Charlotte - Weeks 28, 29 & 30

Wow, 3 weeks went by so fast! I'm slacking in the keeping-up-with-the-blog department but in my defence, we had lots of visitors. And boy did we have fun!!! Doug's sister Pam, her husband Mike and their boys Luke & Evan (5) came for almost a week and we had so much fun. Ruby was in HEAVEN waking up to days filled with playing with her cousins. After that, my childhood friend, Jen came to visit with her littlest one, Julia who is just one week younger than Charlie. Lots of coffee was drank and even more catching up was done. Once again Ruby was in heaven with TWO babies to look after. We hope everyone comes back next year! Charlotte is such a doll. She is so incredibly happy and gives everyone smiles and her "scrunchy face". Although she is very happy and laid back, she does have a quick temper and does NOT like it when Ruby takes something away from her or kisses her too roughly. She also does NOT like to wait to nurse when she gets up from her naps, she wants milk pretty much as soon as she sees me and if I don't nurse her immediately (i.e. before I even walk down the stairs), she lets me know that she's not impressed. Charlie's getting really strong and can sit up pretty well and is starting to get up on her knees a little when she's on her belly. She still doesn't have any problem getting to where she wants to go, that's for sure. I took her for her 6 months shots a week after her 6 month appointment because she had an ear infection the first time and she gained a whole pound in a week!! She's just growing too fast, I would like to keep her at this age just a little longer, I'm just enjoying her so much. She's a great sleeper and we had both girls sleeping by 7:45pm tonight so we're slowly getting our life back. Ruby is loving her new ballet class and especially likes showing me hip circles and heel, toe; heel, toe. Her class will be doing a performance at a nursing home in the middle of May, I can't wait! Hope you're all well.

She sure does like chewing on things. Let's chew on some plastic now.

Mmm, doggy ear.

My mom thinks I'm cute.

Expert bouncer.

Ruby putting her new tool set to good use. Gulp.

Evan, Rubes and Luke = Pure Joy xoxo

Little Bo Peep.

Little Bo Peep and her evil Step-mother.

Ready for her first ballet class. Sniff, sniff.

Strong Evan!

Finger painting! This got MUCH messier.

Real, live starfish!! How cool for the kids to experience.

Beautiful beach baby.

Playing ring toss at the Rum Bar with daddy.

The whole gang. So much FUN!

She's always smiling.

Scrunchy beach face.

First bike ride!

Best carrot-peeler ever!

Our beautiful munchkins! We are blessed.

Charlie meet Julia!

Cuties.

Gentle Charlie! Julia just keeps smiling.

Jen and the girls. xoxo

Pool monster.

If you want to know what Doug would look like in a bonnet, here you go.

Nice walk on the beach while the babes slept.

Excited scrunchy face.

OK, this one just kills me with cuteness!!

Charlotte - Weeks 26 & 27

I can't believe sweet Charlie is 6 months old! Time really, really is flying and I just want it to slow down. I'm LOVING this stage with Charlotte, she is so happy and smiley and just plain sweet. At her 6 month appointment she was 14 lbs, 4 oz and 26 1/4 " long. She's in the 25th percentile for weight and 50th for height. She was so sweet with the doctor, giving him lots of smiles and being really cute. She didn't get her shots because she has a minor ear infection so we'll have to go back and get those when she's done the amoxicillin. Even through an ear infection and a cold she's as happy as can be.

Charlie's getting pretty good at sitting up but she's still kind of wobbly. She rolls all over and when she's on her belly she's starting to scoot herself backwards a bit. She's so strong and changing her is quite a challenge now. Her nights are pretty good, we put her down between 8 and 8:30pm and she's up around 6:30am. We're slowing getting our life back. :)

Auntie Em was here with us last week and we had a BLAST!!! We miss her terribly already. Em surprised Ruby by picking her up from school - Ruby thought she was only coming in later that day and she was SO happy to see her Auntie Em. She ran into her arms and clung to Em all the way out to the car. It was very sweet. Ruby was attached to Em the whole time and Em, like usual, played tirelessly. And when Ruby was sleeping or at school, Em snuggled, played with and walked around Charlie. What a great Auntie. Come baaaaaack! :)

Check out the video at the end of Charlie in her new jolly jumper. I think she likes it!

Sister snuggles.

Snack time!

I love bananas!

Ruby insisted on putting ALL her dress up clothes on at the same time.

Re-discovering the beach tent. Perfect book-reading spot!

Reading to little sister.

Auntie Em!!!

Ruby helping Charlie use her sippy cup for the first time.

You got it Charlie!

Amusing Charlie with shadow butterflies.

So happy with Auntie Em.

I love my sistew!

Hanging out at the Rum Bar.

Our dare-devil - a flying leap...

...finished off with a somersault!

Great form, Rubes!

Charlie and lion enjoying the boat ride.

Ready for a grown-up night out!

So happy to be out!!

Charlotte - Week 25

Miss Charlotte is growing, growing, growing!! She's also developing a little attitude. I noticed it especially today when she was playing with little stackable cups and Ruby came along and took them away to stack them and she threw a fit! I would tell Ruby to give her one to play with and she'd be happy again but as soon as Ruby took it away, she started squawking! I like that she's starting to stand up for herself. We just got a big area rug today in our living room that is really soft and she loves it. She rolls herself from one end to the other in no time.

Both the girls are a little under the weather, they both have that chesty cough that all the kids have right now. Fortunately, it hasn't seemed to affect their sleep and their energy level. :)

Ruby is doing great and loves helping feed Charlie. We've added peas and apples this week. Charlie loves the apples - peas, not so much. I just love watching Charlotte's face when Ruby comes into the room. It just lights up - literally. It's just so sweet. Nobody can make Charlie smile and laugh like Ruby can. Charlie especially loves it when Ruby jumps up and down. Charlie laughs and kicks her chubby legs - soon enough you'll be jumping too, little chickadee!

We're sooooooo excited for Auntie Em to come visit on Tuesday!!!

Blowing raspberries.

Rubes and I usually do a picnic every day while Charlie is napping.

These are some of my favorite shots from our last picnic. Love this girl!

Ruby insisted that Doug put her in the box that our curtain rod came in.

She was very mad that Doug wouldn't let go of the box while she was like this.

Airing out the cheeks.

Ruby loves making sure Charlie has ALL her toys to play with.

Hey Charlie, you under there?

Charlie's first taste of peas.