zoo atlanta

Charlie and I received an invitation to go to Zoo Atlanta. A friend of mine, Becky, who I met through a friend at church, has a little boy that is just a few months younger than Charlie. His name is Alex and is just as cute as a button. They have season passes to the zoo which comes with a guest pass so our admission was free. Becky and I have been trying to plan a playdate for the boys but every time we tried, something came up or one of the boys was sick. We finally found a day to get together and it was worth the wait. We just enjoyed the day so much with the two of them.

Becky dropped off her oldest at school and I met up with her and we rode to the zoo in her car. I was happy about this since I had no clue where to go. I have only been to Zoo Atlanta once and that was before Daniel and I were married when he was co-oping in ATL.

This was Charlie's first visit to a zoo and he had fun. He was excited to see the animals. Since Becky has been there many times before, we just followed her lead. We ran into a couple of school field trips but other than that the zoo wasn't all that crowded and the weather was perfect!

We walked and saw many animals...zebras, rhinos, a giraffe, monkeys, gorillas, snakes, turtles, lizards, a lion, warthogs, kangaroos, many birds, lemurs, pandas, etc. We went in the parakeet house which was alot of fun. This was the first thing we did and Charlie was a little uneasy at first but warmed up to it all pretty quickly. I kept hearing him say, "beer" which is bird in Charlie language. He and Alex were fixated on the ducks for a while at first but when they were both handed little feeding sticks, they soon moved their attention to the parakeets. Here are pics from our day...

Charlie learned a new trick today from Alex...

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I think Charlie's favorite part, by far, was riding the train. It is only about a two minute ride but he was having a ball! Here we are on the train, waiting on it to depart...

going bump (well, thump) in the night

As Daniel and I climbed into bed last night, we heard a tha-thump over the monitor. I was on my feet headed to Charlie's room before I even realized what I was doing. Daniel stopped me and said, "Let's see how he reacts if he did actually roll out of the bed." With hesitation, I climbed back into bed. Charlie whined a little and then we heard a rustle of the sheets so we assumed Charlie climbed back in his bed. I felt awful for the little guy but couldn't stop giggling at the mental image I had of him rolling out of the bed. A few minutes later, after not hearing anything else over the monitor, Daniel said, "I think I feel ok about you going and peeking your head in Charlie's room." (We had been discussing this already.) I hesitated for oh...half a second and I was headed that way. Charlie's blanket was spread out on the floor so I assumed he rolled off because it would just be in a wad on the floor if he had just kicked it out. Charlie was lying in his bed. When I woke Charlie up to go to school today, his blanket was back in the bed with him so he apparently either rolled out again or got out of his bed and got it. He has yet to leave his room though (that I know of). :)

the big boy bed...

Charlie just keeps growing and growing...to the point that he has outgrown his crib. *tear* So, this afternoon was his last nap in his crib. You can see from the pics that it was time...

Tonight, Daniel took the front rail off Charlie's crib to convert it to a toddler bed...

Once it was off, Charlie realized it was just his height to climb on and he just kept getting on and off the bed. He was so excited! He would climb up, lie down and say, "night. night." He slowed down for a second for me to snap a picture (even though he doesn't look very happy).

We were encouraged by his enthusiasm but were both dreading the hours to follow. I went through Charlie's usual bedtime routine with him...bath, pj's, snack, teeth brushing, night night to daddy, read, prayers and then bed. I laid him in his bed instead of letting him climb in on his own, hoping he wouldn't realize that he could easily crawl out. He laid right down, blew me kisses like always and I walked out of his room and shut the door. As I'm typing this, it has been an hour...and not a peep! I totally expected to be putting him back in his bed multiple times with screaming and crying in there somewhere. I guess I'll get the heart attack moment when he comes in our room in the middle of the night and wakes me up. I'll try and update tomorrow.

I did snap a quick picture before I walked out of his room...here's our big boy sleeping his first night in his toddler bed. *sniff sniff* My little boy is growing so fast...

Next day update: Last night, Charlie slept the whole night in his big boy bed. He never crawled out. Even this morning when he was ready to get out of bed, he cried and called for me, just like the rail was still there. I went in and sat on his bed as he handed me George, bear bear, lion and blankie. Then, he scooted to the edge and got out of bed.

Naptime came about 20 minutes ago. I changed his diaper as we discussed that it was bedtime. I put him down on the floor. He crawled right up onto his bed and laid down. I moved his animals to where he likes them and covered him with his blanket. We blew kisses and I walked out and closed the door. Haven't heard a peep. I wonder how long it will last before he realizes he can get up. Then again, he may just surprise me. He has so far...

Fall Festival 2009

Saturday night was the Fall Festival and Trunk N Treat at our church. Daniel and I are in charge of this event each year so it was a busy day for us but was all worth it once we saw how much fun the kids were having...especially Charlie. He had a ball! It took him a little bit to warm up to the chaos of it all but as soon as he realized he was getting candy, he was hooked! :) We did the lollipops first. He just enjoyed pulling them out and then was introduced to the prize bucket. This brought a smile to his face. Charlie then tried the ring toss. This is just tossing rings onto a sheet full of prizes. Whatever is inside the ring when it lands, that's what you get to keep. Charlie didn't care about the prizes on this game. He just wanted to keep throwing the rings. I did finally get him to do the can toss. He enjoyed just putting the bean bags in the hole on the bean bag toss. He had such a great time getting to shoot the gun on the turkey shoot. But, by far, the ring toss was his favorite of the games.

Charlie enjoyed eating hotdogs but wouldn't eat the popcorn...Out of everything he did, like all kids, his favorite thing to do of the night was the bouncy. It was a 5 in 1 deal that had a place to jump, an obstacle course, a ladder to climb up and a slide to go back down. I'm not sure why they call it a 5 in 1 because that's only 4 things but I digress. This was not the first time Charlie has seen a bouncy but this was the first time we got him to go in. Daniel went in with him first. I went in a few times with him. The ladder to get to the top is next to impossible to climb, especially trying to get a 2 year old up with you. I don't know how the kids kept doing it. I would get about half way up, lose my footing and slide back down...Charlie in tow. He just laughed at the whole thing, luckily. I did manage to make it up once. I was out of breath by the time we slid down though. All worth it when I saw the smile on Charlie's face. It was funny to see the picture later and see what reaction Charlie had going down though! Charlie and I rode the hayride which he was uneasy about at first but didn't want to get off once it stopped. We then did trunk n treat. The decorations freaked him out but again, once he realized they were giving candy, he changed his mind. :)

We had a costume contest for ages 6 mos - 5 years old, 6 yrs - 13 yrs, and 14 yrs and up. Charlie won the best costume in his age group. I was flattered since I made it myself, even though he was truly working that costume! He really was quite cute in it! I got many, many complements.

The three of us had a great time at Fall Festival this year! I can't wait to see Charlie at it next year! Here are more pics from the night...

pumpkin patch 2009

I needed to get pumpkins for the Fall Festival at our church this weekend so Charlie and I headed to the pumpkin patch today. I invited our next door neighbors to join us. They were able to go and I'm so glad they did because the kids had a ball! Up and down every aisle...they ran! Charlie seemed to really enjoy the pumpkins and even tried to roll and pick up a few of the big ones. He had the most fun moving the smaller ones from stack to stack. I think the kids were just happy to be outside where they could just move! Debbie and I were happy to let them burn the energy! :) It was beautiful weather...not to hot and not too cool. Perfect. We went about 4:00 so the sun wasn't blazing on us and we were able to get some good pictures. Here are the pictures from our outing...

words...

I've been really amazed at the progress here lately of Charlie's vocabulary. He's really coming along and before I realize it, will probably be talking to me in sentences. He is already but it's still in baby talk that I can't understand yet. As we drove home from school today, I was asking him about his day. This conversation is usually:

Mom: "Did you go to school today?"
Charlie: "yeah."
M: "Did you have fun?"
C: "yeah."
M: "Did you hear a story today?"
C: "yeah."
M: "Did you get to play on the playground?"
C: "yeah. argck (car)."
M: "You played on the car on the playground?"
C: "yeah."

And it goes on. I always get "yeah" as the answer. If I ask a question that is not a yes or no question, I just get a "oooah" sound. Today, I asked him, "What did you learn at school today?" He answered me in complete sentences of which I understood none of the words. I just replied, "Really? That's great!" Then I said, "What else did you learn about today?" He said, "Bible." What!?! I was shocked that I got an answer and was so happy that out of everything they learn, that's what he remembers first! I knew there was a reason I chose that school! His teacher keeps commenting that Charlie is really coming out of his shell. The longer he goes, the more subtle changes I'm seeing in him.
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Yesterday, I was in the kitchen cleaning (rare thing for me!) and Charlie came in and said something to me like he was telling me a story and then started turning in circles. I kept telling him that I didn't understand. He was then persistent in getting me to come with him so I followed. He took me to his room, where he had been playing, and pointed to a puzzle piece on the floor. It was a pink hippo. Then, it all made sense! He was wanting to sing the hippopotamus song. That's what the turning in circles was about. I was stunned, to say the least, that he saw a picture of a hippo and associated it with the song. His brain is so much more advanced than I realize, I'm sure, but I learn more every day.

Here are the lyrics to the song for those of you who don't know it:

In the beginning God made the seas.
And the forests filled with trees.
He built the mountains up so high.
At the top he placed the sky.
His fingerprints are everywhere.
Just to show how much he cares.
In the middle He had some fun.
He made an animal that weighs a ton.
HIP-HIP-HIP-HIPPOPOTAMUS
Hip-hip-hip-God made all of us.
HIP-HIP-HIP-HIPPOPOTAMUS
Hip-hip-hip-God made all of us.

my long time love...

Daniel and I use October 21st as our "dating" anniversary. Our journey started at the Little Bighorn Band Competition on this day in 1995. We've definitely had some ups and downs. I think more ups than downs and I thank God each and every day for the love of my life.

Daniel mentioned to me last night that we started dating when he was 14 and we've been together for 14 years. He said, "I've been with you for half my life!" Wow.

I love you babe. Sorry for robbing you out of the cradle but I'm so glad I did! :) Maybe I'll drive you to the movies to commemorate this day!

costume

I finally finished Charlie's Halloween costume...with days to spare! Some of you probably already know what costume I made but for those of you who don't...here's a sneak peek...

Fall Festival is this Saturday so I'll be sure to get lots of pictures for all to see! Daniel and I are in charge of Fall Festival at our church so this will probably be my only post for the week since I'll be covered up making sure I have everything ready for the event. It's alot of work but is so much fun!

On a side note: please remind me next year of the torture it's been to get his costume sewn and try and talk me out of doing it again. I'm sure I'll be determined to try it again but atleast make the effort. :)

second dentist visit

It's been 6 months since Charlie's first visit to the dentist. I think he quickly forgot the experience but his mama has not! (If you missed that post, here's a link "open up and say...wahhhh!" )

Charlie has his second dentist visit today for the routine cleaning. I had been dreading this for weeks. And, when I say "dreading", know that's the only word I can think of to describe it but it doesn't to the anxiety I felt justice. I tried to talk it up all morning while Charlie was eating breakfast, getting dressed, etc. We were going to the doctor to get his teeth cleaned. He seemed ok with that. He walked right in to the waiting room. Played with toys. Walked right on back to the hygienists' chairs. As soon as I sat down with him in the chair, he became uneasy. Both hygienists tried to get him to show her his teeth but he wasn't having it. We let him down to play a while hoping if he warmed up to the place, it wouldn't be so bad. I knew better but I humored their suggestion. There was one funny moment in the whole experience...the hygienist asked me to let him play a while longer because there was a little one in the room next to his and they didn't want Charlie's screaming and crying to upset her. I had to chuckle at this. Hey...I had to find some humor in the situation.

We took Charlie into the cleaning room. Two words...pure torture...for all of us. It took two of us to hold him down while a third cleaned. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the time she finished and Charlie was covered in sweat. All she got done was to get the calculus build-up off the front and back of his bottom front teeth. I think she managed to get a little cleaner on his teeth as well. By that point, I was just waiting to hear the ok to let go.

Charlie saw a new dentist in the office this time. I really loved him. He was so great with Charlie even though he wanted nothing else to do with anybody! I'm still contemplating taking Charlie back until he's much older but the visit with this dentist helped this time. Last time, I had decided that if his next appt. goes the same, then I was never going back!

Whew! Ok. That's over and done with. Maybe by tomorrow my arms won't feel like jelly from having to hold down my child...poor thing.

mr. chatty

I picked Charlie up from MMO today and his teacher told me that he has become quite chatty in class lately. She said he knows all his classmates by name and just talks to them all the time. You can't imagine how thankful I was to hear this...for two reasons. One, he's broadening his world of people. Two, Daniel and I made the right choice in postponing any speech therapy. We figured he would develop quickly in this regard if he was around more people and it seems to be working. This was our alternative to him only being with one person teaching him how to talk. I really wanted it to come when he was ready. I didn't want to force the issue. I mean...come on...he's two! All of this makes me long to be in his classroom each time even more though. I think I'm gonna have to sneak in soon!

our Target trip

Charlie and I took a quick trip to Target today to pick up a few things. This is always the highlight of the trip...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

He had to touch each and every one!

the terrible two's

Oh...it's so hard being a two year old. You just never get your way and people just don't understand what you want. The only word you ever hear is "no". You have to eat vegetables instead of filling up on Nilla Wafers. It's just tough.

Now for the mom's perspective...ahhhh!!! Yeah, that about explains it. :)

Charlie has come into his own of being a typical two year old. Fits. Tantrums. Refusing to eat. Not doing what you tell him to do. The list goes on. He's really a great kid...he is just having a hard time dealing with not getting absolutely EVERYTHING he wants when he wants it. He is very set in his ways so if something is not done to his liking, it just makes him really upset. Here are some examples: when you enter a room, don't turn on the light because Charlie must do it; He, and only he, can push the button to close/open the garage door; he, and only he, can determine which cup he drinks out of; he must watch football on the tv if it is on (we've almost got this one broken though); you must name each of the characters on his diaper BEFORE putting it on him; you must name each of the characters on his diaper and then on his toothbrush before brushing his teeth; you must sing "Farmer in the Dell" while brushing and then sing the "bible" song while flossing. There are many more but you get the idea. I don't know if this is being two or if that is just Charlie. Probably a little bit of both. He's always kinda been this way but here recently, he has learned that he can demand that HE do it. He does this by pointing to himself. Every once in a while, he'll want baba or daddy to turn on a light but those are rare.

Charlie has learned that he can protest. He can say "no" and not do it. Mommy's a pretty tough cookie though and he usually has to do it anyway. It just depends on what it is. Eating vegetables has become a battle. That's for any kid though. Any suggestions? I'm learning that if that is the only thing on his plate...he'll eat them! He can put up a pretty tough fight about it though. Here's the cycle: he won't eat vegetables so he doesn't get any more of other things like chicken so we get done with dinner and he's still hungry; a few minutes later, he's telling me he wants something to eat...nilla wafers, crackers, etc. is normally what he wants; I have to choose at this point - snack or go to bed hungry; if I choose the latter, like a good mom should, he will scream for an hour after going to bed until you feed him something. What's a mom to do? I don't want him to fill up on carbs and starches but he won't eat other stuff. Most of the time, I try and get him to eat applesauce or yogurt at this point.

I found myself using this phrase just last night..."If you touch those again, I'm going to spank you!" Need I say more about this? He does atleast mind most of the time, which I am thankful for.

Um, let's move on...positive things. I have to think positive!

Charlie is obsessed with school buses right now. He looks for them constantly while we are in the car. Luckily, on our way to his school, we see plenty! If we mention going to the church building, he immediately says "scoo-buh? bye, scoo-buh." We pass a high school on the way to the building and there usually school buses parked in the lot beside the school. Daniel told me the other day that on his way last week to his class at the building that when he passed that parking lot, he expected to hear a little voice in the back go "scoo-buh!" He said he actually said it out loud just to make up for Charlie not being in the car.

Charlie is becoming much more independent. I'm sure this is due to his time at MMO. He's playing much more with other kids. His vocabulary is improving every day as well.

On to other things...I'm sure you have noticed a lack of posts. Yes, I've been lazy but I've recently been working on planning our church's Fall Festival so now I'm swamped. I'll do my best to keep up but this month is going to be crazy busy. I'm also working on Charlie's Halloween costume. I took on the hassle of making his costume. It's proving to be a real challenge since I haven't sewed something this complicated in...oh, I can't remember when. Hopefully, it will turn out really cute! And, no. I'm not telling you what it is. You'll just have to wait and see!

reunion weekend

The last weekend in September, we traveled home to AL for Daniel's 10 year high school reunion. We made it in town for the Homecoming Parade and got to watch Daniel ride on the "Class of 1999" truck. He looked like he was having fun. Charlie enjoyed the parade. We weren't standing close enough to the parade to catch any candy...we had found a shady spot. It was so humid and hot! Charlie got excited to hear the sirens of the fire trucks and police cars but when they got near, he retreated. We were able to watch the parade with my dad and Daniel's parents. Charlie enjoyed the fountain downtown as well. He so wanted to get in water or atleast touch it. Thank goodness it's built so that you can't do that unless you jump the railing.

The highlight of the weekend was taking Charlie to the high school football game Friday night. We watched the Elba Tigers beat up on Geneva. Charlie loves to watch "coo-ball" on TV so it was a real treat for him to watch it in person. He was just mesmerized by all the action, the sounds, etc. We made a few rounds in the crowd to visit old friends and relatives. Charlie was a trooper and we ended up staying the whole game. My dad went to the game as well so you know where Charlie was most of the game...right there with "wee". I heard it many times..."He is just so cute! I love the curls!" You'd think I would get tired of hearing that, but I don't. :) I just smile and say "thank you". It's God's handiwork...every inch of him! (Well, Daniel and I are pretty cute too so that had something to do with it, right?)

This picture tells the joy of the night...

After the game, Daniel and I went to the NS conference center where his class was having their reunion party. We left Charlie in bed at Grandpa's house. It was a decent crowd and I was happy to see friends that I don't get to talk to much anymore. Since Daniel and I have been dating since h.s. and it's a very small town, I knew most of the people in his class and was in band with many of them as well. I especially enjoyed talking with Reese that night. Miss you! I was glad she made an appearance.

Saturday afternoon, Daniel's class had a family get together. This crowd was small but we enjoyed it all the same. Charlie especially enjoyed playing with Jack. He still asks about him.

The rest of our weekend was spent with family. We got to see my sister and BIL on Saturday night for dinner and got to watch the AU game. Well, they watched. Laura and I talked. We missed mom not being in town but she had more important matters to tend to with my grandmother in TN. It was just kind of strange being at their house and her not being there.

We were also able to visit Daniel's grandmother on Saturday afternoon. It's always fun to go visit her and she still lights up when Charlie comes to visit. He tried to get away, like all little kids do, but she got her some lovin' in.

Sunday was worship, time with Daniel's parents and a trip to visit his sister and her family. They have redone their living area and b'fast nook in their house so I was excited to see the new look. It looks fabulous! I'm so jealous! My SIL just has a knack for that and it shows. My BIL also is a wonderful craftsman. I can't call him a "carpenter" because it just doesn't do his work justice. He crafted a beautiful entertainment center for the room. I think I need to hire him!

Our trip back to ATL was hectic in that Charlie only slept about an hour and a half of the 4.5 hour drive. I drove while the boys slept and then entertained while Daniel drove the rest of the way. One word after this weekend...exhausted!