Busy Busy Busy!

Even though we have been here for a week already we are still running all over the place visiting! Thursday night was Chicken Patty night at Amy and Jim's. We were so excited! There were thunderstorms in the area and when we got there the power was out! All the kids get so excited to see Charlotte! Rory wanted to sit with her on the couch!
The power wasn't due to come back on for a while, so Amy, Molly, Rory and Charlotte and I went out to eat. Poor Jim stayed home with the little girls and Aidan, who would not hvae liked to get out of the pool! He got to eat Snickers Ice Cream bars for dinner... not too bad!

Molly just loves Charlotte. Whenever anyone tells Molly how she should hold Charlotte, or to be careful with her, Molly always responds with "I know, I've had LOTS of practice!". She is so good with Charlotte and she just LOVES Molly. 
Yesterday we spent a good part of the day visiting Great Grandma Eda. Charlotte is so lucky to have so many people who love her to pieces!
Aunt Beth had just gotten back from vacation and came over to Grandmas! We went out to lunch and Charlotte was such a good baby, even though she was exhausted! 
Last night we went out to dinner with some of Mom's friends. Amy and Alyse were great sports and carried Charlotte's wicked heavy car seat to the restaurant!
This morning we went to the farmer's market with Mom and Grandma and then came home and Charlotte played for about 20 minutes in her jumper! She figured out how to bounce herself all around! It was so funny! Lucie was very interested in what was going on, and so was Charlotte!

*Lucie got a haircut and a bath shortly after this picture and is currently sprinting all over the house!

Grandma Great's Gardens

Yesterday we got Charlotte up and dressed and headed over to Grandma Great's (as she likes to call herself now) to take pictures of her garden and Charlotte, of course. Grandma is 82 (hope you don't mind me divulging that information Gram) and is in incredible shape. She works in her garden every day (well not so much since Charlotte has been around) and her yard always looks amazing. It's the prettiest in the neighborhood!  

Fun and Mimi's

While in New York we have been staying with my mom. Even though we are here she still has to work which is no fun! Charlotte has been trying to figure out ways to get Mimi to stop working. And if that fails, she will just work with her! 

Amy gave us Rosie's jumper and we put Charlotte in it this morning. We didn't have it up high enough to start, and she didn't really get the hang of it! 

Once we adjusted it properly she had a blast. She didn't really jump but enjoyed being able to stand up!

Charlotte had a poopy diaper this morning and I left it on the table to put it in her diaper bag. I went back and saw the window shut and the diaper behind the glass. Mimi said it stunk. 

At least it is never boring here...

Adjusted!

Finally! Charlotte seems to be over her jet lag and back to her normal self! For the past three days she has woken up crabby, crying and just not herself. I sensed a change was coming when I woke her up from her nap yesterday and she smiled at me. This morning she woke up cooing in her hammock and I went to get her and was greeted with big eyes and a big smile! We got up and went for a walk with Mimi. Since we left the stroller in Grandmas car, Mimi wore her in the Ergo!

After we got ready we went to the mall to meet the Great Grandma's for shopping. Charlotte hardly needs more clothes, but they were dying to take her shopping so we got clothes in the next size. They are adorable. She is going to be the best dressed little baby in San Diego!
She was really good but started crying as we were about to leave. Instead of walking to the car with a screaming baby, we went to Pottery Barn Kids and I went into the back with all the nursery stuff to nurse her. They have the most comfy chairs! 
For dinner we ate at Grandma and Grandpas. Grandma has changed her name to "Grandma Great" instead of Great Grandma. She just thinks she is so wonderful! Charlotte was fascinated with Grandpa and wouldn't take her eyes off of him!
Grandma told me tonight I was a great mother, and then added "even though you banged around your dolls!" Thanks Gram!

Visits!

Yesterday we went to see Great Grandma Eda. Charlotte was pretty good but got tired pretty quick. It is hard with the three hour time change to get Charlotte adjusted. She gave us a couple good smiles though!After we came home and Charlotte napped we went over to the soccer tournament to watch Grandpa's team play. Grandpa was telling Charlotte all sorts of tips. She was wiped and fell asleep at 6:30 and slept until 10 this morning, waking up in the middle of course!
Today we got to see Amy and the kids! We met them for lunch then went back to hang out at the house. Maggie was so excited to see Baby Charlotte!
All three little girls (Amy's two and Charlotte) took naps once we got home. Charlotte slept in the middle of Amy's bed with a wall of pillows just in case she decided to roll. She slept for 3 hours and I had to wake her!
Charlotte doesn't quite fit into the picture with her dark skin... well dark at least compared to the Funny Farm kids! After she woke up and ate she was a bit happier and accepted the chaos of having five other children running around!
We're so happy to be able to spend time in New York!

We're here!

We are in New York! We arrived late last night (well actually early this morning). Charlotte was pooped! She was pretty good on the airplane. The first flight she slept most of the way, waking up as we were landing and proceeded to scream her head off until we got off the plane. The lady sitting next to me must have felt bad for me and carried my bag off the plane for me! Our flight out of Las Vegas was delayed an hour and Charlotte stayed awake the whole time. Once we got on the longer flight to New York, she started screaming again. She was just so overtired. She quieted down pretty quick and shut her eyes but every time the flight attendants or the pilot would come over the intercom she would jump and wake up. No one wanted to sit with us and then two boys came and sat down, ages 12 and 15. The first thing that went through my mind was "oh great, I've got my boob hanging out and I have teenagers sitting next to me!". They were super nice though and when Charlotte started squawking they said "It's ok, we don't mind we have a little sister who is a year and a half, so we're used to it!" They were so nice and when Charlotte woke up after a two hour nap and was all smiley they were tickling her and playing peek-a-boo. We finally got home around 1am and as soon as I put Charlotte down her eyes shut and she fell right asleep! I talked to Chris who was still at home. He kept complaining about how lonely and quiet the house was. Welcome to my world!!! 

This morning we went to see Great Grandma and Great Grandpa. Great Gram was working in the garden when we showed up and we surprised her! She was a little dirty but Charlotte didn't seem to mind!We also got to see Baylie!!! She has been staying with Grandma and Grandpa so that I could fly home with Charlotte by myself! We missed her!
Charlotte and Baylie quickly re-bonded and are the best of friends!
Mimi and Great Gram are so silly! They were trying to teach Charlotte to blow kisses!

Charlotte thinks Great Gram is nuts... telling her to ride a bicycle and playing "This Little Piggy!"

As happy as she was to see everyone, her fingers still are her favorite!
Grandpa came downstairs and was so happy to see Charlotte! Grandma said he smiled more this morning than he has all year!
We then went up to the Farmer's Market before coming home for a nap! Hopefully Charlotte will adjust to the time change quickly! Now all were waiting for is an afternoon thunderstorm!

Balboa Park Concert!

Hello Charlotte!

Tonight we had Uncle Alex over for dinner and then joined Lisa and Joli at Balboa Park for the summer nightly concerts. Tonight was the steel drum band, but a couple of their members were sick, so it was a little boring. Since Joe was still working, Chris took on the fatherly roll and entertained Joli. She should sleep good tonight!

After the concert we went over and joined Chris and Joli and Lisa took some more pictures!Charlotte was not very happy when I told her we were going to be leaving Lisa for a while!

Grammy Judith asked for us to take some pictures with her two favorites, Alex and Charlotte. Chris and I decided we would get in there and ruin the picture!

We are going to miss Chris not being around! He is such a good daddy! He even ASKED to put Charlotte to bed tonight! 

Charlotte was very smiley around Uncle Alex! 

 Joli didn't like it when Chris tried to have some adult time and stopped running with her!
I tried to get some nice pictures of Joli since Lisa was holding Charlotte, but she kept avoiding me! I love this one though, if only the car wasn't in the background!
We are going to miss Lisa and Joli (and Joe too!) while we are gone!