Dear Charlie

Dear Charlie,

Today you are 13 months old.  Since you've surpassed the ripe old age of ONE, you have decided to give walking a try.  On MY birthday just two weeks ago you took your first two steps unassisted, and now you're up to about five or even six, if you try real hard and get your balance first.  Often times, though, you like to be a crazy baby and just start walking before you get balanced first, which usually just ends with you flat on your belly.  (Which, sorry, but it's kind of funny). 

You love opening and closing cupboards and drawers, and removing whatever is in them.  There are a few drawers which are fine by me, and others that you aren't supposed to get into.  You totally know which are which too, because if you go over to open one of the off limits drawers you'll stop, and look at me first, to see if I'm going to come and get you.  Then you'll usually try and open it real fast and get whatever out of there that you can before I get to you.  For example, in the bathroom, the cupboard with the toilet paper is ok.  The one with the nail polish, not ok.  In the kitchen, the drawer with the sippy cups and baby bottles is ok, the one with the cheese grater and glass measuring cups, not ok.  Unfortunately we don't have knobs on our kitchen cabinets that I could rubberband shut all ghetto like, and also unfortunately I am not going to go through every stinking cabinet and screw on some baby proofing latches.  Because I'm pretty sure then NOBODY would be able to get into the cabinets, which is NOT what we are going for.  I did, however, to Grace's dismay, put a bungee cord on the handles of my china buffet so that you can't pull my fancy dishes out (anymore).  So HA!  I AM smarter than a baby. 

You are sleeping pretty well...going to bed about 7, waking up at 5 to nurse and then going back to sleep until 7 or so.  Usually.  Then there are days like today where you woke up at 6 and then would NOT go back to sleep.  You're napping really well once a day, and I'm afraid maybe you're done with two naps because you haven't taken two naps a day in over a week.  Oh, that makes me sad!  I love you, but I also love times like now when I can put my feet up, and mindlessly play on the computer, without pulling you away from off limits cupboards and drawers over and over and over.

You're now signing MORE, EAT, and ALL DONE.  (Mostly more though).
You love to read books.
You love when we sing to you.
You love to watch George.
You love to pull all the books off your bookshelf.  (or mine).
You love waffles and bananas.
You're not a fan of the sippy cup, but love the bottle.
You love to wave bye bye.
You say goodnight by waving bye bye.
You love tubby time.
You can point to your piggies, your tummy, you nose and sometimes your teeth.
OH!  You got two new teeth this month.  Your top two are just barely poking through.
You DESPERATELY need a haircut.

Love love love you!
xoxo
mom