The great little pumpkin

Charlotte has been talking nonstop about "puh-kins" for the past few days, so when I found myself with her at the grocery store this afternoon after her nap (NEVER her best time of day) I knew just what to do. We swung by the gourds section of the vegetable aisle and picked up a 99-cent baby pumpkin for her to hold during the shopping trip. It worked like a charm. She cradled it like a baby, petted it, kissed it, waved it around, showed it to people, and repeated "PUH-KIIIIIIIN!" over and over and over and over. It was better than her fussing and insisting on being held while I steered a heavy shopping cart in my eighth month of pregnancy (yes, we have done this several times). At the very least, it was worth the 99 cents it cost to take that slobbery orange lifesaver home.

Here is CJ with her beloved pumpkin. This was taken immediately after a smooch, so just imagine her still making the joyous "MWAH!" sound that one makes after an enthusiastic kiss.

Animals animals everywhere!

We took Charlotte to the Nashville Zoo for the first time and she was hysterical to watch. She just about lost her mind at the meerkat exhibit. She jabbered excitedly and pointed them out to us over and over again.



At the petting zoo area, she decided a goat needed a little accessorizing.



But the best parts were just watching the monkeys while snuggling with her daddy. Well, except when the siamang got a little close to the edge of the exhibit and CJ started repeating "bye bye monkey, bye bye monkey", shaking her head, and saying "no, no". Maybe she was flashing back to this summer's gorilla incident at the Santa Barbara Zoo?



We only made it through about a third of the zoo before CJ tired out, so we can't wait to go back. We didn't make it to the elephants this time, and they're sure to be a big hit given her excitement every time she spots one in a book.

In Charlie's World . . .

In Charlie's lifetime . . .

MSU has never lost to UM!

Go STATE!

Shop 'til you drop

Look what CJ bought at Kroger today! A cute little BFF named Zoey. Can we keep her?!?!?

My new favorite photos of Charlie the Monkey

Rolling her eyes at her goofy grandfather already

Last weekend, we took a whirlwind trip up to South Bend and back for Sonia's baptism at Notre Dame (when your parents have two degrees each from Notre Dame, that's where you're destined to be baptized!). We met up with all of the relatives in town for the festivities at a yummy Chinese restaurant. We tried to get a nice shot of Sonia with her Grandma Jo Jo and Grandpa Spike. I'm pretty sure my father was making his usual silly jokes, because Sonia is already rolling her eyes at him.



Here, she's saying "I know I'm not even five months old yet, but I've ALREADY heard that stupid saying 500 times..."



Later, Sonia pulled Grandma Jo Jo aside and asked how Jo Jo kept her sanity. Grandma Jo Jo just smiled and reminded Sonia that teaching eighth graders math toughened her up enough to handle just about anything.

CJ's pigtails memorialized in the comics

I'm pretty sure this is a reference to CJ's scrawny pigtails...

Connie!

One of Charlotte's favorite words right now is "Connie!" Not "Connie", but "CONNIE!". She is also showing an increased interest in hanging out with Connie on her dog bed, following Connie around the house, and tickling Connie. We're still nervous about Charlotte's interaction with Connie after our experience with our beloved Duke, but Connie seems to be handling the increased attention with stride. I have never seen an inkling of nervousness or aggression on Connie's part, but I'm still careful to monitor the toddler/canine interaction very closely.

So, while I thought it was very cute that Charlotte decided to pretend Connie was a pony, I still can't completely relax. I can't resist posting a photo of it, either.

Kissy kissy!

Charlie Jo and Zoey are big on kissing things right now, including each other. It's super cute, but until now they have resisted our efforts to get it on camera. After lunch on Monday, they both drug their booster seats over to the front door for a little pow-wow.



Then, CJ decided it was smooch time.



They both said "MWAH!" after the smooch and giggled like, well, little girls. They are the two cutest little monkeys on the planet.

Stringer Birthday Week

This week, the TN Stringers and the Twin City Sandersons surprised NanaB for her birthday with a weekend get-away to Center Hill Lake in Tennessee. We rented a cabin high above the lake, and spent the weekend playing with a certain toddler and a certain baby.


NanaB and Charlie spent time feeding their babies.



We all had lots of laughs this weekend.



For her birthday, the TN Stringers and the Twin City Sandersons each wrote a children’s book for NanaB. After opening them, NanaB read us the books.



The view from the cabin was spectacular.



GrandDad liked the view.



Yes, that is a trash can on the counter. Niki and I think this picture really shows how GrandDad and NanaB enjoyed watching the kids.



Alicia made a gorgeous cake for NanaB.



We drove around the lake, and NanaB attempted to draw Elmo for Charlie. Charlie was very critical of NanaB's artistic skill.



Quinn was ready for lunch at the Hurricane Dock Resort.



At the end of the day, Quinn was ready to snuggle with NanaB.



All of us at dinner.



We stopped at Ragland Recreation Area on our last day. Dr. Evil and Mini Me enjoyed themselves on the slide.



Charlie and I went down a long dock to the water.



After the Twin City Sandersons flew home to Minnesota, NanaB and GrandDad headed east to Fairfield Glade for the week. On the 17th, Niki and Charlie drove out to Fairfield to join them for a few days. They celebrated at the Custard Cabin.



The next morning, GrandDad and Charlie took a nap together. Sort of.



Charlie enjoyed this playground right by the condo.



I showed up later on the 18th. Charlie was happy to see me.



For some reason, Charlie eschewed the stairs and climbed up the tallest slide she could find instead.



GrandDad and I celebrated our birthdays together.



On the 19th, GrandDad’s birthday, GrandDad and NanaB pointed their little red convertible north to Detroit. Before leaving, they tried to take a TN Stringer family picture. Charlie got out in front.



Finally, a picture of NanaB, GrandDad, and Charlie.

Quick post

Over the past week we have done a lot of fun things with Charlotte's NanaB and Granddad in addition to her Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Don, and cousin Quinn. Before I find the energy to tell those stories, I have to do a quick post with these sweet photos I took with my cell phone. We were checking out a small lake and CJ seemed to be absorbing the somber mood of the weather. It was temporary though. Within minutes, she was swinging high on a swing set and squealing with delight as Granddad tickled her. It was nice while it lasted!

Arrington Vineyard with NanaB & Granddad

NanaB and Granddad (Corey's parents) arrived from Michigan this afternoon. We decided they needed just a little bit more time in the car, so we packed them back up and drove them out to Arrington Vineyard for a picnic complete with Bar-B-Cutie takeout. I know -- SO gourmet. CJ wore a new Michigan State top (a gift from NanaB & Granddad), which was appropriate since she recently started chanting "rah! rah! rah!" (from the MSU fight song) anytime anyone says the word "Michigan".

Charlie Jo danced up a storm.



And we all laughed at her.



CJ loved dancing like this with NanaB.



The Stringer girls!



NanaB tried to teach CJ to say "cheers" and clink glasses before taking a drink. All went well until CJ decided cheers would be much more fun if she thunked her sippy cup down inside NanaB's tumbler of wine.



After we got home and bathed CJ, we opened a present for Baby Peter from Great Granny and Great Grandpa Taylor. It was a gorgeous hand-sewn fleecy blanket (perfect for tummy time!) with dogs all over it. CJ pointed at a dog on it and declared "Connie!" We all laughed, so she proceeded to do it about 35 more times and laughed like a maniac whether we did or not. Nice to know the center-of-attention-seeking-behavior (where in the world did she learn THAT from I wonder?) is starting nice and early...