Your first Christmas: Part One

Merry Christmas My Sweet Thing.

Here you are on Christmas Eve sitting in your AWESOME big girl chair from the Neelon's. You love sitting in it and watching Mary Poppins.

Christmas morning...BRIGHT AND EARLY...with me in front of our tree.


You and your new favorite toy that Santa left you: the worm. Seriously, you won't let it go.

You and a very sleeepy daddy!

Opening Santa's little trinkets.

Christmas Cutie.

All that excitement wore you out. Here you are in your element: no clothes and with your new BFF aka Wormy.

Ready to begin our big day.


You and Grandmommy.


Your first Christmas to be continued...

A Girl and her Dogs.

There are two dogs in your house.

Matti

Sullivan Sands (Sully)

Matti, a boxer, is not very interested in you, but is interested in loving on your daddy and attacking the mailman on a daily basis. Sometimes I think she just likes to bark, growl and sound scary. Other times I really think she is ready to attack. Call it Bipolar...call it protective. At our house we call it Matti/Guard dog. I thinkone day, she will be just fine with you and maybe you can bring out a softer side. As for any boyfriends you might bring home...they should steer clear.

Sully, a golden retriever, is very interested in you. He is a classic retriever--great with kids, loves people, loves sticks, bones, going swimming and he loves you. Matti is his girlfriend and they do say opposites attract. He is a great judge of character and picks up on moods quickly. I think he thinks you are his newest squishy, kissable toy (in a not dangerous way). He has the personality of Snoopy. Sully and you are going to be buds. Just look:

Sully giving you kisses I think he tried to lick your entire arm. This may look precious, but it makes for a lot of hand washing...arm washing...face washing. Sully is a licker.

Sully Snuggling with you during tummy time...or maybe he is just try to get to that toy.

Sully is a comfy cushion.

Buddies. Sully prefers to be as close as possible. It is like he wants to make sure you are OK and that he is around us both at all times.

3 months old with Snowflakes

Today marks another month past. You are three months old. Most moms say they can not believe how time has past, your getting so big, and all that jazz. But, I believe it. I feel bonded to you. We have built something. In your three month old world I am sure you see me as your food giver, diaper changer, cleaner upper, insanely-goofy-make-you-laughter, with a great shoulder to spit up on.

I feel three months into our relationship, but really we have been bonding for 12 months...one whole year...if you count being in my belly. For that matter, I have been thinking about you since I was five years old dreaming of having my own baby as I swaddled my Baby Shivers Doll and put her in her cradle. Anyways.

You are my girl. My sweet thing. We have fun. We laugh. We cry. We play games. Solve the worlds problems. I educate you on shoes, purses, party etiquette ;). I read you poetry that you will not appreciate until your 20 or maybe never at all, but I want you to hear what makes people's heart skip beats. We listen to good music (your play list is undeniable). Last night we learned to shag dance. Our house is a happy place.

Since you do not go back to the doctor until 4 months I did my own stats. I sort of think they are more exact since I could actually get a good measure on your length as you laid straight out and not half curled on that awful block of wood they use at the doctor. So at three months old you are 16 pounds and 25 inches. Still staying healthy and sprouting out of your clothes weekly. I swear I will have Kelly Ripa arms by pool season.

Today was also a momentous occasion as it was your first snow. And what a pretty snow it was. Deep, fluffy on the bottom crunchy layer on the top. Good sledding snow. You did not get to sled of course, but you were very interested in watching all of the kids sled and play around. It is fun to watch you react to other people considering you are around me most of the time. I like getting you out and around others. Darn flu season has kept us hulled up.

So, we took a few (more like 161) of today's snow adventures. Here is a recap of your 3 month/first snow celebration.

7 am this morning after your breakfast bottle I took a picture of our house before the snow had feet print.

On our way to play. I don't think you could really move I had you so bundled.


Fun with the baby! Charles gave you his shades.

The fam and notice your drool...you are a drooler right now, and I am thinking little teeth sprouts are at fault!

* Asleep in your chair in the snow.

Before bedtime having fun with daddy.

*Don't worry, you were not left to snooze in the snow, this was only for a few minutes while I snapped the picture. I was trying to show how deep the snow was. I am thinking that was unsuccessful.

Great day. Great 3 months. Here we come month 4!

Thursdays Thanks...on a Friday.

It is snowing outside, you are fast asleep and I was just thinking about how people keep asking me if I am tired. If it is hard to get up in the middle of the night, be depended upon all the time, etc. The answer: Of course I am tired, and I hope that one day you get to feel this kind of tired because it is a good tired. It’s just like this:

Think back to a summer day. The kind of day that you got up with the sun and a bowl of lucky charms, finished with a five second teeth brushing segment and a mad dash outside to meet your buddies. The next time you walk through that door is as the street lights are coming on to get your flashlight for a game of spotlight tag. Then finally your ole mom whistles you back to the house where you return itchy from dried sweat and bruised in grass stains. Your palms are scratched from a few brier patches during hide and seek. The bottoms of your feet are tough like leather and a nice shade of brown. You want to be hosed down with cool water because the thought of a hot bath makes your mosquito bites tingle. However, you get on in and suck it up as your head is scrubbed with shampoo and the potatoes are scrubbed from behind your ears. After a rub down of calamine lotion and a bowl of ice cream you crawl into the cold sheets of your twin size bed and shut your eyes, exhausted, fulfilled, dreaming about better kickball techniques, and ready to do it all again tomorrow.

That is how exhausted I am and that is how fulfilled I am.

Thank you for making me remember how fun it is to
live so hard you exhaust yourself.

And trust me...looking at this face all the time is worth every level of exhaustion.

Wonderful Wednesday!

Today was great. super. special. funny. It was memorable. Why....

See that man right there. That is your Great Granpa Howard. He was in the Navy and fought in the Korean War. He was a dairy farmer for years. He managed Mayberry Ice Cream for years. Worked for Joyce Brothers. His life has been full. Full of people that is. He grew up with eight sisters--Polly, Helen, Willa, Wanda, Mary Lou, Melba, Martha, and Alda. He has six children--Jerry, Jimmy, Jill, Jan, Becca, and Chuck. He has five grandchildren--Clint, Emily, Ryan, Brooke and Jacob. He has one great grand child and that is you. He has about 60 nieces, nephews, etc. (Yes you have A LOT of relatives to get to know)

Out of all those people in his life he has never changed a diaper, held a newborn(for more than a little while) or fed a baby. Well, all of that changed today. He came in the room arms out and decided he was going to hold you and that was that.

He did not put you down and when it was time to eat, Grandma Charly started feeding you, but that was quickly stopped when Granpa Howard said he wanted to feed you. And in a few seconds he learned how to give you a bottle, burp you, make you smile, make you giggle, and he learned that little babies make a man's heart melt. Good job Miss Charlotte.

I don't know who was loving this more; me, Grandma Charly, or you. I think Grandma Charly may take that prize! We sat in the kitchen just listening to you two bond over a bottle. He had his girls smiling big. Nothing makes me happier than these pictures. I think you may have a new friend.

P.S. Great Grandaddy Howard made his granddaughter's heart melt too.

Newborn Photos

I have been staring at these pictures for a while. Trying to remember your first few weeks of life. Wishing myself back so you don't grow up to fast. Imagining how quick time will go and you will be looking at these pictures yourself and ask if you were really that small. Hoping I am soaking up enough of you each day so that the memories stay fresh for forever. Excited to see that you are much bigger now than in these photos, showing me how healthy you have been. Wondering what you will look like. Wondering who you look like. Dreaming about all of the days ahead. Needing time to slow down. Grateful of our life, and our little family. Happy that the world is at your fingertips.

I keep staring at these pictures, and just Loving that you are allllllllll ours.

You know how I love little tutus.

All you need is a little halo and you are on a cloud.

Relaxed.


Basket Baby.



In your daddy's arms.

You are two weeks old in these pictures.

Always Remember...

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Always Believe in Him Sweet Thing.

Love you.

Thursdays Thanks

Thank you for sitting in a box and letting me take your picture, but mostly....

Thank you for taking all of that tissue paper and going to town!

Santa Baby

You met him! The real one. The magic man himself. The big sparkly eyed Santa Claus. He came all the way down from the North Pole and you got to see him. We are not sure what you were thinking, but you definitely took your big sweet eyes and diligently checked him out for a while.

Who in the world is this!?

Mesmerized.

Santa was at Old Town where we had a nice lunch and you got to see lots of people. It was tons of fun and you did a great job!

Your buddy Lucy holding you and giving you a snuggle.

Then we came home and took a few family shots around the Christmas tree. Afterwards you fell asleep with me for a nice afternoon nap. It was a good day:)

Happy Santa Claus Day Sweet Thing.

Smells like Christmas

Your lovely mother decided it would be a great idea to walk down to the Christmas Tree lot considering it is only a stones throw away. You, however, were not to keen on the idea. And considering how cold it was, and you were hungry, it probably was not the best idea in the world, but you got to see your friends Lucy and Alice at the lot and they made you lose the pouty face!

On the way to the Rash's Christmas Tree Lot and not super excited.

Once we got home daddy began his job of putting the lights on the tree while I made dinner.

You and Daddy Christmas 2009

You watched him (or maybe just the lights) in amazement, but eventually got a little cranky; so I gave you a warm bath and put you in your PJ's. You got to stay up a little late tonight to watch the decorations go on the tree. You really seemed to love all the sparkles.

Watching in awe.

It was the 5th Christmas tree your daddy and I have had together. In the beginning I did the whole tree, then eventually he started doing the lights. The ornaments are not really his thing. Last night I explained to you that it would be our thing. I can't wait for your little hands to help me spread our little family trinkets on the tree. So much too look forward to.

Happy Girl.

Christmas Time's A Coming!

Today you patiently sat in your swing and watched Christmas move in to our home. We sang Emmy Lou Harris' Christmas Time's A Coming about 20 times. Christmas is my favorite time of year and my grandaddy Bland (your great grandaddy) always showed me detailed ways to make your home scream Christmas.

You will learn very quickly that holidays are a big--make that a HUGE--deal to me. When I first met your daddy he was not into holidays and I called him Scrooge for the first two years. Then I convinced him to give all the joy and spirit and chance...and I think it worked because today he spent two hours putting lights on our back porch.

Each day of the Christmas season is so wonderful and I want you to enjoy every moment. The lights, the sounds, the magic, the warmth, the smells, Santa, the joy...all of it.

'Tis the season!!

Thank you Aunt Vicki for the baby legs! They are awesome!

Thursday's Thanks: Gobble Gobble Edition

I am sure you are expecting me to go on and on about how thankful I am to be a mom, etc and so forth. That would be like me saying, "This year I am thankful for my family and friends." Cliche and general with no substance. Instead I am going to ramble on about all of the little itty bitty things I want to thank you for.

I want to thank you for:
showing me how to let my guard down and open my heart completely.

nuzzling my neck when you get sleepy.
being ticklish.
opening my eyes to a new world.
sleeping good.
being healthy.
letting me experience your new life with you.
having pieces of me and your daddy, but mostly being yourself.

giving me motherhood.
smiling at me when you see me.
hanging onto my shirt when I hold you.
not being afraid to cry. ;)
making the best cackles and coos.
remembering me day after day.
teaching me how to let things go.
putting up with all of the crazy outfits I put you in.
being my daughter.

Even though you are only 91/2 weeks old there are a few things you are thankful for too, and since your communication skills are through eye contact I will write them down for you.

You are thankful for:
your daddy and his unyielding desire to make you laugh.
milk...lots and lots of milk.
Sully and his kisses on your head when you are trying to sleep.
a warm home.
your fleece sleep sack (your favorite)
the itsy bitsy spider.
God.
being outside in the grass.
the T.V. and all the bright lights it offers.
clean diapers (you refuse to have any sort of dirty diaper for longer than 5 minutes)
Alison Krauss and James Taylor (you fall asleep to them every night)
the Tarheels (you just don't know it yet, and daddy is not going to like this, soooo...).

the Pirates...arghh
your lamb binkie.

bath time.

Now, after all of that!!! Here is a recap of our festivities today. I did not get as many pictures as I wanted but you will get the jest of things!

We started the morning at Uncle Kevin's and Aunt Anne's house. You got to meet your Great Grandmommy Maw Maw Dot, your Great aunt Vicki and Great Uncle Bryan. Your cousins Ben, Matthew and Patrick and Aunt Anne's Mom Pat and her boyfriend Ted. You also got to see your GG again and spend some quality time with the fam. You were loved on and held by everyone. GG got your tummy to calm down by laying you on your tummy across her legs which is a new favorite position of yours! Here is a picture from the visit.

Great Grandmommy Dot, Daddy, GG, You and Me.

Afterwards, we went to your Great Aunt Jill's house for the afternoon. There were to many people to list. While daddy and I ate you were passed around, but that passing around stopped when you got the Great Grandmommy Charlotte. You decided to have a conversation with her and of course Aunt Suzy, Great Grandmommy Ada and I had to watch.

Here is a quick shot of our little family in the kitchen!

After several hours of social life, you were ready to come home and get out of your frilly Turkey dress and into your bed. Here you are as we got home.

Happy Turkey Day Sweet Thing!

2 months old

Your two month check-up has been on my mind for a while. All I knew was needles were involved and I don't do needles. Everyone told me it would be harder on me than on you, but everyone did not see the alligator tears pour out of your eyes. WOW. I hope I have not given you my phobia of needles. You cried so hard you lost your breath. I am sorry little one. Then they told me you have to have more in two months....jeez. Thank goodness your daddy was there to assist me after my eyes watered up, and I couldn't make a sentence for the appointment people.

Other than the shots, we did have fun hearing all about your stats...

Height- about 23.5 inches long--93rd percentile
Head- I can't remember but you were in the 95th percentile (so big)
Weight- 14 pounds--99th percentile. Yes, that is correct 14 whole pounds.

You are a VERY healthy baby and the doctor clarified that to me when I asked her if I should still be making sure you eat in the middle of the night (even if I have to wake you a little). She looked at your daddy and said,"Don't ever let her do that again!" The she turned to me and said "Charlotte will be just fine to miss a meal." ha I think she was trying to tell me something. What do you think sweet thing?

Afterwards we went home because you needed to snuggle all afternoon...or maybe that was me. Either way, you were not the happiest baby on the block and you were obviously sore and achy from the 3 foot needles they stuck in your thighs.

Puppy dog eyes.

What just happened to me?

Had a little Tylenol and I am all better!

P.S. I took the doc's advice and did not wake you up last night and you slept all the way to 6:45 this morning. I am sure that will not happen again for a while but thank you anyways!