Eight months!

So what is our favorite eight month old up to? 

*  We officially have a crawler on our hands.  Last Sunday Charlie decided to ditch his own method of transportation and opted for a more conventional crawl.  And, he's pretty good at it.  He can make it from one end of the room to the other in no time flat.  Guess it's time to get those gates back out.

*  Inspired by his recent mobility milestone he has decided not to stop there.  Oh no, he is now pulling himself to standing.  And Sunday he actually "cruised" a bit holding on to the sofa!  *GASP*  I'm excited for him, but not ready for two mobile little boys!

*  Maybe because his new activity has increased his metabolism Charlie is now eating some finger food. Mum mums, puffs, or as Beau calls them, "Baby treats!"  He loves them all.  And, don't bother feeding them to him, he wants to take control.  He even began feeding himself puffs last night, one little puff at a time.  He hasn't perfected his "pincher" grasp, but he's pretty good at "raking" them up and shoving them in. 

He takes what he wants

Allow me to introduce you to our own little Honey Badger.  Although Charlie has officially begun crawling (the real deal - belly off the ground and all) there was a time when he had developed a very efficient, albeit, unorthodox mode of transportation.  A combination of rolling, army crawling, scooting, and dragging, he could get around the floor faster than you might expect. 

Of course, video of the "real" crawling is forthcoming...that is, if I had time to video him before he gets into something! 

I LOVE handprint art

I do, I really love it.  However, it's kind of hard to get a toddler to sit still long enough to dip his hand in paint and then purposefully place it anywhere other than his shirt, the table, his hair, or his brother.  And don't get me started on Charlie.  If it's in/on his hand, it's in/on his mouth. 

But a friend sent me this link that was so cute I just had to try it for myself.  Well, "Bravo!" I say.  I think they turned out pretty darn cute. 

A Little MORE Off the Top

Before

So Beau has had several haircuts in the last two years, but this month he got his first "Big Boy" haircut.  It was FAR more emotional for Mommy than for Beau.  But we both made it through it unscathed.  In fact, Beau LOVED his new haircut. 

And After

Loving his new look

Seven Months!

And just like that, Charlie is seven months!  He's getting so big and strong and it's been such a pleasure to watch him grow.  Of course, no well check this month, so no official measurements.  However, I can tell you this - he's bigger than Beau was.  How do I know this?  This morning I dressed him in an outfit that Beau wore LAST Christmas. You know, when he was nearly 14 months old...

Anyway, what else is this little bugger up to these days? 

*  He still hasn't officially crawled, but good Lord, is he close!  I think the problem is that he's become so efficient as his own mode of transportation that crawling just doesn't seem that necessary. 

*  He still hates to be rocked.  Yep, every night now for seven months, when I put him to sleep I have had to walk the room with him.  I wonder how many miles that is by now...

*  He LOVES his big brother.  It's so funny to watch them play together.  They actually wrestle and yes, Charlie can hold his own already. 

*  The Bumbo has been retired.  While we struggle taking him out of it because of his chubby little thighs, he has no problem stretching and twisting and getting out of it himself.  Oh well...

Better Luck Next Time

We spent Thanksgiving in Texas with Dee Dee and Bone this year.  Well, we knew things were going to be a little different, what with Dee Dee having knee replacement surgery the Monday before Thanksgiving.  What we didn't realize was HOW different things would be.  I present to you our Thanksgiving feast...

Yep, you're not seeing things.  That's a big pot of spaghetti and meatsauce.  Hey at least we had plenty of good bread and wine to go with it. 

Dee Dee was discharged a day later than originally planned so we thought we'd celebrate Thanksgiving on Friday.  This would have been a great plan except when I retrieved the turkey to place in the oven Friday morning  IT WAS STILL FROZEN.  Ok, maybe it wasn't totally frozen, but that turkey had not thawed out.  Feeling delirious from sleep deprivation (thanks to Charlie and his mysterious fever I got approximately three hours of non-consecutive sleep the night before) I slapped some salt and olive oil on the bird and threw it in the oven. Alas, the turkey came out dry (I forgot to check the exact weight of the bird before I threw it in the oven...not to mention we left the house to pick up Dee Dee and I simply lost track of time).  It's ok, because in our discombobulated state we failed to make any side dishes.  So, instead of our belated feast, we had leftover Mexican. 

Hey, at least the margaritas were good!

This experience has not left us jaded or worse for wear; we consider it a trial run for Christmas.  Afterall, Dee Dee gets her second new knee the week before Christmas and we get to do the whole holiday feast all over again.  Of course this time, we're doing a little better planning ahead. 

Oh and if you're wondering, "Where are all the pictures you took of the boys for Thanksgiving?"  Are you kidding me?  We were the people at the grocery store at 1:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day...do you really think we had the ability to photograph the whole crazy experience?  This is the single shot I got of the boys.  It was taken at one of our MANY pitstops on the car ride. 

Don't worry...I'll do better at Christmas.

Say What?!

"I tried to reason with him."

Aunt Izzy learned quickly last week that there is no "reasoning" with a two year old who doesn't want to take his nap.  In fact, there is no "reasoning" with a two year old for much of anything. 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

While we didn't rent a bounce house or invite all his closest buddies for a party, we did have a nice little birthday celebration with Billy on Monday night. 

Earlier that morning Beau didn't seem very inclined to pass on any well wishes to his dad. 

Mommy:  "Beau, it's Daddy's birthday!"

Beau:  "No, Beau's birthday."

Mommy:  "No, sweetie.  Today is Daddy's birthday."

Beau:  "No, Mommy.  Beau's birthday.  No, Mommy.  Not nice." 

That evening when he realized that there was cake involved he soon changed his tune. 

Happy Birthday Billy!  We love you!!

Happy Halloween!!

La, La, La, La...La, La, La, La..Beau's Elmo!

This was Charlie's first Halloween and Beau's first real experience Trick-or-Treating.  All went well.  The only minor problem we had was trying to stop Beau from just waltzing into peoples' homes when they answered the door.  The kid knows no strangers!!

Mommy and her little Lion

 Anyway, we only actually made it to five houses before Beau started rubbing his eyes and asking for the "Star Turtle."  (It's a gift that Core gave Beau for his birthday and which he just LOVES.) 

Once again, THIS is the closest I came to a picture with the boys. 

So, two little boys, two cute costumes, five houses, and one and a half pieces of candy later, the Brian family said, "Good night."  Maybe we'll have a rowdier time next year...but I doubt it. 

Beau and Mr. Tommy's gigantic pumpkin.  He was fascinated. 

Odds and Ends

Charlie is THIS CLOSE to crawling.  However, despite the fact he has not begun to truly crawl, the kid can get around.  He has developed his own method of transportation which includes a combination of rolling, scooching, and thrusting himself forward.  Well, he's nothing if not resourceful. 

Beau has learned his ABC's.  Well, Beau has learned to sing the Alphabet song.  Ok, Beau has learned to sing most of the Alphabet song.  He very loudly and clearly goes from A through V and then sings, "double Y, me, me, me."  Apparently he has something against W, X, and Z. 

At his six month appointment we found out that Charlie is in the 75th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight.  However, when I informed the doctor of just how much he eats in a day, her eyes got wide and she said, "Well, then we can assume he has a very high metabolism."  So, once again we had confirmed something that Beau and Charlie have in common - healthy appetites.  And, once again I have confirmed the validity of my fears of future grocery bills.  (I thought about starting my own garden, but maybe I should invest in a couple of chickens and a cow too...for some reason I think our neighborhood has covenants against raising farm animals.) 

Which reminds me, Beau still wants a horsie. 

Charlie is becoming more and more of an independent baby.  He now contently plays by himself for ten minutes increments (I know, it doesn't seem like much, but you'd be surprised how much I can get done in ten minutes).  Also, and this one I'm not too excited about, he no longer likes to be rocked to sleep.  Sure, he'll let me hold him a bit and maybe even sit down in the rocker for a minute or two, but when he's really ready to sleep he squirms and grunts as if to say, "Woman, put me down in my own bed."  Once in his crib, he grabs a hold of his blanket, turns on his left side, sighs, and passes out.  Alas, I guess he doesn't need me as much any more. 

Lately Beau has decided to mimic me most of all.  And what does he mimic?  My terms of endearment.  One day on the ride to school when Charlie was crying, Beau turned to him and said, "Honey, don't cry, don't cry."  It took everything I had not to bust out laughing.  But, it didn't stop there.  Later that week when I was walking him up the stairs, he put his arm around my neck and said, "Night, night, Mommy.  Night, night, sweetheart."  And it continues...in addition to, "Honey," and "Sweetheart," he now calls us "Darling," and "Cutie."  Hey, there could be alot worse things coming out of his mouth, right? 

Six Months!

Hard to believe it, but Charlie is half of one year.  Oh my goodness, how times flies!  The Brian residence has been particularly chaotic lately, what with Mommy starting a new job, Beau's second brithday party planning, Halloween, and other Fall festivities in general.  So, I'll keep it brief.  At six months, here is what Charlie is up to...

*  Saying his first word - Da Da.  No surprise there.  It was Beau's first word too.  His second was Paw Paw, then Maw Maw.  Somewhere down the road it was eat - still a popular one.  Then a year later - Mommy.  So, let's just say I'm not banking on Charlie calling out for me any time soon.

*  Sitting up unassisted.  Sure, he still topples over when he gets over-ambitious and tries to grab that toy just out of his reach.  But for the most part, he has mastered this skill.

*  Eating.  Lord, this child might like to eat more than his brother.  Thank God this new job pays well.  We're going to need that extra dough when the boys are older. 

*  Blue eyes - I think they're here to stay.  While Beau's eye color was not set until around nine months, it started to change/darken around five months.  If we can use that as any indicator, Charlie is going to have big, bright, blue eyes.  (The butcher actually remembers me, BECAUSE of Charlie's big blue eyes.  He told me just tonight how they are some of the most beautiful eyes he's ever seen.  I agree.) 

*  Playing with Beau.  Or maybe I should say wrestling with Beau.  Charlie might be the baby brother, but he is already starting to hold his own.  Just the other day I was in the kitchen when I heard the boys screaming.  I told Billy to go in and tell Beau to leave his brother alone.  Laughing, he told me I needed to see this.  When I turned the corner, there was Beau, on his knees whimpering, while Charlie had a firm grasp of his hair in each fist.  Atta boy. 

Our Little Guy is Two!

He loved his cake.  He asked for more for breakfast...and dinner...and his after dinner snack...





Say what?!

"Mommy, I want a horsie."

Yes, we're still stuck on that one.

"Mommy, Paw Paw stinks." 

I'm not sure why he insists that Paw Paw stinks.  I'm pretty sure I haven't notice any wretched odors emitting from Paw Paw any time in the recent past. 

"Honey, don't cry." 

Charlie sometimes gets fussy on the way to school in the morning.  Beau likes to try and help calm him down. 

Bath Time!!

Mommy's Project 52:11 Rewarding

You know what is rewarding?  Starting a new job after a long hard search.  It's especially rewarding when you actually like the new job and you feel like you are putting your talents to good use.  Unfortunately, sometimes said new rewarding job does not allow time to properly fufill blogging duties. Hmmm..I'll just have to figure out a way to fit all this in. 

Mommy's Project 52:10 Cleaning

Mommy, you're embarrasing me. 

Billy would laugh if he saw the topic of this week's blogging project.  You see, I am not, nor have I ever claimed to be much of a housekeeper.  I keep things clean enough...clean enough to keep away ants or other undesirables.  In other words, I'm not a dirty person, but I'm not a tidy person, relatively speaking. 

Beau on the other hand loves to clean.  THIS obviously was not a trait acquired from me.  While we affectionately refer to him as Hurricane Beau for his ability to destroy a room in no time flat, he often puts away his toys - without prompting from Billy or me. 

He also likes to organize.  He has on more than one occasion dumped out the contents of Charlie's diaper basket only to make neat stacks of the diapers, identifiable by the character on the front of the diaper.  "Elmo, Mommy."  "Nernie, Mommy."  "Cookie Onster, Mommy.  Nom, nom, nom, nom."  (So he doesn't quite have all the names down pat.) 

And, if you'll recall the last time he took a crayon to the back door, he delighted in having to clean up his mess.  Seriously, how do I punish the kid past a good time out if he is enjoying himself! 

So, although I am likely a foregone cause, there is hope for Beau.  And that makes Billy very, very happy.  (Of course, he's just waiting for Beau to put his skills to use outdoors.  All in good time, Billy.  I don't think he can handle the gas blower just yet...) 

Mommy, I want a horsie...

Beau has been obessed with animals lately.  It's gotten to the point where he mumbles under his breath, "The cow says, 'Mooo.' The sheep says, 'Baaa.'  The rooster says, 'Doodle.'"  And good Lord, if he asks me for a horse one more time...  So last Friday evening we decided to load up the kiddos and meet Maw Maw and Paw Paw at the fair.  We knew Beau would love seeing the animals again and we figured we'd try out some of the rides. 

I'm not sure if it was because he didn't nap well or was just in a sour mood, but Beau was not as big a fan of the animals as last year.  Or, maybe this whole scene was just so passe'?

Charlie wasn't very interested in the animals either.  Luckily, he's pretty easy to entertain. 

After the livestock, we headed for the rides.  I'm not sure what to think about Beau's experience on the carousel.  This was his expression for each go round. 

Spending time with Maw Maw was just as exciting as any old ride for Charlie. 

After the carousel we weren't really sure what to do when he asked to ride the kiddie roller coaster but...he LOVED it.  Seriously, he was the smallest kid on there by far, but he surely had the most fun.  He asked to ride it again and again and again. 

So what if Charlie couldn't really participate.  He enjoyed the beautiful weather. 

Mmmmm....nom, nom, nom

Fresh delicious pears

About a month or so ago, we started introducing Charlie to solid foods.  I don't know why, but I have been looking forward to this so much!  So, when we got the greenlight from his pediatrician at his four month well check, I got busy. 

From the market, to the pot...

To the freezer...

I just had so much fun making Beau's baby food - introducing him to new flavors and making sure I knew exactly what was going into that adorable little belly. 

"Seriously, THIS is what I've been waiting for?"

First up was rice cereal.  All I have to say about rice cereal is, "Boooo!"  So boring. Yes, I realize it is necessary and yes, I realize that it is an excellent source of iron.  But seriously, have you tasted this stuff?  It tastes like, well, nothing.  But off we went. 

"Maybe it's not THAT bad."

After a week or so of success in the rice cereal department we moved on to bigger and better things...namely, sweet potatoes.  Apparently the Brian boys, Billy included, really have a thing for sweet potatoes because they are an instant hit in this house. 





"What is this?  This doesn't look like white mush."



"Oh My God!  You've been holding out on me!"

"More, more, more, more..."

Since the introduction of sweet potatoes we've tried several items, most of which he has liked.  In fact, there are only two items he did not like - butternut squash and avocado - the latter actually induced dry-heaving.  Sheesh.  His favorites have been sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes mixed with bananas, peas (yes, peas), carrots, and as of last night, apples and blueberries mixed. 

And, I thought I'd take on another small project in this department.  I collect glass jars - no, not the pretty antique types - the types they sell pickles and pesto in.  It's a problem.  Apparently though, I'm not alone. 

I had about a dozen small jars from marinated artichoke hearts from our favorite salad.  Taking a cue from a friend's blog I cleaned the jars, removed any labels from the jars and lids and then spray painted the lids with chalkboard paint.   

Three layers of paint and 24 hours later - voila!  Adorable reusable baby food jars.  The only *problem* with these is they store a little too much food.  I've had to instruct day care NOT to feed Charlie the entire content of the jars (like they accidentally tried to do the first time...)   But they are just the cutest and so practical!  I love them! 

* ps - the title of this post is actually my impression of Beau's impression of Cookie Monster.  I'll have to get video on that soon. 

Say what?!

Beau:  "Mommy, I want a puppy." (As he points to a muffin.)

Mommy:  "You mean you want a muffin?"

Beau:  "Yes, Mommy, a puppy."

Mommy:  "No, Beau.  A muffin."

Beau:  "Puppy."

Mommy:  "Beau, say, 'mu.'"

Beau:  "Mu."

Mommy:  "Say, 'fin.""

Beau:  "Fin."

Mommy:  "Muffin."

Beau:  "Puppy."

Mommy:  "Here, enjoy your puppy."

Something got lost in translation there.