Fireflies

Last night, we let Charlotte stay up way past her bedtime so that she could catch some fireflies. I use to love catching lightening bugs when I was a kid - feeling them tickle your hand, the thrill of the hunt, the magic of staying outside until your eyes couldn't strain in the dark anymore... We also used to drop twigs & leaves into jars to give the little guys something to crawl on while we studied them inside.

So many fond memories of lightening bugs & we were hoping Charlotte would find them just as magical -- and we were not disappointed! Watching her tiptoe through the grass, calling out "look, Mommy!" as they lit up in the backyard. The little "ooooh" that crept out when I put one in her hand. "They look like stars, Daddy!" One of those moments I wish I could have on video to watch over & over as she grows. If only I could trap time in a bottle!! 

Of course, there was disappointment when the fireflies quit flashing & it was time to come in. We tried to find a YouTube video to answer some of her questions & satisfy more of her curiosity, but were unable. 

This morning she asked to go to the library to check if they have books about fireflies. She had to wait a while because the library didn't open until 1:00 & she didn't wake up from her nap until 3:00. But when the time came, she went right up to a librarian & asked, "Do you have any books about fireflies?" The librarian was so helpful & led us right to the section of kids' science books & immediately pulled out 3 books about fireflies. Charlotte marched them right over to an empty table & got busy "reading." 

The mother in me got all teary-eyed watching my baby girl creep around the yard trying to catch fireflies. The teacher in me is so proud of her for wanting to learn more about them. :-) 

Not Your Typical Potty Accident

I've been trying to teach Charlotte how to undress herself - she's got socks, pants, & undies under control, but shirts are proving to be very difficult for her. 

At bath time tonight, she went potty, hopped down, & got her bottom half undressed while I was watching Natalie in the tub. She asked for help with her shirt, so I got her arms out & then told her she could pull it off over her head as I turned back to watch Nat.

 I hear Charlotte's head pop out of her neck hole, a victorious *sigh!*, followed by a loud shriek & an immediate "I'M SO SORRY!!!!" (which she's never said before). I turn my head to see Charlotte staring - with a horrified look on her face - at the toilet.... where her bright blue T-shirt is now sinking in the unflushed water. 

She had whipped that shirt off & casually tossed it aside so she could join Natalie in the bath. Except it flew into the open toilet instead. 

Oops. 

She felt terrible, even though I wasn't upset at all - I mean, I was kind of impressed! And it was funny!! And hey - at least it was only pee in there!!  

Natalie Faith - One Year Old

Sweet baby Natalie turned one year old a couple of days ago and I'm still in shock. My baby is one year old. That was fast!! 

We spent the day Saturday in Mackinaw at the Mackafest parade, Charlotte rode the rides, then we played and had dinner at Grandpa's house. On Sunday, Ben took the girls to the splash park & out to lunch while I finished getting things ready for Natalie's birthday party. Natalie's grandparents, great-grandparents, a couple of her great-aunts, uncles, and aunt Becky all came to have dinner & celebrate her first birthday. 

Grandma Val made a yummy little smash cake for Natalie - and Natalie was a big fan!! Ben and Charlotte helped her blow out the candle. 

She petted the cake for a couple of minutes before eventually deciding it was food. And then she began shoveling it in with both hands. :o) 

After a quick bath, Natalie got to open presents! She got some bath toys, a singing sock monkey, clothes, a ride-on cart, money for her piggy bank, a little camping chair, and a water table! She had a lot of fun checking out all of her new toys!

Natalie's one-year checkup isn't for another couple of weeks, so I can't say how much she weighs or how tall she is quite yet. But she's wearing 12 month clothes, size 3 shoes, and size 4 diapers.

She is crawling at lightning speeds, pulling up and cruising along furniture, climbing the stairs almost as quickly as Charlotte does, and starting to let go of whatever she's holding onto and standing still by herself for about 10 seconds at a time. She is also waving, clapping, dancing, blowing kisses, and shaking her head "no." She will also cover her face with a towel or clothes and play "peek-a-boo!" Still waiting on her first consistent words, but we have heard mama, dada, and kitty a couple of times. :o)

Natalie quit nursing on her own shortly after 11 months, and is now drinking whole milk from straw cups. She does get a bottle at bedtime, but I think it's more for me than it is for her at this point. :o) She eats all kinds of solid foods, but her favorites are definitely fruit. She loves all berries, bananas, peaches... I haven't known her to turn down any kind of fruit! She also likes veggies, beans, bread, pasta, and cheese. She doesn't always eat meat, and really dislikes eggs, but will usually try just about everything given to her.

Natalie loves being outside just as much as her big sister does! She likes going for walks, playing around in the splash parks, riding on toys & playing in the baby pool out in the yard. And she loves to swing!

She cut 4 teeth this month and now has 4 on top and 2 on bottom. She's taking two naps each day & has started sleeping all night more regularly (again) since cutting her teeth. She is just a happy, independent, persistent, sweet, snuggly, playful, laid-back baby.

Happy Birthday, Natalie! We love you!!

Chompers

When I wrote Natalie's 11 months update about 2.5 weeks ago, I mentioned her two bottom teeth, and that I thought we might see the top two before her birthday. Well, here we are, just 3 days shy of her birthday, and she now has FOUR teeth poking through on top!!!! 

They're lovely and white and adorable! But wheeeewww am I ready for a break in teething. And I'm sure poor Natalie is ready, too! She's really been a great sport, all things considered. I also mentioned her sleeping well on that last update -- glad I said I was jinxing myself! These little teeth are keeping her (and me and Ben) up at night. And ohhhh the noise of those precious pearly whites grinding. Noooo! They're too pretty!! 

I'm a little nervous about our grocery bill skyrocketing with all of these new teeth. Baby girl can pack it away! 😋

"Hello, Mr. Fly"

I buckled all of us into seat belts after a quick trip to Meijer. As I'm backing out of my parking space, Charlotte says, "there's a fly in here!!" 

[a little piece of me gets nostalgic for when she used to call them 'flying bugs']

In my best fly voice, I said, "Hello, Charlotte!" She giggles & says in her silly voice, "Hello, Mr. Fly! Are you coming to the splash park with us?" 

Mr. Fly replies, "Yes! But I don't know how to swim!" 

Charlotte *sings* back, "oh Mr. Fly! You don't swim at the splash park! You can fly around & splash with me & my friends!" 

Even after nearly 3 years, sometimes I still can't believe she's mine. That we created a person so sweet, kind, funny, smart, clever, innocent. I've said this about just about every stage so far, but I love this age.