She's a travelin' baby, made a lot of stops...

Hi everyone! There is a new glitch in the blog system. Our computer is in Charlotte's room, so when she's awake I cannot get on the computer. When she's asleep I cannot get on the computer. So, I have to wait until I have a free moment--such as now!

Christmas time was busy, but over the last two months we have been settling back into our routines. Both Charlotte and I had gotten way off track, namely with her sleep schedule. So after a few weeks of sleepless nights and begging God for mercy, we seem to be back on track! I worked for five weeks before I went on vacation mid-February. Since then, however I have been very busy! I decided to substitute several days to make some extra money for Charlotte and I to buy some new summer clothes. What about Daddy, you ask? He won't mind wearing last year's fashions. Shorts and T-shirts don't change much year to year! While I am on vacation we are also looking forward to taking a family train trip to Sacramento. We will catch the train in Bakersfield (shorter than taking from LA), and when we arrive we hope to visit their old town, the Railroad Museum, the zoo, and eat, eat, eat.

Speaking of traveling, Charlotte has been making the Grandma rounds. She recently went to visit Grandma Helen in Oxnard where she got lots of attention and went to the beach. The weekend after Valentine's Day, we all went to San Diego to visit my Grandma (Grammy the Great). On our way, we stopped in San Juan Capistrano to get a breath of fresh air. We happened to find the railroad station which is situated in a charming "old town" type of area. We walked, window shopped (OK, just me), and watched the train go by. We have included pictures of both trips below.

Charlotte at Grandma Helen's house eating a book. What else?

Sitting on the beach.

Thinking about things...

What's so funny, Charlotte?

San Juan Capistrano train station. Daddy loves trains. I think I can, I think I can.

The only thing Charlotte likes more than eating a book is eating a jar of vaseline.

Lunching with Daddy. Daddy isn't eating much.

Cutie.

Sitting next to Grammy the Great at lunch.

No tea for you yet!

Merry Christmas!

We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season. Our Christmas was particularly special this year because, of course, it was Charlotte's first. And, let me tell you, she made out like a bandit! Clothes, books, toys, and lots of hats. Here are some highlights...

Exersaucer time.

Almost ready to start opening presents.

This cute little hat was a present from Aunt Seiko. Thank you!

Christmas morning at our house. Keep your eye on the baby (in other words, not on me!)

A present from Daddy...

And from Mommy...

And a new monkey for Piper...

She's still learning the subtle differences between eating and opening a present.

Time to play.

First Trip to New Mexico, Mommy's Home State

On December 27, Charlotte and I flew to New Mexico to stay for a week with friends. (Let me warn all of you to do your homework before you go to the airport!!! Southwest was a nightmare--no pre-boarding with babies and kids. What? Apparently they changed their policy...) Charlotte did fine on the flight and was mostly interested in eating and sleeping (thank you, God!). But those of you who know me can guess how I did...I don't think I embarrassed myself too badly...only a few hysterical tears on the initial take off...you think I'm kidding, but...

We arrived in Albuquerque to SNOW! Luckily, it was flurries and after a quick bite to eat, we headed to Santa Fe for the week. We stayed with my childhood friend Amy, her husband, and her dogs Toots and Fleur. The first afternoon, I thought it would be fun to take Charlotte for a walk in the snow with the doggies, but after ten minutes I realized that she was turning into a Popsicle and we were better off inside by the fire. Amy called her husband, Frank, to drive down the street and get us (unnecessary really), but they wanted to make sure we didn't get frostbite the first day we were there. :)

Over the week we were able to relax, catch up with old friends, and see the sights. I chose to go to Santa Fe over the holidays for several reasons including that I wanted to see the city decorated for Christmas. Downtown and Canyon Road (art gallery row) are particularly beautiful with all the luminarias and holiday decorations. I wish I had taken pictures of these places! We also found time to visit the little town that I grew up in part of my childhood, Cerrillos. It's a small town off of the old highway about 25 miles south of Santa Fe. I was able to take pictures there! Unfortunately, it was Sunday when we visited and many of the places were closed--but it didn't matter that much. What I really looked forward to was seeing what was different, what remained the same, and to visit with Charlotte. Mission accomplished. And, last but not least, we shopped. If you know my friend Amy, you know that she and I cannot be in each other's company for more than a few days without dropping some money on clothes.

Enjoy the pictures and once again, we hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

The local store where the neighborhood kids went to buy candy and sodas. Notice the pay phone--where we called boys. No cell phones in the early 80's.

This was my daily walk from the store to my babysitters' house. It's across from the church.

My babysitters' home. It has not changed much except they no longer live there. They were elderly when I was a kid. John was a retired coal miner and his wife Frances was going to be a nun before he lured her into marrying him and having eight kids. I was friends with their grand children and after hanging around so much, they formally watched me after school.

The stoop outside a an old friend's house. We sat there often doing a whole lot of nothing.

The church across from my babysitters' house. They have definatley redone the front--I don't remember it looking so nice.

There was a local guy who declared himself to be the town mayor. He has an enourmous curio shop, a petting zoo, and I'm sure a lot of stories about the 60's, man.

View of the arroyo from the petting zoo, curio shop, 60's relic.

With Aunt Amy in Santa Fe.

Childhood friends.

Soakin' in the tub (or sink).

Five Months Old...

Visiting Grammy the Great in San Diego.

A little smooch from Mom.

A little power nap after lunch.

Charlotte's first rice cereal....

She's not sure about it.

Playing around.

More smoochies from Mom.

I think she thinks her hand is more delicious than the rice cereal.

Well, it's been another six weeks or so and there have been a lot of changes in Charlotte. She's growing bigger and stronger everyday, and cuter too of course. Our daily lives have been hectic, but we have adjusted well to the schedule, AND we absolutely love Charlotte's daycare provider Mommy C. She's WONDERFUL!!! Thank you, God.

So, to keep in short and sweet, here's a quick list of Charlotte's "firsts" from the last few weeks:

• first time rolling from her back to her front, and her front to her back...
• first rice cereal (pictured above)...
• first yellow vegetables...
• first diaper blowout that ruined Mommy's sweater, necessitating a complete dismantling and washing of a car seat, and a bath for Charlotte...
• first professional portraits taken...
• first time to visit San Diego and see Grammy the Great (also pictured above)...

There are more new "firsts" on the horizon, including her first Christmas and plane trip ride. We will be back with pictures from Christmas in San Diego and visiting my home state of New Mexico. Happy Holidays to you all....

Charlotte and her friends at daycare--Noah, Mica, Charlotte and Alexa.



The gang posing with Mommy C. She is awesome!!!



Charlotte and Dad at James' company picnic.



Although she's not quit able to sit without being propped up, she has starting playing in her exersaucer. Yeah, we finally have our arms back...sometimes.



Does this really need a caption?



Sitting in the Bumbo. This is also a very cool gizmo that allows us to have our arms back for a few minutes...



Fttt...Fttt...Happy Halloween!!!



Arrrggg, Charlotte the pirate wench.



Yo ho ho, and a bottle of rum?



Thar be squalls ahead.

It has been a month already! Bad blogger. Well, we have had good reasons for slacking off--namely we are flippin' busy and flippin' tired. But, it's a good tired and we are enjoying (almost) every minute of our family time together. :) Charlotte turned four months a few days ago, and recently went for her four month check up. She weighs 15 1/2 pounds, is 25 inches long, and is in very good health! The doctor has recommended we get her used to putting herself to sleep (what?) and that we start on rice cereal (already?).

A lot of you have asked how daycare is going and I have to say that it is going wonderfully. I could not ask for more. She is in a warm, safe, loving home everyday. I have included a couple of pictures of the daycare posse. She's a happy camper at Mommy C's.

Charlotte has been doing some other "new" things as well. Her neck is becoming very strong and she can sit in her bumbo or excersaucer and play for short periods of time. It is like heavan for us because we can start to load the dishwasher, start dinner, or start eating. When she is stronger and can sit longer, we'll be able to start and finish these activities. That will be great!
And of course, it was just Halloween. James had no less than three fog machines and we got dressed up and handed out candy. Doesn't Charlotte make a great pirate wench? Until next time...