Is it just us, or does Charley look like Kevin Bacon? Or maybe Ed Grimley, with this hair?
Archive for July, 2008
Six Degrees of Charley Hergert
Thursday, July 31st, 2008Crabby Patty
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Who could be crabby wearing a onesie this adorable? Thanks, Aunt Gina, who got this handmade number at Somerville’s ArtBeat Festival.
Tummy Time
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Straight Jacket
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Charley has always liked to be swaddled, but our success in keeping him contained there in has not always been, well, successful. That is, until we discovered the straight-jacket-style-swaddle of the miracle blanket (big thanks to Kaesmene for the tip!), which we mimicked with two receiving blankets. We ended up getting a Kiddopotamus yesterday, and in an unprecedented event, Charley slept six hours straight — I’m convinced it’s the swaddling! According to experts, Charley has officially slept through the night. According to me, not so much, but I’ll take the six hours straight any day, any time! Keep ‘em coming, Charley Boy (Flora’s new nickname for him).
Rock N’ Roll!
Monday, July 28th, 2008
My best Gene Simmons impersonation. And then there is me being coy.
Right On!
Monday, July 28th, 2008
I’m not sure Charley’s “Power to the People” pose is in sync with his Ralph Lauren attire, but the kid’s got to hang with all walks of life.
Walk Around The Block
Monday, July 28th, 2008
To give Charley some peace and quiet while he napped, and to burn off some extra energy before it rained, Flora and I went for an exploratory walk around the block. We collected rocks, pine cones, sticks, and weed wacker strings. Along the way Flora spotted a yard full of clovers, and took a whiff.
All Cheeks and Chins
Friday, July 25th, 2008
Blurry, nonetheless, this is what we’re dealing with cheeks-and-chins-wise.
One Month Checkup
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
This morning I had my one month checkup with Dr. G. After the initial trauma of getting undressed passed, I was quite content to lay on the exam table and be fussed over. I made sure to show Dr. G. how I can move and turn my head, and I threw a few smiles her way just to be flirty. Dr. G said I was doing things I wasn’t even supposed to be doing yet! After examining my physique, she said I was destined to be a football player with my stocky legs, long torso, and thick chest.
I weighed in at 10 pounds 3 ounces (56th percentile), and Dr. G surmised my previous weighing of 10 pounds 5 ounces the day after I came home from the hospital was off, considering I was just about 9 pounds 9 ounces before I left the hospital. And with how big and solid I am, she said the loss didn’t make a bit of sense. Plus, that day the nurse measured me at .5″ shorter than when I was born, so it could just be those Day 5 measurements were screwy. Anyway, my body grew to 23″ long (90th percentile) and my head grew to 15.5″ in circumference (73rd percentile), making me a pretty big baby all around.
Summer Lovin’
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
Sporting new summer outfits (thanks to Aunt Linda for Charley’s tropical toggery and to Aunt Elizabeth for Flora’s flowery frock), the kids show some summer lovin’.
Cravings
Sunday, July 20th, 2008
Burrr, slush is cold … but darn tasty on a hot day! After a brief trip to the playground on Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield this weekend, we stopped at Cravings, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, to cool off. I had watermelon slush (’cause it’s pink, of course!), Dad and Mom shared a BIG brownie sundae, and Charley napped as usual.
One Month Old (Chicks Dig Me)
Sunday, July 20th, 2008
Today I turn one month old — Mom and Dad can hardly believe it. As I grow, I’m getting stronger and stronger. I can hold my head up for long periods of time, even when I’m on my tummy, and scooch myself forward by pushing with my legs. I’m expressing more of my personality with various sounds, facial expressions, and arm and leg movements. And I slept for a 5.5 hour stint the night before last, however, Mom and Dad’s attempt to recreate that scenario failed last night, when I only slept for 2 hours at a clip! Even still, “chicks dig me,” especially my Aunt Hanna who gave me this onesie, and my Aunt Julia who gave me this hat.
Hopscotch and Bubbles
Friday, July 18th, 2008
While Charley napped, Mom and I braved the heat on Friday and played hopscotch and bubbles. It sure has been hot, hot, hot — thank heavens for popsicles!
Guy Smiley
Thursday, July 17th, 2008
This past week, Charley has been smiling much more when awake as well as cooing back when talked to. But don’t be fooled by his boyish grin — this kid has a fierce witching hour (lasting much longer than an hour) in the early evenings and has a very hard time going from wake state to sleep state, especially during the wee hours of the morning. And unlike his big sister, he’s not so much of a binky lover, so we’re having to get used to hearing lots of fussing, protesting, and screaming. Needless to say, we’re running on very little peace and quiet, which makes sleeping for any length of time pretty difficult.
Mommy and Fu … and Charley
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
Yesterday was my first full day home alone with both kids. Flora did well considering she has had three solid weeks of extra and dedicated attention, although for the first time I saw some pangs of jealousy when I had to tend to Charley. But we made a “nursing bag” for Flora full of special toys and DVDs that she can break out for those times, and that was a big hit. And I made sure to give her as much attention as possible since she now has to share her “Mommy and Fu days” with Charley. Poor kiddo! I did pretty well, too, and was amazed to have worked in a shower, a lunch (although I had to hold Charley in one arm and eat with the other), and a 20 minute cat nap. And of course Charley did well — just got to keep that milk bar open!
Strong Like Bull
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
Charo’s got nothing on me — I can shake my maracas like a pro. And I can hold on tight and for a very long time. I’m strong like bull … or elephant, as my outfit would suggest (thanks, Nerneys!)!
2.5 Years Old!
Monday, July 14th, 2008
Today I turned 2.5 years old! When Mom told me I was turning 2.5 today, I said, “No, I’m just 2″ then said, “No, I’m pretty.” I so do love to say “No!” Here I am in my tutu — I like to put it on and dance to The Backyardigans — Uniqua is my favorite. My new favorite things to say are, “It’s not working” and “Why?,” and my favorite thing to do is read books aloud. If I don’t know the story, I’ll just make one up! I’ll see if Mom and Dad can capture one of my soliloquies in a sound clip and post it here later. And I love to ask anyone in ear shot, “What’s your name?” and follow up with “What’s your Mommy’s/Daddy’s name?,” or ask Mom or Dad, “Who gave it to me?” or “Who bought it for me?” I’m fascinated that everyone has a name and everything came from somewhere!
Chillin’
Monday, July 14th, 2008
Here is what Flora looked like at around three weeks old. Compared to her, Charley’s hair is much lighter in color and fluffier in texture (like Marty’s). They both don the darker blue eyes and surrounding ring (also like Marty’s) — although Charley’s eyes might be a tad darker than Flora’s was — it is hard to tell. And of course Charley is much, much bigger (no shortage of cheeks and chins on this one) — at three weeks old he is the size that Flora was at two months old! I will be astonished if I get another blue-eyed, blonde-haired kid — I thought brown eyes and brown hair were supposed to be dominant!
“Made With Love”
Saturday, July 12th, 2008
Papa and Amma sent Charley this adorable “Made With Love” outfit, complete with knotted skull cap a la Flora. Charley’s closet can almost rival Flora’s — with all the cute and cool outfits, hats, socks, and shoes he’s received, plus some great hand-me-downs (thanks Hilary, Hanna, Linda, Jess, and Dawn!), this kid is definitely living up to his namesake!
Salem Willows Park
Saturday, July 12th, 2008
Mommy, Aunt Tracy, and Uncle Chuck took me and Charley to Salem Willows Park in Salem, MA. It is a throw-back boardwalk with two arcades, kiddie rides, fair foods, grassy knolls and picnic areas, beaches, and more. Aunt Tracy schooled me in the fine art of gambling, and with my winning tickets, I scored a fuzzy bear, a bear ring, and two lollipops. I also got to have a marketing treat — a Dora ice cream bar! Unfortunately, Mommy’s camera ran out of batteries as soon as we started the kiddie rides. But fun was had by all nonetheless — I can’t wait for Aunt Tracy and Uncle Chuck to visit and spoil me again!
A Twin and a Rat
Thursday, July 10th, 2008
Charley (meaning Manly) was born on June 20, 2008, which makes him both a Twin (Sign of Gemini) and a Rat (Chinese Zodiak). The traits of a Gemini are dual-natured and contradictory, curious and talkative, intellectual and eloquent, and cunning and inquisitive. The traits of the Rat are industrious and hard-working, loyal and loving, and chatty. Between the two, looks like we’ll have a real talker on our hands. But so far Charley mostly just grunts like a guinea pig and shrieks like pterodactyl! Check out his faux hawk.
www.mhergert.com/family
Thursday, July 10th, 2008Both www.mhergert.com/baby and www.mhergert.com/flora will redirect you to our new URL, www.mhergert.com/family, but you may want to update your bookmarks and links anyway. Since “family” ought to cover any future changes (and we don’t plan to have any future additions!), this should be the last time we have to update the URL and blog name!
“Aunt Twacy and Chucky” Visit
Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
“Aunt Twacy and Chucky” are visiting us this week, and that means lots of fun and special treats. So far, we’ve played at the playground, dipped our toes in the Stoneham wading pool, ate lunch at Bruegger’s, grilled smores for dessert, and ate lots and lots of watermelon. More adventures to come!
The Old Stink Eye
Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
“Love” The Panda
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
Michelle Kindig, my oldest and dearest friend, has taken up knitting (in all her spare time between taking care of and home-schooling her two little ones!) and made this very special panda bear for big sister, Flora. We named him “Love” because he has a little, red heart sewn onto his chest. As you can see, Flora really liked her surprise. She said, “I love him so much” and asked, “Who gave him to me?” and later said, “I want to talk to Michelle on Tuesday.” Heartfelt thanks to Michelle for all the time she spent learning how to make a most adorable and unique bear — we’ll cherish him always!