Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sixth Month Review

I've decided to write these posts as letters to Charlie instead of my typical bullet points. There is too much love to express about Charlie's 1st year and I feel my bullet points are too black and white. So here goes:

Dear Charlie,
     Your six month has been the quickest of them all. It could be because we were super busy or it could be that the changes in you are happening at a much faster pace than before. We started out the month celebrating your half birthday in Navarre, FL with your Non and Pop. We had a great time hanging in the condo, walking the beach and going out to eat. The weather was a bit windy so we didn't get to enjoy the beach that much, but we enjoyed the time with our family. You, Mr. Serious were just that when we buried your toes in the sand. You weren't to thrilled about it. You just squinted and looked like a little old man. Thanks to your cuz, Joseph, for letting you borrow his sunglasses. Joseph also taught you a few tricks. After observing him for a few days you decided it was time to get into the action and started to try to move towards things by shifting from side to side with your arms. Still no crawling, but at this point you are moving in different directions. 
     From Navarre we packed back up and drove 13 hours to Indy to pick up Gracie. We spent the rest of the weekend there. Visited with some friends and family. The following weekend we celebrated St. Patrick's Day. Your Aunt, Uncle and cousins throw a huge party every year and we happily joined them. You, Mr. Observer stayed awake for 6 hours straight! There was just too much to take in. You aren't much for napping unless it's in your crib or in your car seat with almost all distractions out of sight. We did have a little stint for about a week where you nussled up to my neck and would fall asleep.Your sleep continues to get longer with some random (teething?) nights. You tend to wake up once to eat and then go back to bed.
     As repetitive as it is, time is flying by. I decided to look back at my blog to see what was happening last year around this time. One of the major events was the birth of our your cousin Joseph. Amazing to be celebrating his 1st birthday already. Also, this time last year I was 15 weeks pregnant. You, my Charlie-bean, were the size of an orange. Today you are one big boy! At your 6 month check up on March 13th you were 18 lbs 13 oz and 27" long. 75% in both height and weight!  I've had many people comment on how you will be a football. If I have anything to say about it, you won't be playing football. It's a little too much contact for me, but I'm all for you being a basketball star like your Dad. 
     In other exciting news you tried more solid food this month and love it!! You've tried sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, peas and a little piece of pita bread. You liked everything, but the carrots and peas. We've had such a fun month and can't wait to see how much you grow and develop over the next few months!! Here are a bunch of photos from your 6 month!

St. Patrick's Day
Playing
6 month photo shoot

Family picture

Babbling boy

Happy Baby


Play time with Dad

Sweet potatoes-keep 'em coming!

Yum!

Peas-not too sure

The boys!

Checking out Grace

Going to hang with my cousins

Looking out the window

Helping Mom at work

Go Cards!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Spring Break Florida Style

It's hard to believe that at the beginning of this month we drove to Florida. I feel like this month has been the fastest month since Charlie was born. Maybe because we've been really busy or possibly because Charlie has been doing so much more this month. Anyway back to our trip.

The first full week of March we spent with my family in Navarre, FL. My parents graciously put Charlie, Mike and myself as well as my brother, my sister in law and nephew up in a Penthouse condo. We had a fun week of lounging around, walking the beach and eating lots of seafood. While it was quite windy and the red flags were up on a few occasions we still enjoyed our time relaxing. Charlie did great in the car. Originally, we were going to stop in Jackson, MS, but things were going well so we cruised on through. He did start to fuss the last few hours of the trip and it started to rain so that didn't help. But, then we had the beach as our goal so all was good. Here are a few pics from our trip:

Charlie and Aunt Caitie

Charlie and Mike on the balcony

Joseph waiting for lunch

Walking the beach

Nonny and Poppy

Mike and Charlie

Walking the beach during nap time. Not using a fake sound machine this time :)

My future's so bright I gotta wear shades.

Walking the pier and laughing at Mom

Checking out the pelican on the pier

Play time!!

Sunset on the balcony with Non and Pop

Putting my toes in the sand

Little old man lounging

Lunch at TC's. Clearly on vacation based on the facial hair

Wearing Daddy's hat

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Six Months Old

Changes in the last month:
  • Weight:18 lbs 13 oz (75%) Height: 27" (75%) on 3/13/2012
  • sitting up on his own
  • rolling from back to belly
  • playing with toys, picking them up off the ground, passing them between his hands
  • more talkative-does a darth vader sound when he gets tired
  • laughing more-when you tickle his ribs, fake sneeze or make funny noises at him
  • constantly eating his hands or toys or anything for that matter; my hair, my chin, my cheek, fingers 

Sleeping/Eating patterns:
  • takes about 3-4 naps a day. one will be about 1.5-2 hour nap and then several 30-45 minute naps
  • night sleep-still wakes up to nurse at least once a night-sleeps for a total of 10-11 hours, goes to bed between 6-8pm
  • eats every three to three and a half hours except for at night when he goes 5-7 hours
  • tried rice cereal and oatmeal-love them both! 

Activities:
  • 6 month appointment/shots
  • started solids
  • celebrated  first Superbowl at Nonny & Poppy's 
  • first cold (boo!)
  • celebrated Valentine's Day
  • visited Grandma, Grandpa & Aunt Rach in Indy
  • first long road trip to Navarre, FL-I did great...more on this trip in a later post
  • vacationed with Mom, Dad, Nonny, Poppy, Uncle Joe, Aunt Caitie & Joseph
  • stuck my toes in the sand and saw the ocean

    Thursday, February 9, 2012

    Five Months Old

    I can't believe you are 5 months old. You are such a handsome little boy. Look at those eyelashes, lips and sweet nose. Oh and I can't forget those chubby little cheeks. God surely blessed us with one sweet boy! 
    Changes in the last month:
    • more neck and back strength
    • rolls his body to the side
    • smiling and seeing things further away
    • more talkative
    • laughing-sometimes when changing his clothes, at Daddy fake sneezing and at Grace barking
    • grasps onto toys and can pick them up if they are near
    • sucks on his fingers and gets his thumb sometimes
    • no longer sleeps in the nap nanny at night-sleeping on his back in his crib, on his tummy during the day for naps
    Totally a SLU Billiken in this picture

    Sleeping/Eating patterns:
    • naps aren't as predictable as before, but usually takes one good 1.5-2 hour nap and then several 30-45 minute naps
    • night sleep continues to improve , wakes up to nurse once or twice a night-sleeps for a total of 10-12 hours, goes to bed between 6-8pm
    • eats every three hours except for at night when he goes 5-7 hours

    Activities:
    • 4 month appointment/shots, 16 lbs, 25.5" tall
    • celebrated Christmas with my Aunt Rach, Grandma & Grandpa
    • went to Sunday breakfast with Mom & Dad
    • hunkered in on cold days and went out for walks and shopping on warm days
    • caught my first stomach bug, but still smiling
    This next frame of pictures I find hilarious. 
    Hmmmmhh

    It's pretty outside

    Do you think we can go play?
    No, really Mom. I'm done.


      Monday, January 9, 2012

      Four Months Old


      Changes in the last month:
      • more neck and back strength
      • tries to do crunches and roll his body over 
      • smiles a lot
      • more talkative
      • found his hands & thinks they are the best toy ever
      • grasps onto toys and can pick them up if they are near
      • everything he can get his hands on goes right into his mouth
      • sleeps unswaddled at night

        Sleeping/Eating patterns:
        • naps aren't as predictable as before, but usually takes one good 1.5-2 hour nap and then several 30-45 minute naps
        • night sleep continues to improve , wakes up to nurse once or twice a night-sleeps for a total of 10-12 hours
        • eats every three hours except for at night when he goes 5-7 hours

          Activities:
          • attended Missouri Botanical Gardens with Mom, Nonny, Aunt Andrea and my cousins for the yearly Gardenland Express train show
          • went to Jilly's with Mom, Dad and their friends
          • Enjoyed 50 degree days with walks
          • Celebrated Christmas with the Z family
          • Celebrated Mom's 29th birthday with breakfast at First Watch 
          • Celebrated New Years