Bumbo

We are very fortunate to have family with children out of the baby stage, so we've been handed down a lot of wonderful items. The Bumbo seat has been the latest hand me down. (Thank you Jon and Mindy) Today we put Charlie in it for the first time. He's really gaining strength in that little neck of his. 

He has learned the art of relaxation. 

Since we're talking about him gaining strength, I'll update you on his 2 month appointment. Charlie now weighs in at 12 lbs 6 oz and is 24 inches long! This kid is growing! He's in the 97 percentile for height and 64 percentile for weight. He checked out wonderfully! Eyes, ears, heart and lungs looking great. He does have a small umbilical hernia, but Dr. Cain figured it would be gone on its own by the time he is 1. I had a big big umbilical hernia that had to be surgically corrected, so I'm hoping Dr. Cain is right in her assumption! We're very blessed that Charlie is so healthy and happy! 

iPad!

I've been sending Tony subliminal messages while he sleeps about getting an iPad. It worked!! I'm composing this post using our new iPad. I'm very excited to figure out all it has to offer! 

Here is our new wallpaper. Pretty darn cute! 

Unaware

As Charlie does most mornings, he greeted me with a big gummy smile this morning! He is completely unaware that today is the day we go visit Dr. Cain again at Mayo. Today is the day that he gets his shots. Let's hope that smile comes back quickly after he recovers from the shots.

On a different note, I decided to put our daycare issue out on Facebook since I've been struggling to find a daycare I feel comfortable with with infant openings for August. I have had SEVERAL leads so far thanks to my FB friends. This morning, Tony and I are touring a center in south Rochester. The cost is a lot pricier than I want to spend. There's a home daycare in Rochester that our friends Amy and Michael sent their wonderful kiddos, and she is getting back to me today. She thinks she might have an opening come August, but she needed to check on her numbers. She seems very nice, and apparently Caden and Hannah loved her and her husband. Pray that our daycare situation works out sooner rather than later. It would be a huge load off my mind!

Terrific Tuesday

My Tuesday began with a GIGANTIC smile from Charlie. I rolled over and looked in his pack n play, and there he was, smiling away.

We then took our time getting ready and headed to Kasson to have a cousin/auntie filled morning. Boy did we have fun! Charlie was all smiles. It was adorable to watch Harvey and Natalie play with him. It's nice that he interacts with them now. He was so full of smiles and giggles that he tired himself right out. He decided to take a snooze on Jon and Mindy's bed for a little while with his gator friend. (We don't have a name for him yet...)

While Charlie was napping, I had some pretty good silly faces with the niece and nephew! What a silly bunch of little Knutsons!

When Charlie woke up, we were just getting ready for our Chinese lunch. By this time, Laur and Jill arrived to get an iPhone tutorial. We were eating out on the deck, and Mindy had the marvelous idea of making a make shift play pen out of a laundry basket. Charlie just loved it!

After lunch, Laur and Jill presented Mindy and me with a nice shiny apple for teacher appreciation week. That was my first apple gift as a teacher. How sweet!

When we got home, I checked the mail and Charlie's first Imagination Library book was in our mailbox! I was wondering when they would start coming. I registered him right after he was born. He'll get a book in the mail every month until he is 5. It was even a hardcover. Thank you Dolly Parton for starting this wonderful program through United Way.

We also helped my mom escape from her construction prison today. We picked her up and she came and spent some time with Charlie and I at our house. Their road is completely torn up for the summer.


Kaylee came over after school today. Charlie loves spending time with her! Tony and I had a meeting at church tonight, so Kaylee tagged along and babysat Charlie in the children's library. It was SO nice not to stress about him making a scene at our meeting. We really appreciated it Kaylee Bug!

Before our meeting, we had a surprise visit from my cousin Laura. She was on her way to the Trampled by Turtles concert in Rochester. It was great to see her!

What a terrific Tuesday we had!

We're going to the zoo!

To quote my favorite childhood singer/songwriter: We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo!

Yesterday, Tony and I took Charlie to Como Zoo to meet up with my friend Becky and her husband Spencer. Charlie slept most of the time, but the adults enjoyed seeing the animals. The polar bear was quite entertaining!

Tony took a nice picture of the lion. Roar!

I have lots of pictures of myself as a child on this tortoise. I figured we should start the same with Charlie. 

Family photo on the tortoise.

Becky and Spencer. One of the greatest couples! 

After the zoo we went to a bar and grill and ate supper on the patio. I even enjoyed my first adult beverage since I found out about Charlie. Shock top on tap!

Out and About

This past week, Mom has "escaped" from home a few times. I offered to bring them supper on Saturday, but she thought they could come over to our house to eat it! She enjoyed some much needed kitty and Charlie therapy. And of course she enjoyed a delicious meal cooked by yours truly. I tried out Hawaiian BBQ Chicken in the crock pot. SO easy, and SO delicious. All you do is put frozen chicken breasts in the bottom of the crock pot, pour a bottle of sweet baby ray's bbq sauce on along with a 20oz drained can of pineapple chunks. Cook it on high for 2-3 hours, and you're good to go! Yumm...

Sol was holding her toy all ready to play with my mom.

There she is! Bionic Knee Becky!

Sol loves getting scratched!

While Mom was with the kitties, Dad was rocking Charlie to sleep. Charlie even slept the ENTIRE night that night. It must've been the rocking...

 Here's a little video of Sol enjoying Mom's cane:

8 Weeks Already!

Life with Charlie began 8 weeks ago already! In that time he's grown SO much!

Unfortunately, he has started having a "witching hour". He cries inconsolably almost every night for at least 15-20 minutes. The first time it happened, I was really freaked out. Now I just feel bad if it's someone else holding him. Last night he was with Aunt Amanda at church when it happened. She barely sees him, so I had to let her know it happens to us too!

Here he is at 8 weeks. I can't believe how big he's getting. He has started to make some fun facial expressions. I'm so blessed to be able to spend all this time with him. I feel like I don't have to miss any of his growing! 

Since everyone is posting wintry pictures on Facebook today, I figured I should get one in too. Here is our back patio. YIKES! Luna and Sol were so disappointed when they went to the windows for their daily robin hunt. Tony had to go and shovel his way to work. Luckily, our neighbor boys came across the street and helped out. What nice, thoughtful high schoolers they are! 

Luna was ticked at the weather, so she jumped in my gym bag for the day. 

Sol was rolling around on the ground, so this is the best picture I could get of her. I have to admit I forgot doing a birthday post. Our little Sol turned 1 last month and Luna turned 2! 

 Nothing too much new around here. Charlie and I were just enjoying a lazy day around the house. I'm still in my pjs even! (I shouldn't have admitted that!) I have some great news to share I guess. I emailed my special ed coordinator at Austin just to inquire about next fall. She said I for sure have a position and they are excited about getting me back in the classroom. I get my same room, kiddos and everything! I'm VERY excited and relieved to know this for sure.