Memorable Cuteness at 13mos

Since Charlie is growing and changing so quickly, there are a few things I want to record so I never forget how cute he is at this age:

- Charlie started blowing kisses last week. He doesnt' really "blow" them, he just kisses his hand 15 times and grins at you.

- When you ask him how soft something is, he immediately lays his cheek against it and goes "AWWW" really loud. He does it on his own too- pulling the pillows off the couch and laying his head on them on the floor. He even tries to do it to the squishy thing he sits on in the bathtub- and I have to be quick to catch his face before he plunges it into the water- which he thinks is completely halarious.

- He started to do the sign for "more" in sign language last thursday, and does it for food or anything funny.

- He says "ba baugh" for "grandma" for both of them.

- At choir rehearsal, he does warm ups with us. He raises his arms when we do, and yells really loud (since he can't figure out how to sing just yet). When we sing something that has a distinct rhythm, he dances to the beat!

- He barks at dogs whenever he sees them, but even more often he sticks his tounge out and "pants"

- He LOVES mostaccoli and bananas and goes "mmmmm!" after every bite of anything he thinks is yummy.

- He still hasn't figured out how to nod his head, so he bounces his whole body up and down to imitate you when you say "yes" with your head.

- When you say "sssshhhhhh" he puts one finger on his mouth and up one nostril of his nose.

Fall 2011- in France!

Family photo on the river in Lourdes

The Hamilton family made a last minute trip to France in October for ten days. By Hamilton family, I mean there were about 10 of us- and nobody got lost or left behind!! We flew to Paris on an overnight flight, and Charlie slept on the floor under my seat on the plane for about 5 or 6 hours. We jumped on a bullet train to Lourdes and were there for 3 days. Charlie and I got to do the holy baths together, which was really very spiritually cleansing for us both. Overall, the people in France were very welcoming and patient with us. Thank goodness Eddie's Aunt MaryAnn came on the trip with us- she spoke french fluently and got us out of a number of tangles, not to mention translating the menus for us at all the restaurants. I had the best fish I've ever had in my life, and the bread in France overall was unbelievable! My favorite was called Vennoise- which was a light baguette with dark chocolate chips. The coffee was amazing too! (leave it to me to remember a vacation by what food I ate where- ;))

We took another train to Caen and rented some cars to stay at a farm (built in the mid 1700s)on the countryside in Normandy. The history buffs on the trip got to thoroughly explore the remnants of D-Day and Omaha Beach. They had a great museum (it was free) and cemetary right on the bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach. After an overnight in Caen we jumped on the train back to Paris early in the morning. Once in Paris, we broke into groups to do sightseeing for a few days. We hit all the main attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral (where we got to go to mass), the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, L'Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elyssee and of course, the Eiffel Tower. I even got to see the "rose line" in Saint Chapel (from The DaVinci Code ...anyone?).

Charlie was an amazing baby on the whole trip- sleeping whenever he got tired and eating anything we gave him to try. He got serious giggles when Eddie flipped a hotel room card or a credit card on a table- I'll have to remember that one. He tried to get out of his stroller to chase pigeons or puppies and loved the sparkling light show of the Eiffel Tower at night. We watched Mary Poppins on the plane on the way home, and Charlie thought the "tidy up the nursery" part was really funny, and barked at the screen when he saw the scene with the animated fox hunt in Burt's drawing.

Charlie got a big kick out of the animals at the farm we stayed at in Normandy- horses, cows, chickens, ducks and of course the goats!

Since Charlie spent most of the trip in his stroller, he grabbed everything he could that was at knee-level. We are pretty lucky that he isn't walking yet, since he was pretty content in the stroller the whole time. He went crazy at night though, wiggling around like crazy to burn energy that he'd saved up all day. It won't be long until he's walking though- he pulls himself to standing constantly on anything that will stay still and "transfers" all over a room.

This is where he took all of his naps. Probably not the most comfortable, but he is such a chill kid he slept everywhere.

Oh my goodness... he couldn't get enough of all the doggies in Paris! He even chased one- crawling across the grass after it under the Eiffel Tower as it yapped in fear behind its owner (who was laughing at how scared her silly dog was). Poor thing. ;)

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