2 and 1/2 years old

We've reached another milestone in my young life: I'm 2 and 1/2 years old! Everyone is in awe of how quickly the time has passed (even though sometimes a single day can seem like a year!). Mommy and Daddy still vividly remember the day of my birth and how small and fragile I seemed. Those days are well behind us...now I am measuring 38 and 1/4 inches tall and weigh 33 and 1/2 pounds, which are both in the 97th percentile. I have been in school for 6 months and enjoy so many activities: reading, playing outside, taking care of babies, singing and music, coloring, playdoh and art projects, etc. I had a visit with my pediatrician today and she was extremely impressed with my progress, especially the fact that I am potty training. The biggest excitement in my life is the pending arrival of my baby brothers, which is scheduled for late March but could certainly occur at any time now. Mommy cannot as easily pick me up and I have to be careful of her belly. I think I'm ready to become a big sister and certainly wonder how those babies are going to go from the inside of mommy's belly to the outside...hmmm. So I've officially reached the 30 month mark...look out, world!! Love, Charlotte xoxo

Valentine's Day Playgroup

Yesterday our playgroup got together for a Valentine's Day play date at Hayley and Hunter's house. Though we were missing a few key players - Ella, Sophia, Aidan K., Aidan C. and Chandler - we had a great time together. Not only did we get to play, but we also decorated cookies! Olivia is showing off her beautifully decorated cookie, which I don't think lasted very long. :).

All the ladies sitting at the table decorating cookies. We had special icing, M&M's, sprinkles, colored sugar and other decorations for our cookies. We even had bags to take our cookies home but I think most of us opted to eat ours right there on the spot.

Here I am "practicing" for babies with Hunter!

"Hi, Mommy!"

Hayley and Mia are playing on the back porch, which was also the Arts and Crafts room. How much fun is that? A big thanks to Hayley and Hunter (and their mommy and daddy, of course) for organizing such a fun afternoon. I wish I could see my playgroup friends more often but am very glad that we still get together once in awhile to catch up. Hope to see everyone again soon. Love, Charlotte

Happy Birthday Nikita!

It's hard to believe but some of my preschool classmates are turning 3 years-old this month! On Saturday we celebrated Nikita's birthday party at Elephant Steps...such a fun party. Here's Julianna getting ready to climb through the big jungle gym.

So many activities packed into an hour and a half: Ethan, Ethan's mommy and Alexandra are busy designing their party crowns. We each got to make our own at the party and then take it home.

Check out my crown: I made it all by myself! Well, maybe daddy helped out a little...

Following the arts and crafts activity, we got to dance in the bubble room and watch ourselves on TV: Alexandra is not sure if she's ready to join in.

Ready for lunch! Nikita and I are patiently waiting to enjoy our pizza and cake...yummy! Happy Birthday, Nikita and thank you so much for inviting us to your party. We had such a great time. Love, Charlotte

Snow Day!

Once again, mommy and I are a bit behind on our blog entries. In our defense (especially mommy's), we've been sick here for over three weeks with colds and a sinus infection. We all had a dose of sicky but poor mommy really caught the worst of it, though I am happy to report that she is now feeling MUCH better. And we had a big snowstorm this week that translated to a day off from school for me...and I got to play in the snow!! Happiness...

I thought it might be fun to sit in my chair, which was covered in snow but I was protected by all my outdoor gear.

Not ones to miss out on the snowy fun, Bucky and G joined us for a romp in the snow. Most of mommy's pictures of the boys did not turn out as there were none too keen on staying still; here Gryffin pauses for a moment to contemplate what to do next.

I thought I might help mommy "sweep up" the snow!

Not sure what I am trying to do here...maybe sweep off the lamps next to the door? I tried to be a big help but ultimately we had to have Dave and his guys shovel us out...there was just too much heavy, wet snow. I was reluctant to finally go indoors and did so only at mommy's assurance that I would get some hot chocolate. YUMMY!! Mommy seems to be over the snow (and winter weather in general) but I would be happy with a snow day everyday. Love, Charlotte PS... We promise to try a bit harder with our Blog entries in the coming weeks. At least until my new baby brothers arrive!

Daddy's Family Comes for a Visit!

I don't know where these last few weeks have gone but we sure have been busy. Mommy and I are quite remiss in documenting our recent visit with daddy's family: Nonna, Papa, Amber, Shelbie and Ian drove all the way from Oklahoma to see us after Christmas. I haven't seen Amber or my cousins since I was 4 months old...so the visit was long overdue. Look how much we've all grown!!

Sitting on Papa's lap...so nice! We were lucky to celebrate Christmas a second time as all the kids had more presents to open. How great is that?

Check out my cool new sweatshirt! I received many cute clothes, books, an apron for playing kitchen and a really great camera. I hope my cousins enjoyed their gifts, too. Thanks, everyone, for thinking of me!

Amber, Ian, Shelbie, Nonna and Papa are enjoying their meal at Sakura in Westport. This was my first time here and I was very impressed to see that the cooking was done right at your table!! The chef, chopped, flipped and served our food from the grill... so yummy! I can't wait to go back.

While everyone was here we had a really big snowstorm and were all anxious to go out and play in the snow, especially my cousins, who don't see too much snow in Oklahoma. As it turned out, the snow was perfect for building a snowman...and so we did! And it was almost as tall as daddy; here I am standing on top of the body before the head was put on.

It was sad to see my grandparents, aunt and cousins leave: we hope to see them again very, very soon. For all the pix of their visit, click here. I love you, Nonna, Papa, Amber, Shelbie and Ian!!! Love, Charlotte

Christmas Day!

Christmas morning had finally arrived and it was even better than I had imagined! I "slept in" until almost 6AM and Mom & Dad were both there to greet me in my room. When we walked into the living room, I noticed that our stockings were now sitting on the hearth of the fireplace...and now they were FILLED with goodies. We all opened our stockings together and were happy with our toys, chocolates, socks, etc.

After breakfast (yes...we had to eat our breakfast first) we moved to the floor next to the tree to open our presents. Here I am opening my very first one!!!

Some presents were from Santa (thank you, thank you, thank you!!!), some were from Mommy and Daddy and some were from me. Everyone took turns and helped each other with wrapping paper and opening boxes...here I am helping daddy with his present.

And now it's my turn! I really enjoyed opening all my presents and received so many great things: Play Doh, legos, books, clothes, a new baby, a baby bed, assorted bath toys, coloring and sticker books. I must have been a very, very good girl this year! :o)

Now that we've opened all our presents, showered and got dressed, I'm enjoying some time with my new coloring and sticker book! It has been a great Christmas and I am such a lucky girl. Thanks to mommy, daddy, Bucky, G and Santa for such a wonderful Christmas. Love to All, Charlotte xoxoxoxo

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

After much anticipation, Christmas Eve had finally arrived...and no one was more excited than me! Following a delicious dinner, lovingly prepared by mommy, I participated in the tradition of opening one present...and it was PJ'S!!!

I immediately put on my PJ's and prepared for the next task at hand: writing a note to Santa and putting out our cookies and milk. Mommy visited our favorite bakery and purchased a few special cookies (we'll bake for you next year Santa... we promise!!!), which looked so yummy I just had to have one. And, of course, mommy obliged. :)

We decided that the best place to leave our cookies, milk and note (on our special mat for the occasion...big thanks to the Neill Family for the start of a great tradition!!) was right in front of the fireplace where Santa was sure to find them. And then it was off to bed for me!!!

I'm not sure where these next photos came from...perhaps Santa's reindeer are adept at taking pictures. Hmmmmm.... Anyhow, we really enjoyed seeing these photos of our tree and all the presents that Santa delivered.

Merry Christmas to All...and to all, a Good Night! Love, Charlotte