Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

buggy business

Now that Charlie can sit up fairly well, I've started putting him in the seat part of the buggy during our weekly trips through Wal-Mart. He does well unless he gets tired. I strap him in pretty tight so he can't wobble from side to side. He seems to really like being able to see everything going on around him rather than hanging in a papoose facing me or lying in his carrier watching the lights on the ceiling go by. I took a picture today just to remember the occasion...

Charlie and Santa

Yesterday, Charlie got to meet Santa Claus for the first time. We had breakfast with Santa at the church building. I was surprised at how well Charlie did. Santa always comes to visit Piedmont Rd. church of Christ around this time of year. He takes time away from making toys in the workshop just to visit us. Therefore, he's not dressed in his usual red suit. He's in his toy making clothes. The suit is being saved for the big night and his reindeer are resting up for their long journey on Christmas Eve. Here are our pictures from the big event...

Charlie really liked Santa's beard...

7 months old!

Charlie turned 7 months old yesterday. He's sitting up much better, as you can see from the pictures. He's still wobbly and can't sit up by himself very long but it's progress. He's alot more alert. He doesn't miss a thing. Charlie loves to blow raspberries. He's gotten quite good at it. He also loves music. If you lay him down and turn on his learning center that plays music, he just grins and giggles. He maintains a schedule well. Here's a normal day for us...up around 8:00 am. Nurses. Eats breakfast (fruit) around 9:00. Nap is at 10:00. It lasts until around 11:00 or 11:30. Nurses around 12:00. Eats lunch (cereal and veggies) at 1:00. Nap is between 2:00 and 2:30 and lasts for about an hour. Nurses around 4:00 or 5:00. Dinner (cereal and veggies) is around 6:00 or 6:30. Nurses at 7:30 (it's a struggle to keep him awake at this point). Bath is at 8:00. Bedtime is around 8:30. He'll sleep through the night then we'll start the next day with the same routine. It changes somewhat at night due to church, etc. All the times in between he's normally just as happy and content as can be, unless he has a dirty diaper. He just plays with his toys or with me. We have lots of fun during the day, tickling and giggling and singing, etc.

Charlie loves Khaki and Lucy. I'm not sure what enthrals him about them but he loves to touch and reach for them. Lucy (the cat) has learned to tolerate him. He grabs and pulls at her. Most of the time, she walks away. Occasionally, she will lay down by him. I think she likes the attention. Khaki, on the other hand, relishes in his enthusiasm for her. She licks and licks and licks. Did I mention she likes to lick him? Charlie just giggles most of the time. Here are some pictures of their encounter the other day...

Charlie has a favorite toy already. It's a book that is all cloth with pages that look like animals - cow, chick, lamb, pig. The ears of the cow crinkles, which he likes, but his favorite part is the chick's little tuft of stringy hair. I don't know why. My guess is it's the same reason he loves my hair. You can hide it under all the other pages but he will find it. That book is now a must-have in the diaper bag. Here are pictures of it...

we got elfed!

A few people have sent this to me so I decided to "elf" my family...
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9634223011

War Eagle!!!

Auburn 17 Alabama 7

We had a great time in Elba for the week of Thanksgiving, including watching Auburn beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl on Saturday. This was Charlie's first Iron Bowl. We watched the game at Daniel's sister's house. Charlie was dressed for the occasion. However, his Aunt Stacey snuck in some contraband, as you can see from the picture...


I did manage to get Charlie's real opinion of Alabama though...



p.s. I captured this video without coaxing Charlie at all.

Charlie sitting up

Charlie is getting much stronger and can sit up fairly well. He still has to support himself on his hands and can't sit there very long. I think it's called the "tripod" position. So, it shouldn't be too much longer before he's sitting up straight on his own. I'm sure by Christmas he'll be able to. I did get a video of him on the floor. I sound about 4 years old, but you get so used to talking in baby talk and that you forget to talk normal. :)




By the way, we are in Elba already for Thanksgiving so I probably won't post anything until the week after. Daniel took the whole week off so look out Elbatown, the Wards are coming to town!

Daddy's best buddy

Charlie and Lucy (no, not the peanuts characters!)

Charlie had his first real encounter with the cat the other day. Lucy has learned to keep her distance from Charlie now that he is grabbing at everything. Atleast she doesn't swat at him when he grabs her. I think she likes the attention though...

6 month check-up

Charlie went for his 6 month check-up today. Everything went fine. He did get more shots including his flu shot but that's part of being a baby I guess. It's always tough for me to watch them do that. He just screams! Anyway, Charlie is now 17 pounds 10 ounces, 27 1/2" long, and has a head circumference of 17 3/4". The pediatrician said that his fontanel (soft spot) is almost closed, which apparently at his age is really early. His head has not quite rounded out like she would prefer. Charlie has a flat spot on the left side. After the fontanel closes, normally, that is the shape your head will always be. So, we have to make a trip to the physical therapist to learn some exercises to help round out his head while we still have time. Sounds strange, I know. Other than that, he's doing great. He's a little fussy tonight due to the shots but that's to be expected.

I went for my appointment with the neurologist today for my migraines. Not much to report other than he put me on some medication to help prevent future migraines. It's a low dose blood pressure medicine that is safe for me to take while breastfeeding. Apparently, I have complex or compound migraines which can't be treated with the usual medicines advertised for migraines. If you want to know more about that, call me and I'll explain. Dr. Holmes also requested another MRI just to make sure they didn't miss anything. That is scheduled for next Friday. So, keep me in your prayers.

I decided to try Charlie on some juice today with a cup. I was surprised at how well he could hold it and maneuver it. I guess the handles helped. He didn't really drink much but he seemed to like it. He has yet to learn to turn it up but I'm sure that will come soon...





I love having the dog around and I'm sure Charlie will really love Khaki one day but it sure does get tiresome having a two year old, along with my 6 month old, around the house...

6 months old!

As of Sunday, Charlie is now 6 months old! He is really starting to get some personality and is much more vocal. He wants to sit up so bad but just doesn't have the strength yet. He can sit up, if supported, for a short amount of time. Charlie is eating well and growing well. We go for his 6 month check-up tomorrow so I'll let you know how things go and his "stats". I was in the pediatrician's office last week and he was at 17 lbs. 5 ozs. He's on a pretty regular schedule now which helps me quite a bit. I'm still struggling to not be so lazy and actually get things done while he's asleep. I'm getting better. There's only so much TV you can watch. However, it's still really addicting. Charlie has made it through trying all the vegetables and is almost done trying all the fruits. I hope to start him on juice in the next day or so. So, on to a big boy sippie cup. He'll still take his milk through me or bottle but they recommend starting juice with a cup. Well, I think that's about it. I took pictures for his 6 month pictures (as always). Enjoy...

I also caught a little video of his now favorite thing to do...

Fall Festival

Well, we had the Fall Festival at church on Saturday. Daniel and I were in charge of it. We had help but the brunt of it fell on us to organize. We had a big inflatable obstacle course, lots of little festival games, a campfire to roast marshmallows, and a hayride. We had Trunk N Treat around 7:00, when it got dark, which is where people decorate the trunks of their cars or the backs of their trucks or minivans, and hand out candy to the kids. We had some really neat trunks. Everything turned out great and we had lots of people from the community come so were were excited. The kids seemed to have a great time as well. I did get some pictures of Charlie in his costume. Enjoy...

Charlie and Nicholas Golden...

Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat from Charlie! I'll have pictures of him in his costume this weekend...

Well, I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted. Sorry about that. Charlie is just growing every day. His hair is finally starting to fill in, as well as mine. I knew I had lost alot of hair since Charlie was born but this is annoying! (Apparently when you're pregnant you don't shed any!) I've got little baby hairs all over my head like Charlie does. They stick up everywhere in amongst the rest of my hair!

Anyway, Charlie is developing well. It's weird to hand something to him and he just reach up and take it from you. It's actually pretty incredible! He's learned how to take those items and put them straight in his mouth. He's also rolling over with ease. I caught him on video finally...

I spent a week in Elba a couple of weeks ago. I had fun! It was nice to spend some extra time with my families. My dad was home each day so he really got to enjoy Charlie. I was able to spend time with both parents and both siblings as well as Daniel's grandmother a good bit. We went to a football game with my parents that Friday night and we got to see alot of people that we don't normally see on a regular weekend trip home. I enjoyed showing Charlie off. You know, the proud mama thing. I just get excited for everyone to meet Charlie. He's just so much fun and I want to share it with everybody that comes along.

Charlie has eaten his way through all the vegetables. We are now on to fruits. I was really glad to see the carrots and sweet potatoes go. Those are hard stains to get out. He really likes applesauce. You can't feed it to him fast enough. By the time you get the spoon back to the jar, his mouth is wide open, ready for another bite. Tomorrow we start bananas. I've had to feed him some prunes too. He seemed to really enjoy those as well. He likes those with his oatmeal.

As for me, I've been struggling with migraines. I had a really bad one on Sunday night. Daniel ended up taking me to the Urgent Care to get some meds. I just couldn't handle it any longer. I started to get another one today but was able to fend it off early. I'll be visiting the neurologist again so keep me in your prayers that he can help. We didn't find anything before. The doctor thought it was probably just linked to the hormones due to the pregnancy but since I've been having full fledged migraines since Charlie has been born, I'm going to pay him another visit. I'll let you know how it goes. I've also been busy planning the Fall Festival at church this weekend. It should be fun. We expanded it this year to include more members rather than just the kids. We're having a campfire to roast marshmallows and sing around. The kids get all the usual activities...bean bag toss, apple bobbing, fishing game, etc. as well as a new thing this year...an inflatable bouncer with an obstacle course! They don't know that yet so they'll be surprised! I'm looking forward to it but an just as anxiously looking forward to it being over. I'm also a part of a long range planning committee for church. We've been meeting lately to try and give a new life to our work at Piedmont Rd. church of Christ. We have been asked to give the elders a recommendation as to a direction for the church. We are in the process of evaluating information such as demographics, etc. I'm reading a great book that they asked us to read. It's called "Simple Church". I'll elaborate more on it later.

As for Daniel, he works and tries to keep me happy as I organize this Fall Festival. He's been deeply involved in the planning as well. It takes both of us as well as the rest of the youth committee to get it done. Poor thing also had to deal with me Sunday night with my migraine as well as take care of Charlie. Once the meds kicked in, I was useless so he had to be Mr. Mom that night. He helps out alot at night usually but neither of us rarely take on the night routine by ourselves. Thanks, babe, for taking care of us.

Well, I think that's about it. Here are some new pictures of Charlie for you all to see...

yummy...green beans!

I fed Charlie green beans for the first time last night. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to feed them in addition to his oatmeal so I just did half of each. You know, first time mom syndrome. I mean, how are you suppose to know how much to feed, how often, etc. if you've never done it before? He cries when he's hungry but that means he wants to be nursed. He doesn't cry to be fed oatmeal or vegetables. Anyway, Charlie took well to eating them. I got a few shutters for a reaction but he seems to take whatever you give him and go with the flow...

5 months old!

As of last Thursday, Charlie is now 5 months old! He's really getting fun. He's making all kinds of noises. More than just cooing. He squeals and talks in many different pitches. He's also beginning to be able to sit up. He can sit up if you support him. He still doesn't like to lay down. He now tries to pull himself up if you do lay him in your lap, even though he's not quite strong enough. He has learned to put things in his mouth. He can grasp things with either hand and will look at them and turn them around, etc. He's also begun to blow raspberries. Those are really funny. Daniel was in the nursery the other night. He and Charlie were exchanging them. I could hear the two of them over the monitor and I got so tickled!



He's rolling both ways quite well and can hold his head up really far when lying on his belly. You never know how or where he will be in the crib when you go to get him from a nap. One morning I went in to get him and he was laying perpendicular to the crib. He's eating rice cereal and I plan on starting him on vegetables today. I'll let you know how it goes. Well, as I've done the other months, I took pictures of Charlie today for his 5 month old pics. Here are a couple for you to see how he's growing...

And, like I said, Charlie has learned that things go straight to the mouth. For example...

Charlie's first football game

We went last night to my cousin's, Felicia, football game. She is a senior this year and is the assistant drum major for the Sequoyah Band of Chiefs. Felicia was excited to see Charlie.

Charlie did fairly well through the game. When Sequoyah would score, the crowd would cheer and Charlie would cry. It upset him pretty bad. He really didn't like the beginning like when the football team came running on the field. The air horn scared him. Other than that, he did ok. Once the game got started, the crowd just became background noise to him. He took a nap through part of it. How, I don't know. But, babies can sleep anywhere...

The Sequoyah band didn't perform until after the game so that they could perform their full show. So, we had to stay the whole game. Charlie was mesmerized by the band. He and Daniel had the same look on their faces as the band performed. I guess it's just in his blood...

Daniel and I really enjoyed going to the game and seeing the band perform. Since it is Felicia's last year, I hope to go to atleast one more game.

breakfast of champions! (well, dinner...)

We put Charlie in his high chair for the first time on Friday to feed him his rice cereal. He's really coming along with learning how to eat from a spoon. I'm having trouble keeping his attention though so he's not eating as much before he gets bored with it and wants to get out. I guess since I'm feeding him in the dining room, it's just too much new stuff, i.e. lights, computer screen, etc.

Charlie is also starting to find his feet. He's begun to grab at them a little bit. He's also started squealing alot. It's really funny. Daniel and I get tickled listening to all his different pitches as he talks. Charlie's a real talker in the car.

paci vs. the thumb

I think I have lost the battle. Actually, I just gave up trying...

rice cereal vs. fingers

such a hard decision...rice cereal or fingers...

take a bite...
fingers...
take a bite...

fingers...

take a bite...

fingers...

stay-at-home mom

I have many people ask me, "Are you bored yet staying at home? What do you do all day?" This should answer their questions...

rollin', rollin', rollin'

I posted about Charlie rolling over from his tummy to his back. Well, today was the first time I've seen Charlie roll this far from his back to his stomach. He's been rolling to his side alot but not completely over. I put him on his back in his crib today for a nap. When I went back to check on him, this is how he was laying. He slept his whole nap in this position...

And, of course, Khaki guarding the crib. This is one of her favorite spots to lay...

just life in general...

Things are going good in the Ward household. Charlie is growing so fast. I'm enjoying staying at home with him. I have alot of people ask me if I miss work. My answer is a quick one...nope. I do miss the adult interaction and my friends at CDH but I'm adjusting. I still talk to a few of them occasionally. Charlie and I went by CDH a week or so ago. It was nice to see everyone.

I, unfortunately, have caught someone's cold and am having to stay away from Charlie as much as I can so that he doesn't catch it. It's been a really hard thing to do but so far so good. I miss being able to kiss and cuddle him though and my hands hurt from washing them so much. Maybe just another day or so and things will be back to normal.

Daniel continues to work and seems to enjoy his job. He's a good stay at home dad too when I need him to be one. He's been great these past few days since he's had to take care of Charlie except for feedings due to my sickness. He took Charlie to Daddy Boot Camp last Saturday. Daniel went as a dad-to-be back in April. It's pretty much just a discussion session but we got alot of good information out of it. Daniel was talking to me for days. When the babies are four months old, they invite the dads back to be veterans and share their experiences. He said they had a good time. I was glad to see that he was confident enough to take Charlie out somewhere by himself. I just packed the diaper bag with the necessities and a bottle and off they went.

Daniel and I have been working to refinance our house. We signed all the papers today. We switched from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate. It's nice to know our payment won't change.

Well, that's about it. Charlie is slowly taking to eating his rice cereal. He takes a bite but normally spits most of it out. Today was the first time I could actually tell he swallowed it.

I'll leave you with one of the cutest pictures I've taken of Charlie so far...