1 Year of Charlie

Charlie is one! I cannot believe it. This time of year is so nostalgic thinking back to the anticipation of his arrival while celebrating the Christmas season, but life before him seems so distant at the same time. His little personality has come out so much these past few weeks and new skills and transitions seem to be popping up overnight. Charlie is the sweetest, most lovable baby full of so much joy. I continue to be amazed at all that he is learning at a rapid rate! 

This age brings so much excitement and Charlie continues to surprise me each and every day. He plays so well independently yet lights up so brightly when you just smile at him or say something. He is always on the move, but loves to pause just long enough to be held or to give a hug. He doesn't say any words except "da" or "da-da", yet uses his kissy sounds and mannerisms to communicate exactly what he needs. He has no fear to climb on things or explore, yet always looks over his shoulder to just make sure you are right there. He gets so messy while eating and playing, yet loves bath time more than anything. I wish I could bottle up this age forever, yet I can't wait for what is to come. Here are some highlights from this last month leading up to his first birthday. 

 Outings
-Cofer's to get our first Christmas tree!
-ACC for Christmas Brunch with Santa
-Molar Express at the dentist
-A few Trappeze dates
-Night of Lights at the Botanical Gardens
-Our first birthday party at Gammy and Grandpa Craig's house!

Milestones: 
-Mom and dad's first trip away together for a wedding... stayed at Gammy's!
-Started to point at things with his pointer
-Standing with no hands more frequently and doing a good job walking with his walker
12/3- Started sleeping on a cot with a blanket at daycare
-Took his first step on 12/7 right before going to the Night of Lights in front of Sarah and me! He did again on 12/8 in his room when Charles was there 
-Week of 12/8- started mixing formula with whole milk. 12/12 did full whole milk bottles then started doing it in sippy cups on the 15th. 
-Started sticking his finger in his mouth and gagging himself- weird phase!
-Fine motor skills are blossoming... figured out how to put the rings on the stacker toy super well 
-First Thanksgiving <3 Loved all the food!
-Met Santa for the first time!

Notes/things to remember:
-The way he laughs when I kiss his neck or tickle him
-The way he looks out the window in the car seat
-The way he laughs when I put toys on his head 
-The way he points at things in books 
-The way he laid down and looked under the couch to copy me when I was looking for a ball 
-The way he pulls and plays with my teeth?! 
-The way he smiled so big when he put the top on his pouch 
-The way he smiles so big and wide and his eyes squint
-The way he randomly lays his head down on the ground like he’s tired 
-The way he crawls to his high chair when he’s hungry 
-The way he uses his pointer finger to do things
-The way he doesn’t like any of the balls left in the top of his ramp toy
-The way he will just smile at you if you smile at him 
-The way he thinks it is funny to feed me food
-The way he grabs his loveys and lies down on the floor to pretend sleep 
-The way he climbs the stairs so fast!
-The way he shakes with his fists when he’s excited or wants something
-The way he likes all the bottles to be off the ledge in the bath
-The way he leans in for a hug
-The way he makes the kissy sound whenever he wants something or likes it 
-The way he knows how to use the brush to "brush" his hair"

Likes:
-Playing with the fridge magnets 
-Spaghetti sauce
-Cheese
-Loving books these days! 
-Spinning the toilet paper roll and lifting the seat
-Putting tops on things
-Still loving his loveys and pulls them out of his crib
-Drinking his water
-Sliding on the slide and climbing things
-Balloons
-Loves the lambs from the nativity scene

Dislikes:
-Being still
-Cake! Would not even try it after multiple attempts
-Santa

We had his birthday party on Saturday, December 13th at my parents' house. Lots of friends came and the weather was perfect! We had a variety of "reindeer games" for the kids to play along with 2 bouncy houses outside to keep them busy. The Grinch was playing in the movie room, and the hot chocolate bar was a hit! For the menu, we had an assortment of kids food (cheese, pouches, melts, goldfish, cheese balls), chicken tenders, a veggie tray, and Grinch hat fruit kabobs. Then, for his actual birthday, we woke him up with balloons. The three of us went to Mama's Boy for breakfast and then headed to church after his morning nap. We all went over to the Pittards for a birthday lunch and gifts (we attempted cake again and it was still a fail!). That afternoon, Charlie and I headed back out to The Georgia Club after nap to get a few things we left. Then, we picked up takeout from the club and headed back home to wrap up our day with books, cuddles, and lots of trips down our new slide!

Thank goodness we have the excitement of Christmas around the corner to keep me from wallowing my baby being one!! We are looking forward to lots of family time, fun, and festivities to close out 2025!!