the standing Charles

just weeks ago, if you tried to get Charles to stand, he'd buckle.



but now, with a little help from dad....




he's all about standing! yeah for Charles! he's now standing for lengthy periods of time. ok - admittedly, this is not the most exciting thing in the world, but we're hurting for new pics for the site...seems age 5 1/2 - 6 1/2 months is a lull in new stuff. he's just getting better at everything he's been doing - better hand-eye coordination, better response to his name, and better shouting when he's not getting his way. however, we promise to do our best to keep the pics coming!!! and you'll be the first to know if anything "new" happens...

some random pics for your enjoyment...

Charles and daddy studying together...i wish we had a pic showing the absolute decimation Charles' magazine faced...



Charles is passionate about his "grape juice" (wink, wink) glasses










"why is there strange noises coming out of your fingers, daddy?"

Charles has TEETH!!!!!

let's give it up for Charles! way to grow those first two teeth!!!! today two teeth, tomorrow t-bone steak....(and mommy screaming in pain)

(part 2) - behind the scenes of the photo shoot

yes, you all enjoyed that amazing shot of Charles' new teeth...but here's an inside look at what it took to get it














uhhh - I see no teeth







ummm - yeah, the hands thing ain't working






mom trying to accomplish the impossible....

3 Part Post...part 1, Christmas morning

it's Charles' first Christmas morning!! and it looks like somebody got something under the tree. what could it be?





"say it ain't so, mommy...say it ain't so!!!" Unlike some kids in this world, Charles was nothing but thrilled and thankful for what he got (at least that's how we interpreted things)...






"wow...a new plastic baby photo album that i can chew and slobber on. geez, that's swell!"






but here's the highlight of it all...Charles' first box of real (well, as real as it gets for him) food. Rice cereal!!! is your mouth watering, yet? mommy had to wrestle it from daddy trying to eat it (uh, no). And so, over the next two posts, we document what happened when Charles ate for the very first time....

part 2...the prep

brand new booster seat...right out the box! and check out the bib...the ducks quack when you mash them






"so dad...what's going on here? why am I in this weird seat? why are you taking pictures? why are you laughing?"






to the left...the food (in the midst of all the Christmas decorations we were about to put back for the season)





and here we go.............

part 3....the chow

"i have absolutely no idea what this stuff is. i have absolutely no idea why she's trying to put in into my mouth. and i have absolutely no idea why daddy is taking pictures of it all. this cannot be good"



"mmmm...my favorite. breast-milk covered processed powdered rice. thanks mom!"



(mom) "now swallow it all at one time, Charles." (Charles) "No thanks mom. I think I'll just swish it around in my mouth a few times to get all the yummy flavor."




here's a front-line camera shot...notice how much is NOT making it into the mouth




oh, our brilliant child...just a few bites and he's feeding himself!

and more Christmas pics...

Mimi with her three precious grandchildren...



and here's Grandpa...




Mimi got all the grandchildren matching Christmas outfits...Charles' has a big Santa on his belly.