How to summarize the last 5 or months?  Busy!

As you would imagine, the fall was nonstop!  In September, I took my first trip away from Charlotte to visit my sister in NYC.  Then in October, Lizzie, Charlotte and I traveled to Blowing Rock, NC with my parents and sister for a long weekend getaway in the mountains.  November was filled with more family time as JR’s parents visited for the month.  And, then there was December with Christmas festivities and an impromptu visit to NYC for Lizzie, my mom, and me to visit Kerry and Ryan!

Somewhere in there we also celebrated lots of family birthdays, JR finished his doctoral program (yes, for real – he’s Dr. J now), and I parted ways with the American Cancer Society.  More on the latter in a future blog…but for now, let’s talk about the girls.

Lizzie is almost five now!  As her birthday approaches (February 8), it’s dawning on me that I will soon have a kindergartner.  I know it’s the norm for moms to get sappy about their kids starting school, but I just didn’t think I’d be one of them.  As August 2018 looms closer though, I find myself starting to feel nostalgic that my first baby is a big kid now.

Lizzie continues to be her unique, creative, spirited self!  She still loves to dance and sing, and is really enjoying taking gymnastics class once a week.  Her imagination has really bloomed over the past few months and I often find her playing with her dolls or stuffed animals, talking to them about whatever scenario she has created.  She loves dressing up too, and is enjoying her new Belle and Moana costume she got from Santa.

Lizzie’s also really into her friends now.  We’ve been lucky to connect with several of her friends’ parents at school and regularly get the girls together for playdates and activities.

Speaking of school, Lizzie is learning so much at VPK.  She’s really close to writing her full name (Elizabeth is a long one!) without help, and they’re also working on numbers – even basic addition and subtraction.  My favorite is collecting is her art work each week.  I love seeing how her pictures – like when she draws our family – have changed over the years.  It’s really neat seeing the progression.

Slowly but surely, Lizzie is also seeing the benefit of having a little sister that adores her.  She’s learning to be more patient with Charlotte and more loving (hallelujah!)  I’ve even caught her giving Char unsolicited hugs and kisses, and they like to hold hands in the back seat while we’re driving to and from school.  Guys, I think there might be hope for these two…  HA!

Charlotte is almost 21 months – which means she’s approaching her 2^nd bday (April 27).  If I’m struggling with the thought of having a five-year-old, I’m really not ready to have my baby grow up.  But, Char is SO ready!  I think there are two types of younger siblings – the ones that are in no hurry and the ones that can’t wait to catch up to their sister or brother.  Charlotte Anne is in the second category.  Everything Lizzie does, Char wants to do too.  And, everything Lizzie has, Charlotte wants.  We’ve officially entered the age where we have to get two of everything or there will be a fit!

Charlotte’s a very active toddler.  We’ve had to do a lot more child-proofing than we did with Lizzie as Char was curious about every drawer, cabinet, toilet…you name it!  She’s great at opening and closing doors now too, and loves to climb on everything.  She’s even starting to run!  She loves the outdoors and wants to be outside as much as possible.

Char’s blonde hair is sticking and so are those beautiful blue eyes!  Char’s a taller kid than Lizzie was at this age as she’s already wearing 2T quite comfortably.  She continues to be a really good eater – no picky stage yet – and has recently become quite proficient at using a spoon and fork.  She also no longer wants to sit in her high chair, try though we might.  Lizzie and Char love sitting by each other at the bar to eat their meals.

Right after Char turned one, she started daycare at the same place Lizzie goes – The Learning Experience.  While there were a few rough weeks in the beginning, she’s adjusted really well overall and is learning so much.  She looks forward to going to school and will usually run right up to her teachers and give them hugs when we enter her classroom.  Lizzie is enjoying catching glimpses of her sis during the day on the playground and such.  Looking forward, I think it will be a lot of fun when they’re both at the same elementary school.

On the talking front, Charlotte has had a recent explosion of words!  She can say most of our names, including Mommy, Daddy, Didi (Lizzie), Bubba (Baxter), Gigi, Pops, Bailey, Grami, and Poppy.  She loves to say hi and bye to everyone, and can also say wawa or agua (water), doggie, ball, night night, bath, this, that, school, and cat – and these are the words we can understand.  She babbles a lot and we all love hearing her sweet voice.  Lately, I’ve even noticed her trying to put a few words together like “Bye Mommy.”

I hope you’ve enjoyed this catch up post!  Even though we don’t see many of you regularly these days, my hope is that these updates make you feel a bit more connected to our family, especially Lizzie and Charlotte.  Happy New Year to you all and know you’re in our hearts as we look forward to a fabulous 2018! XOXO

PS – Below are a few pics highlights from the past few months.  Enjoy!