Jason's Ranger Graduation

This is the first time Jason met Charlie. He had to wait a long time to see his first nephew!




My brother, Jason, graduated from RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program) on August 22nd at Fort Benning, GA. We were able to be there to celebrate with him and are so proud of all he's done (it is a BIG deal to make it through the program... about 70% drop out or get cut). He graduated at the top of his class from basic training, airborne school, and RIP. Apparently, he's the most physically fit guy around since he got the PT (physical training) award in 2 out of 3 of his programs. He is headed out to Fort Lewis, Washington where he'll be stationed for the next 4 years. He will be deployed some time after Christmas, so please pray for his safety and his ministry to the guys around him in the coming months and years.

Rosemary Beach - August 16-22

We were able to enjoy a week at the beach with the Driskell's this summer. The weather was beautiful. We got to relax, enjoy the pool and the beach, eat great seafood, ride bikes, and get some much needed sleep. It was a great trip!

Avocado

 

 

 

Charlie is a big fan of avacado... apparently he particularly likes it on his face.

6 Months Old - August 10th

Charlie is 6 months old and at such a fun stage. He laughs, makes funny faces, plays with his toes, drools a lot, loves his dad, is a great sleeper, and keeps us smiling all the time.

The Highchair and Johnny Jump-Up

Charlie is eating in his highchair now. He is still too little for it, so he started off sitting on two phone books. I have since changed it to a medical dictionary in case he picks anything up by osmosis. He hasn't quite decided if he likes the johnny jump-up. He bounces on one leg for a minute then sits there and looks around before he begins to protest. By the way, did I mention his cheeks are really kissable!

Sitting on His Own - August 4th

 

 

 

All the new stages are so much fun! He loves sitting and playing with toys now. He does ocassionally fall over and then gets really angry that he is no longer upright. But he is really cute... he looks so tiny sitting in the middle of the floor by himself. By the way, those cheeks are really kissable!

Weekend at the Lake

We took the Driskell's, Nick Taylor, and my brother Eric and his wife Anna Lauren up to the lake for a weekend at the beginning of August and enjoyed some skiing, tubing, cliff jumping, and lots of good food. Everyone had a great time and we loved getting to spend time with everyone.

July 4th in Fairhope

We drove down to Fairhope, AL for the 4th this year to visit Michael and Krista Nebrig and their son Finn. We had a great time out on their boat, ate huge biscuits from the Biscuit King, spent a day on the beach and watched fireworks over Mobile Bay. It was great to have a weekend to relax see old friends! Thanks Michael and Krista for a great weekend!

The Hall Bath is FINALLY Finished

We have thankfully finished the hall bath that has been under gradual renovation for... oh, about 3 years. So for those of you who have come to visit and put up with bare drywall, no mirror, exposed bulbs, or a tub with no shower head, come back, because it is done and you will have a bathroom all to yourself! Yeah!

Starting Baby Cereal - June 29th

Clearly the first attempts at eating cereal were not successful! Charlie hated eating solid food for at least a couple weeks. It was miserable feeding him... he would cry, spit, and push everything out with his tongue. And then suddenly one day, he just miraculously looked up at me opened his mouth, took the food, swallowed, and has done so ever since. Amen.

Hunting Wild Pigs - June 20th

Emily and I are so proud. I mean, who wouldn't want to be married to these two. They really bring home the bacon! Just kidding, we defintely did not eat these gross looking pigs but the guys sure had a great time hunting them.

Visit to Austin - Meeting Great Grandparents

Charlie and I flew to Austin June 10th for a visit with family. Charlie got to meet his great-grandfather Charles Ireland, who he is named after, as well as his great-grandmother and my mom's sisters and their families. My mom and youngest 2 siblings were out there as well. So, we had a great time hanging out with everyone and Charlie did amazingly well on his first plane ride.

Saturday at the Pool - May 31st

Patrick and Emily came over for a Saturday afternoon at the pool. You can see Patrick's great form and Bobby's more creative interpretation of a back flip. We had a great time, but definitely figured out that babies don't last long at the pool.

The Monkey

One of my friends from Columbus gave Charlie a monkey blanket as a baby present. I handed it to him a couple weeks ago to see if he would pull that instead of scratching his face and he is hooked. He sleeps with it and plays with it all day. It is really cute to watch him cuddle with it and use it to rub his eyes when he's tired. Thanks Heather! It's a hit!

Charlie's 1st time at the pool

We decided to take Charlie to the pool one evening about 3 weeks ago for his first swim, thinking it would be good since the sun was low. However, the pool water had not really gotten warm yet and Charlie didn't think it was such a great idea. He never cried, but had this panicked look whenever he touched the water and started gasping. Needless to say, it was a very short swim. We'll try again once the water is warm.

1st day sitting upright in the bouncer

I finally turned the bouncer from the supine to sitting position a couple weeks ago and Charlie seemed to love it. He was so happy I went to grab a quick shower. When I came back, he was folded in half, sound asleep. I felt so bad. He looked really uncomfortable but it didn't seem to phase him.

Saying Goodbye to the Howards

We had a going away party a couple weeks ago for our good friends Sam and Gayle, who have lived down the street for the past 3 years. We are so sad to see them go. Especially with baby "Will" on the way this Fall. He and Charlie would have been joined at the hip! We love you guys and will miss you.