Happy New Year!

Charlotte is very excited to ring in the new year and to kick off the celebrations the three of us had a nice dinner out. Here I am with her just before we left for dinner. Of course right as we ordered food is the time that she woke up wanting her dinner. We had a great time though. Now we are home counting down to 2007 so we can ring in the new year together.

Hope everyone has a happy one!!

This Party is Boring. Let's Score some Milk!

Lately Charlotte seems bored with our entertainment options. Admittedly, Ireland in December isn't exactly the most exciting place. We can't really go to the beach with 50 mph winds. And nightclubs don't admit people in Ireland under the age of three. So we're begging you -- give us some entertainment options before Charlotte starts snorting formula powder.

Another First for Charlotte

In other news, Charlotte discovered my glasses today and took them right off my face. So she has a new favorite toy and I'm not sure she's ever going to give them back.

I'm proud to be an American

Today we took Charlotte to the American Embassy and got her American citizenship. So she's proud to be an American, where at least she knows she's free.

The Aftermath

So Charlotte has finished her first Christmas and you can see the results. She got everything she wanted except a baby brother and a few things she didn't even know existed. So she was 99% nice like her onesie says, but if you flip her over, the onesie says "1% naughty" and that was true as well. Erin and I have decided that we'll use this as her passport photo.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

Charlotte has enjoyed her first Christmas so far. Here she is opening one of her many gifts. All of us are looking forward to how cute she will look in her new clothes and how much fun we are going to have playing with all the new toys. More pictures are loaded into the web album so check them out.

A Christmas Gift for All

We finally figured out a way to share video with everyone of Charlotte. We have a few videos uploaded on YouTube and will continue to post them there. And so you don't have to go looking for them we'll keep posting the direct link to the videos here.

Hope you enjoy them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHQwlewuEEM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLFbZcNmhgM

Merry Christmas!!

The Party Last Night

We awoke to a surprise this morning. Charlotte was lying on the couch, passed out, wearing this hat. From the beer cans and empty pizza boxes, we think all the kids in the neighborhood had a party in our living room. I guess a Santa hat is better than a lampshade. As you can see, she's a little hungover and won't be in the best form today. Ah well, at least she had a good time. Hope all of you have fun like Charlotte this Christmas Eve.

Pink Marshmallows

Tonight Cha Cha had her first outting to a pub. She dressed warmly since it is getting pretty cold outside and many of our friends smoke and smoking ins't allowed inside the pubs here. Everyone thought she looked very cute and thought she was well behaved (she slept the whole time we were there). I think she looks a bit like a pink marshmallow in this outfit but I still love it!

Story time

Charlotte enjoys story time with her dad. I think she gets a bigger kick out of the voices he uses and the colors in the pictures than she does the actual story. Either way, they enjoy the time together.

We went for her check up yesterday and she now is 22 inches and weighs 10lbs 15oz. Her head is 15.7 inches which is a bit big for her age but she is so smart that her brain needs extra room. All in all the doctor was pleased with how well she is doing and how strong she is.

Carolling

Charlotte is getting ready to go sing Christmas carols at church. Doesn't she look so cute and excited! 

Charlotte and Shelly

On one of Brian's many trips he bought Charlotte a turtle named Shelly. Shelly was Charlotte's first toy and hung out with her when she was in the hospital. As you can see, Cha Cha still loves to play with Shelly.

 

Swinging

Now that she is bigger and has more control of her head, Charlotte is enjoying her swing more. It is nice to be able to entertain her without having to hold her so we can get things done - like eat dinner together.

Charlotte also had a milestone this week - she rolled over on her own!

 

Cha Cha is her father

Many of the expressions on Charlotte's face are very similar to Brian's expressions. Here is just one example where both Brian and I think she looks just like him.

 

Santa Baby

She knows when you are sleeping, she knows when you're awake. She knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!

 

Do you think she is trying to tell us something?

 

Play Time

Yesterday Cha Cha and I spent the day with friends. It was good for both of us to get out of the house for the afternoon and Charlotte got to play with her friend Sofia. Here they are having fun - isn't Sofia very sweet!

 

Hanging out

While Brian is out of town this week, Charlotte and I are having a good time together. Even though she misses her daddy, Cha Cha has been very good for me. Here she is waking up from a nap this morning.

 

Christmas Spirit

Charlotte's new favorite thing is the Christmas tree. She can sit in her chair and stare at the tree for hours and be mesmerized by the lights. (okay, maybe not hours, but a good 30 minutes at a time)

 

Cribs are for suckers

Charlotte is very advanced and is already moved out of her crib and into a big girl bed. Here she is relaxing before she goes to bed for the night.

 

One Month

Chalrlotte is now 1 month old. I can't believe how big she is getting! I took her to get weighed and measured today and she is now 10 pounds and 21 inches long! She is doing great and the nurses are pleased with how much she is growing.

 

JJ and Granddaddy say goodbye

Mom and Dad headed back to Houston this morning. Saying goodbye was not fun or easy to do, but it has been a wonderful month with them here. All three of us appreciate everything they did for us while they were here. Cha Cha is going to miss them very much as will Brian and I.

In honor of their departure, I thought I would post this photo of them with Charlotte. I bet mom is glad that no more pictures of her will be posted for a while. ;-D

 

Let's Decorate

As is the tradition every year, it was time to decorate for Christmas. Charlotte even joined in the fun.
Ho Ho Ho!! Merry Christmas!

Be sure to check out the album for the progress we made.

 

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving!
Here is Brian with our turkey. Everything turned out great and we had a wonderful dinner. Hope everyone else had a good Thanksgiving as well.

 

Nap time

This is Charlotte's new Thanksgiving rocking chair. Here she is relaxing and enjoying a nap while JJ and I cook up a storm for dinner tonight.

 

Happy Charlotte

Charlotte's begun smiling on occasion. Brian was being goofy and caught this photo.