5 Months!

Happy 5 month birthday Charlotte!  You'll see that I'm a day behind on wishing you happy month birthday.  That is because mom went back to work this week and I'm still trying to adjust.  Luckily we got our pictures taken today now that she only had to work 2 days.  It sure is going to be hard having her gone some days.    

That has probably been the biggest transition for you and me this month.  We are so used to having her home, but her students need her too.  Luckily she found us a good nanny, Miss Lisa.  I'm still making sure she doesn't steal anything by following her around everywhere but I'm pretty sure we are in good hands. 

Some of the things you love this month:

• being naked
• me
• chasing me
• giggling
• rolling over
• smiling
• mom and dad
• bouncing, playing
• dad says you like things being thrown at you....uh, what

"I'm Charlotte, her are my stats"

Some of the things you don't care for:

• wind in your face
• being bored
• sleeping through the night :(
• sleeping long stretches :(
• being on your belly too long and getting stuck

This month you accomplished rolling over!  This was a great thing for mom and dad to see you do.  Sadly, you are only a one-way roller over so you get quite ticked when it's time to go back.   

We also started working on sitting up.  You're not there yet but you sure like to try!  Who wouldn't want to sit up and play with a bed full of toys!

Grammie and Grandpa Cooper also came to visit us!  It wasn't our favorite time of their visit, simply because they didn't stay with us.  But, we were glad to see them.  Of course, Grammie spoiled us still.  She got to babysit us, cook, clean, and love on us both.  We cannot wait to see her in December.    

You got to spend the day shopping with mom and gram...you had a blast and scored some good finds.  

Here is you doing one of your favorite things...being naked!  Check out those rolls.  You loved to spend your evening pre-bath being carted around in the buff.  

Some days you take really good pictures...some days not so much.  I think Grandpa Chuck put you up to that ridiculous selfie.  

Here is how you take a good selfie, duh.

I feel like this month you and I really started to bond.  You seek me out, I make you giggle, and you taste so delicious.  

You also mastered finding objects and putting everything in your mouth.  

You've picked up a new hobby of reading.  

A BIG thing this month...The KC Royals went to the World Series!  You and I got geared up for some good baseball! 

As did mom and dad. This is them at Game 7.  Mom just went to hang out but dad got to go inside.  (Hint:  mom didn't want to be gone from us that long...she's pretty awesome)

But before she left to come home to us she make sure to snap a pic with this awesome celeb, Jason Sudeikis.  

Another first was your first Halloween!  Mom and dad docked ups big this year with a Star Wars theme.  But before that, you got to go be a part of the baby announcement at school!  

Then we got dorked up.  

Mom and dad had yet another night out of the house (hello, have you two heard of responsibilities) and went to a wedding with our grandparents while our other grandparents watched us.  That seemed like a good idea...until it wasn't.  I guess you just really prefer to have mom put you to bed.  Grandpa Frazier seems to think we now hate him but I think you already forgot about "the incident".  

Mom made sure you used your right to vote and took you to the polls with her.  Our guys won.  

Dad even took TWO days off work to spend with us before the month was over.  But let's be honest... it just happened to coincide with the release of a new video game.  

To round out our month, Mamaw and Papaw came to visit.  You sure liked all this weird noises.  

SO, you are still the cutest baby I think I've ever seen.  

 I make sure to come check on you as much as possible because I just want to make sure you are safe and happy.

I hope you enjoy what's in store the next month.  We have Thanksgiving, a wedding out of town, and mom turns 30!!  

Love you sister,

Nelson 

Giggles Galore!

So we talk about all the physical milestones.... holding your head, sitting up, rolling over, but we don't always take the time to focus on the really important things you've learned.  The most important..LAUGHING.  Oh.  My.  Gosh it's the best thing in the world.  You starting smiling so early and everyone wanted to tell us it was gas.  Hello, there were no farts accompanying the smile, so it was really a smile.  Then a few weeks ago you had your first giggle.  I wasn't there for it but mom said you were at school with her and she was changing your diaper in the office.  She told Kellie to come back because you were being so silly.  Then out of nowhere you giggled!  It made both her and Kellie's day.  Finally others started to hear you do this, and boy is it sweet.

** I tried forever to upload the cute videos of you laughing.  I even asked mom for help but we couldn't figure it out so, when you're older, just ask me to see it.  It's the best.

Smiles,
Nelson

Roly Poly

We had a big week this week sister!  You learned to roll!  This is a BIG deal because it wasn't long that you couldn't even hold you head of the ground...now you can lift that bowling ball up to roll!  And you have me to thank.  I could tell you were wanting to do this for the last few days but you couldn't quite make it over, so each time you got close I would come check on you.  Mom said this was actually NOT helping because instead of rolling OVER you would roll right back to where yo started because you love to grab my face.  I still think I helped you.

Mom was so excited!  For one, you weren't lagging on a milestone.  Two, she thought you would start to have more fun playing on the floor.  This is mostly true.  However, you have yet to learn how to roll back over.  So pretty much you play on your belly and have fun, until you are done, then you face plant on the floor and groan.  Oy.  

I can't say it enough Charlotte, I'm sure proud of you.  Way to go on all your hard work!  

Love,

Nelson

Sleeping with the Laundry

I don't really know why mom stressed about putting you in the laundry basket.  I kept hearing her say to people "we're going to try it this weekend"...and then not.  "She needs to be sleeping flat".... and then not.  "We are going to miss the window"... and then not.  It was already enough that she moved you from our room to your very own, but now she wants to put you in the laundry basket!  I'm no expert, but I don't know how this was in your best interest.  She often calls this laundry basket your crib, but really, it's just a giant place to hold all your clothes and stuffed animals.  It sure takes up quite a bit of space in  you room too.

But, things changed on Friday when she and dad (really just SHE) formulated a plan to get you to try and sleep in this basket called a crib.  I could sense her anxiety so I made sure to stay extra close to help calm her down. I think it worked because she actually followed through and put your tiny self in there...and then walked out of the room!  You layed still.

Mom was still a little anxious so she watched you, and her wine, for quite some time.  

Gram was also here and she was also enjoying some wine.  Before she left, she made sure to yell dad's name very loud...shocker that you woke up.  You stirred and made noise for an hour.  But no longer than 4 minutes at a time.  That was mom's plan, after 5 minutes of crying she would come snuggle you.  But you didn't need it!  

Night two was even better!  We are on a roll!

Night three....well night two was good!  We were due for a mishap, but we will try again.  I've been making sure to come in with mom when you are upset.  Lately, I haven't been coming with her

because I'm so tired and you haven't been up very long and didn't need me.  But, now that you're in the crib basket I feel that you (and mom) may be a little stressed so, for now, I'll see you in the wee hours of the night.  You got this sister, and it will get better.  I'm proud of how hard you've worked to help mom with this.  

Now, to catch same zzzz's while you do.

 

Love,

Nelson

Four Months

24.5 inches (59th percentile)

14.12 pounds (75th percentile) 

16.25 inches HC 

Happy 4 months Baby Charlotte! My you are getting so big!  Although, Aunt Jodi still loves to call you Charlittle.  This month has been busy for us, but more importantly, YOU!  Just in the last couple of weeks you have really "woken up"!  Your voice, oh my, your voice.  Well, you've sure found it that's for sure.  You babble and make all sorts of cute sounds.  I'll take that any day over crying.  Makes my body hurt.  More on that later....

Thing you love

• Mom-oh don't we all
• Making new noises
• Being rocked
• Baths
• Trees!  
• Being bashful

Thing you hate

• I'm beyond thrilled to NOT have to include Tummy Time on this list!
• Sleeping in your crib
• Sleeping in your room
• Sleeping longer than 30 minutes at home
• Gas
• Getting out of the pool

During this month you found the TV.  No matter where you are, you will make it point to watch it...daddy's daughter!  Here you are about to break your neck to see it.  

Ha, just recently mom put you in this space ship!  I personally think it's quite scary and leave the room.  I hope you survive.  You can't touch yet but seem amused.  

There are no words to say how cute you're getting.  Although I think you've always been the prettiest baby.  See, you look happy taking me for a walk.  Glad our come-to-Jesus talk worked.  

You still go shopping with mom all the time.  She loves carrying you in this while she get groceries (check out all the grassfed organic in that cart #luckyus).  You used to fall asleep during this but now you do everything you can and use every ounce of muscle in your neck to look at everything!  See, waking up!

It's started to get chilly out on the morning walks but that doesn't phase you!  Just bundle up, with a smile of course.  

Sometimes mom let's you start the morning in our bed.  She came down to feed me and make herself breakfast and we came back up and you passed out.  So we joined you:)

Because you started to get neck control (yahoo!) mom puts you in all types of contraptions.  This is a great way for us all to have dinner.  Well, this was just a date with me you and mom, dad was at the Royals game.  Must be nice. 

You've also started to get better at your picture posing...glad we had a chat on that too.  Mom was burping you and you took a selfie.  Talent.  

These next to photos deserve a whole blog post, but it was so traumatic I just couldn't write about it.  This month mom thought she would just up and put you in your crib.  You've MASTERED the art of bedtime so she thought you wouldn't even notice the difference in bed OR room.  She put you down, grabbed a good book and we were off to the couch to enjoy our "me time".  False.  That monitor started to make noise and you, in fact, DID notice the difference.  You noticed it for the next hour of screaming as if we put you to sleep in the yard.  I sat at the stairs to make sure you were okay.  Clearly I was not.  Nor was mom.  Her whole body started to hurt.  I know this because I read over the texts she was sending Aunt Jodi, Holly, Libby, and Elena during this debacle.  All giving the advice of just keep going to check on her and then leave the room.  You know what you thought about that??  Us coming in to "check on you" was like teasing you that we ain't gonna pick you up!  And that straight up ticked you off.  That night came to an end after 60 awful minutes.  Mom threw in the towel and put your in the rock n play.  Before you head could touch it you were out.  Needless to say we haven't tried this crap since.  

I was exhausted and mom treated herself to TWO glasses of wine.  You slept through the night.  For the last time..... more on that later.  

Since mom is home she also lets you nap on her sometimes.  No, she is not willing to hear the opinions some people may have on that.  We enjoy it.

And sometimes I join you.  

But one of the best parts about this month (aside from lifting your head) is Grammie coming to town!  We prepared with her favorite things.  Wine and US.  

Her is the first time you are seeing her since you "woke up".  I knew you would remember her right away.  She was there for your first whole month!  

We will look back at the following photo as "remember when Charlotte slept through the night!?  She used to be so excited to sleep through the night she would fall asleep before bed".  Sister, we gotta get back to those days.  

Such a happy photo, us watching mom cook.  Not pictured:  the overflow of boiling meat that flew across the stove with me diving off the chair and you amused.  

You also met your friend, Colton for storytime.  Crushin

And you're putting everything in your mouth...so funny to watch.