Tag Archives: charlie

contemplations of mr. charles

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Charliei must say, i am starting to warm to this “elinor”.  she smells good.  and she has a pretty cute little face.  i like to hang out with her in her toy paradise that mom bought for her amusement.  boy, she is spoiled.  where is MY toy paradise mom?  regardless, she is a good playmate.  sometimes i get to lick her fingers and the occasional ear or two.  and once i tried to lick up some stuff that she spit out of her mouth, which i can only assume was for me, but mom would have none of that.  apparently that is “gross charlie” and mom shooed me away.  mostly, she just sits there and makes her tiny human sounds.  i don’t quite understand her language but mom seems to.  mom has started talking to her in goos and ghees and gahs and pfffs.  the two of them sound pretty silly, if you ask me.  i like to respond to all this nonsense with a sassy little grumble, just to stay involved in the conversation as to not be left out of any inside jokes.

all in all, life is good with the tiny human.  if staring and drooling and swatting and batting and ear-tugging means love…then she must like me an awful lot.

contemplations of mr. charles

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greetings, ladies and gentlemen.

well…things have really changed around here.  we now have a tiny human living with us.  you know that elinor that everyone was talking about?  well, turns out she is a tiny human.  she has some fur on her head which i like to sniff and occasionally groom with my tongue, only when my mom and dad aren’t looking.  she makes funny sounds all the time – squeaks and hiccups and sighs.  she also makes a really loud “waaahh” noise every so often.  i don’t like that sound and i don’t think my parents like it either.

since bringing her home, coco and i have been trying to adjust.  coco has accepted things rather quickly.  she just wags her tail and visits from time to time before lying down on her furry blanket.  i, on the other hand, have taken up my post as protector of the tiny human.  from the first moment i met her, i knew that i needed to take care of her.  this is my charge.  i stand guard while mom feeds her and i stay on high alert whenever others come to our home and try to hold her.  i do my best to make sure people don’t make her “waaahh”.  and i sit nearby while she is eats and burps and sleeps – just to make sure that she isn’t disturbed.

i must say that i am quite enjoying my new life as elinor guardian.  i think that we will get along rather swimmingly.

contemplations of mr. charles

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raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
brown paper packages tied up with strings
these are a few of my favorite things

cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
these are a few of my favorite things

…

well, you know what’s NOT one of my favorite things…?

“brown paper packages tied up with strings” that have nothing to do with me.

mom and dad have been bringing a lot of new things into the house lately and you know what?  none of it is for me!  none of my favorite things!  no chicken.  no treats.  no prosciutto [that's right, i like my bacon fancy].  nada.  zilch.  and even when they do bring home a little toy, it turns out, it isn’t for me!  can you believe it?  what is going on!?  they keep saying things like “for baby” and “elinor is coming”.  fine.  but, where are my presents?

and would you take a look at this contraption?

what the…?

will someone please tell me what am i supposed to do with that thing?

dad won’t let me climb in it.

mom doesn’t like when i sneeze at it.

i am pretty sure i won’t be allowed to nibble on it.

what kind of toy is that?

they brought it in the house, dad fiddled with it for a bit, mom looked at some booklet thingy, and then they took it out where the cars live.  are they just messing with me now?  and does it get to go for a ride in the car without me.  things just keep getting worse for me.

i am not sure how i feel about all of this.  hopefully this “elinor” that they keep saying is coming soon will make things better.  maybe all these other things are the lame gifts for my parents to play with and this “elinor” will be for me!  something that i can play with finally.  my parents seem to think she will be pretty great.  they get really excited when they talk about her.  well, let me tell you folks, i get dibs on the good present.  this “elinor” is mine.  she will be my buddy.  you can keep your strange black contraption and all of those fabric items with the snaps. onesies, i think you call them?  what kind of a name is “onesie” anyway?  fine.  you keep your “onesie”.  i will take the “elinor”.

30 weeks

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cravings & such:  this was a pretty bad week, i must admit.  in an effort to get more calcium in my diet,  i kinda gave myself license to indulge in much too much ice cream.  oops.  i think i just needed to get that out of my system.  check!  i did somewhat counteract those actions by consuming a few green smoothies.  my recipe of choice is: spinach, spirulina, pineapple, peaches, blueberries, almond milk, flax powder, and whey protein.  elinor LOVES these, by the way.  what a good little girl.  and, spinach contains calcium and iron which are preggo musts.  i am not a huge raw spinach fan so this is a sneaky way to consume those leafy greens.  here’s to more smoothies and fewer pints of ice cream!  i will keep you posted…

the bump:  i am sure that it has doubled in the past week.  or, at least it feels that way.  and she still has four or more pounds to go!

cool & cute things:  baby’s eyesight continues to develop, though it is not very keen.  even after birth, she will keep those peepers closed for a good part of the day.  she will respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision and only make out objects a few inches from her face.  looks like it will be a few months before she can truly grasp the cuteness that is her room.  i suppose i can hold off on buying that mobile for a few more months…

new things:  little miss is about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds.  a pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds baby girl but that volume will decrease as baby gets bigger and takes up more room.  things are about to get crowded… 

meaningful moments:  spending time in e’s room with charlie and coco.  letting them explore and get comfortable with things.  they like to stand on their hind legs and peer between the rails of the crib.  their little noses just sniffing like crazy.  pretty cute.  and, they both hopped up in my lap while i was test-driving the new rocking chair.  they are my furry little babies, for sure.

the countdown:  70 days!  folks, that is really close to 60 days…which will mean two months to go!  goodness gracious.

current size:  a cabbage

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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what a lazy and lovely weekend we had!  filled with good food, family get-togethers, birthday celebration, some bourne action, baby room decorating, and much-needed do-nothingness.  ahhh…lovely.

happy faces + happy birthday balloons for mark’s b-day + mushroom, onion, prosciutto, goat cheese tart + smoked salmon toasts with lemon horseradish creme and fresh dill + sassy family faces + some post-grocery shopping shakes from whole foods…kale, strawberries, acai, spirulina, flax, almond milk, and dark chocolate + the fantasmagorical wall o’ prints for miss elinor’s room + yummiest cream cheese EVER + a random plate of deliciousness for lunch + my hubby’s plate of heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and balsamic drizzle + grabbing some lush burger after bourne legacy + cookies and cream shake + basket of fries + the dogpile.  coco likes to sleep on charlie’s lap.  those buddies… + the most amazing ice cream sandwich in the land!  chocolate chips cookies with brown butter candied bacon ice cream from cool haus.  just. so. good.  thank you, whole foods frozen department for bringing this into our life.

dear peanut

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oh, baby girl.  your room is just so darn cute!  you have gold polka dots on your wall!  your papa has lovingly assembled your furniture to ensure that you have a place to sleep and a place to organize all your teeny-tiny clothes.  we are having a blast preparing for your arrival.  and, we have had so many kind words and offers to help from friends and family.  you sure are loved.

your furry siblings, charlie and coco have been hanging out in your room too.  coco has been “helping” us with the polka dots.  i would get one placed and then she would try to snatch it off the wall and nibble on it.  she really likes those golden circles of yours.  charlie…oh charlie…well, he just knows that something is up.  he has noticed that we are spending more time in your room and he knows that it isn’t for him.  there has been a lot of paw-stomping and grumbling from that one.  but don’t worry, i know that he will adore you and love to cuddle with you once he finally meets you in person.  he just needs some time to adjust to the idea.

in other news, we successfully survived the glucose test!  wahoo!  as you know, it was gross and it was waaaayyy too much sugar.  sorry about that.  but, we got through it and can just settle in and enjoy the final weeks together, gestational diabetes free.  i have another appointment to check in on you in a few weeks.  then, we are scheduled for every two weeks until your arrival.  wow.  time is just flying by.  and i am just itching for the fall to arrive.  we can’t wait to meet you soon.

 

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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this was a very nice weekend.  we have been so busy-busy that a couple days of down time sure felt good.  hubby and i did a lot of relaxing, movie-watching, and snacking.  we did have a laundry and ironing party on sunday evening so we weren’t complete bumps on a log.  here’s to a fresh week!

just me and my man + a double date night with my parents at mellow mushroom + so cool inside + we were seated in the psychedelic room + a perfect salad + an amazing pizza to share + our weekend couch companions.  some of the cutest little faces around + my beverage of choice: sparkling water with crushed ice and lots of lime + popcorn! + movie time.  an oldie but goodie.  you can’t go wrong with frank sinatra, bing crosby, grace kelly, and louis armstrong + consuming LOTS of cheese this weekend…cheese plate with fig and olive rainforest crisps with a side of marinated mozzarella + this fabulously sassy little face…coco is such a glamour-puss.

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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this was kind of a weird weekend for us…hubby was in san diego visiting his buds for some pre-wedding boy time so that left me and the buddies for a weekend of chick flicks (sorry charlie man) and naps.  i also got a pedicure!  and enjoyed a dinner date / chat session with my friend hallie.  i was pretty lazy, i must say.  but i thoroughly enjoyed the relaxation.

welcome, new week!

heading out for dinner with my friend + that’s right…zinburger AGAIN + those amazing truffle fries + a bunless burger…baby just wanted a pile of meat and cheese + adorable miss hallie enjoying her cookies and cream shake.  yum!  and a chocolate shake for me [not pictured] + relaxing after dinner with some teavana iced tea + sitting outdoors, enjoying the scenery and lighted trees + coco all curled up in her favorite fuzzy blanket + intently watching miss congeniality [i was in a sandra bullock movie mood] + charlie taking cover from all the girly activities.  such a good sport and such a sweet cuddly lap buddy

stay tuned for a weekend update post…hubby style

contemplations of mr. charles

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good-day gals and gents,

today i would like to contemplate the idea of sharing.  i don’t like to share.  especially when papa gives me one of his socks to enjoy.  how i love socks!  i love to ball them up in my mouth and prance around the room as i proudly display my prize.  i even have a little prance-dance that i like to do.  it involves a waggily tail and squiggly behind.  i puff up my chest and stroll about with a wide stance.  once i have thoroughly strutted, i like to bring my soggy sock to papa and delicately place it at his feet.  i don’t give it up willingly, of course.  he has to risk my fierce nibbles in order to snatch the sock away.  but, once he has it in his possession…the game begins.  he will teasingly whip it back and forth, trying to throw me off my game.  but, i’m no fool.  i keep my gaze fixed on that sock.  never wavering.  until, the release!  then, it is run and pounce time.  it is also about this time when coco says “heeeyyy!  how come i don’t get to play?” in the whiniest of voices [mama and papa just hear her little raspy bark, but i know what is really being said].  she stands back and barks while shooting a desperate glance or so to papa.  meanwhile, papa and i keep at our play.  i usually maintain this activity for about 4 minutes.  after which, i will retire with my sock for a little nibble time on the floor.  at this point, coco tries to get in on the fun.  it usually starts with her facing me and trying to stare me down.  when that doesn’t work, she will try to lick my eyeball which i can only imagine is just her feeble attempt to distract me.  weird.  then, she strategically bites the end of he sock and tries to paw at my face to get me to release.  foolish girl.  then, she will go at it from another angle to try to pull it from my mouth.  nope.  finally, she nibbles and nibbles to see if she can get close enough to my mouth for me to let the sock go.  no cigar.  this repeats for about 3 or so minutes until she relents or until i start up the fetching again.

mama thinks that i should “be sweet to my sister” and give her some of the sock.  i disagree.  when it comes to socks.  you have to fight.  you have to rip that sucker away from me.  barking to mama won’t work.  licking my eyeball will not work.  i will not be manipulated or trifled with.  i will admit that if i cannot be overtaken by fighting, all you really need to do is outlast me.  this seems to work for coco.  at some point, i become tired of the sock and decide that it is nap on the lap time.  this is when coco can swoop in and take the sock.  and, she does.  of course, unlike me, coco likes to share.  so she usually brings it over to me and tries to get some playtime started.  she must like me or something.  hmmm…

that coco.  she is just too nice.

dear peanut

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things are moving along quite swimmingly.  no sickness.  nothing.  and, i am over the hump [yet still no bump] and into a new trimester!  the second trimester is known for a boost in energy and an enhanced feeling of happiness.  i suppose this is when that “pregnancy glow” kicks in.  i have been so blessed so far to have enjoyed an easy time.  you continue to be very well-behaved as you actively progress and move through your life.  i am pretty sure that you get that quiet tenacity from your papa.  hmmm.  perhaps you are just waiting to exhibit my tendencies as a postpartum party for me.  we are so excited to witness your demeanor outside the womb and begin to understand your personality.  no matter what you are like, no matter what combination of traits you have, we know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  it is going to be so much fun to get to know you and watch you grow.

i am noticing that you are making a bit more of an appearance these days [just a bit].  not much, but definitely more.  i am feeling a bit more pregnant which is so strange and really fun.  so many big changes to come.  i just continue to pray for patience and peace.

i have another appointment this week to check in on you and make sure that all is well.  and, i get to hear the rapid flutter of your heartbeat which is so cool.  i bet that won’t ever get old.  your entire family is awaiting the big news of whether you are a boy or a girl.  we still have four more weeks until the next appointment and we just want time to fly!  it is going to be so much fun to know what to expect so we can prepare for your arrival and for how to uniquely parent you.  your papa and i have been thinking through some ideas for how we want to do “the big reveal”.  we are planning a cozy and festive soirée with family so we can all celebrate together.  we have also been testing out name ideas on charlie and coco.  we will say a name and rate it based on tail waggily-ness.  it hasn’t been very conclusive and we probably won’t rely on them for the final decision.  but, it has helped them get used to the idea of you.  they are excited to meet you and give you lots of kisses.  ditto for your parents.

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa