THEN and NOW

As many of you know, Charlie and I attend a playgroup each week. The group started when Miss Amber decided to invite some former co-workers and their babies over for a play date last June. Some of us invited neighbors and other friends with babies, and today we have eight mommies and nine (almost ten) babies in our group.

Well, it just occurred to me today that is has been an entire year since we started meeting our friends and their mommies for playgroup each week. I can't begin to tell you what a lifesaver it has been over the past year. The women in my playgroup are my sanity some weeks, and it has been so great having them to share the joys, concerns, and stories of first-time motherhood. I look forward to seeing our friends each week, and I am so thrilled that Charlie already has little buddies to grow up with. We love all of our playgroup pals!!!

Playgroup has certainly evolved over the year. When we started, the kids couldn't do much but lay on the ground. Now, we are chasing them all over the place. We haven't had a group shot of the kids in a long time (too hard to keep them all still), but I did get a few cute shots from playgroup today. Oh, how things have changed! See for yourself.

THEN

NOW

A Day at the Pool

We have been SOOOO busy lately! I mean not a minute to breathe kind of busy, so Nick and I decided that we were going to designate this weekend for just the three of us. We did everything together as a family, and for the most part did not do a whole heck of a lot. It was wonderful and so very relaxing. Nick and I even took naps with Charlie both days.

After our family nap today, we headed to the pool to continue our R&R. Charlie tested out his new float and for the most part enjoyed the trip. He was a little hesitant at first, but he thoroughly enjoyed relaxing in his floaty while he watched the big kids play. We even met a little boy who was a few months older than Charlie. This little boy was quite the dare devil and enjoyed being tossed in the water and dunked. Nick and I decided that Charlie might disown us if we attempted that with him. Maybe someday, Little Man.

The Kiddie Pool

Catch me if you can, Mommy!

SPLASH!!!

I am the king of the pool!

Drying off can be so much fun :o)

Grandma and Grandpa bought Charlie his first kiddie pool. At first, Charlie was terrified of it - water or no water. It took him a while, but I would say he has warmed up to it nicely, wouldn't you?

Oh, the Irony!

Well, maybe it's not irony, but I sure thought it was funny when Charlie decided he wanted to read my Toddler Wise book. Do you think he was laughing at the advice of the experts? I do!

15 Month Update (a bit late)

Charlie turned 15 months on June 7th (right before we left for the beach), and he just had his 15 month check-up last week, so those are my excuses for this tardy post. All of that, and I just plain forgot...oops!

His visit with the pediatrician went very well. He is growing like a weed and actually jumped up a lot on the growth charts. Nick was very pleased considering he is worried that Charlie will inherit his mommy's short stature. Sheesh, tall people just think they are the best! Anyway, the little man weighed in at 24 lbs, 2 oz (50th percentile), was 31 inches tall (41st percentile), and had a head circumference of 49 cm (95th percentile). I always get a laugh when they measure his head because they usually do it twice. I guess they don't get that many kids with as big a brain as Charlie's :o) We had a great visit and got a clean bill of health.

I was so surprised to hear how much Charlie had grown, because he eats like a bird. He won't eat meat, vegetables, and only likes grapes and applesauce. I swear he would live off of cheese and milk if I let him. When he does sit down to eat, he takes a few bites and begins to throw pieces on the floor. He just can't stand to sit still for a moment. I pretty much chase him around the house all day. He loves to play, but his attention shifts from one activity to another in a matter of minutes. The only thing that I can get him to do for a long period of time is read. He loves a good book. He has developed a deep love for everything ELMO these days. He will sift through his books just to find the ones with Elmo's face on them. It really is cute to see how he lights up at the sight or sound of Elmo.

Charlie is able to understand so much now. I can tell him to go get things, put things away, or go somewhere, and he totally comprehends. Now, whether or not he listens, is another story. Between he and Nick, I feel like I am losing it sometimes. Even though Charlie understands a lot, he still is not talking. He just starting saying Da-da to Nick while we were at the beach. The teacher in me is a little concerned that he has not started to talk more, but the doctor told me to give it until 18 months. So, I am trying not to think about it too much. We will continue to read to him daily and talk up a storm.

Our little man has become increasingly independent over the last few months as well. He still does not like to play alone and takes a while to warm up to new situations, but Nick and I have definitely noticed a difference. He is much more likely to walk away from Nick or myself and go with friends or family now. It makes us so happy that he feels secure enough to do this. He just seems like such a big boy these days. Nick and I are so grateful for our healthy and happy boy!

Happy Father's Day!

Charlie is so lucky to have Nick for a daddy, and I am fortunate to have him as my hubby! Here are just a few of the reasons that my heart goes pitter-pat for this dad:

-Nick calls in the middle of a busy day at work just to ask, "How is my son?"

-He goes into Charlie's room with me each night to watch him sleep.

-My big, tough hubby loves nothing more than a cuddle with his boy.

-He makes a point to by home in time to see Charlie before he goes to bed each night.

-Nick gets the biggest and most sincere smile on his face when he sees Charlie.

-He is not embarrassed to tell his friends how much he loves being a daddy.

-Daddy knows just what makes his boy giggle and how to make play time oh-so fun.

-Nick loves Charlie so completely and unconditionally, that it truly melts my heart.

I love watching my boys together, and I hope that they will always be close as father and son. Nick has been such an amazing dad, and I am so proud of the father he has become.

Happy Father's Day, Nick! Charlie and I love you more than words can say!!!

(click on picture to enlarge)

The Good Life

Our trip to the beach was VERY relaxing this year. We stayed in an amazing and huge house with the rest of the Shaw Family...thirteen people total if you count the little guy. We had babysitters everywhere we turned, and we even had a personal chef. Madeline's boyfriend, Stewart, cooked for us every night. Nick and I were truly spoiled during the trip...no phone, no computer, all the help in the world with Charlie, and meals being prepared for us. I do not think it could have gotten much better than that!

Charlie LOVED the beach. The water was a sparkling blue-green and the perfect temperature. His favorite part was chasing the seagulls and pelicans and digging in the sand. What a difference from last year where he probably spent a total of two hours on the beach and only dipped his toes in the water. He was quite the beach bum this year. I had him fully protected in a hat, shirt, swim trunks, and SPF 70. I am proud to say that he is the only one of us who did not get any color. I am all about protecting that beautiful baby's skin.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. Of course, there are a million more, and I promise to post them in the June Album.

The Shaw Family at Auntie Vicki and Uncle Justin's Wedding

The Beach Bum

Daddy and his Mini Me

Aren't they too cute in their matching hats???

Ha-ha-ha, really funny guys! Now, where are my legs?

Digging for treasure

Running away from the waves with Grandaddy

Taking the Noodle for a walk

I love Uncle Keith and Uncle Chris

Stewart's buffet for the day after the wedding. Can you say yummy? I miss you Stewart!!!

Look at all of the BIRDS!!!

I think I might catch this one!

Fishing with Oma

Now that is a big bird! You can imagine how excited Charlie was to see this guy on our back deck.

My first catch

Vicki and Justin's Wedding

We headed to the beach last week for the third annual Shaw Family vacation. This trip was extra special because we got to be a part of Vicki and Justin's wedding. Vicki is Nick's younger sister, and we have been counting the days until her wedding since she got engaged last year.

The wedding took place on the beach at 5:30, and there were about forty friends and family in attendance. Charlie made his debut as a ring bearer with a little help from Daddy. They looked so adorable in their matching linen shirts and pants. After Charlie walked down the aisle, we got our first glimpse of the gorgeous bride. From the second Vicki walked out onto the sand, the waterworks started. I do not think there was a dry eye on that beach during their ceremony. Well, maybe Nick Shaw. I swear he does not have tear ducts. Anyway, the ceremony was conducted by Justin's father, David. It was so touching watching him get choked up as he recited the vows for Justin and Vicki to pledge to each other. The setting was so picturesque, and the wedding could not have been more perfect.

After the ceremony, we headed to the Sandbar Restaurant for dinner, dancing, and a great time with our friends and family. The tears continued to flow during the reception. Ray, Nick's dad, made the most heart-felt and beautiful speech to the newlyweds, and Nick's sisters, Madeline and Kristen, serenaded the new couple with the song "I'm Yours, and Your Mine" by Jason Miraz. If you know me, then you can imagine what my eyes looked like by the end of the night. Honestly, it was probably one of the most romantic and intimate weddings I have ever been a part of.

Charlie basked in the glory of being the center of attention when the bride and groom were not around. The Sandbar even made him his very own plate of mac and cheese and apple sauce for dinner. He was so well-behaved and had such a nice time visiting and dancing with everyone. The little man started falling asleep on the dance floor around 9:30 (about 2 hours past his bed time). So, we headed home and called it a night. It was a long day for the little ring bearer!

Vicki and Justin are honeymooning near Cancun for the rest of the week, and I knoe that they are enjoying every minute of their time together as husband and wife. We hope that they loved their wedding day as much as we did.

Here is a slide show from the wedding. These pictures were actually taken by Nick's Uncle, Chris. They turned out great, so I decided to share them with you. ENJOY!

Charlie Knows What He's Getting for Christmas

That's right...Charlie has already been told what one of his Christmas gifts will be.
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Actually, it is a gift for the entire family.
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Would you like to know what our wonderful gift will be?
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Any guesses???
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Charlie is getting his first cousin for Christmas!!!

Nick's sister, Dani, and her husband, Walker, are 13 weeks pregnant and will be welcoming their first child around Christmas. To say we are thrilled, is a complete understatement. We are so happy for Dani and Walker and know that they will be fantastic parents. We are also happy that Charlie will have a chance to grow up with a cousin so close by and hope that they will be good friends.

Congratulations, Dani and Walker! We LOVE you so much and can't wait to meet Baby Patterson!

Daddy and Mommy-to-be

Baby Patterson

Of course, there is a TON more that I still need to blog about. But right now I am staring at luggage that needs to be unpacked, laundry that needs to be washed, and a fridge that needs to be filled. Did I forget to mention that we just got back from the beach an hour ago? Over the next week, I will post about our relaxing trip to the beach, Vicki and Justin's gorgeous wedding, and much more. So, stay tuned!

Hello From Anna Maria

I know we have been out of touch, but I promise that I have A LOT to post in the near future. For now, enjoy this picture of Charlie chilling on the beach on Anna Maria Island.