July 17, 2009
grace in small things: Charlie
Charlie is seven today; I cannot even imagine how that is possible, largely because how can I be the mother of a seven-year-old and a nine-year-old? You know, since I’m only 30 (as Henry has started to tell people).
((God bless that kid.))
June 2009
Charlie is super excited to be seven, although I’m not sure why; I think it mostly has to do with being that much closer to being Henry’s age. I’m not sure that he fully understands that Henry will always be older; he just wants, so badly, to do what Henry does that turning seven — and starting first grade — are a huge deal for him. He loves Henry; when they’re talking, he will start every sentence with, “Henry …” If H isn’t listening (which happens a lot), Charlie will repeat his name over and over, firmly and patiently — “Henry. Henry. Henry.” — until he gets his attention.
Charlie opened presents this morning — a SpongeBob CD from Henry (the Yellow Album, of course) and four stuffed puppies from Wade and me. Charlie still adores all his stuffed friends; he has seven puppies now, and after breakfast he took the new ones up to his room and lined them all up on his bed. “Do they have names?” I asked him.
“Not yet,” he said seriously. “Sometimes it takes a while for the names to come to me.” A few minutes later he named one of the puppies Henry, which made everyone deliriously happy.
Charlie will always be The Baby — we knew when he was born that would be the last baby in our house — and he still milks that. Yesterday I was cradling him in my arms (which is hard to do because he’s all gangly legs and skinny arms) and lamenting that he wouldn’t be a baby any more when he was seven. And he said, “I will always be your baby.” And then he gave me a sweet kiss and said, “Now put me down!” and went running off to find Henry.
Charlie is that kid that everyone loves; he has a million little friends, and is constantly complaining about girls trying to hug and kiss him. When we walk through the halls at school, kids call out, “Hi, Charlie!” and he waves at them. It’s so funny to think about The Baby having this big social life apart from me, but he does. Thank goodness.
Today he’s at camp — I thought he might complain, but he was excited to go. He asked me over and over what time, exactly, he would be seven (12:05 pm) so he could remember the moment. Because it would be a bummer to miss the exact second you got big, I guess.
Posted by Susan @ 10:31 am • grace in small things, Henry&Charlie
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July 17th, 2009 at 10:42 am, Rebecca (Bearca) Says:
Cutest ever. Happy birthday Charlie.
July 17th, 2009 at 2:20 pm, Danielle Says:
Congrats and Happy Birthday Charlie!
July 17th, 2009 at 2:45 pm, Lisa Says:
Happy birthday Charlie!!!
July 17th, 2009 at 3:38 pm, Heather B. Says:
Happy Birthday, my buddy. My pal. My favorite little person. The only person who gets super, can’t sleep excited, to see me.
Hope you’re having a great day!
July 17th, 2009 at 4:32 pm, blackbird Says:
Happy day Charlie!
July 17th, 2009 at 9:33 pm, Keyona Says:
Happy Birthday sweet boy!
July 18th, 2009 at 4:20 pm, Alison Says:
Happy Birthday Charlie! (sorry I’m a day late with my well-wishes.)
July 20th, 2009 at 1:05 pm, Jill Pilgrim Says:
That is so sweet! Happy belated birthday to Charlie!
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:46 am, PollyS Says:
Happy Day Charlie!
My boy will be 7 on Friday. I too cannot believe I will be the mother of a SEVEN year old. He was just 3 weeks old a few days ago.
I am happy to know that your guy likes stuffed animals. My boy does too. He simply cannot get enough.
Have a great day.