Just a couple of cute ones

I just thought Charlotte was looking pretty cute today in this outfit so we took a few pictures!





Since Charlotte was in pretty good spirits after having a morning nap, we tried a little bit of tummy time. She is getting much better and is starting to work those legs. Perhaps crawling isn't too far away?!

Hmmm...so this is what we're going to do huh?

Ooh, this could be fun!

Ok....push the arms UP!

...and we're down again

Perhaps floating in the air would be easier than crawling?


Extreme close-up!


Yippie...Daddy was working from home today!! (thus we have decent pictures to post)

Happy Birthday Daddy (and Cousin Madeline)

Saturday the 21st was Steve's birthday - the big 3-1! I made a special breakfast - honey bun cake - and Steve opened his presents from me and Charlotte. After Charlotte's nap we headed out for part 1 of our busy day. We went to Costco (man, we really know how to celebrate a birthday huh?!), and then to CiCi's for lunch. We came back home for a while so that Charlotte could catch a good afternoon nap because we knew we would be out later than usual that evening. After her nap and her mid-afternoon bottle, we loaded up and headed out to Madeline's 4th birthday party. We were about halfway there when we discovered that we didn't bring the camera - UH OH - Steve is the offical family photographer for special occasions such as this so we had to turn around and go back home to get it. We finally made it to the party around 4:15 (before the scheduled starting time, but we ended up arriving after all of the grandparents...we are a family of early birds I guess!).

The party was very Princessey, as expected! Madeline was in good spirits and wished Steve a happy birthday despite declaring earlier in the week that she would acknowledge that it was Steve's actual birthday and it was ok for him to open his presents, but it was definately HER party! She was very sweet though and said "my cake is your cake." :)

It was cute to see little Gabriel on the move...he was everywhere, and quick! I am no longer pushing Charlotte to crawl :)

Here are a bunch of pictures from the par-tay.




"Do I really have to look at the card first?!"

Madeline and her very first American Girl doll - from Nana and Grandaddy!

Madeline in her new ballet skirt - she starts class this week!

Madeline enjoying her new sleeping bag

Gabriel enjoying Madeline's new sleeping bag!

Charlotte took a break from the present opening for dinner #1 (she would enjoy a few bites of meatball and spaghetti later in the evening).

Here's the princess cake - a Cold Stone ice cream cake!!

Blowing out the candles

Excited to dig in!

Madeline enjoying her cake. This is right before she asked - "can I have some REGULAR ice cream with this?"

Charlotte and Gabriel playing together



What did you say?

Dad carrying a heavy load!

Me and Chris looking at the camera, Charlotte and Gabriel looking at Madeline


It was a fun party, and it was good to see Jacki and Aunt Linda who we don't get to see that often. We left the party around 7 (this is when Charlotte is usually in bed!). She fell asleep on the way home, but she hadn't even gotten her bath yet, so we did a really quick nighttime routine and she was in bed about 8:00. And no, she didn't really sleep in on Sunday...oh well! :)

Coming home from Atlanta

Our trip home from Atlanta started just as early in the morning as our trip coming down. We had basically the same flight. We loaded up the rental car (after hunting down the sleeping valet guy) and headed to the airport. Steve and I tried to check in at one of the kiosks that are so prevalent now and it said we couldn't check-in and to "see an agent for assistance." What?! My parents were able to check in just fine and we had booked together. Hmmm...

We were able to quickly find an agent (surprise!) and she kindly directed us to a "secret" Delta counter that would have shorter lines than the REALLY long one we were worried we would have to wait in. Problem was it was downstairs. So...we found the closest elevator and trudged down there with Charlotte in the stroller and all of our bags. Yes, it was a shorter line down there, but there was only one agent working, as we discovered, two different lines (one for dropping off already checked bags from curbside check-in and the other line trying to check in (this was us!). Finally a few more agents came and we were checked in and headed back upstairs to link back up with my parents.

The security line was LONG, but we caught a glimpse of a sign that said "extra assistance" line with a picture of a stroller and a wheelchair, so we followed the signs an basically skipped ahead of everyone. Best security line i've ever been in - they actually assembled the stroller frame and seat after we got through there - I was impressed! Anyways, we finally met back up with my parents and it was time to head to the gate. After all this mess we still have an hour and a half until boarding...ugh! We fed Charlotte her breakfast and then she was acting sleepy for her morning nap, so we put her back in her seat and Dad wheeled her around the terminal and she fell asleep.

I was hoping she'd wake up before we boarded so I could do a diaper change and avoid the airplane bathroom, but no luck. She did however wake up as soon as we got on the plane - figures! The flight attendant made an announcement that it would be 10 minutes or so before we took off, so I decided to attempt the diaper change while the plane was grounded with no chance of turbulence. I assumed that there was a changing "table" in the bathroom on this plane as there had been on the previous flights we had been on. You know what they say about assuming something right? Anyways...there wasn't a changing table in this bathroom so I had to lay Charlotte down on the seat of the toilet (don't worry - I had a changing pad!!) This was not fun for me or for Charlotte - she was squished and was bumping her head on the wall. Luckily it was a quick change and we were back to our seats with plenty of time to spare.

Once again, Charlotte fell asleep on the plane almost immediately after we took off. I got this cute video of her as she was falling asleep.


Here is another passenger I caught sleeping!


The flight was super short going home - just a few minutes over an hour - a far cry from our California trip a few months back! We got our bags, got in the car, and were home before lunch! Charlotte took a brief afternoon nap and then we were off to her friend Nolan's 1st birthday party! Phew...what a day!

We had a great trip, and I think Charlotte enjoyed spending so much time with her Nana and Grandaddy. Her first ACC Tournament...first of many I hope!! :)

Atlanta Adventure - Day 3 (The Aquarium)

When we were researching things to do in Atlanta other than watch basketball, we learned about the Georgia Aquarium - the world's largest aquarium! Since the games on Saturday didn't start until 1:30, we went ahead and bought tickets for the morning. Our hotel was actually right next to the aquarium, so it was very convenient. Obviously we were not the only people with this idea, plus it was a cold and rainy day, so it was pretty crowded, but we got to see some pretty cool things. I can't really say that Charlotte liked it, but I can't say she didn't like it either, so that is a win in my book!

Because everything has to have a mascot, upon entering the aquarium we were greeted by Deepo the Fish. I know what you are thinking, "that looks a lot like Nemo." Yes, it does. And its name is Deepo. Really?! Deepo....Nemo...Oh well, he was cute, and Charlotte didn't scream at him, so it was all good.

Hmmm...

Uh, what do you think you're doing fish?!

Ok, i'm ready to move on now


We made quick work of each of the exhibits because we weren't sure how long Charlotte would last. Plus, because Charlotte was so low down in her stroller, we were afraid that people were going to trip over her because they weren't looking down. Anyways, we were able to see some pretty amazing stuff!


Whale Shark!!


Manta Ray - this one was only 9 feet across...full size can be up to 25 feet across. Yikes!

Charlotte checking out the fish


Conveniently, as you exit the aquarium, you are sent through the gift shop! We had already decided we would get Charlotte a little something so we strolled her around to see what she reacted to.

This was the winner...




We actually did see the Beluga Whales, but just didn't get a good pic of them.

Atlanta Adventure - Day 2 (game time)

We had been to the evening session of games on Thursday, but Friday was the big day...the Tar Heels were set to play Virginia Tech at Noon! Charlotte was up and ready for the day at her usual time. We got ready and then headed down to breakfast. Unfortunately for Steve the southern staple we were looking forward to enjoying actually caused extreme pain. As he was scooping the grits out of the pot (with a ladle that was way too big for the bowls that they provided), some spilled over and onto his hand giving him a pretty bad burn. Of course we didn't know all of this had happened and he came back to the table and said "I learned something today, grits can be very hot!" I think I would have screamed or something, but he handled it very well.
(I had a picture of his hand, but he made me remove it)

Ok...now on to the fun stuff! Charlotte got all dressed up for the game and was looking pretty darn cute...







While Charlotte was taking her morning nap, the team was getting ready to leave the hotel and head to the arena for the game. We were able to look over the balcony and check out the action.

All the fans and cheerleaders forming a walkway for the team

Psycho T!

Ty, Wayne and Ed

Coach Roy Williams


After Charlotte's nap we were ready to head on over to the game. Our plan was for Charlotte to stay as long as she could stand it at the game and then Mom would bring her back to the hotel. This was a fine plan for Mom since she gets too nervous to watch the games anyways!

Ready to go!

At the game...

The view from our seats...

Mommy and her little Tar Heel...and yes, my shirt says "Rameses is my homeboy" :)

Daddy and Charlotte pondering something...


Charlotte clapping and cheering for her Tar Heels (I think this is while they were warming up)



Charlotte lasted until the first TV timeout and then Mom headed back to the hotel with her. Good thing they didn't stick around because the game ended up coming down to the wire and was VERY stressful!!