Tommy - One month

Tommy came out ready to eat and grow!  In his first month of life he gained 3 1/2 pounds and three inches in length!   Towards the end of the month he was coming out of his newborn fog and starting to be more alert and aware of his surroundings.   He had some great sleep smiles.  His brothers love to give him kisses and loving touches on the head.   He is sleeping for about 3 hour stretches at night.   Here are some pictures from his one month photo shoot.

To Infinity and Beyond- Charlie is TWO

Where did those two years go!?  Charlie had his second birthday.  He celebrated first at home with a special cupcake (and a bunch extra to take to school to share with his friends).   He really likes cake and just about anything sweet.  He dug right in!  

The second party was with our family.  Jess, Sam, Emma, Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Bill and Lucille all came to celebrate.  

Charlie loves Toy Story and especially Buzz, so we went with the Toy Story theme.   We got a huge Buzz ballon, but he was terrified of the thing at first.  He has since warmed up to it and it is actually still inflated and way up to an unreachable spot in our living room ceiling (weeks later).  We had a very yummy dinner prepared by Daddy and then cake from me.   It was a great afternoon.   He got an adorable little rocket ship Buzz self- peddled car from Grandma and Grandpa...among many other fabulous gifts!   Thanks to everyone!!

Pictures are below of the two days...

Charlie at TWO:

    Charlie can be extremely sweet.  He is a lover.  He loves getting/giving hugs and kisses.  Especially when he is tired or waking up.   He will often just come give you a hug and kiss out of the blue too.   He has some addictions...his pacifier (he still uses the ones that are labeled for 0-3 month old babies!) and his blankies.  He has about 4 tag blankets that he must have to go to sleep.  He also has a specially made 'cozy' (as he calls it) that Grandma made out of one of my maternity shirts.  He found the shirt in my closet one day and wanted to wear it around.  It is a very silky fabric and he loved it.  We sacrificed the shirt and made him a little blanket.  He loves to rub the fabric between his fingers and says 'soft and cozy'.  

   He loves to make us laugh and just might end up being the Class Clown.  He makes crazy faces, uses a deep silly voice and will spin and dance until he gets a laugh from one of us.   He is a goof and we are often cracking up at his antics.  

   He is not the best eater and is still kind of picky.  Favorites are peanut butter, yogurt and cheese.  We have to beg him to sit still to eat.   He is getting better at sleeping and will sleep all through the night about 5/7 nights.   He was kicked out of his crib to make way for Tommy and did the transition to his big boy race car bed without really any problem.  

   He is getting quite skilled in the verbal department.  He now knows all of his colors, can count to ten, recognizes a lot of the letters and knows the name of almost all common objects, animals, feelings, etc.   He has quickly learned the word 'No' and the phrase 'I don't want it'.  He lets you know when he is opposed to something.  

   Many of his skills are enhanced by his time at the Goddard school.  He has been in the young toddler room since he started going at 18 months old.  His teachers were Miss Melanie (his favorite) and Miss Erin.  He just recently moved up to the next room.  He goes three half days a week and seems to really enjoy his time there.   They do all sorts of fun activities.  

   He seems to be very artistic.  He loves to sing, color and paint.  Favorite songs are the ABC song (he knows it well at this point), Rain Rain Go Away, Twinkle Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, and Bringing home a Baby Bumblebee.    He likes to watch clips of these songs on Youtube.  

   He likes to be entertained by both books and TV.  His favorite show is Caillou.  His favorite books are Yummy Yucky,  My Bear (and alphabet book), The Hungry Caterpillar, My Dad, and Hand Hand Fingers Thumb.  

   He also seems to be quite good at stacking, sorting and building.  He likes doing puzzles.  He also loves playing on the iPad, as inspired by his big brother.  He knows how to turn it on, find his App and go to town.  Watching him do it all at his young age is amazing.  His favorites are the Tozzle puzzles, Dress up Scout the Dog, the Alpha tots and Balloon Animals.  He is growing up in a totally different and techno world than his parents did!

   His big brother Jack is his best buddy.  He wants to do everything that Jack does.  He copies him all the time.  They have become pretty good at playing together and have had a fun summer running around outside and chasing each other in circles inside.   Lola is his other chasing partner.  He will often grab a treat or a flash light to get her attention and then take off running.  She always follows.   He likes to throw her ball outside (he often makes it a challenge for her and throws it in obscure places).    He is still warming up to his little brother, Tommy.   He will say, 'Hey Buddy' and give him little pats on the head.   He will also often ask me to 'put the baby down' when he wants his own attention.  

  He is becoming quite the little person with a big personality.  It has been so fun this past year watching him grow!