...And We're Walking

Just in time for Christmas, Charlie started walking last week.  He was pretty unsteady at first, taking between 6-10 steps before dropping to the floor but he is officially walking from room to room at our house and prefers to walk rather than crawl. 

Christmas seemed to come and go in a flash this year.  We stayed in Norwalk on Christmas Eve to celebrate BJ's birthday and so that Santa could be sure to find Charlie.  BJ and I were ready to capture the magic of Christmas morning with our camera and video camera and although we were able to catch some smiles when Charlie when checked out his new activity table, blocks, radio and puzzle.

I was particularly excited about the activity table because it includes both English and Spanish and I'm looking to brush up on my Spanish.  Seriously, I am.  I took four years in high school, but our "spanish 4" (or quatro for you bilingual readers) trip involved a drive into Dubuque to eat at Chi-Chi's and go to the movie "Selena" starring Jennifer Lopez.  I'm not saying that the quality of the course was sub-par, but let's just say that I remember ordering a grilled chicken sandwich at Chi-Chi's, but can't remember how to order the same in Spanish. 

On Christmas Day, we went back to Cascade to celebrate with our families.  There were lots of presents and great food, but the one thing that was lacking was any great group pictures by me.  I was bound and determined to get a family pictures of the 3 of us, but Charlie pulled his "wet noodle" trick every time that he noticed the camera...as evidenced in the forgettable string of pictures below.

I'm not sure what to do with the wet noodle phase - I ignore him when he starts to to turn into a wet noodle but ignoring him isn't really a good option when I'm trying to have a picture taken.  I suggested that his New Year's resolution be to stop doing the wet noodle, but he didn't seem that interested in my suggestion.

Here's to hoping that Santa found all of you!

Move Over Akeelah

So guess who is going to the state spelling bee competition?  No, it's not Charlie...he's not that advanced.  Emma advanced to the state competition and we couldn't be more excited for her.  Congratulations!

I was telling Charlie about how Emma dominated the North Scott spelling world last night while he was in the tub and he was in awe.

My cousin Emma did what?  Wait, what is a spelling bee?

Yea Emma!

This picture has no particular relevance to our conversation about the spelling bee, but I cannot resist the urge to give Charlie a mohawk every night in the bathtub.  I am about two steps away from breaking out the hair gel and sending him to daycare like this - it's time to make Charlie look tough before he moves up to the one year old room...a little intimidation might keep those biters away.

Birthday, Part 2

Grandma Jan and Grandpa Steve came down on Thursday night to see Charlie for a few hours and wish him a belated b-day.  The generosity continued with this awesome wagon:

 There is a bench on both sides of the wagon, so there is plenty of room for Copper to be paraded around the neighborhood as well. 

I noticed that there was a cup holder, which I find absolutely hilarious. 

 Grandma even stopped pulling the wagon to make sure that Charlie stayed hydrated.  It's hard work being pulled around the living room like a prince.

Unfortunately, by the time we realized that we wanted an official picture with Grandma and Grandpa, Charlie was done and ready for his bath and bed.  Please see the arching of the back, which is a fun little trick that Charlie started within the last few weeks.  I thought those weren't supposed to start until 2...

Thanks Grandma Jan and Grandpa Steve for coming down this week and for the presents - he is a lucky little boy.   

One (sigh)

Despite my best efforts, I was unable to find a way for Charlie to stay a baby forever.  Charlie Boy turned one on Friday and while I am so excited for him to learn new things and become more independent, the thought makes me a little teary.  It sounds so cliche, but the last year has flown by so fast and yet, I can't remember life without him. 

I decided to try to write Charlie a letter each year on his birthday in an attempt to summarize my thoughts regarding the past year.  This could be very sentimental or it could be used as evidence against me when he tries to have me committed in the future.  "Your Honor, my mother clearly lost all competency around my first birthday, as evidenced by this rambling letter." 

While thinking about the last 12 months, I've realized that the "hard work" is just beginning.  I don't know how to teach confidence but instill humility; to establish expectations but not assert too much pressure; to motivate but not be overbearing; to teach him to forgive without being taken advantage of; to teach him to have faith but not be gullible, etc , etc.  I guess we'll figure it out day by day. 

At this point during the picture-taking process, Copper ran around like a rabid dog...running into all rooms of our house while making the occasional pit-stop in Charlie's room.  It was as if he were on fire AND being chased by an invisible ghost.  The whole event was way too entertaining to Charlie to focus on our camera.  I think that we need to donate Copper's body to science when he leaves this world because there is more wrong with that dog than there is right. 

 Any guesses as to Charlie's present from us?  I'll give you a hint, if parental influence can begin at this age, one of us hopes to have a basketball player...

Charlie was more excited when the basketball hoop started to light up and sing than when he made a basket.  Don't worry BJ - you can start two-a-day practices sometime soon.

Mike, Molly, Emma, Claire and Hannah arrived Friday night and let Charlie open his present before he went to bed.  He was pretty excited to start his party early with these crazy girls.  And yes, I'm wearing $7 slippers from Target that are blue and white striped and say "Let It Snow" on the soles.  BJ thinks that they are the ugliest things that he has ever seen (a small victory for the pink fuzzy robe), but I told him that I'm sure that they are all the rage at nursing homes across the country.

Charlie took a great nap before his party, but was a little stunned to wake up to a houseful of people.  The icky weather and the flu kept some people away, but we had a great time with those that were able to make it.   

Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Bill!

Uncle Marty!

Aunt Molly!  Although in all fairness to Molly, I did a terrible job of zooming in on this picture.  Lunch was almost ready and the smell of food temporarily blocked my ability to function.

Some crazy cousins...trying to focus on the 3 cameras that were trying to get their attention at the same time.

Charlie, you're 1.  We had a great day with you on your actual birthday and you had a great time at your party and received many fun toys.  I don't know where the last year went, but I know that for the last year, you have been the best part of everyday.