Christmastime

Charlie is thoroughly enjoying Christmas and all the new things to get into.

Like...untying ribbons on presents

Posing for Christmas card pictures

Playing with lights

Waiting for Santa

Playing peek a boo 

And eating lots of sugar

She's also a walking machine, even walking (and keeping up with me) in the mall, holding my hand, of course. 

Finally getting past this mommy only stage, now excited to see all sorts of people, and freely going to them.  She even cried when I took her from her daddy earlier this week - in the past it's been the other way around.

Running to the door whenever someone comes over or gets home, greeting them with squeals and grunts, and clinging to legs until she's picked up.

Getting slightly more interested in food.

Kissing everyone and everything with a sweet and precise peck.

Shaking her head no whenever she's asked a question.  "Want a cookie?"  Shakes head no, opens mouth and says "Aaaaahhh" to indicate she wants it.

Sleeping in her crib all night every third night...we're working on trimming this gap.

Wiping every surface can reach with kleenex - future neat freak?

Climbing on to furniture with no assistance.

Sporting a brand new molar.

Rocking a respectable rat tail. 

If I don't post again in the next few days (which, lets face it, is likely),

Merry Christmas!  And God bless us, every one

10 on 10

A little greeting in Charlie's room...along with a cluster of Christmas trees

We started the day with coffee (for me), milk (for her), and a little Frosty

Reindeer kisses

Her favorite Charlie Brown Christmas musical book and a little ornament collection inherited from my grandma

Santa...not such a big hit with Charlie...along with a family shot with the big guy from when I was about two, and some colorful blocks

Big cheesy grins...too big to keep your eyes open for

Reading up on the flu vaccine she had no idea she was about to get

My beautiful nativity

Another of Grandma's Christmas ornaments...probably at least 50 years old

A goodnight kiss for her penguin ornament

Happy Holidays

Tomorrow...

...tomorrow is the day we'd expected to meet our little boy.  The Lord had a different plan than we did, and after just 19 weeks of carrying this little life within me, he was taken to a Perfect Life for eternity.

How do you spend the day you thought you'd be meeting your child?  Tim and I decided that it would be  a day together...himself, Charlie and me.  We're going to hunt for our Christmas tree, decorate it while sipping hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music and enjoy our family, even though our little boy isn't joining us.

It will be bitter sweet, enjoying family time, while missing Isaiah on his expected birthday. 

We are so thankful for the little ball of energy we call Charlie,  who will keep us laughing, and, probably on our toes, as she seeks to destroy the baby proof ornaments I stocked up on.

We miss our little boy every day, and are thankful for God's grace and the knowledge that we will meet one day.

^{Psalm 139:13} For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

We look forward to meeting you, sweet Isaiah.

10 on 10

 The start of every morning...after changing a diaper of course

These people are on top of things...

Despite this little girl being in the best mood I've ever seen her in, this is the face she made when I pulled out the camera

Tea party

 Going for the camera

 Pacifier positioning of choice

Reading together

Smiling sweetly

Baldies

Elmo and Ricky Gervais for Charlie while I made dinner

10 on 10

Welcome Fall! 

Snacks from Daddy, who took the day off

 A trip to Costco - We need whole milk...a lot of whole milk

 The only nap of the day.  20 minutes.

 Watching Stranger Than Fiction

 Getting into everything

 A smile just for me

 Pre bedtime Wii with Nana and Daddy

 A toast to Columbus

 A little Settlers with family

What's Charlie Wearing Wednesdays - Catch up

Things have been a bit crazy around here, which has left little leisure time for such things as blogging.  But, I'm still taking absurd amounts of pictures, so I present to you 4 weeks of Charlie's wears:

Here she is wearing a Carter's outfit I got at Costco for roughly $7.  The plaid shirt has a little felt flower, and the jeggings are awesome, complete with jeans stitching.

This little velvet dress I found at a consignment store for $3 or so.  You can't really see it, but there are bows on each shoulder and satin(ish) ruffles trimming the bottom. She's got a white H&M long sleeved onesie underneath, and the tights are actually part of her Halloween costume (Carters cow costume, from Costco for $12)  On her head is a little white bow with black polka dots that I clipped onto a plain white headband, since she has no hair for me to attach it to.  It felt like something Meg Ryan would have worn in You've Got Mail :)

Here she's rocking a birdie tank onesie that she got from Laura for her birthday - it's so cute that I will find ways for her to wear it throughout the winter, despite the lack of sleeves.  She's wearing it with her almost too small H&M jeans from Alison and Jason, and a knit H&M sweater I found on sale for $5.  So cute.

Which brings us up to date.  This week she wore an outfit Andrew and Sara brought her on their visit a few months ago.  The top has pale pink bows outlined all over it, and the jeans (which are soooo soft) have flowers embroidered onto them.  Both are GAP.  The shoes were found at TJ Maxx for $5, and I heart them.  And, if you're wondering, she's reading The Little Red Hen.  And holding my cell phone.  What I wouldn't do to get her to sit still and smile like she used to!

There you have it!  All caught up.  Hopefully I'll be back soon to fill you in on our crazy lives.

One.

Happy Birthday Charlotte Ellenor!

From my bitty 6lb 9 oz baby...

...to my beautiful 19lb girl.

Dear Charlie,

Your Daddy and I are so blessed to have you. This year has sped by in a blur of firsts (smile, laugh, roll, sleep through the night, solid food, tooth, the list goes on). Our love for you has grown with each day, and we can't believe what a sweet girl you are turning into.

You love to give hugs and kisses, wave at everyone, grin and giggle, and most of all, move. You are everywhere, getting into anything you can reach. I just found you with wasabi crisps in your hand...making me grateful that you don't put much in your mouth. You are adventurous - as long as I'm by your side - curious, and fearless, which often results in bumps and bruises.

You are always watching, always learning, and always wanting to know more. You love your family, love to shop (naturally), and love to read.

You don't like to crawl, instead you kind of swim across the floor, pushing with your toes and grabbing the floor ahead with your fingers.

You are starting to stand unsupported, for about 20 seconds at a time. You'll be walking within a month, I'm sure of it.

You're a bundle of energy, and keep me on my toes, but you always come back to my arms to snuggle. I love you, my Charlie. Happy first birthday!

There are gentle winds blowing

and stars all above you.

Night-night, little Pookie.

I love you and love you.

And love you and love you.

And love you and love you.*

*Taken from Night-Night, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton

Charlie's Birdie Birthday

We had a relatively small celebration of Charlie's first year last Sunday. The guest list was limited to immediate family and closest friends, and everyone (but my brothers - one sick and one hours away) was able to make it.

To keep Charlie chipper through the whole thing, I pushed all the "activities" to the start of the party, so if she crashed we wouldn't miss out on cake or presents or anything she is essential to.

After some time for eating we jumped into presents.

She loved the tissue...presents were less interesting.

Until she opened shoes, that is.

Then Pooh Bear...

And a book - she shook it to make sure it held up.

Matching aprons! Score!

More tissue. (PS - I made that headband, I forgot to put it in the decor post. Feathers, heavy paper and glue. Add in a touch of patience, and you have yourself a headband).

Following present time was cake time...Charlie was not so sure about this business. I opted for vegan cupcakes to protect us from discovering a food allergy during the party.

It's not often you see this face after presenting someone with a delicious treat.

She responded better when I fed it to her.

Kinda.

Enough already!

Ryan, Meghan and Laura hanging out in the post present mayhem.

After cake and presents we had no agenda, so football, games and food ruled the rest of the afternoon. Here, Papa and Mitsuki are wrestling a bit while Auntie Chie and Tim show Charlie how to hammer.

Snuggle time with Meghan - always one of Charlie's favorite activities.

And here is the girl herself, 4 hours after the party started, happily showing off her newest tooth.

Charlie did absolutely amazing, and seemed to love every minute. I love my big, happy girl.

(For those who care, her dress is Cherokee, $15, I got it on sale for $10.)