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.  

Hanging around the house.

Charlie has been trying new food out this week.  She loves to play with Puffs but isn't really interested in actually eating them. She has gotten too fast at crawling.  If I look away for a minute she is down the hallway trying to find Chloe.

COMO Public Library.

Today Charlie and I went to the library to check out some new toys.  We both got new books to read.  You can guess which one is mine.  They offer great kids programs there.  We picked up a PALS bag filled with blocks, books, mirrors, etc.

KC.

We took a road trip to Kansas City last weekend.  It was our first time there, and I think I am in love.  Paul and Seth watched the Hawkeye game and watched Charlie while Kelly and I went shopping.  We definitely got the better end of the deal.  Charlie and I both got some new clothes.   We hit up Von Maur, Super Target, Gap Kids, and Nordstrom Rack.

Angie and Brandon met up with us for dinner at Waldo's pizza.  We spent the rest of the night playing Cards Against Humanity back at Kelly and Seth's house.  It was the most inappropriate and fun game I have played in a long time.  On Sunday Seth and Kelly took us to a barbecue restaurant outside of Kansas City.  It was a nice vacation for us.  It was fun to try new restaurants and hang out with our good friends.  Unfortunately no pictures were taken.

New things.

Charlie changed a lot this weekend!

She started to crawl on Saturday.  We think it was to get away from the horrible Iowa game.  She is still rolling around a lot but has added crawling into the mix.  She was chewing on my finger yesterday, and I felt a sharp dagger in the bottom of her mouth.  The tooth hasn't completely come through yet, but I think it will be soon.  Part of me is sad that she is growing up and part of me is so excited for her to start walking, talking, etc.  Charlie has also started to shake her head no.  I am sure she has no idea what she is doing.  It might get interesting when no is her answer to everything.  

(I tried using self-timer on the camera so I can have pictures of the two of us when no one else is around.  She wasn't thrilled but I think I am getting the hang of it)