Friday, October 31, 2008
A Little Taste
No time for a full post now, but here is a little taste of what is to come in the Halloween post...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Busy Week
This week has been packed with activities! Well, at least more packed than a 'normal' week of nothing to do besides watch Price is Right and hope for a decent nap (for Charlotte, not me).
On Wednesday we ventured out in the blustery weather to meet Sunah and her 1-year-old son Connor for lunch at CPK. Connor was taking an extra long nap, so Charlotte and I browsed around the shops at Fairfax Corner while we were waiting for them to arrive. Lunch served as a preview of what we have to look forward to in several months. Sunah had to bring along several bags of various snacks to maintain calm during the meal...grapes, rice cakes, pasta, animal crackers, etc. I thought I had to have quick reaction time with Charlotte now...Sunah was moving a mile a minute between picking out the right snack, keeping dangerous utensils and glassware out of reach, preventing Connor from eating the crayons, oh,and trying to eat HER lunch all at the same time! Both the kids did really well during lunch though. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera along so I don't have any pics of Charlotte with her buddy Connor. But...I did take a picture of Charlotte in her cute coat when we got home.
When Steve got home on Wednesday evening we decided to head out to Expo Design Center to order a new rug for our family room. We wanted to get a softer rug so when Charlotte starts moving around she'll have a more pleasant surface to scoot around on. They don't make it easy for you to buy stuff at that place - we had to order from one person, take it to customer service to pay, then wait for a supervisor to "approve" the transaction. Anyways, we got it ordered. Since I had brought along Charlotte's rice cereal to buy us some time, we decided to head to Chili's for dinner. She was ready for her cereal soon after we got seated, but was a sweet little angel after I fed her so we could eat. Steve rode in the back seat with her on the way home because we have found that when it gets dark outside she doesn't like riding in the car. We hypothesize that she thinks we are putting her to bed and she is telling us "wait just one minute people, I have NOT had a bath or gotten my milk. It is NOT time for bed yet!" or something like that. :) She was happy looking at Daddy on the way home. He is very entertaining!
Thursday meant it was the day for our Mommy group. I was hosting this week so my morning was spent vacuuming the family room and kitchen area. I did this during Charlotte's morning 'nap' - she was up in her room for a total of an hour, maybe slept for 20-30 minutes but talked/grunted and kicked her legs (I figured out that this is the thumping sound I hear through the monitor) off and on the rest of the time. Oh well, it gave me a little while to get things done.
Julie and Brayden arrived, followed by Jen and Grayson. Jack was taking a great nap so Andrea and he were a bit delayed. When all had arrived, Jack was excited to show us his new skill - sitting up all by himself, totally unsupported! We were all very impressed. Charlotte wanted to give it a try and did pretty well herself! It just doesn't look that comfy.
Brayden decided to join the party and Charlotte decided she needed a rest!
Brayden semi-enjoying tummy time, thanks to the mirror (which was later purchased by his Mommy at our Babies R Us run...more on that to come!)
After we were done playing, Andrea and Jack had to go and get ready for their early Halloween celebration. The rest of us Mom's were starving, and also wanted to do a little Babies R Us shopping, so we headed out to a 'real' restaurant - Ruby Tuesday. Since it was an off time, the restaurant was almost empty so we had plenty of room to fit the 3 infant seats into their slings and still have room for ourselves. It was a pretty cute scene! The Moms took turns hitting up the salad bar. Brayden was very good and stayed in his seat. Grayson and Charlotte demanded removal and forced Jen and myself to eat yet another meal one-handed! But we are experts on that at this point. Here is a shot that Jen got of the kids at the restaurant.
After lunch we headed across the street to Babies R Us. We were in search of the Baby Einstein Exersaucer that Charlotte has. Jen put Grayson in it at the house and his little legs could reach the bottom and he seemed to be pretty into it. She loaded it up in the cart and we moved on. Jen also wanted the bottle drying rack that she had seen at the house, so we picked that up as well. Then we headed over to the toy section, with a slight detour at the Thankgiving attire section. I picked up a new seasonal onesie and My First Thanksgiving socks for Charlotte (to go with her other onesie that Nana bought and the turkey bib I bought only a few days before). I think we will be very cute and coordinated come Turkey Day. But we'll probably look like a boy because autumnal colors (at least in children's wear) really don't convey a very feminine look. It would really help if Charlotte had more hair and I could stick a bow or two in there! Julie found the mirror that Brayden had been spying at the house, and then we were off to checkout. I was very proud - it was my smallest ever purchase at Babies R Us...under $20 and I even got the smallest bag they have!
Charlotte was beginning to foam at the mouth (well, just a little drool), so I figured she would scream in hunger on the way home. I was wrong, she did a little leg kicking and then fell asleep. I stand by what I said in a previous post - that car seat must be emitting some sort of sleeping gas! She was really ready to eat when we got home though.
Busy week, but definately a fun week....and it isn't even over yet! We have to go buy a pumpkin tomorrow (way to wait until the last minute I know), dress her up in her costume and trick or treat at the neighbor's house. Then Charlotte has a birthday party to go to on Saturday for her friends Payton and Kullen. I'm sure there will be much to post on!
On Wednesday we ventured out in the blustery weather to meet Sunah and her 1-year-old son Connor for lunch at CPK. Connor was taking an extra long nap, so Charlotte and I browsed around the shops at Fairfax Corner while we were waiting for them to arrive. Lunch served as a preview of what we have to look forward to in several months. Sunah had to bring along several bags of various snacks to maintain calm during the meal...grapes, rice cakes, pasta, animal crackers, etc. I thought I had to have quick reaction time with Charlotte now...Sunah was moving a mile a minute between picking out the right snack, keeping dangerous utensils and glassware out of reach, preventing Connor from eating the crayons, oh,and trying to eat HER lunch all at the same time! Both the kids did really well during lunch though. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera along so I don't have any pics of Charlotte with her buddy Connor. But...I did take a picture of Charlotte in her cute coat when we got home.
When Steve got home on Wednesday evening we decided to head out to Expo Design Center to order a new rug for our family room. We wanted to get a softer rug so when Charlotte starts moving around she'll have a more pleasant surface to scoot around on. They don't make it easy for you to buy stuff at that place - we had to order from one person, take it to customer service to pay, then wait for a supervisor to "approve" the transaction. Anyways, we got it ordered. Since I had brought along Charlotte's rice cereal to buy us some time, we decided to head to Chili's for dinner. She was ready for her cereal soon after we got seated, but was a sweet little angel after I fed her so we could eat. Steve rode in the back seat with her on the way home because we have found that when it gets dark outside she doesn't like riding in the car. We hypothesize that she thinks we are putting her to bed and she is telling us "wait just one minute people, I have NOT had a bath or gotten my milk. It is NOT time for bed yet!" or something like that. :) She was happy looking at Daddy on the way home. He is very entertaining!
Thursday meant it was the day for our Mommy group. I was hosting this week so my morning was spent vacuuming the family room and kitchen area. I did this during Charlotte's morning 'nap' - she was up in her room for a total of an hour, maybe slept for 20-30 minutes but talked/grunted and kicked her legs (I figured out that this is the thumping sound I hear through the monitor) off and on the rest of the time. Oh well, it gave me a little while to get things done.
Julie and Brayden arrived, followed by Jen and Grayson. Jack was taking a great nap so Andrea and he were a bit delayed. When all had arrived, Jack was excited to show us his new skill - sitting up all by himself, totally unsupported! We were all very impressed. Charlotte wanted to give it a try and did pretty well herself! It just doesn't look that comfy.
Brayden decided to join the party and Charlotte decided she needed a rest!
Brayden semi-enjoying tummy time, thanks to the mirror (which was later purchased by his Mommy at our Babies R Us run...more on that to come!)
After we were done playing, Andrea and Jack had to go and get ready for their early Halloween celebration. The rest of us Mom's were starving, and also wanted to do a little Babies R Us shopping, so we headed out to a 'real' restaurant - Ruby Tuesday. Since it was an off time, the restaurant was almost empty so we had plenty of room to fit the 3 infant seats into their slings and still have room for ourselves. It was a pretty cute scene! The Moms took turns hitting up the salad bar. Brayden was very good and stayed in his seat. Grayson and Charlotte demanded removal and forced Jen and myself to eat yet another meal one-handed! But we are experts on that at this point. Here is a shot that Jen got of the kids at the restaurant.
After lunch we headed across the street to Babies R Us. We were in search of the Baby Einstein Exersaucer that Charlotte has. Jen put Grayson in it at the house and his little legs could reach the bottom and he seemed to be pretty into it. She loaded it up in the cart and we moved on. Jen also wanted the bottle drying rack that she had seen at the house, so we picked that up as well. Then we headed over to the toy section, with a slight detour at the Thankgiving attire section. I picked up a new seasonal onesie and My First Thanksgiving socks for Charlotte (to go with her other onesie that Nana bought and the turkey bib I bought only a few days before). I think we will be very cute and coordinated come Turkey Day. But we'll probably look like a boy because autumnal colors (at least in children's wear) really don't convey a very feminine look. It would really help if Charlotte had more hair and I could stick a bow or two in there! Julie found the mirror that Brayden had been spying at the house, and then we were off to checkout. I was very proud - it was my smallest ever purchase at Babies R Us...under $20 and I even got the smallest bag they have!
Charlotte was beginning to foam at the mouth (well, just a little drool), so I figured she would scream in hunger on the way home. I was wrong, she did a little leg kicking and then fell asleep. I stand by what I said in a previous post - that car seat must be emitting some sort of sleeping gas! She was really ready to eat when we got home though.
Busy week, but definately a fun week....and it isn't even over yet! We have to go buy a pumpkin tomorrow (way to wait until the last minute I know), dress her up in her costume and trick or treat at the neighbor's house. Then Charlotte has a birthday party to go to on Saturday for her friends Payton and Kullen. I'm sure there will be much to post on!
Monday, October 27, 2008
My Little Tar Heel
We were on the road by 8 again on Saturday to head from High Point to Chapel Hill for the Carolina football game. Kickoff was at Noon, so we wanted to get there with enough time to walk around and see the campus. Unfortunately it was not the best day weather wise, it was raining off and on, but we were still able to walk around a bit. We arrived in Chapel Hill about 9:15, met my parents at the hotel to load into one car and drove to campus. We parked in our spot right next to the stadium (thanks to my Dad and his generous support of the University, we have such perks!) :) Since we had a bit of time before the gates opened, we put Charlotte in her stroller and walked up to the Student Store.
Here is Charlotte gazing at all of the merchandise
It was pretty crowded so we didn't stay too long, and didn't make any major purchases. I did pick up a special Happy 'Heel'oween t-shirt because I felt as if I just needed to buy something while I was there!
We headed back up the road towards the stadium. We still had a few more minutes to kill before the gates opened up, so we went into the Alumni Center to use the swanky bathrooms and get out of the lovely mist that had started to fall. It does wonders for the hair I tell you! By the time we were done in the Alumni Center, the gates were open so we went in and up the elevator to the box. Having these tickets is one of the reasons we were able to bring Charlotte along to the game. There is a nice inside part that is closed off to the outside so it is much warmer and quieter. Not to mention the delicious food (hot dogs with chili and slaw and sweet tea!). I don't think Charlotte would have lasted more than 10 minutes if she had to endure the sound of the marching band and fireworks! If they make me jump out of my seat, just imagine what that would do to a 5 month old's ears!
Since we were some of the first people up there, and they hadn't started blasting the hip hop tunes that get the team all fired up, we decided to get a few pictures of Charlotte in those lovely Carolina blue seats!
2, maybe 3, generations of Tar Heels!
Lounging back at the hotel after the game. We were so happy that Carolina got the big win and jumped back into the Top 25!
We were so proud of how well Charlotte did during all aspects of this trip. She kept on her eating and sleeping schedule, and was very adaptable going from hotel to hotel and still sleeping 10+ hours! She was also a little angel in the car. We were able to make it all the way home on Sunday without one stop! Overall it was a great introduction to the Tar Heels for our sweet girl. Hopefully we'll be able to get to a basketball game this season!
Here is Charlotte gazing at all of the merchandise
It was pretty crowded so we didn't stay too long, and didn't make any major purchases. I did pick up a special Happy 'Heel'oween t-shirt because I felt as if I just needed to buy something while I was there!
We headed back up the road towards the stadium. We still had a few more minutes to kill before the gates opened up, so we went into the Alumni Center to use the swanky bathrooms and get out of the lovely mist that had started to fall. It does wonders for the hair I tell you! By the time we were done in the Alumni Center, the gates were open so we went in and up the elevator to the box. Having these tickets is one of the reasons we were able to bring Charlotte along to the game. There is a nice inside part that is closed off to the outside so it is much warmer and quieter. Not to mention the delicious food (hot dogs with chili and slaw and sweet tea!). I don't think Charlotte would have lasted more than 10 minutes if she had to endure the sound of the marching band and fireworks! If they make me jump out of my seat, just imagine what that would do to a 5 month old's ears!
Since we were some of the first people up there, and they hadn't started blasting the hip hop tunes that get the team all fired up, we decided to get a few pictures of Charlotte in those lovely Carolina blue seats!
2, maybe 3, generations of Tar Heels!
Lounging back at the hotel after the game. We were so happy that Carolina got the big win and jumped back into the Top 25!
We were so proud of how well Charlotte did during all aspects of this trip. She kept on her eating and sleeping schedule, and was very adaptable going from hotel to hotel and still sleeping 10+ hours! She was also a little angel in the car. We were able to make it all the way home on Sunday without one stop! Overall it was a great introduction to the Tar Heels for our sweet girl. Hopefully we'll be able to get to a basketball game this season!
NC Family
After our stop in Lewisville, we headed back down the road to High Point where my Dad grew up. By the time we arrived Charlotte was getting a bit fussy - understandable because we had been in the car off and on for about 10 hours at that point, plus she was ready to eat again!
We met my parents at Aunt Nancy's house (my Dad's Aunt, so my great Aunt and Charlotte's great great Aunt). Her grandaughter Hannah was also at the house, and Hannah's parents, Jason and Kimberly, were coming over later for dinner. After Charlotte ate she was ready to interact with some more new people. We had a yummy pizza dinner and then chocolate cake for dessert. Charlotte enjoyed some rice cereal. We didn't stay for too long because we needed to get Charlotte to the hotel for her bath and set up the pack n' play. Here are some pictures from our visit:
We got Charlotte to the hotel, gave her a bath, fed her again and put her in the pack n' play. Just like at home...not a peep from her until the morning. She is a very adaptable child. Just hope this adaptability sticks with her during our trip to California in a few weeks! Steve and I went to bed soon after putting her down - we needed to rest up for the football game on Saturday!
We met my parents at Aunt Nancy's house (my Dad's Aunt, so my great Aunt and Charlotte's great great Aunt). Her grandaughter Hannah was also at the house, and Hannah's parents, Jason and Kimberly, were coming over later for dinner. After Charlotte ate she was ready to interact with some more new people. We had a yummy pizza dinner and then chocolate cake for dessert. Charlotte enjoyed some rice cereal. We didn't stay for too long because we needed to get Charlotte to the hotel for her bath and set up the pack n' play. Here are some pictures from our visit:
We got Charlotte to the hotel, gave her a bath, fed her again and put her in the pack n' play. Just like at home...not a peep from her until the morning. She is a very adaptable child. Just hope this adaptability sticks with her during our trip to California in a few weeks! Steve and I went to bed soon after putting her down - we needed to rest up for the football game on Saturday!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
New Friends
This weekend we took a trip to North Carolina with Charlotte. This was Charlotte's 2nd trip to NC, but her first to Chapel Hill. But before we headed to Chapel Hill, we drove to Lewisville to visit my college roommate Marie and her son Jack. Charlotte was an absolute dream in the car. We left home around 8 am and she slept until we stopped in South Hill (the usual stop on I-85) to feed her and ourselves. Amusing side story - we pulled in to the McDonald's parking lot and I ran in for a potty break while Steve stayed in the car with our still sleeping little angel. It hit me right as I walked in the door - cigarette smoke! What? There are places where you can still smoke inside??? Well, we are headed South so I guess it makes sense. Oh, but there is a sign posted that says "No Smoking in Line." How nice! So, after only like 5 minutes inside the restaurant, my shirt was already soaked with the yucky smell :(
After this incident, we decided to just go through the drive through and then ride over to the nearby Cracker Barrel parking lot to change and feed Charlotte. Cracker Barrels are much more classy after all :) The current time was now 10:58am. We pulled into the drive through line and Steve asked the lovely woman if there were serving lunch yet. "No, we are serving breakfast" Hmph... But in our hurry to get on down the road, we conceded and ordered breakfast - me a bacon egg and cheese mcgriddle, and Steve a chicken biscuit (because it was "sort of lunch b/c it was chicken"). Then across the airwaves came a voice saying "We are out of biscuits." What? You aren't serving lunch yet but you are out of biscuits? So...Steve ended up unhappily ordering a mcgriddle as well. Looking back we should have just drove around and gotten in the line again and they probably would have been serving lunch by then. Oh well, what's done is done. Now on to the cracker barrel lot to do the famous breastfeeding it the back seat of the car trick!
Once we were back on the road, Charlotte was again asleep in less than 10 minutes. I swear her carseat must be emitting some kind of sleeping gas or something. We eventually reached Marie's house in Lewisville about 2:00pm.
We were greeted by Marie and Gus the dog, Jack was still napping. This was Charlotte's first introduction to the dog world and she didn't seem to be phased by it. We went inside and pulled Charlotte out of her carseat. Uh oh...the famous poop-splosion! So, we did a quick outfit change and were good to go.
After taking a look at their brand new kitchen remodel and hardwood floors (awesome by the way), it was yet again time for Charlotte to eat. By this time Jack was out of bed. He is almost 2 years old and the spitting image of Martin! Unfortunately Martin was at work when we visited so I couldn't get a picture of the two of them together, but believe me, they look a lot alike!
Once Jack was really awake, we were able to get some pictures of him and Charlotte together.
We were scheduled to meet up with my parents in High Point to visit with some family, so it was a quick stop in Lewisville. Thank you to Marie, Martin and Jack for the fun toys and cute outfit!! Hope to see you again soon.
After this incident, we decided to just go through the drive through and then ride over to the nearby Cracker Barrel parking lot to change and feed Charlotte. Cracker Barrels are much more classy after all :) The current time was now 10:58am. We pulled into the drive through line and Steve asked the lovely woman if there were serving lunch yet. "No, we are serving breakfast" Hmph... But in our hurry to get on down the road, we conceded and ordered breakfast - me a bacon egg and cheese mcgriddle, and Steve a chicken biscuit (because it was "sort of lunch b/c it was chicken"). Then across the airwaves came a voice saying "We are out of biscuits." What? You aren't serving lunch yet but you are out of biscuits? So...Steve ended up unhappily ordering a mcgriddle as well. Looking back we should have just drove around and gotten in the line again and they probably would have been serving lunch by then. Oh well, what's done is done. Now on to the cracker barrel lot to do the famous breastfeeding it the back seat of the car trick!
Once we were back on the road, Charlotte was again asleep in less than 10 minutes. I swear her carseat must be emitting some kind of sleeping gas or something. We eventually reached Marie's house in Lewisville about 2:00pm.
We were greeted by Marie and Gus the dog, Jack was still napping. This was Charlotte's first introduction to the dog world and she didn't seem to be phased by it. We went inside and pulled Charlotte out of her carseat. Uh oh...the famous poop-splosion! So, we did a quick outfit change and were good to go.
After taking a look at their brand new kitchen remodel and hardwood floors (awesome by the way), it was yet again time for Charlotte to eat. By this time Jack was out of bed. He is almost 2 years old and the spitting image of Martin! Unfortunately Martin was at work when we visited so I couldn't get a picture of the two of them together, but believe me, they look a lot alike!
Once Jack was really awake, we were able to get some pictures of him and Charlotte together.
We were scheduled to meet up with my parents in High Point to visit with some family, so it was a quick stop in Lewisville. Thank you to Marie, Martin and Jack for the fun toys and cute outfit!! Hope to see you again soon.
At the Pumpkin Patch
After a fun lunch with the Mommy group at Panera, we headed out to Cox Farm to get a few pictures of the kids. The plan was to take pics in costume, but I figured if I wanted to get Charlotte to wear her costume on Halloween, i'd better not press my luck with putting her in it more than was absolutely necessary. So...we just wore our special Halloween outfit instead! Luckily we were able to find a good picture spot without paying the $9 admission.
Trying to set up the perfect shot...
Probably not the most comfortable position to be in...sitting in muddy hay propped up against a not so soft and cuddly pumpkin.
Charlotte and her buddy Grayson...
Charlotte giving Brayden a not so supportive look...
Trying to set up the perfect shot...
Probably not the most comfortable position to be in...sitting in muddy hay propped up against a not so soft and cuddly pumpkin.
Charlotte and her buddy Grayson...
Charlotte giving Brayden a not so supportive look...
Monday, October 13, 2008
Starting Solid Foods
Being that it was Charlotte's 5 month birthday today, we decided it would be as good a day as any to start her on solid foods. Bring on the rice cereal! Although, when you mix the first batch, I would hardly call it cereal...more like flaky water. Oh well. With camera at the ready, we began...
Charlotte in her high chair for the first time -
Bib on and ready to roll -
The first bite!
I'm not sure if any of this cereal made it into Charlotte's stomach, but at least she is getting a bit of practice.
Love this expression...
Charlotte in her high chair for the first time -
Bib on and ready to roll -
The first bite!
I'm not sure if any of this cereal made it into Charlotte's stomach, but at least she is getting a bit of practice.
Love this expression...
Randomness
My Mom came by the other day with a bag full of clothes for Charlotte. This has become quite a regular occurence! In the bag were a few Halloween socks and a pumpkin hat.
"I thought my head was only in the 50th percentile...why doesn't this fit?"
We have also been trying to organize some of Charlotte's toys, and are realizing that our house is slowly being taken over by the Lamaze and Infantino companies...
Does this child look a bit overstimulated to you?
Another recent Nana purchase was the famous Bumbo seat! Her thighs are so chubby that we had to squeeze her in a bit, and she gets stuck when you try and pull her out. Too cute...
"I thought my head was only in the 50th percentile...why doesn't this fit?"
We have also been trying to organize some of Charlotte's toys, and are realizing that our house is slowly being taken over by the Lamaze and Infantino companies...
Does this child look a bit overstimulated to you?
Another recent Nana purchase was the famous Bumbo seat! Her thighs are so chubby that we had to squeeze her in a bit, and she gets stuck when you try and pull her out. Too cute...
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