Time Away

Last week was a hectic one to say the least. Jason worked late almost every day. And the one day he didn't work "late" was the night of his company Christmas party. At this time we were also dogsitting for Ryan and Kay Lynne since they were in Vegas. Not to mention it was the craziest week of the year for me at work. So Jason and I were ready for a much needed getaway come Friday.

NOTE: I was worried about going to Jason's Christmas party because our sitter, Lauren, was coming to sit for us for this first time since last summer. C is kind of clingy with me lately so I didn't know how she was going to react. Let me just say, I had no reason to worry. She did great. At first she was kind of shy, but then she wanted to show Lauren her stocking and the Christmas tree. It was so cute.

Both of our moms came up Friday afternoon, and Jason and I headed to San Antonio for our annual Jerry Jeff Walker weekend. We spent Friday night on the Riverwalk and then Saturday we hung out in Gruene before seeing Jerry Jeff Walker that night. It was a great time as usual. I so needed that.

And of course Charlie got spoiled by her grandmas. She did end up with a couple of new toys - hello, don't  y'all know Christmas is in a week. Just teasing. But C seemed to have a really good time. I was happy that she got so excited to see me though. It made my heart happy. I missed her like crazy, but it was fun to get away for a couple of days.

I'm happy to say that this week has been much calmer - for me at least. Jason has been traveling like crazy. My last day of work for 2012 is tomorrow. I have to finished up couple of last minute Christmas errands on Friday and then we have a party at C's school. After that it's Christmas with the families and extended families. Lots of food and drinks coming my way. I'm going to indulge and worry about resolutions come January.

I was so happy it finally got cold enough to let C wear this pjs and her cute house shoes.



Oh wow, someone was not happy on Monday morning. I felt the same way.



Monday bathtime was a different story! Cutie.



Christmas Photos

A few weeks ago we took some photos in hopes of producing a cute Christmas card. I think we did pretty good. Charlie loves her cozy coupe so it's not hard to get her in a good mood when she's playing in it.

Tooth update - we got our 4th molar. We are growing by leaps and bounds in the language development. Charlie is stringing sentences along pretty well. One thing that's not so fun right now - she has learned how to take out her earrings. So we only wear them on weekends and not at school. And I made the mistake of letting her sleep in them last night, and I found them laying in the crib this morning. Sheesh.

I can't wait to see how excited this little girl gets about her Christmas gifts this year. :)

Teeth Update

I wanted to do a quick post before I forgot. A few weeks ago I noticed that Charlie was getting one of her molars in. I was excited because it had been quite a while since we got any teeth - maybe since before her birthday (I will have to reference the baby book for that). Well over the weekend, I was checking out the tooth to see how it was doing and I noticed 2 other molars had broken through. Woohoo! So that makes a total of 11 teeth. And the best part - she has not been fussy at all (well no more fussy than usual :) ).

I've been really making sure I brush her teeth everyday (I kind of dropped the ball over Thanksgiving). I'm letting her do more of the brushing these days, and she likes it. I only wish she liked me brushing her hair as much (constant battle over here). So we might be going to the dentist pretty quick in 2013. I wanted to wait until she was 2, but we'll see.

As for the biting, it hasn't really gotten worse, but it hasn't really gotten better. She will have a good stretch of no biting and then have a day from hell. She bite me hard on the shoulder one night while I was putting her pjs on. I screamed in pain and I think that scared - but that hasn't stopped her from trying to bite me since.

I'll leave you with a few pics. I hope to update this weekend with some pics from the Christmas card photo shoot!



Check out that wild hair

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

This was the first year I have ever put my tree up before December. I was in holiday mode the Sunday after Thanksgiving so I went for it. At frist, Charlie was really into the tree, and I had to remind her to be gentle. Then for a few days, she didn't really care. Now, she is back into it. She will try to go all the way around it. It's pretty close to the wall, so I have to tell her no a lot. I'm afraid it will topple on top of her.

Saturday, we took the little munchkin to go see Santa. We were about 30 minutes late getting there (I wanted to be there right when they opened), and I paid for it. The line was quite long. I don't understand how some of those parents get their kids to wait in line. Mine is a busy body. Jason took her walking all over the place, while I waited in line. He let her see other kids sitting on Santa's lap, smilin and excited. She kept saying "No." Hmmm, not looking so good for us. Before long, it was our turn. Charlie did not have a freak out, but boy she didn't want to look at the man whose lap she was sitting on. I told her "Look at Santa." She gave him a side eye glance, and that was it. After we got about 7 not very amused looking photos taken, it was time to go wait in yet another line to get our prints. GEEZ! Daddy took C to get some new crocs (super cute purple ones). I'm telling you, if there is a way to get yourself out of the holiday spirit, it it waiting in line behind a bunch of people who take a year to pick out there pictures all while a little train full of kids keeps going by ringing a bell. I was ready to get out of there.

I attempted to finish my Christmas shopping Sunday, but came home without much luck. I will be doing some online shopping this week I guess. Jason spent the afternoon hanging Christmas lights on the house, only to have the first strand crap out at about 6:45 last night. Ooops. I felt so bad for him. Hopefully, it won't take too long to replace.

And as much as it's looking like Christmas these days, it sure isn't feeling like it. 80 degree weather? Come on....

Here's what we ended up with

Here is a comparison between last year and this year. She has grown up so much!

This girl loves ketchup.

Eyeing the tree.

She thinks she is a big girl now and doesn't want my help going down the slide.

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for this year. At the top of my list are my amazing husband and daughter, both of whom I love very much. They give me so much joy everyday.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I had a much needed 5 day break from wok. We got the chance to see family and friends. The grandparents got to catch up on time with thier beloved Charlie, while Jason and I got a few breaks. How nice.

Now I'm back at work and things are crazy. So crazy that I don't even have time to upload pictures for this post.

But I do have a few things in the works. I've got some drafts of our Christmas card done and hope to be ordering those soon. I plan to take C to visit Santa soon - I can't wait to see if she will be chill like last year or have a major meltdown.

I'm busy busy busy trying to wrap up my Christmas shopping so I'm not scrambling around last minute. I've done so much ahead of time shopping that I'm having a hard time remembering what all I've bought. Ooops. Now I know what my mom was always talking about. :)

A new thing C started doing over the break is making a "sad face" on cue and then cracking up. She can't hold it for very long because she thinks it's funny.

She did great both on the way to EC (a 3 1/2 hour ride stuck in traffic) and the way back to Austin in the car. I guess turning her around really did the trick.

I've been so used to seeing her all day that this day (as crazy busy as it was) has seemed long. I can't wait to go pick her up and give her a big hug.

Hopefully, I'll get some pictures up soon.

18 months old

Today is Charlotte's 18 month birthday. That's right - we are a year and a half. Full on toddlerhood. We had her checkup this morning. I left her stats in the car but I know she is almost 25lbs and around 32 inches. She is wearing 18 month clothes, size 4 shoes, and size 4 diapers. She did great at the doctor, except for the shots - oh the face she made at me just broke my heart.

Here is what else she is up to:

• Talks a lot - tries to repeat most words we say. Her new favorite words are airplane and color.
• She knows her name - will say it and point to herself. She calls herself "Charlie" but she will respond to Charlotte as well.
• Sings - her favorite songs right now are the ABCs and Old McDonald. When she is done singing she will say "yay" and clap her hands.
• Knows pretty much every animal. I have an app on my ipad that puts 4 animals and tells you to click on one (i.e. "click on the butterfly"). Almost everytime she gets it right. She loves playing this game.
• Is still a pretty good eater (we have our days where she is a little picky). Her favorite foods are cheese, olives, and grapes. She also loves juice boxes and those little fruit pouches.
• All of a sudden she is really into coloring. I only have one coloring book and all the pages are covered in coloring marks. Guess I need to buy another one.
• She loves to watch  movies. Her favorites are The Lorax (she wants to watch this one everyday, but we try to hold off) and Tangled.
• Not a fan of having her teeth brushed (this used to be no problem but lately, it's a no go).
• Just got her first molar so we are up to 9 teeth total.
• Not really potty training yet but she likes the potty and likes to sit on it. I had an incident yesterday when letting her walk around with no diaper for 20 minutes. Um...I'll let you use your imagination on that one.

Charlie is at such a fun age. She is hilarious and makes me smile all the time. She is also kind of rebellious and tempermental too though. She throws a FIT when she doesn't get her way. I usually just let her throw the fit and she'll be fine in a few minutes. Sometimes she will try to bite me or hit me (if I'm trying to change her clothes and she doesn't want me to). I had to use time out for the first time the other day (she threw her juice everywhere), and the doctor said around this age is when they start "getting it." So I got a few pointers from the doc on how to handle things. I expect time outs will become a more frequent thing at our house.

I did turn her carseat aroud last week. She seems to like being able to see us, and I felt like she was ready. I am anxious to see how the trip to El Campo goes this week.

Her first official day in her new classroom at school is today. Although when I picked her up on Friday, she was already moved over. Let me just say, I almost lost it. I got to school and saw her old teacher (who seemed to be tearing up as well). She told me all of C's stuff was in the new classroom. I went in there and she was playing with big kids (ok they are only a couple of months older). She had a new cubbie and everything. They don't even give me a daily sheet of her activities but once a week sheet instead. What? That's just crazy. They hang their jackets on hooks (this is just too much for me). I went to her old classroom b/c I was a missing a cup and they had already taken her name and picture down. Oh man, it hurt. I was really sad Friday night, but I think I'm over it. I dropped her off in her new classroom today and she was fine. At least it's a short wek.

We did have an impromtu visit to the doc last week. She had a high fever 2 Sundays ago and then it broke. She was a little out of it the next couple of days and she seemed more like herself Thursday morning until she got an unexplained rash that was spreading. I took her in and it turned out to be roseola, which is completely harmless and happens after  a baby gets a high fever. So it went away on it's own and all was well.

We are looking forward to some family time this week for Thanksgiving.

Last day of class in her Comets classroom (check out her hair)

Her BFF Hadley giving her a goodbye hug

She let mommy sleep til 8am on Saturday so we got donut holes. She ate all 12 of them - yikes!

Passed out - can't hang with mommy when shopping

Coloring away

Playing at a playground by our house.

Quirks

I wanted to share a few of Charlie's quirks that I have noticed lately.

• Before bedtime, she sits on my lap wth her milk. She does not want any lovies, stuffed animals, blankeys, anything near her at that time. If something is near her, she will throw it violently across the room. She is trying to focus on her milk people.
• When eating in her high chair, whatever cup she is using HAS to be in the little cup holder before she can even focus on eating. She cannot function if it's not in its place.
• She does not like getting her hands dirty. She will often hold her hands out at me with a cringe on her face and say "mama." Dainty little thing I guess.
• She does not want any help going own steps. She will just sit on her butt and scoot to the edge and then step down on her own.
• She might like sleep a little too much. Lately she has been going to sleep very easy (as usual) but we are finding out that mornings are more of a problem. I was attributing it to her getting over a cold, but I'm not sure.

Those are just a couple of things I wanted to remember about this stage of her life.

A couple of important events are right around the corner. Our little bug turns 18 months old next Monday. I cannot believe it. I guess it's time to start planning the 2nd birthday. We'll be going to te doctor for her well check up that day. And on the very same day, she is moving up to her new classroom - the Meteors. I remember being sad when she moved up from her last classroom, but I think I'm having a harder time with this move. I love her teachers, and she is going to be leaving a few of her friends behind. I know they will follow in a month or two though. I think her teacher is feeling a little sad about it too, and I don't blame her. Geez, is this what it is going to be like at the end/start of every new school year. I don't like it.

Here's a couple of pics I got from C's teacher today.

Getting so big

She was so tired today the she fell asleep at lunch - 1st time this has ever happened

Fun with Maggie

Before I get to the weekend fun, let me back up to Halloween.

This was the first time C's class had an actual "party" for the kiddos. The infant room usually opts out of the parties because the kids are just too little, but I was really pumped that we would get to do something this year. They got some yummy snacks for the kids and let them finger paint some pumpkins. It was so cute. I was impressed at how well behaved Charlie was at school (while I was there at least).

We did manage to go trick-or-treating that evening. I think we only hit 4 houses, but that's ok. Our neighborhood isn't a big trick-or-treating area (which is kind of a bummer) but at least she is too young to really get it yet. We pulled her in the wagon, and then let her get out and walk up to the door. I would ring the doorbell and she would proceed to bang on the door until someone opened it. Haha. She did repeat a version of trick-or-treat. But as soon as she got her candy, she was ready go head somewhere new - no patience. I'm betting next year will be a lot of fun with her.

I took off Friday afternoon to get new cable installed in our house. Seriously, that is one of the biggest pains in the butt. However, it gave me a chance to clean the house to get ready for the Motals. The last time they came to stay with us, I think the girls were about 6 months old. They were fun but they didn't really play with each other. Well it's a different story now. The girls are so hilarious together. Everytime we put them in the car, they would start laughing and making noises at each other. Us girls went shopping while the guys headed to Wurstfest in New Braunfels. Charlie and Maggie were such troopers with no naps. They finally both conked out on our way to Target so we let them have a power nap in the parking lot. But then we tried to wake them up to go inside - Maggie was no problem, but C was out - like really out. So I ended up hauling butt to the baby section, ripping open a blanket and laying it down in the big part of the cart so C could nap there. Some other parents were starring at me like I was nuts, but you do what you gotta do right? I think she napped for about 3 minutes and then was ready to get up - awesome.

After a long day of shopping, we went home and all took a nice rest. We tried to get the girls to nap on a pallet in the living room, but that wasn't happening. They are seriously so cute together. Charlie would always go find Maggie's cup or her blanket and say "Mammie" and then go give it to her. They would play and laugh so good together. I think we only had them fight over something twice, and it was pretty short-lived. Sunday morning, Laura and I put the girls in their Mexican dresses we got from Cozumel this summer so we could take pics. We are usually so bad about remembering to do this kind of stuff so that was the goal of the weekend. The girls looked so cute and grown up. Those pictures are on my Nikon at home so I'll post some later.

It was really cute when the guys came home on Sunday and Maggie and Charlie were so excited to see their daddies. We had such a fun time and can't wait to hang out with them again.

Charlotte is 17.5 months old.

Aunt Jen Jen sent C this little baby bassinet for her Baby Stella doll. She is obsessed with it. It has now slept with her in her crib the past 3 nights! :)



Laughing it up during our pizza party



Preview of the dresses. They loved "riding" this box of blocks. It was really funny to them.



Worn out from a weekend of fun.

 

The girls were chatting it up during snack time.

 

 

 

Riding the box!

 

 

 

This was cracking me up for some reason.

Fall Fun

This post is a smorgasbord of happenings.

First, 2 weekends ago I decided to put Charlie's halloween costume on to 1) make sure it wasn't too small because she is growing like a weed and 2) I wanted to see what kind of meltdown I had to look forward to (since she hates anything on her head). Well, I was pleasantly surprised tha the costume did fit and that she didn't freak out. In fact, she was in such a good mood that it let me and daddy to have an impromtu photoshoot in the front yard. It gave me hope that she might actually wear her costume for a bit on Halloween.

My little puppy

Pouty face

Second, this past weekend we down to El Campo for the St. Philip's Halloween Carnival and the Test of the Best cookoff in Nada. Last year, my little bug won first place at the costume contest (in her $3 watermelon costume). But that was when she was a 5 month old snuggle bug. This year, I could barely get her to walk in the circle (she wanted to go outside so bad). Plus, she had a twin there. So she didn't win anything, but she had fun showing off and we got to see lots of cuties.

Someone needs a nap

On Sunday, I took her to the cookoff for a little bit to see her friends. We tried our best to get a picture of her, Maggie, and Harper just like last year. But let's say, toddlers are quite a bit more difficult to photograph. And of course, we had to have a boo boo. C was sooo busy, just walking walking walking. At one point, she lost her footing, fell to her knees and eventually onto her face. I picked her up and she had a mouth full of blood. Awesome... It took quite a while for her to calm down, but after a while she was ok - just super cranky from having no nap. It looked like she just bit into her upper lip so it was just a tad swollen. At one point I thought she may have chipped a tooth, but I don't think that's the case anymore. I really didn't think she had hit her mouth hard enough to do that. Needless to say that little girl was ready to go home after that. We had a long and late drive back to Austin. Mommy still has not unpacked - fun times tonight.

One good thing that came out of this weekend is that C is now a fan of hats. Last week, she wanted nothing to do with them. But this weekend it was cold, and we kept telling her she had to have on a hat to go outside, so eventually it caught on, and she even asked for a hat this morning. Yay. Hats are so cute. Maybe I can start convincing her to wear bows too!

2012

2011

 

Passed out after the busted lip incident

And lastly, I'll leave you with 2 comparison pictures. First, daddy vs. Charlie and second, mommy vs. Charlie. Some people think she is all Jason and others say all me.

Charlotte is 17.5 months

Pumpkin Fest

Saturday afternoon, Jason and I decided to take Charlie to the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm. Yes, I'm aware it's still 2 months away from Christmas. During October, they have Pumpkin Fest out there instead.

It was a little bit of a drive, and it was a lot HOT, but overall we had a good time. They had lots of animal for the little ones to pet/feed. There were hay rides and of course photo ops with pumpkins. There were a few activities that C is still a little young for, like face painting, corn mazes, and pumpkin decorating, but I could see her enjoying them next year.

This mommy was exhausted after the trip - my allergies have been kicking my butt for the last week. I hope to get them under control before next weekend. They are no fun!

In other news, Charlotte learned something new recently - how to say NO. Oh man, I knew this day was coming. I try to limit saying it to her because I knew she would pick it up, but I guess it's inevitable. Most of the time, she doesn't say it in a mean way. But sometimes, oh man, watch out.

She is really into the movie The Lorax. I bought it a few months ago when she has croup, since we were baracaded in the house for a couple of days. Well she just now got to the point where she will actually sit and watch a movie for more than 5 minutes. I don't mind watching The Lorax, because it's pretty cute, and it has a good message. But lately everyday she will point the remote at the tv and say "Na Na Na Na Na" (which is one of the songs from the movie). Ooops, maybe I should cut back on tv time? I love it though because she'll come sit in my lap and just laugh and smile.

Charlotte is 17 months old - time is flying.

Hayride with daddy - such a daddy's girl

Pretty girl - rosy cheecks



Silly time with mommy

A little timid around this guy.

Loved the pig. I thought she was going to crawl in there with him.

Shy smile

Pumpkin photos at the house

Loving her baby doll

Last Thursday at daycare - growing up so fast!