Thank You

Wow.  I never post anymore.   This makes me sad, and I apologize for my lack of sharing.  And, I promise to remedy it soon.  A lot of my extracurriculars are starting to slow down, so hopefully you will hear more from the Tals.

In the meantime, I wanted to share that on this Ash Wednesday I am starting 40 special days.  When I was growing up I always had a few Catholic friends who gave something up for lent.  It was usually something like pop, chocolate, candy and sweets.  Honestly, I never really understood how 40 days of no chocolate would make someone a better Christian.  I understand the symbolism, and appreciate it, but as a non-catholic, non-denominational gal, it wasn't for me.

Again this year I am not giving up anything. Instead I am committing to be more thankful.  Each day until Easter I will write a thank you card.  I have much to be thankful for and often times I forget to express my gratitude.  Rather than giving something up, I want to start giving something back.  If you aren't giving something up--- come join me.

And because no post is complete without a picture of Charlie...

Where have we been?!?

Yes, this post is approximately two and a half months late.  Somehow we have been so busy that we missed a 5 month post... a thanksgiving post... a 6 month post... AND a Christmas post.  Oopsies.

Forgive me for this abridged version of the past two months--- but all you are after are the pictures anyways, am I right?

So I guess that to officially update everyone I should go back in time to November 16th.

Ahhh.... November 16th.  The air was warmer than a usual November (50 degrees) and Charlie was enjoying every minute of it with near daily walks with his Grandma.  She was still watching him five days a week.  He was a big growing boy.  Two weeks before his 5 month Birthday he had started doing an army crawl.  By the 16th he was pulling his way along like a little champ.  Gone were the days of setting him down and walking away.

Not long after he hit 5 months Charlie took his first long car ride to the state up north for Thanksgiving.  He took the car ride like a champ and entertained all of his cousins, uncles, aunts and great grandmas to boot.  He even stayed at a hotel and went swimming in the pool with his mom and pop.  The trip was the kick off to a very busy holiday season.





Just after turkey day Charlie started daycare.  Three days a week he goes to see Miss Kim and play at her house.  It has been a hard adjustment for him since he is so used to being the center of attention.  He wants to constantly entertain and he is always out for a laugh.

On December 16th, Charlie hit 6 months.  It is hard to remember what our life was like before this little guy.  He is 18 and a half pounds and about 27 some inches tall and is the army crawl champ.  He is able to pull himself up on all fours and likes to rock a bit.  He rolls and coos and dances and cracks himself up.  He is obsessed with dogs and cats and grins from ear to ear.  He has also started eating some solid foods which has been both hilarious and messy.  He HATES peas, loves squash and is indifferent about most other things that we have slowly started trying.





Christmas was so much fun with the little guy.  We went to see Santa and although Charlie didn't like him all that much, I don't think we scarred him that badly.  Hopefully as he gets older he'll grow to love the old guy.  We had many a Christmas party that Charlie was the star of and Christmas Eve we went to the candlelight service at Church.

Christmas Morning we opened our gifts and spent the morning together with the three of us before heading over to my mom and dads for the day.  Charlie was spoiled of course.  And the next day we did it all over again with Matt's family.  Again, Charlie really cleaned up!

Now it is 2011.  I can't believe it.  And I don't know if it is possible for the new year to even compare to our last.  Happy New Year to all.

Free is my Favorite.

It will come to no shock to you all that I am always looking for a deal.  I love getting the best price on just about anything and when I score something awesome I get WAY too excited.

Speaking of, remember my sell out post a couple weeks ago?  You know, the one where I gushed about Shutterfly?  Well here comes some more gushing.  I LOVE SHUTTERFLY.  Why, oh why?  Probably because I just got the 50 free holiday cards I earned by blogging about them.  You read that right, 50 free cards.  And Envelopes.  And I barely had to lift a finger.  Talk about a steal--- that is a $119 value steal.  WOOT.

To continue the love fest, I must admit, the cards turned out awesome.  I cannot yet share their beauty since I want everyone to be surprised when they get them in the mail.  Eeeeeee!

It's the most wonderful time of the Year....

Although it is nearly 70 degrees and sunny as can be today, the holidays are in deed sneaking up on us.  And with the holidays comes all of the hustle, and bustle and of course all of the traditions.

One tradition that Matt and I have had since we have been together is our Christmas card.  We take great pride in our Christmas creations, and always try to find that perfect balance between funny and sweet.  Last year was probably our least inspired card so I am definitely trying to make up for it this year.  

Luckily, we have a clever ally in Shutterfly.  As you all know, we have a share site where we keep all of our pictures of our family (Check em out HERE).  The site also has a ton of Christmas (or Holiday if you so choose) cards for you to choose from.  You can browse their complete selection here: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards

Now that our lives are Charlie filled we have a little less time for all of the cutting, scoring and folding so partnering and using a site like Shutterfly is a pretty darn good choice.

Want to see a couple of my favorites?

I am a sucker for the Holly Jolly font.. or what about...

Or this?

Of course I am not going to let the cat out of the bag on which we are actually choosing, but you can be sure it will be adorable :)

Once you are on the site they also have many a photo- related gift.  Like these calendars. Or you can always use these gift tags... super cute.  I might have to make some grandma gifts with Charlie.

Do you love Shutterfly as much as we do?  Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… learn more: http://bit.ly/sfly2010 

Happy Halloween!

Charlie is 4 months

My baby is already 4 months old.  My baby weighs over 17 lbs.  My baby wears 6-9 month clothing. My baby is a giant.

Here is a quick update of our past month.  Charlie can roll both ways now and especially likes rolling to his left.  He would roll to his left all day long if we let him. And, speaking of rolling, he is now a belly sleeper. Nothing we can do will keep him on his back, and since his head is so strong we feel comfortable letting him snooze this way. Sometimes we walk in to check on him and he has his butt way up in the air.

In the last few weeks he has also become very aware of strangers.  Some he likes and will smile at, and some (like my mom's cousins) he decides he doesn't like AT ALL.

Another more fun development is how much he plays.  He loves toys now and always wants something to bang or push. He also shoves just about anything he can into his mouth---including both of his feet.

Here are some pictures!



 
 
 
 

Happy 3 Months, Charlie!

So I am a week late.  But really, I think that is pretty darn good for this busy mommy.

Happy 3 Month Birthday Charlie!

You weigh over 15 and a half pounds and are already in 6 month clothing.  

You have put yourself on a feeding schedule that gives you 6 feedings a day.  When you drink from a bottle you take 6 ozs.  You go to sleep on your own at night and we have to wake you up in the morning or you would sleep all day.  

The day after your 3 month birthday you surprised Grandma with rolling over from your back to tummy. You have since done it multiple times and let your mom catch it on video.  A few times you have been able to roll over a complete 360.  You are such a strong little guy!

You are able to stand on your "own" if you can hold onto my fingers.  

You may need a haircut to take care of the business in the front, party in the back situation.

We love you more every day.