Merry Christmas!!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas! We were reminded of the many blessings that God has given us, the greatest of all being the gift of his son!

Charlie LOVED his new push car, and would have pushed it all night long if he had not had to eventually go to bed.

Cici and Charlie had a great time together, jumping up and down in the pack and play and giggling.

Cousin Eloise had visited earlier this December...here is the only moment (in about 20 picture tries) that you can see all three faces, and no one is making a frustrated or very unhappy face). Next year we may get some smiles.

Christmas morning!

Charlie loves his new horse--he thinks it is a pet and pets and kisses it each time he passes it in his room.

Trouble

Now that Charlie is mobile, he has found many ways to make a rascal of himself when I turn my head for a few minutes.

His favorite spot to make trouble anytime I am otherwise occupied is currently the shower. He usually tries to open the door and cannot, but I suddenly heard silence the other day (a bad sign as every mother knows) and immediately came to see what had happened--only to find this.

He loves destruction of any kind--we've been trying to teach him to put things in a box or basket, but he only seems to be able to take them out. Here I caught him destroying everything in a kitchen cabinet.

A Momentous Day

Oh yes, the moment you've all been waiting for: Charlie had his haircut by Willie. The only man to ever cut Graham's hair (except for when he was forced to see someone else during a 2 year hiatus in Charlotte). Both father an son had their hair cut together. Charlie did a great job on Graham's lap....the Eggo waffle proved a great distraction--I'm not even sure he knew he was having his hair cut. Here are the before and after pics for your enjoyment!

Before (definitely in need of a trim!)

Daddy, Charlie and the famous Willie

Loving the Eggo

What a dapper pair!

Dance Lessons from Aunt Amy

Aunt Amy came over this week and taught Charlie some of her new moves from college. He's catching on a little too quickly, we think!!!!

Thankful for Cousins

We had a great Thanksgiving over at Gigi and Grandad's today. Charlie and Cici did a lot of waving at each other and climbing the stairs together. We did, however, greatly miss cousin Eloise at this gathering. Here is a shout-out to Eloise from her cousins.

Happy Halloween!!!

We went to the arboretum to get some precious pictures of our son in his Halloween costume. Problem: Turns out, Charlie HATES his Halloween costume. Mommy thought it would be so cute, but apparently, Charlie does not agree. But, after being distracted by a few 2 year old princesses who wanted to play with him, Charlie began to liven up and we got a few cute pics.

"Mom, I look so silly! Why did you put this thing on me?"

"Hmm....these little girls seem to think this outfit is pretty cute. Maybe it isn't so bad after all!"

"Maybe if I just force a smile, they will quit taking all of these pictures."

"My parents are exhausting!"

Puppies!!!!

Charlie went to go visit Aunt Missy and Uncle Robert's grandpuppies. It doesn't get much cuter than a baby and a bunch of puppies. He loved it!!! He would like to keep all 9!!!

Charlie's First Word

Charlie said his first word last week....a very unexpected one. Bird. There is a little iron bird in our living room that he loves that he looks for every morning, and last Tuesday we walked in to the living room and he loudly said "Bird!" (Well, it sounds more like B--d).

However, he is a little confused and thinks every animal is a bird. He loudly yells "bird!" at every dog that walks down our block. But we'll get it figured out soon!!!! Here is a little clip of him showing off his new word.


We love watching Charlie change and grow, but it was extra special to see him start to speak this week. We pray that his mouth will one day be filled with God's praises! But for now, "Bird" makes us very proud!

"Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your glory!" Psalm 71:8

Texas State Fair

Yesterday we introduced Charlie to one of the great joys of living in Texas...the Texas State Fair.

Here we are in front of the Ferris Wheel!

Charlie took a ride on the carousel....which he did NOT enjoy. He seemed a bit overwhelmed and looked serious the entire time. (And yes, we did ride with him.....we ducked for the picture).

This ride was more his speed...the tractors on display!

And here Charlie is attempting to sample some of the great State Fair food!!!

Our Little Pumpkin

He's the cutest one in the patch!

A visit to Kansas City

We went to Kansas City this week to visit Gran and Pops. Here are the Johnston men (all with the same blue eyes, I might add!)


Here we are with Gran and Mimi!

Charlie got a new pair of shoes (thanks, Gran!) and loved them so much he started trying to walk!!! What a big boy!

Here is Charlie in a rocking chair just his size!!!!

Happy Birthday Gaddis!

We celebrated Gaddis' first birthday last weekend with a bounce house and cake! Here are the boys with their moms!

We tried to leave the boys for a pic by themselves....didn't work too well!

Here is Charlie with his newest little friend, Ellie Breed!!!!

I love my bath!!!!

Charlie's favorite activity of the day!!

We love to jump!

Charlie's favorite game is peekaboo in the jumperoo! Pretty fun!

To the Park!

Charlie LOVED his first time down the slide and in the park swing. He just laughed and laughed the whole time he was on the swing!!!!!

Charlie's First Haircut

I gave Charlie his first haircut (a trim) this week....and I must say, I think I did a pretty good job! He looks pretty happy about it.

Before

After

Charlie's Puppy

Charlie and Friends

Charlie has so many sweet friends to share the discovery of life with! We are so thankful for each of them!

James and Charlie share very similar taste in fashion. They have been seen sporting the same outfits on many occasions. What a pair! Charlie practices his bullying skills on James, pinching him on the arm....but James is trying his hardest to defend himself by catching up to Charlie in size.

Robert comes over frequently to give Charlie crawling lessons. Charlie hasn't caught on...he seems to be trying to swim through the air. But Robert is very patient. He has begun to motivate Charlie by pulling his hair--surely Charlie will learn to crawl away soon!

Here is Charlie with his cousin (or second cousin or something), Andrew Slaton. They entertained one another for an extraordinary amount of time, as Andrew bounced and Charlie banged on his high chair. Sweet boys!

Seven Months!!!

I can't believe it! My baby is seven months old and looking more like a little boy. Here is the comparison of 7 weeks and 7 months! What a difference!!!! He and Pooh can't even fit right next to each other any more!!!