Where Has My Baby Gone?

Charlie turned one on Friday. I can't believe my baby is one already. He's growing up too fast, but I'm sure every mother feels that way. I must admit I get baby fever every once in a while and think I want to hurry and have another one. It doesn't help that every woman in my ward who is of reproducing age is prego. But then I have days where both kids are crying and fighting and whining at my feet and suddenly I'm okay with having just two kids.

Anywho, here are some of Charlie's current stats.

• He's walking. I guess technically one could say he started walking at 11 months, but does it really count if it's just a few steps here and there? He has improved a lot though and before long he's going to have some mad walking skills.


• He has six teeth: four on top, two on bottom. His teeth are his best feature or maybe should I say his most distinguishing feature. The top two front teeth are big and have a huge gap in between. I've gotten used to them and think they are quite cute, but I completely understand why the world might not think so. Is it horrible to say that sometimes I think he has a face that only a mother could love?

• He's scared of the water. That little fear is courtesy of his big brother pushing him around in the tub. Thanks Sam! Bath time wouldn't be the same without you.

• He wants to do everything Sam is doing, which drives Sam crazy....which in turn drives me crazy.

• He LOVES cars. This kid is all boy. He will sit and push cars around all day if I let him. He will even make vroom vroom noises.

• He is a very cuddly kid...he just loves to cuddle. I love that he loves it. Also, he will give kisses. It's a wide open mouth kiss so be prepared if he tries to kiss you.

Anyway, onto the birthday festivities. We were in Seattle the day of his birthday, so there wasn't much celebration. However, Chris's brother Mike took us to lunch at Red Mill Burgers. I might add that the food was oh so good. I'm drooling just thinking about it. After that we headed over to St. Edward Park in Kenmore. This was the coolest playground ever. Sam ran around like a crazy man and pointed out all pictures of fish to me 15 times. Charlie, in typical fashion, did some snackin on the sand. Later that evening, we headed over to our friend's house for a barbecue. We had a good 'ol spread of hot dogs and chips. Let me just add that they were all-beef hot dogs and we had two types of chips. Jealous much? Les baked a cake for the occasion, which she didn't think was that great, but I must disagree. It was delish. They even got Charlie a present. It was some ball stack up toys. We whipped those suckers out Saturday and even though Charlie thinks they're pretty fun, (he gets all giggly when the balls roll around) I must confess that I had as much fun playing with them as Charlie did. Thanks Craig and Les.

Sunday was the "real" day of celebration, if you can even call it that. We had dinner and Chuck thought he was a big enough kid to eat a whole corn-on-the-cob.

Then we busted out the cake and presents. You know I made a chocolate cake for Sam and Charlie's first birthdays just so they get extra messy eating, and then we can all go "ooh aww, look at how cute he is." Everyone else got cupcakes.

At first he just sort of picked at it, but then Chris's dad gave him a few bites and he soon figured out that this was good stuff and just dug right in.

After a quick rinse in the tub, we opened presents. Sam is really into opening presents, so he got to do it. We got him a monster truck and a book about trucks. Chris' parents got him an outfit and a piano. Based on Sam and Charlie's reactions to the toys, I think they liked them. They both fought over the truck and Sam claimed it was his. He then threw the book in Charlie's face when Charlie was playing with the truck. All in all I'd say it was a successful evening, but I still can't believe I have a one year old. Sam will be three soon and then I think I really will be in shock.