I be right back, I come back

Charlie

So since you have come home, your Dada and I have always told you, "I will be right back," if we were going to another room to grab something. We have also always said, "I will come back," when we have left you. It could be one of us was going to the grocery store, while the other stayed home with you, or dropping you off at the sitter's house to go to work. We have always done this so you would know, we do come back.

Here's what I love about you going to ESY, you ride the bus. You leave us, not us leaving you. As you climb the steps of the bus, every morning (outside of the first two) you say, "Bye Mama! Bye Dada. I be right back. I come back." (Like you are reassuring us.) I love you have internalized these two sayings and finally fully understand people come back.

while watching baseball

Charlie, this happened today. . .

Charlie: Dada, we got any fruit snacks?
Dada: Yes. Do you want some?
Charlie: Yes.

Then you sang along to God Bless America.

chosen

Charlie

Every once in awhile you say something and my Mama heart melts.

So tonight as you were getting ready for bed. . .

Charlie: I'm adopted. (first time I have ever heard you say that)
Dada and I: Yes, you are adopted and we love having you as our son. God chose you to be in our family.
Charlie: Of course.

Honey, I hope you always say "of course" to being loved, chosen, and family.

esy

Charlie, today you rode the school bus for the first time. Waiting for the bus you were excited, leading us in "The Wheels on the Bus." You were excited as the bus pulled up, when the door opened, walking up to the bus, the first couple of steps, and then you realized Mama and Dada weren't following anymore. . .

trains, gill(s), and love

Charlie, so here is a little of what has been happening.

We took a train ride with Papa.

 We went to the Lincoln Museum. You really enjoyed the cannons going off.

Joey got rid of his cone of shame. I deleted those pictures. . .

We saw Jim Gill.

You loved it!

You learned to "Climb. Climb. Climb."

We went to Indiana (no pics) and the Shedd.

The best part? Hearing you say, "I love my family at bed time."

protector

Charlie, did you know you are a protector? Yep. As you know, Joey doesn't do well with loud noises. He HATES the 4th of July. He really doesn't like that there is a place near our house that shoots off fireworks on the 3rd every year. Usually he hides in the bathroom during the fireworks, not this year. Once they got going, I realized I didn't know where he was, so I went to find him. I did. In your bed. I think he was trying to give off the "I am protecting Charlie" vibe. It wasn't working. The fact Joey was shaking didn't help his cause. . . So here is the post get Joey out of your bed photo.

more explosions

Charlie

So I had to follow up with yesterday's post. . . In speech today, you and Jamie were working on something. . . I have no idea what in particular. She shared that all of a sudden you said, "My Mama and Dada hold hands." The secret is out. Yep. Your parents hold hands.

You also decided to give Jamie the title of Captain. She enjoyed it.

language explosion

Charlie, you have had a language explosion this past week or so. I love it. We are getting so much more from you without prompting. Best of all, there are complete sentences. SENTENCES!!!!!!

Here are some of the examples I either remember or remembered to write down.

At the dinner table you were singing the same song on repeat. After the 5th time singing this song:
Dada: New song Charlie.
Charlie: No Dada. I sing my song. (And you continue to sing it.)

We have been working on potty training since we got home from vacation. We have you in just your underoos, because you do not like it when Jake (on all of them) gets wet.
Mama: Nice job keeping your underwear dry!!
Charlie: Does Dada know?

Again, working on using the toilet.
Mama: Lets go to the bathroom.
Charlie: Lets not. (You really had Dada and I laughing here. We still made you go to the bathroom.)

This afternoon we were sitting in the recliner together:
Mama: I'm going to start making dinner. (as I get up from the chair)
Charlie: I will have goldish. (What you call goldfish crackers. You might have gotten some. . .)

As I was in the kitchen:
Charlie (super big smile on your face): Mama! Mama! Mama! It awesome. There more Jake and Da Nevaland Pirates next.

After dinner we went outside to play in the sprinkler, you got upset because I wouldn't let you bring your book. You kept saying "My book" so I turned off the water to only get "My water." With the tears and the yelling I picked you up to come inside. As we came into the house, there might have been some hitting by you. So I set you down and I talked about how you needed to look into my eyes and we were going to work on taking calming breathes. You kept eye contact the whole time (at one point this would never have happened) and you calmed down. After calming. . .

Charlie: I no hit. I need nice hands. I sorry.

Melt my heart! Things we have been saying to you for over two years coming out of your mouth, unprompted. Honey, you have so grown since coming home. I am so proud of you and how you are making your needs known, while still showing your personality. Can't wait to share with Miss Jamie tomorrow at speech!!!

I love you Charlie-Bear!