My HOTsling baby

This weekend I had some of my BFF's from nursing school come into town and we had a blast as usual. My friend Christi brought her 2 month old baby girl and Heidi and Abbe are pregnant..so there was lots of talk of babies. When I told Charlie that they were coming and that Christi was bringing her baby, his response was.."She's bringing me a baby sister"?..uh oh!!! I explained that the baby was not his sister and would only be here a day..he was cool with that too!!

Well, after everyone left yesterday Charlie was asking me to carry him like he was a baby...and when I did he apparently needed further clarification..."this how you carry me"? I told him that I actually carried him in a sling a lot of the time. He then insisted on doing it again! I had forgotten how much easier it is to carry him in a sling....makes me look forward to wearing my next one!! Excuse the pictures..I only had my phone and I knew if I went and got the camera the moment would be gone!
(we are getting ready to go walk/run , so please excuse the stellar look on my part!)

Dude, why did I not carry him on my back more..so nice...not that he'd ever let me do it now!!

Fun game right?..Up and down, over and over... was not a great feeling on my back!

He asked to wear it so I put it on him..and then he promptly told me it was only mommy's!!..and threw it to the floor!!

Sleeping with the enemy..

I am talking about the movie....no, Bradley has not royally pissed me off!!!! You remember the movie..the one where she runs away from her abusive, super OCD husband. She knows he is back when she comes home and her towels are hung perfectly straight and the can goods are organized...my kind of stalker!!!

Well, my husband has always had a funny/irritating sense of humor....I worked on Friday and since Tutti and Papa are out of town..Daddy stayed home!!! I left dishes in the sink because the dishwasher was going. Well, my sweet husband unloaded the dishwasher, loaded it, ran it, and unloaded it again. Yes, he was super helpful..but he had to get his little jab in...

This is how my cabinets usually look...I know I have some small issues....but they must alternate colors

This is after Bradley unloads the dishwasher..not only did he not alternate them...he will move all of them around on purpose..just to mess with me.
I have often returned home to find a frame turned at a different angle, or a piece of clothing not where I left it, or a light on, (when I always turn off the lights)..and then I am convinced that someone is there and waiting for me. Heaven forbid they just attack me or shot me...no, they'd rather move my picture frames and just screw with me that way!!
...bless my heart, right!...

Testing

Just testing this out...


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Not quiet how I planned it..

So, people tend to think that my sweet boy is a little smarter then he actually is. I do not usually correct them or explain..hey, if you want to think he is "advanced", go ahead!! But, I am pretty sure he is just normal. The reason for his super smarts??? Well, I think with a lot of kids, if you ask them something they do not know the answer to, they will say "huh" or "what" or "i don't know" or just give a blank stare..not my sweet boy. "YES" is his go to word when he has no clue what your asking.. For example..Do you know what today is...YES....Are you hungry...YES...Are you ready for a nap...YES. You see the trend right. I will give him credit though. He is extremely verbal and I really cannot think of a time we have not been able to communicate and figure out what he wants..the kid can talk!! Not to underestimate his smarts though.....

We were at small groups about a month ago and this topic came up..so what does any good mom do....throw my kid under the bus. Someone commented on how smart he was and I explained that while he was smart, he may not be as smart as they thought he was. I went on to explain our "Yes" man.

After small groups we were outside and Charlie picked up an acorn and I asked "Do you know who eats acorns" and he of course says "Yes". I turned to Cameron, who I think mentioned his smarts and said "See, that is what I am talking about". Right on que Charlie says "A squirrel does Mommy"....now who looks not so smart!!

All that to say...Sat night was not quite what I had planned. What I had planned was a family birthday night for Bradley's twin sisters....what we had was 2 hrs spent in urgent care. While I am grateful that my child was not one of the many sick kids in there, I'd rather been at family dinner!

We had got out some more child proofing stuff on Sat and were planning on getting it put up. Charlie did not really need it, but just for the next one and if any kids came over. Charlie apparently was fascinated with it all and needed to play with it...or put some of the screws in his mouth...nice. So when Bradley told him to spit them out, Charlie made a dramatic swallow. So, Bradley brings him to me to show me/talk to me. So I ask "Charlie did you swallow the screw"...any guesses to his answer...YES. I ask him 10 different questions 20 different ways and to each he said...YES. I called the nurse on call who looked up the "ingestion of sharp objects protocol" and informed me to head to the ER and get it checked out....really, a whole protocol for it..made me feel better that I was not the only one out there!! A quick visit to Cooks Urgent Care center and an expensive X-Ray later reveled that NO, in fact he did not swallow a screw...nice!

He was more then happy to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks..he'd just rather not watch it from his bed..

sitting on his bottom was not a high priority also..at least if he fell and cracked his head we were in the right place..

After 2 hours of sitting and 2 hours of being told no to food and drink..he.was.over.it..and I feel sorry for the people next to us who had to listen to our constant disciplining/spanking/compromising and finally defeat. When I found out that even if he did swallow on they would do nothing (then why am I here again????) I caved and he had some of my water and some tic-tacs...nothing like being firm, right!

Bradley trying not to laugh at Charlie and his ridiculous tantrum!

wiping the tears away..from being told "no" to more tic-tacs!!

Visit with the bio's

Over Christmas we had a visit with "C" and "M", the bio's. Bio's sounds kinda harsh and cold, but you know we love them, it just shortens the typing of birth mom and birth father. I only use their initials now because I have no idea what the rules are on putting their names out there. I probably should ask for permission to put pictures on here, but that would require mentioning that I have a blog...so, we will just keep doing what were doing and hope for the best. Good planning huh!! Charlie and "C". Charlie did really good with both of them, but it was no surprise to Bradley and I that Charlie was partial to "M". You know Charlie is a "guys" guy and almost always prefers Bradley, Grandaddy and Papa over their spouses!! I wanted to say something to "C" and let her know that it was just Charlie lovin guys better then girls and it had nothing to do with her, but I thought that may just make her feel awkward. If she was feeling bad about it then it may make her feel worse that someone pointed it out. So, I said nothing.....good planning or wussing out??

Charlie is also not quite sure about the facial piercings..he gets focused and just stares at them and cannot focus on anything else. This time he at least tried to pull them off/out...he went from afraid to interested.

I like her smile in this one!

I make a small book for Charlie after each visit and I felt like I needed more when I made the last book, so I tried to get more this time. We were at Chucky cheese so it was a bit crowded and not the greatest place for photos!

"M" and Charlie driving the car...they are clearly doing man things here! Examining something I am sure!

I thought this was a great picture of the two of them.

I thought this was sweet.

"C's" mom, Charlie and "C"..trying to get one of those pictures that Chucky Cheese has..they got some cute ones!

"C's" oldest sister...She was there with her husband and her other sister and nephew were there and I somehow managed to not get a picture of them:( This sister and her husband thanked us for coming out and said it really meant a lot to the bios. The grandparents always thank us, but it was really nice to have someone else thank us and appreciate it.

In the background is "M's" wife. They have been married for a year now and they live in California where he is stationed in the military. At the beginning of our adoption I struggled with wanting to feel the way that I now feel about "C" and "M". Somewhere around 2 yrs I started reading blogs from birth mothers perspectives..lots of them. And finally, what I had wanted to feel, I finally felt. I suddenly really wanted Charlie to know them, love them, see them often, pray for them, say their names, know he has 2 mommies and 2 daddies. I cannot say what exactly it was in those blogs that turned/tugged at my heart, but it was not longer "something I had to do", but "something I wanted to do". I often have people tell me how great it is that we see the bios and let them have visits and how great it is that Charlie knows them, etc. Usually it is followed by, "but I am not sure I could do that". I may be wrong, but I really feel that most people could. If you knew what I know and if you talked to adopted kids, if you read books and knew statistics..you could do it. This is good for Charlie.. he knows them and knows they love him. He (hopefully)won't hit a certain age and want to know them so badly, but be afraid to tell me. He will know..anytime he wants to see them, it's okay. And as far as letting them see him, he is their son too! I have people tell me that as he gets older "hopefully the birth parents will just kinda fade away and lose interest". He is their son...they will not loose interest and I DO NOT want them to fade away. One of my biggest fears with this second adoption is getting a family that does not want to be involved. For some bio's, a desire not to be involved is for their protection and healing...I get that. But how much will that suck for our next child if their bio's don't want visit, letters and calls...I know God will give us just the right baby and I hope that baby's parents will be just as involved.

All that to say that "M" and his wife are pregnant and expecting a baby....Charlie will have a 1/2 sibling. I am a bit peeved that I was not able to give him a sibling first, but whatever, I am dealing!!! At the beginning of our time with "C" and "M", there were some rough spots with "M".....and I remember Bradley and I saying "I hope he has another kid soon and leaves ours alone". I literally cringe when I write that..and I am embarrassed to put it on paper..and even contemplated changing the wording to make myself sound better. But we said it. And now, 2 years later when I find out he is expecting another child..I cringe again..because I have a small fear that he will move on...and I don't want him to. It's amazing what time and knowledge and Gods grace can teach you.

..and I feel pretty confident that neither of his bio's are going anywhere!!

He was an angel all day..and why wouldn't he be..look at his crowd of admires!!

Charlie was on some ride and about 18 of us were standing around watching him. Bradley pointed out a couple nearby who were staring at all of us..kinda with their mouths opened and some confusing looks. I told Bradley to just go over and explain to them so they can move on to the next ride and well, you guys know Bradley..that wasn't happening!!

When we left the, girl who checks to make sure your numbers on your hand match your childs, went to check "C" and Charlie since they were walking out together. Through other observations I think that they kinda knew each other and maybe were not BFF. She, in my opinion, was harsh and rude when she explained to "C" that, "We check the stamps on the child's and parents hand to make sure they only leave with their parents". Totally my opinion, but I thought it was rude and could have been out much nicer. So, I may have said..a little to loud..that, while their stamps did not match she still was his mom. I love making people feel awkward!!! (think second hand smoke and cervix!!)
These were the only pictures I had of "C's" nephew and "M's" mom...

Look what values I am instilling in him...WIN, it doesn't matter if you cheat!!!

"M" and Charlie

We can blame "M" for the cheating..even though the real blame lies with Cassidee!!!

C, Charlie, C's step mom, her dad and brother. That 1 yr old is technically Charlie's uncle...crazy!! Technically, you know, if we called the bios things like aunt, cousin, etc ..which we don't.

I was reading Heart Cries...that blog I love...and she put into words exactly how I feel about that. If you care, click on it to see!!

This ride never got old!!

I put this one in cause it was the only one I had of "M's" brother..I love that kid. He is so stinkin polite and sweet. And I can call him a kid when he is 18, cause they (C, M, his wife and brother) think that Bradley and I are sooo old. Um, were 30. I am no spring chicken (whatever that means), but I am not old. They have never outright said it, but they sooo think it!

I got Charlie and M and C together and we talked with them about how they are also his mommy and daddy. He can say it, but I wanted him to see them and say it and kinda put it all together. I thought it was special, but I got no reaction from them. I am sure at their age it was kinda awkward, but I am sure they appreciated it.

5 min into the car ride home....he.was.worn.out.!!

I often call Charlie "spaz-tastic" and this may help you see why!

So long snowman..

We did Christmas with my family the day after Christmas..we had a great day and I did not take any pictures other then these from the backyard. The more people there are around, the less likely I am to take pictures. Id rather be visiting or watching the kiddos as opposed to torturing them by taking their picture. Our snowman being licked to death by Brady..I have never seen a kid eat so much snow!!!

And the boys were being boys..kicking down the snowman. Charlie knocked it over and then it clicked that the snowman was no more and he got upset...duh kiddo!! Can you tell who is not the sympathetic parent!!

more licking by Brady and Kate being a cheese!!

They had removed the head, but were loving/eating on the rest of it!! You cannot see it, but Charlie is actually eating it's nose in this picture..frozen carrots..um, no thanks!

Attempting to fix their broken snowman!

I loved the snow, but I have had enough super cold weather. I like it cold, but when my car read 17 degrees the other day, I was officially over it!

Gingerbread house!!

I have never made a gingerbread house for Christmas..never made one at all actually! Well, my mother-in-law has a tradition to make them each year. Charlie and Libby have "made" them before or they have been posed next to them, but this was their first time to actually participate in the making of one!! In hindsight..next year I will make/ask for 2..one for me and one for him, cause it looked fun!! Also, next year..he can eat as much candy as he wants. This year he was spending the night with my in laws so I made the mistake of telling him not to eat the candy..mistake..he is 2 for heavens sake!! It would have been easier to only give him a small amount to eat/decorate with..there was a ton of candy and our guy LOVES candy! So, I spent the whole night... "No more candy", "Charlie Way, are you listening to me..no more", "Do you want a spanking"...you get the idea!! Had he been coming home with me, I think I would have just said to heck with it...chow down!! But I did not want to do that to Tutti and Papa!!! Can you see his sugar high!

This face was caught mid picture..have no idea what he was doing, but it cracked me up!!

Libby and Laura with their finished project..pretty cute huh!!!

Does he not look like a rag-a-muffin (sp)!!??

Photo #277 of the kids putting candy into their mouths!

Helping Tutti decorate!

Aunt Ange helping Libby!

#226

The kiddo in the blue is Tutti's neighbor, Josh. Charlie LOVES Josh, like really loves Josh. Josh may be one of the nicest teens I know cause he is soooo good and nice with Charlie and Libby. I cannot count how many times I have had to swing by Josh's house for Charlie to say bye before we could leave Tutti and Papa's house! We have even been know to say things like "Josh loves to eat peas, don't you want to grow up big and strong like Josh!!"

Libby and Zach working on her house...Zach is Josh's brother and he is also great with the kids..good parenting right there!

Little apprentice in action!

I had so many videos and I deleted the one I wanted..it was one of his fits cause he wanted more candy...I figured in years that would be funny, right!!