Kitty Sitting

My co-worker was out of town last week, and Charlie and I went over to hang out with her kitty, Haley. Charlie was a little freaked out by how mobile she was - like jumping on the back of the couch by his head! - but also really excited about playing with her.









On the way home, Charlie asked where Haley's mommy and daddy were - her kitty mommy and daddy. I started to tell him that she got lost from her parents, but then realized that might be vaguely terrifying - get lost from your parents, then get taken home by random strangers. So I changed course midstream and tried to explain that animals don't live with their parent as long as human kids do. So Haley struck out on her own, and then decided to live with my co-worker. No nightmares so far.

Charlie then told me I was a mommy kitty. I said, "How so?" He looked at me like I was a fool, and answered, "You don't have a penis." Hard to argue with that.

Asheville

We spent the past few days in Asheville - I was there for the NC Public Health Association Meeting, and the boys came along to play! We had a great time, and with the leaves just starting to change, it was gorgeous.

At the Western NC Nature Center




Lounging poolside


View from the Grove Park Inn's patio


Outside the Grove Park's spa


At the Pack Place Science Center - I was so amused by this! Where in the world did this child learn how to iron? It certainly wasn't at our house . . .

Oh Boy

Last week, something happened that I've heard is inevitable, but that I've been dreading nonetheless. Charlie was in the yard, holding a stick, and said, "Look, Mama, I have a gun!" I was feeling a little grumbly about it, but Evan talked me down by reminding me of all the things he's been pretending that don't involve weaponry . . .

Deep-sea diver


Explorer


Ballerina


Sous-chef


Beach bum




Maybe he won't turn out to be a sniper after all!

Yoga

Charlie joined me for some prenatal yoga this morning . . .

Getting centered


Belly breathing


Downward facing Charlie


Child's pose


He didn't hang around for shavasana!

Dino Week

This week, Charlie's preschool class is talking about dinosaurs, so he is in heaven! Today, the kids were asked what happened to the dinosaurs, and their teachers wrote down their answers. One of Charlie's buddies said they went to jail because they were so mean. Here's what Charlie had to say on the subject:

"I think they died before paleontologists came because volcanoes came. And the meat eaters ate dinos and chased away the paleontologists."

Logic? Not so much. But you gotta love the paleontologists being chased away by dinosaurs.

Plus One

The big news around camp these days is the extra heartbeat emanating from my decidedly rounder abdomen. "Charlie's baby" is about 16 weeks along, and I'm feeling pretty much back to normal. Much of the last 8-10 weeks has involved me going to bed at 8:30 and maintaining marginally acceptable grooming standards. Thankfully, my energy level is back to its former state, meaning that Evan is no longer solely responsible for maintaining our household and I might actually pass my classes this semester.

Charlie is very excited about the baby, which he refers to as "his" - which makes me sound like the hired surrogate. Here're a few gems from the past few weeks:

"Mommy is still sleeping. She is tired from growing my baby."

[After asking how the baby gets out]: "That will not break you?"

"Can the baby sleep with me in my big boy bed?"

"I will hold the baby on the potty so she will not fall in the water."

"We better put away these toys [before the baby comes] because they are too pokey."

The baby, whose sex will remain a mystery until February, is always "she" - we'll see if Charlie has any future as an oracle. He came with us on our first trip to the midwife last weekend. He wasn't particularly interested in hearing the baby's heartbeat (too abstract, perhaps?) but very curious about my urine dipstick, which Nancy kindly explained to him.

Just a video and a few photos to fill in the gaps from the last month:



Having a cherry tomato snack with daddy




Lounging in bed (where else?) with mama


Stories with a chokehold


Playing in the creek

Miscellaneous

Today at the park:

C: I am thirsty. I should have a beer.
E: Oh, really? What kind of beer?
C: Cinnamon!
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Charlie's new favorite game: I sit on the floor with my legs loosely crossed. Charlie crawls in my lap, and wraps himself up in a blanket. Then I say, "Evan, I think our baby is ready to hatch!" Then Charlie jumps out of his "shell" and we have to say, "There's our baby!" We played this game for about 45 minutes after dinner the other night. Second in line is the stinky feet game, which mostly involves him rubbing his stinky feet on us and laughing maniacally.
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Charlie loves the phrases "of course" and "in fact:"

E: Charlie will you please go put these trucks back in your room?
C: Of course!

A: Charlie would you like some more muffin?
C: Yes, I would, in fact.
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Hugs and kisses are in short supply these days. Chances are good that if you ask for a hug, he'll tell you he's all out: "No more hugs today, mama. But you can have a kiss."