I feel like a Mom....

As I wave from the garage as my boys drive off for the first day of school and second week of day care I realize how lucky I am to have my boys. I woke up with Charlie at 5:45, cleaned his stuffy little nose, fed him and took a quick doze. Dad woke us up, got school clothes on Charlie and we packed up the truck, I made sure that the blue lunch bag with Charlie's milk was in the back seat and Thomas' blue lunch bag was in the front seat (that could be awkward at some point during the day). With a big smile on my face I came inside and gathered Charlie's laundry (mostly burp cloths and little socks). While I was looking for stray burp cloths I found the bag (oh, yes, the bag) of paci's that we thought we lost a month ago, clearing Charlie of accusations of eating or hoarding his paci's. I then ate a bowl of cereal and sat down at the computer to share my happiness with you, all before 8:00 AM! I feel like a Mom....

I also have a new job title, Mrs. Winkler. I know I have been that for 4 wonderful years already but now I will have 130 10-12 grade kids calling me that. I am teaching the Health Science Technology class at the high school. It is the class that kids interested in the medical/health field get to learn all about it and visit the hospital/nursing homes/vet clinics/doctor's offices. I'm pretty excited. I have three more shifts at Presby-Dallas as a full time nurse then I will work a couple a month and more during the summer and holidays on my schedule. It's a pretty good deal, I'll keep you updated.

Thomas is still glad he is not coaching football and he doesn't miss 2-a-days in the 112 degree heat. He does enjoy watching it though and I can't believe the first Roo football game is this weekend. He is doing well keeping up with his wife (and her gallbladder/not the gallbladder pain) and his 3 month old son.

And Charlie (who you really want the updates on) is staying busy and talking up a storm. I call it talking instead of cooing or babbling because he is already having conversations with himself and whoever will listen. He does not like to lie down unless he is passed out, insisting on sitting up even in his car seat. If he can't see the action, he's letting us know he wants in on it. I watched him suck on one finger (his index finger) last night as he soothed himself back to sleep. He's a crazy kid and we love him sooooo much and I can't believe how much joy he has brought into our lives. Thanks Charlie!!!

Holding on to those toes

Yes, boots and a onesie make a great tummy-time outfit

Charlie is 3 months!

I swear they play in the sandbox all day at day care, he is always exhausted when he comes home. This was after his first day.

Winkler Family Update

Charlie is still cute and we're still having fun.

Thomas and I celebrated our 4th anniversary by going on a cruise to Cozumel and Progreso. It was so nice and we had a lot of fun. Charlie stayed with his grandparents (he split his time in Dallas and Walburg) and had a great time visiting and getting spoiled. Here's some pictures from the cruise.

We did two excursions while on the cruise. The first was snorkeling and beach party in Cozumel. The snorkeling was awesome, we saw so many fish and had a great time. There are no digital pictures for that because we left the memory card for the camera at home. Luckily they sell memory cards in Mexico, unfortunately they also cost $50 for 1 gig!
The second excursion was to some of the Mayan ruins in Progreso. It was cool to see them but it was so hot!
That's me in the window

This is a limestone, spring fed "sink hole" that we got to take a cold refreshing dip in after we climbed the ruins.

Michele, Graham and Evan came to visit for a couple of nights. Charlie and Evan were in a constant rotation of the bouncy chair and swing.

Thomas with the little boys

The little boys and big brother, Graham

We went swimming at the Seidler's. Thanks again!!!

Charlie played with Mom while the water fight continued with Graham.

We've had a good couple weeks. Before too long, Laura will go back to work, Thomas will start school again and Charlie will go to his first day of day care. The summer has flown by, so we are treasuring the last few days.

Charlie Jack is 2 months!

He's smiling, laughing, kicking and having a good time. Mom made it through the first round of shots because Dad helped hold the paci and Charlie did great. He's 25 inches and 14 lbs 3.5 oz! And here he is:

Happy 4th of July!

Charlie had a good weekend. Aunt Cheryl and Grandpa Winkler came in town. We all went to Dallas to cookout and watch fireworks with the Daniel's and the Great Wicked Step Aunts (Rhonda & Sally).

Laughing Grandpas

Charlie has been smiling and cooing a lot more this past week. His personality is starting to come out and it so much fun. It is nice to hear sounds come from him that aren't all cries. Here's some of the pictures trying to catch a smile:


Charlie also went swimming for the first time. We went over to the Seidler's for a dip and Charlie loved it once we took his hat off and he got used to the water.

"Helping" with the landscaping project

So Sweet!

Charlie's BIG Weekend

Being the son of a basketball coach, Charlie is predestined to spend an abnormal amount of time in basketball gyms. Well, he attended his first game and did wonderfully. When he wasn't sleeping in someone's arms after being passed around, he was staring at the gym lights like they were the greatest baby mobile ever.


The next day I had an appointment (which led to me needing to get my gallbladder removed in the next couple of weeks) and was not feeling well at all. Thomas had to be at school for the tournament that they were hosting. So Charlie spent all day at the tournament. He slept most of the day in various people's arms and even survived a game in Coach Ferguson's arms (he tends to get excited and loud during games).

We then packed the RAV 4 full of baby stuff and drove to Walburg for Charlie's baptism. It took a little longer because Charlie got hungry in Waco and could not be distracted by driving or the paci. We arrived safely, unloaded the mountian of stuff. Thomas volunteered for the 2 am feeding and ended up with a great story involving baby pee, a slamming toilet seat, faulty bottle assembly and the two of them falling asleep to Robo Cop (you'll have to ask Thomas for the details).

The next morning was the baptism. We scurried around and managed to make it to the church in time and with Charlie. He was wonderful during the baptism and the rest of the service, it was beautiful. Lunch was great afterward and it was so good to see everyone. Thanks for being there!

Charlie's sponsors, Uncle Tom and Aunt Angela

Four Generations

The newest additions to the Zion Lutheran family:
Karys 9 months, Kayla 3 months, Jakob 3 months, and
Charlie 1 month (and as big as Kayla and Jakob)

Naptime after a long day

The last adventure of the weekend was Charlie's first trip to College Station. Angela is moving to New York to start her new job at Fordham University so she had a going away party. We had a good time. Angela will be missed but everyone is very excited for her as she starts an exciting chapter of her life. Here are pictures of Charlie around campus:

Stopped at a gas station on the way home to Weatherford.


Finally, a couple random pictures:

Sydney and Charlie's First Meeting