0 Year one recap - Part one

To my Charlotte Jane

I regret not doing this sooner. Its hard to remember just how little and precious you were at age 1, but as I look back at pictures I am flooded with the memories that you have created in my mind and in our lives. You gave us a good run for our money your first year. We spent a lot of time together since Daddy was traveling to Boston every week to give us a better life. Some days were easy and some days were hard, but you always managed to smile or giggle and make me feel like I wasn't alone at home. Your life is pretty simple yet you have so many people that love you very much. I will try to recap your first year in 3 month sections because so much changes in this small amount of time. Just remember we love you and will always cherish the memories that you have given us.

Months 0-3:

You came into the world with a bang. You challenged me the entire time I was on maternity leave. I took 12 weeks off with you to learn how to be a mommy while you grew to be a great little baby. You didn't sleep well, but were an eating champion. You loved to eat and weren't afraid to hurry up and get it done so you could go back to playing. You didn't let a single thing go past you. Every noise, motion, sight was caught in your big blue eyes. We spent time in the summer swimming (it was a really hot summer so sometimes hard), taking walks, spending time at the park and exploring our new neighborhood. We started to make friends with the neighbors and you seemed to charm everyone you met. You took your first trip to Lake Wawasee for a quick weekend getaway. You had great behavior and were very good the majority of the time. A little too small to enjoy it but it was nice for mom and dad to get away with you. You made your first trip to see the Reds play and were a hit with all of daddy’s co-workers that were there. All in all we had a great time learning each other and learning our new lives together.

Months 3-6:

You continued to develop your little personality. Mommy went back to work and hated every minute away from you, however you were in the great hands of Jessica a wonderful nanny who loved you and took wonderful care of you. You would go over in the mornings to the Flamm’s to spend time with Lainey and Jessica and mom or dad would pick you up on the way home. You learned to sit up, belly laugh, started to talk and babble even more, had your own form of dancing and never really got into crawling. We celebrated Daddy’s 40^th birthday and Mommy’s 30^th birthday with a big party and you would just not go to sleep. You stayed right up with all the adults and had a great time. We visited the pumpkin patch for your first pumpkin and you dazzled us all in your adorable spider Halloween costume. We made a lot of trips to the farm and you grew to love the outdoors. You took a liking to hats after fascination with papaw’s hats and daddy’s hats. We continued to watch you grow both in personality and in body and even got your first two teeth.

I could go on and on about these first 6 months but I will split them up to show you some pictures. Thank you for teaching me how to be a better person, to give more of myself and challenge me every day.  

0 If you want to meet a slacker- you have found one...

Slacking is not something I am proud of, but after looking back at this blog I realize that I have done just that. Slacking for 2 years on something I promised myself I wouldn't do is a little frustrating. I promised myself I would keep up on things so I will try to back date as much as possible to attempt to catch memories before they fade in my crammed full brain. I give myself some credit – I am working full time and taking care of a toddler, but I should carve out time to jot down the memories that we have created as a family. I can at least say we are living life vs. trying to document or write everything down, but one day I will appreciate taking the time to do this. Hang in with me as I throw a bunch of random posts about the last 2 years of C’s life as we get ready for baby #2. See how far behind I am- I haven’t posted anything about baby Lee 2.0. 

0 4 months already!

Work and babysitting are becoming easier and easier each day. I think I am actually getting lazy about it sometimes. I am still breastfeeding (well exclusively pumping in our case) but Charlotte is getting bigger and healthier for this effort so I will continue. We had our 4 month checkup on the 12^th of September and we got a perfect score. This was the first appointment daddy couldn’t attend (he was in Boston) but we quickly called to check up with him when we left. She was 16.5lbs and 26.5 inches long. Off the charts in height and weight we were at 95%. Growing strong and healthy is the way to go.  Favorites this month are Bruce the Moose, Monkey blanket and Sophie the giraffe. We are wearing 6 mos clothing and moving on to size three diapers soon. We started solids (peas were the first food attempted) and you love them. So far you have had peas, banana, oatmeal, rice, avocado – not a favorite, and pears.  First real time mommy and daddy went out (since we left you with aunt Kat to see Steely Dan and you cried for 3 hours straight) and you were PERFECT! Aunt Kat and Zak watched you and you were great. You played and ate well and went to bed for them with no problem. It was nice for mom and dad to celebrate their anniversary and for you to spend time with Aunt Kat!  

0 3 months young...

Month Three recap: August is a busy month at the Lee Household. Birthdays, farming and general life gets the best of us. We had big changes this year and it was big for Charlotte as well. Babysitting started on the 3rd of August. I was a mess both the 1st and 2nd just trying to hold her as much as possible. I didn’t want to put her down. It was VERY hot out so that didn’t help my need to just snuggle and stay home with her. We did take a trip out to teach swimming lessons on the 2nd but were quick to head back home and get some more snuggle time in. Mark stayed home from Boston that week to help me with the transition. Thank the Lord he did. Charlotte did wonderful. Mommy- only cried two times during the day which is a win in our book. Charlotte did great. We checked in about 3 times to see how she was doing and we realized our worries went out the door. Jessica was doing a wonderful job watching her and Charlotte loved the entertainment of Lainey. She was worn out by the time we picked her up at 4:30, but it was nice to see she had fun. She has made the transition easily to Mrs. Jessica and I am glad she likes her so much. Birthdays are plenty in our household in August. Mark’s birthday is on the 4th and mine is on the 14th (yes 10 years and 10 days apart) so we celebrated the big 40 and the big 30 this year. We had a party with lots of friends and family to celebrate the occasion and to show off the new house. All in all it turned out very well. The month flew by- Charlotte loved going to play with Lainey and Mrs Jessica every day and mommy is getting used to dropping her off. Big changes for our family, but welcomed as she gets bigger.

0 First day with the nanny!

Charlotte Jane-

As I sit here at my desk on the first day I return to work I realize how special and great you are! You decided to wake up when mommy was getting ready which made me even more nervous about you taking good naps. You played on the bed while I put my makeup on and dried my hair and I listened to you talk to your toys and to daddy when he was in the room. You had the biggest smiles on your face which helped me get ready even more to be home. As I sit here looking at your pictures and thinking about what we did all day every day for the last 12 weeks I realize how special that time was. I came back to work to make our lives better, to show you that we can do anything we set our minds to and that we love you enough to give you the best we can at all times.

 I only cried a little before I put you in your car seat, smelling you and kissing you before I put you down. You slept the entire trip over to Acacia’s house and didn’t wake up before we left. Mrs. Jessica was ready for you and was excited to have you. I probably spent a little too much time walking out the door, however, I know you’re in good hands. I checked on you 2 hours after dropping you off and you were having a great time. You were playing and cooing and were eating VERY well. When I checked a few hours later you had such a great nap it almost made me nervous. Mrs. Jessica sent a picture to show us how happy you were which did make mommy cry, but I also realize how much I miss your cute little face. I will be there in just two hours to pick you up and I can’t wait to snuggle you when I return home. Thank you for making mommy’s return to work that much easier… as I always tell you- if you could eat ice cream, I would totally give you some! This picture is what Mrs. Jessica sent mommy and daddy when you woke up from your nap. You love that little monkey... hopefully these faces will continue!

0 Two Months already?!? How you have changed.

Charlotte Jane-
you are our little Jane girl. You have really learned to use your smiles and have started to coo and talk to us when we talk to you. I love when you stare into my eyes when you are happy or sad and I love the way when you are sad you want your mommy. It brings tears to my eyes to know that I mean so much to one little person. You are getting SO big and are learning to entertain yourself. You, just like your mama, like to sing and dance. You sit wherever you are and kick your feet and move your arms and do your own version of singing. You have a song in your heart and I cant wait to hear what that song brings you.
This month you have learned to hold your head up even more and are getting closer to sitting up in your stroller and your bouncy seat. You are putting weight on your legs and pushing up when we hold you. You are a very strong girl and we cant wait to watch you continue to grow.
You just witnessed fireworks for the first time and couldnt care less- you slept right through them. We cant wait to see you with them next year,

0 Charlottes Trips to the Farm

Little Miss Lee - This is a note to you.
So in order to keep track of things going on in your life little Charlotte I decided to keep track of different events that go on in your life. Your first trips to the farm were pretty eventful with lots of people and hands to help take care of you. This weekend was the first time we had you at the farm with just your grammy and grampy.  This is what we are calling Grandma and Grandpa right now and it seems to work for you. I am sure you will change it as it goes. We have your own stuff out there so we dont have to take so much time to pack to leave.
You love to lay on the porch in your pack in play. The breeze always pushes through and you love it. Your favorite thing to do is to lay without your clothes on like a true hillbilly in only your diaper. You entertain the dogs - especially Addie, Aunt Kat's dog. She doesn't like it when you cry and doesn't love to share the attention. Your grampy is always getting in trouble for picking you up with dirty hands, but its alright- soon enough you will get into the dirt alone. You like to look around and dont mind the heat or the bugs. Soon you will be big and be able to understand all of the things that the farm means to us. Its our place for family and relaxation. I love going out there to get away from it all- even if its really hectic there and we have to work. One day you will understand.