Say what?!

"We call him the bottomless pit." 

Charlie's teacher, remarking on his eating habits. 

"Beau." 

This morning Charlie called to his brother by name.  Beau and I both turned and looked in disbelief.  And I think Charlie surprised even himself. 

Say What?!

"Charlie, I'm a big boy now." 

Beau, commenting to Charlie about his new status. 

Little Victories

Oh the trials and tribulations of potty training! Beau first took an interest in going to the potty last summer when he was just shy of his second birthday. As excited as I was about that prospect, I was dealing with a colicky baby and so potty training just was not a priority. I did buy a little “potty chair” which Beau immediately took a liking too. Of course, at first he sat on it, fully clothed, shouting, “Yee haw!” But eventually his interest in it deepened.

When we decided to really go after the whole potty training adventure we needed a plan – something to incentivize stopping what he was doing just to sit and relieve himself. Well, knowing how much this kid likes to eat, we gave him “treats.” Treats were not one specific item; treats were whatever he asked for after a successful potty break (within reason, of course).

Well, this strategy worked pretty well. That is until we realized that he was not using the potty when he HAD to go. He was using the potty when he WANTED a treat. Big difference. But what do you do? Eventually he discovered the joy of poo poo’ing on the potty. Yes, you laugh, but the moment he did that and discovered how wonderful it felt not to walk around with a giant load between his legs, he actually started to tell us when he had to go, before he had to go. SUCCESS!!

And then, something else happened, after about a week of pooping only on the potty, I noticed that his entire diaper was dry. Well, school noticed too because Wednesday afternoon his teacher asked Billy to please only send Beau to school in “big boy” underwear. He was ready. Oh my goodness! He was ready!!

Yesterday was officially Beau’s first day in big boy underwear. When he woke up he immediately asked to go to the potty. While he sat on the pot listing which treats he would like (“gummies…red m&m…chocky milk…applesauce…”) I handed him his “Big boy” underwear and informed him he would be wearing these to school that day. He grabbed them, clutched them tight to his chest and beamed one of his big old smiles. Excited? I’d say so.

Well, guess what? He was ready. Day one came and went and not a single accident. The little guy stayed high and dry. We are so very proud of him, and he’s pretty proud of himself too. I know that he’s likely to have a set back here and there, but what a huge step. Our little man is growing up. Now, if only he could wipe his own booty. Now THAT’S a serious victory.

So I don't have any stills of him on the pot...but here's a few second video of him telling Charlie to give him some privacy. 

Makin' groceries

Did you see that?

So how does one to keep two very active little boys entertained?  Take them to the grocery and put them in the "car cart."  Oh yes, one of the boys' new favorite things to do is to "drive" side by side while Mommy does some shopping. Thank God for these carts.  They successfully keep the kiddos busy and happy while I wander from aisle to aisle. 

Mommy, you're embarrasing us!

Race ya!

Brothers hug. 

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. 

Say what?!

"Come here, Mommy.  I'll hold you."

I told Beau he hurt my feelings for not listening to me after bathtime.  He was genuinely concerned and wanted to comfort me.  My God, this kid is too much. 

Say what?!

"Please, Mommy.  Please, Mommy, don't leave me.  Love you." 

Beau, doing his best to make me feel absolutely TERRIBLE about dropping him off at school this morning.  Ugh. 

Nine Months!

Our main man Charlie is nine months.  And unfortunately his mommy is terribly busy with work and such other frivilous matters.  As such, my blogging time has been drastically cut.  So I leave you not with a narrative of his most recent exploits, but instead a nice bulleted list. 

*  At his nine month check up the doctor calmed my fears about his recent distaste for formula.  Yes, he's in the 75th percentile for weight.  Apparently there's no problem there. 

*  Charlie is Crawling.  Crawling. Crawling.  He's mobile now and can't be held back.  So don't even try.

*  At nine months, he still has ZERO teeth.  God, I love that toothless smile, but shouldn't he have at least one tooth by now?  Again, the pediatrician said he's AOK.  OK, she's the professional. 

*  He LOVES feeding himself.  He's taken a liking to finger foods and the baby food that comes in a pouch.  What's that you say?  But how can he eat with no teeth?  I have no idea.  But he can.  How can he rip holes in his bottle nipples without teeth?  I have no idea.  But I've had to purchase eight new nipples since Christmas to replace the ones he's torn up. 

*  While he does not want to crawl up the stairs (whew), he does try to crawl on the fireplace, out of the tub, off of our bed, out of the highchair...get the picture? 

*  He still loves Beau.  They're still best buds.  God, I hope this lasts forever. 

Charlie's Best Friend

Bone gave Charlie this special little puppy dog for Christmas.  It's cute, but I guarantee he had no idea how much his grandson would love it.  He screams for joy when the puppy walks to him, or better yet, barks at him.  And man, does that kid love to bounce to the rhythm of that barking.  This is a typical reaction.  It cracks me up everytime. 

Say what?!

"Mommy/Daddy, poo poo, potty, chocolate milk." 

When Beau pee pees or poo poos on the potty he gets a treat; his favorite treat is chocolate milk.  And I bet your mind was thinking something yucky...

"Charlie, this is elephant.  Elephant says, "Pfffff..."

Beau has taken it upon himself to teach Charlie animals and the sounds they make.  Next up, A, B, C's...

"Ma ma, ba ba." 

Not to be left out, Charlie can now ask for a bottle. 

"No, Mommy!  I want Daddy's truck." 

Apparently Billy's truck is a lot cooler than Mommy's.  At least that's what Beau told me when I picked him up from school earlier this week as he threw a temper tantrum in the driveway.  Awesome.  I had to throw him over my shoulder and literally toss him in the Suburban. 

It's Game Day!

By the Numbers - The 2011 Edition

It's that time of year again.  It's time to reflect over the past year and to sum it up with a few choice digits!
 

Beau has actually only had to be woken up 6 times in the morning. 

However, this has occurred 0 times on a weekend. 

During those colicky months I walked approximately 240 miles trying to "walk" Charlie back to sleep - remember he refused to rock...  (Calculation - 60 days, on average 4 times a night, for 20 minutes each time, walking a slow 20 minute mile...)  Oh and this is JUST what I walked at night!!!

Charlie broke 2 pieces off of his exersaucer within the first week he was in it.

It took Charlie 8 months to go from zero to crawling.

It took Charlie 6 days to go from crawling to cruising on the furniture!

I started 2011 with 4 gray hairs.

I now have 8. 

Beau has gotten in trouble 1 time for kissing a girl at school.  And I think that is 1 time too many!!  (Good Lord, I am NOT ready for this.) 

To date Charlie still has 0 teeth, but that doesn't stop him from eating finger foods already!

Just to make sure we're all clear, 240 miles is almost 10 marathons.  Why am I not in better shape?

Oh well!  Here's to 2012 - may it bring more restful nights and fewer gray hairs! 



Merry and Bright!

Christmas 2011 has come and gone, and I swear we are still all recooperating from it.  This was the first Christmas where Beau really "got it."  And it was so much fun!  I can't wait until next year when, hopefully, Charlie is a little more aware too! 

Hooray Christmas!

What?!  Santa's coming?  Shut your mouth!



"Mommy, the cookies are gone."  **  "Wait, who wrote this?"  **  "Oh my goodness, Santa was here!!" 



Santa is very polite and leaves thank you notes for good boys and girls. 

Beau thought daddy's feet could use some sticker decor. 

Apparently so could Paw Paw's face. 

Snacking on "reindeer food." 

Say what?!

"Mommy, sit.  Rub my back." 

Beau has become quite demanding in his bedtime routine...

"Cars run fast." 

Run.  Drive.  It's all the same, right?

"No, Charlie.  My Mommy."  "No, Daddy.  My Mommy."  "No, Paw Paw.  My Mommy." 

And jealousy has reared its ugly head at the Brian residence. 

Dear Santa...

Beau's class wrote letters to Santa asking him for their hearts' desires.  Beau's requests were pretty predictable.  He has a new obessession with cars and yes, the whole horsie wish is still around. 

Well, turns out one of Beau's classmates has a very special desire. 

Yes, in case you didn't catch that...

Sheesh.  I thought I had more time to prepare myself for this! 

Reindeer food!

I needed a quick, inexpensive, and above all, adorable gift idea for Beau's classmates.  After searching the internet for about ten minutes I saw this.  Oh how sweet!  I think it came out just precious and Beau was OBESSESSED with making, "Reindeer food, Mommy!!"

It was super easy.  I just used items I already had around the house. We mixed Cheerio's with granola and then added the "magic" ingredient - green and red colored sugar! 

It's sure to be a hit among the other two year olds.  Merry Christmas!!

Morning sunshine!

And so it begins...THIS is how I found Charlie this morning when I went to get him out of bed.  Guess it's time to lower the crib. 

PS - Sorry for the poor quality photo; I took it with my phone...

He's making a list...

The boys, along with cousin Marc, took a visit to the North Pole (ok, maybe it was just Lakeside Mall) to visit Santa.  Beau was super excited and Charlie was just fascinated with Santa. I can't believe that we got a good picture of them both with Santa because Charlie seriously could not take his eyes off of the big man!  But, I think it came out pretty cute. 

And, if Santa was listening, Beau might just get those Elmo stickers and trucks he asked for.  And Charlie, well that sit and stand activity walker might be even more appropro given the recent week's events!