Charliepics: December 'Round the House

Since I suck so badly at writing new posts and I've lost my camera, easy material for Charlie's adoring public has been tough to generate. Luckily Dija's friend is in town with a camera, so here's a few recent ones.

He'll be six months old in two days! 26 inches, 19 pounds, a smile to melt the polar ice caps. I love him insanely.

Here Comes the Flood: Adventures in Bathing

Not even Godzilla coming out of the Pacific Ocean created as much waves as young Jason Charles today. He's discovered that pedeling his legs while in the water creates a powerful splash. We are certain that there was a glint of knowledge and intention in everything he was doing--devil child!

Charlie will be no dull child, this I know. Isn't that wonderful?

A Letter for Charlie Before His First Thanksgiving

Hi there, kid. I hope you, if you ever look back on these letters, don't associate a lack of posts about you with a lack of interest I'm taking in you. You are a constant treasure, a forever and always joy to me, and each day brings with it so much newness. Just this week you began, when I held you up against my chest, putting your hand against your ear like you're a real casual kid, just hanging out. Our somewhat new game of me moving you up and down fast, and hearing that exhilaration of your laugh, that quickened parts of me I didn't know I had.

And your smile for me--that same playful and contented smile you give me every time you see me: I can't tell you how that opens me up and doesn't so much make me whole as it does expand the parts of me into a new whole. So yes, I've done a poor job of prioritizing the writing of my thoughts about you on these pages against the other time occupations of my life. I want to assure you that the missing words are simply a result of bad time management.

So tomorrow is your first Thanksgiving. This won't be particularly meaningful to you in the present, since you'll pass up turkey, stuffing, and the rest for your bottle, and you'll drift in and out of the conversation that is about matters you could care less about. As is so often the case, we, your family and those close to you, are happy to have you here on your first Thanksgiving not so much for what it means to you, but for what it means to us. Sure we have a lot to be thankful for this year--we have a healthy, vibrant, growing, perfect boy in our midst, among our other happinesses and joys. Thanks, Jason Charles, for giving us a new and innocent contentment we'd lost track of in our busy lives.

And thank you, son, for everything you mean to us. Later, as you read these words, you'll probably laugh at me, and say "Dad, why would you thank me for something I had no control over?" Knowing me, I'll say something faux-intelligent, like "it's the matters we don't control that mean the most," like I'm a fortune cookie writer, but what I'll really mean is I had to thank you because whatever it is that made you what you are has always been within you. To embrace that spirit and soul, I needed to say it through you because I don't have a better way. Now stop asking tough questions and go eat some more of Mom's food. Love you.--Dad

Apologies to Loyal Readers

My friends, my countrymen and women, my nearest and dearest, I want to say "sorry" to those of you who visit this site somewhat frequently jonesing for Charlie news. I hope you don't associate a lack of posts here with a lack of events in the young man's life. He has encapsulated so many elements of good humor, intelligence, and love that my cup, it runneth over. I'm at fault for not making more time for to document my little guy's ascent into humanity. Bear with me, as this is a decade-long struggle to be consistent online. This will be my primary place for Charlie-related news, photos, and thoughts. I just can't guarantee the frequency of said updates.

Love you all who have this link. xoxoxo.

Charliepics: Charlie's First Halloween!

Our little monkey was dressed to the nines on Halloween. Brandon looked awesome as Iron Man, as well. Our neighborhood was really into Halloween, making this night particularly fun. Here goes:

Charliepics: Uncle Brian, October 2008

I took the day off a few days ago so Uncle Brian could spend some time with his little nephew. The photographic proof:

Charlie at 4 Months: Healthy as a Horse (are horses really that healthy, though?)

At four months, J. Charles Leary is rocking. 17 and a half pounds, 26 inches, and a head circumfrance of 42 centimeters (I will admit ignorance as to whether that is good or not. I think so--that sounds like a lot of brains, no?).

The best part of the doctor's visit--Dr. O'Leary (coincidence) kept breaking off mid-sentence to proclaim how beautiful Charlie is. I love that stuff.

The Return of the Prodigal Papa

My dad found his way back to Charlie's arms again this weekend. Mind you, he doesn't live in the same state, same region, or even same coast. His commitment to his grandson is staggering (my mom's too--they've both been out here a lot, which Lisa and I love).

As I watch my dad watching Charlie, I get somewhat emotional. My dad always talks about what it means to really enjoy your kids, truly take in everything about them and love it all. As I see him change diapers and feed Charlie with endless patience, I understand that he's not just doing it because he's supposed to, he's doing it because he loves it.

First Words: The Race Is On!

Folks, you've never seen anything more sad than all the adults in Charlie's life trying to coax him into saying their name as his first word. His parents, grandparents, and siblings all take turns coaching this poor child in efforts to be Charlie's favorite. I'm not without my association to this foolishness: I have a midnight campaign going, when the rest of the house sleeps, slowly repeating "Da-ddy, da-ddy" over and over into his ear in hopes he'll say it back to me. Lisa is less subtle, putting Charlie on the couch and trying to get him to repeat "Ma-Ma." If anyone comes near during these lessons, they risk an elbow in the face. When my dad was here recently, he spent every available minute working with Charlie on how to pronounce "Pa-Pa." It's getting intense. Poor kid. He'll probably smite our hopes by saying something random as his first word. Any guesses?

Charliepics: Uncle Todd!

My brother Todd was finally able to make it out here--he was the last of the biggies that needed to see Charlie. What a great visit. I saw a side of my brother I can't say I remember seeing, which warmed my heart. He was just here for a couple of days, but it was enough for Charlie to get close to his uncle and godfather.

Charliepics: Gram and Papa's October Visit

My dad is suddenly involved in all sorts of business in the Boston area...I'm sure it's real work, but I also am guessing it's no coincidence that he's booking this work as an excuse to get out here to visit his grandson. "What's that Rex? We could have this meeting on the phone? Oh no, I insist I fly out to see my Boston team in person"...

Charliepics: Visiting Springfield

A long-overdue trip to bring Charlie and his posse out to Springfield to visit my grandmother and aunts. Had a lovely time, of course.