Happy Clapping

You are very pleased with yourself, you've learned to clap!  Of course we're all just as excited as you are.  :o)  Way to go, Charlotte!

Only One Month to Go!

Can it really be that my first year with you is almost coming to an end?  You have added so much joy and laughter to our lives, sweet Charlotte.  Watching you and your sister grow together is amazing too.  I love how you make one another laugh and how you talk to one another in your own special language.

At this point you have six teeth in your mouth, but you're drooling like crazy, so I imagine that there may be one or two to add to the list as early as tomorrow morning.  You've got a couple of words in your vocabulary like "Dada" and "Wee!"  You're starting to copy a lot of the sounds that we're making too.  You even tried to "boop" your own nose today!  Bread and pasta are your current favorite foods, just like your mommy and daddy.  You are becoming quite the champion eater! :o)

Most of your day is spent pulling up on everything and cruising around all of our furniture; you have even started to use moving toys to help you practice walking.  I still think that your first independent steps are a little ways away, but it's going to happen before I'm ready for it, I can tell you that much! 

Your Tampa Travels

What an adventure we had this past week!  You, Ellie, Daddy, and Mommy all flew down to Tampa, Florida for a week's vacation. 

Nonna and Ga met us down there and shared in the merriment.  I feel like I failed at my job though, I hardly got any pictures at all! 

Your first big new experience was going to the Florida Aquarium.  Luckily I DID remember to capture a few shots of you here.

You and your sister were so fascinated by the big fish, and especially the shark.  You kept pounding your little palms against the glass while Ellie told you all about how big the fish and sharks were.  I could have stayed there all day just watching the two of you.

We also went to the Glazer Children's Museum where you chewed just about anything that was within arm's reach.  You loved the ball pit and the building blocks the best.

Other than that, we spent most of the week walking to and from restaurants, the water, parks and shops.  Thank goodness you enjoy being in the Moby, because I'd say you spent about 75% of the time attached to me in it.  You loved spending time with your Nonna and Ga when you weren't stuck to me, I only wish I had gotten more pictures of you all together!

It was a fun family vacation, but it is definitely great to be home again.  By the time we take our next one, you will be able to walk, and then it will be a whole different ballgame!

Blue Eyes

I have heard it literally every time we've been out in public for as long as you have lived: comments on your beautiful blue eyes.

• Her eyes!
• Look at those beautiful blue eyes!
• Those are the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen.
• She is the Gerber baby!  Those eyes, and those cheeks!  You need to send them her picture.
• Wow, what beautiful blue eyes she has.
• She has such piercing blue eyes.

Charlotte, I could seriously continue this list all day.  Daddy used to think I was exaggerating about how often I hear these types of comments until he witnessed it first-hand on our trip to Florida.  People go out of their way to tell us what incredible eyes you have, and they're right.  You are a beauty!  We love you AND your soul-searching, crystal blue eyes.  Of course those cheeks and that smile only add to the charm. :o)

Hello World!

You look so adorable as you concentrate to make your little hands do what you want them to do.  You've learned how to wave, and the whole world is waving back.  :o)