End of Summer

It's that time of year again...back to school, football season, new activities...and best of all, it's Charlie's first time to experience everything! We've had a very busy couple of weeks. Which makes for a long post and a lot of pictures, but so be it.

Charlie's school is going great! He jumps right in every day and plays to his heart's content. He doesn't seem to notice when we leave (a good thing). And yes, we've already had to sign our first "accident report" because he seems to love to knock his head on things. I fear this is only the beginning! He has been napping well, which I was concerned about, and appears to really enjoy his classmates. All good so far!

We've had one Kindermusik class so far, and Charlie did great. It is full of friends and friends-of-friends. Two babies from his swim class are there, two from his school class, and his friend Gage. He is already learning how to network! He is really starting to enjoy music and just stares at Ruth (the teacher) while she sings. He also does his little dance every time he hears any music at all.

Charlie also got to tailgate at his first Razorback game last Saturday! We played Troy at 6 PM so he did not go to the game, but he spent most of the afternoon tailgating like a pro. He even managed to squeeze in a little nap in the Pack-N-Play. He still hasn't quite figured out the Hog Call, but we are working on it!!! Maybe by the next game.

We celebrated Max's 7th birthday a week or so ago, and Charlie entertained us by eating handfuls of pasta. This kid can EAT! He now weighs 20 lbs 14 oz. We are trying to keep up but he just wants more--except the bottles, because he has mostly decided he's done with those. We will try to stick it out a couple more months but we are having some luck with the sippy cup or just a regular glass too (although it gets very messy). He is happiest just sitting there chewing on a piece of zwieback toast with his mouth full. Much like I remember his cousin Sammy doing around this age. :) Speaking of Sammy, he fell and broke his arm a few nights ago, so please keep him in your prayers...and his brother Drew because it's only a matter of time before Sammy learns that his cast is actually a weapon!

Charlie is finally, FINALLY getting a tooth! Although we can't officially say it's here yet, this time we aren't seeing things. You can feel it, and see the ridge, but not quite the tooth yet. Now it might be 2 months before it actually comes in, knowing Charlie. He also took a step last night but he didn't realize it, so we can't count that as walking. But he's still close.

He is really trying to say new words and sounds all the time so we are encouraging it. We try to talk about everything around him and point out things like body parts and household items. The only words he really knows are "dog" and "clock", although they sound like "dod" and "gock" or even "gah". If I say, "Where's Daddy?" he will look for James most of the time, and he looks for Mommy about 50% of the time. He also loves Peek-a-boo and will chase you (crawling) around and around the kitchen island, giggling. It is the best!

I could not resist posting these. Post-game, Charlie and Gage needed a bath so their babysitters (our nanny Tess and her daughter) just put them in our double sink! They had a blast!