is it sad when...

... Charlotte is watching Sesame Street and Elmo's World comes on that I stop whatever I'm doing to watch? I can't help it.

And check out my FOUR new posts below that I did this morning.

Carrie, you should be proud.

a much needed Charlotte update

I kind of miss the monthly updates I used to do.

So here's a post dedicated to catching you up with Charlotte - it's loooong.

Charlotte is a PEACH. I couldn't have asked for a better first born. She's my little buddy that follows me everywhere - which after 10 hours gets a bit 'much'. She even has to sit on her little potty while I'm using the facilities. We just sit there together and chat.

She loves shoes and bows in her hair and calling outfits cute which sounds more like "coot".

Every few days I have to switch out her nail polish. A few days ago I let her pick out some polish at Target to get and she grabbed hot pink, neon yellow, and bright blue. Put those together with the neon orange we already had and those are her rotations.

She's a good little eater - thank heavens. If she could live off of eggs, cheese, berries, carrots, and chicken nuggets she'd be a happy camper. She also drinks so much milk in a day, I'm praying she doesn't ever get into alcohol or she'd be a binge drinker.

Her favorite movie is still Toy Story (preferably #3) and I love that about her. She is so in love with Buzz. When she hears the song "Dream Weaver" from the movie she dances and says "ohhhh Ken Bahbee". If you've seen the movie then you know what I mean.

Speaking of dancing. Any time there's music on she breaks out in what we call an "interpretive" kind of dance. She spins with her head down on one side, bounces, and eventually twists down to the floor. h.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s.

She sleeps in a toddler bed due to jumping out of her crib. After a week or two she loved hopping in there, hearing stories, and falling asleep, but she would always get up in the middle of the night, knock on the door, and yell our names. Oh bother. We'd go back in and shuffle her back in bed. Finally, we nixed going in there and she's been putting herself back into bed and asleep. The last few nights we haven't had to go in at all. Hallelujah.

We've stopped writing down words she says because she blabs and copies everything we say now. Although recently we've found she has a bit of a dirty mouth. Just don't ask her to say "fox" or "sit"... she might surprise you.

I've started doing little 'preschool' lessons when I babysit 3 days a week. We focus on a letter a week. I even put a word wall up. Any teachers out there know what I'm talking about and are probably making fun of me right now... She knows a ton of letters, all of her colors, counts to 10, but cannot get past the shape circle. Apparently that is the only shape she needs or wants in life.

She loves when dah - deeeee comes home but is a huge mama's girl. Like huge... If I leave a room she's right at my leg tugging on my pants to pick her up. Ohhhh how I 'love' that. I have to remind myself that one day she'll push me away and not want me to hug and kiss her all day.

We LOVE her.

I'll make sure I give little updates on Charlotte more often so these ridiculously long posts don't occur =)

me and dah-deeee

The past couple of weeks Ben has had more time to spend with us.

Charlotte is THRILLED because - let's be honest - dad's are just more fun.

Especially when they're not with the kids 12 straight hours, right?

So we went to the zoo where if we brought blankies, a pillow, and her baby doll - Charlotte would be content to live there.

I know this pic is blurry, but how cute are these two?

We also stayed in to watch the US Open and color.

We love it when the Dr's in.

best friends

I know I've had posts about these two plenty of times, but I just can't get over how cute they are together. I babysit this little dude 3 days a week and it's the happiest time in Charlotte's little life. Even nursery at church isn't the same if her best friend's not there.

She would not stop hugging and tickling him!

He finally retaliated and tackled her from behind. She doesn't look to pleased does she?

Best friends.

And this is how they take naps every day. I lay in between and read a few books while they drift to sleep. Later on when they wake up I can hear them talking and giggling with each other.

Oh, it makes me melt.

baking with mama

Every day Charlotte helps me with cooking and baking. She sits on top of the counter and pours, stirs, squishes, & throws food.

She looooves eggs for breakfast (once again) so every morning she sticks her thumb in the cracked egg to pull it open and then stirs the scrambled eggs into perfection.

This day I was feeling rather "fall-ish" (I won't tell you that I've had all of my fall and Halloween decor out... pumpkin spice candles and all... for almost two weeks... I couldn't help myself) and made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Up until then Charlotte was so afraid of the hand mixer until I let her hold it all by herself - then she was a champ.

I caught her on more than one occasion sticking that little finger into the batter. Just like her mom =)

Every 30 seconds she'd turn on the oven light and take a peek at their progress.

She'd say "ohhh hot hot baking".

Partaking of the baked goods.

(they were still hot, hence, the cringe =)

cousins

There's nothing like seeing your kid play with family. Especially small family members that are just her size. We love it out here in Chicago, but it will sure be nice to live closer to family some day.

{Claire, Adison, Emma, Charlotte, Hallie}

*taken in my mom's back yard*

*taken at the campsite at Ensign Ranch*