18 Month Well Check-Up

We visited the pediatrician the other day for Charlie's 18 month well check. I had a list of questions a mile long. I asked about discipline, eating, language development, and much more. According to Dr. Douglass, Charlie is right on track and sounds like a very normal toddler. It was such a relief to hear that she was not worried about any of my concerns. She is a mother of three young children (her youngest is only a few months older than Charlie), so I figure she knows what is normal for a toddler. Not only was I relieved to hear that he is meeting all of his developmental milestones, but I was shocked to find out that he made some big jumps on the growth chart in both height and weight. Our practice does not give exact percentiles. Instead, they give you a range that your child falls into. The nurse told me that Charlie was at the top of the range for height, which makes this shrimpy mommy very happy. I am always worried that I have passed my short genes on to Charlie. Finding out his weight was equally as shocking. Considering most of his food ends up on the floor, I was half expecting his weight to have dropped. Anyway, here are the stats for our growing boy:

Charlie at 18 Months

Weight - 26.5 lbs (50-75th percentile)

Height - 33 and 1/8 inches (50-75th percentile)

Head Circumference - 50 cm (95th percentile)

LOL

I just had the best belly laugh thanks to my son. We were upstairs doing laundry when I turned around to see Charlie sucking on a pacifier. What's so funny? Well, we took Charlie's pacifiers away on his first birthday because I had heard horror stories about trying to pry them away from older children. I thought I had cleared the house of all pacifiers, but apparently I missed one. When I turned to see my big boy sucking away on that paci, it just tickled me. He seems so grown up these days, that it was hilarious to see him using something from his baby days. Not to worry, the paci is in the trash. There will be no Paci Fairy visiting this house.

Blurb

A while back, I told you about Blurb. It is a site that can transfer all of your blog posts into a book. The books come in all shapes and sizes, soft cover and hard, and can be hundreds of pages long. The Blurb software is free to download, and the prices for the books are very reasonable. My book is roughly 90 pages, and it will be a little less than $50 (not including shipping and handling).

I have decided to create a book for each year. I started to blog at the end of 2007, but I only posted a few times before Charlie was born. So, those posts are getting lumped together with all of 2008. I just finished the book the other night, and I am so excited to see the real thing when it comes in the mail. I haven't ordered yet, because I want to do one final proof reading before submitting the order. I promise to let you know how the final product turns out.

All in all, the process was very easy. And remember, I am NOT good with computers or anything that has to do with technology (It is the Christmas Miracle that I finally figured out how to send a text message). The toughest part of the whole process was formatting the book to be the way that I wanted it to look. Blurb literally sucks up everything from your blog and puts it into a book in chronological order. It is not perfect, however. You will need to go through and make sure you are happy with the way your pictures look and whether or not you want a post on one page or several. My book started off with 160 pages, and I was able to edit it down to 90. It took me probably five hours total to get it looking perfect. There are a few things that I wish I had known before starting, and I am going to share them with you. So, here are some tips for transferring your blog to Blurb:

1. Blurb lumps all text and all pictures together. In other words, captions that might be under your pictures on the blog, will not appear that way when they are transferred. You can cut and paste your captions, and put them under the pictures if you want. I found this to be too time consuming, so I ended up deleting my captions. Next time, I will probably go through the blog and delete the captions before I transfer. This is only because I am much more comfortable with Blogger than I am with Blurb.

2. Depending on how your blog is set up, the date for each entry might look like this:
Fri Jun 03 EST 11:00:45 2008. This was by far the most annoying thing to edit, and I am sure, had I looked a little harder, I could have found a way to edit all of the dates at once. Instead, I edited each date as I went along. Annoying? Yes! The end of the world? No.

3. If you have linked to another site in a post, the website URL will appear at the bottom of the entry. No biggie, but you will definitely want to delete it.

Other than that, like I said, it is pretty straight forward and easy to use. Now that I have one book under my belt, I am sure the next one will go even quicker. Although, I have become quite the blogger this year. I started off blogging 2-3 times a month, and now I average about 15 a month.

I am just so happy that our family will have all of the wonderful memories that we have created together in beautiful books. I can't wait to sit with my boys some day and read them stories about when they were little babies. If you ask me, the blog is one of the best things I have done for our growing family. As I looked back through 2008, I was reminded of so many details that had already become hazy. With our crazy, hectic lives it is so great having all of the memorable moments bundled together in a common place.

I hope you enjoy making your book as much as I did! And, let me know if you have questions.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!

Things are getting desperate here at the Shaw Household. The rain has had us cooped up for a week now, and we are running out of things to do indoors. Last week, Nick was out of town, and Charlie and I nearly went bonkers inside. We went to the mall yesterday just to get out of the house. Today, Nick watched Charlie so that I could go help my SIL register. I was gone most of the morning and did not get back until after Charlie's nap. When I got home, Nick asked the million dollar question, "What do you do with this kid all day when you can't go outside?" Seriously, if I had the answer, I would be a much happier person. Charlie is like a little pinball bouncing off the walls of our home. He moves from room to room searching for something to play with or get into. If any of the mommies out there have any great ideas for rainy days, I would love to hear them!!!

Tonight, the rain started to really come down right after dinner. So, I decided to throw open one of the windows in the kitchen and let Charlie see, hear, and feel the rain. We had done this earlier in the week, but it was not raining nearly as hard. He loved sticking his little hand out the window to catch the rain. He would pull his hand in to show Nick and me what he had caught. After a while, he started bringing the rain over to Nick and washing his hair with it. He then started scrubbing his own arms with the rain. Such a goober!

We skipped our normal bath after dinner tonight because the thunder and lightning started up pretty hard. It was straight into pajamas and reading a few books. After we read, I always ask Charlie if he wants me to rock him in his chair. Sometimes he wants to be rocked, and other times he is so tired he wants to get right into bed. Tonight, he rested his head on my shoulder and let me rock him. Every time the thunder would rumble, he would lift his head and begin babbling about it. This went on for about five minutes. I would just LOVE to know what he was telling me about that thunder. What does his little mind think of all of these new experiences? One can only imagine...

All You Need is Love(y)

Meet Lovey. This is Charlie's most prized possession. It is a blanket square that has a blue, fuzzy fabric on one side and a brown, silky fabric on the other. Charlie loves Lovey. It is just plain and simple. Lovey is required for sleep and can make any heartache or boo boo instantly better. When Charlie sees Lovey, his face lights up in a way that makes my heart skip a beat, and he lets out a little squeal of joy. He always holds Lovey in his left hand and sucks his left thumb like in the picture above. It is so sweet.

Lovey was a gift from Grandma and Grandpa for Easter. Mom and I noticed a few months before that Charlie had taken a particular liking to blankets that had silky edges. He would try to tote the blankets with him from room to room. The only problem was figuring out how to carry them without tripping constantly. Mom and I decided that he needed a smaller version of the real thing. Mom, being the savvy shopper that she is, set out on a mission to find a little silky blanket square that would be perfect for Charlie. When she presented Charlie with Lovey for the first time, he held it close to him and began sucking his thumb. It was as if he had been waiting for Lovey his whole life. Mom and I were thrilled, but we had no idea how important Lovey would become.

We now have four Lovey blankets in our home and one emergency blanket at Grandma and Grandpa's house (just in case something catastrophic should happen at our home). You may think this is an extreme number of Lovey blankets, but for us it works out quite well. There are usually two in the wash and two out for loving on at any given time. However, we do have times when we can't find any of the four Lovey blankets. How this happens will always be a mystery to me.

Lovey travels with us just about everywhere, and I am very grateful for his (yes, Lovey is a boy) existence. Who knows how long Charlie will be head over heels for Lovey, but I think every kiddo needs a comfort item. Nick and I had blankets that we loved, and I even had a robe that I slept with up until a few years ago. It is good and right to have something that can provide you with instant comfort, and I am happy that my son has something that takes care of that need.

Fridge Fun

You may be wondering why I am taking pictures of my child inside the refrigerator. The answer is very simple: This is Charlie's new favorite place to be when I am preparing a meal.

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Normally, making dinner is my least favorite part of the day. It means that I have to attempt to do the food preparation, cooking, and serving of our dinner while a very angry 18-month-old pushes me away from the counter and hits my legs in protest. It is just such a special time of the day for us. I have tried distracting him with his own set of cooking utensils, toys, books, and as a last resort, the TV. All of my attempts have failed, and we seem to have the same struggle night after night...until recently.

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A few days ago, while getting supplies for dinner out of the fridge, I must have left the door open accidentally. I went about my business chopping and peeling veggies for dinner, when I suddenly realized that something was missing. There was no feisty toddler hovering by my feet, and it was quite in my kitchen. Now, all moms know that quite is never a good thing if your child is awake. In fact, it usually means a disaster is about to happen. I quickly whirled around half expecting the kitchen to be on fire, when I noticed Charlie sitting quietly on the floor with three bottles of salad dressing. He was just looking at the labels and examining how the liquid inside the bottles moved as he turned and twisted them. Was this really happening? Was Charlie really entertained by these bottles?

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YES!!!

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Forget the fancy toys that are in every corner of our home. He just wants to play with the stinking salad dressing bottles. The past few days have been the same routine during dinner preparation. He goes to the fridge to let me know that he wants in, and I open the door and let him into his new wonderland. I have even moved all of the plastic containers to the two lowest shelves so that I don't have to worry about broken glass. I don't know how long this craze will last, but maybe I should try out some new recipes while I have a little extra time on my hands.

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***DISCLAIMER***

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I realize that leaving the refrigerator door open for extended periods of time is not good for the environment and is wasting energy. I am all about conservation - conservation of my sanity that is! I apologize for not using energy wisely, but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.

The Many Jobs of a Mommy

Teacher - This is a role that I am very familiar with, but the job description has changed now that I am a mommy. Currently, I am teaching body parts, animal sounds, and common words. Along with the typical subject matter (math, reading, science, etc.), I will also be responsible for teaching morals, manners, and other important life skills. My student is very eager to learn, which makes this teacher proud.


Doctor - I kiss boo boos, put ice on bumps and bruises, wipe a runny nose, determine if a trip to the pediatrician is necessary, and choose when and how to vaccinate my little man.


Dentist - 16 little teeth get brushed twice a day, even though it is a power struggle each and every time.


Tour Guide - Ladies and Gentlemen, if you look to your left, you will see a bird building a nest in a tree. The tree is tall and has green leaves. Birds say, "Tweet, tweet!" Do you hear that? It is a siren coming from a fire truck. The fire truck helps people. It is big and red. As you can see, I have become quite adept at narrating in any situation.


Nutritionist/Cook - I can tell you how many servings of each of the food groups Charlie has eaten on any given day, and I have a rough idea of how many calories he has consumed. I provide vitamins and Pediasure to fill the many gaps for my picky eater. Meals must vary, not be too hot, and need to be cut up into bite size pieces. I try not to get too insulted when my delicious, well-balanced culinary delight is thrown onto the floor.


Librarian - Books are neatly stacked on the shelves and in baskets at the end of each day. The perfect stories are chosen for bedtime and silent reading. I show Charlie how to hold the books, point to the words as I read, and show him how to treat them gently. I read aloud using expression and with enthusiasm in the hopes that I will instill a lifelong love of reading.


Entertainer - You better be a triple threat if you are a mommy. In my house, I am a singer, dancer, and an actor. I am also a bit of a comedian. I will do just about anything to hear that belly laugh.


Body Guard - Right now, I feel like I protect Charlie from himself. If it is dangerous, he is drawn to it. So, I spend a lot of time moving small fingers away from places that can pinch, catching his body when it falls, and keeping anything that could hurt him out of his reach.


Events Coordinator - The days are all up to me. Play dates, grocery shopping, and trips to the park all must fit into our schedule. They must not interfere with meals or naps and can not be too late in the day for fear of a major meltdown.


Stylist - Charlie will be dressed in a cute outfit if we leave the house (I can not promise the same thing if we are at home all day). It will be free of wrinkles, and if at all possible, it will coordinate with what I am wearing (this does not happen often, but it puts a smile on my face when it does).


Manicurist - His little nails grow like weeds. I feel like I am constantly cutting them. I still get nervous each time I do his nails. So far, I have never cut him, but I live in fear with every snip.


Councilor/Therapist/Psychologist - Being a toddler is rough. There are big emotions in that little body. Many times during the day, I have to find a way to help Charlie cope with something that upsets him. I have to decide whether or not to comfort him during a tantrum or ignore it for fear that he will think he can get anything he wants. I have to determine how to discipline. I have to be aware of whether or not I am providing enough praise and encouragement. This job has proven to be the most nerve wracking.


Photographer - Capturing all of the special family moments can be very difficult. You want to take part in the moments, but you are scared that if you don't take pictures, it will be as if they never happened in the first place. And, heaven forbid you forget to bring the camera somewhere. You will be guilt ridden for days thinking about all of the photo opps you missed out on. It is a wonder there are ever any pictures of moms. We are always the ones stuck behind the camera.


Historian - I am the one who knows the day of the week that Charlie was born. I will tell him how old he was when he first rolled over, cut a tooth, or crawled. I will be the one who compares Charlie and his brother and determines who slept through the night first. Moms are expected to know all of these things and be able to talk about them at a moment's notice.


Did I miss anything???

Daddy Love

For the most part, Charlie does not play favorites with Nick and me. He likes being with both of us equally. Sometimes, however, he has a day where only one of us will do. On Sunday, he had stars in his eyes for Daddy. He wanted Nick to carry him everywhere, followed him around like a puppy, wanted to sit in his lap, and insisted on reading the Sunday paper with him as well. As I looked through my grocery circulars and cut my coupons, these are the sweet moments that melted my heart from across the kitchen table. Luckily, the camera was right there, so I could snap some pictures without disturbing my boys' special moment together.

Truer Words Have Never Been Spoken

Yesterday, I mentioned that I was experiencing a lot of discomfort this time around. I recognized the fact that as long as the baby is healthy, that is the most important thing. Well, today I had those words thrust in my face.

I woke up feeling icky this morning. After being up for a couple of hours, I started getting cramps that reminded my a lot of the cramps that I had when I first went into labor with Charlie. I decided to lay down for about thirty minutes and drink plenty of water to see if they would subside. They did, and I got up feeling very relieved. But as soon as I was up and moving again, the cramps came back. I was terrified. I called Nick for confirmation that I should be worried (I am the type of person who needs to be told to call the doctor). He told me to call, and I left a message for the nurse. I then called my mom to see if she could come over to watch Charlie in case I needed to be checked out by a doctor.

While I waited for the call back from the nurse, I figured they would tell me to get off of my feet and take it easy. That is was nothing to worry about and not to panic. When the nurse called back and sounded very concerned and told me that I should definitely come in, that is when the panic set in. I took a quick shower before heading down to Northside Hospital (the only place they had a doctor who was still working on a Friday afternoon). During my shower my mind raced with all of the possibilities - Something is wrong with the baby; I am in pre-term labor; My placenta is detaching. The list went on and on.

After a long drive and an eternity of a wait at the office, I was quickly checked and told not to worry. The midwife said that it sounded like I was dehydrated and to drink lots of water (which I do, by the way). I should have been relieved, right? Oddly I am still shaken up. How quickly things can change. Yesterday I was test driving names for this little baby, and today I was scared to death that something might be seriously wrong with him. I'll tell you what - Motherhood is not for the faint of heart!!!

The Name Game

As you know, Baby Boy Shaw is nameless at the moment. Nick would be content to brainstorm names on the way to the hospital in between contractions, but this girl needs a name ASAP. Charlie and I made a trip to Barnes and Noble today and bought the biggest baby name book on the shelf. Nick is out tonight, so I am making a cup of tea and immersing myself in names as soon as I finish this post. I am open for suggestions. If you have a name that you think would sound good with Shaw, by all means, please share.

Here are the rules for playing The Name Game:

1. The name must have 2 or more syllables to sound good with Shaw.

2. Nick does NOT like very modern/trendy names (ex: Lola, Lincoln, etc.).

3. I do not want a very popular name. I was always the only Lindsay in my class, and I want that for my children, too.

4. It cannot start with "s" or end with "sh".

Okay, I think that about covers the rules for naming our baby boy. If you suggest a winning name, I will be your best friend and be forever in your debt. Good luck playing. Nick and I have been at it for 9 weeks now and have yet to win.

We're Half Way There, Baby!

I am twenty weeks pregnant today. That means I am halfway through my pregnancy. Whoo-hoo!!! I still have a long way to go, but with the holidays just around the corner, I know this baby boy will be here before we know it.

Now that we know for sure it is a boy, I can start planning the nursery. We will be converting one of our guest rooms into Baby Boy Shaw's room over the next few months. During a complete nesting moment a few weeks ago, I cleared out all of the items that we had been storing in the chest of drawers in that room. We are giving the bedroom set to a family friend, who will be coming from SC to pick it up within the next month. So, I feel good about starting the nursery. I have a month to settle on furniture, a paint color, and bedding (all of which I have already been eyeing on the Internet). So, let the decorating fun begin.

As for me, this pregnancy has been a hard adjustment. It has been the complete opposite of my pregnancy with Charlie. This time I was sick until 14 weeks, and now I am having all sorts of aches and pains. I asked my OB about it yesterday (secretly hoping that she would have a magic cure). According to her, I am two years older and my body is stretched out from carrying Charlie. So her advice, in other words, was to suck it up for the next twenty weeks. Actually, she was very nice, it was just not exactly what I wanted to hear. I am still counting my blessings because I know that there are a lot of women out there who are much worse off. And I know that as long as the baby is doing well, that is way more important than my temporary discomfort. Like I said, it's just been an adjustment for me.

Here are the latest belly pictures. Sorry if my smile looks fake, but I am having a bad hair day and feeling chubby after learning that I put on 5 pounds since my last appointment. I am also including a couple ultrasound pictures from yesterday. One is a profile shot of the baby and the other proves that we are having a boy. You probably can't see it, but the ultrasound tech typed in Family Jewels next to the baby's boy parts. Nice.

Drumroll, please...

Snips and snails,

And puppy dog tails,

That's what little boys are made of.

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Sugar and spice,

And all things nice,

That's what little girls are made of.

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So, what will it be for our family - snips and snails or sugar and spice??? According to the ultrasound today, I am going to get a chance to unpack all of of Charlie's teeny, tiny newborn outfits so that he can share them with his baby brother. That's right - we are adding another boy to the Shaw Family, and we could not be happier!

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We thought it was a boy after our 11 week ultrasound, but it was wonderful to see with our own eyes that we are definitely having a boy. And there was no mistaking it either. I made the announcement before the ultrasound tech could even open her mouth. We got other great news today as well. Baby Boy Shaw is developing and growing right on track and all of his vital organs are functioning properly. Today, his heartbeat was 149 bmp, and we got to watch his little heart beat for quite a while as they took measurements. He weighs 10 ounces and is 10 inches long. We also got to see him move his hands and arms and wiggle around a little. He kept opening and closing his mouth, too. It is just so much fun getting a little sneak peek of the baby. I wish they did ultrasounds at every visit. This will be my last one unless there are complications. So, it looks like the next time we see this little boy, he will be snuggling in our arms.

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Baby Boy Shaw does not have a name just yet. Nick and I have very different ideas when it comes to baby names, and we have been searching for a boy name for months. The great debate continues tonight, because I want a name already!

Power of the Kiss

Charlie gets a lot of boo-boos these days. It always seems like he is running into or falling off of something. For the most part, he is a pretty tough cookie and does not even seem to notice the falls. Sometimes, he does take a bigger spill than normal, and I usually call him over to kiss his boo-boo if he is crying. It usually does the trick and makes everything right with the world again. Today, Charlie hit his elbow on something lightly, and I do not think that it really hurt all that much. But, before I knew it, he was heading my way pointing at his elbow and aiming it straight for the magic kissy lips that make all boo-boos instantly better. It may just be hormones, but it made me tear up a little. It was nice to know that he looks forward to my healing kisses when he is hurt or upset. And I do LOVE giving that boy kisses!

Charlie at 18 Months

Our little baby has turned into quite the big boy these days. I was looking at the baby pictures below the other day and just wondered where the time has gone? Charlie is 18 months old today and doesn't seem like a baby anymore. It makes me sad and happy all at once. He is able to do so much and is a blast to be around. There has been so much change in the last few months, and I really had to sit down and think about everything that he has accomplished. Here is our little man in a nutshell these days:

Temperament - Charlie is a thinker and a silent observer. He is not the little boy who runs into a situation without taking it all in first. This is a relief for me because many of his little friends are much more adventurous than he is. Away from home, Charlie sticks very close to us. He is slow to warm up to new people and places. Once he does, he is quiet and easygoing. He is so aware of other children and watches them intently. At home, he is much more comfortable and likely to explore and get into things. He has become a little ham and knows just what to do to get a laugh. His silly side has really come through recently, and we are loving it. He bounces from activity to activity during the day and can not sit still for a minute unless he is looking at his books. He would also prefer to play with my "toys" rather than his own. We are not at the point where Charlie will play independently. If I leave the room, he is sure to follow me wherever I go.

Over the past few months, we have seen an increase in Charlie's tantrums and random outbursts. Fortunately, the majority of these occur at home, and so far he is still really good out in public. He gets frustrated very easily, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that he can't communicate what he wants or needs at that moment. Other times, he throws a fit because I don't give him what he wants. He has also began to show signs of aggression towards us. He will hit or push us away and throw himself against the floor when he gets upset. According to my friends, books, and parent mags it's all pretty typical toddler behavior. We have really had to start disciplining recently, which is tough with an 18-month-old. It is trying indeed, but as with everything else, this too shall pass in time.

Overall, Charlie just has a sweet and fun-loving little boy. He can be so serious one minute and then rolling on the floor laughing the next. He still loves to cuddle, and I know that is rare in a toddler. So, I am thankful for every nuzzle that I get throughout the day. Nick and I are really enjoying watching him turn into a little person, and we treasure every moment with him.

Development - Charlie is on track for all of his physical milestones. He is running everywhere, can throw and kick a ball, feed himself with a spoon and fork, stack objects, scribble with Color Wonder markers, and so much more. Some of his favorite gestures these days are waving goodbye, giving high-fives, clapping, shaking his head "no", and pointing. He has made great gains in his language development in just the last couple of weeks. Nick and I call it the word explosion. As I have mentioned before, Charlie just has not been talking much until now. He had three words (mama, dada, and ball) under his belt two weeks ago. Since then, we have heard bubble, puppy, baby, lovie (wubie), more, all gone, milk, uh-oh, and his all time new favorite word -NO. I can't tell you how good it feels to hear him talking more. He has been able to comprehend us and take directions for such a long time, and we have just been waiting for the other piece of the language puzzle to fall into place. Even if it means that my child now tells me "No" fifty times a day, I'll take it!

Likes - Charlie lets it be known when he loves something. He is borderline obsessive. These are a few of the things that he loves right now: books, music, playing outdoors, cleaning and helping with household chores, anything Elmo, watching TV, bath time and playing in any type of water, and his lovie.

Dislikes - He is equally as good about letting us know when he does NOT like something. Here are the things that drive the little guy crazy: being wiped off after meals, loud noises, getting dressed and undressed, dogs (big or small), and being told "No, sir."

The BIG 3-0

Yes, that's me folks. I officially turned 30 years old at 3:56 pm on Friday. I really do love my birthday. It marks the beginning of gorgeous weather and it always falls near the long Labor Day weekend. This year the weekend was especially long because Nick took Friday off so that we could go to the GA Aquarium as a family.

We have been wanting to take Charlie to the aquarium for a while, and we just knew he would have a great time. Well, we were wrong. Charlie woke up in a terrible mood and pretty much stayed that way the rest of my birthday. He was not impressed with the beautiful exhibits, and was content to stay in his stroller with his snack. Nick and I had a great time, however. I brought my camera and had so much fun playing photographer.

The rest of the weekend was packed with activity. We had a yummy steak dinner with my parents on Friday. Charlie had a sleepover at Grandaddy and Oma's on Saturday so that Nick and I could have a date night. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Zola, and enjoyed being able to sleep in the next morning. Today, we had a yummy rib dinner at my in-law's which was cooked by Madeline's boyfriend, Stewart. I have missed Stewart's cooking skills ever since the beach! It was a wonderful four-day birthday weekend and a great way to enter my 30's!

Adventures in Parenting

One of the aspects that I loved most about teaching was that no two days were ever the same. Children have a way of keeping you on your toes at all times. The same has proven to be true with parenthood. Depending on which side of the crib Charlie wakes up on, our days can be totally relaxed and fun or hectic and frazzled. I like it that way. It keeps things interesting and fun, and now that Charlie is a full fledged toddler, I am really on my toes.

Last Wednesday, Charlie decided to give his mommy an early morning test. We had just finished breakfast, and I was cleaning Charlie up and waiting for Samson to come in from doing his morning business. As I opened the storm door to our deck to let dog in, I noticed that he had decided to roll around in the mud and was filthy. I quickly shooed him back out and proceeded to get a bowl of warm water and paper towels to wipe him off with. As I did this, I told Charlie what I was doing and how Samson was a silly puppy. Charlie stood at the storm door watching Samson and giggling at him through the glass. I stepped outside and began washing Samson when I heard the distinct sound of our back door closing on the other side of the storm door. "What a little stinker," I thought to myself. Charlie thought it would be funny to close the door on us. I continued to wash Samson. When his bath was complete, I attempted to open the door and quickly realized that I was locked out. Charlie stood on the other side of the door with his arms in the air and said, "Uh-oh" as I turned the knob in hopes that it would magically unlock.

Well, $#!%...

At one point in time, we kept a spare key in a fake rock at the front of the house. We had removed the key to make copies and had not yet put it back. So, I was literally locked out with no way in, while my 18-month-old was alone inside.

Well, $#!%...

I didn't cry or panic because I knew Charlie would completely freak out if I did. Instead, I had him follow me as I tried to open all of the windows I could reach. I then gave a few feeble attempts at throwing myself against the door (cue laughter). I knew that I had to go get help from a neighbor, but I was so worried about leaving Charlie alone. I wasn't worried about him getting into anything. I just knew he would be worried and upset. So, I told him that I would be right back and headed to our neighbor's house praying that she would be home.

Did I mention that we had just woken up? I don't know how you look when you wake up, but I wouldn't win any beauty contests. My pajamas did not match, my hair was all over the place, I had slept in my make-up from the day before, I had not brushed my teeth yet, and on top of everything else, I was not wearing a bra. I also said a little prayer that my neighbor's husband would NOT be home.

Luckily, my neighbor was getting in her car as I made the walk of shame up her driveway. She graciously let me use her phone so that I could call the one and only number that I know by heart (thanks cell phones). I called my parent's house and said another prayer that they would pick up. My lucky day again, because my dad picked up on the second ring. Thank goodness, because the next call was going to be to 911.

My parents live about 20 minutes away, so I was relieved to know that Charlie and I would soon be reunited on the same side of the door. I walked back to the house to find Charlie in the fetal position holding his lovie on the family room floor...so pathetic. He was thrilled to see me again. And I was happy to know that we were about to be rescued. Now, I just had to keep him entertained for the next 20 minutes from the window.

We played peek-a-boo, made silly faces, tapped on the window, and were having a good time. Charlie sticks pretty close to me when I am in the house, so I was not really worried about him taking off out of my sight. That is, until he started to get comfortable with the fact that I was on the other side of the window. I could see the wheels churning in his little head..."What can I get into?" In about a five minute span, Charlie found a bag of pretzels and began grabbing fist fulls and dumping them on the floor. He danced on them for a while and then ate them and smeared pieces on the window for me to see. He had a grand time with the pretzels, but his face really lit up when he noticed my water glass on the end table. He ran over to get in, took a few sips, and then dumped the rest on the floor. He then took the glass into the bathroom and began playing in the toilet - taking water in the cup and dumping it back into the toilet. Upon hearing my dad come through the door, he dropped the glass and its contents on the hall floor and said, "Uh-oh."

If I wasn't pregnant, I would have opened a bottle of wine the second I got back into the house. Unfortunately for me, I had to settle for a hot shower to calm my nerves instead.