Take me out to the ballgame!!

Well, it's been quite some time since the world received an update on the Charlie-man...and the Stuart family as a whole. As the purpose of this blog is to amuse the world with the happenings of our little man, I'll give a short update on the rest of the family first. Jennifer and Jay are well, as are Peanut and Napoleon, enough said. Charlie has grown tremendously since our last post. He now weighs a quite healthy 22 lbs 8 oz and stands a full 28 inches (2'4", if you will) tall. That is about the 50th percentile for height and 70th for weight. He can crawl on his hands and knees. He can also pull himself to standing and cruise while holding on to furniture and baby gates. He babbles non-stop, mostly saying "dada" and '"bye-bye" I did get one "mama" out of him, but none since. He enjoys playing with his puppies, especially Napoleon. He plays with their toys, tries to steal their food and chew their rawhides. We think he thinks he is a dog.

Here he is with his sock in his mouth and a rawhide that he stole from Napoleoan. Luckily, Napoleon remembered that he has six more of them hidden under the bed, where Charlie does not know to look.

Baseball season is in full swing, and as many of you could have assumed, Charlie has been busy making the rounds at our favorite ballparks. He went to his first Sandgnats game here in Savannah. Then he went to see the Braves in Atlanta and the Rangers in Arlington (yes, in Texas) Since Charlie handled the Sandgnats game fairly well (considering it was a day game, so it was hot), we decided to take him to Atlanta to have his first Braves game experience. He seemed to enjoy being around the people and clapping with the fans. He even did the Tomahawk Chop.

Mommy and Charlie with Turner Field in the background.

Sitting on top of the "Dale Murphy #3" at Turner Field in Atlanta.

We then took him to Texas to visit his cousin Matthew and Aunt Amanda and Uncle Ben. We all went to the Rangers' game, and they happened to be playing the Braves! This was also Matthew's first trip to a baseball game. The boys had a great time! Matthew got to play baseball in the Fanzone and both boys got t-shirts that featured the Ozarka Dot Race as well as wooden bats (Amanda was not too excited about us buying her son a "weapon" but she will adjust.) Matthew knows just how to ask Uncle Jay, and he can usually get anything he wants out of him. Here are some pictures of us at the game in Texas...

The Morton's, having some fun "Stuart-style" at the ballgame.

Matthew, doing the Tomahawk chop at the Ranger's Ballpark in Arlington.

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Not much more to report. Charlie and I just hang out on days that I do not work. We have been to the pool, he "works on" his truck, he tries to steal the remotes and the cell phones (but only the real ones, toys simply will not do!) Here are a few pictures of Charlie playing. Until next time...

Sporting his new Masters hat.

Ah, victory!! Only to have that remote taken away the minute I put the camera down.

Playing at the pool.

Driving his new truck.

Getting a quick hug from Matthew.

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love to all!

Finally

Sorry for the delay. I know it has been a couple of months since our last post, but we are staying very busy these days. Charlie is growing like crazy. He wiggles and squirms constantly. He now prefers to be on the floor playing or in his exersaucer, jumping up and down and pulling/pushing on anything that makes noise. He is also talking a lot more, in fact, it is constant noise coming from his mouth when he is not sleeping. Which brings me to the most exciting new accomplishment of The Charlie-Man... He now sleeps all night (most of the time) in his own crib!!! As many of you know, he slept in the swing in our room until he was 6 months old. While Jay was not quite ready for that change, Charlie proved that he was. He went for his six month checkup last week. He is now a solid 20 lbs and 26 in tall. His hair is starting to get thicker (thank goodness) and as white blond as ever. His eyes are also changing to a lighter shade of blue. He now sits upright like a big boy. He has mastered the art of rolling from one side of a room to the other to get to wherever he wants to be, and is starting to work on the crawling thing, but I think he still has a way to go before that happens. As for me, my new job is going well. I am starting to adjust to the many differences between a children's hospital and a children's floor of an adult hospital. Jay has settled into his job and returned to his over-achiever, work-aholic ways. Going in early and staying late most days. Nothing else too exciting to report. Enjoy the pictures (for those who have been harassing me daily to update)

A final farewell to the swing.

In the words of Matthew, "just playing"

Hanging out with Nana

All clean!

Playing the Playstation with Daddy

Just looking cute...

...and posing for the camera.

It's been awhile...

It's been quite some time since the last Charlie post. We have been very busy with finalizing our move, starting jobs, the holidays and an abundance of other tasks. Jennifer and Charlie arrived in Georgia at the end of November. We got to celebrate Jennifer's birthday as a re-united family in the spacious confines of our new apartment...the apartment was seemingly much more roomy prior to the arrival of all our stuff. Peanut and Napoleon greeted Jennifer and Charlie with kisses and frantic circling of the house. They were very excited. Charlie was very excited to see his Daddy; I was greeted with a huge smile from this little man holding his head up and staring around the room. I was amazed at how much he grew and in awe of all his new found talents. Over about the last 6 weeks, Charlie has learned and developed so much. He is now almost 27 inches in length (2ft 3in, if you will) and weighs 17 lbs. Charlie has quickly caught up from being born a month early. He is now eating cereal and veggies. He caught right on to eating out of a spoon. Charlie now rolls over (except when Mommy is paying attention), stands upright with guiding hands and sits up with little or no support. By far our favorite new Charlie-activity is his obsession with hearing his own sounds. This past weekend, Charlie learned that when he yells or screeches, he can hear himself. He thinks it's hilarious. We thought Peanut's constant barking at the Mailman, the neighbors, Napoleon and other unfamiliar sorts was deafening...but, we were wrong.

Charlie was very excited about his first time eating in his highchair.

But then he wasn't quite sure what to do with the cereal once it was in his mouth.

Charlie's first bite of peas. He was not a fan. But will eat them now.

Charlie had a wonderful First Christmas and is beginning a Happy New Year. We want to wish everyone we did not see in person a Merry Christmas. Charlie was very spoiled. He received so many new toys and books that a toy box had to be procured. Charlie now has a wonderful handmade toy box that his Paw-Paw Stuart (my grandfather C.E) made sometime around my birth. Charlie thanks his Aunt Beth and family for taking such good care of it over the last several years. To date, we have been unable to get Charlie's room back in order after the festive holiday season.

Oh, the anticipation of Santa coming!

But then, he was just too tired to wait up!

So excited to see that Santa came and left TONS of presents!!

(A picture of the presents will go here as soon as we get it off of the other camera)

We greatly enjoyed seeing our entire family on the holidays for the first time in several years. Charlie thinks he did a good job of working to bond with his cousins, second cousins, first cousins once-twice-three times removed and a whole sort of other family members. It was a busy, busy time for Charlie and we're not certain he has yet to recover in full (hence, my dreary eyes from being up with our precious angel since 4am today).

Charlie with his Papa on Christmas morning.

And posing with his cousins on Christmas Day.

Napping with MeMaw during the ginormous family gathering.

Playing with his cousin, Joshua.

But, in typical Napoleon fashion, he could not stand that the babies were getting all of the attention, so he had to put himself right in the middle of all the action.

Today, Jennifer started her new job at Memorial (Health University Medical Center for Fine Arts, Liberal Arts and a whole bunch of other stuff). We just stick to Memorial, although the hospital has undergone quite the transformation since we were last Savannah residents...apparently one that will match it's new expanded name. One day, I will learn which wing of the hospital campus that now engulfs Waters Ave. Jenn will be working in. Jenn told me today (after day 1), so far-so good. I keep plugging away at my job. I enjoy the people I am working with, but cannot wait for a little PTO to build up so I can enjoy a little R&R following an exhausting first 2 months and holiday season. As Jennifer and I are now both working, Charlie started school today (daycare that is). It was hard enough taking him that first time to drop off at Aunt Amanda and Uncle Ben's for the day...today was a really tough day. Jenn and I both dropped Charlie off this morning and then cried our eyes out on our respective trips to work. Charlie made it through the day and all reports are he enjoyed himself and his teachers enjoyed him. The first comment made about Charlie by his teachers..."He never stops smiling." We are blessed to have a happy, healthy and wonderful son and can't wait to see him continue to grow (though one day, I am sure we will say he grew up WAY TOO FAST).

Ready for his first day of school.

Charlie crashed when he got home, it was a long day.

And now, some random pictures of the Charlie-man

Ready to go to a Braves game!

Just hanging out and looking cute (because Aunt Amanda "NEEEEEDED" some pictures.)

We Miss You, Daddy!!

Well, Jay and the puppies have officially relocated to Savannah. He has worked a full week at his new job, and all seems to be going well for him there. Charlie and I are still in Texas. We haven't seen much of eachother since Jay has been gone. I have been working alot and trying to get things packed and ready for the movers to come a short week from tomorrow. Charlie has been spending alot of time with his Aunt Amanda and cousin Matthew (and since I work such long hours, even his Uncle Ben has had some quality time).

Charlie is smiling much more now. He is starting to play with his toys rather than simply looking at them. He will reach for toys on the bouncy seat and his car seat. It is really funny to watch the expressions on his face when he sets off the sounds and lights on his bouncy seat by hitting a toy. He has also grown significantly since our last post (over an inch) which has resulted in him moving up a size in clothes. (Only one more size to go until he can wear the really cute "Big Boy" clothes at The Children's Place.) He also has enough head control to sit in his Bumbo Seat. We do not leave him in it for very long, but he seems to enjoy sitting up like a big boy. Here are some new pictures of Charlie.

Sleeping with Daddy

Yes, he is sucking his thumb. While we agree that we do not want him to do this, it is very cute when he can actually get his thumb into his mouth and latches onto it.

Playing at Matthew's house.

Sitting up like a big boy.

The first good smile we were able to catch with the camera.

Hope eveyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. We will be packing up the computer this week, so we'll talk to you when we get to Savannah.

love,

jennifer, jay and charlie

Happy Halloween...

Charlie would like me to wish everyone a Happy Halloween. Charlie's day has been very busy. His Mommy, Aunt Amanda and cousin Matthew took Charlie shopping. While I doubt that validity of this statement, Charlie had a great day and loves his new shoes (a gift from Mommy). Also, a little update on Charlie. He is now doing a little giggle that is rather adorable. He is smiling more and more each day. While his smiles are no doubt completely unrelated to the moment, their timing is quite dead on. For instance, Mommy says a smart-aleck remark and low and behold, Charlie smiles the biggest, brightest smile you have ever seen. We hope to capture it soon on film. Now, back to Halloween. The three youngest members of our family celebrated in style. Charlie was a tootsie-roll. While the tootsie-roll was Charlie's "main" outfit, he also celebrated in his Halloween onesie, ghost out-fit and his "I want Candy" shirt. You may be asking yourself, the other youngest members of our family??? These members are of course the puppies. Peanut dressed herself in her Pirate collar in honor of Halloween. Please notice that she is a feminine, pink pirate. Napoleon had a very difficult time deciding how to dress this year. In typically hyper Napoleonic fashion, Napoleon jumped from baseball player, to gansta rapper, to his final decision...a pumpkin (note the orange on the collar). We hope everyone is well and will talk with all soon. Enjoy the pictures.

Memaw, thanks for my card.

Me and my big cousin. How cute are we ???

Things that are white? Cream, milk, a GHOST!!!

A life sized tootsie roll.

Halloween is FUN.

Gimme your candy, please.

Relaxing in my PJ's. They have pumpkin feet.

Napoleon, the pumpkin.

Peanut, the pink pirate.

Me and Matthew in our Halloween shirts.

As you can see, Charlie had a great day. We will talk to everyone soon and I (Jay) will see everyone in Savannah in about a week.

----- Jay, Jennifer, Charlie, Peanut and Napoleon -----