We have several photo albums around the house and of course Charlie's website (www.LittleCharlotte.com). Occassionally, Beck and I find ourselves looking through some of the albums, and of course, we also watch lots of the "old" video on the website. I really am in trouble. I can't watch some of those videos without welling up. That stinkin' videographer really knows how to tug on the old heart strings!
What's got me going these days is Charlie's ever-maturing personality. At 16-months, she is sooo a little girl now. Both Beck and I see a toddler now, albeit a sweet, little toddler. But not the sweet baby we see in our old pictures.
Having a toddler running around the house is so much fun. As well as so much more tiring!
Last night, I asked Charlie, "Where's your ball honey?" She proceeded to walk around the room, looking for anything round and colorful. She checked everywhere, looking in all the corners of the rooms. (I didn't realize the balls were in the basement) She followed me around, right by my side, looking for a ball. When I realized the search was futile, I said, "Charlie, let's find you baby..." She turned away and ran to her play room, picked up her baby and started to hug him.
I know that story is not earth-shattering. But for a first-time Daddy, seeing my daughter develop like this makes me so proud. I still can't believe we're so lucky to have such a beautifully happy, and hysterically funny little peanut. What an amazing little sense of humor she has.
It has all seemed like a dream. So fast. A total blur so far. My friend Gary told me the other day, "it won't be long Ed, and there will be some boy in your living room asking you for permission to marry Charlie." I choked up. Don't want to think about that... anytime soon.
Now, I watch Charlie running all over the house and it seems like it was only two weeks ago that she could barely even crawl.
Two nights ago, I taught her to say "Ahhhh" after she takes a drink of water. Mommy and I laughed pretty hard. She just wants to learn eveything right now. Too fun.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Tantrums and Runny Noses
We have been so lucky through Charlie's first year and a half. She hasn't really been sick and has been extremely cooperative. Until recently.
Now, the cooperative thing is not a big deal. She is still my little peanut without question, but she is clearly beginning to excerise her "free will". The mini-tantrums she throws when we won't let her do something are almost comical (although we try not to laugh). It seems like all the parenting books we've read about establishing boundries are starting to become important.
One of my buddies told me back in the summer of 2006 that "you have to start them off early" and you won't have as many problems later". He's got 5 sons, so I heed his words very closely. I'm fortunate in that lots of my buddies I grew up with have older kids so I am constantly watching and listening to their stories. I know I'm never going to be a perfect Dad, but I'll never tire from trying to get better at it every day.
Which brings me to my next troubling question: What do you do for your 16-month old daughter when she has a bad cold? It's so difficult to watch her struggle to breath through coughing, sniffling, and sneezing. It seems like Charlie has had a cold for 3 weeks, only taking a break from it for a few days here and there. Mommy has been sick too, while 23 weeks pregnant. This means she refuses to take medicine, even though our OB has given the green light on a few things to help her feel better. Our house has been a petry dish of cold bugs. But knock on wood, Daddy has avoided it... for now, thanks to the great olive oil antibacterial soap I've been constantly washing my hands with! It's great stuff.
Mommy has been a trooper. Even though she's sick too, she is the absolute BEST comforter for Charlie. I've said it before, and it still remains... the bond between Mommy and Charlie is incredible. That's why I am so thankful for my couple of Daddy/Daughter Days during the week. Otherwise I might never get to kiss and hug my baby girl!
Now, the cooperative thing is not a big deal. She is still my little peanut without question, but she is clearly beginning to excerise her "free will". The mini-tantrums she throws when we won't let her do something are almost comical (although we try not to laugh). It seems like all the parenting books we've read about establishing boundries are starting to become important.
One of my buddies told me back in the summer of 2006 that "you have to start them off early" and you won't have as many problems later". He's got 5 sons, so I heed his words very closely. I'm fortunate in that lots of my buddies I grew up with have older kids so I am constantly watching and listening to their stories. I know I'm never going to be a perfect Dad, but I'll never tire from trying to get better at it every day.
Which brings me to my next troubling question: What do you do for your 16-month old daughter when she has a bad cold? It's so difficult to watch her struggle to breath through coughing, sniffling, and sneezing. It seems like Charlie has had a cold for 3 weeks, only taking a break from it for a few days here and there. Mommy has been sick too, while 23 weeks pregnant. This means she refuses to take medicine, even though our OB has given the green light on a few things to help her feel better. Our house has been a petry dish of cold bugs. But knock on wood, Daddy has avoided it... for now, thanks to the great olive oil antibacterial soap I've been constantly washing my hands with! It's great stuff.
Mommy has been a trooper. Even though she's sick too, she is the absolute BEST comforter for Charlie. I've said it before, and it still remains... the bond between Mommy and Charlie is incredible. That's why I am so thankful for my couple of Daddy/Daughter Days during the week. Otherwise I might never get to kiss and hug my baby girl!
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