Winding down

Our last night in Michigan, we opened a few early Christmas presents. Charlie Jo got some very cool books, a nifty rolling duck toy, and some ornaments.





Charlie had a great time with her Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Don. We can't wait to see them again in March up in Minnesota!



The dogs had a final pow-wow with Corey on Duke's new bed. The dogs provided a lot of chaos, but they were fun to have around. Thanks for letting us all invade your house, NanaB & Granddad!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

On Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, we threw a baby shower for Corey's sister, Stephanie. We decorated onesies for Baby Sanderson, and I was amazed at everyone's creativity. The baby's room is decorated in the theme of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", so we got this cake:



Barb & Larry's dining room was transformed to party central.



Steph's onesie had a shout out to Don.



Ellie is hoping Baby Sanderson vacations at the Jolli Lodge.



Barb's onesie said "Estate Grown - 2009" on the front, and "Mom & Dad - Special Blend" on the back.



Granny's said "I [heart] Kayla".



Lisa's portrait of Kayla (Steph & Don's dog) was gorgeous.



Suddenly, Baby Sanderson's wardrobe is 14 onesies bigger!

Fun with NanaB

Charlotte's NanaB was a nursery school teacher for over a decade before she decided to go back to school and get her masters in library science and become a children's services librarian. As a result, NanaB knows lots of fun things to do with babies. Charlotte is becoming increasingly interested in the finger plays and songs, and it's hysterical to watch. Over Thanksgiving, NanaB sang her the song "This Old Man" (you know - the one where the old man plays knick knack on your thumb? What exactly IS knick knack, anyway?) and taught Charlotte to touch NanaB's outstretched hand when she sings the line "give a dog a bone". It's so funny to watch, because Charlotte reaches forward ever so gingerly and daintily touches NanaB's hand, and then she grins like "yeah, I know what you want me to do, but I'm not exactly sure why!" Peekaboo is also another beloved game, of course.

Cherry wine tasting with NanaB

NanaB taught us the proper way to drink cherry wine.


First, you sip:


Then you eat a chocolate:


Then you take a second sip:


And then the cherry flavor POPS!

Charlotte's first Thanksgiving

Hey! Is it turkey time yet? HEY! Is anyone listening to me?



Kayla, unaware that she will demoted to the position of "just a dog" in a few short months, had a lovely day.



The parents-to-be enjoyed their last Thanksgiving of peace and quiet.



Charlotte showed her Great Grandfather George P. Stringer how to clap his hands.



Four generations of Stringers, goofing around as usual.



NanaB, Granddad, and their little turkey.



Oh Great Uncle Dave, you're so silly.



The after dinner entertainment involved watching the "Chimpanzee on a Segway" video.



Uncle Dave made the crucial mistake of falling asleep on the living room floor. Corey and Don seized the opportunity to stage a more sordid scene.

Escape!

Charlie Jo tried to make a bare-butt escape today when it was time for her bath!



But we caught her and threw her in NanaB and Granddad's sink for a scrub-down.



I'll help wash my hair, Dad!



I think I need more shampoo...



NanaB was a good sport for letting us bathe a splashing baby in her sink in the middle of fixing Thanksgiving dinner!

Messin' with Sasquatch

Yesterday, Charlie Jo demonstrated her phenomenal mess-making skills for everyone. NanaB's floor may never be the same again.



Charlie loves to hang out at the glass-topped coffee table in the sitting room. She also liked to lick it.



Steph & Don's dog, Kayla, proved she will be an excellent companion to Baby Sanderson. She was hilarious playing with Charlie Jo last night, and we were impressed at how gentle she was.

Michigan antics

On Tuesday night, we all headed up to Michigan for Thanksgiving. And when I say "we all", I really mean it. We packed up that little station wagon with two adults, a baby, AND two labrador retrievers. And a ton of luggage and presents. Driving through the night was tough, but much better than wasting all day Wednesday and dealing with a cranky awake baby. Charlie Jo slept for about 90% of the trip, which made it a whole lot easier on everyone.

We have had a lot of fun so far. Yesterday was very low-key and consisted mostly of recovering from the journey. Charlie Jo didn't actually get dressed until mid-afternoon, so that's why she's in her jammies in all of these photos. She has been having a great time with her Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Don. She's giving them practice for early February when they have a little one of their own!

A baby, an avocado, and a nosy dog

NOT a good combination.

Another celebrity sighting

Charlotte has now had three celebrity encounters in her short little life. Soon after she was born, she met Kix Brooks. A few months later, we had lunch right near Naomi Judd. And yesterday morning, we saw Scott Hamilton (the ice skater and ice skating announcer) coming out of the same sportsplex where we do Stroller Strides in the winter. I asked Charlotte if she was impressed, and she pulled a sock off and stuck it in her mouth in response. I'll take that as a yes.

Entertainment tonight

We have entered a new phase in keeping Charlie Jo entertained while I cook dinner. She is no longer content to hang out in the pack 'n' play, so I had to bring out the big guns. I recalled seeing photos of my sister and me playing with things we pulled out of the cupboards, so I led little Charlie to the tupperware. She LOVES it!

Making friends

Charlotte and her little playgroup buddies were hilarious today. At one point, all four of the babies at the playdate were standing in a line in front of some low shelves just walloping on them like they were playing the bongos. We have no idea why, but they thought it was terrific. Unfortunately I only got a shot of three of the four in action, but it's cute nonetheless.



In other news, I got called for circuit court jury duty for the first time ever. Despite hearing from several people that lactating mothers are automatically exempt, this did not turn out to be the case. In our county, however, you can sign up for any two-week period between January and June, and so I signed up for a June slot since Charlie Jo will be weaned by then. Like jury duty in most other states, you have to call in each night to see if you are called to actually go to the courthouse the next morning, so I'm going to have to figure out some kind of arrangement with drop-in daycare or a neighbor (too bad I don't have any neighbors who absolutely adore Charlie Jo and come over to visit her on a daily basis - ha ha!) or something. Who knows what life will be like eight months from now? Despite the fact that I have always wanted to be on a jury, things are a little different now that service would mean leaving my kid rather than getting time off of work. Corey seems to think that no lawyer would ever want to put me on a jury since I am a lawyer myself, but who knows?