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Alex is nearly four, so I’m encouraging some new behaviors. [...]]]> I just completed a massive update of Wordpress on Raspberry World. I have a new template and everything. If you see this on a reader, click through and check me out. I’ve joined the 21st century. Still configuring the widgets, but I’m very happy so far.

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Alex is nearly four, so I’m encouraging some new behaviors. Like not yelling at Charlie to “be quiet!” And taking a shower instead of a bath. Tonight he was in the shower and water was dripping down his face. He told me, “Grabity! Grabity will grab it down, right?”

When I agreed that gravity would do the trick, he explained further: “Grabity has a hand to pull things down!”

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Behold: Charlie’s birthday cupcakes. The “greenish-blue” icing color was chosen by Alex. The cake was King Arthur Flour’s “Guaranteed” Golden Vanilla Cake recipe. They were delicious. Next up is Alex’s birthday… then we are all done with birthday season until November. Whew!

Decorated house

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

We wish you a merry Christmas, We wish you a merry Christmas, We wish you a merry Christmas, And a happy new year!

It’s been a busy month at our house. I’m thinking of all my old friends today and wishing you well. Happy holidays!

Tons of pictures are up in the December set on [...]]]>

Decorated house

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
We wish you a merry Christmas,
And a happy new year!

It’s been a busy month at our house. I’m thinking of all my old friends today and wishing you well. Happy holidays!

Tons of pictures are up in the December set on Flickr.

At ten months, Charlie is walking, clapping his hands, playing peek-a-boo, feeding himself 75% of what he eats, looking for items you ask him to find, and saying “ball” clearly. His disposition remains sunny and he is easy to please unless he is hungry or tired. Alex is his favorite playmate by far. He’s a [...]]]>

At ten months, Charlie is walking, clapping his hands, playing peek-a-boo, feeding himself 75% of what he eats, looking for items you ask him to find, and saying “ball” clearly. His disposition remains sunny and he is easy to please unless he is hungry or tired. Alex is his favorite playmate by far. He’s a joy.

At nearly four, Alex is funny, sweet, articulate and observant. He remembers what we did last Christmas and asks to do the same things again this year. The frequency of tantrums seems to be decreasing, and he spontaneously asks to help me around the house daily. Today we visited with his daycare teacher from when he was one year old, and she was amazed at what a big boy he’s become. I’m amazed too.

Charlie is about 10.5 months now and boy is he taking off. He is full-out walking, signing some [...]]]> We had a great Thanksgiving. I made turkey, cornbread dressing, broccoli salad, honey wheat rolls, green beans, pecan pie and pumpkin pie. It was delicious, and even better was having Nana and Granddad here to visit. Nice day.

Charlie is about 10.5 months now and boy is he taking off. He is full-out walking, signing some words (“ball,” “eat,” “milk,” and I think “more”), and saying a few words too – “Mama” and “Daddy,” mostly, but today he said “Alex” as plain as day, and I think he also tries to say “Ziggy.” I can’t believe how much he can do! Starting next week he will be home with me, so I’m looking forward to spending more time together.

19 lbs 10 oz 27 inches long

Charlie had his six month appointment on Monday. He is in the 75th percentile for height, the 85th percentile for weight, and the 110th percentile for happy.

He is a sunny little guy. He loves to scoot after a ball on the floor, spy [...]]]>

Charlie’s six month appointment

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

19 lbs 10 oz
27 inches long

Charlie had his six month appointment on Monday. He is in the 75th percentile for height, the 85th percentile for weight, and the 110th percentile for happy.

He is a sunny little guy. He loves to scoot after a ball on the floor, spy at you over the crib bumper, and grab anything he can reach. He is very ticklish. He loves to watch Alex and play on Alex’s floor. He is already trying to grab Ziggy by the tail.

We are so lucky to have such a great little pal! Happy half-birthday, Charlie!

After a rainy, cool June, summer is finally here. We have enjoyed a wonderful visit with my mom for the past two weeks, and welcomed a new baby to our circle of friends. This week there will be another new addition. What fun!

Alex is loving summer. Almost every day when [...]]]>

Summer Fun

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

After a rainy, cool June, summer is finally here. We have enjoyed a wonderful visit with my mom for the past two weeks, and welcomed a new baby to our circle of friends. This week there will be another new addition. What fun!

Alex is loving summer. Almost every day when he wakes up, he asks me, “Is it still July?” It’s so special to see him discovering the fun of summer – the sprinkler, fresh berries from our garden, parades. He attended Solarfest with us in Vermont last weekend and had a great time.

Charlie is a “big boy” now – six months old. He will have his checkup later this morning and I expect him to weigh 20 pounds. Next to these new babies he looks like a giant. He is scooting along and getting around quickly, though not exactly crawling yet. He has enjoyed visiting with his grandmother, too.

Happy summer, everyone. We have pictures up on Flickr if you want to see our goings-on.

Welcome to rainy June. So much rain.

This morning I saw a luna moth on the driveway. I didn’t know what it was – in fact, when I first posted this picture to flickr, I titled it, “What the hell is this?” but while my pictures were uploading I managed to [...]]]>

Luna moth

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

Welcome to rainy June. So much rain.

This morning I saw a luna moth on the driveway. I didn’t know what it was – in fact, when I first posted this picture to flickr, I titled it, “What the hell is this?” but while my pictures were uploading I managed to find it. By searching Google for things like “moth or butterfly green leaf.” And there it was. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before.

On the way back up the driveway I took a bunch of pictures of our lush green woods. They are up in the June set on Flickr, along with some pictures of Alex from the recent “Touch a Truck” event in town. There’s even a video. (Look back at May if you are looking for pictures of Charlie.)

Tonight Marty and Alex were playing Hi-Ho Cherry-O in the playroom before dinner, and I heard this snippet of conversation:

Marty: My leg is asleep.

Alex: My leg is having breakfast.

This little fella is two whole months old today! What a sweetie!

March pictures are updated.

Charlie is waking up and beginning to notice the world. This week he even started smiling a little. We are so glad he came to join our family!

There are a few new pictures in the February set on Flickr.