Easter 2011

Hi all! Charlie has been a movin and a shakin in the past month or two since his 6 month birthday! He went to his follow up at Children's Memorial Hospital for some tests on his heart. He passed them with flying colors! The cardiologist said that his heart healed itself as if nothing was ever wrong! He's been given a clean bill of health for life and never has to go back again. Thank you for all your prayers and support everyone! 

Charlie has been trying real hard to crawl... but scooting backwards and rolling over are still the only way he moves around as of right now. He does do a funny trick though... when he's sitting up and you say "jump! jump! Charlie!" he'll grin real big and bounce up and down on his little bottom. ;) I'll do a video soon. We were in Hinsdale with the O'Neill kids for part of April, and Charlie loved all the attention. We will be going to some Cubs games this summer and spending alot of time outside getting dirty! Visitors are always welcome... Charlie loves company! He cut his first tooth a few weeks ago and it clicks on the spoon when he's eating his mangos, bananas, sweet potatoes, or carrots.

Trying a pretzel stick for the first time.... made a big orange mess all over his shirt

First Cubs game!

With the O'Neill kids dipping Charlie's toes in Lake Michigan

Family photo op

Annie reading to Charlie

he laughed alot with the kids!

Easter 2011

...he thought I was pretty funny. Can you see his little tooth there on the bottom? he has one!

Six months already!

Charlie helping mommy do laundry!

Yes, Charlie had his 6 month birthday on Saturday. I can't believe how fast time flies!! At his doctors appointment last week, he weighed 17lbs and was 26in tall. He is up into the 50th percentile, so he has caught up! He's eating like a champ and likes mashed up bananas and rice cereal so far. Next month we get to try cheerios already. His feet are a favorite "grab" as well as anyone's nose, eyes, lips, and anything else attached to your face. ;) The NICU followup went well too- they were impressed with his tummy time, sitting abilities and object recognition and stuff like that. They say he will start to understand "cause and effect" (banging on the table with toys) and might start crawling sooner than later. I can't believe how big he's getting! His fuzzy blonde hair is growing in (finally!).



Glass is his favorite chew toy- Uncle Caleb is happy to help!



Uncle Jeff knows what Charlie likes early on! Maybe he'll be a fireman like Uncle Craig

St.Patrick's Day celebrations at our house again before the parade. It's Grandma Patti's holiday and everyone was dekked out for the occasion!

Almost getting too big for the carrier! We're gonna have to switch to the backpack soon

irish kisses from cousin Rachel

Cereal time already!!

Yes, it's true... Charlie has started on that can't-turn-back process of learning how to eat real food. He wasn't all that successful the first few times, but I think he's starting to understand that its more than just a fun game with a colorful spoon. He's so entertaining! :) His pediatrician recommended that we try this once a day or so- not really for calorie intake but more for practice.We will start fruits and purees after the 6 month mark. That's when things will REALLY get fun!!

Blizzard 2011

Here are a few pictures of our street the morning of February 2nd, right after the  blizzard.

Here is a progression of the storm:

Tuesday 4pm

Tuesday 8pm

Wednesday 8am

Videos, Palermo's and the Nature Museum

Charlie loves to giggle for daddy. Especially right after a diaper change!!

This was Charlie's first time sitting in the bumpo chair for a long period of time. He seemed a little confused that he was supported sitting up without an actual person behind him! Once he's comfortable with it, we will start in on rice cereal and then solid foods! So exciting... and messy. We are looking forward to it, but it seems like he is growing at light speed!!

This past weekend we went to Palermo's with the whole crew. The last time we were there we headed straight to the hospital after dinner to have a baby! Charlie even got a tiny taste of the famous Palermo's sauce and traditional italian ice. (he didn't like it very much- it was pretty funny.)

Charlie with Frank, the owner of Palermo's

Uncle Paris and Charlie

Looks like he's chillin in a lazy boy chair!

Mommy and Charlie in the butterfly exhibit at the Nature Museum

Daddy teaching Charlie about all the different butterflies

Margaritas at Cesar's with Anna after the museum

Giggles and Rolls

Last week, as an early birthday celebration for Jeff, Eddie's brother, we went to a Bulls game. Again, Charlie loved all the flashing lights and cheering fans. He's gonna be a sports kid for sure.

We had lots of fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Mishawaka this past weekend! There was lots of giggling and talking and rolling over!! :) We even went to Great Grandma Velleman's house and played at game night. Each time the cards got passed to the next dealer, so did Charlie. Of course, we took a nice long break to play with Charlie on the floor...

 He also had a fun play date with his buddy Grant! They must have swapped notes, because after the visit, Charlie slept all night, and Grant rolled over!!

Christmas and New Years 2010

It has been a little while since our last posting... but what a great holiday season!!

Charlie was baptized at Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago on December 12th- his 3 month birthday. He was a grinning baby throughout the ceremony and smiled broadly at Fr.Hurley right after he poured the water on his head!! We had a great party afterwards at Dugan's- an Irish pub not far from the church. With all the snow that day, we were blessed that so many of our family and friends could attend.

Charlie seemed to love every minute of the Christmas parties, and didn't shy away from being held by anyone. He's such a little socialite. ;) It was pretty exciting that Santa was able to make an appearance at both the Velleman family party and at the O'Neill party. All the kids must have been extra good this year to get Santa's attention!!

Eddie put together Charlie's crib for him for Christmas... it only took him an hour!

The week between Christmas and New Year's we spent down in Florida with most of the Hamilton family. We stayed on Sanibel Island and soaked in as much sunshine as we could! It was really great to be able to take Charlie outside without bundling him up like crazy.

He is really starting to show alot more personality. He's still not quite sleeping through the night, but surprises us with 6 and 7 hour stretches a few nights a week. He is completely fascinated with the bright christmas lights and loves reading the paper with Daddy on Sunday mornings. Charlie and I have a great time during the day, too! He comes with me to most of my client meetings and is a very quiet business partner. (so far)

Singing Charlie to sleep is easy... he is starting to recognize the bedtime song

Does he look like his mommy?



This morning, in the 30 seconds of tummy time by himself, Charlie flipped himself over!!! I guess I'll have to strart keeping a closer eye on him! At Charlie's 4 month doctor's appointment, he weighed in at 14lbs and measured 24 inches long. He's in the 25th percentile for his age and he is growing at a really good rate. He was a champ with his shots and is a really healthy kid! After such a rough start, he is doing really well. I will be scheduling a follow up appointment with Children's Memorial for a specialist to check his heart one last time in March. Then he'll be cleared for life!