Krumkakke.

This was the first weekend that our family had at home without Paul being on call or anything planned.  We had friends (one of Paul's co-residents) over Friday night for drinks and appetizers.  They have two kids, Charlotte and Max, and Charlie loves to watch them play.  

We went to visit Santa Claus at the mall on Saturday.  Charlie grabbed onto Paul for dear life when he tried to put her on his lap.  Maybe next year...

I attempted to make Krumkakke today. It turned out okay for my first time, but I am going to have to practice.  Charlie got to taste test them and made the classic first timer mistake.  She crushed it in her hands. I can't wait for the first Christmas when she and I can make cookies together!

I

Cry it out.

I randomly decided last night to teach Charlie how to cry herself to sleep.  She always has a bottle before bed and usually falls asleep.  We put her into her crib while she is still sleeping.  I want her to be able to fall asleep on her own.  Things went pretty well.  I put her down at 8 and she cried for 15 minutes standing up in her crib.  She fell asleep for about half an hour and woke up screaming again.  I was very tempted to go get her (I was sure she had a wet diaper or was hungry).  I held off for another 10 minutes and she fell back asleep.  Overall it was a pretty successful first night.  This morning she woke up saying "Mama" so I think she  has forgiven me.

Willpower.

I have a big problem with waiting.  I love to give presents early and to open them early myself.  I think Paul has gotten used to me trying to coerce him but still refuses to open things early.  Since Charlie doesn't know any better yet, I gave her an early Christmas present.  It is a walker with tons of buttons that make noise.  My justification is that it is for her to learn how to walk so she should start using it now.  We'll see if she has anything left to open on Christmas!

DSM.

We went to Des Moines last weekend to see friends and family.  We went to lunch with Erin, Alli, Emily, and Mark at Wellman's.  In the afternoon we dropped Charlie off at Mark and Beth's for my parents to babysit for the night.

It was nice to have an adult night out!  It was our first whole night without Charlie and I managed to keep it together.  Paul and I split up Saturday night.  I hung out with Luther friends for Lindsey's 30th birthday party.  We went on a party bus around Des Moines to El Bait Shop, Mickey's, Wellmans, and "Adult Roscoes".  It was a lot of fun but made me realize how old I am getting!  Paul hung out at Broadlawns with Scott, Lauren, and all of our friends from last year.

Charlie's night included Grandma Barb dressing her up in her new Christmas clothes, dinner at Biaggi's, and learning how to climb stairs.  I think we might have to use them as babysitters again!

We went to Cedar Falls on Sunday night.  Charlie got to go to Brown Bottle for Grandpa Dowd's early 60th birthday and then spend the night with Grandpa and Grandma Boeke.

Thankful.

Charlie is winning big points with me this week.  She has started to say what sounds like mama.  It is a nice break from "Dada".  

During the month of November I wrote something that I was thankful for everyday on the chalkboard.   It was fun to look back at the month and see what I wrote each day.  While Paul was on call during the week of Thanksgiving I started to decorate for Christmas.  It is 70 degrees here today so it seems weird to have Christmas decorations in the house.  I am definitely thankful for the nice weather so Charlie and I can spend more time outside before it gets too cold.

Her second tooth is coming in and has wrecked her normal sleep schedule.  On the upside, I have gotten extra cuddle time with her.

9 months.

Charlie is 9 months old today.  She has started to pull herself up onto everything.  Her favorites are the coffee table, the bathtub, and the toilet.  She has one tooth right now but seems to be getting her other bottom tooth.  Her morning nap has disappeared this week and her sleep schedule has completely changed.  I am hoping it is because of teething and not a permanent thing.  She continues to love people watching and waves at everyone.  She is so much fun to be around.  We love you Monkey!

Chloe and Charlie.

Chloe and Charlie have started to become closer due to Charlie's willingness to share all of her food with Chloe.  During supper Chloe stands next to Charlie and waits for her to share whatever she is eating.  I am hoping that this means they will be friends someday.

Some of my favorites.

Little Swimmers.

Charlie and I go to the pool at the rec center every Wednesday and go swimming.  Como Kids has a program most days of the week.  We each pay $1 to go for an hour.  I love showing her how to kick in the water, blow bubbles, and learn to float.  She gives all of the kids and moms a smile and a wave.  So far she loves it.  She has made a lot of friends with the older women that swim at the same time.

 However, I need to get a new suit that is more kid friendly.  She loves to pull onto my suit and try to expose me to all of the lifeguards and families.  Probably not a good idea.    

Thanksgiving.

Paul is going to be on call the week of Thanksgiving so we went home to Cedar Falls to celebrate early.  We got to spend a little time at home for both sets of grandparents to see Charlie.

It's a girl.

Charlie's hair is growing out a little bit.  Today I actually got a bow clipped onto the top of her head.  It was small enough that she didn't notice it.   Many people will actually guess that she is a girl now!  

Charlie has gotten very good at pulling herself up.  Most of the time when I put her down for the nap and she isn't ready, she ends up standing holding onto the crib railing.  It is frustrating but also pretty funny.  I wish she would like to sleep more during the day.  It is hard to complain when she sleeps so well at night.