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.