided Timshel is our song for Charlie
• Jason Mraz-always a favorite
• Daddy sings baby beluga/other random goodies-we have trouble remembering nursery rhymes or kids songs at this point

Activities:

• bath
• walking
• tummy time
• singing and reading-loves Hello, Bugs!
• laying on the play mat and looking around
• sleeping in the Moby Wrap or in the basinett
• meeting & greeting the many visitors 

Reading Clifford with my big gray dog, Gracie