Happy Halloween!

We are trying to keep Charlotte at home as much as possible (although we have taken several trips to the park and out for lunch) and keep Annabelle busy/entertained so we created some fall fun for ourselves at home this weekend!



Annabelle loved helping remove the pumpkin insides, but only while holding her spoon with a paper towel so that nothing touched her hand!




This was our second attempt at caramel apples this fall, and we decided that the dipping chocolate that you microwave for dipping fruit into is the best for drizzling. These were really easy to make and delicious!



We roasted the pumpkin seeds...very yummy! Just wash the pumpkin seeds well and let dry (not on paper towels - they will stick). Spread a tablespoon or so of oil onto a baking sheet, add pumpkin seeds, and salt lightly. Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes, stirring seeds after first 10 minutes.


Looking forward to trick-or-treating with our little butterfly tomorrow night...and to enjoying some of her treats after she goes to bed!

Happy Halloween!

2 1/2 years and 2 weeks...

Annabelle, You are 2 1/2 years old today!

You are such a little lady and a delightful companion!


- First of all, you have been the most amazing big sister that I could ever imagine. You have loved and adored Charlotte from the first moment that you met her. You want to hold her several times a day, and you love to help change her diaper. Mostly, you just want her to be where you are at all times.


- You have become quite the negotiator. You regularly come up with an idea that you like better than what I told you and then you say "How about that? Is that a good deal?"

- You have started to love going to "school". You talk about all of your friends, and you want to take your teachers something every time you go. You are growing and learning so much during your mornings there!

So excited to be taking caramel apples to your teachers!

- You have been talking non-stop! You switch from topic to topic - anything from something that happened that day to some random thing from months ago. Your new favorite question is "why?". It feels like you say it hundreds of times each day, and it is usually in response to something we have told you to do. I have found myself saying "Because that is what mama told you to do" a lot!

- You have such a tender heart. Anytime someone is upset or hurt, you want to make them feel better. You ask about the boo-boo on my tummy from having Charlotte several times a day.

- You have been pretending quite a bit, and it makes me laugh to hear you make your dollhouse family say things like "you need to be a good listener".

- Favorites: going to the park, chocolate milk, taking walks with daddy, books, singing, hide and seek, helping cook, arts and crafts, and curious george.


In other news, Charlotte Grace is two weeks old!
We went to the doctor today for her check-up, and she is doing great! Her weight is up to 7 lbs, 12 ounces! She has been eating around the clock, and loves to snuggle for naps. Nighttime sleeping is not fantastic right now, but I know it will be better soon! We have been enjoying her so much, and are loving learning more about her every day!

Baby Charlotte Arrives!

Welcome to the world, Charlotte Grace!
We are beside ourselves with joy that you are here!


She arrived one day before her due date on 10/13/11... a perfect 7 lbs, 2 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. With dark brown hair and big brown eyes, she looks a lot like her big sister. She has been such an easy baby so far...sleeping a ton and only crying when she wants to eat! Currently, she is curled up asleep on my chest and I couldn't enjoy it more!

We documented the hours of labor with some photos. This is about 15 hours in. I had gotten an epidural a couple of hours before and was feeling much happier!


After 19 hours, it was decided that a c-section was a necessity. Getting on board with this plan was emotional but the right thing for Charlotte.


Meeting our girl for the first time! The overwhelming flood of love for this child was the exact same as when I heard Annabelle's first cry.


Awake and alert


Bath time with Daddy while I was in surgery and recovery. I think that missing this time is one of the hardest parts of a c-section, however it was a little easier this time because I knew what to expect (and probably because we had been up for 38 hours at that point, and I just couldn't keep my eyes open).


Getting to hold Charlotte for the first time. Perfection.


One very happy mama!


Snoozing together!


Getting some love from Daddy.


First picture as a family of four.! I still can't believe that we have two daughters...wow!


Annabelle meeting her baby sister for the first time. My parents brought her up to the hospital to see us, and as soon as Annabelle walked into the room she said "Let me see that sweet baby girl!" She has held her, hugged her, kissed her, and talked about her non-stop since she arrived.


Grandad getting to know his second granddaughter.


One very proud Nana!


Visiting with Papa and Lola on day 2!




A wonderful afternoon was spent with Ellen and Jimmy.


Beautiful chaos! Welcome to life with two!!

We have had a wonderful week at home together and are slowly learning how to balance an infant and a toddler!

New room!

We are still around waiting for this baby's appearance, so in the meantime here are some photos of Annabelle's nursery turned big girl room. I love how turned out!


The headboard/footboard were in my brother's room growing up. Annabelle says that she has "Uncle Jimmy's big girl bed" now! It had a more grainy wood look, but a couple of coats of primer and paint made it like new. Jesse built the bookshelf. The chair is mine from college, and the cradle was mine as a little girl.


I made sets of these for both of the girls' rooms.

Nursery pictures coming soon!