eating with the fish

Sorry, Magic!

Charlie learns about the primary prey of the grey snapper: Hovis Whole Grain Bread.

Although a good eater, Schuyler can be a bit stubborn/particular at times, however, if you want to get her to eat whole grain bread, just tell her she can't eat the "fish bread". Luckily, in this case, it was just leftover and not furry with mold like our normal fish food.

picnic with a peacock

Still getting the most out of our BAMZ family membership, Liz had the sprightly idea to have a picnic at the aquarium which went surprisingly well considering we were visited by Schuyler's nemesis: Mr. Peacock. It was a really lovely day of cheese, crackers, and apple and a visit to the long-awaited and slightly underpopulated "Madagascar" exhibit.

caption contest!?

So the time has come. The professional class pictures. So we dressed her up including a hair clip which she managed to lose between 8:15am drop off and 9:30am photo shoot. We have lots of great photos that capture our cub's personality as we see it. The resulting photo from this professional dude doesn't quite do it. I'm not sure who this girl is below. So send us your captions in the comments:

1. President of the Very Young Republicans Club
2. "Go on... ask me to smile again... I dare you!"
3. ??

uncle chris

Charlie, you should thank your Uncle Chris. Right now you may only know him as the dude who showed you how to put your foot in your mouth (which is something your dad will make you expert in). But soon enough, you will come to understand that Uncle Chris has much to teach you about being a man that your dad doesn't. For instance, your dad isn't entirely sure who's winning when he is watching most sporting events... nor is he entirely sure which teams are playing... or the actual sport being played. Moreover, your uncle Chris is infinitely more likely to fix something himself if it breaks than your Dad. If something is wrong with the car, your Uncle Chris will look at the engine and have some idea what is wrong. Your Dad will stand there and, on a good day, may be able to identify the steering column.

maragaritas

"Well, Lila... looks like them wheat fields need a choppin' again. Got's to get me on my tractor and start a threshin'."

Almost any time we are in a public place, Charlie seems to think he's running for public office - keen to flirt with any human in the vicinity.

TGO

We will miss you Pop Pop.

a visit to vermont

the Zalinger boys

Grandma charms Charlie

Charlie shows off his "nobody's home" look

Flip teaches Charlie to shave... or eat yoghurt... it's not clear.

I look at these pictures and miss my boy. Even though I am writing this after the fact, it is hard to get used to him having experiences without you and this trip was really where he got his grounding in walking. He needed to be propped up with a hand hold but everyone took turned leading him around and by the time he got back he was so much more confident standing and making those tentative first steps unassisted. Sometimes I am just shocked at every nuanced stage in his development - every time he figures out how to bang a drum with the drumstick, say the word 'dog' perfectly (only happened once to date), or grasp a spoon and catapult food in the generally direct of his open mouth. And sometimes I am shocked that we survived at all as a species considering baby giraffes and deer come out of the womb and walk around and sand tiger sharks are already accomplished killers by the time they come out of the womb (do NOT mess with the sand tigers!). Either way, we seem to have done OK in the animal kingdom so it must be working for us.

cooking quiche

In this family, one thing we all have in common is that we love to eat. Of course, Charlie seems to only love to eat items that are either (a) being eaten and enjoyed by a parent/sibling or (b) highly processed food that comes in a bag or a jar. Schuyler goes in phases. This week it was her Mama's famous bacon quiche. So the girls set to the task in the kitchen armed with age appropriate aprons and for the next week it was all the girl wanted to eat. Unfortunately, Charlie and Mama had to go away to Vermont to celebrate Pop Pop's life with her family, leaving a slightly under-prepared father and a quiche-obsessed child at home.

Papa caved in to the quiche craving and whipped up a new quiche to sate the girl. Unfortunately, Papa doesn't read the recipe as carefully as perhaps one might recommend and his version of a "pinch" of cayenne pepper might have been a little bigger than most people's. Sorry, about those taste buds, Schuyler - they will grow back, don't worry!

stairway to charlie

Charlie has learned to climb stairs. Don't worry, I realise how lame that must sound but since raising him is our second full-time job, it's these miniature triumphs that sustain us through the marathon of parenting. He mounts the stairway with a characteristic slapping of the hands and clomping of the feet, follow invariably (and slightly dangerously) by his older sister who gives us an incessant commentary on his progress which generally consists of her repeating: "He's doing it!" Fortunately, our son is aware of the gravity of his accomplishment: At the zenith of the stairway, he plomps himself down on his diapered bum and applauds. And we agree. Now... about that walking thing....

talking to her dad in london

Papa had to go to London for work for three days which meant he had two nights of uninterrupted sleep. Dreams can come true. Unfortunately, his company actually made him work while he was there including both evenings. Booo. Luckily, each night was highlighted by a goodnight call from his girls (and background gurgling from Carlito).