First Christmas

Merry first Christmas Charlotte!  Boy was it a good one for you!  Christmas isn't just a day in our lives, it's more like a week of non-stop family gatherings.  Luckily, you got spoiled at each one!  Of course I didn't get to go to them all, so we don't have pictures to document each stop, but take my word that we now REALLY need a bigger house due to your first Christmas.  

Your first gift was your very own chair!  What a big girl.  You love this and man, so do mom and dad.  Yet another contraption to set you in for a bit.  You got toys, towels, and tissue paper (boy that was probably your favorite!).  You got a rocking horse to grow in to and some cute outfits as well!  I even got you a gift...a jack in the box!  What an underwhelming gift this turned out to be for you.  You LOVE to be scared so I thought what a better gift!  I was so excited to give it to you!  You opened, mom cranked, we waited, and BOOM out jumps the rabbit!!!  You just starred.  Okay, we tried again.  And again.  Ooops, it even scared the beejeezus out of me one time!  But never you. What an epic fail.  

One of the most thoughtful gifts of all was your very first train and truck set, all handmade by Grandpa Frazier.  You see, he's taken up woodworking and man is he good at it.  We've definitely benefited from his new hobby.  He also made you an airplane that looks just like Great Grandpa Frazier's.  

Dad got mom a giant bowl to make my dog food in.  So really it was a gift for me.  And for you.  Fill it with water and you got yourself your very own pool!  Again, you were underimpressed.

Your other favorite gift was having Grammie and Grandpa Cooper in town for the whole week!  We always love having them as houseguests.  Grammie does a bang up job taking care of us.  I think I get the most sad to see her go.

Your favorite Christmas memory was probably getting to make your first Christmas ornament.  It was super special because it was your handprint.  I got to make one too with my paw print.  I took it way better than you did.  Sheesh, you would've thought you were being water-boarded.    

But the best gift of all was your ability to start sleeping better!  Oh.  My.  Gosh did we need that!  Mom kept checking some app she has that has your face following a chart?!  She said your head was almost out of the storm cloud.  I haven't the slightest clue what she means but as soon as you left the storm you started sleeping.  Coincidence?!  I think not.  

We have so many things to be thankful for this year.  YOU.  Our family, our health, and our happiness.  I know that you had a very Merry Christmas and I'm so thankful to have been able to share it with you.  I can't wait to see what is in store for us both in 2015!!  

I love you sister,

Nelson

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
  Not a creature was stirring, not even mom's spouse. (he plays video games and doesn't move)

The child was nestled all snug in her bed (well actually her Rock n Play because she hates her bed),
  Oh wait, is that a blanket that's covering her head?!

And I on my blanket and mom passed out in the sack,
  We layed down for what turned out to be a cat nap.

When all of a sudden we heard such a clatter,
  It was the baby crying, what the hell could be the matter?

We sprung from the bed (after waiting 10 minutes) and stumbled to the noise,
  And kept reminding ourselves of these parenting joys.

With you wide-awake, not an end in sight,
  My and mom's eyes began to fill with fright.

No breast, no paci, not even some gas,
  Could get this crying to quickly pass.

On mom's lap, on mom's shoulder, or cradled like so,
  Drift off to sleep, oh please won't you go.

Your eyes how the twinkled, oh wait, that's just tears,
  This may pan out to be a long 18 years.

When all of a sudden mom looked down and saw,
  Those lids start to close, I can now rest my paws.

Dreaming of prunes (please poop again soon) we swaddled you tight,
  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

"That'a knee slapper Nelson" -Charlotte

 

All I Want For Christmas...

There are the 8 days of Hanukkah.  There are the 12 days of Christmas.  Then we have the 9 days of no poop for Charlotte.  All you want for Christmas is a poop.  I used to think mom was weird every time I pooped, cheering me on like I (or she) had just won the lottery.  We have now entered a whole new level of weird, because now she tells EVERYONE about it.  We had phone calls, texts, and inquiry from those in person checking to see about your poop.   You tried prunes, prune juice, grape juice, belly massage, bicycle legs, probiotics.  Mom even chugged the juice too.  What a trooper.  Sister, you even went to the chiropractor.  But, we needed a poop before the tenth day.  So, mom resorted to administering her first suppository.  Within 120 seconds, we had a poop.  Merry Christmas!!  Mom and dad have never been more excited.  Wish I could get away with giving them that for Christmas.

Before poop- you didn't know what was in store

After poop- a little violated but much more comfortable.  

Merry Christmas Eve Sister!

Love,

Nelson

6 Months!

You are officially halfway to being 7!  Oh wait, that's not how you humans do it.  You are officially halfway to 1 and we can't believe how fast time is going by.

Some of the things you love:

• being naked
• smiling...it really is your best quality 
• me
• being held
• grabbing at everything and putting it in your mouth
• being scared (boo!)
• blubbers
• sitting up

Some things you would prefer to do without:

• your crib
• rolling over (you've given that up completely)
• solid food (what's the point in your mind)
• sleeping through the night

Man sister, a lot has happened during this last month.  Mom went back to work...and we have survived!  Know why?  Because I picked a great nanny.  I told mom when we met the right one that Lisa was what was going to make it possible for mom to work.  We have Mrs. Lisa that comes over each day mom deserts us.  Too harsh?  At first, I thought this was strange.  Some odd lady coming over so very early.  Now, I enjoy seeing her.  She hangs out with us all day and she takes really good care of you and I until mom comes home.  She also has you taking a bottle like a champ!  You bake, shop, talk, play, and snuggle with Lisa.  I watch to make sure things go smoothly, but I've starting napping too because I know you are in such good hands.  

You also had your first Thanksgiving!  You were confused below because mom and dad told you that you EAT turkey, yet here you are MEETING the turkey.  Lots of details to hash out as you get older.  

 Grandpa Nelson (no not me) really enjoyed getting in some lap time.  You should practice for when we have to go see Santa).

This was your first big holiday and you did wonderful!  Mom got you a cute dress, you behaved in the car, you smiled for the family, so overall it was a win!  You also were a trooper with all the hand sanitizing that occurred.  

Another 6 month biggie is the sitting up milestone!  This is super fun!  And it's much easier for me to lick your mouth when you are sitting up.  You do really well at this.  However, we did have a small head injury while you were sitting right in front of mom, who clearly isn't quick on her feet.  We have video.  But I'm scarred from watching it.  

You were introduced to your first food!  Well, your first food was technically a box.  Mom thought you were enjoying it as a chew toy too much to take it away.  When she finally did, parts of it were gone.  Hope it was least organic.  

Then your second meal was an avocado.  Not sure I can count this because you swallowed nothing.

Then we tried sweet potato.  Pretty much same effect.  

Next up this month was your first road trip!  Sadly it was to the middle of Kansas.  Man were you a trooper.  This was an EVENT.  I knew something was up as mom was packing nearly everything you own.  Turns out, you weren't even staying the night!  I almost thought we were moving there.  You were all smiles on the way down!

And then mom had to try and find a way to entertain you in the hotel for FOUR hours.  So you played lots of peek-a-boo and sitting up.   

Then you put on your fancy dress and got to go wait in a church for hours.  Babies and churches...not a fun combo.  You did great, but mom was so worn out.  Check out how buff she got just from the 6 hours of holding you!  

I mean, for being in a quiet place for so long, you did so well.  

So she just set you in a chair to snap some shots....what else was there to do. 

Leaving the church was another story.  Aunt Amber got lost, you lost your shit, and mom lost her mind.  At that point, it was 8:00.  WAY past your bedtime and you were nowhere near close to sleeping yet.  Once mom finally found the reception you could hardly get control of yourself.  She fed you in the car and was ready to physically hurt dad.  For what reason?  I'm not quite sure.  So, you wardrobe changed, rallied, and joined the party.  

Until you were ready for the party to be over.  So, finally at 10:00 you were allowed to go to sleep and mom and dad started their journey home.  Mom was excited to sleep for the 4 hour drive.  Until she realized it was a one lane highway in the fog.  So she sat stiff in the backseat, protecting you, and could hardly move from the muscle soreness.  Leave it to dad, he got you home safe to me.  Man I sure missed you guys.  But, I got some alone time with my grandpa.  

We also had another opportunity to take some great family Christmas photos.  Ugh.  Three words for this day.... Holiday sweater.  Bow.   

Once again, I (well WE) stole the show on the Christmas card.  

And to finally wrap up month 6, mom turned 30!!!!  Can you even believe she moved up a decade! You'll notice there aren't any pictures to document this.  That would be because there was nothing to document.  I had been telling dad for WEEKS we need to put our heads together and really do it up big for her.  Man alive, my tail was curling as the days approached and I saw he wasn't putting anything together.  It's a good thing mom doesn't write on here, otherwise there would be some choice words on how it was such a sad day despite the fact they have gone to all mom's friends 30th birthday parties in the last year.  So, when you're older you can ask dad what NOT to do for a birthday.  Because in our house, these days are BIG deals sister.  We count our blessings for every birthday we get.  

I love you lots sissy, and can't wait to see what the next month has in store for you.  Thanks for brightening my day, chasing me around the house (with the help of mom), tasting so great, and not pulling my hair too hard.  You are a keeper. 

Love,

Nelson