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.