Yesterday we went in for Charlotte’s one year well check-up.  Our little trooper got 4 shots and a finger prick and came through it like a champ!

Reading up on her vaccines while waiting for the doctor.  Smart.  I’d want to know what my 4 shots were for too.

I’m sure no one but us will care, but here are her stats:

• Weight– 18.6 lbs. 10th percentile
• Height– 28 inches 15th percentile
• Head circumference– (I can’t remember the inches) 50th percentile
• Blood work– Good except for slightly low iron 
• Sleep– Averages 10 hours a night with two 45 min.- 1.5 hour naps during the day
• Food– Eats everything and has no real favorites.  She’s been wishy-washy with veggies so we make her eat those first before eating other stuff.  She is on the full menu at school which I really like.  There is lots of variety with fruits, veggies, and whole grains.  They do have the occasional pizza or tater tot days, which I’m not thrilled about, but I don’t think there’s a real way to keep a kid from pizza and tater tots.  
• Nursing– Nurses just once or twice a day for a very short time.  She is not as interested.  She has one bottle of expressed milk at school, but we’re going to do away with that.  She tried organic whole milk for the first time last night.  
• Cup use– Drinks water from a cup.  We haven’t really done juice yet.  I’m not pushing that one.  I’m anxious to pack up everything Dr. Brown’s in my house and not wash a bottle until the next kid.     
• Clothing– 9 month sizes and 6-12 month stuff still fits her great.  She’s a slender gal.  I’ve busted out some12 month stuff that fits fine.  I did let her wear one 12-18 month outfit that was very loose.  
• Teeth– My late teether didn’t get a single pearly white until 9 months.  Now she has 5 teeth.  The 5th tooth descended a little more just this week.  
• Walking–  Took her first step at 9.5 months and was full-on walking at 10 months.  She was a pretty early walker.  In just the past few weeks she has gotten really steady on her feet and is wobbling much less.  She almost ran to the door last night.  She’s does this funny little stutter step dance too.  
• Talking–  Major babbler.  Often screams and “sings”.  She can say “Mama”, “Dada” and “Jing jing”,  her word for Ginger the dog.  She has this funny little deep voice she does we call the “Demon baby voice”.  Her teachers say she is really trying to repeat the things they say in class.  
• Playing–  At 1 year-old Charlotte’s favorite toys are baby dolls.  She carries them around at home. She picks them up first thing when she gets to school.  She often doesn’t let the other kids play with them.  (We’re working on that.)  She also loves the little Fisher Price Dino thing that pops plastic balls around.  She’s very analytical and enjoys exploring how things work, like her blocks and beginner puzzles. Her gross motor skills are fantastic as she loves pull toys and her new little “Rocking Frog” as well.  She loves Paddy Cake, Peek-a-Boo, and anything we play that makes her giggle.  

A look at the party this past weekend…

Pink and orange helped make our Halloween/1st Birthday theme come together.  (I didn’t get shots of my pumpkin lantern decorations on the tables or my two-tired jack-o-lantern cake!  Uggh!  Bad Mommy Blogger!)

Her friends came in costume too!  This is Charlotte in her pumpkin costume with the kitty cat gals!

Some of our wonderful friends enjoying my “photo booth” complete with costume add-ons.

Yep, that’s my husband.  My hero on the half-shell.  (This was after cake when Charlotte had to change out of her icing smeared costume.)

It’s her party and she’ll cry if she wants to!

Cake has amazing tear-drying powers.

“Mama!  How have you been denying me of this divine ambrosia for a whole year!?”

Proof of a successful party!

Dear Charlotte,
“Hi!  Happy Birthday!”  Those were the first words I spoke to you one year ago today when you were just a wet, squishy, crying little creature.  You were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. 



November 2, 2010



Then I dropped a shoe and woke you up.  Don’t tell Daddy, but I’m really glad I did.  That meant I got to hold you.  I rocked you in the dark and whispered birthday wishes. 

I rocked and prayed.  I thanked God for you.  I thanked him you were healthy.  I thanked him for the experience of being your mother.  I thanked him for the opportunity to watch you grow. 

Daddy always says it’s hard to believe you’re the same person you were a year ago as a newborn.  It’s gone by so fast and I’ve loved every stage of the first year.  I will never say one phase was my “favorite” over another.  I will continue to love something about every stage. 

Now you’re a cake smashing, squishy, laughing little creature.  You are still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. 

I prayed for one more thing.  I asked God to give you at least 99 more birthdays this happy….

I love you, my darling, darling girl. 
Love,
Mama 

Happy National Blog Posting Month!  The goal?  To post every single day in November.  You know, in all my free time.  I just remind myself there’s only 30 days in November.  (Yes, I had to do the little rhyme in my head to recall this.)

Beth Anne gave me the idea.  I’ve also seen it floating around Twitter.  People tend to be psyched about things on the first day, so we’ll get a Tweet count on like, day 22.

I’ve decided to do it because I feel like I’ve lost my way a little with my little blog.  I’ve forgotten why I write.  I love writing, way more than my day job.  I love keeping a record of our funny lives and growing baby.  I love the people I’ve met through blogging.  This blog is supposed to be fun.

So get ready, I’m writing and posting pictures this month.  I’m making it a priority.  Join me!  Let me know if you’re doing the same!  Or, just tell me about your blog.  I want to read it.  Be warned, some posts may not make it up until later in the day, such is life.  Happy November!

On an unrelated note, tomorrow is the big First Birthday.  I’m gonna try and hold it together at work.  Here’s a sneak peek of pictures from Sunday’s party.

Like many around the nation our Halloween was cold and wet, albeit not as cold and wet as those in the Northeast.  I realized it’s her last “Baby’s First Any Holiday”.  ::sigh::  Wednesday is the “Big One.”

I promise I’ll be doing a birthday party post soon to let ya’ll know how Sunday went.  (It was awesome!)

Happy Halloween!  Stay warm and dry!

A very tired, ragged, Mama and Daddy with our happy little Pumpkin!

I could seriously look at her in this costume all the time!  I think the tights make it.

Checking out the loot.  Yum!  (Yeah, because Mama and Daddy need to eat all that.  Geez.)