More California fun

Grandma Jo and Grandpa Spike have really tall stairs! They're no match for Sir Edmund Hillary though.



I can do it myself! Hands off, Mom!



I helped Grandma Jo load the dishwasher.



Grandpa Spike can get me riled up like no one else.



We Skyped with Daddy.



I rearranged Grandma Jo's cupboards for her. You're welcome!

California Christmas begins

We had a good flight to California. It was long, but we survived thanks to some very nice seatmates. Charlie Jo slept well that night!

The next morning, Grandpa Spike fed Charlie her first Cheerios.



Then, Charlie took a bath in the big fancy tub.



Bathtime is always a big hit, but it was even more fun in a different tub.



Dressed up in her Christmas outfit and playing with Grandma Jo's slippers.



We took a stroll to the park.



Push me higher, Grandpa!



Grandma knows how to do it right.



What's better than dinner with Grandma Jo and Grandpa Spike? Nuthin'!

Little trained monkey

Stupid, stupid, stupid

Remind me again why I am flying ALONE with Charlotte to California all by myself for a four and a half hour flight without Corey with a baby on my lap solo schlepping my own luggage while carrying a 19 pound 9 ounce baby sans my husband tomorrow? And why did I buy a ticket for an afternoon flight so I will be trying to deal with Charlotte when she's at her fussiest? Mom and Dad -- I really love you guys!

Actually, I'm trying to time it so Charlotte will sleep for at least the first hour of the flight, and then I'm hoping to just set her free to crawl up and down the aisle. Surely the flight attendants won't mind. Someone I know actually suggested I give Charlotte Benadryl, but since I know someone else who acted as a guardian ad litem for a child taken from her parents for that very same action, I think I'll pass.

Just cross your fingers for me between 3:20 and 8:05 pm CST tomorrow. If you see on the news that air marshals were called to restrain a crazy woman on a flight from Nashville to L.A., it's probably going to involve someone sitting next to us on the flight.

Here's some more photos from the expedition to meet Santa at the mall. Charlotte was such a good girl that day!

Move over, Ringo

Charlotte tried out our neighbor David's drum set a few days ago with Dan's help. While she didn't exactly show an aptitude for rhythm or display any technique to indicate we have a protege on our hands, she did seem to have a certain flair for waving the sticks around.

Um, I think you're supposed to hit the DRUM head -- not YOUR head.



Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum!



I think we need some pedal extensions for the bass drum. LONG pedal extensions.

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.