Charlie aka Ruchi-Pip

So I've been trying to upload this cute video of Charlie chatting with me all weekend, and for some reason I can't get blogger to work (any suggestions or tips??) So, here are some cute pics instead. A few random things about Charlie; just like Alec, his hair is all falling out and underneath is a layer of blond. I would say by 4 months he will be all blond. Also, looks like he finally has a nickname. Alec has a book called Tikki Tikki Tembo, and the main character in it has this crazy long name, Tikki Tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. Anyway, we read it all the time and the Chari Bari Ruchi part has become associated with Charlie. So, little Charlie has become known around here, especially to Alec, as Ruchi, or Ruchi-Pip. Totally random, but it's cute and fitting. At school this week Alec's teacher asked him his baby brother's name, and Alec proudly told her Ruchi. She gave me a pretty interesting look before I had Alec tell her that Ruchi was a just a nickname. So, enjoy the cute pics of our little Ruchi.









A terrible pic of Charlie, but I love it b/c it shows what a moose he is:)

Getting ready for Spring

Not too much to write about, but I thought I would put up a few pics from the last week. We have had a few tastes of spring weather, followed of course by days of wind and pouring rain, but we are all excited to get outside and have taken advantage of the sun whenever it decides to show up. Charlie was 10 weeks old on Tuesday:( He is as sweet as can be and we love him to pieces, but it is breaking my heart how fast he is growing up. On my scale this morning he weighed 16 lbs! He is getting more and more smiley and interactive and is doing a lot more giggling, especially when we blow raspberries for him. Last night he spent the entire night in his crib asleep on his back, and only got up to eat once at 4:30. Pretty impressive for a boy who wouldn't sleep on his back for more than 5 minutes just a few months ago. Alec is still loving school, and I am too, especially b/c he can be a rather contrary and whiny 3 year old when he is stuck at home inside with Charlie and I for too long. He is also 100% in the question stage and is literally cracking Matt and I up with the amount of "why's" he can fit into any one conversation. Last night I had to have Matt try to tell me what fat is made of b/c Alec asked and then could not accept my "I don't know" as an answer. The hard part is that he has his daddy's memory and really listens to my answers to his 1 million questions a day, so if I just make something up, he will then go and restate it as a fact to someone else while giving me the credit for the made up answer. Ah, 3 year olds:)

Chillin in the back yard


His new way to get the stomp rockets to go really high


Life lessons from Alec

Chatting with Dad




Charlie has been loving the activity mat I pulled out of the basement

Researching different kinds of jet engines


We even busted out the sidewalk chalk yesterday...

Happy spring to everybody

Smiles, Colorado, 2 Months Old, Mother's Day & Preschool

So here is a mega-post!! Apparently we have had a pretty busy last 2 weeks. At the last minute the boys and I ended up getting plane tickets to go to Colorado for Mother's Day weekend. My mom hosted a coming home party for Abby and Ross, so we flew home to be at the party and catch up with all our family. It was a whirlwind trip, we were just home from Thursday night to Monday afternoon, but the boys did great, the 3 of us were fine on both flights, we got to introduce Charlie to a bunch of his family that he hasn't met yet, Alec got to play with his cousins, and I got to spend mother's day with my mom and mother-in-law! It was an awesome weekend, and totally reminded us of why we love Colorado so much! Our time home was so short that we didn't see any friends, but we are anxious to catch up with them all when we head back in July. On Mother's Day Charlie turned 2 months old, so I got a double celebration. I couldn't love Alec and Charlie more, and I really enjoyed celebrating being their mom on Sunday. Charlie continues to grow like a weed, and is turning into a very sweet little guy. He still struggles with his reflux on and off and he can be pretty unhappy when his tummy is bothering him (although this is usually be remedied by putting him over your shoulder to spit-up), but aside from that he is so sweet. He has totally started smiling and giggling and he will often carry on little conversations back and forth with us. He still loves to gaze at lights and he loves watching Alec. He is super strong and seems very close to being able to roll from his tummy to his back. He loves to stretch out, kick his legs, and squeal when he is happy. His sleep is getting better and better, he sleeps in an angled cradle at night, and he has only been up once a night to nurse for several days now. His naps are a work in progress, with some good days and some not so good. We still can't believe what a clone of Alec he is and we are truly loving every second with him. The fact that being held by his mama is his all time favorite thing is a nice bonus too! To top off our busy weekend, Alec officially started preschool today. His school is new and was supposed to open in the fall, but due to major construction delays, they finally opened their doors yesterday. It's been kind of obnoxious waiting on them, but I have also had no real need for Alec to be in preschool, so I've enjoyed his company at home. He will only go to school for a half day twice a week for the rest of May, but then he will be in camp there this summer and then start official preschool three half days a week in the fall. He did a great job today! He was excited, he shook his teacher's hand and greeted everyone with a smile before I left. He of course had no trouble saying goodbye to mom and was rosy cheeked and sweaty when I picked him up at 11:30 from playing outside. His teacher said he did an excellent job and he told me his favorite thing was playing with the train tables, which is funny since he has lost interest in the one in his bedroom. I had very mixed emotions dropping him off this morning...it breaks my heart that he is already so grown-up, but I was also so proud of him and I loved seeing how polite, confident and friendly he was. I couldn't have asked for 2 more wonderful children:) Below is a picture overload of all this craziness.

Running with Papa Ross, the stroller is empty b/c Alec wanted to actually run. Ross said he went about a mile in total.

Charlie with Drammy and Abby Root

Shredding with Papa Ross' giant shredder was one of the highlights of the weekend for Alec


My giant smiley baby


Alec and Ansley (one of my cousin Chad's daughters)





Porter (my cousin Reagan's son) and Charlie


Charlie and Emma (Reagan's new daughter) - they are just a month apart




With the dreaded Richard Scarry book, Alec has been obsessed with this book for years, thank goodness it doesn't live at my house.

Mother's Day



Teaching his brother the ropes of Richard Scarry....ahhhhh


Really thinking about rolling over

My frequent flyer, he's such a good boy on airplanes.

This morning before school



Such a handsome little man

and just a few random shots from before we left

Bath Time

A cute video of the boys in the bath, thanks Tuncle Toss for making it blog appropriate!