Picnic at Harrison

We decided with this nice weather we would go for a picnic at Harrison beach last night. I got off work an hour early...picked up some chicken on the way home...picked up Grandma and Grandpa Honeyman and off we went....
We had just set up our picnic..found a nice bench in the shade...when the Sun disapeared behind a huge cloud! Oh well...it was still a nice evening! After a quick bite to eat...Charlie was on his way....got some sandcastles to build...
The technique here is...Daddy got the sand wet...and Charlie is sprinkling dry sand on top! that's the trick...didn't you know!
Maybe a little more dry sand sprinkling!!!

Now to destroy it!!! That's the fun part!!!!
Daddy building a turtle! The only thing he says he knows how to make!!!!
Ooops already put in the picture!!!
What a goofy pose! I asked him to Smile...and this is what I captured! Still cute!!!

Testing the water! It was cold!!!! And this is where my batteries died...and I didn't have my extra set with me! Grandpa bought Charlie a kite...When Daddy got it up in the air...Charlie almost started to cry! He didn't get that you are supposed to "fly" a kite!!! Poor guy! Once we told him you are supposed to fly them in air...he thought it was pretty cool...for a bit...the sand and water is much more interesting!

Belly Bands...

I am running out of clothes that fit me! My tummy has definatley "popped" out faster this time around! It kinda sucks...I bought a bunch of summer clothes in April - just in time for our trip to Disneyland - and before I knew I was preggers...and now I've barely worn them. I was thinking I need to go out and buy some maternity summer clothes...but kinda dreading it - as I would only wear the summer clothes for a couple of months. Then my friend Naomi told me about Bella Bands. She had twins in March and didn't buy Mat pants at all. Just a couple of these bands! They're about $30 each....she ordered hers on-line. ($30 is a lot cheaper than going to buy pants/shorts...) The point of these bands is to allow you to wear your pre-pregancy pants and not do up the button or zipper...this band just goes over top...and it can grow with you....(it's supposed to keep your pants up too...)

So I searched the internet....These bands are pretty simple looking...got me thinking that I could probably make them for alot cheaper then I wouldn't have to pay for shipping or wait for them to arrive 1-2 weeks later. (Now I'm not much of a sewer...straight lines are about it...and even then...not so straight!!!!) So I then searched for patterns....this proved to be a bit more difficult...but I was able to find some ideas. I even went to fabric land to see if there were patterns and asked one of the workers there. Not much help....but still determined to give this a try...

I've now enlisted my mom to help...she's the sewer in the family. Basically the pattern seems really easy...basically a tube top! But it's finding the right material....I was thinking a spandex...but then wondered it that would get too hot...especially now...hmmm - will keep you posted....

Has anyone tried these in their recent pregancies?

Catching bugs....

Charlie's Grandparents came for a visit all the way from Saskatchewan...and brought Charlie a Bug Catching Kit.
They found a Spider in the car! Cool!
Daddy found another bug - of some kind and here he is putting it in the Bug container.
Charlie with the Bug Catcher! He tried sooo hard to catch his own bug....but those bugs sure move fast!!!!!
Checking out his Catch. We put the picture of the bug in there too...but there is a Spider and a someother bug in there! The Spider spun a web...and caught the other bug! Oh the spider will feast!!!!

Some Changes...

So I made some changes to the Blog...no longer Charlie's world...with baby #2 on it's way...I know I will not be able to maintain two individual blogs...(I have a hard enough time doing this one!!!!) So I've made it into our Family Blog...and I'm going to make a very strong effort to keep it more up to-date!

UPDATES:
On Mommy...
I'm at 15 weeks preggers and feeling great! My energy is back! Yah! The heat on the long weekend was a bit much. We were camping...and there was no place for relief! But other than dragging my butt and not wanting to leave the lawn chair...it was all good. So far this pregancy is pretty much the same as with Charlie....(hmmm does that mean another boy???) It's funny - it's only been 2 years...yet it's amazing how much you forget....things like the other day I had a headache - and I vaguely remember not being able to take Advil or was it tylonal??? I think I can take tylonal??? Well it was at bedtime - so I just went to sleep and I was fine by morning.... I also think technically I'm not suppposed to eat Feta cheese...Oh well...I"ve had Greek salad three times in about 2 weeks...ooops!!! Are you less careful with baby #2???? Still on alert to feel some movements....there's been a couple of times where I think I might have felt something...but it's sooo sporatic that I think I was just hoping....

Charlie Update
Still my laid back little man. However....we have had some issues these past few weeks with getting up in the morning - he is sooo like me! So not a morning person! He just doesn't want to go to bed at a reasonable time...so it ends up being 9:30 - then 7:30 comes along and he's a bear!!!!

He's become quite the singer...a couple of weeks ago we were driving home from a birthday party...and he all of sudden started singing "It's a small world". It was very cute. He also sings along to Backyardigans....

Charlie is still remarkably cute and still loves to snuggle with Mommy (which I just love!)

First night in the Big Boy Bed!!!

Getting ready for his first night in his new bed! Charlie was very excited!
We started out with our usual bedtime routine... a few stories...brush teeth...one more story...lights out then a few songs. Then Charlie has a cuddle with Daddy and Daddy's special song. It went really well. Charlie did call a few times for us to come back in...which we did....it went on for about 1/2hr. Then I had one last cuddle...and it seemed like he wanted to go to sleep. So into his bed he went...and out I went. All was quiet for about 1/2hr...then we started to hear some noises....but no crying...no calling for Mommy or Daddy...so we just left him. I think it was finally about 9:30pm and he was quiet for good! (A bit late but we'll take it for the first night) He slept all through the night...waking at about 5:40am...still obviously tired. I cuddled him and he fell back asleep...but when I went to put him back in his bed...he didn't want to...he wanted to come in our Bed (which he usually doesn't want to do!?!?!?) He fell back asleep and I had to wake him at 7:15!!!
Charlie the Builder! Helping Daddy put the bed back together...
Gotta make sure measurements are correct!

too Pooped to even watch cartoons!

May 2008 I was getting dinner ready one night and thought it was awfully quiet in the living room....Only to find Charlie fast asleep in his chair...
I love that the chair is turned away from the tv!

The story of the TOMATO

Charlie looooves Tomatos! I'm not really sure when I first gave him his first tomato (probably in the summer when we were having hamburgers!) Both Ben and I are not real fans of tomatos...I love them in Greek salad...on the odd Sandwhich and on Burgers...but not so much plain...so I don't tend to buy them that often.... Last week, Charlie and I walked over to the IGA...he didn't want to go in the buggy at the store - he wanted to walk...So we grabbed a basket...and he held my hand. We just need a few items. I had to get some potatoes for that nights dinner so we walked to the produce section. Right away Charlie spotted the Tomatos. "Matos..matos" he cried! I asked him if he wanted one? "Yup". So he picked his own tomato. (I checked to make sure it was OK - not to ripe or anything) I got him a bag and he carried it around the store! When we got up to the counter to pay...I explained we need to pay for it...then he could have it back. Well I forgot to tell the cashier to keep it out of the bag with the rest of the groceries...and we started walking out the store...and Charlie started crying "my mato...my mato!!!" So I found his bag and he carried his Tomato the whole way home.

We got inside and he started taking it out of the bag...he wanted his "mato"! So I washed it first..and asked him if he wanted me to cut it up. "Nope...I bite it." And sure enought...he started biting it like it was an apple! He ate almost the whole thing! It was the best snack ever!!!!

Charlie's singing Debut

check out Charlie singing Twinkle Twinkle Little star...

I finally was able to get him on video...usually everytime I bring out the camera he stops...but not this time!

he starts off whispering....and then look out! (and you'll hear Mommy in there too ..."helping" and with a few giggles!)

A few pics...

Charlie's idea of packing for our upcoming trip to Disneyland! I think he's a bit too big for the suitcase...save on airfare tho'!
Mickey Homeboy!
Daddy's head makes a great seat!

Bedtime staller and Potty training...

So Mr. Charlie has discovered had to work the system....Bedtime ritual used to be pretty easy...and he'd go down without too many issues. We'd read some stories...sing some songs(Most nights we have to sing happy birthday to each of his friends that have celebrated birthdays so far!)...brush our teeth....rock inthe rocking chair (where we'd say good night to everyone....both sets of grandparents...Aunties, Uncle, and all the cousins) then off to bed...well now...Not so much! It starts off good...but then he wants more to drink...then he wants a snack...then he has to go potty! (Of course with trying to potty train...and he asks to go - I have to let him! ) But he sure knows how to work it!!!! I guess we'll have to start the bedtime routine earlier.....

POTTY TRAINING
So we've been attempting potty training for a few months now....It started having him sit on the potty when Mommy was going -first with all clothes on....then with pants and diaper off. (he was also being put onthe potty at daycare too at the same time...) It slowly go to the point where when asked if he had to go he'd want to go...and some time actually peed! Now every once in awhile he actually asks me to go Potty. Yesterday morning he asked to go to the potty - and peed! And this morning I asked him and he went again! We are soooo PROUD of Charlie!
(OH he's even pooped on the potty a few times too....yeah!!!!)

We are by no means consistant....but we're definately getting there!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

I can't believe that Charlie is two!!! Where did the time go! We celebrated Charlie's Birthday on Saturday, Jan. 19 - at Chilliwack United Church Hall. This year his theme was Trains! As this has become Charlie's newest obsession! I made Charlie a pretty cool train cake! And there was a fun Train tent to play in. The kids all decorated a train to put on their fridge(thanks Grandpa H - for cutting out all the trains!) But mostly the kids just ran around! (Hence the reason for renting the Church Hall!) Charlie got lots of awsome presents! Thank you everyone!!!

Charlie is still such a mellow little man! No real sign of the Terrible twos...yet! They've made a few brief appearances...but nothing major.

When Charlie's with his Daddy and I - he talks up quite the storm...but he's quite reserved when he's around others. And quite content to play by himself!

He loves his trains...and will spend hours (if we let him) watching them go round the track....he also has figured out how to take the track apart as well as put it back together again! Usually in one long line!

I have a very polite little boy...When I cough or sneeze...he says "bless you Mommy!" (it's very cute!)

He's become quite proficiant at the "eency weency spider" song with actions. As well as ABCD (he throws in the D - when asking to sing it!) We practiced long and hard on Happy Birthday - but it ends up being more like "Happy Buh to you" Twinkle twinkle is also a favourite! (Of course when I try to get this on video - he refuses to sing!)

Colouring and painting are also a fun past time...Last week at Daycare - he spent a good 45 minutes on his lastest masterpiece. We have it hanging up in his playroom.

Christmas Day!

Christmas Morning Mommy and Daddy had to wake Charlie up!!! I think Daddy was too excited! Santa brought Charlie a Thomas the Train set and had it all set up - ready for Charlie to see as soon as he woke up. Mommy went in to wake Charlie up and at first he wasn't too interested in getting up! (just like Mommy!!!) But all of a sudden he heard the sounds of the train going round the track....He exclaimed "TRAIN!" and then the horn tooted - and he jumped down from my lap and went straight to the living room! He was sooo excited to see his new train set!!!! He could hardly care less about his other presents!!!!



Eventually we convinced Charlie that Thomas needed a rest and he should open some other presents! The new Thomas chair was also a big hit!!!











Here's Charlie in his element...relaxing in his chair...with a book...watching the train go round and round!!!

After open presents...and taking a bit of time to watch Thomas...we all packed up and went to Grandma and Grandpa Booths for more presents....and brunch. Then back home for a nap and off to Abbotsford for more presents at Grandma and Grandpa Honeyman's!!! Phew...what a busy day!!!!! Boxing Day we spent the entire day at home playing with all the toys!!!!

December 01 - Snow Fall

Our first big snow of the season...we got all bundled up to go play and get a head start on shovelling the driveway...Charlie wasn't too sure of the snow at first...didn't really know how to walk in it! It was pretty deep for his little legs!





He thought Daddy shovelling was pretty cool and decided to help out by brushing the snow from the truck fender!!!
Little did Mommy and Daddy know that all our work shovelling would go totally unnoticed as the snow kept falling and filled in all our hard work!!!!

Photo with Santa!

No smiles with Santa - but Charlie was not afraid at all! He slowly walked up to Santa....reached up - to be picked up and sat contently! I asked Charlie what Santa says...and he answered..."Ho...Ho...Ho!" It was very cute! And he was very happy to get his CANDY CANE!

Maybe next year we'll get a smile out of him!!!!

Fall PhotoUpdate

Here's Charlie helping Mommy and Daddy rake lots and lots of leaves!!!! We have several trees in our backyard...one of them being a HUGE Walnut tree...so it sheds lots of leaves! Charlie helped for about an hour...then he was tired and wanted to go for a nap...so Mommy and Daddy spent another 1 1/2 raking more leaves! And now a week later....we have to do it all over again!!!!!
This year for Halloween Charlie was Peter Pan! And such a cute Peter Pan he made!!!! At Daycare all the kids dressed up and went Trick or Treating to several building on the property! Mommy and Daddy...I mean Charlie got lots and lots of candy!!!! That night we went to Granny's and Grandma and Papa were there with Auntie and Trent - Trent was Jack Sparrow. Charlie went Trick or Treating to one house...wasn't too interested in going to a stranger's door!
Visit to the Pumpkin Patch with his Playgroup Friends! It took a lot to get a smile from Charlie this morning!!!!

The Joys of teething!!!

We had a very fun week last week! Monday Charlie woke up around 10:30pm and was up for about an hour. (mommy wasn't even home for this! ) When I did get home - I noticed that Charlie was very very warm! So we gave him a dose of baby Advil. He settled down pretty quick once I took over the cuddling! But he proceeded to wake up A LOT over the course of the night! Not fun at all! Of course I knew right away he was teething - you just know don't you!

We check his temp in the morning and it seemed fine....so I brought him to daycare and let them know he was teething and didn't sleep well the night before. But around 10am I get a call from the daycare - saying that Charlie had a tempurature...I said Iwas pretty sure he wasn't sick...just teething...so they said that they would keep an eye on him...and hour later his temp. was quite high and I needed to go pick him up. Now I hope I'm not sounding like a bad mom...but I really didn't want to leave work and take a sick day...as I only have so many...and I didn't want to "waste" one because of teething! I wanted it to be for a "real" sickness!!! Anyways...My sister was home and said she would look after him....

Tuesday we had another fun filled sleepless night! Then again on Wednesday night!!!! But finally his fever broke! So Thursday he was back at daycare...and Mommy and Daddy were extrememly tired!!!! And I was able to look inside Charlie's mouth...3 molars and 2 eye teeth had poked their way out!!!! No wonder my poor baby couldn't sleep!!! Despite all the drugging!!!! (just kidding!)

Finally Thursday and Friday - we had full night sleeps! Yay - I felt like a new woman!!!!

And then....oh yes...there's a THEN...Saturday morning I was getting Charlie dressed for the day...and I discovered a rash covering his entire stomach and back...and a little bit on his face! So I freaked a bit...automatically thinking it was Chicken pox or measles!!! (I really didn't know what either look like!!!!) So we load up to go to the clinic...thankfully there was only 6 people ahead of us...

It was just a rash...he was probably contagious the week before...and probably picked it up from Daycare!!! Oh the joys of a public daycare!!!

And that was my week...last week!!!

But at least all of Charlie's teeth are in...just have the 2nd year molars now...

18 month update...a bit overdue!!!

July was a big month for Charlie....he started saying lots and lots of words this month! It seemed like he was waiting for the right moment to start with the words and July was it! My personal favourite is "Mick mee"! (Mickey) And he just loves "Fish"! Although he got a bit confused when we actually ate fish for dinner one night...and I said FISH....he looked at me a bit strange!

Charlie has also been doing a lot more signing. He will now sign "more" and "please" (he says "Please" while signing).

Around the beginning of July - on our way home from work...we'd just be getting to light on Broadway - turning onto Yale (just about home) and Charlie would start saying "dada dada" over and over again. He knew how close we were to home and he would get to see Daddy!

On Charlie's 18month Birthday he came downw with a mild case of pnumonia! Mommy had to pick Charlie up from daycare at lunch time and took him right to the Dr. She pretty much diagnosed him before she even listened to his chest...apparently it had been going around. But in any case - we had to go for blood work...and the medevial torture device again (aka - chest x-ray!) But he was all cleared up with a couple of doses of anti-biotics! In fact we went camping 2 days later....and he was just fine!

Here's Charlie and Daddy enjoying the campfire!

Here's Charlie copying Daddy in setting up the tent trailer...he found a little stick and would tap it against the leg jacks....just like he saw Daddy do. It was very cute!

here's pic of our campsite - this is Winthrop WA - at the KOA campground. Winthrop was a neat little western town complete with wooden sidewalks!

Just a funny picture of Charlie with a Kleenex box on his head - that he put on his head! (Doesn't like to wear a hat - but this he'll wear!!!!)

Charlie discovered a prime seat in our Sunroom. He quite enjoys watching Daddy cutting the grass from this view!

Happy Canada Day! We had a Pre-Canada Day BBQ. We had a few playgroup friends over with their Mommy and Daddy's! It was lots of fun!

mmmmm - Popcicles!

Charlie's First Popcicle!
This was Mommy's treat...and I was just going to give him a taste! Yah right...first taste...he wanted it all to himself!!!!
Boy was he one lucky boy! Not only was it a popcicle...but a creamcicle! Yummo! (Little did Charlie know...it was fat free/sugar free)! tee hee! It didn't matter to him...he ate the whole thing...even when it fell off the stick!!!

Bang that drum!

Charlie loves to bang these native drums! Daddy will be making one of these this semester in school. We can't wait for Charlie to have his very own drum!