Marisa & Steve's Little Miracle

OOO la la

2011-06-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

For those of you not on facebook...
Yesterday Charles & were reading books...for close to an hour. It was a wonderful peaceful time. During one of them, the following conversation occurred (moments I wish we had 24 hr surveillance cameras.

Mom: count the trees on this page Charles.
C: one, two, three, four
M: can you count them in Spanish?
C: uno, dos, tres, quatro
M: do you want to count them in French?
C: ya
M: un, deux, trois, quatre
C: Cat? that's not a cat, I'll do it...un, deux, trois, dog

Seriously!!

Charles's birthday sticker card

2011-06-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ok this one is a little long but some of you haven't spent this much time w/Charles in a while. I hope this uploads OK b/c it was too long to email...

2011-04-24T22:54:00.000-07:00

The LeFevre blood contains a particularly LOUD gene so I tend to ignore much of the noise around me for as long as I can. On this particular car ride even Clay thought Charles was making a lot of noise so we tuned in to see what all the ruckus was about. Someone has discovered something dogs have known for a long long time...the free wheelin' feeling of riding with one's head out the window!!

Does this mac make my butt look big?

2011-04-24T22:31:00.000-07:00

Steve had a productive week gleaning a couple of weeks ago. A friend of his was bulldozing his home to rebuild on the same site and told Steve to "get whatever you want" before it was demolished. Steve took kitchen cabinets and remodeled our garage with them. We go new blinds in the kitchen and bathroom, a roto tiller for him (I don't get why that went w/the home except that they'll have a lot less yard and a lot more house in a few months and thus wont need it!) this new eMac which I will spend the rest of the year converting over to, oh! and a new grill. Score honey!!

Here's how our desk will look for a while as I figure out how to convert my mind and hardware over.

Bi-lingual Counting

2011-04-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

Say it ain't so!!

2011-04-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Way too soon the fly the coop. and way too soon to consider the possibility and break my heart like that...geeze...who's been talkin' to this kid?

2011-04-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

2011-04-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

We need to be more disciplined and take the time to potty train. So...here goes! This was taken after Charles pooped in the tub while taking a bath bringing a quick end to bathtime!!

Charles knows the rhyme "no more monkeys jumping on the bed" and didn't approve of me ad libbing to "monkeys jumping on the potty." Take a look.

Almost Daily Devotional

2011-01-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

I found a cute box w/little bible stories, posters and stickers. We read a short story and Charles decorates the poster by coloring and putting stickers on it. I'll get a better picture of it later but the first book is...you got it...the Christmas story. We've been on the 1st booklet since Christmas (hence the "almost" daily ha ha) Charles is just now getting used to the idea that Jesus could have ever been a baby. ha ha

Of course we go to the zoo a lot so it was good place to start for that reason also. Perhaps Noah's ark will be next.

Dante ate a spider

2011-01-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

Last week the daycare teacher came us and said at playtime Charles came up to her and said "I ate a spider." They were going to call me but since he wasn't throwing up or aquiring special spidey powers, they decided to let it go. I looked at him right in front of the teacher and said "You ate a spider?!" he immediately said, "NO, Dante ate the spider." It has been fodder for LOTS of conversation this week.

For those of you who don't know, my ex-marine, construction, grew up in the "wilderness" in Idaho husband is TERRIFIED of spiders. ha ha, so the story is actually extra funny b/c it just HAD to be a spider. It couldn't have been any other bug! LOL

"Baby's" first school portrait

2010-12-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

awww, what a cutie pie! sorry....
Charles had his 1st school pix taken last week. I originally dressed him in a gorgeous Irish aran sweater that my cousin sent me from Switzerland but he wasn't having any part of it this morning, so quickly switched him to the sweater I knit him last year. So glad his teacher had the sense to make sure he wore it for the photo because she told me he didn't want to wear it but she said "I'm sure your mommy wants you to wear your sweater." A good remembrance anyway.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

2010-11-26T14:18:00.001-08:00

We are so grateful for so many things. The gluttony was executed at our good friends, Dave & Kim White. Charles was saying "Mac & Nora" the whole way over. That's how much time we spend with them! ha ha.
Caleb & Clay were with there mom this year...but I got to spend it with BOTH the babies I was involved in pro-creating.

After our traditional prayer, which is a reading of a proclamation written by Abraham Lincoln: text to follow... I've been lax in my duties of emailing it out to most of the people I know in the hopes of it catching on...

Tomas...the life of the party! ha ha.

The traditional reading of Abe's proclamation...I still choke up SOMEwhere every year...

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S

THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION OF

1863

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war (in 2001 &2 we inserted "the TwinTowers")which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choisest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness or our hearts, that all these blessing were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands (since 2001 we've inserted..."such as our soldiers stationed in the Middle East") , to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father Who dwelleth in the heavens.

(signed) A. Lincoln

October 3, 1863

Forget the "Joneses"...try keeping up with Charles

2010-10-31T14:42:00.000-07:00

Charles & I walked to the park & he was taggling along behind me. I stopped to look at a leaf ...because I was looking for leaves in the shape of perfect hearts...While I was deciding if the leaf was perfectly shaped enough, Charles suddenly got awfully quiet. I turned around while saying "why are you so quiet?..." and this is what I found...this one took him oh...maybe 5-10 seconds. Rememer, he's TWO!!

Where's Waldo?

2010-10-31T14:24:00.001-07:00

You've seen the books right?
Well, Charles was sitting at the helm commanding his minions so I took a couple of steps away to focus and take his picture. A couple of steps. What was that, 2-3 seconds? When I pointed to shoot, this is what I saw.

"First" Hair cut

2010-10-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

Actually, Steve chopped some curly locks himself once before...yesterday it was "boys time out" and Daddy took Charles to a professional. He was VERY good as he sat on Daddy's lap quietly the whole time.

BEFORE: (I don't know what the face is for...I said "Let's see your face!" and this is what I got...ha ha

AFTER

Per your request....

2010-10-03T15:05:00.001-07:00

You can all thank my big sister for lighting a fire under me....
again...grab a cup of java!!! We've got a lot of catching up to do!!!!

Charles LOOOOVEs to help me around the house! Here he is "helping" me change the sheets on my bed. And you wonder why it takes mommies so long to get things done!

It's HARD work some days. Here's the scoop. Charles has been calling Clay AND Caleb "K" for the longest time. I don't hear ANY distinction...Steve says he does but...nahhh. Anyway, for a couple of months now we have been trying to get at LEAST a second syllable out of Charles when he's saying "Caleb" but he was having nothing of it. He does have a few 2 syllable words but, nothin' doin' in this case. Perhaps because he loves his brother's equally...??? Anyway, in Sept. we went to visit a friend of ours in Reno and his girlfriend had a pet bunny. It's name was Constantine. Yep, no problem for little Charles to say "night night Constantine" everynight for
3 days. Soon upon our return, I was playing w/little figurines from a few months ago...the King Tut exhibit. I said " 'This is Queen Nefertiti' can you say that?" Charles blurted that out too. No one thought much of it until Caleb got wind of it. One day as he was going out the door to shoot hoops in the park and Charles was begging to tag along with him, Caleb blurted out "Dude, you can say 'Constantine and Queen Nefertiti but you can't say Caleb??!' " Not even that phased Charles much as he retorted "walk! ball!"
Alas, Steve worked Charles hard this week and now!!! we have it!!! Caleb is officially "Cu-be!" It comes with the head nod EVERY time.

For our special Saturdays...we went to Tahoe (again!) and Charles went on his first bike ride.

Last weekend we went to some batting cages. We thought we could fool Caleb & Clay into believing the ENTIRE world does not revolve solely around Charles.

And JUST yesterday...we kicked off the holiday season with opening day at the nearest pumpkin patch...

There was this slide structure...Steve went down once since I am usually the photographer...but...well...to his credit, he spent most of this week crawling around under houses...he took over the camera after one run..

And, ALL the boys...

Special Saturdays

2010-08-29T15:11:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm getting my act together after 2 years! Update: Steve took all the kids to his mom's in Idaho for 10 days and I stayed home and went to work every day. BEST VACATION EVER!! ha ha...I missed everyone dearly, really I did...but sleeping ALL night long and getting up 1/2 before work and NO COOKING was also...in a word AWESOME. I cooked a package of chicken thighs the first night (about 20 pieces) and never cooked again. I had that for lunch and dinner every night. I watched chick flicks, I walked around in my underwear...tmi? well, I AM in a house full of teenaged boys so you'd be surprised how one would miss that luxury of just running out of the bedroom to grab a cup of coffee w/o having to think about a robe or anything.

Did I have fun? That's what most people asked me. Like I'd go out clubbing or something. Actually, I spent most of my time purging. Since going back to work, I just have 3-4 hours to focus on my family and all the many relationships going on under 1 roof. Difficult to spend time just spending time when there's ALWAYS picking up, cleaning up, preparing for tomorrow, folding, putting away etc etc etc !!!!! A gal could go crazy. I spent 10 hours alone the first day just in the office, which was pathetic. I had about 2 years of papers that I need to file stacked in corners. 2mm of dust on top of book shelves, knick knacks that used to adorn this room piled lining the top of the bookshelf b/c since it's been redefined, there is nearly NO wall space. Things that hung on the walls now lined the book case---out they went. Here's the honest before and after.

Every day (almost!) I came home, had my chicken and dove into another room. I took FIVE boxes of stuff to the Goodwill and filled the garbage can twice. This was box #1, box #2 also came from this room! ha ha

My neighbor came over for something and commented on how busy I'd been. And when Caleb came home he asked if I'd bought a new kitchen trash can...I replied "Nope, I cleaned the one we had." That was a great reward. Caleb is a 16 yr old boy...so you moms can appreciate the depth of that comment!!

Here are some of their Idaho pix. Clay picks out his OWN clothes now so we, as parents, are NOT to blame for that florescent t-shirt...ha ha.

Steve's twin sister, Stacey, and Grandma Judy. Gotta get Judy to smile for the camera more. Grandma Judy looooooves Charles and he loves her.

Since their return a couple of weeks ago, we have maintained and my creative juices and enthusiasm for life are brewing once again. It was a truly liberating 10 days.

I have a calendar and any time I come across a freebie magazine that has a calendar of events in it I circle stuff I might want to do, cut it out later THROW THE MAGAZINE AWAY, and tape it to my calendar. When the weekend hits I have a host of stuff to do to get me out of the house. I'm even thinking about my photographic skills and scrapbooking again. I have SO MUCH free time on my hands now that I'm tripping over crap in every room of the house!

Last Saturday only Clay was around. We sent to an Eskaton village 25 yr. celebration in the community. We had ice cream, got and gave a lot of attention & joy to some "old folks," saw some art, listened to some music and played.

After that it was off to a library that had a turtle and tortoise exhibit.
This is someone else's little girl, she was kind enough to snuggle up to me as Charles was having NOTHING to do with the live turtles. Which is really surprising because he LOVES animals and he loves petting zoos. I actually think that he's more fearful of small animals but not the large ones. These, by the way, are full grown Greek turtles. Some of them are 3-4 yrs old.

Then it was a back-to-school bar-b-q with our good friends, Dave & Kim White...
Charles loves bubbles and balloons....

Here Charles is showing Daddy how cool it is when you shout into a balloon and it kind of echos back...

Here's Daddy showing Charles the cool effect when you shout into someone's belly...

and true LeFevre form...getting everyone all riled up the day before school, the moment before bedtime, in the middle of dinner....you get the idea

CALLING ALL MONKEYS!!!

2010-07-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

It's time for jumping on the bed!! Momma said...

Oh the Neglect!

2010-06-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Two paychecks back at work and 1/2 way to my third! And just starting to get the somewhat of a groove going...if you can call it that. We are our usual dysfunctional selves. Six people going in six different directions but counting on the important things like just relaxing together and making the baby the center of attention.

Charles turned TWO on Thurs. And he kicked off my "season" I need a name for my "season." See, Charles actually bumped it up by a week...now from June 10 until Aug 8...someone has to get a present, a card or a celebration every 5-8 days. Yep, birthdays, Father's days, anniversaries...no rest for the wicked...I'm dragging my feet into this season but they are just about moving at a nice clip now, I'll be in the groove before...well before it's over...and then everyone has to do something for ME...but not until October. ha ha.

OK....is this normal for a 2 year old??!!

This was soooo cute. Charles was running through a sunbeam that was coming through the window...then he tried to catch it.

And this was taken a couple of weeks ago. I've nearly worn it out watching it. Charles was helping me fold laundry. He picked up this shirt which he knew was Clay's and "Hi Clay," instantly became his new word.

Layover

2010-04-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

See, all my mom friends are telling me not to worry but the Dr. wanted to "do something" because Charles doesn't have many words. He is super coordinated, here he is during our layover entertaining the crowds at the Miami airport.

Here he is at the END of day 1 finally adjusting to the water. There's a country western song that goes "Got my toes in the water, my ass in the sand." That's what I'm trying to sing in the background there.

"Daily" Highlights

2010-04-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

Wow...there's a lot coming down the pike. While I was in St. John I was offered my old job back in the unemployment office. Couldn't turn it down. So upon my return to the contiguous U.S. on Wed...I made a list of loose ends which I had 48 hours to accomplish b/c I KNOW working FT starting MON. is going to further throw things off kilter.
My goal is NOT to tell you how we're doing but limit myself to telling you what it was like in the Caribbean. That ought to be easy...except for one thing. My camera was on the fritz so I took lots of video with my phone and they do not seem to be downloading the way I thought I had figured it out last month! hmmm.

OK, I finally got them off my phone and onto my computer but they don't seem to be loading onto this website....5th time's a charm??

Here is Charles on day 1 at the beach. He took a most unfortunated faceplant from his beach chair into the sand and wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with the sand NOR water the rest of the day...

Mom & Dad in Paradise

2010-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Without discussing it with ANY of their children...my parents packed up moved for 1/2 the year to the US Virgin Islands...to the island of St. John. They could not escape us though, my younger sister and I along with our children have descended upon them for the week.
We are working hard as fulltime moms keeping our kids in tow, making sure they are safe in the sun and water, making sure they 'play nice' as cousins and I am chasing Charles around. Right now he's sleeping so I have spare moment.

Here is the evidence of our hard work...

San Francisco for the day

2010-02-21T15:25:00.001-08:00

The deYoung advertised FREE admission today and "hands on" art activities for the kids. Though I knew Charles would be too young off we went...thinking at least my friend's daughter would enjoy herself! Here's Charles putting his new skills to use...hangin' around!!

There was a line a mile long and tickets to the actual King Tut exhibit were gone...Angelina (who's 5) may not know the difference!

Decorating tips fro m the ancien t s

If you go...you must go to the 9th floor observation deck...there's a fantastic 360 degree view of the city. The Golden Gate Bridge is actually behind us but didn't come out...so.....

we just HAD to get up close and personal!

I call this one "GIRiLLA IN THE MIST"

And this candid little shot is so funny...a little too close for comfort? After Angelina diligently shared all her lunch, chased Charles down all over the quad, picked him up, brushed him off...etc etc...he thinks THIS is too close for comfort??? ha ha.

the Tut exhibit ends at the end of March and in May the impressionist from the d'Orsay in Paris are coming apparently b/c the d'Orsay is closing for renovations??

Phone videos

2010-02-17T21:07:00.000-08:00

OK, first off it's WAY cool that I actually know how to work some of this technology and my KIDS DON'T!! I learned how to get pix and video OFF my phone (finally) and onto my computer by watching...You tube...I know my mom thinks I'm speaking Greek...or, "geek" anyway...
Like I said before...I'm NOT a geek, I'm on facebook, so I'm a "renaissance woman." ha ha
Charles and I were practicing hanging at the park. He's pretty good at it. Dad met us there and swung on this thing which Charles thought was awesome, and wanted to try also.

Note...no babies were harmed in the making of this video. Steve does not actually drop Charles as it might appear...as he leaves the frame safe in daddy's hands. Daddy only let go when Charles was on the ground. Believe me...a fall like that...breaking his 23 day record! You would have heard about it.

SITES AND SOUNDS

2010-02-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Charles is 23 days injury and illness free!

Here is a video clip of him just last night. Though he still does not talk, he shows his intelligence in other ways...fine by us since we have a house of talkers anyway! ha ha.

Tiger is everyone's favorite and for a while now his brothers look at him and say "Charles, do tiger!" and Charles is happy to comply.

Making the best of it

2010-01-26T14:26:00.001-08:00

I remembered my dad's famous 'count down' lists...so we started this morning out with one of our own...

Seeing as how Charles got that black eye in church on Sunday, yesterday-Monday-marked day 1.
Gotta role with the punches when you can! Another thing my dad is famous for...corny puns!!

Our little trooper

2010-01-25T14:07:00.001-08:00

So, it's been a tough month for Charles since his seizure. His seizure happened 2 days before Christmas and he has had no complications from that...except that he is an excellent violin player suddenly...ha ha
But it seemed to have triggered a series of unfortunate events...for all you with "tweenagers."

A couple of weeks later, came down with a cough. After a couple of days I noticed his breathing was shallow and labored so back to the Dr. we went. He had RSV which is a respiratory virus, bronchialitis and an ear infections. So he was put on an inhaler and amoxicilin. It was a looooong week and we didn't see much improvement for a few days, he just wanted to be held and he was exhausted from the lack of being able to take a deep breath.

Here he is on the tail end of it. Because he spent ALL DAY Wed. with "Da" as momma went out to work all day (GLAD to get out of the house!) Da always makes everything fun for Charles. He got Charles to breathe really quickly for his treatments. Charles totally turned the corner that Wed. and on Thurs. you'd hardly know that he had been sick. WE thought we were out of the woods...then....

he awoke with a BIG smile to me, I took one look and couldn't believe my eyes!! He had a rash all over his body, from head to knee. All over his back, it was EVERYWHERE. So back to the Dr. who actually got a little chuckle out of it. Charles is allergic to the amoxicilin. His lungs were clear so he said to go ahead and stop all meds.

So we thought we were out of the woods. He didn't look too bad by Sunday so we brought him to the church nursery. They had been praying for him for 2 weeks and it was working and they were SO glad to have him back. That lasted about 15 min. In the middle of announcements they paged me. Steve was in the blood mobile donating blood and apparently so was his son!! Though Steve does so voluntarily!!
Yeah, you should see the other baby!!

So for the next month we are looking forward to uneventful days full of boring routines, walks in the park, and predictable playtimes and furniture the KNOWS to jump out of the way of falling children...etc etc.

Apple Hill

2009-12-29T13:34:00.001-08:00

That's right a real live PONY RIDE! Charles is still competly fearless of large animals...
He loved watching the ponies and then we couldn't resist but give him the experience I'm sure none of our other children had...a pony ride.

Christmas Time!!

2009-12-29T12:50:00.001-08:00

Because of our blended family...we actually have to start Christmas immediately after Thanksgiving around here. We have less time than everyone else...and I know we all feel like we don't have enough time. Perhaps Charles will change all that but as Caleb & Clay are week on/week off..it has become our tradition to run up to Apple Hill and get a Christmas tree as soon after Thanksgiving as we can manage. It becomes our TOP priority as soon as we're done loafing around.

It didn't take more than a handful of broken ornaments before Charles got the hang of it. And a couple of days of me saying "It's like art. We look at the tree but we don't touch it." He now looks at the tree and says "oooo." Walks up to it and either comes close to touching them "oooo-ing" or caressing the ornaments. It's funny.

Clay is loving getting behind the camera but clearly needs a few pointers. Like my "hat?"

Charles & I then gathered some students together to participate in "Operation Christmas Child." My mission (it was successful btw) was to give these kids a chance to experience being on the giving end of charity for a change. With some of my tithe money, I gave them each $10 and told them about this shoe box project and how their gifts would go to a needy child somewhere in the world...or possibly America. They were greatly impacted by as they thoughtfully filled boxes for these kids. It was great to see their excitement and hear their comments about doing good in the world and "feeling really good inside."

Here's Charles, Clay & I at the regional drop point for the boxes.

We partnered with a church in the area the youth live in and they got to meet a local sports celebrity (which was big treat for Caleb & Clay who are BIG fans of hers.) The gal, Monique, who is a community organizer set it all up...she got the celebrity (Ruthie Bolton) on a local morning TV show, the youth got to meet her there and almost got to be on the show as well as she promoted Operation Christmas Child and tried to promote Monique's organization. At the church they got really up close & personal with Ruthie and got to hold her Olympic medals.

On to the BIG DAY...time to be selfish and think about only ourselves for a while!! ha ha.

"I guess Santa hasn't heard we're in a recession...I guess Santa doesn't need my help shopping."
Steve SWEARS we could afford it...I will appreciate all the room it is going to clear out as the current humongous TV we have takes up way too much room and this one will mount on the wall. Steve will appreciate it b/c it's hidef...the kids...well, they really get no benefit out of it at all...they are still relegated to the garage and the current humongous TV is just too big. It's up for grabs, by the way. If you have a really big room to put a 57" TV in give us a call...we're selling it cheap cheap.

Hope you and your families were blessed this Christmas and receive many blessings in the upcoming year.

Have I mentioned: WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE...CLICK THE LITTLE PENCIL IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT...GO ON I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!!

Trip to the Hospital

2009-12-25T14:47:00.001-08:00

Many of you have already heard and prayed about Charles's seizure 2 days ago. Here is a quick pic. of just how sad he was.
So, one last time (I've told the story at LEAST a dozen times already, but they say it helps to work through a trauma by talking about it...and that SEEMS to be working for ME! LOL)

Anyway. A couple of months ago Charles had a high fever which I was concerned about. In the middle of the night he had a BIG twitch...I paniced and called 911. I was embarassed b/c they asked how long it lasted..."30 seconds? a minute?" I told the EMT..."uhhhh, it was a twitch...but a BIG twitch" He assured me that I did the right thing in calling an not be embarassed but as Charles was smiling and happy and fine, it was, in fact...a twitch.

So, on Wed. as I was cooking dinner. Charles had been chewing his finger and felt warm to the touch but...just warm. I hadn't taken his temp. ...assuming he was cutting a tooth and had a little fever. I'm not a very over protective parent. He was clingy and sitting on my lap and he twitched. Steve was right next to me and I said "Look." b/c I wanted him to see the twitch. Then Charles twitched again and I said louder "Look!" at which point Steve looked over and Charles went into a full convulsion. We totally freaked out. Steve called 911 and the entire time he was on the phone Charles was in a seizure. As the fire truck, ambulance and wonderful neighbors we have arrived. An emt was getting out of the truck and about to get some gear when Steve yelled "He's still seizing!" at that point they ran, gearless into our living room to see our little baby convusling. Asked me something, I don't remember what...took him from my arms and exclaimed "We're takin' him!" and turned and high tailed it out of our living room in well, 30 seconds to a minute. I ran after them with no shoes, no ins. card and well, Charles broke my glasses last week and as I hardly ever wear them, I actually taped them up and was...yep, wearing them! YIKES!! (picture of THAT to follow when I'm feeling daring.)

I hope this story helps someone if you ever go through this. It was a febrile seizure which several hospital staff assured me they see every day and that there would be NO neurological damage. The poor baby was poked in every limb and prodded in places he hopes to never be prodded again.

In fact, I put a violin in his hands the next day, as he was running around as if nothing had happened...and now he can play! LOL

Thanks again for all your prayers...they worked immediately.

NO PHOTO--JUST NEWS

2009-12-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

I went walking with my friends Emily Kapic (check out her triplets at thekapics.blogspot.com) & Marie Reedy and Allison Shaw. Charles is the youngest and tallest of the bunch. Well, almost...at the end of the walk 1yr. old Emily Shaw was asleep sitting up in her stroller and Charles, instead of playing with all the boys, stood up on the step of her stroller and stroked her hair for a good 10 min. We went inside to play and after about an hour, he and Parker (one of the triplets) had disappeared somewhere in the house. I went down the hall & peeked into a couple of rooms but did not see nor hear anything. I turned back down the hall when I heard the pitter patter of little feet. And there were Charles and Parker coming out of the master bedroom. I said "Oh there you are." and Charles pointed to Parker, who was right behind him. I said "Are you playing with Parker back here?" at which point Charles took a little cheerios from Parkers snack cup and gave him a BIG hug, laying his head in the crook of Parker's neck. Parker gave me a big smile as Charles held on for a good 20-30 seconds I'd say. It was SOOO cute.

TRACK STAR

2009-11-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

I've seen the dog do this but never Charles.
Chariot's of Fire--here he comes!

and for those of you who don't facebook...here is my Thanksgiving video...
This from the boy who at age 5 said his favorite show was the Emeril Live cooking show.

You're Worth IT!!

2009-11-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

These videos take forever to load...& since we were having issues with this camera...I'm finally able to see what was on it to begin with. I should pull out my knitting and the rest of Laney's book while I'm waiting. But I KNOW you're going to like them.
"ENJOY & Have a nice day.." Two of my dad's most hated expressions!!

this is what Charles LOOKS like all those times you talk to him on the phone. Though he's quiet he's actually quite engaged.

The neighbor's dogs visit with us through the many holes in the fence. We'd both like to replace the fence, and after this last storm this year...don't know if it will hold through the next storm, but we both hate to take that away from the dogs. And now with Charles in on the game...

I was about to turn the camera off when a little minuete played on Charles's toy and he busted out in this waltz & 2 step.

LOST FOOTAGE

2009-11-13T13:35:00.000-08:00

When we went to Idaho...several months ago...EVERYONE helped pack to get back home and NOTHING was packed where it should have been. Especially ALL THE ELECTRONIC related devises & their respective chargers go in ONE place ALL together. Teen aged boys clearly do NOT care about such things. I just got all the peripheral paraphernalia together in ONE place on the little camera I use to shoot video and found some interesting things going on in my absence.

what's life without the torment of older brothers? Actually, it appears that this went on for quite some time as Clay video this feeding on many, many 1-2 min. clips. I am posting only one because they take so long to uploade, you'll get bored and THIS one shows the end of feeding time when I think Charles was on to Clay and the fact that he was, in fact, being tormented and I love the look of slight disgust on his face!

Here are some pictures of the end result!!

Some precious time. Since Charles only has 2 bottom teeth in these pictures, I'm guessing it was over the summer sometime.

Halloween

2009-11-02T22:53:00.000-08:00

I'm not even all that in to Halloween. But alas, Charles was just too stinkin' cute. I'm so sorry I didn't have video to shoot him running faster than his little legs would carry him...hence the new cuts and bruises! We carried him to the first few doors and he seemed interested that a stranger would have him reach into a bowl and then we'd walk off...and do it again at the next house. Then he chewed on one of those things from the bowl, with the wrapper of course, and saw the beauty in it when he got a little taste of what it was he was reaching for. Then we let him walk to the next couple of houses...then we could barely keep up with him. He is so funny, when he runs fast, his feet barely touch the ground and his arms wave akimbo. He would RUN up to a door with his hand outstretched, grab something from the bowl, wave goodbye with the other hand, run to us and slam dunk the candy into his bag then run to the next door. It was hilarious.

I was feeling guilty for not being more in the holiday spirit and had not yet taken Charles to a pumpkin patch...so I found they were all still open until the 31st and ran off to one locally for their last hour and half of operation. Actually, we made out quite well.

climbing on pumpkins, picking out pumpkins...running with pumpkin

Climbing...still fearless with the animals.
And here's a great series, that shows some very typical behavior...
THROWING...I've been working SO hard to get Charles to stop throwing everything...and I mean everything. When he finishes drinking, he throws his cup, eating-he throws his food across the table, keys 2 pews up in church and silverware 1 table over in a restaurant!!

This is actually a pose for the camera

this, however, is his 'wind up' face. I know it looks sweet and innocent and kind of like he's going to sneeze, but I've learned, he's just winding up. I think he prepares mentally first.

That one didn't go so well, it landed right on his head. Not that that should stop him, he's hit ME in the head plenty of times and it hasn't stopped him yet.

And there it is...a successful toss.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

2009-10-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

I'm 54! In case you've lost track...

Two out of my 5 favorite guys took me to San Francisco for the weekend. We had a great time. "Cowboy Chris" our adopted "uncle" and his mom, who lives in S.F. cooked a birthday dinner, baby sat so we could go see King Tut exhibit. We roamed around a couple of museums, the pier, ate clam chowder, wined, dined, slept in LATE and....the bonus round. Ha ha...we had trouble getting a room at all...everything was booked throughout SF...not true, all the $300 rooms were available-probably- but we could not find a reasonably priced room anywhere. So we stayed on the outskirts in Daly City...just down the street from the Cow Palace. Fri night was nice and quiet then Sat. night hit and the place was hoppin' Turns out this was the annual "exotic erotic ball" at the Cow Palace. We met some VERY interesting characters....including the OTHER couple that was staying in that night...ha ha. We got a great laugh of it, everyone was very friendly and respectful....the photos are not suitable for this family blog hee hee. How funny.

Check the drawers before you leave the hotel...you never know what you might be leaving behind!!

Feeding the ducks in Golden Gate Park. This is Sandra, Chris's mom....one of Charles's many many step in grandmas. We're looking for a name that will honor these women without offending his real grandmas....any suggestions are welcome.

Queen Nefertiti...at your service...oh, I mean TO my service!

Uh Oh!

2009-09-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

Do these count as "first words." On Friday Charles started dropping things at dinner and saying "Uh Oh." Now he drops them on purpose and squirrels food away on his seat and says "Uh Oh." He's pointing to everything and yesterday we were in one room and he was pointing into the kitchen so I let him lead me. He then pointed up to a bag of cheerios. I poured some out and he gobbled them up.

I hate to boast

2009-09-22T22:01:00.001-07:00

I hate to boast, which is why you rarely hear me at it...that and my low self esteem...ha ha but....Isn't this a great picture of us?! Someone gave me this photo today...it's from July 4 party.

Found the Photos

2009-09-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

For those of you who REALLY know us...you know we are a high tech family. We have about as many computers as people living here. So, when I couldn't find the photos of our trip to Idaho this past summer, I was a little perplexed. then I remembered...they were on the OTHER computer. So, these are the photos from our working vacation to Idaho. Steve remodeled his mom's bathroom which was a TOTAL tansformation.

Charles just LOVED the horse nextdoor. He climbed the fence with reckless abandon whenever we left the front door open.

working...
here's Charles helping with the demolition.

Daddy teaching Charles the tricks of the trade....measure twice, cut once.

VACATION

Charles WORKING on the ranch

Daddy showing Charles around his old stomping grounds.

vacation

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I'll just do it myself

2009-09-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

So...we ALL know you're not supposed to leave a baby unattended in the tub. So, I ran the tub, went to get a towel and probably a cup of coffee, while Charles got busy with the usual ritual of tossing his bath toys from the bin into the tub. Only THIS time, he decided to divert from the usual S.O.P. and skip the toy toss, step up on the bin and literally dive into the festivities early. I told you...he's our little water baby! Loves the stuff!!!

I'm still a little curious as to how he climbed in without tumbling head first and crying for help...but where there's a will, there's a way.

HELLOOOOO SEPTEMBER!!

2009-09-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

We spent all day (& most of the night) at the state fair yesterday. We used to go every year but it has gotten SOOO crowded and it's always over 100 degrees here..the novelty wore off. We hadn't been in about 4 years. But now with the baby, maybe we'll start going again. Steve took off Friday and it was soooo nice. Cooler, absolutely no crowds, it was such a pleasant day. And Charles, well, Charles. He was his usual pleasant self. The families we were with kept commenting how good he was, "that he never cries." mmhmm..mums the word!

Charles's first experience in the midway..rides, darts, toys etc.

Then on to the petting zoo. Charles LOVED the animals. He was fearless, the bigger and closer they got. He pet and fed them all. The donkey was his favorite. Which surprised me as it was so big. It started braying at one point and lots of little kids went 'a skattering in sheer terror...Charles just stood there staring him down...when he was finished...in went Charles's hand to pet him some more.

But our fine FEATHERED friends....ahhh, not so much. Charles showed plenty of apprension toward these little guys. Look carefully at his hand with the chicken here. We'd pet it, he'd start trusting us and admire our interest and all that, but then we'd put HIS hand up to pet the chicken and...not gonna happen.

Later it was the same thing with the other birds. Look at how he's backing away from this little parakeet. It was funny.

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LEARNING CURVE

2009-09-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

So, I started this new job which I can mostly do from home. One day, I was making some phone calls, playing a little with Charles, researching on the internet, playing a little with Charles. Then he got quiet and was playing on his own...so I got a little more work done...but then I turned around and realized WHAT he had been playing at....

The paper shredder...

I guess we could call this...the human snow globe.

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BYE BYE AUGUST!!!

2009-09-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

Besides swimming and water parks...this summer saw A LOT of this.....

Quit "hosin' around"

Then...one day, Charles decided all on his own that he knew exactly how to water a garden...

and shower at the same time.

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throw the dog a bone

2009-08-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I've been so remiss in my duties to keep you updated on our goings on. What a month July was!!! Don't get me started....it's 1/2 way through A ugust.
Hmmm. Now I can't find my pictures! We had a lot of fun in Idaho...here are 2 highlights.
Give a baby a cupboard and you're good to go for hours!!

New Job Update

2009-08-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
The summer is winding down and I haven't updated the blog in a month.
There was a day last week that I do believe Charles grew overnight and awoke an inch taller, wider, etc. His hair was still the same length though!

I'll get to the photos this week or weekend.

Now...to pick your brains and resources. Well, the brains of all our California fans anyway. I have been hired on as the area rep. for Kaplan Online School. It's for middle and high schoolers. Think "homeschoolers" but the difference is that with Kaplan students are assigned a FT teacher thus the parents are not the primary educators. The parents essentially play the same role as if their children were in conventional school..."Did you do your homework? let me check it. What work do you have to 'turn in' tomorrow/this week? etc"
I would appreciate any leads you have for families interested in homeschooling and might consider this type of alternative. ANY student who would homeschool would be a potential candidate. Families who travel a lot, kids who train in a competetive sport lots of hours a day, kids who excel in school, kids who are at risk, teen parents, teens who have to work to help support their families, kids with a physical or mental disability in which the parents would rather them school at home at a different pace.

Thanks for the thoughts...

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE!!!

2009-07-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

Charles is becoming a real water baby. He loves to be on our pool. These are at a local neighborhood park. There is a nice area with dancing fountains. Charles was "havin' a ball!" as my dad would say. He stomped and spun around and ran in, under, through every which way in the water. I took about 150 pictures (yeah digital!) It was hard to get pictures because I'd never seen Charles move so much! Many times by the time I pushed the button on the camera he was spun around and onto the next droplets and I had yet another picture of his back!

of course wha t are big brothers for?? Clay filled a bucket of water and poured it over Charles's head. Charles loved it...foiled again, Clay!!

Fun in the Sun

2009-07-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesdays are "mom connection" days. We meet somewhere different each week. Today we met someplace REALLY different...my backyard. The kids all loved swimming and harvesting the grapes.

Charles keeping up with the 'big kids' as usual.

Moms keeping up with each other...as usual. Hey, who forgot the margueritas??!!

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SLIDE

2009-07-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Charles was moving all over the house so an hour before nap time I zoomed him off to the park down the street. Caleb actually taught him to go down a slide a couple of weeks ago but he hadn't been on one since. Watch the learning curve. I had to bribe him with my cell phone. He loves playing with cell phones and mine in particular is OFF LIMITS so it was a worthwhile coax for him!!

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2009-07-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

We went up the street to a friend's house, Lisa and Steve, for a 4th celebration and we're having our good friends, the Whites, over tonight. It's not so much that we have 2 sets of friends but you have to remember...we were heading down the path of life when we were suddenly blessed with Charles soooo...we do sort of have 2 sets of friends. The set with young kids Charles's age and the set with young grand-kids Charles's age. It's fun falling into both categories. It was fun to hang out with them and bring Charles. Something we hadn't done in a long time, if fact, ever I think. LOL

Here's Charles all decked out for the holidays!

And what's 4th of July without WATERMELON??!

Daddy time! The funniest thing is for those of you who know Steve. He would not face the camera before Charles was born. This photo-phobia is yet another transformation in our lives. It will be good for Charles to grow up with so many photos of his daddy's face as opposed to Caleb and Clay who only have the back of his head. LOL

A little memorial...this is the SAME hat Charles work LAST Independence Day...check it out!

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BEHIND THE 8 BALL AND PLAYING CATCH UP!

2009-07-03T20:14:00.001-07:00

Ok, I just spent an hour updating lots of photo's and videos and it all just disappeared! arrrghhh.

I was saying, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy catching up with us on this post....

I was saying, from June 10 to Aug. 8 is 'celebration season' around here. Someone has a special day every week to 10 days. I already feel like I'm behind the 8 ball trying to keep pace with making everyone feel special on their special day.

After Charles' birthday party...we had Father's Day.

A few days later, was my mom's birthday...
Charles practiced long and hard to serenade her with this little birthday ditty...

For no reason at all, my friend, Olga, and I took our babies to Sly Park for the day. What a fantastic find. I actually had no idea this little treasure was within an hour from here all these years. Olga mentioned at our mom's group that she was a little nervous to go by herself so I chimed in "I'll go with you!" and off we went a couple of days later.

Now you should also know that shortly after Charles was born, somehow, he was attributed a theme song. It was Tomas's doing. His theme song is "Johnny Be Good" by Chuck Berry. Only we sing over all the "Johnny" parts with "Charles"
Here's Charles on the way UP to Sly Park rockin' out to his theme song....

and here he is on the way BACK...

Next on the summer celebration list is STEVE. He turned 40 on the 30th (as did his twin sister!) There's a quiz later. LOL The birthday was low key as requested. Two years ago in the middle of a riveting sermon at church er'h'm...Steve turned to me in a panic and whispered "Holy Crap, I'm turning 38 which means in 2 years I'm turning 40...holy crap....40." He said he didn't want a big deal on his 40th and he really freaked a little....pulled old High School videos (at least they weren't Beta) from a trunk I didn't know he had. Pulled out old trophies and medals, told us stories of his youth then packed them all up again and looked for gray hairs. So I threw him a surpise party that year. Who would'a thought just a year later he'd have a baby to keep him young!! So, 38 ... surprise party... 39 a new baby... 40--we just let him know how much we admired him and let him slide in at a restaurant.
And that brings us to July....
We rang in the month with Charles's first trip to the zoo....

I'm glad we got in free, thanks to my friends, Elle and Katie, because Charles was clueless when it came to the animals.

Tomorrow is INDEPENDENCE DAY...I don't have to get anyone a present for THAT but the next day is Caleb's birthday... LOL
ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM TOMORROW EVERYONE... I have a few friends in England to whom I have to rub it in as they insist they "gave" us away. LOL

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Whew! What a week!

2009-06-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

Tis the season. So, Charles has moved my 'gifting season' up by a couple of days. It took me a couple of years after our marriage to realize that starting with Father's day, there is someone with a special day of honor every 5-10 days until Aug 7th (Clay's Birthday) With Charles being born on June 10th, the season now starts early. He's followed by Father's day, Steve's birthday, Tomas's birthday, Caleb's birthday, our anniversary and Clay's birthday. WHEW, so our summers are filled with friends and bbq's and pool parties and yesterday was our 'kick off' so to speak. We celebrated Charles birthday with some of our friends. It being the day before Father's day, it was still relatively quiet.
Prior to the party, however, Caleb, Clay, Charles and I all helped out at VBS at our church 1/2 day all week.

A Salisbury family tradition...Baskin Robins ice cream cakes.

Thank you for all your generosity !

Last Week

2009-06-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

I'm volunteering at church all week so not much to report except that Charles is getting more and more social as he is spending 1/2 day in the nursery for 5 days. The closest thing to day care. This morning I took him out of the car and he high tailed it on his own 2 feet right to the nursery with a smile on his face like he was reporting to duty. We have such a fantastic church that he would be that excited to arrive in the morning.

But, here are some pictures from LAST week. My "OLD" church (it's been close to about 8 years) is on facebook too, so I joined their group and heard they were having a Kid's Fun Day. So Steve and I went. I attended there for close to 15 years. I only saw 3 people I knew (one is still our CPA) but it was fun for the 3 of us to visit our old stomping ground.
Not to mention how cute are THESE pictures??

There was no way Charles was going to get the concept of fishing these duckies out of the bucket so I took them all out and he got right to work putting them back in their rightful place before they waddled off.

Baby praising Jesus. No kidding, there was a Christian song playing and he made this move!

I am SO BLESSED to have a daddy like this this time around!

Also, he's been playing with his tongue all week and making this funny face. I caught the face on 'film.' The tongue thing, might be from cutting more teeth but he's either chewing on his thumb or his tongue.

Please post a comment by clicking below. We love to see who our devoted fans are and are getting REALLY curious about some of our international followers. The Kualla Lampur connections was figured out...one cousin told me another cousin was there on vacation.

BIRTHDAY BOY

2009-06-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

THAT'S RIGHT...YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING FOR A YEAR NOW!!
Off the top of my head, can YOU say you've accomplished as much as this little man?
1-gained 20 lbs! LOL (poor you)
2-learned to move around 2 different ways
3-go from sleeping every 2-3 hours to only sleeping ONCE for 2-3 /day
4-get nearly smothered in kisses all day long
5-find someone to spend nearly every waking moment servicing your every need 24/7 (lucky you!)
6-ok you get the idea...

Again the power of digital...take 100 photos and you'll end up with one as cute as this.

Bless Caleb's little heart and all the parents involved in his life for raising him right...sometimes... He and Clay are supposed to be at their mom's this week but a few weeks ago he declared that he wanted to be here on the 10th for Charles's birthday. Good thing he has his family priorities straight, if nothing else, and we'll have to remember that the next time he does something wrong--which I'm sure will be momentarily...LOL (JK Caleb!!)
So to make the extra day together special Steve suggested THEY make the birthday cake! yumm-o!
The boys and Tomas's girlfriend, Stephanie, who joined us for the evening of festivities. And NO, she had NO part in the cake making/decorating what-so-ever...We gals need to stick together. Supposedly it says "Happy Bday CEL" I see the Happy and the B and a C...but well, it's pretty much what I expected. LOL

Charles's one cupcake.

On to a few presents....We're actually having a birthday party for him on the 20th...so if you're around. Stop by for more festivities.
Brains, brawn and snuggles. Love those old fashioned wooden toys! I was thinking of those old pup up Jack-in-the-boxes with the crank. Has anyone seen those around? I suppose if I actually bit the bullet and ventured into a Toys r Us, I might find what I'm looking for but the place scares me.

And Caleb & Clay won these back on Mother's day and saved them for their little baby brother. I'll be darned if some childrearing isn't starting to pay off.

Post us a comment below...What are the toys WE grew up with that I'm forgetting about? AND what you know about summer festivals this summer. I know the Pear Festival is coming up, Gilroy Garlic festival. Thanks!

Happenings Lately

2009-06-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

To make up for my lack of updating lately....here's what's been going on on the kid front, away from the sick bed. LOL
Charles is developing quite a little personality. He's been babbling on a great deal. Every now and then it sounds like something. We COULD have heard "Caleb" and "Yeah" and "That's right" a lot of "dadadadadadad" but not much "mamamamam" His latest thing is keeping up with his big brothers. He wants little to do with mommy and daddy when all the brothers are in the back of the house doing something. No matter how many times we pick him up, he squirms away and makes a B-line for the back bedrooms like he's missing the party! Here's an example. Caleb and Clay are shooting hoops and Charles wants a piece of the action. He's completly uninterested in the playground equipment.

I've got to get a picture of him cruising along in his diaper for you because he bears a remarkable resemblance to a plucked chicken. He walks with his torso leaning forward and his arms out for balance. It's pretty funny.

In church last Sunday we volunteered in the nursery again. For some reason the door was left open between the crawler's room and the toddler's room and the two groups were intermingling. There was also a helper there who we'd never met and who had never met Charles. Since Charles was having NO trouble at all keeping up with the toddlers (who are 2-3) she went with the flow and the next thing I knew he was seated with the rest of them for snacktime. With all his food cut up on a plate (as if he knows what a plate is or it's function!) It cracked me up to see him with all the big kids. He's still just a little baby to me but it was bittersweet to see how well he fit in and and how quickly the 'baby years' are zooming by...Though we are just on the cusp of our FIRST baby year still.

Still no table manners. He just shoves everything in his mouth like a chimpmunk until he can no longer chew or move his jaw, then he spits it all out and starts over again.

And this one just cracks me up. I don't know if he was telling a joke as the life of the party or about to spew everything.

Next on the morning's agenda was coloring time. Again, before I knew it, Charles was at the table with a color book page and all the toddlers. This was when as he did his usual dump everything onto the floor over and over and over again routine, the helper said, "hmmm, is he not used to coloring?" That's when I told her what we'd been keeping secret "He's not even a year old yet." She burst out laughing that he'd kept up so well the whole time.

"I WANT OUTTA THIS PLACE! It's for BABIES!!"

It's WAAAY past time for Charles's monthly picture and he was NOT cooperating yesterday. He was moving all over the room. He loves his iTunes and it really gets him grooving. Here are some out takes and some "it's the best I could do" shots. He's outgrown my little "studio" as you can see in the background.

T-T-T-T-That's all folks!
Oh wait, one of daddy hanging out with the girls!!

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TICK TOCK

2009-05-31T17:36:00.001-07:00

Tick tock...we start tomorrow...any more takers?
We double dog dare you...
1/2 hour out of your life a day for the summer.

WE Challenge YOU!

2009-05-30T13:50:00.002-07:00

I didn't think to post this here after posting it on my facebook page. but...in 2 days...JUNE 1st...Our family is embarking on a 90 Bible challenge. We are going to read through the Bible-cover to cover-and we challenge YOU to join us.
Originally we were looking for a family and the "loser" family would buy the 'winning" family dinner LOL but I was pleasantly surprised by the takers on facebook...and that was only to entice anyway.
Here is the link to the check off list...
http://www.haventoday.org/schedule.pdf
You can also google 90 bible challenge and see all the paraphernalia (I'm impressed spell check didn't flag that word!!)available, including a special Bible and audio stuff. We're not doing any of that but it's out there.

i KNOW THIS IS SHORT NOTICE BUT ... ANY TAKERS?
If you're not competitive, I'd be happy to rephrase this as "I double dog dare you!" LOL

Whew!! Some randomness to catch you up.

2009-05-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a faith building couple of weeks around here. After my last post, I was off to an annual prayer retreat with our church. But before the sun came up Steve awoke in extreme pain and we spent 1/2 the day in a clinic. They did some blood tests only to tell us what it wasn't and told him to stop taking tylenol to mask the pain so we could see if it was 'getting worse.' Two hours after that he was in the emergency room and I was off to my retreat a couple of hours away b/c I was the driver for 6 other women. I planned on just going then turning around and coming home. But, the hospital ran more tests and diagnosed him with acute pancreatitis. I only say that so that anyone with any experience with it can commiserate. It's not very serious in the long run...just VERY painful.
So, I've spent the last 2 weeks researching homeopathic cures and diets since the hospital gave him MORE pain pills and told him to fast for 4 days. I fasted with him the first day from the retreat. Besides now being exhausted and sleeping a lot more and a lot more often he is 30 lbs. lighter... He says thanks to my good cookin' he had a spare 30 to rid himself of anyway.

Anyway, this whole year has been quite a journey in faith for us. Here is witness to how it's rubbing off all around the house. this is Mrs. Moe, she conducts bible studies here during the week where she pulls kids from the public school across the street. Notice our dog in the corner soaking it all in.

Thanks to Charles, Steve went through 2 phones in as many weeks as well. So a couple of days ago we went and upgraded and have been curled up on the sofa together playing with our new toys...Blackberry's...

Just for "Nona"

2009-05-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

I was out doing some trimming yesterday and saw something that made me think of my mom....

Where's Nona when we need her to talk some sense into this kid? Doesn't know a luxury when he sees it. Eating out of your own backyard.

Mm mmm, good!!

Mother's Day.

2009-05-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Our first Mother's Day went by with a roller coaster of events. None of which were what we expected and none of which I would ask for a re-do on. It is what it is.
Charles awoke at 1 am. not to wish me a happy Mother's day but b/c he had a tummy ache. He was crying in his sleep. I rubbed his belly for about 15 min and he quieted down. 2 a.m he awoke screaming, I gave him some baby gas-ex (Mylinex) and he quieted down in about 5 min. 3a.m more screaming, more gas-ex, 4a.m. I brought him to be with me and every hour as he awoke like clockwork, I gave him an dose 1/2 asleep myself and in the dark. Poor baby.

We went to church at 8:30 and he was in his usual good spirits.
Steve and I got home and prepared our Mother's Day bbq. (It was DELICIOUS!) We were having 2 families over. Charles was his usual wonderful self.
I made THIS for desert...which is what I WANTED to do. I used to love baking but haven't done much of it in the past few years.

Charles then took his nap and awoke, a little early, you guessed it...out of sorts and pulling his ear a little. He was super fussy. We will have to do a picture re-do as he took all of our attention most of the day. When I was holding him he wanted daddy, when daddy was holding him he wanted mommy. Here's what he looked like most of the day.

Then for the big event. We were all taking turns standing guard as he quietly played with the water in the pool. Something I do often during the nice days we have here. Charles was tossing something into the pool and having moments of content, which we were all grateful for. Then wouldn't you know it. The ONE moment Steve and I BOTH were standing guard, dispatching our parental duties diligently...Steve's twin sister sent a text message to me on his phone. I stood to see it, so did Charles, who lost his balance and plopped head first AND backward right into the pool! No sooner did his head splash into the water did Steve grab his foot with the same hand he was holding the cell phone. So we are still with happy healthy baby but sans cell phone. Charles by the way is completely unscathed, he had a good cry and seemed to snap out of his fussiness for the rest of the day. We joked that we should have doused him a good one at the beginning and maybe he would have snapped out of it earlier.

CALEB AND CHARLES

2009-05-09T14:04:00.001-07:00

Caleb took his task to heart this week being "blog worthy" as we called it. He carried the camera around with him and made an effort to spend some very good quality time with Charles. He's such a good big brother. Caleb is quite compassionate, as a child I always kidded that he would cry at the drop of a hat if someone hurt his feelings or was mean to him but fall and get up bleeding or broken boned without a tear.
Monday night the boys go bowling. Charles usually goes to Karissa's house and plays with her...I never noticed how much she has momma's smile until I saw these pictures. Karissa will be 4 right around my birthday this Oct.No, bowling with the baby did not mean literally bowling WITH the baby. Caleb knows better than that. However, the diaper bag DID get used as a soccer ball that night and glass food jars shattered leaving food all over everything in the bag...er'h'mmm. Yet more fodder for my "Three steps forward two steps back" column that I'll never write. Otherwise known as "A peek into the life of a mom completely outnumbered by THREE teenage boys!"

Charles's first driving lesson, and I missed it! Boo hoo....Buddy time...one-on-one Beating up big brother is right up there with groin injuries on those TV blooper shows!Caleb is also into sports-playing, watching, you name it. Caleb is the one child that is usually first to turn OFF the video games and TV to go to the park an shoot hoops or do something athletic-even if his brothers wont go with him. So here's some sports talk. "This is a bat, used in baseball."

"This is a basketball and this is how you dribble...a basketball, as opposed to the constant "dribble" you have running down your chin..."

Sorry about these sideways videos. I forgot I can't flip them like I can a photo and it's quite challenging taking photos of a 2 ft tall baby and 6 ft. tall dad without flipping the camera! So, hold off on your V8 before watching these-maybe that'll help!

More April Haps

2009-05-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

I found these in the other camera...forgot about this day...
Charles and his pals are getting a giant play pen this summer...

Helping Daddy...

Enjoying his handiwork...still need to get the fence to go around it...but it's a playpen even now as Charles doesn't really like the feel of grass yet and just sits still when we set him on the grass. WE KNOW that wont last long.

Note worthy

2009-05-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention. Yesterday in church, Charles was rather active grabbing at papers and anything else WE happened to be holding. At one point he took a pencil from me, turned it around the right way and then drew some lines on a paper! Steve and I witnessed the whole thing and looked at each other surprised...it was really interesting!

Mission "Caleb"

2009-05-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

Looking over the posts we realized that Caleb is not very well represented here. So, this week, he's focused on "blog worthy" stuff and spending more time with Charles.
Here are some antics from lazy day Sunday.

GROUP HUGS STILL HAPPEN HERE...EVEN WITH ALL TEENAGED BOYS!CALEB AND THE MUSICAL TALENTS HE CLEARLY INHERITED FROM DAD...

"April" Showers

2009-05-02T17:51:00.000-07:00

We used to tell a joke over and over when we were little...
If April showers bring May flowers what do May flowers bring?
....Pilgrims!
On May 1st we had a torrential downpour here. May 2nd...still raining. Actually, I prefer the downpour to the drizzle. I like weather that is SERIOUS about itself...LOL

Here are my biggest and littlest baby boys having fun together.

Here's my littlest learning from the one who WAS my littlest. Clay the master of the Deep Sleep. Clay, who has been nicknamed "Charles's little brother" because we can't wait for Charles to start talking and describe him that way. Clay,the strong silent type who is quick becoming my right hand man after school.Charles and cheerios

Playing in the park

2009-04-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

This is at my mom's favorite park...for the winding paths of olive trees. It's just around the corner from our house. Getting rid of so much of our clutter has afforded me more time to just go the park for 2 hours...ahhhh.

so....is it a Salisbury face or a LeFevre face??? I can't tell! I don't think he looks like either of us, really. LOL Maybe because he's so darn good looking.

Playing, a little English, a little Spanish and his own version of Chinese...

Little Daredevil

2009-04-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

Charles was in a VERY playful mood today. He's been chasing behind sofas to play peek-a-goo, sliding off the bed backward and JUMPING into my arms...

Watch this daring little move!

There's a lot of background noise on this one but you catch a rare glimpse of mom & dad so I stuck it in. We are usually BEHIND the camera but Clay (Charles's "little" brother) is acting as camera man.

Please leaves us comments on the little button to the right...WE LOVE your company and hearing from you all.

I'm not ready for this...

2009-04-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Monday nights Charles spends a few hours with our friend's little girl as I go to my bible study and Steve goes bowling with our friend. The 'grandma' said he took 6 steps last night but, of course, Steve and I concurr that it didn't happen as we weren't there and admonished Charles for the possibility of doing such a thing out of our site.
So, we were playing with him a little this morning before Steve left for work. He did take 2 or 3 steps in front of us ONE time but would not do it for the camera. Then, when he wasn't looking RIGHT after Steve left!! Darn kid...at least I got it on camera this time.
Emotionally, no, I am in no way ready for this. I want to go back to and relish all this a lot longer

Photo Shoot

2009-04-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

So, Steve took his boys to see a life long friend for the weekend and I'm home alone with my boys. One boy is working and hanging out with Charles, the other boy (Charles) is hanging out with Tomas and me and I am hanging out with my two boys sometimes both at once sometimes just one at a time.
At around 5 pm...I got the hankerin' to get to a little pond I saw from the road surrounded by Ca. poppies. Charles and I went 4 wheelin' in his carriage (I can't believe I just said that...I believe it's called a stroller now) me laden with diaper bag, tripod, camera bag....and, of course, baby. I parked at the park and went two different ways before finding the not so beaten path to the spot I had spotted. Charles fell asleep so he wasn't much in the mood by the time we got there...and I realized I needed an assistant but here are the highlights.

Here I am...needing an assistant...

This is probably the best shot of the day

Great profile...can't tell yet if he has that Salisbury chin...which actually looks far better on the men in the family than the women...

Giving participation a thought...

Distracted enough to look interested and intrigued by his shadow

Also sans assistant...how DO I do it???

Almost can't tell he's pouting.

Had enough "Get me Perrier!"

Utah Bound and "From the Mouths of Babes"

2009-04-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

So the week before Easter we whizzed up to Utah...making the decision w/in 48 hours...
We have a rental/retirement home there which went empty and Steve's brother made it sound rather messy so with work slow here and family up there, we decided to go and clean it up ourselves. Charles had a great time hanging out with Grandma Judy while we all worked on the house. Here are some of the more fun highlights...
Getting there (it's a 10 hour drive normally...see Christmas posts for the trip for the horror trip.)

The view from the front of "our" house. Awsome. This was a nice day...however, we left 80 degree weather here and arrived to SNOW in Utah. It warmed up after a couple of days...but...one morning I took my neice to the store for some provisions. When we were driving home, I pointed these beautiful mountains out to her and said "Where we live we don't have such a beautiful view...you are blessed with such a beautiful place, these mountains all around you wherever you look." She is in kindergarden and responded "You aren't blessed?" I recovered quickly with. "yes, we are blessed in California....uh...not with mountains...but...uh...we are blessed with beautiful weather." Darn if she didn't hesitate with "This is beautiful weather." uhhhh. "yes, beautiful cold weather...we are blessed with beautiful warm weather in California."
I ended with "This is the Day that the Lord has made." and called it a day.

Dancing Computer Monkey

2009-04-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

Charles is helping me shop and keeping an eye on the checker...off limits as his big brother works at this store so any given person COULD be his boss!

mmmmm, cherry juice!

I think Charles is dancing!! He does THIS whenever music comes on...

computer programmer in the making...

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The secret life of Peeps

2009-04-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Proud parents to be...

Don't start any rumors...I'm not insinuating ANYTHING by any means....I took this for a contest called "the secret life of peeps."

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

We spent Easter with our good friends the Whites and I brought my "studio." I took over 100 pictures--something that I would NEVER have done on film. Some of them are SOOOO cute, I just had to throw them up here in a hurry while everyone was well...you'll see by the last photo today. Stay tuned all this week as I edit some of them as best I can. Momma's got the photography bug again and realizes I've been neglecting my creative juices in this arena. Stay tuned for some surprises...

Happy Easter everyone!!!

Bunny boy hopping off to the land of Nod.

PHOTO OP!!

2009-03-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

More beautiful days of 75-80 degrees around here. I was talking with two friends of mine about photography and realized I've really been letting my creative juices dry up. So I got motivated by a conversation I was having and brought Charles outside just to practice cuteness. I learned how to make him laugh for pictures, I'm sure my neighbors thought something crazy was going on on the other side of the fence. And I was missing some of you so I was in "NY state of mind" for a couple of days and broke out the "I love NY" t-shirts Charles got in Dec. when I was visiting and trying to get the Statue of Liberty with him! just in the nick of time, he's growing like a weed!

Charles and Bear visting the dog next door.

Though he's usually quiet, this is what Charles looks like when he's talking to you on the phone. He gets a real kick out of the voice coming out of this little box. And our house alarm too, he likes the voice "armed...exit now..."

Charles's first words in perfect Brooklyn accent "eh, fugedabout it"

CATCH!!

2009-03-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO SUNDAY...HEREBY DUBBED "VIDEO BLOG DAY." These videos take a long time to load up and I take a lot of video footage during the week as Charles is very active and on the move. I often feel that a picture is not painting the 1,000 words that it used to. More like 30 seconds of video paints 1,000 words.

Charles can actually CATCH. I know in some of these videos it looks like we're handing him the ball, but he actually understands the concept of having his hands up. He thinks it's fun and giggles ... because he seems to know, this is playtime!

These videos are of mealtime, WARNING, they contain graphic footage and are not suitable for all audiences! Especially if you have a weak stomach or are eating yourself. Of course if you were ever a little boy you'll probably think this is pretty cool like our boys do.

And, I know Dad hasn't seen this one since last summer...but here's poopy face caught on 'film.' It's been a while since I've caught him in action (hard to believe with the number of diapers I've changed over the past couple of days.)

And Charles's 9 month old picture. Also getting more and more difficult to take as he immediately starts playing with the doggy and crawling for the cameraman. But this is, in fact, quintessential Charles...a face we see VERY often. He is still a very happy baby and laughing more and more at nearly everything and nothing at all.

And hidden down here...it's, again, a little challenging getting Charles on film because, I show him the videos on the camera when I'm done and he understands and recognizes the voices and himself. So, as soon as he sees me with the camera, he makes a b-line for it and wants to grab it. I have to be very sneaky and quiet. Here he is in his own little world playing with some magnets while I was cooking dinner.

And a little Bible challenge in light of the upcoming Easter. How many stories can you think of or find in the bible of people coming back from the dead? Our teenagers are looking it up this week...besides Jesus, we have 3. I'll post the scriptures when they find them.

IT WASA BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

2009-03-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Charles and I spent some time in the backyard playing, reading, pruning.

Pruning the lime tree.

A little prayer thanking God for the wonderful weather.

This is the second time I've seen Charles climb up on something. A few days ago he climbed up on one of his toys but was back down before I could run and get the camera. This time I was studying and caught him in action.

.

All good things must come to an end. Then we went inside where Charles helped load and unload, and load and unload (etc. etc.) the dishwasher.
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In like a Lion??? What happened?

2009-03-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

It's been pouring rain for 2 days now. Charles has the right idea. Ahh, the wonder of digital...this was taken just moments ago.

But I'm not complaining. My heart goes out to all of our adoring fans who are
1/2 buried in snow and about to get completely buried during the course of the day. And of course congratulations to all you little ones who are enjoying your SNOW DAY TODAY...woo hoo!!!

To Charles's credit. He DID help me do this!!!

See, here he is...helping...

So what do you think? Do I have a problem? I have one more book shelf to bring in from the garage but it does not have books on it. This is it. The other shelf is to provide symmetry. See two on either side of the nice bookshelf and the safe will do a 1/4 turn sometime this week.

This, by the way, is what I'm getting rid of so far. It's a BIG box though, see the hammer? It's for scale.

OUT WITH FEBRUARY...IN WITH MARCH

2009-02-28T14:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the neglect...nearly everyday, updating the blog is on my list of things to do. The past couple of weeks we have been rearranging everything in 3 rooms and I'm going crazy. Steve is amazing.We have one room relatively untouched, one now very comfortable and liveable and one quickly becoming the bane of my existence. It's clear I have a hording disorder with books. I had 4 bookshelves in the garage, we are in the process of moving them into what will be the office and well...you tell me...do I have a problem?
Here it is all stacked...in a mess...sad thing is, I have a special wide angle lens on my camera.

And here it is sorted into 4 or 5 categories. I'm working on commiting to getting rid of 1/2...but I might wimp out and go with 1/3.

The funny thing is, I know exactly what I have and where (well, until I asked the teenagers to move them but keep them in order b/c they were in order...now they are stacked high and all out of order.) Anyway, it's becoming a daunting task. But hey, my taxes were done 3 weeks ago!!

OK, so here's a cornocopia of what February was like around here with Charles.
Into everything...here he is checking out all the cool stuff around the computer. and by the way, notice the one sock wonder. I appear to be cursed. I have more single socks after every load...I mean for the rest of the family...so when Charles started dropping socks it quickly became a family joke, I am truly cursed by the one sock epidemic and Charles fits right in!

Bear is starting to get a little more attention around here for which she is grateful...but some days she should be careful what she asks for!!

He can still do this neat trick! I told you my friend, Kim, tried it one day months ago (she's a former ballet dancer) She did it...but then got up and realized she'd hurt herself a little.

This one is for you, Mom and Dad. My parents joke around some days when they are visiting and I went off to work while they waved goodbye from the front door like little birdies in the nest.

...

Charles stands up all the time...but always holding on to something. Every now and then while he's standing at a chair or table, he'll get lost in the moment of whatever he's playing with in his hand and let go of the table. The other day he was standing at the sofa and letting go to pass a pencil back and forth from one hand to the other. He's not camera shy so, unfortunately, once I grab the camera to film him, he's more interested in it than performing. But here's Tomas getting him to stand on his own. This IS a great feat. I was surprised after several flashes, like he's being hounded by the paparazzi, he did not fall over. I actually got a bunch of shots. He was pretty well balanced.

And a future judge on our hands likely to abuse his power to get people to shut up in the court room.

lll

And what babyhood is complete without a daddy to get you all riled up??!!

Always as cute as button.

And yet, as big as he's getting...every now and then I look down at Charles and see what a tiny baby he still is. Here he is sound asleep on the sofa. This was one of the moments I relish when I think "wow, I was thinking he was growing up so fast...but look at him, he's still just a little baby."

Bonus video coming to some of you personally...
Adios February...we are ready to welcome March around here.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

2009-02-15T13:22:00.000-08:00

Gigglefest 2009
Charles loves it when daddy does this to his neck...and you should see him when daddy rubs Charles's feet on his beard.

Charles was helping me make the bed...smoothing out the wrinkles and holding down the edges. He's a big help some days. I was trying to hide down behind the bed a play peek-a-boo but I don't think it was working too well here.

I was sitting on the counter and filming down. Bear who-rightfully so-can get very jealous as to all the attention Charles gets and she doesn't joins in on the action...here she is doing just that.

Yummm yummm-kisses anyone???

P.S. all the more than usual clutter you see behind him is 1/2 the contents of one room. We are still making room for baby and this week we are moving furniture around in 3 different rooms and redefining them all. More before and after pictures on that later--as the clutter dissipates and they become functional once again.

GROWING UP

2009-01-30T16:38:00.000-08:00

Let me see if I can get this correct. Charles was born June 10 so...here he is on

July 10

Aug 10

Sept 10

Oct 10

Nov. 10

Dec. 10

Jan 10.

GOOD EATS!

2009-01-30T15:31:00.000-08:00

You may know I am the self proclaimed family historian in our family. Well, I have 3 binders full of handwritten letters between my great grandmother and my grandfather chronicling the Great Depression. One thing she writes repeatedly is "eats" referring to meals and mealtime. "We had some good eats." So, I've come to perpetuating it in our family.
Here is Charles enjoying some of his eats.

and forget "don't play or talk with your mouth full."

And ahhh the joy of digital ( a far cry from "digital sucks" my mantra for at least a year as I was dragged into it kicking and screaming the whole way just a couple of short years ago.) Here is Charles just moments ago...when he was supposed to be down for a nap and I heard some unusually playful noises coming from the bedroom.

and by the way....THERE IT IS...his crib...the one Steve slept in, the one Caleb and Clay slept in...the one Steve has been shlepping around with him for 20+ years...yep, don't call OSHA or CPS on us but there he is happy and healthy in Daddy's old crib.

And better late than never...for my followers...here is his 7 mo. old picture. I have time today so
maybe it's time for a preview of his growth.

Routines

2009-01-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

Just some random thoughts from motherhood. Yes, it's actually quiet and peaceful enough for me to just contemplate for a moment.
I have spent all weekend coming up with a schedule and some routines for Charles (and myself). He does not sleep through the night yet but at least during the day I've decided that noon-2pm would be nap time. That give me time to get going in the morning, go exercize (twice a week in the morning) feed him, run errands if I have to, play with him, feed him again then put him down to get some work done. Honestly, on Sat. I looked at my kitchen and thought "If my mom saw this she'd report me to CPS." Charles got an A+ on Friday and Saturday but then daddy came home from being away and we were both pleasantly surprised to see that he actually recognized Daddy and started kicking, smiling and squealing when he heard his footsteps. Charles seems to completely recognize Daddy's voice. Now Steve walks loudly when he comes in and Charles starts spinning his head around looking for daddy, he nearly fell out of his chair while I was feeding him this afternoon.
Charles likes avacado, yams, baby cereal, apple, eating whole bananas (which I think feels especially good on some of the teething spots.) Some days he devours his food like a bottomless pit and I end up making more. Other days he eats so little it seems then starts fussing and crying and downs a bottle. As if to say, "this chewing and mushing it around in my mouth is far too much effort and taking far too long to get this stuff into my stomach, I quit, I'm outta here, where's that bottle? I need some fast action here!"
Oh, back to the training. So dad comes home and while Charles is crying in his crib (going on a minute and a half) dad says "Are you just going to let him cry? How long has been at it.?" I tell him what "the book" says 'let them cry for up to an hour' but I know I couldn't go that long. Well, Steve and I got on the same page by the end of the night. Actually, it's great to have a husband and partner in this who cares so much about our baby. I was trying to get Charles to sleep by patting him until my patience wore out, I just walked out and in about 1 min. he was out like a light. It's funny to think that WE are the stimulus that keeps him awake sometimes.

Speaking of stimulus...tomorrow is a BIG day for all of us. I hope you all awake Wed. morning finding you are suddenly better off than you are today. By the way, if I were in charge, I'd make inauguration day a holiday. It would only come every 4 years or 8. Actually, I'm realistic about it, I'd exclude incumbants being sworn back in. Face it, everyone's going to be watching TV all day tomorrow no matter where they are and if they ABSOLUTELY cannot watch TV, they certainly wont be paying attention to their jobs...just call it a day off!