One Year Old!

Can you believe it's been one year? One year since we welcomed our Charlie. One year since we became a family of five - yep, haven't forgotten Murphy. One year since I discovered that your love for each child runs just as deep. One year since our house became blessedly chaotic. (Ok, one year ago Saturday...I'm a little late, forgive me.) 

And away we go! (PS - this is, of course, before Billy nearly passed out. I don't want anyone to forget the fact that at one point during Charlie's birth Billy had the attention of more medical staff than I did.)

 

 "Oh, I can tell you're going to be trouble."

 "Is that mine?"

 "Hmmmm...I'm not so sure, Paw Paw."

 I can happily say that one year later, Beau still loves Charlie this much.

 About one month later (Still a little yellow, no? But so so sweet.)

 And at two months...Don't worry, I have neither the time nor patience to add a photo from each month.

Being silly in his co-sleeper. What a ham. At least that hasn't changed.

So, Happy Birthday Charlie! We love you! I can't believe how incomplete our lives were before your arrival. We're so lucky to have you here with us. Love, Mommy

Say what?!

"Mommy, shut the door.  I got this." 

"Mommy, I pull my pants down/up." 

"Mommy!  Privacy!"

Beau is not only potty-trained now, but apparently very independent.

And on that note, the most uttered phrase in the Brian residence these days...

"Mommy, no!  I do it by myself!" 

Oh Lord.  I love how independent he is, but why is it that he really wants to showcase his independence when we are running late?!  I swear, it's like herding turtles sometimes. 

Mmmm...spaghetti...

Remember how much Beau loved spaghetti? 

Turns out Charlie has a real affinity for the Italian fare as well.  Well, we kind of figured he'd love it.  The child loves noodles in any form.  Here are some highlights...

And in case you want the real experience, a little video.   

 Yes, it was a lot of fun to clean this mess up.  At least Murphy tried to help. 

Say what?!

"Beau, please don't comb your hair with your fork." 

"Beau, please don't stick dollar bills in your underwear." 

"Beau, please stop riding your brother like a horse."

"No, Beau.  You can't have cupcakes for dinner.  No, no ice cream either.  No, candy is also not an acceptable meal."

"Beau, if you have to pee pee, let's go inside instead of in the yard." 

"Beau, seriously, pull your pants up." 

Easter weekend proved to be quite humorous and eventful. 

MLS Easter Party

Well the boys have their Easter parties at school today.  Ok, well, Beau has an Easter party and egg hunt.  Charlie, not so much.  But, isn't everyday a party at daycare?  Oh, it's not?  Moving on...

I somehow forgot that I am incredibly pressed for time when I decided to make gifts for the boys classmates.  (Like I enjoy waking up at 4:45 a.m. to work out because it's the only time I can...)  Anywho, by the time I realized the committment necessary, I was in too deep.  But, I think they came out adorable. 

For Beau, I made little "chicks" cups and filled them with jellybeans (because you can't have Easter without jellybeans) and eggs-shaped rice krispie treats. 

Charlie's gifts were a little more labor intensive.  Since I thought it would be ridiculous to give infants candy I made them stuffed "Peeps."  Too precious, no? 

Now on to bigger and better things - Charlie's first birthday party and Easter - all in one weekend!!!

Nobody told me...

Beau has been pottytraining for just over two weeks now, and with great success.  He still has an accident here or there, but for the most part he "gets it."  Despite all the advice I got from friends, books I read, and questions I asked, there are a few things that no one prepared me for while potty training a little boy.  Here goes...

1.  I find random items in my toilet - like my tennis shoes or my favorite wooden spoon.

2.  Selecting which "big boy" underwear to wear today is parallel to my picking out which dress to wear to prom.  Seriously Beau, they're underwear.  No one but Mommy is going to see them, and there's still that chance that they'll end up wet at some point during the day. 

3.  "Accidents" are not limited to peeing in your pants.  Oh no, two days in a row Beau had to walk around the class room barefoot because he managed to pee on his shoes.  How's that for bad aim? 

4.  When he insisted on standing up to potty, because, well, that's how Daddy does it, I had to help him "aim." 

5.  He refuses to pee into the "big" potty because, "Mommy, I'm scared."  And so, instead he stands on the toilet seat, firmly grasping on to the toilet bowl tank.  Hey, it works. 

6.  After he mastered peeing standing up, I had to have a conversation with him explaining that pooping standing up is really ill-advised. 

7.  I have never been so glad to have the maid come on Friday. 

8.  Seeing the look on his face when he has success makes cleaning up all those accidents worth it, well, almost.  You never really get used to cleaning that up. 

Eleven months!

Charlie is eleven months old today. I’m no math genius but I think that means that next month he will be one year old. ONE YEAR OLD! Holy Moly…where did the past year go?!

So, here’s what the cutest, sweetest, most cuddlely, lovable eleven month old around is up to these days.

*  Houston, we have a tooth. Actually we’ve got two teeth. FINALLY, Charlie has two pearly white little chompers. They arrived the week that he turned ten months. He’s very proud of his teeth and likes to show them off. At his last doctor’s visit she pointed out that the two top teeth are also about to break through the skin. One of the little suckers just bust through the gums, but has yet to make an appearance.   

*  Freakish strength. Yep, just like Beau, Charlie seems to have acquired his father’s freakish strength. I was watching him on the school’s webcam the other day when he stood up against the play area. It kind of looks like this, in case you were wondering. After gaining his balance he proceeded to push it about three to four feet across the floor. His teachers were just standing there watching in disbelief. It didn’t really shock me; I’ve seen what he does at home.

*  Charlie has not been spoon fed in over a month.  He insists on feeding himself, which makes it easier and more difficult for me, all at once.  Luckily, he pretty much eats anything we put in front of him, but he is particularly fond of cheese or anything with cheese on it.  Oh, and formula...forget it.  That's for babies.  I'm lucky if I can get him to drink 18-20 ounces in a day.  Sheesh.

*  Oh, and speaking of food...Charlie has added another word to his vernacular.  We have "ma ma", "da da" (both directed at the correct party) and "Beau" and now we have "mum mum."  Oh yea, the kids loves him some Mum Mums.  I never knew anyone could get so excited over a rice cake.  But hey, to each his own. 

*  While hasn't taken any unassisted steps yet, he LOVES walking behind his activity walker.  Heck, he loves walking behind anything he can push - Beau's trucks, the kitchen stools, mommy.  He'll definitely be walking sooner than later. 

*  Unlike his big brother, he took to the sippy cup immediately.  He now casually sips his formula (see above) and water.  I can't wait to see his face the first time he gets a little juice in there. 

*  Charlie loves playing with balls.  Any type, any size.  He can now roll them to you and catch them when your roll them back.  He also has learned to throw them pretty well.  Apparently he had a lot of practice pitching his pacifiers from his crib.  (Seriously, at first I was finding them at the foot of his crib.  Now I find them hurled across the room behind furniture.  Do we have a little QB on our hands??)  

*  He also likes to crawl to the nearest pillow or blanket and bury his head in it.  He then looks up as if to say, "Did you see that?"  It's almost as if he is pretending to sleep or pretending to throw a tantrum.  I prefer to think it's the former.  Besides he does this at bed time too.  Core gave him the most darling puppy pillow, which he has used correctly since the day I put it in his crib.  My little guy is really growing up. 

*  And the best for last...remember the old addage, "Monkey see, monkey do."  Well apparently we are doing something right in the Brian residence.  Check out the note Charlie's teacher left us on his daily progress report last week.  She said if she had a video camera, it would have gone viral by that evening.  *sigh* These are the things I hate missing. 

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.