Trip to Michigan

The day after Christmas all five of us (Rockne included) packed into the car and headed north to share the holiday celebrations with our Briggs family.  Luckily Nonna and Ga are one house away, so we got to spend some time with them too.  :o)  Though you didn't particularly like the 15-hour drive up to Michigan, you enjoyed yourself while we were there!

Once again, when opening presents, you went for anything that you weren't supposed to have: wrapping paper, bows, labels, plastic wrappers, cardboard, tape, string, ribbons, anything you could get your little paws on...while your toys stood idle next to you.

While we were at Grandma and Grandpa's you enjoyed all of the attention.  You even had a little playmate - Nixon loved playing with you and would run over and yell, "Cha-lotte!" every time he saw you.  Though the visit was quick, you got to see lots of the extended family on the Briggs side too.

 I don't think you liked the sled rides quite as much as your sister did, but you loved the snow.  And there was plenty of it to play in!

On the trip home we foolishly thought we'd stop half-way at a hotel to get some sleep.  You, however, decided to wake up at 3:00 am.  Since we were all in the same room, trying to get any more sleep was impossible, so we hopped back in the car and headed home.  Thanks to you we were enjoying the comforts of our own house before 8:00am.  :o)  A crazy, but fun trip!

Your First Christmas!!

Though you didn't know what was going on this Christmas, you felt the excitement that Ellie, Daddy and I had and decided to join right in.  You loved listening to (and chewing on) Frosty the snowman and our little penguin that sings Jingle Bells whenever Ellie played them for you.

We got a real tree this year and you were fascinated with it.  You would just sit there gazing at it.  Rockne shared some very special moments with you by the tree too.

When you thought we weren't looking, you'd reach for the garland and ornaments on the lowest branches.  A few ornaments were unlucky enough to be chewed on as well.  Luckily Mommy and Daddy were very intentional about which ornaments were placed at the bottom of the tree.  

This year when we opened gifts you were more interested in the wrapping paper than the actual presents.  I think that will be different next year.

On Christmas morning when we went downstairs to see what Santa brought, I think you were pretty overwhelmed.  You spend most of the morning rolling around from toy to toy and chewing on whatever you could get your hands on. 

Daddy especially enjoyed this Christmas watching his two girls revel in the wonder that this season brings.  We can't wait until it comes around again next year!  Oh how much more amazing this holiday is with you and Eleanore to share it with.  :o)

In the 8th Month of Her Life My Charlotte Gave to Me

Eight hours of sleeping
Seven toys-a-singing
Six hours of playing
Fiiiiiiiive chewing rings
Four attempts at words
Three rolls on each leg
Two teeth in your gums
And she's so close to crawling toward me

 Merry Christmas and happy 8-month birthday Charlotte!

Luscious Thighs

 Oh Charlotte, as proud as I am that you are getting closer and closer to crawling, a little piece of me is sad to think that your delicious thighs will melt away as soon as you become mobile.  I tried to capture their lusciousness as best as I could, but I know that once they're gone theses pictures are not going to come close to doing them justice.

I will miss squeezing, chewing, nibbling, gnawing, and simply gazing upon those sweet, mouthwatering thighs.  So, this post is to attempt to preserve your scrumptious rolls so that, though I won't be able to latch onto them like I'd like, I will at least be able to look at them from afar.

Your First Chomper!

Charlotte!  Your first tooth broke through last night!  Your Daddy and I had a suspicion that one would be popping through soon...you were whimpering in your sleep and woke up crying, which you almost never do!  When I stuck my finger in there, sure enough, a little bumpy ridge was sticking up on the bottom right-hand side in the front of your mouth.  Congratulations!  Another milestone met.  :o)

Your second one popped out two days later!

Daddy's Girl

In so many ways you are a daddy's girl.  You rolled over while Mommy was gone and Daddy was watching you.  You made your first babbling noise while talking to Daddy.  Your first "word" (okay, it's more of a sound, but still...) was "Dada."  And here is video proof of how much you adore him.

My Little Snow Angel

While we were in Michigan for Thanksgiving we were able to introduce you to snow for the first time.  We bundled you and your sister into your pink snowsuits and headed out into the chilly winter wonderland.

You were just as content as could be sitting in the snow.  Part of that may have been the limited mobility in your snowsuit...but you seemed to be enjoying yourself anyway.  Daddy wanted to continue the tradition of capturing the first time touching snow on camera...

You, unlike your sister, where not phased whatsoever by the icy wetness in your hand.  You simply decided that you wanted to taste some.

In fact, you toppled over into the snow and when Daddy went to pick you up, you were trying to get a lick!  Oh Charlotte, we love how different you and your sister are.

Your First Thanksgiving

Even though you weren't able to enjoy the amazing food on this special holiday, you definitely enjoyed the family!  Everyone loved playing with you.  Your second cousins, Lauren and Natalie had so much fun taking care of you, and Mommy appreciated their help!

This Thanksgiving trip was an eye-opener for you, I think, Charlotte.  You were so fascinated with all of the noise and chaos going on around you.  You wanted to jump right in and be a part of it.  You loved watching the three crazy dogs run all around the house.  You even took a head-butt from your cousin in stride!  Oh just wait until you start talking...I have a feeling you're going to steal the show.  You'll have plenty of competition though!

7 Months and Counting

You spent most of your 7-month birthday in the car on the way up to Nonna and Ga's house for Thanksgiving.  You definitely let us know when you got sick of it, but over all, you're a great little traveler!  Here's you when we arrived...I think you were just happy to be able to roll around.  :o)

 You are now sitting on your own without support (although I still put a blanket behind you just in case).  You don't say much yet, but when you do make noise it's nice and loud!  You have the most beautiful gummy smile with not a tooth in sight, but you're drooling and chewing non-stop on anything you can get your hands on.  It is obvious that you love life already and you laugh every chance you get.  It is amazing to watch you become your own little person!

T-K-O

That's right, you are a total knock-out, complete with delicious cheeks and sparkling eyes.  These are your official 6-month photos, and let me tell you, it was tough to limit it to just these.

Just more proof to the world about how incredibly infectious your smile is.  And those eyes!  I could look at those baby blues all day long.

Happy Halloween!

Your first Halloween and you and your sister could not have been cuter.  You were the perfect silly-old Pooh bear to pair with your full-of-energy sister who played the roll of Tigger perfectly.  (Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!)  You definitely made my Halloween a happy one!

6 Months of One, 1/2 a Year of the Other

Can you believe you've been a part of this family for half of a year already?  Or does it seem much longer than that?  I debate this all the time.  Either way, we're so happy you're here.  It's obvious you're happy too, your smiles never cease!  Well, except when those darn teeth are giving you trouble.  Other than that, though, you are full of giggles and laughter.

In the past month you have mastered the roll from back to belly, and over to your back again.  You've been using it to make your way around the room.  You're not log-rolling yet, but I have a feeling it may be in your future!  You're pushing yourself up so that your chest is off the ground, and kicking your legs up and down.  You want to move so badly!

You don't have any teeth yet.  It seems like you've been teething for months already, though, so there has to be one on the way soon!  I look forward to watching your face as you explore your new tooth on the day it pops through.  :o)  In the mean time, bring on that toothless smile!

Proof At Last!

I finally caught your elusive flip from back to belly on video!  You've been able to do it for a few weeks now, but every time I tried to capture it, either you wouldn't do it, or I was too slow getting my camera ready to catch you in the act.  But here you are, proof at last!

The World Is Right Again

Well, Charlotte, these past few weeks have been chaotic to say the least.  You've been unaware of what's been going on with Rockne, but I'm sure you've sensed Mommy and Daddy's stress once in a while.

For almost a month, Rockne has been sick.  We've taken him to the vet's office so many times I can't even keep track anymore.  Last Monday, though, was the worst.  After being at the vet's office all day to receive IV fluids, he went outside into the back yard, laid down and wouldn't get up.  With you in my arms, I went out into the grass to coax him back inside the house.  He finally got up, but when he attempted to climb the stairs he began to sway back and forth.  I yelled for Daddy who ran down and caught Rockne just as he was passing out.  Daddy rushed him to the animal hospital, and when we were able to get a hold of our vet, Dr. Zupka, transferred him to his clinic where he and Daddy stayed up with Rockne until almost 11:00pm.

Sparing you the details, your big, furry brother has Addison's disease.  Rockne was having an Addisonian crisis; his potassium levels were at a toxic level and his Adrenal gland wasn't doing its job to correct it.  Dr. Matt Zupka correctly diagnosed him and saved his life, literally.

I know these posts are supposed to be about you, but these next few months and years of your life would have been so different for you without Rockne around.  Who else would lick your spit-up off the floor? Or the food that you drop?  Who else would get you to squeal the way he does when he comes to sniff you or lick you?  Who else would let you play with their tail? Pull on their fur?  Who else would make you laugh as he chases your big sister (and eventually you) around the room?  No one; but thankfully he's still around to fill all of those holes. 

He may need to put on a few pounds, but Rockne is back home with his family.  The world is right again.