Christmas Part 3

Since all of Sarah's family was in from out of town for the holidays, they spent Christmas Day at her parent's house. So, we had Christmas Part 3 with Madeline and Gabriel this weekend! We picked up a very traditional Christmas lunch on the way over - Chipotle. Madeline was patient (sort of) while we ate and then it was time to open presents.

She sang a little tune while grasping one of her gifts. I believe it went something like "I love presents, I love presents." She was very amusing as always.




Madeline seemed to like all of her gifts, especially her Tinkerbell sticker book and the Critter Corner set that we gave her. As soon as she unwrapped it she would look at Sarah and ask if she could play with it now. We ended up opening everything right then and there!




The babies didn't take much interest in the gift opening, but here are a few of Charlotte observing the festivities.




Charlotte got a great Leap Frog musical learning table, a handheld music player, a new pair of Robeez shoes and some really cute spring outfits from Baby Gap! I can't wait to wash all of her new clothes and dress her up :)

After the gift opening festivities and naps for Gabriel and Madeline, we took a few pictures of the babies playing together (well, staring at each other).



Here is a cute one of Gabriel during some tummy time. He is really pushing up with his arms and is able to get his knees up a little bit. Plus he has 2 teeth already! We have a lot of catching up to do Miss Charlotte!!



Of course I forgot to bring one of Gabriel's presents over on this trip, so there will be at least one more mini-phase of Christmas at some point. Stay tuned...

Christmas Part 2

*Reader's Advisory - this is going to be a LONG post with LOTS of pictures*

After a few days of "rest" and nothing major to do, it was time for Christmas Part 2! It all began on Christmas Eve as I busily cooked and baked food for the Christmas meal we would be hosting at our house the following day. Thank goodness Steve was home that day because I would not have been able to get everything done without him entertaining Charlotte. On the menu - honey baked ham, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese (for which I was using a new recipe I found in Family Circle magazine), corn pudding (which my Mom was making) and green beans. The main things I was making the day before were actually the desserts - banana pudding and chocolate peanut butter bars (also a new, and very involved, recipe from Family Circle).

Of course Charlotte had many holiday themed outfits, so we had to start wearing them days before Santa's arrival so we could get some cute pictures. Here are a few of her in her new rocking chair.

We didn't do a whole lot of Christmas Eve preparations in regards to Santa this year - no cookies and milk, no note, etc. We figured we would wait until next year to really "go all out" with everything since this year Charlotte really doesn't know the difference between one day and the next! It will probably be our easiest Christmas as parents and we decided to take advantage of it. We did set out the gifts that we/Santa got for her in front of the fireplace under the stockings so she would see them first thing when we came downstairs in the morning.

Fast forward to Christmas morning...

Charlotte woke up as usual around 6:45, ate and then we all got showered and dressed to go downstairs. We sat her down in front of her stack of presents.






She got a little bit fussy, so we took a break to have fruit and oatmeal (yum!), then it was back to the action. We had some gifts from out of town friends to open so we got to it! The Fetsch's gift would be Charlotte's first experience with tearing wrapping paper (or watching her parents tear wrapping paper).

Here we go!

I don't think I like this Mommy!

My Ethan is in the box...oh wait, it is just his super cute picture!

I love my blankie (even though this face may not say so)


We were also super excited to get another volume in the "Don't let the Pigeon..." series from the Fetsch's as well. We love those Pigeon books! Our friend Jack sent us this super cool popper that we can't wait to try.



Ted, Anne and Lola sent Charlotte the sing along stage which was put together later in the day so we'll have to get pictures of Charlotte rocking out on her microphone a little later! Thanks so much guys!!

Steve and I decided that to avoid even more chaos we would exchange our presents after Charlotte was in bed, but I did want him to open his special gift from Charlotte. I had taken her to Color Me Mine a few weeks earlier to create this special project!



While Charlotte was napping and in between cooking and cleaning up for our guests, we decided to put together the Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle. Peyton wanted to get in on the action...



Around middle of the day our guests began to arrive- Steve's Mom, my parents and my brother Bill and his family. We commenced with helping Charlotte open the new pile of gifts that had just arrived from the grandparents, after a brief chat with "Santa" of course!



Here are a few shots of all the great things that Charlotte received on her very first Christmas!





Phew...i'm running out of things to write, so just going to post a few more pics of the day!






Oh...Christmas wouldn't be complete without an appearance from the latest Elmo! Nana and Grandaddy brought Charlotte her very first Elmo. He is actually pretty cool. Charlotte didn't quite know what to think.



Overall Charlotte's first Christmas was a great one! We have a house full of toys and Charlotte is very blessed to have such wonderful and generous grandparents, uncles,aunts and cousins! We are looking forward to teaching Charlotte more and more about both the true meaning of Christmas as well as all of the fun Santa traditions in the years to come. I will leave you with a cute picture of Charlotte in yet another holiday outfit.

Charlotte's Baptism

Several months ago when we scheduled Charlotte's Baptism, we had no idea what a crazy week and weekend it was going to be. The unexpected loss of Nana Catherine coupled with Christmas Part 1 gave us a lot to do and to think about. We were happy though to have something so special to look forward to after a tough week!

Here is Charlotte in her casual wear before church. She decided to have a little chat with her new friend Rolo!


We kept Charlotte in her play clothes until we got to church so we wouldn't get her beautiful dress wrinkled. When we arrived at the church we headed to the nursery so we'd have room to get her changed. After a quick diaper change we put her in her gown and were ready to go! We took our places in the front pew so we'd be ready to go forward. It was nice to have the church decorated for Christmas and to have all of the traditional Christmas hymns during the service. I was concerned at one point when I looked to my right and saw the men's choir walking down and standing in the aisle right next to us. I wasn't sure how Charlotte would handle it when they started to belt out the tune, but she just turned her head and stared as usual.

After the greeting and opening prayer we were invited up for the Baptism ceremony. After saying our "I do's" and "I will's", the Pastor took Charlotte. Both Pastors proceeded to cup their hands and dip into the water and pour it on Charlotte's head. This was not a sprinkle, it was definately a downpour! Charlotte gave the Pastor quite a look, but there was no crying! He walked her around the congregation and then back up to us. Her head was soaked and dripping down her back!





After we went back to sit down I looked up at the altar and there was a large puddle on the ground. It had just barely dried by the end of the service! I was hoping that Charlotte would last through the rest of the service, but just as the sermon was beginning she made a few peeps so I decided to head to the back where I could stand and walk with her. After the service we walked down and took a few pictures.





After the service we were heading back to our house for a little luncheon in honor of Charlotte. Instead of changing her at the church we decided to just put her in the carseat with her gown on. Almost immediately upon leaving the parking lot she was asleep!




She ended up sleeping in her carseat for about 25 minutes and then was ready to interact with her adoring public. We had lots of help with the preparations for the luncheon - thanks so much to Kathleen, Aunt Linda and Sarah for making and bringing many of the food items. Steve enjoys taking pictures of the food we have at all of our events, and here is a particularly good one of the orzo salad that Kathleen made. I just thought it looked a bit like a magazine cover so decided to include it here. :)



Here are a few more pictures of Charlotte in her beautiful dress that Nana Catherine helped us pick out!



Having fun with Nana!

Charlotte and her Grandma

Christmas Part 1

As usual, our family took part in many phases of Christmas this year because of out of area and extended families. The Saturday before Christmas we ventured over to Mom and Dad's house to share Christmas with Jacki, Bill, Dawn, Ryan and Brittany. Chris, Sarah, Madeline and Gabriel were also present, but we didn't exchange presents with them at this event...stay tuned for Christmas Part 3 for those festivities!

The sitting room was set up with piles of presents for Madeline, Gabriel, Charlotte, Ryan and Brittany (Our family decided just to give gifts to the kids this year). Madeline passed by and said "I wonder if these are for me?" but was otherwise very calm. We all sat around chatting and watching as all the kids "played." Here are a few shots of the action.



Check out the bling on Ryan's ear!

Brittany looking stylish as always. Side note - I actually made good choices when I bought clothes for her at Forever 21. I can prove it - she is wearing one of the shirts on Facebook. I've still got some sort of fashion sense after all these years. Too bad it doesn't translate to my own wardrobe!

Gabriel practicing his sitting skills

Aunt Jacki with Madeline and Gabriel

Gabriel getting some love from his big sister

I wonder what they are talking about?

Uncle Bill and Gabriel


Once everyone had arrived, we enjoyed a yummy dinner of barbeque and all the fixings from Dixie Bones. Charlotte hadn't taken a very good nap earlier in the day and was evidently exhausted enough to fall asleep like this -


As most of us were finishing up our food, Madeline had finally begun to crack under the pressure of all the gifts in the other room. My Mom told her that when everyone was done eating we could open presents, so she looked around and said "I think everyone is done now." Charlotte was still tuckered out!



Let the present opening begin!

Love this picture of Madeline and her stuffed penguin from Jacki

Feast your eyes on Madeline's reversible pink sequined princess cape!

Gabriel enjoying a taste of his new truck.

Charlotte smiling are her new favorite toy - her monkey Rolo!

Madeline listening intently as I described what her present was.


Charlotte loved the presents she got! She got a cute baby doll, Rolo the monkey, the Fisher Price Super Star Stage, and a cute rubber ducky ornament from Jacki. Bill and Dawn got her an adorable outfit, a cool elephant soft stacker and a savings bond. She also received a very special rocking chair from Nana Catherine. Here is Dad sitting in the chair with Charlotte. (yes, it is a kid sized chair, but Dad is still sitting in it)


Phew! And remember, this is only Christmas part 1!!