Keeping Up With the Joneses

Slip 'n Sliding

2012-01-29T14:24:00.000-08:00

Charlie LOVES doing this little jog on the hardwood floors.

What is it about boys and their trucks?

2012-01-24T20:44:00.000-08:00

Charlie is definately taking after Daddy with his love of all things "truck". He pushes all of his toys across the floor like trucks and often makes noises with his mouth when he does so. In the video below, it shows a truck he absolutely LOVES! He pushes the button over - and over - and over again (and I mean over and over again). At first he was scared of it when it rumbled, but now it doesn't phase him one bit.

Hand Jives

2012-01-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

Charlie has been picking up a few words with sign language. We do the sign for "more" a lot, which Charlie does the clapping motion for (very similar). He is finally associating the "clapping" when he wants "more" of something, and he does it often without our prompting him.

Snowed In

2012-01-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

It's all fun and games...

...until you lose a shoe!

Cool Cat

2012-01-17T21:49:00.000-08:00

Charlie is a cool cat when it comes to his dance moves - he likes to use subtle shoulder shakes. Look out ladies...

Winter Warmth

2012-01-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

The snow is falling outside, but inside, Charlie is snug and warm in his UGGs.

Blowing kisses

2012-01-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

xoxoxo

Ride em'

2012-01-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

Where's a coyboy hat when you need one???

For some reason there is something so sweet about him rocking on this. Each time he gets on, Charlie gets a little braver. This time he tries a dismount...

11 months!

2012-01-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Wow! How time has flown by...

Snow Day

2012-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

We started the new year off enjoying the snow...

Sledding with Sam (Dave pushing)

Tailgating

Dreaming of shredding...

I crack myself up...

2011-12-31T08:17:00.000-08:00

If you're happy and you know it...

2011-12-25T21:07:00.000-08:00

...clap your hands!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T21:39:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house,
not a creature was stiring (except Charlie, like a mouse).

Earlier, Charlie slept nestled all snug in his bed,
while visions of sugar plums, danced in his head.

The stockings were hung with presents under the tree,
can't hardly believe, all of this is for me!

Then I heard Charlie explain as he shook his arms with great might,

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Sweetness...

2011-12-18T15:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas in California

2011-12-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

Charlie took his third plane ride to California to celebrate Christmas early with family. An exciting start to his 10th month! While we were in California he...

drove a tractor...

had two visits from Santa (once while he was snoozing)...

opened presents...

sang Jingle Bells...

and practiced his walking and talking skills.

What a FUN trip!

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (almost)

2011-12-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

We caught a little grinch trying to open his presents early...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-02T20:59:00.000-08:00

...in Hood River!

Charlie met Santa for the first time today (the first of many more introductions this season I'm sure).

Jail Bird

2011-11-28T20:18:00.000-08:00

...good thing we moved the mattress down a few weeks ago. And, he has already tried to gnaw himself out with his teeth. :-)

New trick

2011-11-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

Charlie learned a new trick...how to pull himself to standing. He's so proud of himself!

Happy Turkey Day!

2011-11-24T20:07:00.000-08:00

What a ham!
Oh wait - it's Thanksgiving...
I guess it's Charlie's best turkey impression - gobble gobble!

Sleepy Boy

2011-11-20T20:03:00.000-08:00

Two days in a row I checked on Charlie while napping and he was in the most peculiar positions...

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

N.O. means no

2011-11-19T08:04:00.000-08:00

I had no clue he knew what this word meant...I guess now that he's into things more he hears it more often: "no" don't get in the dirty diaper pail, "no" don't pull on the electrical cord...

However, I'm quite surprised he associated the head shaking with it.

New tooth

2011-11-14T19:29:00.000-08:00

Finally got the other front tooth in...yahoo! It was a doozie...

Now up to five - on my way to a full set!

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

2011-11-13T18:47:00.000-08:00

Who's the fairest of them all?

The mirror answered: Thou, Little One, art the fairest of all.

And Charlie was contented because he knew the mirror could speak nothing but the truth.

I'm so cute I could kiss myself...

Don't you agree?

Playtime with Sam

2011-11-12T14:27:00.000-08:00

Blue-eyed buddies

Beep Beep

Say Cheese...

2011-11-08T19:35:00.000-08:00

...cuz I'm 9 months now!

Over the past few weeks Charlie has been trying lots of new finger foods - scrambled eggs & shredded cheese are a few of his new favorites. Surprisingly, most (but not all) makes it into his mouth.

Rub a dub dub

2011-11-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

Bubbles in the tub!!!

I'm in the Mooooood for...

2011-10-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

...HALLOWEEN!!! Headed to downtown for my first trip Trick or Treating.

Practicing my scary face...

Do you think anyone would notice if all the candy is gone by morning???

Me and my candy pail...let's fill'er up!

Downtown Hood River - fun fun fun!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone!!

From my little Jack O' Lantern...

Am I big and scary?

Army Crawl

2011-10-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Charlie is practicing his army crawl to see if he would make a good military fighter.

He goes in for the ambush...

Construction Supervisor

2011-10-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday, we started early in the day to get a house project completed that had been on our "To Do" list for a few years. We finally made it happen, probably because we now have a construction supervisor to keep us on task.

Charlie wouldn't let the brisk morning temps deter our motivation.

As the weather warmed up, Charlie made sure he watched our every move.

California Memories

2011-10-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Well, a week has gone by and we still think fondly of our time in California. Here are some of our favorite moments...

Baby Stages

2011-10-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

We had a great time this past weekend in California. I will post more pics as the week goes by and I can find some spare time. However, right now I'll get to the highlight of the weekend -- Charlie is almost...practically...just about...crawling!! Not sure if I should really be excited about that (which means watching him like a hawk at all times) but it is neat to watch it progress right in front of your eyes.

It also makes me reflect on the baby stages of other animals. Just the day before this video was taken, we were visiting the dairy and witnessed a baby calf struggle to find its balance and strength to walk. Not too different from Charlie, who is doing the same on four limbs of his own.

Now Charlie...

Meal Time Munchies

2011-10-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

Eyeing his prey...(aka cereal puffs)

In for the kill...

Down the hatch with the help of his new top tooth
(Charlie has four teeth in now - two on top and two on bottom - with his other front tooth on its way)

Eugene

2011-10-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Had a busy weekend...great times with friends and family in Eugene.

Charlie practicing his standing with Uncle Jim

Charlie had a blast in his pack and talked to us the whole way up

Made it to the peak

Tuckered out when we got home so the boys had to take a nap

Playtime with Amelia (she's 9 months and almost walking!!!!)

Cousins (kept seeing double)

8 months!

2011-10-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

I made it to 8 months - lickety split!

Almost...

2011-10-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

This video is not action packed, but since you can't see Charlie grow up daily, I thought you would enjoy seeing his current developmental stage -- trying to crawl. It is very neat to see this skill develop from day to day.

Silly

2011-10-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

Construction Zone

2011-10-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

Charlie was a big help steering the tractor this weekend as we started a yard project. We are re-doing a flower bed and adding a rock border.

Bring on the cold...

2011-09-30T19:14:00.001-07:00

Hungry Catepillar

2011-09-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

If only it will always be this easy to entertain Charlie...

There's a new sheriff in town...

2011-09-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

But he's no match for THIS cowboy!!!

What a ham...

2011-09-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

ummm....help....

2011-09-11T20:06:00.000-07:00

I think I can, I think I can (get up on my knees), ...

Help! I'm stuck...

Sun Bathing

2011-09-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

The true definition of sun bathing...

7 months

2011-09-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

Now that Charlie's 7 months old, he's just 2 kool 4 skool...

Crazy Making

2011-09-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

Enjoying my nice long weekend with my favorite little guy. I love the way he always makes me laugh.

Seaside

2011-08-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

Paul just finished Hood to Coast, a running relay lasting over 24 hours. The event starts at Timberline Lodge and finishes in Seaside on the Oregon Coast. Saturday, Charlie and I met daddy in Seaside and Charlie got to hang out at the ocean for the first time.

Taming the bunny on his first carousel ride

Exploring sand with his toes

Love the beach!

Skinny Dipping

2011-08-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend we ventured to our friend's house where they have built a large pond. Paul decided Charlie should go in au naturale. Don't worry, we posted the PG version :-)

We spent the rest of the weekend with great friends who came into town from Bend. Charlie and Lianna became best buds.

Dupa

2011-08-18T22:09:00.000-07:00

Smiling back atcha!

Dupa = Polish for "bum". This one's for you Grandma Schutz! ;-p

A day in the life...

2011-08-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

...of a wheat farmer.

For the past few weeks Paul has done his annual stint as a wheat harvester, running a combine for the Neal family. Charlie and I visited him this weekend and took rides on a few pieces of equipment. Charlie wasn't so sure of the noices and the bumps at first, but it didn't take long for him to fall asleep. Thanks to Dick Neal for letting us tag along in the bank out wagon and for Leann Neal for driving us out to the middle of nowhere. We owe you a car wash...

Here are a couple of pics and a video for your viewing enjoyment :-)

Giggles...

2011-08-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Shaking his head is his new thing...just plain cute!

First tooth...

2011-08-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well, he's been working on this tooth since the end of July, but I was finally able to get a pic of it. He had one really fussy day (right when it was cutting through) but other than that the experience was pretty uneventful (at least for mommy and daddy). It's not all the way out yet so you may have to look closely.

Disregard the mealtime messies... :-p

Tadpole....

2011-08-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

Charlie is really taking to water - just like daddy.
He is a really good kicker - unlike daddy.

Fun with...

2011-08-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Grammy and Papa Moo...visit again SOON!!!

6 months

2011-08-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Happy half year old Charlie...it's been a swingin' time!

Satisfied...

2011-08-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

...the way we feel with this little man in our lives!

Bonney Meadow

2011-07-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went for a quick over-nighter camping trip. The camp ground was in semi-wilderness (for me that means no running water and a vault toilet) but with the cozy cruiser, it made "roughing" it not like "roughing" it at all (i.e. we had a gizmo that gave us running water - hot and cold - and we slept enclosed on a mattress off the ground). The scenery was beautiful as evidenced below...

Glad we made it...the road was a bit of off-roading and lots of bumps

Our set up

Cute camper

Our hike down to the lake

Paul the fisherman

Fun in the sun

The hiking really tuckered Charlie out...

The meadow and creek next to our camp site

Morning walk through the meadow with Mt. Hood in background

Camp food is the best!

Paul's attempt to keep the bugs off Charlie (a handy dandy mosquito net) :-)

The boys

caution...mess ahead

2011-07-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week we started sweet potatoes...what fun! A big orange mess. He was a bit fussy today because a tooth is cutting through (pic later once it surfaces) so he kept rubbing his mouth and then his head...

close up of a messy boy

sitting up...well pretty much

2011-07-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

Not bad for 5 1/2 months old...

sleeping beauties

2011-07-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is what the boys do while mom is away...they must have been playing hard.

What a trooper!

2011-07-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

Today we took Charlie on his first family hike using the hiking backpack. He loved it! He stayed awake the whole time and was chattering away on daddy's shoulders.

buddies

2011-07-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

Thought this was a cute pic of Charlie and his friend Sam (almost 1 year old). Charlie and he were holding hands - what a couple of adorable baldies!!!

Spent...

2011-07-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

Charlie played so hard that he passed out in his chair. Ah...what a life!! (note the missing sock from kicking his feet so much - te hee)

Solids

2011-07-05T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, we tried to make it to six months before giving solids a shot, but Charlie has been watching us eat every morsel we put into our mouths and we thought we would just give it a test to see what he did. We played around with giving him just the spoon a few weeks ago and there was no more tongue thrust so last night we tried rice cereal and he loved it. He opened his mouth wide, tried to hold the spoon and kept wanting more cereal. Who knows how much actually made it into his mouth (mostly because he kept trying to put his hands into his mouth along with the spoon), but for being just shy of five months we think he did awesome. We are hoping the extra food will help him grow some more hair (ha ha)!

Marrowstone Island

2011-07-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

What a relaxing weekend with the family...here are some highlights.

Hangin' with the cousins (Logan & Quinn)

Fine-tuning my rolling skills

Standing by the window gazing at the birds

On the deck with Farfar (Father's father in swedish)

Preparing to nap with Mimi

Chillaxin' with mom

Whoopin' it up on the 4th of July!!!

Grandma & Grandpa

2011-06-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

Charlie is having a swingin' time with Grandma and Grandpa in town!

The gang....

2011-06-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

A brood of best buds!!

Barker, Charlie, Wyatt & Adrian (the last two are twins so not positive which is which)

Weekend Adventures

2011-06-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend the Joneses ventured to Eastern Oregon.

A camping we will go...

First stop was Paul's graduation from Eastern Oregon University.

Grad and Dad

Charlie settled into the Cozy Cruiser camper quickly.

Amid the day's activities, it was time for a nap.

Bird's eye view from his little nest.

The following day we saw interesting things...

...and played on the swings.

Rode on a slide...

...and on top of Dad.

Good bye Wallowa Lake!

Picnic on the way home. More fun in the sunshine.

Pacifier

2011-06-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

Getting smarter every day! At four months he's really getting the hang of using his hands...

Funny

2011-06-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hope you find this as funny as we did! Maybe you had to be there, but anyways...(listen carefully about a minute into it)

Houston, we have lift off...

2011-06-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

Great Grandma

2011-06-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

Charlie loves snuggling with his GiGi! How special to have her visit us in Oregon!

Pool Time

2011-05-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

We finally ventured to the pool for a bit of splashing around.

So Stinkin' Cute...

2011-05-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

...enough said.

More Updates and Pics

2011-05-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today was another big day for Charlie. Charlie rolled over from his back to his front. Except... there were no witnesses. I set him down on his back under his play gym and stepped away for a minute. He was happily batting at the toys hanging in front of his face. Next thing I heard was some wierd grunts and so I went in to check on him. He was face first on his mat. Yikes! He has been grabbing his feet lately and I think the momentum might have swung him all the way over. I guess the days of leaving him alone on a mat while I step away are over...

He is also showing the very early signs of crawling. He's obviously not quite there yet, but he has been pulling his legs up under himself when laying on his belly. The next step will be to pump the iron so he can build enough arm strength to push himself up.

Fun to watch this little guy learn new things everyday, and right in front of our eyes!

Human Rattle

2011-05-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

More movin' and grovin' out of this boy...this time with a fun spin on it.

Wiggle Monster

2011-05-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Charlie is super active these days and he seems especially wiggly when we change his diaper (he either must be excited to be naked or likes practicing the backstroke). I decided I better capture a bit of it on camera. He did this for at least 5 minutes before I started filming and continued even after the camera stopped. So all in all he was probably moving constantly like this for about 15 minutes. It made me tired watching him. It's a longer video but it might get some giggles out of you as it did me!

Patty Cake

2011-05-13T13:49:00.000-07:00

Charlie loves to sing songs with Mommy! I love how he rolls his 'R's...

Trip to California

2011-05-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a slideshow of some more (but by no means all) of the fun times Charlie had in Californa. One big milestone was rolling over about three times (at one point he did it twice in a row). He also is grabbing onto things a lot more and sticking everything into his mouth. And the drooling...oh boy...I think it is time for a bib!

P.S. There should be captions to the slideshow if you click on it to open in Picasa. They will tell you who is who, and what is what.

On a Roll

2011-05-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Charlie is starting to roll over from his belly to his back more consistently. This is the first time I could capture it on camera. He must have been showing off for his Auntie Andrea and cousins Hunter and Ashley.

Family Ties

2011-05-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

Charlie has been able to meet many of his great aunts, great uncles, and great grandparents. He has been eating up all of the attention and is quite the charmer.

Great Aunt Dorothy & Great Uncle Eldon

Great Aunt Janet & Great Uncle Ronnie

Great Grandpa & Grandma Schutz and Great Grandpa Louie

Great Auntie Chris

Friendship

2011-05-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

Charlie and I spent the afternoon with a group of gals that I have been friends with my entire life (the earliest since Pre-School). It is like no time has passed at all when we get together, even when we don't have the chance to all get together often. But, the growing children are evidence that time does, in fact, move on...

From Left to Right (kids in parethesis): Katie (Sofie & Mia), Me (Charlie), Carrie (Ethan & baby Brooklyn), Denise (Alexa), Amy (Bella). Many more kids not pictured, if you can believe it!!!

Handsome

2011-04-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

Handsome boy

Cute little smirk

Oh, so coy...

Bumbo fun

2011-04-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

Charlie has a new throne and he loves it!!!

Shake, Rattle 'N Roll

2011-04-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

Things got a little more exciting in Charlie's world now that he has "grasped" the concept of holding onto the rattle (pun intended).

Spotted...the Easter Bunny

2011-04-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Joneses never suspected...and why would they? I came early this year.

I scoped out the best hiding places...

Perfected the art of blending in with my surroundings...

and took advantage of a few of Charlie's play things...

Doh...I've been detected!!! Gotta hop myself outta here!

More Tummy Time

2011-04-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

My favorite picture of Charlie at the moment...

Smiles for Daddy

2011-04-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

Daddy had lots of bonding time with Charlie after he got home from work today. Charlie was all smiles! Earlier in the day he gave me his first laugh out loud (even more than the slight one in this video). I wasn't able to capture it on video but I am sure there will be lots more giggles to come.

Tummy Time with Mirror

2011-04-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying tummy time a lot more these days, especially when I get to look at my own handsome face...

Movin' and Groovin'

2011-04-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today's workout is a doozey...try to follow along!

Bubbles and more...

2011-04-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

I love bubbles!!

Wednesday I rolled over from my tummy to my side. I was too quick for anyone to snap a video...maybe next time.

Just chillin'

2011-03-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

Mornings are the best!!! Just chillin' in my crib looking at the mobile. It doesn't even have to be wound up to keep me entertained.

Where's my thumb??

2011-03-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

Almost has it...

Playtime

2011-03-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

Today Charlie enjoyed a safari on his jungle play mat. With one leg kicking all the time, it may indicate he's going to be great on a skateboard. If you listen closely you can hear a little squeal.

Then he had some tummy time...he gets frustrated pretty easily but is getting stronger every day.

Mommy's Little Leprechan

2011-03-17T22:59:00.000-07:00

My lucky charm...

More Smiles Captured

2011-03-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

Another one caught on camera---the more smiles he gives, the easier it gets!

Smiles and Sayings

2011-03-15T23:41:00.000-07:00

I finally captured a smile of sorts on camera. He's still not smiling spontaneously, but he's close! He loves to imitate the many smiles that are offered him daily and he always has lots to say. I bet he wishes we knew what exactly he is trying to get across!

Many Faces of Charlie

2011-03-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

Here are my (Charlie) deep thoughts of the day...

"Oh boy, I wonder if I should tell Mom I am sick of milk. Can't a guy get any variety?"

"Hmmm...I wonder if I should skip my next nap so that I get more playtime? I bet I can fake gas."

"Whoa! That one's gonna take some extra detergent to take care of."

"This onesie is riding up..."

One Month Old!!!

2011-03-07T19:16:00.000-08:00

Today Charlie is ONE MONTH OLD! Wow - we can't get over how much he has changed in just a few short weeks.

We are finally getting around to posting some pictures of Charlie to compare with baby pictures of Paul and I. So, what's your vote???

Charlie at birth

Charlie 2 weeks old

Erica as baby

Paul as baby