Dear Charlotte,
Tonight was.. the first night without a paci for you. I expected some tears, and I got them. For about 5 solid minutes.. but after 10 more minutes, you were out. I am hopeful that you will have a good night's sleep.. and us! We will see. The last few nights have been rough anyway, with you and Ruby waking up at about 4am ready to get up, even with you wandering around in the dark toward Grandma's room.
You fell down the stairs the other day, mostly because the pants you were wearing were your silky Elmo pants which are way too long... but it still makes me nervous now every time you head downstairs without me or out of my reach. It's a long staircase!
Good luck tonight, sweet Charlotte. You are getting so grown up! I am so proud of you!
Love, Momma.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
You ok, henwee? Ok?
Dear charlotte
You are such a sweetie and full of empathy. When someonecoughs or falls you ask you ok?
You are such a sweetie and full of empathy. When someonecoughs or falls you ask you ok?
Friday, October 21, 2011
Reading With Daddy
Isn't your daddy the best? You are a lucky little girl.
Here is a pretty standard progression of Storytime. See all three of you kids engaged and listening?
Ahp, lost ya. You are still listening and at this point would be upset if Daddy stopped reading, but your interest is divided.
Checking in with the book.
Gone again,but passively listening.
Totally gone.
Charlotte's First Report Card (Preschool)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
DENTIST!
Dear Charlotte,
Today was your first ever DENTIST visit!! It seems you have something of a "high frenulum", where the inside of your lip is attached to your gum and seperates your two front teeth. You had no cavities and your teeth look perfect.
Now the frenulum issue is something we did not really give much notice too. You have always had a gap between your two front teeth, It's adoreable. I never knew it was a problem! But the dentist says it could affect your speech, so we're going to get a second opinion on what we should do about it. We don't want to do anything that could harm you.
You were incredibly good at the dentist office, letting them clean your teeth with the Elmo toothpaste and even though we were there a long time, you were just super.
Today was your first ever DENTIST visit!! It seems you have something of a "high frenulum", where the inside of your lip is attached to your gum and seperates your two front teeth. You had no cavities and your teeth look perfect.
Now the frenulum issue is something we did not really give much notice too. You have always had a gap between your two front teeth, It's adoreable. I never knew it was a problem! But the dentist says it could affect your speech, so we're going to get a second opinion on what we should do about it. We don't want to do anything that could harm you.
You were incredibly good at the dentist office, letting them clean your teeth with the Elmo toothpaste and even though we were there a long time, you were just super.
50 rules for dad of daughters by Michael Mitchell
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
"Kare, Momma"
Tis the witching hour. October. The leaves are falling, the air is crisp and cool. It is perfect for a little bit of spooky fun.
Except that with all of the stores having their Halloween displays up, you have shown me that you have several fears. Number one and most intensely: CLOWNS.
We saw a clown at the face painting tent at the fair and you were shaking like a leaf, so you and I left whiel Ruby had her face painted. We saw another clown at the church's preschool opener picnic and same reaction, if not worse- the clown seems to be the thing that scared you the most. Your face immediately changes from soft and sweet to firm and intense, back stiff and straight, ready to run. You stare at the clown with your serious little face as if establishing how far away from him is a safe distance. Then you just back away until he again catches your attention and it starts again.
You have the same reaction, although less intense, with the stand up blowup monsters on display everywhere these days for Halloween. You seem to understand they are not real, so not as much of a threat, but you still point to it and urgently tell me "kare, momma." (I'm scared, momma.)
I just try to show you it's silly by giving it a high five but you wanted no part in that yesterday! Move along, you seemed to say. You kept walking but your eyes didn't leave the (not very scary) giant M&M in Martins. You finally looked away but still glanced back once. :)
I love you!
-Momma
Except that with all of the stores having their Halloween displays up, you have shown me that you have several fears. Number one and most intensely: CLOWNS.
We saw a clown at the face painting tent at the fair and you were shaking like a leaf, so you and I left whiel Ruby had her face painted. We saw another clown at the church's preschool opener picnic and same reaction, if not worse- the clown seems to be the thing that scared you the most. Your face immediately changes from soft and sweet to firm and intense, back stiff and straight, ready to run. You stare at the clown with your serious little face as if establishing how far away from him is a safe distance. Then you just back away until he again catches your attention and it starts again.
You have the same reaction, although less intense, with the stand up blowup monsters on display everywhere these days for Halloween. You seem to understand they are not real, so not as much of a threat, but you still point to it and urgently tell me "kare, momma." (I'm scared, momma.)
I just try to show you it's silly by giving it a high five but you wanted no part in that yesterday! Move along, you seemed to say. You kept walking but your eyes didn't leave the (not very scary) giant M&M in Martins. You finally looked away but still glanced back once. :)
I love you!
-Momma
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Children's Museum: Mirror Magic!!
You guys were so cute inside the Hall of Mirrors today.
You sure do love your sister.
You really had a good time in the Little Farm, too. You like to figure out how everything works.
How cute are you?!
You and Ruby being lion cubs.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Happy October!!
We made spiders out of your handprints and you loved it, pointing to the door and saying "pidah" and singing "itsy bitsy spider" with me.
This was last weekend, you were taking care of your "ooh ooh" monkey, changing its diaper and carrying him around.
You and daddy dancing in the kitchen
See now this is why I haven't got many pictures of you. I try to take your picture and you either run away, which clearly you can't do here, so have a fit and scrunch up your face, saying "no".
I still manage to sneak a few though.
Playing with Daddy's shoes
This one I love. It's you telling Henry to "Say yeez, hen-wee!"
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