Growing...

So the big C is about 16 pounds and seems to be getting thighs almost too large to fit in the "bumbo" that he's sitting in, which we got as a loaner from a friend. We figured he likes to look, he can't really sit - so he checks it out from time to time. He's really not partial to any position and in fact is rather content on his back, stomach, side, in the swing (doesn't have to be moving), or just out in the middle of the floor. The only position I've really seem him irritated is when I'm holding him with one arm and he starts to slide down and then I realize his head is about at my hip level. This is actually rather irritating to both of us to be quite honest.

What's that black box of soil you ask? Why that's our starter garden... we hope. Dani planted some seed tomatoes (Big Boys?-- I forget), cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and some jalapenos. The cherry tomatoes are the first to sprout. I also started digging out a back flower bed near the garage that looks to get good sun. I went over 3 feet deep in an area about 4 x 3 feet. OK, I admit it, I was digging for some treasure! I kept hoping for a diamond, ruby, or some old box with gold coins, but no luck. All I found was the electrical line that runs from the house to the garage. I was careful to dig around that. However, that was more digging than I expected and the hole was well, it looked like we had a burial site beside our garage. We had two 45 gallon trashcans of compost we got free from the local city leaf drop-off place (no one knows what to call it really), and that didn't go far. I poured the first can in the hole and filled about 15% of it in. Dani didn't say anything other than asking how I intended to mix the dirt with it now that I had a 3 foot hole with compost on the bottom. I shrugged and did the best I could while layering the other barrel which worked much better. It looked pretty good until it rained the other day and lowered the level about 3 inches. Oh well - I need to pick up more compost for the rest of the area anyhow. Oh, the proposed garden area is about 12 x 3 feet... so I've got another few digs to go... which will likely be 1-2 feet deep unless I get eager again for treasure, but I'm not getting any high hopes. I did find some good use for the extra dirt though - I've placed it around the bottom of our backyard fence where rabbits are sneaking in. That's another issue we'll have to face down the road.

So, we'll wait to see how the garden goes and if Charlie's thighs balloon all the way up and he floats away.

Back at Work

I returned to work a few weeks ago (March 30)...I feel like I should have a lot to say about it but I don't really. While I was on maternity leave I accepted a new position within my company. I am now the Community Relations Coordinator. I still manage the activity department (employees, planning, paperwork) for 20 hours of the week and I am doing marketing the other 20 hours of the week. So far it's keeping me really busy which is great! I like getting to work, getting things done, and getting home.

The first couple of days I cried when I left, mostly because I fell like I will miss out on so much of Charlie's "fun" times of the day. But I am lucky that when I'm sad it's only because I don't get to be the one taking care of him not because I'm worried about the care he's receiving or if he'll be ok. Since Mark runs his own business from home, he's keeping Charlie during the day. It's been a tricky transition but they're both doing amazing and I am truly a blessed Mama! And with this beautiful weather I'm becoming more and more jealous!

A few more pic's of Charlie

It has been a fun time to watch Charlie grow and learn.  He already has a special response for getting up -- I can hold both his hands, and ask him "are you ready?", and he'll squeeze his neck (holding his head up), and ball up his legs, and I can roll him right up.  As soon as he's standing, he looks all around as if it's a new world.

The Nicholson Grandparent Visit

(From Mark)
My first entry in a while (sorry about that, and THANKS Dani for doing such a great job posting!). Since I'm headed to Las Vegas for a convention, I figured this might be a good time to do a little typing. My parents came to visit March 9-12. We had some warmer temperatures the week before, but rain came in and made the days more wet than us locals would prefer (actually, we'd prefer snow over the wet and cold, but that's another story). However, I think the temp's being in the 40's seemed more welcoming than that of the previous 20's and below we got in January and February. It was great to see them and to see them get to see Charlie, and visa-versa. Charlie was JUST at the point of interacting, and showed off with smiles, and even "talked" a little. It was a good visit on all accounts, and we're glad they were able to come visit. We look forward to the next time! Here's some pic's to enjoy.