Opening day

Actually, opening day for the Cubs was yesterday (and they lost), but oh well. Jack and Charlotte still put up with my impromptu photo shoot in their Cubs gear this morning. We're ready for baseball--and hopefully the warm weather that will come with it!



Jack showing Charlotte how to play the xylophone.

Gotta love the ruffle butt.

Screaming

We're not going to be very popular on the plane if Charlotte does much of this. These screams are relatively quiet, too. Whenever I get the camera out she tones it down. She was really letting loose with some ear-splitting screams before I started filming.

In case I don't post another blog entry before then, Happy Birthday to Grammy Jarvis on Friday!

6 Months Old

Hey there, it's me Charlotte. I turned 6 months old yesterday--can you believe I'm already half a year old? Crazy! Mom took these pictures of me last night at dinner. I'm not the neatest eater, as you can see. So far I like the cereal that Mom's been giving me, but I'm pretty skeptical about sweet potatoes.

My fingers taste pretty good too. I've always got at least one hand in my mouth, and then I love to swipe my drooly hand at anyone within reach.

Mom took me to the doctor on Monday for my 6-month checkup. It turned out they didn't have one of the shots I needed, so I didn't get any. Yea!!! But Mom says I have to go back next week, darn. I weighed 16 lbs, 10 oz; and I was 25 inches long. I'm on the 10th percentile for length and 95th for weight. So I'm officially short and round. I'm only a pound behind where my big brother was at 6 months, and a full inch shorter. Looks like I'm chubalicious too--at least I have a chin, though, ha ha!

I'm getting really good at sitting up by myself. I can sit unsupported for 20-30 minutes sometimes, as long as I've got some entertaining toys in front of me to play with. I also love to sit and watch my brother and Louie. They make me laugh more than anything!

I'm looking forward to seeing my Grandma and Grandpa Nold, and my Grandmomma and Granddaddy Fields in a week when we go to Florida!

Dinner time

Charlotte started solid foods the other night! She had some rice cereal--here's the very first try:

What are they doing to me???

Charlotte wasn't sure what to think of her food the first couple times, but since she's actually become a big fan of her cereal. She'll grab your hand and force the spoon into her mouth.

And here's Jack having fun laughing with Elif at dinner.

Welcome Elif!

A belated congratulations to the Edelmanns on the birth of their baby boy Samuel Ross on Feburary 3. Congratulations Lindsey, Cliff, and Amelia!

Last week we welcomed our new au pair, Elif--all the way from Turkey! (For those of you that weren't aware, it worked out that our first au pair, Ashley, was going to be with us only until April. Ashley is still with us for a couple more weeks, and she is a great help, since she's the main one "training" Elif while we're at work.)

Charlotte has really taken to Elif, which is saying a lot, since Charlotte has seemed to develop mommy separation anxiety at an earlier than average age.

Jack's in heaven with another person around to play with him! Elif is a lot of fun.


We look forward to spending time and sharing our house with Elif over the next year as she's part of our family, and we hope we're able to help her adjust to life in these crazy United States.

Birthday party

A happy birthday shout-out to all the March family birthdays: Grandpa Nold, Aunt Lisa, and cousins Alexis and Lori!!

I forgot to hit the "play" button until halfway through the song, but you get the general idea. Jack loved his Thomas the Train cake, and being sung to, but he was not interested in blowing out his candle. Maybe next year!

The cake was a big hit with all the kiddos!


Leah Word and Charlotte also thought the balloons were fun to play with.

Charlotte attacking the balloons

Present time! Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful gifts. Jack was in heaven today playing with all his new things. He also liked the handmade cards--we were trying to get him to show off the card from Aubrey and Leah here.


One of Jack's favorite new toys was this cool dinosaur from cousin Alexis. It got a little hungry toward the end of the night (Fields/Gambrell familes--remember that chicken from Christmas 2009?)

The Morning After

More to come later...

Just wanted to share a picture of the aftermath of Jack's birthday party last night. Please note this picture was taken after we had already done some cleaning last night and for a while this morning.

But it was worth it--Jack had a fabulous birthday party and fun was had by all. We had a great time with everyone last night!!