Charlotte had a really cool communication moment tonight. (6/19/11) I was putting something away in the freezer, and she must have seen the box of fruit juice popsicles. "Pa-corn!" she said. (Popcorn is one of her new obsessions, and it's not unusual for her to ask for it randomly.) I told her that we didn't have any popcorn, that it was all gone. "Pa-corn!" she insisted. "Appa jus pa-corn!" When I asked if she wanted a popciscle, I could see on her face that she was proud of herself for communicating what she wanted even though she couldn't remember the exact word. She looked at me like, yes, that's right, and said "Pa-kick-sul. Appa jus pa-kick-sul."

My kid is cool. :)

I know everyone says this but...

It's really true for my kid. ;) She is a genius.

Yesterday, she was standing next to me while I worked. she touched my leg and said "Mama." Then she turned around, saw the reflection of my legs in the mirror behind me, pointed at those legs, and said "Two mamas!"

Genius.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

"Dancin' "

We went to a dance recital tonight for our friends' daughter Aurora. We had to leave at intermission because of Charlotte, but not for the reason you think.

We snagged an aisle seat in case we had to duck out if she got fussy. Aurora was in the second group of dancers, and for the next couple of songs Charlotte kept saying "Rora! Rora!" when each group came out. She was a little freaked out by the dark and the loudness of the applause (what she calls "fives") between each set of dancers.

By the middle of the first act, she was bouncing along on my lap and saying "gan!" ("again") and "moah!" ("more") each time the lights went down.

By the last song in the act, she was in the aisle, dancing, grinning like a fool, and trying to pry my hands off of her so she could run up and join the girls on the stage.

We got out of there at intermission because I was certain she'd be screaming by the middle of the second act if I didn't let her get up there and do some "dancin' ".

I guess I'll be calling some dance studios tomorrow about some toddler & mama dance classes.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Allergies

Today, we saw Charlotte's pediatrician about potential food allergies. For the past six or seven weeks, she's been alternating constipation and diareaha (sorry, Future Charlotte reading this and most likely saying "Mo-om! I can't believe you put that on the Internet!"), and has had dermatitis all around her mouth, and last night she broke out in hives while drinking a mango-orange-apple-banana-lemon juice smoothie. So today we saw the doctor and she referred us to a pediatric allergist, since we haven't been able to notice any sort of rhyme or reason to the flares. Our appointment is in two weeks, at 8:30am. Charlotte doesn't ever get up that early, plus she be subjected to a two hour appointment with tests, results, and a doctor consult. We'll see how it goes.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Secrets

Charlotte had her first "hiding things from mama" moment today. :(

She found a Sharpie marker, and a gift card, then went behind the curtain at work. She opened the Sharpie then proceeded to scribble all over the card, and only a little on her fingers. I pulled back the curtain to check on her (she hides back there often) and she looked at me with the "Busted!" face. I took the Sharpie, and we were both pretty upset. She because I interrupted her picture making, and me because now she's old enough to be keeping secrets. From me!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Charlotte's Spring/Summer Wardrobe 2011

I know I've been sucking at the monthly snapshots. I'm working on it, really.

A message board I belong to does these "Wardrobe Posts" each season, and it's really fun, and a good way to document/remember the clothes that I'm sure will be components of my memories of Charlotte.

Sweaters:

Pink & green argyle cardigan (Old Navy, but bought at Just Between Friends--a huge kid's consignment sale), blue pocket cardigan--I LOVE this sweater! (The Children's Place outlet), white with pink & brown polka dots (Carter's, the last of the baby shower gifts), purple shrug (TCP -- gift from Aunt Jayna), white crocheted shrug (Old Navy--JBF), pink shrug (TCP outlet).

Sundresses:
Turquoise floral (ON--JBF), Navy blue w/ white flowers (gift from Mimi), white with turquoise & brown paisley & beaded straps (ON--JBF), red handkerchief print dress (ON--JBF), yellow/orange/pink dress (TCP--JBF).


Cream w/ multi-colored floral (ON leftover from last fall), rainbow stripe dress (Carter's--gift from Mimi), white w/ bright flowers (Carter's--gift from Mimi)

Green & white sweater dress (Gymboree--hand-me-down from a friend,) Blue & turquoise jersey dress (ON--JBF), Cream sweater dress (H&M--last fall's JBF)

Skirts:

Purple & brown tiered skirt (Koala Kids--from a friend), Pink floral (ON--JBF), Light blue & pink tulle tiered skirt (TCP--outlet)

Shirts:
Spring is a chilly season in Colorado, so long sleeves are still necessary.
White jersey eyelet (TCP--outlet), blue embellished tunic with floral ruffle (TCP--outlet) and omg, I want one of these in my size!, pink floral tunic (Sonoma--JBF), purple & brown floral 3/4 sleeved (ON--JBF)
White w/ blue embroidery (Osh Kosh--outlet), blue w/ blue embroidery (Osh Kosh--outlet), white with purple & blue embroidery (Osh Kosh--outlet), white pintucked button-down (American Living--from a friend), pink floral pintucked button-down (ON--JBF)
Green, brown, & pink solid shirts (TCP--JBF), light pink w/ ruffles (TCP--outlet), white w/ keyhole (ON--JBF), navy blue with puffy sleeves (Osh Kosh--outlet)
Pink Floyd navy blue tee (gift from Uncle Neal), Lil' Tree Hugger tee (gift from a friend), Whooo's the Cutest? Cheyenne Mtn Zoo tee (souvenir from Mimi for Charlotte's 1st zoo trip)
Brown swing top with white detail (babyGap--from a friend), white swing top with yellow embroidery (babyGap--from a friend), pink swing top (ON--JBF), green floral swing top (Carter's--gift from a friend), pink tunic tank (ON--JBF)

One-pieces:
I'm not usually into sunsuit/romper-type of things. But this first one is a super soft brushed cotton, and the plaid one reminds me so much of my childhood best friend, Kelsie.
Blue floral sunsuit (Gymboree--JBF), and navy plaid romper (Osh Kosh--outlet).

Shorts & Capris:
Patchwork bright-colored bermudas (TCP--JBF), denim shorts with d-ring belt (ON--JBF), yellow knit shorts (babyGap--from a friend), brown gauchos (ON--JBF), green & white striped capris (Osh Kosh--JBF), brown cargo capris (ON--JBF), white lace trim capri leggings (TCP)

Pants:
(Holy exposure, Batman!) white lace-trimmed leggings (TCP--outlet), 3 pairs of jeggings--the only kind of "jeans" Charlotte can wear! (all TCP--outlet), purple lace-trimmed leggings (a gift from one of Jeff's employees)

Dresses with leggings:
Purple floral with lime green leggings (Carter's--outlet), purple bubble dress with striped leggings (Osh Kosh--outlet), navy floral with pink leggings (Carter's--outlet)

Bonus toddler feet!

Brown, green and coral dress with coral ruffles (Espirit--consignment shop), Trees & birds with matching pants (Birthday gift made by the incomparable Lindsey!), Brown dress with ruffles & flower accent with yellow ruffle leggings (Genuine Kids--JBF)

Things that don't fit neatly into a category:
Brown overalls with pink flowers (Gymboree--eBay. I bought these in 3-6 mos at last fall's JBF, and loved them so much I scoured eBay and snagged this pair,) and hand-knit sweater bought by Auntie Sara.

Easter Outfit:
Outfit from TCP Outlet. Shoes will depend on the weather.


Shoes:
Pink floral Robeez, brown & pink peacock Robeez (both birthday gifts from Aunt Rachel), owl Robeez-knockoffs (Etsy--bought for her birthday outfit), blue & pink flower sandals (a gift from Jeff's boss), straw sandals with orange flowers (Koala kids--JBF) brown & straw sandals (Circo--JBF), Polka dot tennis shoes (JBF), handmade Robeez style shoes (made by Lindsey, part of b-day outfit), Brown toadstool maryjanes (Gymboree--JBF)

Hats to come, when I round them all up and get a photo.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

January Snapshot

January 2011

Age: 11 months

Milestones this month:

• January 1: Took first unassisted single step. Repeated once more that day and a few more times on the following days.
• January 2: Two new teeth (top left incisors). Asked to go "nigh-night" by repeating "nigh-night" over and over and over while we were out late at a friend's house.
• January 9: Pointed to her belly when I asked "Where's your belly?"
• January 13: Picked up phone, put it to her ear, said "Daddy!" and proceeded to babble for several minutes.
  
• January 14: Let my friends Dani, then Molly, hold her for several minutes in a crowded sushi restaurant. (It may not sound like it to you, folks, but this is big news. Charlotte doesn't let anyone but Mama & Daddy hold her. Like, ever.)
  
• January 17: Signing "milk" as universal sign for "I want it." Began signing "please," "more," and "water," when prompted.
  
• January 18: Officially walking: walked across a room, from daddy to mama (9-13 steps--I don't know exactly, I was too excited to count properly!) in a room full of witnesses. Signing "more" and "please" unprompted.
  
• January 21: Pointed to nose when I asked "Where's your nose?" Began saying "biaper" (diaper).
• January 28: Walked from house to car holding Daddy's hand.
  
• January 30: Repeated "love you" and made her version of the "I love you" sign, multiple times.

Other words & skills in her repetoire: "buh-bye"; waving; pointing; "that" usually said when pointing; "uh oh"; shrugging, palms up, usually when she's dropped something, is looking for something, or is trying to ask what something is; "Lola" (her bff); "pup" (puppy); "woo-woo-woo-woo" when she hears dogs barking; shaking her head if you tell her "no, thank you"; attempting to put on/get in one of the baby carriers.

(I'll be editing to add more pics as soon as I get them uploaded.)