Pool time!

For Mommy group this week we decided to head to the pool. After we got all the kids, and ourselves, fed we began the exhausting process of getting them ready for this adventure. I wish I had taken video of this part of the day. It was pretty funny trying to get all the kids in their swim diapers and sunscreen, especially since everyone is crawling now and could easily escape. Eventually we were all ready and headed over to the pool. We went in and found a nice table with an umbrella. And as we were getting ready to get into the pool the lifeguards blew the whistle indicating it was time for all kids to get out of the pool for adult swim. Sheesh!! All that work to get over here and we can't even get in yet?!?! So, we began our adventure in the baby pool. All of the kids seemed to really enjoy the water and we all had a great time.

Dressed and ready for an adventure

Underwater ruffles!

Charlotte chillin in the baby pool


Time for a snack...or a rest as the case was for the boys!





Charlotte in her cover-up ready to head home after a fun time with her friends at the pool!

An important word

We are amazed by Charlotte's vocabulary these days. We joke that she is basically like a parrot, repeating everything we say, but some words are really sticking and she is actually associating them with the objects. Her latest word - shoes! She says it when she sees her shoes, a picture of shoes and even Steve and my shoes both on and off our feet. I was able to get some video of her saying it...listen carefully :)

Meeting Lola

Charlotte really got to use her doggy sound skills on our recent trip to Richmond. Our first stop was to visit with Ted, Anne and their dog, Lola! Charlotte has met large dogs before (her friend Jack has a nice big dog named Arlie) and had no problem, so I was hoping she would have the same experience with Lola. Here are some pictures that Ted took while we were there. Lola was a big hit, Charlotte loved petting her, crawling after her, and didn't even mind getting a few kisses!

A Special Visitor

My high school friend Rob was in town for a few days and he was able to stop by and visit for a while this morning. He is very busy traveling around...he recently finished graduate school at MIT, he is off to Europe tomorrow and then will be in Australia next month. Trying to get lots of fun stuff in before his "real world" begins when his job starts in August. I'm so glad that we were able to catch up with him while he was in town. Charlotte must have remembered him from his earlier visit because she instantly smiled when she saw him.

Take a look back at Rob's first meeting with Charlotte, way back in October 2008!



Now here are a few pictures from today's visit

Richmond Visit

This weekend we decided to head down to Richmond (or more specifically, Glen Allen) to visit some friends. It was an opportunity for Charlotte to meet a few new canine friends, as well as for us to meet the newest member of the Lowe family...Miss Violet!! We were hoping that Charlotte would take her morning nap in the car on the way down. This did not happen. However, she ended up being in really good spirits the whole afternoon until we headed back home around 3. She did sleep for a bit in the car on the way home, but was really running on very little sleep all day. Overall it was a fun day and it was so good to see our friends that we don't get to see that often.

Here are a few pictures of our day. Pictures of Charlotte and her doggie friend, Lola, to come soon!

Charlotte having fun with Anne

Me holding sweet baby Violet. She is about 9 pounds now. When I first picked her up she felt like a feather compared to Charlotte. But after about an hour of holding her, my arms were so sore! Oh how I remember those days where I barely put Charlotte down during the day!


The crew having lunch

Daddy Brent and Violet

Charlotte looking very distinguished

We tend to take over wherever we go...blanket, toys, and now crawling...watch out!

Trying to get a picture of Charlotte and Violet in close proximity..this seemed the best way. Charlotte really had no interest in Violet, except when she let out a few little cries.

Megan, Brent and Violet

Brent getting a preview of what his life will be like 12 months from now.

It Finally Happened!

Congrats to those of you who voted for June as the crawling month! She isn't all over the place quite yet, she still likes to just sit and play (thank goodness), but i'm sure that won't last for long. Here is video evidence of Charlotte's new skill.

Videos!

Typically Charlotte just tries to grab the camera whenever I attempt to record, but this morning she was cooperating so I was able to capture some of her latest (and cutest) "tricks"!

Here she is grooving to the music on her toy.


We are trying to teach her some animal sounds. Here are the ones she knows best!


The animal sound that Daddy taught her. She can also identify the animal by sight.


Baby laughs are the best!

Cousin Gabriel's 1st Birthday

May was already a busy month for our family, but last year it became even busier with the birth of 2 new babies - Charlotte on the 13th, and her Cousin Gabriel 15 days later on May 28th! So soon after Charlotte's birthday bash, it was time to celebrate Gabriel turning 1. We headed over to my brother and sister-in-law's house for the festivities.

Here's the birthday boy!

Gabriel and Charlotte playing

Me and Gabriel

Charlotte chatting on her play phone

Charlotte and her Great Aunt Jacki

Granddaddy struggling with a heavy load!

Steve and Gabriel

No more chairs, so Charlotte gets to eat on the floor :)

The birthday boy on the move

The cake!

This was his look BEFORE having cake...looks like he's already stuffed!

Ok, i'm ready!

Where is my cake, people?!

Doing the complete opposite of Charlotte at her party...diving right in!

Love this one...


More pictures of the cake eating action...


Madeline's friend, Ainsley (the daughter of my brother's childhood best friend, David)

Madeline eating cake

The kid's table

Let the present opening begin!



Charlotte and her "ba ba"

Playing with Nana

Gabriel trying to get the camera

I guess she's had enough of the fun...time to go home!