Charlotte just doesn't appreciate good furniture

We got some cool new furniture to replace some pieces that were, well, falling apart. Charlotte didn't seem too thrilled though.

Siblings

We all look a little tired in this photo, but it's the first sibling photo we have taken in years. The last time we were all together was Christmas of 2006, so this was a rare opportunity for us. I still can't believe we're all less than two years apart in age (what were you thinking, Mom & Dad?!?!), but that sounds more dramatic than it really is when you consider that Erin and I are twins. Still, to have three kids in diapers all under the age of two? I know it's nothing compared to "Jon & Kate + 8", but STILL!



It's weird to think we're all married and responsible adults. Well, semi-responsible anyway. We each still have our moments (like when Erin learns about sock monkey pjs).

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed

Several years ago, my sister Erin bought some pjs with sock monkeys on them from Target. They thrilled her to no end, so she bought my mom some. Then she bought some for me. Next, we all got sock monkey slippers to match the pjs.

This year, when I was cruising through the baby clothing section at Target (I do this almost daily, it seems), I saw baby sock monkey pjs and called Erin at work immediately. I have no idea what her cubicle-mates thought was going on when she started squealing, but I'm sure it wasn't the first time they had heard it. Of course Erin bought some sock monkey pjs for Charlie Jo for this Christmas, so we decided we needed photographic proof of our devotion to the sock monkey.

Yes, I know we are odd.

Loud and proud

I finally got a flash drive from my parents with all of the photographs we took from Christmas on it! I had been downloading my photos onto their computer while we were in California, and to make a long story short, I left there without a copy of them. They are now in my hot little hands and available for your viewing pleasure.

The day after Christmas, my Grandma Jane, Grandpa Tony, Aunt Toni, Uncle Eric, and cousins Tiffani, Emma, and Audrey came to visit. Whenever my dad's side of the family gets together, the volume goes up about 50 notches and we have a boisterous time. Corey obviously fits right in (he's both loud and boisterous on a pretty regular basis), so it was sad that he had to fly home before they arrived. Anyway, this visit was no different, and we had fun hanging around the house, playing at the park, and serving as judges for Andrew and Jordan's informal lasagna competition. But can someone please tell me how we took 8,000 photos but somehow managed not to get a single one of Grandpa Tony?

Grandma Jane, the inspiration for Erin's career in accounting, with her accounting prodigy.



Emma told Santa all the things he forgot to bring her.



I hope that wasn't an inappropriate joke that Jordan told Grandma.



Audrey (who is so big now that she's six months old!) liked the joke.



Push me higher, Tiffani!!



Chef Andrew and Chef Jordan made two different types of lasagna. We decided that meant they were in competition, but they actually worked together and collaborated on shared ingredients (such as the obscene amount of garlic that needed to be minced and sauteed).



Tiffani decided Audrey needed to try on her first hair accessory.



Play nicely!!



Audrey loves her Grandma Jane. It's funny to think that I am the oldest of Jane & Tony's grandchildren at age 31, and Audrey is their youngest at only six months old. We should have taken a photo of me holding Audrey - the alpha and the omega.



Audrey is becoming quite the little character. She's going to give Eric a run for his money.



Toni had to protect Audrey's feet from Charlotte's curiosity.



I love the look on Audrey's face. She's going to fit in with this family just fine.

If there was ever any doubt...

... that I am the granddaughter of Jane Evans Gomez, this photograph should clear it up. Is that my nose or what? Think Charlotte will follow in our footsteps? Or is that nosesteps?

Charlie as Godzilla, Vol. II

This Christmas, Charlie received a lovely present of a wagon full of Lego-type blocks from her Great Grandpa Taylor and Great Granny Taylor. When NanaB and Granddad visited over New Year's, Granddad was playing with the blocks and Charlotte decided it was her duty to tear down absolutely anything he built. She, of course, thought this was HILARIOUS. Then, Granddad tried to teach her to put the blocks back in the wagon. That wasn't nearly as fun.

Anybody have any earplugs?

We brought out Grandpa Stringer's old keyboard that Corey inherited after Grandpa moved into a smaller place. It was a big hit with Charlie Jo.



She kept changing the settings and getting it to do things that we couldn't figure out how to recreate.



Thank goodness this thing, unlike a piano, has a volume knob. Too bad Charlie figured out how to turn it up.



Sing it, sister!



I think she created some new chords -- ones that should never be repeated and ones that may have permanently damaged the hearing of our poor dogs and cat.

The continuing saga

Luckily, I had my new camera nearby when this morning's antics started between Pacey and Charlie Jo.



Pacey looks skeptical.



WHAM! Charlie Jo forgot to wave the feather buddy near the cat and decided to whomp on him instead. [Note the nasal aspirator in her left hand. Since Charlie has a cold right now, we're using this thing from time to time. Unfortunately, it's one of Charlie's favorite things to play with and chew on, so I'm constantly washing it.]



That's more like it. Pacey wasn't quite as in to it today. There's always tomorrow.

The complex relationship

Charlie Jo and Pacey the cat have a complex relationship. Actually, it's more like Pepe le Pew and the black cat. (That analogy is more fitting that I originally thought, since Charlie Jo is often stinky and Pacey is, well, a cat.) Today, however, I saw a little glimmer of hope that the relationship could evolve. I know the photos are a little bad, but I didn't have time to grab a real camera. The cell phone had to do.

I handed Charlie Jo Pacey's feather buddy (basically just feathers on a stick) and Pacey actually batted at it as Charlie waved it around! But then, Pacey retreated to a safer distance.



There's hope!

Busy bee

Charlotte has started dancing to music! Her moves are already better than Corey's, but that's not saying much. It's perfect timing for the start of her dance career, because we started a music class together on Monday.

At class, Charlotte sat very still and stared mesmerized at the teacher for nearly 20 minutes. Then, she finally loosened up a bit, but she wasn't quite out of her shell. She does have a bit of a cold (AGAIN!) but has otherwise not shown much change in her personality, so I don't think that was really the reason. She did seem to enjoy the class though, and she especially loves seeing her buddy, Zoey. I really think they are starting to recognize each other.

Yesterday, we also met with a local high school senior to interview her for admission to Duke (I'm a local alumna admissions interview volunteer). Charlotte did her best sell-job on Duke by throwing puffs on the floor and kicking her legs. She was actually quite well-behaved, thank goodness.

Yesterday evening, we went to Trivia Night as usual. It was especially fun this week because the Marshalls' friends from Australia were there (love the accents!) and a friend of the Scotts from church was there. I think Cassie was her name, but somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, Cassie and Charlotte hit it off, and I think Cassie might be a great back-up baby-sitter for the otherwise irreplaceable Faith Carol.

Today we are lying low because Charlotte's cough is not going away. We Skyped with NanaB, but now I think it's time for another nap. No pictures, because I can't stand to see Charlotte with a snotty nose!

Holy cow - 10 months old!

Charlie Jo turns 10 months old today. This past month it has been amazing to watch her development explode. She can climb up stairs and has even learned to go backwards down them on her tummy. She can walk behind her little dune buggy and can crawl as fast as a gazelle. She's eating three solid food meals a day (but sill nursing once between each meal, plus first thing in the morning and before she goes to bed).

Charlie continues to sleep like a champ - between 10 1/2 and 11 1/2 hours a night. She usually takes less than a minute to cry herself to sleep and most nights she doesn't wake up again until morning. Her favorite things are Gerber Lil' Crunchies (finger foods), shaking maracas, the dogs, and bath time. She's getting so much more independent and doesn't cry in her carseat nearly as much as she used to.

She is much more predictable in terms of napping (probably because I finally forced a schedule upon her). We usually nap together (yes, I know this is frowned upon, but she sleeps alone in her bed all night, every night!) once in the morning for about a half an hour and in the afternoon for about an hour or hour and a half. I know I won't be able to give our second child nearly as much one-on-one attention, but does that mean I shouldn't give it to Charlie?

Charlie can open drawers and cabinets, eats ANYTHING she finds on the floor, is physically incapable of staying out of the dog's water bowl, has an unhealthy obsession with the fireplace, and tends to pull other babies' hair. Otherwise, she's a pretty darn good baby. Luckily, close proximity to two large dogs has completely eradicated any fear of dogs she might have, so she loves to meet new ones.

On Monday, we start a music class with our friends Joslyne and Zoey. Here's hoping she develops a love of music like her mom and dad have!

So many new toys!

Charlotte is having a great time with all of her new toys.



But we may need to teach her how to care for her baby doll a little more gently.



Charlotte isn't the only one who got a toy for Christmas though. This is Corey's latest treasure.



Oh no! Godzilla attacks!!!