Day 23 with NO Sugar...

It is true…and I NEVER thought I could do it. I consider myself a total sugar addict. However, back in December a friend of mine posted a “sugar challenge” on her blog (www.goglutenfreegracefully.com), and I thought “Why not?” The one caveat (okay, two caveats) was that Peter had to do it with me (safety and strength in numbers) and I would eat birthday cake on Charlie’s birthday—I could not possibly tell him that Mommy could not eat cake with him.

Here’s the deal…the challenge started on Jan. 3 and three days into it Ryan started to sleep through the night. Amazing! I like to say that he was like a crack addict. He was getting up every three hours to eat. He was not hungry. He was crashing from all of the sugar I had eaten and he had, in turn, ingested, and he needed more. I felt horrible. That has been my biggest motivation to complete this 45-day challenge. Don’t get me wrong…he still has nights of waking up, but he has become more consistent when it comes to sleeping through the night.

I also feel better. I have been sleeping much better, and I feel like I have more energy. I found that I eat a lot more fruit and veggies, and I am much more aware of what I put in my mouth. I do still crave sweets, but, other than that birthday cake (which was sooo good), I have not given in to temptation.

I challenge you all to try it…even if it is just for a week. It is amazing how much better you feel. And I have vowed to myself that once this is over, I am not going to go back to my old ways of gorging on anything sweet.

Thank you, Jill, for giving us this challenge. It has been an eye-opening experience!

Welcome to the world of THREE, Mr. C!

Happy Birthday (January 12) Charlie! I really cannot believe that you are already three years old. Where has the time gone? You are my little sunshine...you really do make me happy when skies are gray.

You are such a great little guy! You are sweet and caring. You make us smile with the funny things you say and do each day. You have a huge heart, and you have a crazy silly side to you that makes me giggle when I think about it. If only I could bottle that laugh and sell it. We would make millions because it just makes people happy when they hear it.

For being three, you sure do have a big personality. I think you could teach some people about the art of communication--about asking people about things in their lives and really listening to what they have to say. I know you certainly inherited that from your namesake. Grandpa Charlie could bring out the best in anyone, and he was genuinely interested in what people had to say and how they were doing.

I hope you have enjoyed your birthday week. We had a fun party at Uncle Patrick and Aunt Kim's house, which was so nice of them to host. You really had a fun time...even if you were a little upset at first. That is what happens when you miss a nap! Then Daddy and I took you to a Jazz game. Crazy thing was that it was Bear's birthday also, and all of his mascot friends were there to celebrate. You loved it! And the Jazz won!

Last week you started ski school at Deer Valley. Teacher Will said you did a great job on your first day. You are the youngest in the program, but you were the only one in your class who got to go up on the lift. Good work! We are so proud of you, and you loved every minute of it.

Mommy loves birthdays (well, her own birthday) to last a few weeks, so I think yours should as well.

You were really sick a couple of days after your birthday. You got the 24-hour flu. In fact, you threw up all over my lap that morning. It was crazy! It was the first time you have EVER thrown up. Wow...took you three years to do that!

And your new obsession is "The Polar Express" movie. You want to watch it every single day. You cannot sit though any movie, but you can watch that one over and over. It is a great movie for you to love. It is the reason you asked Santa for a bell for Christmas. It made my heart melt.

I am excited for the year ahead and to watch you learn and grow more each day. You are an amazing little guy. I love spending time with you and talking with you. You bring so much happiness and joy to our lives. Thank you for brightening my days and for just being you! Happy Birthday, Sweet Prince.

I love you too, too much!

Growing like a weed!

Sweet Ryan, you are just so big! You are 18 pounds now and 27 inches long, and you really do have the best thighs in the world! Your two bottom teeth broke through on your six month birthday, and you did not even complain. You just drool A LOT!!!

You are sitting like such a pro these days and love to play with your stackable toys, your mouse from Muti and Papa Wiley and the ball toys that you got from Santa.

You seem to like to sit and observe things and then you tell me all about it. I hate to admit it, but I think all of that “dadadadada” coming out of your mouth means that “Dada” or “Daddy” will be a first word. And all of those times I have tried to teach you “Mama.”

Your six month appointment with Dr. Rachel went well. She was impressed with all of the rolling and your ability to sit up on your own. She also could not believe how strong you are! You have quite the grip. I asked her what some of the milestones would be for your nine month appointment, as I want to be ahead of the game. Clapping was one of them.

When we got home that night, I taught you how to clap. Now you love to clap, but you only give us a few claps, while we all yell “yay!” You are a quick study, little man. Next thing we will work on…skate skiing J You can master that, right? Who needs walking when you can skate ski?

Charlie will be three in a few days, and I cannot wait to write about your big brother. He is definitely your favorite person!

I love you, Little Bear Cub!