Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Charlotte is 5!

Our baby girl turned five last week and we took a family trip to the ZOO in Columbia, SC to celebrate. We were really impressed with this zoo. It was small-ish, but had some enormous exhibits and lots of space for the animals. And no animals escaped. While we were there. At least, that we know of. ;)

Our very own 3 little monkeys.

I loved this family of giraffes. They were so beautiful.

Our visit wouldn't be complete without a ride on the carousel.

And a long time spent watching these amazing creatures.

Back at home, we enjoyed Charlotte's birthday cake that I made to her very exact instructions. (Chocolate cake, strawberries, pink frosting, chocolate hearts- NOT frosting, but real chocolate, and so on. She even made me a drawing to look at... but I improvised anyway: 2 tiers, not 3. I'm a rebel like that.)


Happy birthday Bubba!

Charlotte has her own flair for drama and love of life. She loves to laugh and dance and adds so much energy to our home. She is a great sister to her brothers and looks out for them when we are with other kids or in unfamiliar situations. She is my mini-me... and yet she is completely her own person. We love you Charlotte. :)

Charlotte's birthday interview:
What's your favorite color? Pink
What's your favorite movie? Rapunzel (Tangled)
What's your favorite song? Hmm, that's hard. My favorite song is Sunbeams. (Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam.)
What's your favorite food? Macaroni shells and popcorn and strawberries and treats. I love treats.
What's your favorite thing to do with Toby? Play with him in my dollhouse and my kitchen.
What's your favorite thing to do with Jacob? Talk to him.
What's your favorite thing to do with mommy? Fold laundry. (LOL)
What's your favorite thing to do with daddy? Play 'big ball' with him.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a cooker.
What makes you feel happy? Sunshine makes me happy! (laughs- she has a shirt that says that.) I laugh when Jacob moves around his hands and does silly things. I like that.

Jacob at 2 months

Jacob is already 10 weeks old! At his 2 month check-up last week, we learned that he is in the 95th percentile for height and weight. He was 24 1/2 inches long and 14 lbs. 6 oz. so he is a BIG baby. Just for the sake of a reference point though- Toby was that same length at 1 month old.

We've been getting to know Jakey more and more each week...
He is a cuddler. (And therefore spends a lot of time in the sling pictured above.)
He will only sleep on his tummy or side.
He's quick to smile, but slow to laugh.
He studies Charlotte and Toby like there will be a test tomorrow on how to be a big kid.
He is the cooing-est baby I have ever met. (I have a video of this, but it wouldn't upload.)
He looks so much like Toby that I mix their names up daily.
Every night I sing "Row your boat," the alternative "Glub, glub, glub your boat, gently down the stream, ha, ha, ha, I fooled you, I'm a submarine," and "Three little ducks" to him.
He does NOT like it when I eat: broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, onions, garlic, or salad. (I eat them anyway and just get less sleep.)
He despises the bouncy seat.

And finally, he loves his mommy. :)

Monday, October 10, 2011

the art of doing nothing

Last Monday my spontaneous spouse and I made the decision to go to Hilton Head Island for a couple of days to visit with Rob's cousin Nathan who was there on vacation with his family. On our way home we detoured to the Columbia, SC airport to pick up my sister Pam and her son Connor who were coming to visit through today. So this week has ended up involving a lot of driving, eating out, lounging on the beach, more driving, watching movies, going for walks, playing Scrabble, more eating out, and spending time together. Also, Rob & I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary.

In other words, it's been a pretty awesome week. :)


Nothing says October like warming up after a swim in the pool.

This is what happens when you wear a regular diaper in the hot tub.
Thanks for the Public Service Announcement, Wyatt! ;)

I don't know why Toby poses like this, but he sure was cute with his poofy hair. (I've since had it cut quite short again.)

Nothing says 'vacation' like digging a moat boys!
(Can you tell that Nate got the short Nichols gene? He's only a smidge taller than Rob, poor guy.)

Emily helped me keep Jakey out of the sun and wind. I kept him in the sling all day because the wind was UNREAL. Thankfully they had this fabulous umbrella to help block it, but still the blanket just about disappeared under all of the blowing sand.

Back home with Aunt Pam, we spent a lot of time chit-chatting and enjoying the beautiful weather. This seems to be a favorite spot for rocking the baby. And what a big boy he is already! I can't wait to hear how big he is at his 2 month check-up soon. He spends most of his time eating, sleeping, and growing, though he is gracing us with a few more smiles these days. (I'll try to capture one this week.)

On Saturday we went over to the Fall Fest behind the Library.
Charlotte, Toby, and Connor rode a couple of rides.

Cowboy Toby.
I always feel bad for the ponies at these type of things, but these ones seemed exceptionally clean and well fed. They also were rotated out and got to take breaks in the shade.

Connor at the wheel... potter's wheel that is.
He loved doing this so much he did it twice. I wonder if it had anything to do with the very pretty pottery teacher??

And Charlotte had her face painted as a butterfly, and struck a pose to show it off.

It was great fun. And greatly relaxing. And Rob and I even got to have dinner out at P.F. Chang's while the kiddos stayed with Aunt Pam. But alas, now the company is gone, the laundry is calling, and it's back to work tomorrow for all. :)