Charlotte's First Christmas - Part One and Part Deux

Hi Friends!

Charlotte had a great First Christmas.  We spent last week in Chicago with Chris' family.  The flight was so much better than the last one that I took with Charlotte (I still haven't finished that post, but plan to, some day).  We were able to get an extra seat for Charlotte on Southwest both ways, which was so helpful.  Even though we held her for most of the time, it was nice to have the extra space and be able to put her in her car seat if we needed to.  The only issue on the way there was a mid-flight diaper outfit change.  But yay for Southwest actually have a changing table in the lavatory!  That was sooo helpful.

The weather was very wintry while we were there -- either snowing or freezing rain.  Charlotte had her worst cold yet, and being the germ factory she is, gave it to everyone, including her grandparents.  Chris and I are still getting over it (this time Chris had it much worse than I).  Still, we managed to enjoy a really nice day at the Museum of Science and Industry, a really fun and interesting museum.  Charlotte loved seeing the newborn chicks in the hatchery.

Christmas morning Charlotte got so many new clothes and toys, but mainly, she was just interested in the wrapping paper and sticking it in her mouth.  Later that morning, Chris' cousin Nicole, who lives in Florida, came by with her nine month old daughter, Olivia.  Olivia was so excited to see a younger baby that she literally shrieked with delight. It was cute to see the two of them together.

We flew back home the day after Christmas, and Charlotte did really well, considering that the poor thing is constipated from all the new solids she's been eating.  She makes the funniest face when she's straining, so we can't help but laugh, but still, we feel so bad for her!*  My parents drove over from their condo in Mammoth and we celebrated Christmas again.  Charlotte received even more fun toys, including a "Giraffe Band" (a giraffe-shaped guitar so she can play Guitar Hero with her daddy), but she won't be able to play with that one for a few months.

All in all, a pretty good first Christmas for our little Charlotte.

Getting ready for the snow in her new outfit from her Auntie Christina.

In the snow and loving it.  Mommy loves Charlotte's mittens because they don't have any thumbs!

I want those chickies!

In front of the huge tree at the Museum of Science & Industry

Charlotte and Mommy break the world record for the fastest moving train.

 

Checking out her Christmas stocking.

Fourth cousins, Charlotte and Olivia.

Sizing each other up.

All tired out.

*By the way, after consulting with the advice nurse, we gave Charlotte some full-strength prune juice and pureed prunes.  It took until yesterday, but finally did the trick!  Poor little baby.

Dear Charlotte,

I can't believe how much has changed in the past six months.  You've grown from a tiny newborn (okay, a big newborn, but tiny to me nonetheless) to an alert, happy, and funny six month old.

Charlotte, less than five days old

Charlotte at the Chicago airport, six months old

You know, a lot has changed with your daddy and me since you were born.  We weren't exactly what you would call party animals, but we did enjoy going over to our friends' homes and drinking wine until the wee hours.  That's not exactly possible anymore.  You are accustomed to your routine, and even though we've tried to have you sleep over at our friends' homes while we eat and play games, you have other things in mind and let us have it that night.  But it's okay.  We can have friends over at our house because you sleep great in your crib.  Plus, your daddy and I are content to spend most of our free time just staring at you in amazement at all the wonderful things you do. You're just so cute and sweet. I truly believe we hit the baby jackpot when we got you!

I could write a lot more about how much I love you and what you mean to me, but there are so many things I don't want to forget, so I'm going to just list them out.

New and Fun Things You Do

• You love food.  In the past couple weeks or so, you've gone from having general disinterest in solids to really getting excited.  You open up your mouth wide in anticipation of your next bite, and you get so excited that Mommy has a hard time getting the spoon in your mouth.  Carrots are a big hit!
• Since we've arrived in Chicago and Grandma and Grandpa Berry's house, you've started sitting up on your own.  You're also so close to crawling. You get one leg up, but your balance still isn't the greatest.  We know you'll be crawling around in no time (and then our lives will be over!)
• You continue to smile and laugh even though you have have a horrible cold and cough since we arrived.
• You're a big flirt.  You'll smile at anybody, but you particularly love men, young and old. This is bad news for Daddy, who says "no boys until you're 30!"
• You're making a lot of noise these days.  You have your vowel sounds down, as you say "EEEEEEEEEE" and kick your legs furiously (see below video).
• We keep thinking you're getting those bottom two teeth, but they have yet to make their appearance.
• Sleeping is still up and down, but we *think* you're finally swaddle-free!  You can get that pacifier in by yourself now, so having your hands free is very helpful!  And although we're still somewhat sleep deprived, it's really no big deal (except for those nights when we have you up too late and you're just so overstimulated you can't calm yourself down enough to sleep well -- those aren't very much fun).

So Charlotte, you are such a great joy to your daddy and me. We can't wait to see what's in store for you next!

Love,
Mommy

Quick Update - 6 month visit

Charlotte had her six month well child visit on Monday.  I can't believe she'll be six months old on Saturday!  I'd like to spend a little time reflecting on the past six months, but it's crazy busy at work, so that will have to wait.  My last week of work until January!

As expected, our baby is still super long!
Height: 28 1/4 inches - 100th percentile
Weight: 16 lbs 12 oz - 70th percentile
Head: One huge noggin!  Haha, just kidding. Somewhere in the 70th percentile. (17 inches?)

Because Charlotte is one tall baby, we need to buy a new carseat.  Her little feet are already sticking out, which provides her with great amusement as she kicks the back of the seat over and over again.  We're going to find one that can be both rear-facing (this is required until she is one year old and 22 lbs) and forward-facing.  Any of you out there have recommendations?

I talked to her pediatrician about whether or not Charlotte needs to eat when she wakes up at 3 or 4 in the morning.  I've been feeding her, but she falls back asleep in about five minutes, so it didn't seem like she's all that hungry. The doctor thought that at this point she's just waking up programmed to eat, so we should try just comforting with a paci or back rub.  We did that on Monday night and although she woke up twice in the night, Chris was able to get her back to sleep with the pacifier.  I actually woke her up at 7:30!  (Of course, I was in a lot of pain, but a small price to pay).  Last night, she was up a lot, and was actually talking to herself in the middle of the night until we inserted the paci again.  She woke up at 6AM and I decided to feed her at that point.  This seems to be going well, so far.  Next up my goal is to finally wean her from the swaddle blanket as I'll have two straight weeks off of work and won't need as much sleep.  Let's hope two weeks is long enough to break that habit!

I was also informed that I should be feeding Charlotte solids three times a day!  I know that Linda at daycare feeds her, but I've been very inconsistent in feeding a solid meal everynight.  Oops. (Don't worry, she's still getting plenty of liquid food).  On that front, Charlotte has gotten much better at eating solids.  Sometimes she downright enjoys herself!  So far, she's tried sweet potatoes, mashed bananas, applesauce, and avocado.  We'll be trying carrots and peas next. 

Here she is enjoying some avocado.  Some even got in her mouth!