Hey Big Guy!

Come here often?

Early Christmas

Daddy calls my new walk 'n' ride a "dune buggy". Meem & Pop would be proud.



Auntie Li Li -- come over and tickle me!!



Ooh - this sea horse tastes great.



Finally! Some paper I'm allowed to rip!!



Mom's new mixing bowl gives a terrific ride.



My favorite thing -- dumping stuff on the floor.



Testing out my new tugboat with Captain Walrus.

Whee!

Since this was our last weekend together before Christmas, we opened some presents sent from Corey's side of the family. Charlotte's favorite present was actually one of mine -- an awesome new mixing bowl from Steph & Don.

Tree trimming

We finally got the tree lit and decorated, with (or despite?) Charlie Jo's help.



Grabby, grabby!



Charlie directed where each ornament should go.



Now the house is all ready for Christmas! Too bad we only have a week to enjoy it before Charlie and I fly to California (Corey will join us on Christmas Eve).

Spelunking

As I prepared my breakfast (including yogurt!!) this morning, I became aware of a little creature exploring the tupperware cave. I whipped out the camera and shot these images of the tiny spelunker.




And behold, the aftermath:



Really, Charlotte? REALLY!?! (Reference: "REALLY!?! with Seth & Amy" from SNL)

Nine months old!!

Charlie Jo had her 9-month checkup appointment today, and she's doing great! She weighs 19 pounds, 9 ounces (in the 50th percentile) and measures 28 1/2 inches long (in the 75th percentile). The doctor says Charlie looks great both physically and developmentally.

The best news was that I can start eating yogurt, and then ease into cheese and milk now that Charlie has probably grown out of her milk allergy. If she does well nursing while I eat dairy, then we can start her on yogurt! I have missed eating dairy for nearly five months now, so I ran right out and bought yogurt. I'm going to eat some tonight, because I want to get back to eating ice cream as soon as possible!

Charlotte's new Monday night gig

Tom, the usual announcer at the Trivia Night we attend, has enlisted Charlotte to be his co-host. He tried to get her to speak into the microphone, but all she wanted to do was eat it. BIG surprise. I know the photograph is horrible, but here she is charming Tom.

Charlotte's tips for a well-loaded dishwasher

"First, rinse off all of the dishes so no food gunkies are left floating in the standing water remaining behind when the old dishwasher fails to fully dry everything."



"Second, face all dishes inward so the spray thingies can reach the soiled surfaces."



Or something like that. I had to paraphrase since all she really said was "wah wah ooh boo aaaaaaaaaah".

Another naughty discovery

Whoops - looks like I need to start closing the pantry door after getting something out. Charlie Jo has discovered that the spices are down low, and the plastic spice jars are just the right size for her little hands. The cinnamon stick one is especially fun because it rattles. Charlie LOVES anything that she can rattle.

The funniest thing is when she has one in each hand and waves them around while bellowing and cheering. Here she is, preparing for her upcoming appearance on Top Chef.

Where was this place when WE were kids?

Charlotte attended her buddy Addison's second birthday party Saturday afternoon. It was held at this cool place that is essentially a big warehouse filled with giant inflatables. There was even a sweet little play area for little ones under age three, which Charlotte adored. She played nonstop for over an hour before it was time to eat pizza (Charlotte loved the little gooey bits of crust we ripped off for her) and cupcakes (poor Charlotte didn't get any of those).

Charlotte loved the rolling donut thing.



I have no idea what to call that toy!



Charlotte was crying because she bonked her head, so our neighbor, Emery, came over to cheer her up.



Emery's dad, Jay, stole a sip while Emery consoled Charlotte.



Charlotte, telling it like it is.

More dancing in the bonus room

This time, in a cute new holiday outfit from Grandma Jo!

Turtleneck for the neck-challenged

I got Charlie Jo a cute little turtleneck onesie before I realized that she doesn't really have much of a neck. Good thing she looks cute in it anyway. I snapped some shots of her while she was dancing around holding on to the gate around the TV. She really loves that for some reason.