I'm Just So Tiny and Cute

In fact, Charlie is not "so tiny" but that's what this picture says to me. He reminds me of Lily Tomlin as Edith Ann in her giant rocker, dwarfed by furniture.

Doctor's appointment on Monday reveals that Charlito is 17 pounds of sweet baby boy, and 26.5 in. long. Doctor M. says that's normal and not, in fact, "big!" as strangers seem to think. What does it matter? He is just right to us.

Charlie braved 3 shots like a pro, and sat up and did all his tricks for Dr. M. who he seems to just love. He is healthy and good and we can't wait for him to roll over. I guess that will just happen when he's good and ready.

Little man is really into stuffed animals these days--they're easy to pick up and lick and squeeze AND they look at you! He loves his puppy that says "Te Quiero!" and his blue dino puppet.

Teething seems to be well under way. No evidence of teeth but sudden outbursts of pain tears from time to time. Outbursts that break our hearts......wet washcloths and his soft teething ring seem to help.

Foods we'll eat are: rice cereal, sweet potatoes, carrots, applesauce, pears, and peas! But easy on the carrots and the fruit--these are funny face inducing.

Babysitters! So far Charlie has had two nights alone with Garrett and Lauren and he definitely loves them. Although Gran, Momala, Poppy and Grandpa are still his faves. Rob and I are grateful for the opportunity to go out--this weekend we had sushi at a fabulous place in lincoln square that called for nice clothes. I had forgotten about Sushi--it's good. We had drinks before and coffee afterwards and were home by 9:30. It was a big night.

Charlie has a new friend in Izzy and we went to visit her and mom Suzann over the weekend. No pics of them yet--maybe next time. Lots of friends! what a lucky guy. And what a lucky mom am I to know so many other moms.

Let's Give it Up for Aunt Birgitta

After last week's shout out to my little bro, this week's blog is dedicated to my sister Birgitta. Aunt Birgitta is not only Charlie's godmother, but a hard working MFA student at the Brown/Trinity Consortium in Providence. This past week, Aunt Birgitta directed a rock and roll version of Hedda Gabler as her thesis project. Family and friends came from all over the east coast to see this punk rock Hedda complete with music by Uncle/Godfather Eddie, and a portrait by Daddy!

Though we could not see it or Auncle Birgeddie (as Daddy so lovingly refers to them), we know we missed a good one. Congratulations Birgitta on all of your hard work. We will hopefully be in the audience for your next one. You keep doing what you do--we know you're the best!

Busy week and busy weekend at the Chicago home office. Biggest challenge right now is to finish my American History mid-term (that's right--I am a part time student at city college in my very spare time) which is all multiple choice. That, my friends, is the worst kind of test. Never been good to me. So I am reading up on Jane Addams and the Haymarket and stuff like that. It's interesting, but it doesn't always stick.

So Rob continues to be a superstar dad and hubby, feeding and playing with Charlie when I need study time.

But can I just tell you that I made a kick ass lasagna tonight? Can you say ass when you blog about your baby?

Oh, you must want to know about HIM--the baby! Okay.......the best, most funnest part of the weekend was having a playdate with neighbor Danielle and her daughter Maebelle, an adorable 9 month old. Maebelle was very sweet to Charlie and graciously lent her crib when little man broke down into nappy time cries.

Danielle is Aunt Birgitta's friend and old roommate and now she is my friend too. Good thing--we can hang together with our tiny buddies. Also glad to know Danielle's friend Johanna, expecting next week! Go girl!

Also expecting are my college girls--you know who you are. Went to Julie's shower this weekend and got to visit with Julie, Kimmy, and Keg. Kim and Keg came over on Friday for a special Charlie visit--lots of fun.

do you love the pictures? That's Rob, superstar dad, with Charlie in tummy time! I call that one "Hop on Pop." And the other picture is my little brother, or, Uncle Brendo, also known as Uncle Binky.

Binky gets a special congratulations today because he has won some kind of Major Award. Binky has worked security at College of St. Rose in Albany for several years now. He is a dedicated worker, the students and staff all love him, and he goes above and beyond the job to keep the campus safe. My apologies to Binky for not knowing the exact title of his Major Award, but, kiddo, I am proud of you! Redo your resume tonight.

Now I need to sleep or stick my nose in a book.

Wow! Long time, no post. Mama has been busy. So much to report about our little man:

tummy time.....getting so much better! Now he stays there and stays and stays. Only problem is he wants to roll so he pushes himself off to oneside (and sometimes bonks his head). What a champ!

Food--the verdict is in on carrots--no allergy but man are they gross. I don't love them cooked either, but I'll eat them. Plenty of time for that tiny and sophisticated pallette (no I can't spell that) to develop.

Sweet potatoes are okay! That's good since mommy and daddy both heart sweet potatoes!!


Sitting up--almost. Not there like his birthday buddy, Noah, but almost. He does the tripod thing and we still have to support him. Such a big guy.

Friends--where do we start? Well there's Wednesday group with mommy's waterobics buddies and their babies; And there's once a month mommy/daddy/baby group with the show kids (friends from shows and the theatre crowd). And can't forget daycare with babies and big kid toddlers who take great care of Charlie! Then there's Devyn who we had a playdate with on Saturday--an older gal, 14 months--pretty and blond. And, finally, the occasional Friday yoga class at the Sweet Peas Studio.

Charlie loves to laugh and play and pick things up and splash in the tubby! He is the sweetest little guy. Here are some of his nicknames:

Butters
Nugget
Tiny Man
Charlito
Tubby Buns
Bunny tubs

More to come!
Charlito

Family Day at the Nature Museum

Daddy had a rare Saturday off and scored a free family pass to the Nature Museum. So...we had a lovely afternoon there, warm and cozy in the Butterfly haven on a cold February day. Rob carried Charlie in the Bjorn and he seems to love it. He just loves to move those little legs. Here he is studying a butterfly.

Solids

New things for Charlito this week! The biggest news of all is that he has started to eat rice cereal. From a spoon! At first he made a raisin face and wouldn't open his lips. Next day he opened up but didn't know what to do next. And on the third day he opened up for bites, swallowed and opened up again. Of course he made raisin faces in between bites!

Well, as of today, Charlie eats an entire dish of rice cereal, with minimal "this is yucky" faces. We are adding a morning meal. Big doins for our little guy.

He sits in his yellow Bumbo chair for meals (thank you Elizabeth for passing it on to us!) and sometimes on laps. What a big boy!

Go Momala!

Momala (that's my mom and Charlie's grandma) officially retires today. They are having a party for her at the Schuyler Center and today is her last day of work. Momala, like lots of working moms out there (including myself) has held not one, but several jobs over the years, including stay at home mom. She has also enjoyed several careers in the theatre, education, non-profit and television worlds. I tagged along with her to a number of these workplaces as a kid. I know that my sister, brother and I all loved running around the theatres of Utica College and Syracuse University while mom taught, directed, rehearse. We all have fond memories of her banging out her master's thesis on a tired and rusty Smith Corona on the second floor of the Utica house while a small hill of cigarette butts smoked in that old, gold leaf ashtray.

We remember sifting through the membership premiums at Channel 17 and answering the many nasty crank calls coming through on the phone lines. Not everyone believes in public television.

We also remember meeting mom's high school students at Turner Carroll and loving that they loved her as much as we did.

And I am especially proud (as Dad, Gitta and Brendo are) of Mom's work in the Winning Beginnings campaign (hope all my titles are accurate there) and the New York State early learning initiatives that she has been a part of. I'm also glad to know her retirement party will happen at a place where she has many treasured friends.

Congratulations, Momala! I hope the post-retirement years bring relaxation, exotic travels, and more trips to Chicago. Charlie anxiously awaits your visits.

Lots of love!