Charlie {month 12}

Mr. Charlie turned 1 year old on April 22nd.  It's been 1 year since he has joined the family and we can't imagine life without him.  He is silly and sweet and curious.  He is all boy.  He loves being outside, loves climbing and loves everything his sister is playing with.

 

Charlie month by month

It was another busy month.  We took a small vacation to Monterey, celebrated Passover, Easter, and of course, Charlie's birthday.

 

Charlie started going down slides all by himself this month.  Small ones, he can sit, and bigger ones, he goes on his belly.  He loves it.  He also loves climbing around play structures and swinging.  The park is quickly becoming his favorite outing.



Loves, loves the park
He will cry when you make him leave



His favorite inside games are playing in his sisters pop up tent,  jumping on the couch and falling to his tooshy, the play kitchen and climbing both of Sydney's stepstools - which is terrifying. He has been working hard to learn how to climb into her bed, but he is still a little too small.



Look Mom!
We really can't leave him alone anymore



Charlie, and Sydney, both think it's hilarious when Charlie plays peek-a-boo with us.  Usually in the tent or by opening and closing a door.  He is just now starting to let us read him books - but only when he is tired, drinking milk and laying on our lap. 



Peek-a-boo



I seriously think in his first year of life, I have probably changed more of his diapers upside-down or standing.  We had about a 6 week period where he wouldn't sit in the bath, so I would wash him standing up.  Now, he will tolerate it for about 5 minutes.  He is the messiest eater and can be quite picky.  He typically just wants what we are eating.  His favorites are still black beans, bread, popcorn, bananas, berries.  He is starting to really like yogurt and red meat.

 

If we are eating something, he wants the same thing



Charlie has started saying a few words - "Mama", "Ba Ba"for bottle (daycare thinks it's "Wa Wa" for water) and "Uh Oh".  He understands quite a bit.  He knows where his head is, he will give kisses when you ask for one and he is starting to understand directions (sit down!)  He also has started walking.  Two days after his birthday, he started taking 3-4 steps unassisted.  He can go about half way across a room now, but is still working on getting his balance just right.  He always tips forward - I think from walking with a walker for too long.

Looking sharp buddy

 Our hearts melt daily with the interactions between Sydney and Charlie.  Sydney is a great big sister - she is typically very patient with Charlie, she gets excited for his milestones, gives him kisses and hugs and tries to make him laugh daily.



Nicknames: Charlie bug, Mr. Charlie, Trouble, Buddy, Chuck



Let's talk about boys vs girls. I know not all kids fit the stereotypes but I am blown away at how boy Charlie is and how girl Sydney is.  And, I really don't think we have influenced it that much.  Sydney has always been thoughtful and cautious with her actions. She works really hard to perfect a skill and then quickly becomes an expert. From the beginning, she was very good at fine motor skills, and has always been a clean eater.  Currently she is obsessed with pink and princesses, which definitely has not been influenced by me. She has always loved books, and will sit and read for a really long time either on her own, or with someone. 

 

From the beginning, Charlie has been strong and interested in his gross motor skills. He will try to do things even if he isn't quite ready for it - like walking, or climbing things.  He is super smiley with anyone who will make eyes with him and a bit of a goofball.  He isn't timid about trying new things.  He plays hard, then crashes into our arms with the best hugs and cuddles.  He has been a very inconsistent sleeper from the beginning and wakes up so darn early.

Monkeys



Since this is the last blog post I'm committing to, and it was a busy month, I'm posting a lot of favorite photos, enjoy! 

Charlie & Mama



Loves this kitchen

It's best to be seated outside with this messy eater

First time playing with the water table

Tiny anorandak chairs at the brewery

At the beach in Pacific Grove - this kid would not sleep on our vacation.
Our friends said, when the kids are with us, we call it a Trip
When the kids aren't with us, that's a Vacation
So true

The kids loved this wagon that was at our Airbnb

Visiting Monterey Bay Aquarium
Charlie found lots of Nemo fish

Our little pearls

Finally closed his eyes at the Airbnb
Love the cuddles but man he made us work for it.

Neighborhood egg hunt.
Sydney crushes Easter Egg hunts

RSM's Easter Bunny

Our best attempt at a family photo

MarMe & Grandpa Billy came for Easter

The cutest photo with the Blair cousins after our annual Egg Hunt

First Easter
Charlie loved playing with the plastic eggs

Our 3 kids on Easter - Sydney, Charlie and Baby Lederman

MarMe gave the kids matching jammies

Charlie will just bang on the door until you let him outside

Back at the brewery



Walking practice with MarMe

Grandpa Billy

Just a short stop before picking up Sydney from school

Trouble - he is about to attempt to climb onto the table

Dinosaur birthday decorations

With Mama, celebrating being 1

Grandpa Billy

Happy Birthday Charlie

Cake time

Can't sit still

Sydney can't wait

My boys - this guy loved his cake

Nathan and Charlie - literally friends from day 1

Bubbles!

This is what too much cake looks like

Just eating the rocks



We started giving Charlie a stuffed animal in bed, it's a Dog
Sydney named him Nemo - we just got back from our trip to the aquarium
and everyone kept asking her if she saw Nemo

 

Giving Mama kisses

Charlie's enjoying his first popsicle with his best pal
Sydney helped me make them 

12 month side by side

 What a year it has been.  I'm not going to say it's been easy but it's definitely been incredible. Sometime we literally can't believe how lucky we are to have 2 adorable, (practically) perfect , sweet little kiddos.  We wouldn't trade them for the world.