Behold the Power of the "Binkie"

Imagine as an adult having the magic power of a binkie.

With a fear of public speaking, you are required to address a large group of executives and your reputation depends on your delivery -- INSERT BINKIE -- Bring it on! Where's the mic?

A novice skier, you hop off the chair lifts and ski around the corner to be face-to-face with a double-black diamond ultra-steep slope with moguls as high as you newly-stretched out hips (that would be me). -- INSERT BINKIE -- Weeeee! See you at the bottom!

Charlie leverages his binkie in much the same way. Except its for baby activities. Almost anything is tolerable as long as the binkie is inserted between his lips. "Not sure about this bath? With my binkie, I am chillin' like a villain. Not sure I can handle spending 10 hours driving in a car across the Nevada desert? Insert binkie and I can man UP!"

Slideshow - Charlie Meets his "Peeps"

We just took a whirlwind tour with Charlie! Started off with a work dinner on August 8 where Charlie finally met all of Dan's work-mates. From there, we left for Salt Lake City but only got as far as Winnemucca -- cruised in about 1 a.m. The next day, we finished the drive in Salt Lake where we, along with both families and friends, shocked Jon and Laurie Osier with a surprise wedding reception!! So fun! Nothing like totally freaking out two loved ones with a big party in their honor :) Fun was had by all. Unfortunately we left the camera in the car so I don't have pics -- as I receive from the others I will post.

Anyway, from there we headed up to Montana where we spent the remainder of the week relaxing and introducing Charlie to MANY family and friends. I STILL didn't take pictures of everyone so I'm hoping others have pics they will share and I will add to this slideshow when I receive them. Charlie spent a week being passed from the arms of one admirer to another -- he was getting totally pimped out! He also got to sleep with mommy and daddy a lot b/c big surprise: we were exhausted and caved on the sleep training. However we are back on duty so poor Charlie has to sleep on his own again. But Mommy still sneaks naps with the little man from time to time ;^)

Here are the pics I do have of Charlie from the last few weeks -- age 4 to 6 weeks. He is now smiling more and can see more. He has even coo'd!

Charlie's One Month Bday - Aug 4

Just a quick pic that was taken of Charlie and I at our recent visit to work... Charlie seems very focused on either a) one of my coworkers or b) a light. Heh.

Latest and greatest -- well, we go from thinking we have got Charlie figured out to thinking we have no idea what we are doing. Mostly the latter. Charlie mixes it up every day! While he's sort of on a schedule, he really calls the shots. Poor boy has digestive pains that not only keep him from sleeping, but make him cry which is hard for us b/c we can't fix it for him! And, when Charlie doesn't sleep, we don't sleep! But when Charlie is feeling good, he is such a good boy. He is growing like a weed (already past 10 lbs.) I think he's starting to look more like his Dad if that is possible. Dan might have a little mini-me on his hands!