Christmas Joy

I have been remiss with this blog lately. A combination of holiday busyness, and lack of motivation I suppose. But, here is the catch-up:

December was a spectacular month. We decorated for Christmas, hosted a big Christmas party, attended several Christmas parties, enjoyed a week with our brother, sister and nephew, celebrated Christmas 4 times, cleaned up the Christmas decorations, took a trip to Sacramento, and played at the park almost daily.

According to her Uncle Jon, Charlotte (summed up in 3 descriptions) is currently:

Extremely talkative

Big personality

Loves boxes

Though Charlotte is far from understanding Christmas, she absolutely loves the event. She is a present opening pro! A loves to exclaim, "wow" when she discovers what's inside. She was showered with generosity and love. It completely melted my heart to see our families loving on my baby girl, we are so blessed. She got books, and music, and dollies, and play kitchen! Now, I just need to bring myself to pack away the baby toys and accept the fact that she doesn't look like this anymore:

The biggest change in Charlotte this month is her comprehension level. I can say to her: "Charlotte, go get your shoes and come sit on your bottom so we can put them on" and she will do exactly that. "Charlotte, let's go wash your hands." She runs to the sink rubbing her hands together.

Her sign language vocabulary has exploded. More, please, thank you, help, eat, are all used in proper context to convey her needs or desires.  Yesterday, we were in R&R Meats and there was a display of fresh baked cookies on the counter. She frantically started signing, "Eat, more, please, please, please! Eat, more, please, please, please!"

Another thing I am starting to notice more and more is her determination. Though she is an easy-going baby, she absolutely knows what she wants, when she wants it. She will stick with something until she achieves her goal. When she wants to play with a certain toy, no other toy will do. When she wants toast to eat, no other food will do. She is learning she has an opinion, and she is letting us know about it.

The love affair with baskets and boxes continues. Any open container is fair game, and she is climbing inside the first chance she gets.

I was torn about a trip to visit Santa this year, for several reasons, but ultimately decided the picture would be a great keepsake 20 years from now. So off to the mall we went. She was immediately stand-offish. But I sat her in his lap and he might as well have been Hannibal Lector. So, I held her, bribed her with crackers, and this is the best we got.  Keepsake, right?

And much to our dismay, she seems to be quite girly. Purses, necklaces, bracelets, cell phones, are all extremely popular around here.

The joy of Christmas increases exponentially when experienced through a child's heart. This was by far the most joyous Christmas I have experienced. 

Hugs for Charlie

Loves to be in a box

After a Christmas Nap

What every dad does at 11:00 Christmas Night

Status Quo

Things have been pretty mellow around here following the adventure that is Thanksgiving.  With all the fall decorations packed away, Christmas trimmings have graced this home.  This year we decided on a fun new decorating theme: 3 ft and higher.  As in, nothing within Charlotte's reach. The tree looks beautiful, from the waist up :)

Charlotte is keeping me on my toes lately. She runs through the house emptying exploring one drawer after another. I don't mind spending 10 hours a day picking up one mess after another. It brings me such joy to see her little mind learning and growing.

She loves the outdoors, which makes this dry December very convenient. Who would have thought we'd be outside in short sleeve shirts 2 weeks before Christmas?

She is in the process of dropping her morning nap.  Not tired enough to fall asleep, but too tired not to fall apart.  But, this state does make her generous with kisses and hugs, so I'm definitely not complaining.

Yesterday, I was getting ready and Charlotte was being ominously quiet. I came out to find her and discovered this:

She brought the basket out from her room, put the hat on her head, found a rogue paci under her bookshelf, and decided to have a little basket R&R.

Beautiful handmade sweater from Grandma Ging