opening day 2017

This might be my favorite family tradition. As you may remember, we have a history with the Nationals opening day. In 2015, it was opening day when I told Jon I was pregnant. Fast forward one year, and we were there with a 4-month-old Charlie. So, of course, we had to make it a family affair again this year.

It's always a bit of a gamble braving events with a toddler. At the end of last baseball season, he was still nursing, not yet walking, and still taking two solid naps per day. We kind of had it down to a science and ended up enjoying 7 games with Charlie last year. We had no idea what to expect now that he's older, wiser and much more rambunctious.

Much to our surprise, he was content to sit in our laps the entire game. Yes, our 15-month-old sat in our seats with us for nine complete innings of baseball - all of which happened during lunch and afternoon nap time. It should have been a disaster, but it was so much fun!

At first, I thought he might fall asleep in the ergo, but there was just too much to see. We had a good supply of snacks on hand to keep him satisfied. The one problem we did have was the cheering. He didn't mind the PA system or moderate cheering, but when the crowd reacted to HRs, etc., Charlie would completely lose it. First, he would make this amazing scrunchy face and then the tears would start. Luckily, they never lasted long. He wouldn't keep his headphones on to help reduce the scare factor. Since he recovered quickly, I can admit it was pretty funny - especially watching everyone else around us react. Once it had happened a few times, they would all cheer and then brace themselves for the tears. They all felt bad for making the babe cry.

4 months of cuteness

Hello? Is anybody there?

I'm sorry for the radio silence. It's not because life is no longer exciting or because Charlie is any less cute. In fact, I'd say it's because life and Charlie have been too exciting and too cute, respectively.

The first few months of this year have been dedicated to all things house. We decided to sell our house this spring so we spent most of January and February getting everything ready to be on the market. The good news: it sold right away. The bad news: we still don't know where we are going next. The housing market is pretty crazy around here so you just don't have the luxury of time or contingencies. The buyer's of our house agreed to a rent back so technically I'm still living in my home, which I no longer own, but now rent. That's not weird at all. We have to be out by June 6th so the clock is ticking....

The last time I checked in, Charlie had just turned one and was still a baby as far as I was concerned. He is now just barely 16 months and all toddler. We don't walk, we run (arms up, belly out). We don't toss, we throw. We don't play, we destroy. But, I have to give him props, he is still the most content, easy-going little guy. Give him some space to run/play/explore and that's about all he needs - save the occasional nosh break. Whether it's after a stint in church nursery or at the gym childcare or with a babysitter, everyone always comments about how easy-going and chill he is. I have no idea what I did to deserve this, and I know it could change ANY minute, so I'm just trying to enjoy it while it lasts. Here's what we've been up to....

A warm winter/spring meant lots of trips to the park where our favorite activity was pushing things around.

Teething means we sometimes just need to chew on the couch. He cut all four molars at once
but took it like a champ, per usual.

He wasn't too sure about the bed in his playroom (courtesy house staging for photos/showings)
until he realized it was the perfect spot to relax while watching some Elmo.

"Ok, mom, this swing is fun but is that a slide I see?"

 

Plate full of peas, mouth full of cookies. He's become pickier about what he'll eat and
anything he doesn't want to eat ends up thrown on the floor. 

We love the toilet.

And toilet paper. 

And boxes.

And balloons...courtesy Nordstrom when we went to buy his first pair of real shoes in January.

We could spend hours pulling out all these fun drawers. 

Still sleeps like it's his job. Usually from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 a.m. at night + a 2-hour afternoon nap.

Still looks just like Dad.

15-month well visit. Into EVERYTHING.

That pout!

At pilates class with mom. Am I doing this right? 

It's not all fun and games. Made a couple of ER trips recently thanks to a bad virus that moved into
his lungs and caused wheezing.

But luckily we love our pediatrician's office and their fun toy truck.

Approximately 2 seconds before the M&M's that were inside were strewn all over the ground...
and yes, with Charlie happily collecting and eating them. 

Loves going on walks and just being outside in general.