~Happy First Birthday, Charles Peter~

Charlie, our final, our only boy, is one!  He is such a cutie pie!  I am so in love with this boy...but which of our kids am I not completely smitten over?  Here are a few things about Charlie...

• He's smiley
• He hates to be spoon-fed, and has refused baby food for months now
• He loves cheese
• Does better with a straw cup than a traditional sippy
• Loves his paci
• Is taking about 5-6 steps at a time, but definitely prefers crawling
• Likes to "break out" of the family room
• Is fast on the steps
• When he is proud, he claps for himself
• Loves music and dancing
• Screams, or screeches, when he wants more food or is mad
• Smiles and laughs at me when I try to teach him sign language

He's a tiny guy, according to American standards.  He was born at 7 lbs, 2 oz and was 20" long.  It took him about a month just to get back to his birth weight.  I felt like I lived at Dr. Paul's office that month...going in every 5-7 days for re-weighs.  He is now up to 18 lbs and 28 3/4".  So, he's gained almost 11 lbs and grew almost 9" in one year.  He's in the "less than 3rd percentile" for weight and 20% for height and 30% for his head.  Doc said he's looking great, but if he's not above 5th or 10th percentile at 15 months, he will have to be supplemented with Pedisure (this is something we did with Kate after she lost weight between her 15 mo and 18 mo appointments).

Charlie: One Day                                                                               Charlie: One Year

He had his first birthday on Monday, and it was a pretty laidback first birthday. No big blowout party like we had for the older girls. In fact, we decided against a party. With money and time and having too much stuff as it is, we preferred a quiet, family-singing party. We celebrated on Thanksgiving with family: The HenderClan6, Grammie, Poppy, Uncle Wesley, Aunt Leann, Baby Izzy, GAP, Aunt Denise, Uncle Jim, Heather, Ron, Lidia, and Natalia. Between dinner and pie, we sang to Charlie. He enjoyed his smash cake.


 

 

 

 

 

Then had a bath.

Then opened his presents.

 The boxes are ALWAYS more fun!  When are parents going to learn--buy yourself big gifts, and give the boxes they come in to the kids???

 

Our finally PBK chair...

 Mmmm!  Wrapping paper!

 

Want some?

 Hey!  Look, Charlie is figuring out his chair!  And...his shirt matches! :)