8 Months Old

Eight months old. My little heart waltzing around outside of my body. You are a sweet child. A happy girl and I love spending my days watching you grow and learn. For the past week two little teeth have been creeping into your mouth. This will make 8 teeth at 8 months. You are pulling up, trying really hard to crawl forward, but always end up going backwards. Yesterday you crawled backwards until you ended up under the coffee table.

We are working on a new sleep routine. So far, so good. You do better on a schedule and I enjoy routine so it works perfect for both of us!  I pray every night that you will sleep all the way to the morning. I am still praying ;) You will get there!!!

The older you get the more life changes. I have a strong feeling you are going to be a bit of a wild child. My eyes have to be glued to you or you are in to something. It is funny, it is busy, and I love every second. Except when you are trying to chew on the plants in the house.

On your eight month day we went to the Dash game and hung out with Lucy, Alice and Porter. You love going to the baseball games and watching the lights. 

Here you are my dear:

What can I get in to?

Charlotte's grocery store buy.

Trying to stand up or crawl or just scoot.

Dancing.

Cheese Mommy.

My baby.

The best cheeks in the world for kisses!

All I can say after eight months of having you is thank you, I love you, you make life good.

Mommies Birthday!

My first birthday as a mommy. We played all day long!

Outside scooting around in your walker.

Dancing and laughing.

Scooting around.

Miss Independent.

After a long day and dinner out at a restaurant you were fast asleep.

So Grateful

My momma (your grandmommy) always told me, "When you hurt, I hurt twice as bad." and "I love you more than you could ever understand." She called me out when I was wrong, but was my greatest defender. She has held my hand through hard times, pushed me through fearful times, and caught me with ease when I fell.  And boy, have I fallen hard.  The funny thing is, is I never understood just how much she cares and loves me until I had this sweet little being in my belly.

Becoming a mother is a gift. It is a miracle. It is God's work. And all I can say is that I love you more than you will ever be able to comprehend. When you cry, I sob. Your laughter, your happiness sparks a fire deep in my soul. I am sure you will fall, I am sure you will fear, I am sure you will be wrong. And I will be your ole momma, ready to catch you and push you and correct you. Most importantly, I will always be by your side.

So on my very first Mother's Day, we spent the entire day together with the women in our lives. They wrapped their arms around you; sat in the sun and listened to your little voice explain the world. 

Where did April go?

My darling Charley girl,

you. have. my. heart.

time is starting to run away and our days go by so quickly. i turn my head and it is time to put you to bed. i wake up and it is May--not April. we know how to soak up every minute of every day. sometimes i find myself taking a step back to really feel a moment. remember it. write it down in my bones.

you are changing. pulling up on things. attempting to crawl. having full on conversations with me and your daddy...and the dogs...and anyone who will listen. you show excitement by flapping your arms (like a bird about to take off) and cackle loudly.

you have a shy side and tend to lean towards me when you meet new people. you also have a very social side, and you adore being around other babies. that smile of yours lights up the room--especially when your little teeth shine through.  you are a really awesome snuggler, and i am so grateful.  being in your baby pool is the highlight of your day. this week you tried to put your whole head under the water.

yesterday i went to get you out of your crib and this is what i found.

my little girl. growing into a big girl.

"Look what I can do mommy!"

Our sweet thing. you. have. our. hearts.

7 Months Old

A year ago, almost to the day, I found out I was going to have a daughter. I was convinced you were a boy from day one; then the sonogram lady popped up the picture on the screen and said, "So do you know what that is?" Questioning me if I could tell what you were (I had studied gender revealing sonograms on the internet for weeks so I would be able to tell instantly)...so I quickly said, "It's a girl, isn't it!" With a quick yes, I laughed loudly, said well there is our little Charlotte, and looked at your daddy as he peered helplessly wondering how he would ever be able to handle the protective love a daddy has for his little girl.

You have no idea how many thoughts ran miles in my brain. I thought of everything from tutus to tomboy stage; smock dresses to girl drama; pigtails to yucky boyfriends; beautiful wedding to eesh big beautiful wedding...

Now you are seven months old. And we live for your giggles, your babbling rants. We live to see you crawl, walk, figure out how to tilt your bottle and feed yourself. Being a parent is so much work, so many endless nights, and so much sweetness. You have ripened our life.

Your week has been full of alligator tears as 4 teeth shove their way into your poor little mouth. That will make 6 teeth total. I have been trying to keep you busy, but their have been moments (more like hours) that you just want to cry, and that is just fine. With Tylenol, teething tablets, ice cubes, and snuggle we will get through this and when we do you may have 4 more moving in. Here are some pictures of you at 7 months old.

Trying to get into crawling position.

Covered in paint.

7 months old with tears on your cheeks.

Practicing with your sippy cup.

Pouty face but cute face.

I tried to get a few smiles, but they mostly ended in this which is pitifully cute.

Getting ready for bed watching Olivia on Nick Jr.

Nite nite. Take a look at those thighs!

Sprinklers, Fans, and Cousins

The weather has been super nice and we have tried to spend a lot of time outside. You have a really big interest in the wind. You open your mouth like you are trying to eat it and giggle and kick your legs. So, sometimes to get a laugh out of you I will sit you infront of a fan and let you go to town.

We also spent some time outside with your new sprinkler from the Neelon's. The water was a little cold, but you still played in it a little with most of your attention taken by pulling out grass and putting it in your mouth. After a very short amount of time outside I brought you in and could not believe that you had gotten a little sun! So, from now on, sunscreen every day.

The week wrapped up with a visit from your second cousins Riley and Cooper.  They came up from Georgia to see Great Grandmommy Ada and stopped by to meet you. 

You are becoming very vocal and saying the syllables: da-da, ba-ba, la-la followed by high pitched squeals. I am in the process of trying to get it on video. It is priceless.

Sitting in front of the fan trying to "eat the wind".

Sitting in the grass. I think you just put some grass in your mouth. Yes, I got it out.

Getting in the water sprinkler!

Cooper, your cutie pie cousin.

Riley, the most hilarious and precious little thing and you sitting in the chairs.

Riley's pose!

Easter

We decided that since you are not able to Easter Egg Hunt, we would skip the hunt at Old Town and go to the mountains for a nice relaxing weekend in Meadows of Dan. The weather was GLORIOUS and we had a great time sitting outside, watching the water on the pond, and eating flowers (explained later).

You spent a lot of the weekend looking out the window.  The couch is just low enough for you to stand against. You have become very curious in the past few weeks, and it has been hilarious...except when you reach for mommy's wine glass on the counter, or the dogs eye ball, or daddy's nose, or mommy's hair...you see the pattern.

This is your brand new yellow sweater and it was hand knitted by your Great Grandma Charlotte. She is such an amazing woman and we go and see her once a week. The sweater kept you warm in the mountain breeze.

Sitting on the porch and sticking out your tongue.

Your grandmommy and I decided to sit you in the middle of the Daffodils to take some sweet pictures. You were very interested in the colorful shapes.

This is my adorable little Charlotte.

This is my tomboy adorable Charlotte. You tried to eat the dirt, dead leaves, and this flower.  Your grandmommy tried to tell me that people eat these flowers and put them in salads...then your grandaddy said, "I am not sure this is not poisonous."  Thus, the flower was removed, and you are fine;)

Sitting at the top of the hill watching the water.

Sully was making sure you did not roll down the hill.

Sitting with your daddy and enjoying the day.

Waiting for the Easter Bunny.

Easter morning, with your basketfull of goodies from the Easter Bunny.

"How do I look dahling?"

Giggling in grandaddy's chair.

What is Easter without your own Bunny Ears!

And to finish....The most hilarious picture yet.  "Oh no you didn't!"

Springtime has Begun!

Hanging out before supper.

Baby Bird.

Being silly with mommy.

Your biggest possible smile, ever.