Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunny Weekend
This weekend was the calm before the storm. Next weekend we are headed to Detroit, then Niki and Charlie will travel onto Chicago to visit Erin and Andrew. After that, the two of them will head to Indiana with Grandma Jo and Grandpa Spike, stay with the Lowes, and then come down to Nashville.
So, what did we do on our quiet weekend?
We bought Charlotte some sandals.
We went to the park.
We cheered the Spartans on to victory.
We played around the house.
We had Demetri over for dinner.
We had a great weekend, but only took pictures at the park . . .
Friday, April 3, 2009
The end of an era
As of Tuesday morning, Charlotte is now fully weaned. I can't believe I actually made it an entire year nursing her, but when it was time to wean her I did go through a little bit of mourning. Now she drinks cow's milk like a champ from just about any sippy cup you put in front of her, so technically speaking, I could be away from her for unlimited periods of time.
But I don't want to be. Why not? Why am I not clamoring for a week to myself somewhere on an island? I'm not entirely sure. The thought of even being away from her for a weekend terrifies me. It's certainly not because I think that somehow I am the only one in the world capable of caring for her. Quite the opposite, in fact.
It's nice to know that we're not linked solely by nursing anymore. I know I used her need to nurse (and abject refusal to drink formula or expressed breast milk from a bottle or sippy cup past the age of six weeks old) as a little bit of an excuse never to be away from her for very long, but really it was also my emotional need to be with her getting in the way. Yes, she frustrates me sometimes and pushes me to the breaking point occasionally, but we're a pretty good team.
It's going to be hard learning to be away from her (if I ever have the need to do it!!).
P.S. Bye bye stupid nursing bras!!!!!!!!!
But I don't want to be. Why not? Why am I not clamoring for a week to myself somewhere on an island? I'm not entirely sure. The thought of even being away from her for a weekend terrifies me. It's certainly not because I think that somehow I am the only one in the world capable of caring for her. Quite the opposite, in fact.
It's nice to know that we're not linked solely by nursing anymore. I know I used her need to nurse (and abject refusal to drink formula or expressed breast milk from a bottle or sippy cup past the age of six weeks old) as a little bit of an excuse never to be away from her for very long, but really it was also my emotional need to be with her getting in the way. Yes, she frustrates me sometimes and pushes me to the breaking point occasionally, but we're a pretty good team.
It's going to be hard learning to be away from her (if I ever have the need to do it!!).
P.S. Bye bye stupid nursing bras!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Huntin' wabbits, er, Easter eggs
We went to an Easter egg hunt playdate this morning -- Charlotte's first ever!
No, Charlotte - those are MAGNETS, not eggs.
She liked to hear the treats rattling inside the eggs.
This was Grandma Jo's favorite picture of her.
Grandma Jo says this looks just like how she remembers me at that age.
The eggs were right out in the open, but Charlotte never quite got the concept of putting them in her basket.
She helped another girl fill her basket though.
Look at that loot!
Someone else brought rabbit ears so I tried them on her again. They didn't last long.
No, Charlotte - those are MAGNETS, not eggs.
She liked to hear the treats rattling inside the eggs.
This was Grandma Jo's favorite picture of her.
Grandma Jo says this looks just like how she remembers me at that age.
The eggs were right out in the open, but Charlotte never quite got the concept of putting them in her basket.
She helped another girl fill her basket though.
Look at that loot!
Someone else brought rabbit ears so I tried them on her again. They didn't last long.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Spicing up life
Charlotte has rediscovered the spices from the pantry. She has spread them all throughout the first floor, and a few have even migrated upstairs to her bedroom and playroom. What in the world are we going to do when she figured out how to open them? Do they sell childproof spice containers? Who am I kidding? They sell EVERYTHING!
Yes, I realize she is wearing pjs that are way too long for her little legs. Why are the 12-month pjs too short and the 18-month pjs way too long? Why can't they make 15-month pjs?
Yes, I realize she is wearing pjs that are way too long for her little legs. Why are the 12-month pjs too short and the 18-month pjs way too long? Why can't they make 15-month pjs?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Motherhood Tip #29
Make sure your daughter has finished her vanilla wafer BEFORE you put her in the bathtub. Otherwise, she may fling it down into the water and you won't notice for a few minutes and then it will get all nasty soggy and you'll have to scoop it out with your hand.
And that's just gross.
And that's just gross.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The long journey home
WHEW! We were on the initial descent into Nashville (after a layover and a plane change in Chicago) and our plane got diverted to Birmingham, Alabama since the airfield in Nashville suddenly closed as a violent storm passed over. Normally, this is no big deal to me. I mean, safety is paramount, right? Did I have a big meeting to get to? No. I can deal with sitting on the plane just a little bit longer.
Well, when you are on the last leg of a journey like that with a 12-month-old, it seems like MUCH more of a big deal. Luckily, I was armed to the teeth with whole wheat Goldfish crackers and some granola bars -- both huge favorites of Charlie Jo's. I think it's safe to say this may not have been the best day for her in terms of nutrition. Oh well.
We were on the ground for 30 or 40 minutes in Birmingham to refuel and to wait for the Nashville airport to reopen, and then we got back up in the air for a quick 35-minute flight back to Nashville. CJ charmed everyone around us and practically climbed between the seats to try to get to the row behind us where a very nice man and lady were entertaining her. After we got off the plane and were walking to the luggage carousels, the man complained bitterly that CJ had dumped him for another guy when he saw her in Corey's arms. Awww...
Anyway, here are some last shots from our trip to Minnesota, including some of CJ playing at the cool play area inside the airport right across from our gate. There's also one of CJ sitting in her very own seat (neither flight was full, and the flight attendant actually requested that I sit her there because it was "safer"?!?!?). I couldn't believe that she stayed seated and strapped in for most of the first flight! Might have had something to do with the super-experienced grandmother who sat next to her and entertained her the whole time.
Well, when you are on the last leg of a journey like that with a 12-month-old, it seems like MUCH more of a big deal. Luckily, I was armed to the teeth with whole wheat Goldfish crackers and some granola bars -- both huge favorites of Charlie Jo's. I think it's safe to say this may not have been the best day for her in terms of nutrition. Oh well.
We were on the ground for 30 or 40 minutes in Birmingham to refuel and to wait for the Nashville airport to reopen, and then we got back up in the air for a quick 35-minute flight back to Nashville. CJ charmed everyone around us and practically climbed between the seats to try to get to the row behind us where a very nice man and lady were entertaining her. After we got off the plane and were walking to the luggage carousels, the man complained bitterly that CJ had dumped him for another guy when he saw her in Corey's arms. Awww...
Anyway, here are some last shots from our trip to Minnesota, including some of CJ playing at the cool play area inside the airport right across from our gate. There's also one of CJ sitting in her very own seat (neither flight was full, and the flight attendant actually requested that I sit her there because it was "safer"?!?!?). I couldn't believe that she stayed seated and strapped in for most of the first flight! Might have had something to do with the super-experienced grandmother who sat next to her and entertained her the whole time.
Friday, March 27, 2009
The cousin convention continues
I don't think any captions are necessary here -- each one would be some variation on "aren't they CUTE?!?!?!"
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Charlie Jo meets the Mighty Quinn
Today, Charlotte and I took a couple of plane rides up to Minnesota to see Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Don. Most importantly, we came to meet Quinn!
Charlotte had very little use for Quinn at first. She was much more enthralled with the sippy cup full of water.
Later, she interacted with her sweet cousin a little while he lounged on his playmat. I know it's just the angle from which I took the photo, but doesn't Charlotte look like a huge ogre compared to little Quinn?
Quinn sure is a cute little smiley guy!
Come over and see your cousin...
WHOAH! I said SEE your cousin, not STOMP your cousin!
Will Charlotte figure out that Quinn is more fun than her pink baby doll? Will Quinn survive it if she does? Stay tuned!
Charlotte had very little use for Quinn at first. She was much more enthralled with the sippy cup full of water.
Later, she interacted with her sweet cousin a little while he lounged on his playmat. I know it's just the angle from which I took the photo, but doesn't Charlotte look like a huge ogre compared to little Quinn?
Quinn sure is a cute little smiley guy!
Come over and see your cousin...
WHOAH! I said SEE your cousin, not STOMP your cousin!
Will Charlotte figure out that Quinn is more fun than her pink baby doll? Will Quinn survive it if she does? Stay tuned!
Should I be offended?
Should I be offended that my husband refused to let me leave for the airport this morning without this note in Charlotte's pocket? [Yes, I smeared out our phone numbers. Click on the image to make it bigger.]
Did he think I wouldn't notice if Charlie Jo ran off while we waited for our flight? Did he think I would be so enthralled with little keychains in the shape of guitars and shirts that say "Viva Nashvegas!" in the gift shop that I might forget to keep an eye on our newly-mobile daughter? Most importantly, did he really think anyone could read his handwriting in the unlikely event they found CJ wandering alone AND thought to themselves "I think I'll check in this ridiculously tiny pocket on the screaming baby's capri jeans to see if there is a note that includes contact information for not one, but both parents"?!?!?
In Corey's defense, CJ is becoming a little speed demon if given a wide open space and sufficient motivation. Yes, a breath of air can knock her over and into fits of consternation, but she is pretty little and easily lost behind things like acorns and gumdrops. I suppose I shouldn't be too offended, but I reserve the right to make fun of him.
P.S. I love that he (1) used my real name instead of my nickname -- why???, and (2) dated the memo because he such a lawyer.
Did he think I wouldn't notice if Charlie Jo ran off while we waited for our flight? Did he think I would be so enthralled with little keychains in the shape of guitars and shirts that say "Viva Nashvegas!" in the gift shop that I might forget to keep an eye on our newly-mobile daughter? Most importantly, did he really think anyone could read his handwriting in the unlikely event they found CJ wandering alone AND thought to themselves "I think I'll check in this ridiculously tiny pocket on the screaming baby's capri jeans to see if there is a note that includes contact information for not one, but both parents"?!?!?
In Corey's defense, CJ is becoming a little speed demon if given a wide open space and sufficient motivation. Yes, a breath of air can knock her over and into fits of consternation, but she is pretty little and easily lost behind things like acorns and gumdrops. I suppose I shouldn't be too offended, but I reserve the right to make fun of him.
P.S. I love that he (1) used my real name instead of my nickname -- why???, and (2) dated the memo because he such a lawyer.
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