Happy 1st Birthday Charles Kevin!

"Days turn to minutes and minutes turn to memories..."

This is a line from a song that my Dad used to keep tucked away in his wallet.  I think he kept it as a reminder to enjoy every moment and be present in every moment; because moments turn to memories in a blink of an eye.  This line has been echoing in my head for many weeks now as I have been thinking back on the first year of Charlie's life.  I can hardly believe all of his precious moments and our wonderful moments as a family have already become memories - some of the best memories life has brought to the three of us.   It is amazing how a tiny human can turn your world upside down in the best way possible!

I knew Charlie was going to be pretty special after he was 9 days late and then had me hooked up to tubes and medicine for 32 hours (making me look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man) until he decided to come out.  I thought, 'this little guy has a mind of his own and is going to take his time at life.'  And was I ever wrong!

Since the day he arrived in the world with his eyes wide open, he has had zest for life that no one can take away from him (and if anyone ever tries, they will have to get by me first!)  His energy, curiosity, smiles and innocence are truly an inspiration to me.  While Charlie taught himself to roll over, crawl, stand, and now walk, he was teaching me how to take a step back from life, slow down and enjoy each and every moment.  

I look back on the first year of Charlie's life with such fondness and love, I could burst.  I am so proud of every little thing he has accomplished, all his smiles, all his laughter and all the love he gives.  He is my little man and I hope through the years, I will be able to teach him just as much as he taught me in his first year of life.

Happy 1st Birthday Charles Kevin! 

March 26, 2012 

Never forget, you are 'the one and only ever you'

2011 - 1 Year Ago

2012 - 1 Year Later

Now, the fun stuff!  We threw Charlie a 1st Birthday Bash over the weekend at a local restaurant not only to celebrate his first year of life, but also our first year of surviving parenthood! Our family and friends were able to celebrate with Charlie and us.  The Birthday Boy had an amazing time proving once again, he is the life of the party.  He enjoyed his smash cake but it took him a few minutes to get used to the idea of smashing.  But in the end, he did a pretty good job covering himself in frosting.  I bet if he could talk, he would say his party was "amazeballs" :)

The Very Happy Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to you!

Here we go!

I love frosting but not in my eye lashes!

So yummy!!

The smash cake (before it was smashed)



We hope all of your 1st birthday wishes come true!
Love Always,
Mommy & Daddy

Doggie Kisses

Naturally Charlie is obsessed with dogs, he lives with two dogs of his own.   When he sees his dogs (and now his cousin-dog, Begley) he crawls as fast as he can to them and buries his face in their fur.  I call it giving the doggies a kiss.  Well, now he has taken it to a whole other level by giving kisses to the doggies in his favorite book called "Dog"  Actually, it looks more like he is making out with the dogs - he is a crazy little guy!

"Dog" (the book)

Kissing the dogs in the book

Going in for the doggie kiss with Kenadee

A Message from a Little Leprechaun

St. Patty's day was supposed to be my birthday but I decided I did not want to share it with all the leprechauns.   Since I am a nice guy, I will still celebrate the holiday with them.    I am Irish because of my Mommy so I am going to party big and show these leprechauns what I got.   I will be going by the name of Charlie O'Leary today - in case you need to find me.

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone...

Slainte!

Charlie

   

Charlie's Top 3

Here are the top 3 things Charlie loves to do these days - he does all 3 in a row as if he is following an agenda:

1)  Open his drawers and throw every single item on the floor (socks are his favorite item to throw, probably because he knows they are the most annoying for me to clean up)

2)  Take his books off his shelves and see how far he can throw them (they usually land by his feet)

3)  Flush the toilet 

 I should mention one other thing Charlie is obsessed with (Steve, don't kill me) He loves to play with his bathtub basketball hoop while Steve is showering.  As soon as the shower goes on, Charlie motors into the bathroom and starts shooting hoops.  I think it is so funny! But the other morning I heard Steve tell Charlie, "this has to end soon buddy, one day you will not want to be in the shower when daddy is in the shower"

The sock drawer on the floor

The book pile

Flushing the toilet

Shooting hoops while daddy showers

Strollin' with My Lady Friend

Here is Charlie getting ready for a walk with his girlfriend, Olivia.  Who, I might add, is an older woman by 3 months ;)

We had a good time trying out Olivia's double stroller which will be Charlie's means of transportation in about 5 months!

The Evil Face

What is this face all about?!  Charlie started making this face a couple of weeks ago and it literally scared me the first time I saw him do it.  He looks evil and Steve and I hope it does not last long - for now it is funny (still evil looking, but funny)

Snow Day!

A few weeks ago we got some snow in Chicago and  I had been waiting for this day so I could take a picture of Charlie enjoying his first snow fall (and so he could wear his new snow gear that has been sitting in the closest since October!)  He seemed to like it and crawled around in it for a while.  But, I think he had a lot more fun sitting in the snow and watching the dogs play :)