Priceless

I just had to post this cute picture - it was taken a while back when we were visiting Jacob's parents for Thanksgiving. He is just learning to walk (Charles that is) and is on his way to bed. Notice he has Elvis the elephant in his right hand - he usually carries him by his trunk.

Chi-Town

Jacob's vacation week started off by him visiting New Orleans to visit some close friends from residency. They had a great time catching up with each other and watching football. That Wednesday after he returned, we headed off on our first "big-time" vacation with Charles and a few of his necessities - a jogging stroller, pack and play, booster seat, car seat, and toys. The occasion? We went to visit Jacob's sister and brother-in-law before they leave Chicago next year. Charles was a champ on the airplane - he was content with milk, books and fellow passengers who were willing to entertain him. Thankfully he only discovered that he could stick his hands between the seats and someone behind would play with him toward the end of the flight.

We had so much fun and the weather was great. We visited the Hancock Building, ate Chicago-style pizza, walked around Univ. of Chicago's campus and Lake Michigan, and watched the Dawgs beat Kentucky. We even had a double date night sans Charles! It was so nice be all dressed up and completely involved in adult conversations. Overall, the only glitch was the airline losing our car seat on the way back. It made it home that same night. Not too bad for a first time traveler, Charles!

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving! The T-clan decided to pack their bags and head to Augusta for some Georgia turkey, squash casserole and nutty buddy. We always make wonderful memories at Grandmother and Grandfather's house with all the cousins, food, and conversations to enjoy. It was so nice to cozy up to a warm fire for the first time this fall! With a reflection on the past year, we are so thankful for our families and friends in our lives - thank you!

One is so fun!

Wow, I can't believe we have crossed the year mark into toddlerhood! We had a sweet birthday party with family and close friends the weekend before his birthday because his actual birthday fell on the UGA/Auburn game weekend - we could not interfere with the game! So we celebrated just the three of us on his actual big day. He had a great time enjoying his first taste of sugar and new toys! I'm glad we got some great photos to show him in the years to come. It has been a wonderful first year - watching a little sleepy newborn grow into this energetic toddler has been amazing. We could not have asked for a better fit to our family - God is good!

Under the Sea

I just had to show off our first Halloween costume! The Monday before Halloween, a bunch friends gathered at Homewood park for a parade with our children in their cute little costumes - everything from vikings to cheerleaders were in attendance. My little lobster had a great time with his little friend, Ryan the octupus. I'll be posting pictures of Charles' first birthday party in a few days, so check back soon!

Lazy Days

I cannot think of anything super exciting that we have been up to the past few weeks. It is really nice to have our lazy weekends full of naps, long walks, and time with friends. In this season of life, we are enjoying our quiet times as well - times with just Jacob at night after Charles has gone to bed, time with the three of us on our long walks in the afternoon, time playing with on the kitchen floor for hours on end, even time going to get Sneaky Pete hotdogs at random gas stations. I feel like this chapter in our lives is so rare to have with Jacob's nice schedule, so I'm trying to soak up every minute!

Charles did however, take his first steps this past weekend! He seems proud of this milestone and his new wobbly ability to walk no hands. I will try to get a picture of him walking soon - with him only taking 3 or 4 steps at a time, the photo ops are hard to come by!

The pictures I've included is one of Charles' friends, Bryden, who is 5 months younger. Playdates are always fun and nice to have baby as well as adult time! The other is just a cute one of Charles.

September Kickoff

September has started off with a bang. Charles started Mother's Day Out, I turned 30 (gasp!), and Jacob introduced UGA football to our little man.

So far, Charles enjoys MDO and church nursery - "playing" with other babies and finding new toys. He hasn't had any separation anxiety as of yet. His teachers say he is quite the explorer, which I know all too well! He is now cruising and enjoying new finger foods - some of his favorites are bananas, yogurt, corn, and oatmeal. We also started a fun water safety class called Water Babies - just trying to get him ready for the beaches when we move!

Jacob is back in the hospital and feels like he is home again working with patients and making rounds. He has a pretty nice schedule - most days we see him home by 4:30. He is so excited about football season starting back up and hints of fall in the air.

Jacob surprised me on my birthday to help get me over the much dreaded day. It turned out to be better than I thought! I had a relaxing pedicure with my friend, Karen that afternoon and came home to our close friends and their babies to help me blow out all those candles. It's crazy to realize that Jacob and I have known each other for 10 years now.

Weekend Trips

The pictures shown are two weekend trips to North Alabama. One weekend was in Huntsville. Jacob was working at the hospital there one weekend. Charles and I found a great lake that had interesting geese and ducks. We also happened upon an art museum which had some great wooden blocks!

The other trip was to Langston for Labor Day weekend. We visited Jacob's aunt, uncle and cousins who live on Lake Guntersville. It is always so relaxing and a great catch-up time for family. Charles enjoyed his first boat ride! I was a bit nervous, but he had fun.

Off to blog we go!

Okay, so I'm almost a year behind schedule if I was trying to chart Charles life month by month. But better late than never! I'm giving this blog a shot. I will do my best to post every month with new pictures and maybe even a story or two.
The Townsend Clan is doing great. Charles is almost 10 months old, crawling all over the place and loves to "hiss" by trying out his S sound. It is amazing how fast he is growing and that he is learning all the time! This morning we were eating our oatmeal, and I said "Jesus," and he repeated it back to me. Now I know at this age it will be a while before I hear it again, but it was so great to hear him say Jesus' name!
I love staying at home with my new "full-time" job. I must say mommyhood is completely different than accounting! I would not trade it for the world. I love spending my days with Charles - seeing him bright-eyed and "talking" every morning, listening to his laughs, watching his little bottom move from side to side when he's crawling, visiting Daddy at work, and the list goes on. I must say there are down times when Charles when he keeps on trailing back the same electrical outlet, when he gets really tired, when he is sick, but for the most part, I cannot complain. He has been a great baby, and I am so eager to see what a little person he will become.
We are now in our final year of Birmingham, and Jacob has started his chief position. He is thoroughly enjoying it. He really likes working with the other chiefs and teaching, but misses working in the hospital. He is excited about returning to the wards tomorrow for the next 3 months.
We matched for cardiology fellowship at MUSC in Charleston, South Carolina. It will be a great place to live for 4 years - the beach, close to family, warm weather and old friends. We will move next May or June before Jacob starts in July. We will keep out doors open for visitors!
Hope to hear from other bloggers soon! Have a great Labor Day!