Charlie was not himself at daycare on Tuesday, and Tuesday evening he had bouts of unconsolable crying, where we just had to hold him and rock him until he calmed down. That night, he woke up a couple of times, just crying miserably in his crib. Normally when he wakes and cries he would be standing at the side of the crib, reaching for us to pick him up. But he was just lying there, almost moaning as he cried. We gave him a bit of Tylenol, and that seemed to help. But when John tried to rub under his left ear, he pulled away.
Thinking it was an ear infection bothering him, I took him to the doctor on Wednesday morning. I also wanted to get the rash on his cheek checked out. Turns out, his ears were fine. But a look in his mouth discovered his 1 year molars coming in! On the top left side, there was some blood under the gums, either from the natural teething process, or maybe because his mouth had been bumped and bruised the area. Either way, that is clearly what was causing him pain!
We were advised to continue the Tylenol or Motrin, which we have, and he is doing much better. We were also given a prescription for some antibiotic ointment for his cheeks. We're not sure what the cause is of the spots, but hopefully this will clear it up.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Shopping Adventure
We decided to check out our new IKEA store on the Good Friday holiday last week. We arrived just as they opened. We spent a total of 3 hours walking through the store, including eating lunch. Charlie did not much care for the kids mac-n-cheese plate-- he only wanted to suck the cheese sauce off, and then pulled the pasta back out of his mouth! We were very impressed that they provided bottle warmers and disposable bibs in their restaurant. And it was nice to actually "try out" the high chairs that they sell there at the store.
Charlie fell asleep in the stroller by the end of our walk through the store, gathering lots of compliments on how "well behaved" he was. He was just plum tired!
We did end up spending over $300 at the end of it all, and then John spent a couple of hours assembling items on Friday and Sunday. I'm sure we'll be back soon. Maybe after the crowds start to die down a bit.
Charlie fell asleep in the stroller by the end of our walk through the store, gathering lots of compliments on how "well behaved" he was. He was just plum tired!
We did end up spending over $300 at the end of it all, and then John spent a couple of hours assembling items on Friday and Sunday. I'm sure we'll be back soon. Maybe after the crowds start to die down a bit.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Cattywampus?
We had a big debate last night over whether "cattywampus" was indeed a word, and if so, what it means. According to Websters, it IS a word, and it's listed in the Wiktionary, but I did find multiple versions of spellings on the internet. It seems "cattywampus" is the most common spelling.
Speaking of spelling, I participated in a corporate spelling bee last week in Northern Kentucky. I had placed in the top 3 at our company spelling bee, so I made it on our "team." Yes, it was a team event. We did not win, but we placed tops out of any of the corporate teams, in 6th place. The only teams that beat us were from libraries and schools, so I think we did pretty well. I still don't know what halieutics or heliophobous mean. But I did learn a few new words!
Speaking of spelling, I participated in a corporate spelling bee last week in Northern Kentucky. I had placed in the top 3 at our company spelling bee, so I made it on our "team." Yes, it was a team event. We did not win, but we placed tops out of any of the corporate teams, in 6th place. The only teams that beat us were from libraries and schools, so I think we did pretty well. I still don't know what halieutics or heliophobous mean. But I did learn a few new words!
Where's the Beef?
Charlie had his first real taste of meat on Friday. We fed him a chicken and veggies meal from a jar. He seemed to like that okay. The jar of ground turkey and broth did not go over so well on Monday, though.
Charlie also went to his first birthday party on Sunday. Connor Patrick Tunning was turning 1 year old on St. Patrick's Day, so the celebration was all decked out in green and gold. Charlie did not have any cake, but he watched how it was to be done (we'll see how he does in 6 weeks with his own birthday cake!)
He may not have had cake at the party, but on Saturday we went to Dairy Queen with his Grandma Connie and Great Aunt Debbie, and I shared a small spoon of my plain ice cream with him. He made a funny face, probably because it was cold.
Charlie also went to his first birthday party on Sunday. Connor Patrick Tunning was turning 1 year old on St. Patrick's Day, so the celebration was all decked out in green and gold. Charlie did not have any cake, but he watched how it was to be done (we'll see how he does in 6 weeks with his own birthday cake!)
He may not have had cake at the party, but on Saturday we went to Dairy Queen with his Grandma Connie and Great Aunt Debbie, and I shared a small spoon of my plain ice cream with him. He made a funny face, probably because it was cold.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Charlie's first blizzard, looking sharp!
Charlie experienced his first blizzard last week. On Friday morning it started snowing and blowing, and didn't stop until Saturday afternoon. Charlie's daycare was closed early on Friday, but before he was picked up, he got to have what they call a "sensory experience" with snow and ice cubes. Apparently he was more interested in the ice cubes than the pile of snow that was placed in front of him-- I'm sure because the ice cubes made sound when they were shaken in the cup!
The snow was up to Lucy's belly by Saturday morning. We hired a couple of kids and their dad (who had a snowblower) to help us clear the drive on Saturday. It was well worth the money. I had already scooped most of it once on Friday, just to prevent having to do it all at once at the end of the storm.
On Saturday afternoon, we decided to give Charlie his first haircut. It was a lousy job, since he kept moving his head. But it had to be done-- his hair was in his eyes! We took his 10 month photos that afternoon as well-- you can see some on both of our flickr sites. John also has the "before" and "after" photos of the haircut on his site.
Later that night, we had Chrissy come over to babysit, so I could go watch Entertaining Lucy at Liars Club. I had not been to see them play out in a few months. We weren't sure how the crowd would be, with all the snow that had fallen. It was awfully slow at first, and we wondered if the band should even unpack their things. But then the crowd picked up, and some people we never would have expected showed up. The place kept hopping until they closed down.
On Sunday the sun came out and the snow was half gone by the end of the day. Today it is at least 60 degrees outside. It would be a great day to take Charlie out for a walk after work, but I have to go participate in a corporate spelling bee, representing Cincinnati Bell. More later on that!
The snow was up to Lucy's belly by Saturday morning. We hired a couple of kids and their dad (who had a snowblower) to help us clear the drive on Saturday. It was well worth the money. I had already scooped most of it once on Friday, just to prevent having to do it all at once at the end of the storm.
On Saturday afternoon, we decided to give Charlie his first haircut. It was a lousy job, since he kept moving his head. But it had to be done-- his hair was in his eyes! We took his 10 month photos that afternoon as well-- you can see some on both of our flickr sites. John also has the "before" and "after" photos of the haircut on his site.
Later that night, we had Chrissy come over to babysit, so I could go watch Entertaining Lucy at Liars Club. I had not been to see them play out in a few months. We weren't sure how the crowd would be, with all the snow that had fallen. It was awfully slow at first, and we wondered if the band should even unpack their things. But then the crowd picked up, and some people we never would have expected showed up. The place kept hopping until they closed down.
On Sunday the sun came out and the snow was half gone by the end of the day. Today it is at least 60 degrees outside. It would be a great day to take Charlie out for a walk after work, but I have to go participate in a corporate spelling bee, representing Cincinnati Bell. More later on that!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
First Bite
I received my first "incident report" from Charlie's daycare this week. Apparently in a struggle over a toy, Charlie was bitten on the arm. It didn't break skin-- you can see a photo on John's flickr site. I'm not surprised-- Charlie has such fun playing tug of war with Lucy and her toys, that he probably thought it was funny to pull back when someone tried to pull a toy away (or maybe HE was the one doing the stealing!) Apparently it didn't phase him much. I'm not sure you can even still see the mark on his arm.
Grandma and Grandpa Knepper sent Charlie a "car" that he can push as he learns to walk. So far, he has figured out how to run all the sound buttons and lights while sitting behind it. Now we just need to teach him where to hold on so he can stand behind it and take a couple of steps. I'm sure it won't be long-- they said he let go and stood on his own for a couple of seconds yesterday at daycare.
Charlie continues to love the Hummingbird room and playing with all of his friends there. The other day, he fell asleep on a buggy ride! He's been getting to taste lots of interesting new foods there, also, like grilled cheese, broccoli, and tater tots.
Grandma and Grandpa Knepper sent Charlie a "car" that he can push as he learns to walk. So far, he has figured out how to run all the sound buttons and lights while sitting behind it. Now we just need to teach him where to hold on so he can stand behind it and take a couple of steps. I'm sure it won't be long-- they said he let go and stood on his own for a couple of seconds yesterday at daycare.
Charlie continues to love the Hummingbird room and playing with all of his friends there. The other day, he fell asleep on a buggy ride! He's been getting to taste lots of interesting new foods there, also, like grilled cheese, broccoli, and tater tots.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Next Steps
Charlie has been making those next steps toward walking. When I picked him up from daycare on Friday, he was standing holding on to an exersaucer near the sofa. I sat on the sofa and gestured for him to come to me. I held out my hands, and one by one he grabbed them. Then he took two steps toward me. It was the first time I'd seen him do anything but shuffle his feet a little while he was standing and holding on to something.
He definitely has 3 teeth on top now. John's already brought up the fact that based on family history, he'll be needing some braces! I agreed, especially since it looks like he inherited the Knepper mouth (small jaw) and his Daddy's teeth (big)!
In other milestones, Charlie had his first pancakes (at least outside of what he may have had at daycare) on Saturday at the Original Pancake House. He sure did enjoy them. He also went to his first carwash on Sunday, and seemed to enjoy looking through the windows at the machinery.
At home, we've had to remove Lucy's bell from the back door. It was hanging from a ribbon on the doorknob, and with Charlie getting around now, we're having to tie up all the loose cords hanging from the window treatments. I'm going to have to sew a bell in the end of a sock or something, and hang that on the door. Right now, Lucy keeps nosing at the cloth we have hanging there to wipe her paws with, and I think she is confused that it makes no sound.
As for the adults in the household, John's band has a gig again this coming Saturday night, and this time I've arranged a babysitter so I can go to watch. I also did my civic duty this afternoon and went to vote in the presidential primary. This was an early vote, since I'll have a schedule tomorrow that would make it difficult for me to get to my polling place. Since I've lived in Ohio since the first presidential race I was old enough to vote in, I've never felt like my vote counted as much as it does this year. We also had a couple of issues to vote for, so it was well worth the extra time and effort to go out of my way. I'll be interested to see what happens in the coming days.
He definitely has 3 teeth on top now. John's already brought up the fact that based on family history, he'll be needing some braces! I agreed, especially since it looks like he inherited the Knepper mouth (small jaw) and his Daddy's teeth (big)!
In other milestones, Charlie had his first pancakes (at least outside of what he may have had at daycare) on Saturday at the Original Pancake House. He sure did enjoy them. He also went to his first carwash on Sunday, and seemed to enjoy looking through the windows at the machinery.
At home, we've had to remove Lucy's bell from the back door. It was hanging from a ribbon on the doorknob, and with Charlie getting around now, we're having to tie up all the loose cords hanging from the window treatments. I'm going to have to sew a bell in the end of a sock or something, and hang that on the door. Right now, Lucy keeps nosing at the cloth we have hanging there to wipe her paws with, and I think she is confused that it makes no sound.
As for the adults in the household, John's band has a gig again this coming Saturday night, and this time I've arranged a babysitter so I can go to watch. I also did my civic duty this afternoon and went to vote in the presidential primary. This was an early vote, since I'll have a schedule tomorrow that would make it difficult for me to get to my polling place. Since I've lived in Ohio since the first presidential race I was old enough to vote in, I've never felt like my vote counted as much as it does this year. We also had a couple of issues to vote for, so it was well worth the extra time and effort to go out of my way. I'll be interested to see what happens in the coming days.
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