Six Months

Charlie Dodge is six months old today. I. cannot. believe. that.

As evidenced by the fact that the above photo was the "best" pose I could steal from him, his personality is budding and beautiful these days. He is strong and curious and brave and cozy. He is constantly on the move, observing like mad, and "chatting" up a storm. He is also wielding his two teeth like a weapon; "Guard your nipples and shoulders" should be a our family slogan. His favorite toys remain Sophie the giraffe and his crinkly jungle tails book and he is wild about Willie Nelson's "Rainbow Connection." He graduated to rice cereal this month, ditched the car seat in the jogging stroller, and has a delightful strawberry blonde mohawk happening. He is rolling across rooms and perching on all fours - no movement yet, but I know it's coming soon. Sleep is still the elusive mistress during they - one good nap a day if we're lucky. At night he is sleeping about 930 - 530 which I will gladly take. Things I'm loving right now: the dimples. Oh, the dimples. Sometimes, when Charlie is playing furiously, he will stop, turn his head, meet my eyes, and beam out a smile that melts me. I love his energy and excitement. I love how he reaches up and touches my face when he's on my hip or in my arms. I love how he still loves sleeping on my chest in the late afternoon. I love that he still goes easily to pretty much anyone. I love everything about this kid and know that somehow, after this month draws to a close, I'll have more to love. That amazes me.

Adventures in Cereal

I finally broke down. Charlie loves it and is sleeping through the night again.

Lost and Found

I am struck lately with the reality of shortness in life and how a mere hour can hold both happiness beyond measure and rip-your-heart-out pain. And I wonder how in all of that madness anyone finds any peace. And then I remember redemption in friends' marriages I thought were lost. I see rejoicing over the life of a colleague taken too soon from this earth. I hear the laughter of children in hallways and giggle when one of my middle school students says "sexual barriers" in class when he really means "sexist biases." I read about a couple who waited for years for children and who became parents twice-over practically over night. And I take a deep breath and I remember that even when I feel lost I am already found in the one who made me and gave me this story to live.

Five Months

Charlie celebrated his five month birthday last week in Asheville (thanks to Mutti for watching him while I was in Black Mountain for work!) ... we took his photos a few days later ...

This month, Charlie was a busy fellow. He's learned how to push up super high on his belly and scooch by getting his knees up under him - looking suspiciously like crawling. He actually prefers being on his belly to play these days or sitting upright on someone's lap. He does not love the Bumpo seat, sadly. It seems like such a handy thing.

Favorite toys this month are any burp cloth, a rattle/blanket/bear, and pretty much any ball or toy that crinkles. He is sleeping longer stretches at night when the teeth (the front two are in!) aren't hurting but is still an inconsistent napper. He is also showing signs that he is ready for rice cereal, though his mommy is not. He is a veritable drool factory and always alert and observing the world. I love that about him.

We are loving his growing personality, wiggles, belly laughs, and squawking.

I returned to work this month which has been an adjustment ... I take great comfort that Charlie is in hog heaven at Melissa's house with all of her sweet babies.

We will have stats at his sixth month checkup...