The Many Faces of Charlotte

This morning Charlotte slept in until 9! I couldn't even sleep that late and got up around 8:30. We had the house all cleaned and Chris decided to watch a little T.V., which we rarely do anymore! Charlotte woke up from her nap and decided to join him. They are too much!

This afternoon we went to Lisa's to hang out outside since it was such a nice day. Lisa bought Joli a little kiddie pool and we all sat around. Charlotte entertained me while I took pictures of her! She is very into her fingers!

Grandma got Charlotte a "Sophie the Giraffe" teether and she loves it, but has trouble holding it herself. I helped her and she was sooo happy!

Joli had her watering can and whenever Brody needed to be cooled off she gave him a shower! 

Lisa made us a yummy dinner and we came home and Charlotte is sound asleep! Yay! I did have to yell her name quite a few times in the car to keep her awake until we got home! Poor baby...

Spanish Village and Dinner!

In an attempt to get out of the house with Charlotte, we decided to got to Balboa park for a little walk. We went to the Spanish Art Village first, where there are a bunch of different artists and shops to look in or buy things. Charlotte enjoyed being outside, but was very sleepy!

We stayed at one studio for a bit and watched a lady blowing glass. It was really neat! Then we walked around and looked in the different shops until Charlotte fell asleep. 

Tonight we had Lisa, Joe, Brianna and Joli over for dinner. It was hot during the day so Charlotte was just dressed in her diaper, but when Lisa got here she got her dressed in Joli's old onesie. "Sleep is for the weak". I added the headband :)

Lisa was making wonderful drinks and trying to sneak them to me. Too bad I still have to nurse a baby!
Joe was entertaining Charlotte again... scaring her with his "BOO". After a couple times she stopped jumping when he did it and started to anticipate and laugh before he even said anything! 
Joli had Chris' ground pads and was making herself a finger... we weren't really sure but thats what she insisted she was!
We had a yummy dinner, yummy margaritas and a fun night!!!!

Mosaic Garden!

This morning started off just wonderfully. I got a phone call from solicitors at 7:45, waking me up. (I know that is pretty late, but Charlotte was asleep still so why not!) Then after I took a shower I heard the garbage men outside... I forgot to put the garbage out. While blowdrying my hair I realized all my hair was starting to fall out. I love hormones! The day got better pretty quick though! Lisa, Joli, Brianna, Abby, Syrus, Lilly, Charlotte and I went to Escondido to Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden . Here are Charlotte and I by the entrance. 

The garden is made up of sculptures made out of mosaic tiles. It was so pretty and the kids loved it! Lisa held Charlotte while I took pictures. She doesn't really like snakes... and I don't blame her!
She just loves to laugh at Lisa... I think she is pretty funny too!
Love the bubble..
I hope you enjoy these photos because they cost me $30. When I got home and went to upload them, they somehow were gone from my memory card... Ugh... I spent two hours trying to get them back and finally ended up paying for a program to do it!

After we were done looking around, we walked to the playground to have a picnic. Charlotte was awfully fussy and just wanted to lay on her back on her blanket. She had her arms stretched out and stayed like that for about 20 minutes. Lilly was not so boring and wanted to play!
We drove home and Charlotte stayed awake until the last 5 minutes. We forced her to stay awake so she would nap when we got home, something she has been refusing to do lately. She has been sleeping for just over two hours! It would be really awesome if I had been doing something better with my time than trying to recover photos!

Patty

This picture pretty much sums up Charlotte's day. Which is why were changing her name to Patty... Crabby Patty that is... She has decided she is not going to nap for longer than half hour stretches anymore... and then laugh at me when I try to put her back to sleep. Once she is up though she lasts about 20 minutes before she is screaming because she is so overtired. I am ready to throw the pacifiers out the window, and totally would if I could tune out her crying. She spits them out then whimpers until either she finds it herself or I put it back in her mouth. I know I shouldn't be running in the room every 2 minutes when she spits it out, but I want her to sleep so badly that I am willing to do anything. This is how I found her today... and no I didn't put that there... she somehow spit it out onto her nose...

In an effort to keep my sanity, we joined Lisa and Joe at Balboa Park for a concert. They have free concerts every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the summer. Charlotte had a temporary lapse in screaming to give Lisa a half smile. 
Eskimo Kisses!
She slept in my arms for most of the concert. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for naps!

Swimming Lessons and Bath Time!

We had swimming lessons again today. Charlotte took an awesome nap this morning (I was holding her... but I was desperate!) and was in a pretty good mood during swimming lessons!

Lisa's sister Brianna came to watch and took pictures. Here is a great one she captured of Charlotte puking all over me right before we got in the pool!
Charlotte is still not ready to go underwater yet, but we put her on her side so her cheek will touch to make her familiar with the cues.
Charlotte spends most of class looking at Lisa or Joli. She loves them!

We're trouble... chatting away... 

Charlotte lasted the WHOLE class today! Wahoo!!! She even was quiet while we showered and got changed! She fell asleep in the car is is passed out! Hopefully it will last for a while!

The other night Charlotte was still in a good mood when she got out of the tub so we grabbed the camera! 

Chubby little baby!
I love it when she is not screaming after a bath!!! 

Girls Dinner!

Tonight we went to Abby's for dinner! Lisa and Joli and Brianna (Lisa's sister) came too! Charlotte only napped for about an hour all day today and was very crabby. She always calms down with Lisa and I was happy to hand her off!

A close up of the grumpy baby!

Joli was showing her mommy that she is responsible enough to take care of another baby! Well... for about 30 seconds! She wanted to feed Lilly baby food... I can't wait to see what is going to happen once Charlotte starts to eat!
Since our husband's are gone so much sometimes we just need a break. This is where movies come in very handy. The toddlers watching Finding Nemo....
And the babies watching tv too... whatever keeps them quiet during dinner!
We had an awesome dinner and had a nice time hanging out chatting. The kids behaved for the most part! Charlotte just loves Lisa... and the T.V. apparently...

Happy Monday!

Today we went to lunch with Nikki and Karen after Stroller Strides. We went to this yummy restaurant called Burger Lounge! While I have tried to give up regular coke, in Southern California they sell Mexican Coke in bottles. The difference being, the Mexican Coke is made with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. I can never pass up a Mexican Coke, and Charlotte was eyeing Nikki's! She's my daughter!
We have started to move into teething mode. All Charlotte wants to do is chew on things. We have a "Sophie the Giraffe" teether on the way, but in the meantime I bought her a teething ring to chew on. She didn't quite get it!
We also got a little butterfly teether that has a cool pack on one side and a massager on the other that vibrates when she chews on it! She sort of got the concept of this one!
One of the mom's at stroller strides has the cutest headbands for her daughter. I told Chris I wanted some and he told me no way was I going to put a headband on our daughter. I ordered some, but in the meantime found this one at Target.  On the ride home I heard her making noise and figured she was ready for a nap (which she was). I looked back and this is how I found her. I am a horrible Mommy.