Thursday, March 29, 2007

Charlie continues his birthday celebrations...

On Charlie's actual birthday we sang him happy birthday and gave him the presents that everyone sent, as well as presents that Chris and I bought him. Thank you very much everyone! We also let him try some ice cream for the first time. Earlier in the day, I had taken him to a soft play area with his friend, Matthew, and they had a wonderful time chasing each other in the passages and throwing the plastic balls around. The next few photos are dedicated to Charlie's Grandpa Coppins as he told me once that he wanted a picture of Charlie when he had ice cream for the first time.....:)




Spoonful one....he doesn't look too happy.....


Spoonful two.....Nope, he's not happy.



Charlie on the Wheeliebug Chris and I gave him.



This is Charlie and I at the baby signing class we go to on Thursdays. We celebrated Charlie's birthday with cupcakes and a song. Far right is our friends Nadia and Matthew. That's the first birthday celebrations over than...whew....









































Sunday, March 18, 2007

Charlie's 1st Birthday Bash!

This picture was taken near the end of the party, but Charlie was still in good spirits (it was all that cake!)
Thanks to everyone who came to Charlie's party- for everything! Charlie had a fantastic time and Chris and I enjoyed ourselves, too. Charlie has been busy with his new toys and we look forward to dressing him in his new outfits! Thanks again!

Chris and the birthday boy. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa C. for the cute shirt!

Charlie enjoyed all the gifts we opened! He was a very busy boy.


Chris joked that Charlie's gifts were really for me as once I told him that I was bored with Charlie's toys and we needed to buy some new ones...


Whew...birthdays are a tirin' business.


Charlie and our friend Christine.


Charlie and his friends, Matthew, Maria Fernanda, Sofia and Sophie (from left).



Charlie and I just before the party (thanks Louise for coming ahead to help- whew!)



Charlie's piggy cake before the massacre...





The Many Stages of Cake...

The pictures you really want to see... Charlie was a bit apprehensive at first- why was everybody staring at him?
Once food was placed in front of him there was no problem!
The first touch...


"I think I like this piggy..."


Yum!


The family, plus piggy....





Charlie REALLY liked his cake!




Amongst the carnage...
Charlie ate quite a bit of his cake and he didn't need a nap later because of it! His Dad took him upstairs to get a bath shortly after this picture was taken...






Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Charlie's First Haircut

The finished look! Yes, it isn't much different, but I wanted him to still look like a baby! He is putting his hand to his ear here to tell me that I am being to loud! I was saying, "Look at mummy, look at mummy!" pretty loudly (I was quite hyper), and he was basically telling me to be quiet! Now he is ready for his 1-year-old pictures on Friday!




The back...it looks a but uneven, but his hair fold into his little neck so it really isn't.....


A little off the top.

Here Charlie is getting his "old man ear hair" trimmed. He was a VERY good boy and sat pretty still. He was very curious at what the lady was doing with the scissors. His new obsession the "Mr. Alien Man" toy (his Daddy's stress-reliever) helped to distract him. Charlie even had a smile for the lady when we were done and waved goodbye.



The first cuts...
As far as Charlie's leg is doing he is almost back to normal. He is cruising the furniture again, and crawling quickly. The only thing is that he seems a bit stiff when he is standing and trys to sit down, but this will loosen up over time. We are really impressed with his progress.
We'll keep you updated on all the birthday happenings!





















Friday, March 09, 2007

CHARLIE IS FREE!

This picture is was taken a couple of hours after Charlie had his cast removed. He was a very brave boy, and actually laughed while the nurse assistant removed the cast with the little machine- I think it tickled! I think the writing on his T-shirt is very fitting! The doctors said that everything has healed as expected- good news! Charlie was a very social boy in the hospital, pointing at all the kids (especially the crying ones, which was a bit embarassing), and saying "Wha dat?" He seemed a bit confused as to why he all of a sudden had the use of his legs again. Yesterday he pulled up on all fours and today he took a couple of proper crawls forward. It's very cute because most of the time he still crawls like he has his his right leg in a cast (like a lizard)! Today he woke up VERY HAPPY, like it sunk in that he didn't have his legs restrained anymore. Back to the old Charlie- we are so happy! Anyways...the doctors say that he will regain his motor skills in his own time, which we don't think will be too long. Throughout this whole thing Charlie has really amazed us by keeping his good humor and adapting so well. He really is one in a million and we love him to pieces.

On a side note, in this picture Charlie is doing his version on the baby sign for dog, which is bouncing your hands up and down while pointing downwards with the first two fingers of both hands. He does a bunch of baby signs now, as if by having his legs in a cast he concentrated more on communicating. Charlie also says his own version of doggie, duckie, turtle, and all done (although I'm not sure anyone else could understand him!).

Thanks again for all the well wishes while Charlie has been injured! We really appreciate everyone's love and support!



Charlie in his pram in the park. I love this picture because I think it captures some of Charlie's intensity and yet at the same time his ability to be easygoing.


Charlie and Haley continue to be good buds, sort of. (Charlie is chewing on my cell phone here, a favorite past-time.)



Charlie pointing at the misbehaving Haley-dog in the park. The crocuses look lovely right now.


Our favorite park.


Charlie had many visitors while he was injured, which kept his spirits up. Here are two of his friends, Sofia and Maria-Fernanda (from left).