Odds and Ends

Meal time around the Brian residence has become more interesting as Charlie has foresworn purees.  He's taken to feeding himself, which is quite alright with this busy momma. 

Beau offers words of encouragement to Charlie during meals.  "Charlie, don't want peas you.  Here, you eat 'em." 

We made a life-changing decision last month - we got a maid.  See that mess in the background, Charlie did that on his own in about fifteen second flat.  Maid service, we believe, will help salvage the remaining sanity we have. 

Again with the eating, Beau's still a big eater.  Here he is eating his "pre-breakfast" meal before I drop him off at school for his "real breakfast."  This kid's metabolism is amazing.  He finally hit 30 pounds this month!  (PS - notice the light outside, or lack thereof.  Oh yes, the Brian family starts its day off E-A-R-L-Y.  Well, at least mommy and the little boys do.) 

Charlie gets in on the pre-breakfast activity too.  Except now, in addition to the bottle he eats a half cup of cheerios and half a banana.  Do you know I buy about four bunches of bananas weekly?  FOUR.  I seriously should inquire into investing in Chiquita. 

Beau had his first banana split this month.  I think he liked it.  (Yes, he is in his pajamas, but don't worry.  He didn't have the banana split for breakfast.  What's that you ask?  Why is he still in his pajamas?  I really don't remember, but I bet it made sense at the time.) 

Yes, that is a bruise on Charlie's forehead.  He got it by banging his head into his crib.  It's cool, because it matches the one he got later on by banging his head on the cabinet door.  This kid is a bruiser.  I might want to introduce myself to the emergency department staff sooner than later. 

Or maybe I shouldn't let him stand in the tub?  Surely we could avoid some accidents that way.  But then I wouldn't get adorable photos like this one. 

Bath time is still Beau's favorite time of the day.  Well, except for when it's not.  Then it's really not.  Like REALLY not. 

I believe this is right before Beau threw a sopping wet face cloth at Charlie's head.  Which in response to, Charlie dove face first toward Beau dunking his head completely under water.  Of course, he jumped up, laughing.  Nothing phases him. 

Beau now has, thankfully, a few movies he enjoys watching.  Seriously, I love Buzz and Woody, but if I had to watch Toy Story one more time...This evening he was watching Jungle Book while wearing his favorite new pajama pants - which I made for him.  More on that and my new addiction later. 

Ten months!

Unlike Beau, Charlie is a morning person

Today, Valentine's Day, marks Charlie's tenth month.  To celebrate, he slept from 7:00pm until 5:50am.  Right, I realize that for most, this isn't a big deal.  But considering he's been battling an ear infection for nearly six weeks, this was truly monumentous. 

So you ask, what else is new?

Well, still no teeth.  Yep, ten months and zero chompers.  However, at his follow up appointment with the pediatrician after he got the "all clear" on the ear infection, she noted to me, "You know he's got some teeth coming in, right?"  I said I suspected as much and motioned to his bottom gums.  She then pointed out, "Nope, not just those.  Look up here too."  Yep, little has FOUR teeth coming in all at once.  Get the ibuprofen and oragel ready! 

Nom, nom, nom...that finger feels good on my swollen gums. 

He is getting more and more brazen in his "cruising" efforts.  It's nothing for him to cruise from one piece of furniture to the next.  It's also nothing to have him cruise from Mommy to Beau to Daddy to Murphy with one fluid motion.  I've even caught him standing without assistance for a fleeting second.  Why do I feel like walking is right around the corner? 

Looking out the window for daddy. 

Apparently the boys do have something in common.  I was informed by Charlie's teachers that he has taken advantage of his status as the oldest boy in his classroom by assuming the role of "man of the infant room." He apparently spends his entire day with the two little girls in his class, one on either side.  I watched the webcam...they were right.  He's a ladies man, much like Beau.  Oh his daddy is so proud. 

Finally, Charlie's palate is becoming ever more sophisticated.  All purees have been banished from his dinner plate.  Now he is enjoying such delicacies as toated whole grain waffles, ripe bananas and mango, and the ever popular mac n cheese.  Well, at least he's feeding himself. 

Say what?!

"Set.  Go!"

Because when you're like Beau and always ready, saying so is just superfluous. 

"Donuts?"

Apparently Beau was pretty optimistic while we were sitting watching Ice Age right before bed.