1. I've been bitten by the Fall bug! I want to make decorations, sip Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and take Charlie apple/pumpkin picking! (FYI - Pumpkin Spice Lattes arrive September 4th!!!!)
2. I cannot believe it is going to be 90 today despite the cool weather in the 50s the last two days.
3. It will be so nice to have the hubby home for THREE WHOLE DAYS!!!! I have no idea what the plans are but, maybe we'll break out the picnic basket and take Charlie to the park.
4. Charlie is really starting to make A LOT of sounds. He really loves to "talk".
5. We got Charlie a Rhino Oball yesterday and he loves it. He really enjoys toys that he can grab and shake.
6. Another toy Charlie loves at the moment is his Cabbage Patch Kid since it has a rattle in it. He enjoys bouncing it around with this feel, staring at its eyes, and putting its hands in his mouth.
Sorry it's so blurry...Camera phone + Moving baby
7. Charlie is rolling a lot more from him belly to his back. He also is picking his head up nice and high. It is like a switch just turned on one day and now this is his thing. He hated being on his tummy for tummy time until a week or two ago.
Since September of last year, I had been waiting for the beginning of summer because that was when we would get to meet our little one. We have spent almost one whole season with our little one. Before the official end to summer, I would like to try to take him out to Montauk because that is our favorite place. Unfortunately, it is quite a few miles away. Once the summer traffic has disappeared we'll pack him up and take him out there.
This "summer" Charlie:
-was born
-made it to the beach
-learned to roll over back to front and front to back
-met all of his uncles and some of his cousins
-swam in his pool
-was Christened
-began grasping and playing with toys
-got his first mosquito bite
-went to a duck pond
-went to a fair
-went to a car show
-went to the Hamptons
-went to a parade
-listened to a concert outside
I used to hate the end of summer because it meant that I had to go back to work but, this year as summer ends I'm excited to see what the Fall will bring. The perk of Fall used to be new school supplies and Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Now, the Fall means that we can to see Charlie grow and experience all kinds of new things every day. Some of the things we would like to do with Charlie are:
- Apple Picking
- Go on a hay ride
- Have a photoshoot in a leaf pile
- Go to a pumpkin patch
- Take a walk through the changing leaves
- Decorate a pumpkin
- Make apple sauce and have Charlie taste it!!!
- Go to a football game
- Go to the Bronx Zoo
- Go to the NY Botanic Gardens
As I think about all the activities that we will do with Charlie, I can't wait to see how much he will learn and grow. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children everything they can. Infants/toddlers learn by experiencing different settings with their parents. Charlie may be too young to remember most of what he do in the next few years but, he will have experienced it and will have taken something away from it. My friend Sarah wrote a great post on homeschooling that I feel embraces this concept. You should really check it out!
My dear friend from work used to make us these brownies when things were particularly stressful. I know she made them for the first day of work this year so, I decided I would make some too as a Bon Voyage dessert for our special visitor! They are so yummy! The only difference in the way I did them was I put the cookie dough on the bottom. Generally, I do not ice the brownies because they are so rich to begin with however, if you'd like more deliciousness by all means add chocolate icing or chocolate ganache!
Ingredients:
1 tube of chocolate chip cookie batter
1 box of brownies
13 x 9 Pan
Nonstick
Cooking Spray
Procedure:
Spray your pan. Preheat your oven to 350. Spread the cookie batter in the bottom of the pan. Prepare the brownies according to the box. Bake for approximately 28 - 31 minutes. (My oven it is more like 31 min than 28 min.) Cool and enjoy!
Yesterday would have been my first day back at work. I woke up in the morning looked at my beautiful boy and couldn't imagine bringing him to the babysitter's house. I've never felt more at peace with my decision to stay home. When my friends arrived home from work, one texted me to see how Charlie's doctor appointment was and share stories from her day. While I missed the laughs from work, I had so many more wonderful memories and stories to tell at the end of my day. These are moments I would have missed if I were at work.
Part of my desire to work in the past was that I love kids and making a difference in their day. Now, I have my own little one and I want to spend my days making him happy and wholly healthy. At the school I worked at, we prided ourselves on educating the whole child: mind, body, and spirit. If I had returned to work, what would happen to MY child's mind, body, and spirit while I wasn't there...
I know many people have to return to work for various reasons (and I very well may be one of them at some point) however, right now I am home with my beautiful little boy.
I can't say that it isn't weird seeing back to school commercials and school buses making runs on our block. Honestly, it is strange that everyone is headed back to school and I'm not going this year. I'll miss the excitement of the kids on the first day of school or the joy in their eyes when they finally understand a math problem they've been working on for the entire period. But, at this moment, my beautiful boy fell asleep in my arms and is snuggled up in his bassinet next to me. I will be here to see the smile on his face when he wakes up from his nap. I will be here when he giggles and coos. I will be here when he rolls over.
I honestly feel like this is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Yes, my pregnancy was emotionally trying and child birth was physically demanding but, right now I desperately wish I could have the best of both worlds.
Teaching with Charlie in his Moby.
Halloween with the Faculty
I'm sure it will get easier as the days pass but, the only life I've known since college has been as a school teacher in a wonderful little school with an amazing faculty who has become my family and my friends.
I know it would be harder for me to go back to work and leave my little one every day so, I am very grateful for the ability to stay home with Charlie. I wouldn't give this up for anything.
Mommy and Charlie
This song has been running through my head since Mass...
On August 22nd, Charlie turned 3 months old. At his doctor's appointment today, we learned that he is 24 in long and 11 lbs 10 oz. He can roll from his back to his front and his front to his back. He has also figured out how to slide himself on his back across the doctor's table.
Charlie is in size 2 disposable diapers and one size cloth diapers. He has found his voice and enthusiastically shares it with everyone! He has such an adorable little squeal/coo. He still loves music, books, car rides, and walks.
He really enjoys sitting up like a big boy (with help of course). We are using the bassinet part of his stroller less and less. We have put him in the big boy part of the stroller mostly reclined and his is thrilled. The pediatrician says, "He is perfect!" (We already knew this but it is nice that it is confirmed.)
We celebrated his birthday as always with CUPCAKES! He was able to celebrate with his special visitor, his uncle Chris, Chris's friend Matt, Mommy, Daddy, Gram, and Pop Pop. This might have been his biggest birthday party yet! Daddy made him his special sign.
As an aside: If any of you Cloth Diaper and are in need of some Bumkins products, plum district has $25 for $50 worth of items. (Here's my link if three of you buy the offer I get mine for free) - http://www.plumdistrict.com/three_for_free/74a689b05d/click)
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