I'll never forget that day 10 years ago. I was in grad school at UNC, and I was actually in Biostatistics class from 9:00-10:15, so none of us knew what had happened until after the Towers and Pentagon had been hit. I actually had a meeting right after class in another building at 10:30, so I didn't find out until I walked into the meeting and news of the 2nd Tower collapse and the crash of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania were being broadcasted. Like most Americans, I was in a daze of shock and horror for the rest of the day. Other than watching the constant news footage, I've forgotten many details of that day, but I remember clearly some things such eating lunch (and what I had for lunch) with students in silence at the Student Center as we watched the news, trying to call friends that lived in New York and getting the message that all circuits were down, and talking to Andy and my parents. I was so fortunate that no one I knew in New York or Washington was injured, but like all Americans I will never forget.

On a brighter note...

Grammy and Grampy Visit, Part 2

Happy Birthday to all our September birthdays--Grandmomma Fields, Uncle Stephen, and Aunt Anna!

Charlotte was obsessed with Grampy's head for some reason. She loved to pat it and kiss it :)

Charlotte has also become a little narcissist as of late. She'll kiss her image wherever she sees her reflection--here in a little mirror in a book.

And the window.

View of the make-out session from the other side of the window.

Jack was also obsessed with himself at this same age :)


Charlotte trying to put on Mommy's shoes.

Charlotte with Grammy and Grampy.


Charlotte got quite a workout during the weekend pushing around this hippo toy. She got really fast--she's just a blur in the picture!

Charlotte with Aunt Lisa on the porch playing with Macie.

On Sunday, Jack spent some quality alone time with Grammy, Grampy, Andy, and me on an outing to the local petting zoo. Here's Grammy teaching Jack about some of the finer points of feeding horses.

Jack actually spent more time at the petting zoo's playground than the zoo itself. Not that I can blame him--this new barn-themed playground was very cool.

I don't know who had more fun--Jack, or Grammy and Grampy!

Grammy and Grampy Visit, part 1

Grammy and Grampy Jarvis came to visit from Vermont for Labor Day weekend! They spent the weekend with us, Grandma and Grandpa Nold, and Aunt Lisa at the lake house. Of course we took so many great pictures that it'll probably take me 2 more posts to get them all on the blog.

Grampy got to meet Charlotte for the first time, and she really took to him. We got the cutest pictures of the two of them throughout the weekend.

Grammy hadn't seen Charlotte since she was a newborn--oh, how much she's changed! Here they are being silly together at lunchtime.

Grammy supervising the kiddos playing.


Bedtime hugs and kisses.


Charlotte looking thoughtful with Grandma Nold.

Mohawk baby!


Everyone hanging out on the beach.

More pictures to come!

1st Day of Preschool!

Jack started preschool today! He'll be going every Mon, Wed, and Fri for 3 hours. He's been very excited to start school, and he scampered away today when I dropped him off with barely a look back. The little stinker :)

Here are some pictures I took after class when I picked him up. He said he had a fun time today painting and being read to at storytime. He was also extremely happy that the main room at school has 2 ceiling fans.

Our little boy, all grown up!

11 Months Old!

Hey there, it's me Charlotte. I turned 11 months old on Wednesday. Mom says she got a little behind in writing this blog post because her clinic in Rogers Park moved to a new building this week and things were all kinds of crazy.

You can see 2 of my bottom teeth here. I've got at least 8 now, or at least that's Mom's best guess. I really don't like to let her look in my mouth. My 2 bottom molars and maybe 1 top one are coming in very slowly, and that makes me crabby sometimes.

Here's me striking a thoughtful pose. This was about the last shot I let Mom take of me being still. I'm a very busy girl with lots of things to do.

I've discovered how to put things in and out of containers.

I'm crawling and cruising around everywhere. As you can see I move so much that a lot of the pictures are at least partly blurry. Mom says she's actually surprised I'm not walking yet. What can I say, I'm trying to help her out a little and make her life easier for just a bit longer.


There is no question that I'm a Momma's Girl (who wouldn't be, when you've got the coolest mom around?). Unless I'm busy bothering Jack, Louie, or otherwise getting into something I'm not supposed to, I always want to be with my Mommy. You can see I was getting irritated here that Mom was on the couch and had the nerve to leave me on the floor.

I LOVE to eat. So far I'm a carbs-and-meat kind of girl. I was pretty good about eating veggies until Mom starting adding meat, pasta, rice, and bread as meal choices. I'm also a big fan of cheese. Now Mom has to put the veggies on my tray first, or else I'll let them sit there while I gorge on everything else. And if everything gets mixed together, I'm very skilled at picking out the foods that I like and leaving the unwanted things behind.

Ummm, it does't get any better than this. Ravioli with meat inside! Mom has to cut everything in very small pieces because I will shovel whole handfuls of food in my mouth.

Thought I'd throw in some pictures from the other night--Dad's birthday was on Tuesday, and Grandma and Grandpa Nold came over for dinner. Happy Birthday Daddy!

Jack helped Grandma put some sprinkles on the cake. He was very serious in his work.

Just you wait! Any takers on if I'll be walking by the time I turn 1 next month?

Weekend with the Lamkins

We were joined by our friends Ben, Lori, and Carson Lamkin at the lake house this past weekend. The kids had a great time together! Here's Charlotte and Carson (22 mos) getting acquainted over some magnets in the kitchen.

Charlotte loves to be chased!


Funny face!

Carson enjoying the view. All kids seem to love standing at the porch door and looking out at the lake. We have pictures of Jack and Charlotte at various ages in the exact same pose.

Jack driving the boat. Andy actually let Jack fully control the steering wheel for a bit when we were out in the open! He did pretty well.

Carson snuggling with Lori.

Ben and Carson

Fun on the beach! See Lou in his life vest in the 2nd picture :)


Carson sneaked over to the neighbors' beach at one point to curl up on their float. He was worn out after a hard day of playing!

The Lamkins' dog, Bella, LOVED the water. She was in the lake pretty much the whole time we were there.

Lou was a pooped pooch.

Random pics

Here are some assorted photos I've taken recently but hadn't posted. Above, Jack and Charlotte are watching Louie run around outside.

My boys.

Cute as a button. I like how Jack's big toe is poking out of his sock.

My big girl, working hard.