Pretty in pink: celebrating the birthday girl!

Charlotte had a wonderful time celebrating with family during her birthday party last weekend!  If you know me, you know I love birthdays, so of course we didn't just celebrate that day, we had balloons and cupcakes on her actual birthday and thanks to helium and wildflowers, we've continued to celebrate well into the next week!

Growin' like a weed (again!): Month twelve

And now, for our final installment ... from newborn, to infant, to toddler, it's been a year of some serious growin' around here!  Charlotte's final stats at 12 months were 18 lbs 9 oz (10th%) (and a slight loss from 1 1/2 weeks earlier due to some yucky bugs), and 28 inches (10th%).  She gained 12 lbs exactly and grew 8 1/4 inches over the course of the year - way to go Charlotte!!  We used her pictures to create a banner at her first birthday and I still can't believe how much one human can physically change over the course of a year!

Month one and month twelve!

Miss Charlotte ended the year weighing 5 ounces more and was 1/2 in shorter than Anna at the same age, uncanny how they can look so different, but be so similar!

Letter to Charlotte: Month Twelve

Dear Charlotte,

Wow, where did a year go?  It seems like just yesterday we were (finally) welcoming you to our world.  I remember those first few hours, staring down at your little face, your little hands, your little toes, feeling you pee on me (twice!), and looking at your fair skin and strawberry blonde hair.  I was certain that all of my children would have your father’s dominant dark hair and eyes and was amazed when you were placed on my chest for the first time.  It was love at first sight and my heart has grown to exponential proportions over the past twelve months. 

You turn one year old today and to celebrate I've taken the day off work and you’re staying home, just Mommy and Charlotte and all of your favorite things:  snuggles, playing, a trip to get your first pair of walking shoes, lunch out, and napping.  I love spending time with you one on one and watching the wonder in your eyes, the excitement as you find a new toy, or an old toy you haven’t played with in a while, it’s adorable to see your speed-crawl over to the cats and start up a conversation or to watch you proudly point at something you've done.  It will always be a miracle to me how babies go from tiny immobile babies to fast-paced toddlers in just a year, but you’ve done just that, and all the while with a huge grin on your face. 

You’re one of the sweetest little girls I know and truly look at the world as your adventure zone.  You are crawling everywhere, and getting there fast!  You’re pulling up and can coast along the couch or the coffee table, but aren’t walking on your own just yet.  When your sister reprieves, you love walking behind your “dino” and can really move behind your trusty green friend.  Your sister didn’t walk until around 14 months and I’m thinking you’ll follow suit, which is fine by me because I’m not sure what our world will be like with two totally mobile kids in the house.  You love to wave, can tell us “all done” in sign language, love to raise your arms high above your head when we ask “how big is Charlotte??,” and you try to imitate just about anything we do.

You’re an excellent eater and I’m cherishing this time when foods are new and exciting versus your sister who is currently on a strict mac n cheese and PBJ diet.  We’re pretty much at the point where you are eating three meals a day and snacks with no purees and you’ve started working on using a sippy cup at school this past week.  You’re doing pretty well and we’ll work on weaning to whole milk and constant sippy cup use over time.  I’ve nursed you morning and night and have made it to my goal of a year, sure we had some bumps in the road, and I didn’t always have the strongest supply, but I took solace in knowing that you looked to me first as your source of food and comfort.  I haven’t slept away from you since you were born and have nursed you all but one morning during your first year of life; I can count on a couple of hands how many times someone else has put you to bed, and I must admit that I’m going to miss that special time together.  It’s not to say that we won’t still get to cuddle, or that I won’t still rock you to sleep, it will just be different, another new phase in both our lives.

Speaking of sleep, you’re still a rockstar, only waking up if you need something; unfortunately that happened quite often over the past two weeks.  A combination of new teeth and a yucky virus, and an ear infection had you down and out for a few days.  Luckily antibiotics (your first round ever) and rest got you back to your regular, happy self in a few days.  Generally you’re down for the night by 7:30pm and are a pretty sound sleeper.  We can count on hearing you talking to yourself or randomly crying out at least once a night and it’s not uncommon to hear you starting to chitter-chatter to your stuffed animal friends between 6:30 and 7am, but you rarely cry and are content to hang out in your crib until we come to get you.

You continue to be enamoured with your big sister and seek her out any chance you get.  Your adoration isn’t always returned immediately, but Anna loves you more than anything else in this world.  You’re in a hair pulling phase right now and tend to get a little hands-y if not restrained, but I’m hopeful this phase will work itself out in a bit.  You love playing with toys and puzzles and love, love, love to read books.  There are three touch-and-feel books that were Anna’s that you particularly love to “read.”  You’ll seek them out and will sit by yourself flipping the pages for quite a while.  With your new love of pulling up, you also love to spend time “cooking” at the kitchen playset.  Sometimes it’s less cooking and more pulling yourself up and down, but it’s adorable to watch.  

Size-wise you’re a little heavier and a little shorter (not by much on either) than Anna was around this time, but just as cute.  It’s been fun seeing you fit into some of your sister’s old outfits, but because of the every-so-slight difference in seasons we’ve had to buy you new jammies and several new outfits to last you through the end of winter (which may NEVER end, it seems).  No matter what you wear, you look adorable. 

I’ve talked to you about your sweet and gentle personality a lot this year, and it’s not because I don’t have anything else to say, it’s because that’s what I think of when I think of you.  My sweet, sweet Charlotte.  The little girl that gives the biggest grins, the best hugs, the cutest open-mouth kisses, and literally makes every day so much brighter for everyone she’s around.  You have an aura about you that just makes people smile and you delight in the smallest things in life.  There’s a book and a saying all about not sweating the small stuff and there’s some merit to that mantra … but not in your world.  You truly delight in the small stuff and it brings a sunny perspective to each day.  Each tickle of your belly, Anna doing a silly dance, a game with Daddy, one of the cats coming over to play.  You have made my world so much more complete than I ever thought possible.  You will always be my baby, my little girl, I will always seek out your hugs, delight in your laughter and smile when I think of the memories of your crazy fun first year of life.  Please don’t ever forget that my shoulder is always yours to cry on, my ears are always open, and I’ll support you through whatever life throws at you; I know that one day you’re going to change the world – after all, you’ve already changed mine.

Love,

Mom

Music to my ears

"What are you doing over there, Anna?"

"Just cleaning up a little, Mommy!"

Growin' like a weed (again!): Month eleven

It's getting harder and harder to get these shots as demonstrated by this month's progression ...  No stats, but we'll be back next month to see how much this little one has grown over the past year!

Probably one of the only times you'll see her fussing or crying ... it's no fun having to sit still when you don't want to!

Letter to Charlotte: Month eleven

Dear Charlotte,

This time last year I was in full waddle mode, running after a very active 20 month old and wondering how I was going to manage with a newborn and your sister.  Eleven months later, I can’t imagine my life, our lives, without you.  Your sweet personality, your million dollar smile, those open-mouth kisses and the joy I see through your eyes on a daily basis.  It’s been a crazy eleven months, but in the best sort of way. 

You went from 0 to 60 this month, adding four teeth (for a total of six), starting to speed crawl (you are FAST!) and you’re starting to pull up on anything and everything.  You even look different with your longer hair, those pearly whites, and the devilish grin you have!  At daycare you sit tall among the other babies and it’s hard to believe that you’re a short-timer in the infant room, in just a month or so you’ll be walking (or maybe still crawling) among the “big kids.”  I’m not sure where my little baby went, and although you’re still more than willing to give me snuggles, it’s not long before you see something that needs investigating or exploring. 

You are into everything.  And I mean everything.  Shoes, the cats’ food and water, a pile of clothing, the diaper station, the trash cans, the laundry room.  You name it and you need to be in the thick of it.  The world is truly your oyster and you are dead set on exploring every single inch.  You can cross a room on all fours faster than I can turn around and are always SO proud of yourself, flashing that big, and now toothy, grin.  We’ve also started to see some sibling rivalry rear its ugly head now that you’re more mobile.  Anna is no longer safe to play a distance away from you with her coveted toys, and even in a room full of your own toys, whatever she has is bigger and much better.  You want to be just like her, and although it’s adorable to us, it’s not always adorable to your big sister.  You get lots of Mommy-only time with nursing, so I’ve made an effort to give Anna the same each day, even if it’s just working a puzzle together or reading a few books. 

Speaking of nursing; we’re still at it, but we’re getting close to weaning and you love table food.  We’ve started to expand your palette outside of purees and are exploring lots of table foods cut into small pieces.  You’re a girl after my own heart with your love of carbs – any and all bread.  You also love fruit, most veggies, and cheese.  Really, there’s nothing we’ve given you that you’ve shunned.  You’re not necessarily a graceful eater, more of a “don’t’ want to miss a bite” kind of gal, generally shoving everything you can into that little mouth as fast as you can.  You love to grab a handful of food and then turn your little fist into a funnel, popping in a few bites at a time; mimicking how my Papa used to eat peanuts.  You don’t like protein purees (at all!), so we’re skipping those and moving on to “real meat” and other sources of protein.  It’s such a treat to be in this stage where all food is new and exciting, versus your sister who eats like a bird at some meals and a horse at others with zero consistency.  I’m not sure if you’ll turn into an accidental vegetarian too, but for now we’ll just keep loading that high chair tray and watch in amazement. 

We’ve had A LOT of snow so far this winter and that means we haven’t been able to get out of the house and do quite as much as we’d like.  You have, however, loved touching the snow (and eating it from the sensory table at school) and love watching out the window as Daddy and Anna shovel or build a snowman and can’t wait to be in the middle of the action.  You love your Daddy so much and already have your special games and inside jokes.  He can get you to laugh like no one else, and when he called during a long work trip last week, your face literally lit up when you heard his voice.  It won’t be long before both of you girls are bundled up building a snowman or heading off with a sled. 

Your little personality continues to win the hearts of everyone.  You’re sweet and gentle and are already showing empathy and compassion to your friends at school.  You rarely cry; we mostly hear little fusses here and there to let us know you need more food or want a specific toy.  But, man, you’re not afraid to let us know when you’re upset and have this “yay yay yay” “yell” that you’ll belt out.  It’s as funny as it is serious and it’s usually when we’ve taken away one of Anna’s toys.  You get a red face as you’re yelling at us and start to squirm in an effort to make your point and we usually all end up laughing together.  On the flip side, you LOVE to give us kisses and will do so almost on command.  Yes, they are open mouthed and slobbery, but any of us would sit there all day every day getting them if we could.  And, nothing is sweeter than when you nuzzle that little head on my chest for a rest.  Nothing. 

I can’t tell you how much fun the last 11 months have been, you’ve brought a whole new light and life to our home and I have loved watching you grow.  I look back at your newborn pictures from the first few months, and although you’ve always been a sweetheart, you’ve really come into your own and found your personality.  Your Dad and I talk about the plans we have for you and your sister and what we think you’ll do or become later in life, but we also talk about how much fun we have with you every single day.  Please don’t ever lose your zeal and zest for life, please keep me on my toes, please keep loving with everything you’ve got … and don’t ever stop giving me hugs and kisses!

Love,

Mom

Wordless Wednesday

Puzzling

The girls love puzzles ... ok, maybe Charlotte likes chewing on the pieces more than the actual puzzles, but Anna is developing quite the eye; and with a little help from Mom and Dad (and unsolicited assistance from Charlotte) she's picking up quickly.

It's a bird, it's a plane ...

... it's super duper Anna!  We've had a lot of fun with a blanket that gives Anna super powers ... as soon as she gets home from school she asks for her "super duper blanket" and away she goes.  That is, in between morphing into a mermaid for a few minutes at at time : )

Don't just take my word for it! (a series)

And now it's Charlotte's turn!  She's won the heart of her teachers in the infant room and has the same primary teacher Anna did at her age (we love Miss Patty!!).  She's even made a few friends ... but, I recently got word that she's turned into a little bit of a hair-puller, hopefully it's a phase she grows out of soon.  And, at least she's not the biter, seeing as how she went from two teeth to five in two weeks!!

7/8/13:  Charlotte had a great first day!  Every time I set my eyes on her, memories of Anna came back!  She is such a sweetheart!

7/9/13:  Charlotte gave Miss Patty a belly laugh today!  I was holding a colorfull ball over her head to see and when I touched her belly with it and made a funny noise at the same time, she laughed for us!  So cute!

7/10/13: Charlotte enjoyed doing tummy time in front of the mirror with her friend today!  They were all smiles at each other!

7/18/13:  Your little Charlotte slept right through the fire drill today!  She even had two friends put in her bed with her and wheeled outside in the sun and didn’t wake up until we got back inside! (AHHHMMAZING because she continues to take very short naps at daycare)

7/23/13:  Charlotte got a glimpse of Miss Patty while doing tummy time in front of the mirror and she was all smiles, but she couldn’t’ figure out how I was in two places at the same time!

7/29/13:  Charlotte had fun wearing stacking rings today!  She was doing tummy time with her toys in reach and she managed to put a ring on each arm! So cute!

7/30/13: I love how Charlotte’s face lights up when she sees me coming to get her.  She’s so sweet!

8/6/13: Charlotte gave us a laugh today!  She was laying on her back when she tried to roll to her stomach, got her right arm pinned under her, her tongue out trying to lick the floor and kicking her legs all at the same time.  She’s a multi-tasker!

8/1/13:  Does Charlotte have a jumperoo at home?  Because today she was in the exersaucer and she was moving her feet with much determination, like she was trying to bounce up and down.  It was so cute!

8/19/13:  If Charlotte’s dress is wet when you pick her up, it’s because she insisted on sucking it all day!  I would put a toy in her hand so that she could chew on that instead, but nope, her dress must have tasted better.  I missed her a lot last week! (Miss Patty was on vacation)

8/22/13:  Charlotte was all about her toes today!  Whenever she was on her back, those little legs were up in the air and she had a hold of those cute little piggies.

8/26/13: Charlotte was in a silly mood today!  A couple of times she would laugh out loud (I don’t know why) but when I approached her to see what was so funny, she just gave me her sweet smile.  Love her!

8/27/13:  Charlotte needs to know where I am at all times!  She was lying on the floor and I was sitting in the chair behind her, she turned herself all the way around so that she could see Miss Patty.  So sweet!

8/28/13: Charlotte discovered the spinning circus tent on the exersaucer today!  I’ve never seen her spin it before, but today she got it spinning pretty fast and was mesmerized.

9/20/13: No note … but I must have saved this report because it was the first time Charlotte napped more than 30 minutes at one time; she went 11:40am – 1:05pm!

10/8/13: I think Charlotte knows how to give kisses!  When we kiss her on the cheek and pull away, she tries to kiss us back on the check.  She is just so sweet!

10/10/13: Charlotte took her very first buggy ride at school today!  She sat up like a big girl and looked around at all the pretty flowers and flashed everyone her pretty smile!

10/14/13: It seems like Charlotte doesn’t want to sit up for very long anymore because she immediately tries to lunge forward and roll all over the place.  She up pretty far today like she’s thinking about crawling.  It won’t be long now! (or so we thought … she took about 2 more months, ha)

10/15/13: Charlotte loves going outside on the playground, but she does not like going inside the treehouse, she made it very clear to us!

10/16/13:  I think Charlotte is trying to clap her hands!  After her nap, she was sitting up and she started feeling her belly, then she started to swing her hands like she was trying to clap.  So cute!

10/23/13:  I looked in on Charlotte at naptime to see her throwing her pacifier and putting her thumb in her mouth.  So cute!

10/24/13: Charlotte was raising her heads above her head all day today!  It almost looked like she was trying to clap her hands too.  She was extra smiley today, too!

11/7/13:  Charlotte had fun playing ball with Miss Patty today!  I would roll it to her and she’d pick up and try to taste it.  Pretty funny!

11/11/13:  Miss Patty can really get Charlotte laughing when she’s changing her diaper.  She kind of expects it, so she gets all giddy while she lying there, just waiting for me to tickle her.  (Which is good, because she gets changed A LOT with that functioning digestive system she has)

11/12/13:  Charlotte was giving everyone a Miss America wave today!  She’s never done it before and she put her little hand in the air and waved it around.  Adorable!

11/14/13: Charlotte was sitting at the table watching her friend in the saucer bounce wildly, so she tried to bounce at the table seat.  It was so cute!

11/18/13: (mid-year report) The one word I can use to describe Charlotte is “sweet.”  She is the most easy-going, gentle-natured little girl we’ve ever met.  She’s very smart and loves watching people.  She’s been trying to get on all fours because she wants to crawl very badly, which will be coming very soon!

12/12/13:  Charlotte loves the hair of one of her friends!  Every time he gets near her, she runs her fingers through it (she never pulls it) and she smiles when she does it, which makes it even cuter!

12/16/13:  Charlotte showed off her crawling skills today!  She was so happy that she could go anywhere she wanted to!

12/19/13: Charlotte and Miss patty had lots and lots of cuddle time today!  She didn’t want to play of move too much, so she got lots of holding and hugs.  Miss Patty didn’t mind that at all.  What a sweetheart! (this was your first day back at school after being out two days with your stomach bug)

1/2/13: Charlotte had lots of fun today!  I think she missed her friends and teachers!  I was trying to cheer-up one of Charlotte’s friends and I stated saying “if you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands” and your Charlotte joined in and started clapping her hands right on que – it was SO cute!

1/6/13:  Charlotte is starting to come out of her shell a bit!  She was Miss socialable, interacting with her friends and being a silly goose all day!

1/7/13:  Charlotte loves Miss Patty’s shoestrings!  Whenever I’m standing still or sitting still, she’s right there trying to pull them off my shoes!

1/9/13:  Charlotte wanted to make a lot of noise today!  She found out that if she hits the front doors on the changing tables it makes noise, so she spent most of the day exploring that part of the room.

1/16/13: The morning Miss Patty was pretending to talk on the phone and Charlotte did exactly the same thing and she was chatting away.  It was so cute!