Crazy January Weather

It's time once again for a long post with lots of pictures in an attempt to get caught up-to-date.  The weather this month has been crazy.  We've had beautiful spring-like days in which we play outside without our jackets on, as well as frigid days with snow on the ground.  Not only have we had both types of days this month, but within a few days of each other. 

Charlie has really become a great baby.  He doesn't fuss much anymore, and when he does it is usually because he is tired or hungry.  We let him "cry it out" to sleep at night a couple weeks ago, and naps and bed have been much better since.  Before, we would rock/bounce him for 15+ minutes sometimes to get him to fall asleep.  Now we put him in his crib and walk out.  Sometimes he fusses a bit, and sometimes not at all.  His last nap of the day (around 5 p.m.) is usually the hardest. 

Charlie loves to watch his older brothers.

I took some pictures of Jack and Charlie while Patrick napped one afternoon.

Jack LOVES Charlie.  He likes to talk to him in a very high-pitched voice, and usually about 2 cm from his face.

On January 4th, we met Colleen and her family at the mall to celebrate Sean's 3rd birthday.  The kids played in the play area, had Subway for lunch, and then got to ride the train!

My cousins Mark and Rachel came back from Brazil (Mark had been there since early July studying abroad, and Rachel went to travel with Mark after her semester was over).  We got to spend some time with them (and their parents) before they headed back to college (Mark to D.C. and Rachel to CA).

Jack was "decorating" the room for his Hot Wheels tracks one day.  You'll notice the track along the windowsill at the bottom of the picture.

On your mark, get set, go...

Charlie has become a little thumb-sucker.  Let's hope he doesn't take after his mom and suck his thumb into his double digits!

In fact, he's not particular.  He'll suck just about any finger he can get into his mouth.

Patrick continues to be a great napper!  By the time Jack was his age, he was done with naps.  Ugh.  So, I am quite pleased that Patrick still takes a good nap.  It usually lasts around 3 hours (but today it was FOUR!).  Here's a post-nap picture of this cutie:

We still bathe Charlie in the kitchen sink.

Jack took some pictures of Charlie with his new camera.  "Say 'cheese' Charlie!"

"Want to see your picture, Charlie?"

Charlie was a little more interested in the taste of the camera than the actual pictures.

So, there are lots of pictures of Charlie in this post.  He's just so happy and cute; the camera loves him!

An attempted picture with the camera's timer while Patrick napped:

We went to the zoo one day last week when it was so nice outside.  I got to try out my new telephoto lens. Here are a couple pictures of penguins.  Jack has a video on his camera from the orangutan that came right up to the window when I held Charlie to it. 

Uncle Patrick and Aunt Ingrid gave Jack this puzzle for Christmas.  He has enjoyed putting it together all by himself several times.

Two days after our nice day at the zoo, we got to play in the snow in our backyard.  Crazy!

Patrick entertained us with a little guitar, just like Daddy.

"What do you think of this tune, Charlie?"

My three oh-so-happy Irish boys!