Awesome News

I can hardly believe that my summer is over. I am so blessed to have spent it with this sweet boy. 

Seriously, I really don't know where time has gone...but he is growing up so quickly. He continues to be just the sweetest little boy and he MELTS. MY. HEART.

We spent yesterday in Kansas City at the doctor. They were thrilled with the progress of his hemangioma and they gave us the go to STOP his meds!!! I am beyond thankful for the knowledge of these great doctors and the doctor that finally sent us on to KC. I truly think they probably took years off the time Charlie has his hemangioma. I couldn't be more thankful and happy with the progress.

Yesterday, I saw the best quote in a magazine from a mom whose daughter also had a hemangioma  and it pretty much summed up how I felt when we first learned about Charlie's. She said, "I always feared her hemangioma would enter the room before my daughter."

I remember crying while rocking him when he was itty bitty and fearing just how big would his get? How long would it grow? What would people think? What would they say? Would he be in any pain? The fear of the unknown was so overwhelming and the unexpected seemed so unfair.

 We have had some very interesting comments and looks over the past year...but I think we have done the best we could for him and we love love LOVE him just the way he is. When he is closer to 3 or 4 and if there is still any redness left we will think about doing laser treatments. But for now, it is doing it's job all on its own--and it is doing a pretty good job. :)

June 2012--the day we started the meds

August 2013-the week we ended the meds

The white spots throughout the red is where it is already dying and fading away. :) 

Weieneth Baby #2 :)

On July 2nd we had our ultra sound with baby number 2. We were so excited to see the little peanut. Here are a few pictures

I couldn't help but to compare Charlie's ultrasound picture to the new baby....I think their profiles look a lot a like. They might not in real life at all..but I think their little profiles do in the ultra sounds:) 

This first picture is Charlie...look at his foot above his head:) 

 This picture is baby 2--look at foot above the head:)

 Charlie --sucking his thumb

 Baby 2--sucking thumb:)

What do you think....boy...or girl???? Can't wait for November! You are so loved already little one:)

B.A.T.H.

This little guy is serious about his BATH. AJ and I have to spell out the word unless it's time. He seriously runs for the tub. :)

Catching Up!

We are officially in summer mode around here and I am finally getting around to catching up on a few things. My neglected blog being one of them...yikes. Here is what our little family has been up to the past 4 months.

 In March we went on a family vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama. The 18 hour car trip on the way down went AMAZING ...way back not so much. Soon after we got home our entire house had the flu....not a fun way to come home from vacation.

 Charlie got lots of time at the indoor pool since the weather outside wasn't as nice this year.

 My great friend Kelsey and her 3 kids went as well. Kelsey and I have been going to Gulf Shores together for what seems like forever. It was so fun to bring our kids :)

This kid was fearless when it came to the water

 Charlie wasn't too sure about his feet in the sand :)

Charlie also started walking while on vacation and even more once we got home. I'll try and get the video to load later:)

The weekend after spring break was Easter. Mr. Easter Bunny added Tabasco Sauce to Charlie's basket without the Mrs. knowing. He thought it was pretty hilarious when Charlie pulled it out. Charlie must have thought it was funny too:) 

New rule at our house---if you can walk---you can clean! 

Charlie has found a few favorite toys that he is attached to each day

 His motorcycle--wants to be just like Grandpa Bob...oh and he is watching MICKEY MOUSE...he is obsessed. He would probably watch it all day if we let him. He can hear the music from another room and he will come running

 His dog...sleeps with this dog EVERY night....cuddles it up right under his arm and gives him kisses on the nose.

 Look Ava has one too:)

 Eating with a fork

 You can't seem them very well here..but he has animal magnets that he plays with ALL THE TIME. He takes them from the fridge, puts them on the step, then in the dog cage, then on the rug...and then starts all over again. He LOVES them! Seriously could play with them for hours.

He feel and got his first big scrape ...or in this case scrapes. Poor guy. 

At the end of May he had tear duct surgery. It was a quick surgery but he was not a happy camper when he was done. We had a much better day once we were home and in his own surroundings. His eye is doing much better now. 

We have been spending a lot of time on his new play set. 

And lots of play dates with friends.

In June we headed back to KC to another doctor's appointment for Charlie's hemangioma. We are continuing to lower the amount of medicine he is taking each day with hopes of taking him off it soon. Check out the difference a year makes. The first picture is last June, just two weeks after starting the medicine. The second picture is was taken this June. Look how many white patches there are within the red. It is starting to die and disappear. We are going to continue to let it go away on it's own and if in a few year it is still there we may look into other options for him. But we are making such great improvement we are hoping for the best for the little guy. I sometimes forget just how big and red/purple it was! 

While we were in KC we made a stop at the TRex restaurant. Charlie had a BLAST!

Look at that smile Grandpa puts on his face :) 

A lot has been happening...but I think our biggest news is that our little family is growing again. Charlie is going to be a big brother come November. I can't believe this pregnancy is half way over. Can't wait to meet this new little peanut. Charlie will make an awesome big brother. 

Seriously???

How has it seriously been a year already?? This was a pretty special weekend. Charlie turns ONE on Tuesday but we celebrated this weekend.  It was a day filled with as much excitement as it was a year ago. Lots of laughs and oohing over Mr. Charlie Boy. It was a great excuse to bring family together and celebrate our wonderful blessing who is getting oh so big.

The party started out with lots of food and CAKE!!!

And presents too!

AJ and I got Charlie a wagon...which we nicknamed the "Chuck Wagon" :) 

This looks like a good way to open the present

He then sat on the box to open the rest of his presents:) ...well until he fell off. 

Then he sat safely in mom's lap :)

 A train!

A new tie from Aunt Becky and Uncle Cody..every boy needs one. Now he can have Tie Tuesday with dad

A motorcycle!!! 

He's ready for a ride with Grandpa Bob. 

 Charlie got a picture with a few of his guests.

 No party is complete without Don!

We love you Charlie Boy. You are such a sweet and easy going little guy. We cannot wait to see what life has in store for you.  

You have brought so much joy to our life and I really can't think back to what life was like before you. (Well I do remember how nice it was to sleep in) :) So much has changed in such a short year. Charlie..you have shown us what our own little family is all about. Nothing has changed as much as you have though. Look how much you have grown! 

We are beyond proud to be your parents. :) Love you!