Happy 1st Birthday Charlie!!

It's hard to believe that it's been a year already!! I must admit that today is a little bitter-sweet for me. The memories of this day a year ago are tough to think about, but I am SO thankful for our little miracle that is Charlie. He is turning into such a fun, neat little kid who watches an airplane fly all the way across the sky or a little ant running along a sidewalk crack. He notices a tiny fuzzy on the floor and picks it up to place it in my hand. His favorite color is still red, and he absolutely loves making all kinds of noises with his mouth and by banging things together. He "reads" books like crazy, flipping the pages one at a time and talking to himself in his little squeaky voice. He loves to wave "bu-bye" at everybody (especially people coming on and off the train when we go to the loop). No walking yet, but he pulls himself to standing on everything he can reach.

We had a little backyard barbecue party to celebrate yesterday (we moved to a bungalow in Brookfield a month ago), and Charlie had a great time! He didn't make as much of a mess of the cake as I expected- he liked the frosting much better than the cake and was up to his elbows in it, but very little actually made it in his mouth. He had alot more fun with the tissue paper in the presents! :)

This coming year will bring all kinds of new experiences for Charlie (and his parents) I have no doubt!! We love our little guy!

Look what I can do, mommy!

On the move!

Charlie had his 9 month checkup last week and is growing strong and healthy at 21lbs and 28in in the 50th  and 25th percentiles. He is starting to do a half-crawl on his hands and toes, pushing and pulling himself forward. He still can't seem to get his big belly up off the ground into an actual crawl... but he's close! He loves to follow me around the house in his racecar/walker all day long. He's been "talking" up a storm to anyone who will listen- especially whoever I'm talking to on the phone. ;)

At Wrigley Field- actually ON the field!

Charlie trying his first sucker (just a little)- he loved it!

Standing up in his crib- we will have to adjust it very soon!

Sitting in a chair that was mine when I was little

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