Our Goodbye with Mr. Paul and Aunt Caroline

On Thursday, May 17, 2012, Charlotte and I went over to see Mr. Paul and Aunt Caroline on James Island. They are so crazy about Charlotte. It makes their day when we come to visit. After Charlotte's morning nap, we picked up some Sonic and headed over to see them. 

Charlotte always makes herself at home.

How hilarious is that smile???

Everytime we are there, Mr. Paul is using his sweetgrass fan and Charlotte is completely intrigued by it. She LOVES it. Naturally I am worried she is going to ruin it. You KNOW that wasn't cheap.

After being there a bit, she finally got used to Aunt Caroline. At one point, Aunt Caroline got up to use the lady's room and Charlotte was so confused. She got up and started walking around the house looking for her. Once Aunt Caroline was back and settled, Charlotte took the fan over to her and started fanning her. SO CUTE.

She even let Aunt Caroline hold her! A 95 yr old/almost 96 yr old woman holding my child. I was so worried she's break a hip or something from holding her.

I love this picture. Two sweet people.

Charlotte loves her Uncle Paul....and he loves her. 

It's not really goodbye, it's more of a "see you later."

Mr. Paul, you are amazing. You are family. You are MY family. We love you so much. Thank you for being such a huge part of our lives. You keep us smiling and keep us on our toes. We will see you the next time we are back in Charleston... And feel free to come visit anytime...

I'm Going To Miss Them...

On the evening of Wednesday, May 16, 2012, after hanging with Niki and the boys during the day, Charlotte and I met up some of our favorite people. Miss Brenda, Miss Donna, Niki, Parker, Tanya, Charlotte, and I all met up for dinner at Cracker Barrel in Summerville. I've known Miss Brenda, Miss Donna, and Tanya since I moved to Charleston all by my lonesome in 2005. I've known them longer than I've known my husband. They are family They are my Charleston family. 

Charlotte loved her time with Tanya...mainly bc Tanya let her play her phone. Charlotte is all about the technology.

One thing Niki and I know about each other is that no one EVER takes pictures of us with our own children. Everyone takes pictures with our kids or has us take pictures of them holding our kids, but no one ever takes a picture of the baby and the mama together. So this was the PERFECT opportunity for us to do this.

Beautiful Niki and handsome Parker. 

Charlotte AKA Hot Mess and Tanya.

She really thought she was hot stuff sitting in a rocking chair outside. 

The mamas and the babies. (Gavin stayed with his grandma so that Niki could enjoy her dinner)

We have NEVER taken a picture together just the two of us. Crazy, right??? And to think this is 2 days before she leaves Charleston.

Oh, Miss Donna. She is like my other mother. Charlotte loves her too :) It was so so so good to see her.

Who knows what I am trying to tell her in this picture. I look rather sassy.

Sweet Miss Brenda. Charlotte loves her so much!!

I love my ladies from Trident. I know that I complained back in the day when I was working but what I complained about was the politics at that job. I loved my co-workers. Like I said before, they were my family. They invited me to their family Christmas's, into their family's homes, invited me to their parties, always udpated me on their lives, and have continued to be a part of my life over the last year and a half that I haven't worked with them. I love these ladies. Thank you, Miss Brenda, Miss Donna, Tanya, and Niki for being my family away from my family. I love you all so much.

Last Date with Gavin in Charleston

As things worked out, our wonderful friends the Midgetts were moving the week before us. Gavin is Charlotte's boyfriend/best friend. He is the playmate that she has seen the most since the day she was born. Her and Gavin are 2 peas in a pod when they are together. They are never bashful, they just dive right in and play together. At Niki's house, they always go into Gavin's room and shut the door...like they are trying to keep us from infringing upon their playtime. It's so cute...and so sad that we are parting ways. 

On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, we went over to visit Niki, Gavin, and Parker. Since our AC was broken we got up and went over once we were ready so we didn't have to sit in an 88 degree house. We had lunch with them and played and played. There was even a point when all three kids were asleep and Niki and I got to sit back and watch 16 and Pregnant and just be us for a few.

I love Gavin in this picture. He looks like he just woke up :) Charlotte looks guilty.

They ALWAYS switch cups. ALWAYS. No wonder all three of them were sick at the same time in April. Here we are comparing their feet :) Charlotte's are so petite.

Gavin took Charlotte's cup. Charlotte took Gavin's remote. Love it.

Best Friends Forever... even though they will be over 4 hours apart now. 

I honestly don't know where I would be if I hadn't had Niki and Tyler while Alex was living in Georgia and we were living in Charleston. They have been amazing to me. Charlotte is in love with all four of their family members. I am so thankful for them. God put them in my life for a reason. Thank you, dear friends, for everything that you have done for us. You are truly amazing.

Aunt Amelia Came to Visit

On May 15, after Charlotte's doctor's appt, we ran some errands with my mom. The air conditioning guy never ended up coming by so the house was still in the high 80s during the day. Fabulous. Amelia came down to visit and deliver some presents for Charlotte from Grandma and Grandpa Jackson. They sent her a jungle gym and a water table/sandbox. The jungle gym was so big and heavy that we had to get the neighbor to come and move it for us. (It WAY exceeded my 20 lb weight limit for lifting as a pregnant chick.)

I was so happy that mom stayed until Wednesday morning so that we could have Tuesday night to get some packing and organization done. Amelia played with Charlotte while mom and I packed up most of the kitchen and some other things. Charlotte was excited to have another person to give her attention. We were so happy that Amelia came down to stay the night and hang out for a bit. It was pretty hot so Amelia had to sleep downstairs. The funniest thing that happened while Amelia was visiting was something Charlotte did. 

Mom was loading up her car and getting everything set for her travels back to Illinois. Charlotte was having a good 'ole time in the bathtub and I needed to grab a few things for mom to take back with her. So I had Amelia come up and sit next to her while I got a few things for mom. Charlotte played, Amelia talked to her, it was all good in the hood. I got all of my stuff done. I went back in and started doing stuff in the bathroom and Amelia went back downstairs to finish her dinner. I walk over to the bathtub and there is POOP everywhere. In the few minutes bt Amelia sitting right next to her and me moving from the bathroom cabinets to the side of the bathtub, she pooped. She has NEVER pooped in the bathtub before. SO FUNNY!!!!

Thanks, Aunt Amelia for coming to hang out for the night. Sorry the AC wasn't working. Charlotte loved her time with you as did I!! 

Charlotte's 15 Month Check Up

I normally do a crazy long bit each time Charlotte turns another month older. This month I am going to for sure give information but not as much. On May 8, 2012, Charlotte turned 15 months old. Obviously we were in Illinois during it. The day after we got back, Tuesday May 15, 2012, Charlotte had her 15 month check up with Dr. Leonardi.

Weight: 20 lbs 2 oz

Height: 31.5 inches

Clothing: Mostly 12 months, some 9 months but no bigger than 12 months.

Teeth: She still only has six teeth.

Health: Charlotte got a virus before we went to Illinois. She had a cough, a stuffy nose, and a fever that would be anywhere from 99-103. I thought she either hit her eye on something or had pink eye. We went to the doctor and Dr. Lowe told me that it was an eye infection. The redness went away before I could really even use the eye drops. She also had a TERRIBLE DIAPER RASH while we were in Illinois. It was terrible. She screamed. She wouldn't take baths. Her bottom was RAW. No diaper rash cream made it better. So, I called the doctor and we started her on jock itch cream and a few other things. She also slept without a diaper on for a few nights. Poor poor baby. I was so happy when it went away.

Talking: Charlotte talks up a storm...alot of which we don't know what she is saying. But she tries to tell us everything. Her favorite words are "Dada", "Maaa" (Max), "Papa", "Dogdog", and many many more. She says the phrase "What's that?" or "Who's that?" She says it really fast and most people are like, "What's she saying?" She barks at everyone. There are too many words that she says for me to remember but she continues to learn more things all of the time.

Favorites: Charlotte's favorite things in life continue to be dogs, water, my dad, her dad, Max, books, and going outside. She loves all sweets especially golden Oreos. She absolutely loves them. She won't share them. She breaks them apart and eats the creme out of the middle of the Oreos. She loves ice cream and popsicles. She loves juice and continues to hate milk. She loves to push things. She loves to play with water and dirt. She loves all things boys love including balls and rocks and sticks and digging. She loves Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Personality: She is starting to test her limits a bit more. She has started hitting when she doesn't want someone to pick her up or hold her. She throws her pacifiers, toys, cups, etc and yells "uh-oh". I am trying to teach her that "uh-oh" means it was on accident. She has started banging her head on the ground or whatever is around her when she gets mad. I'm glad that she grew out of the pulling her hair out phase but this banging of the head makes her look weird. She does it in public and at home. She does the back arch, the scream, the fit throw, anytime, anywhere. She's not even close to the Terrible Two's. 

Charlotte had an eventful month from turning 14 to 15 months. She did lots of travelling and saw lots of people. There was never a lack of attention for her. I am crazy about this girl. She is getting closer and closer to becoming a big sister :)

This was our last visit with Dr. Leonardi. He was sad to see us go...as was his office staff. They always knew us when we would walk in...didn't even have to check in. They loved Charlotte and he did too. He gave us both a hug goodbye. After 7 years of knowing him, this goodbye made me sad :( He's been a great doctor to her. I had his cell phone number for when I needed it. He would call me if he heard I had called with a questions about Charlotte. He was very attentive and even said as we were leaving to still call him if I need anything. Thanks for everything, Dr. Leonardi :)

Nothing Could Be Finer Than To Live in Carolina

May 13, 2012 was Mother's Day. I woke up crabby and stressed just because I knew that we had a drive ahead of us. Just thinking of being stuck in a car with Charlotte and Max again for 16 hours was making me very anxious. Mary, Mom, Dad, and Anne went to Mary's church in Metamora that morning while Charlotte and I stayed back at mom and dad's house for her to nap. Church just so happened to be at the time of her morning nap and with the drive ahead of us, I wasn't willing to risk her sleep schedule being all jacked up.

After their church, we joined them at Mary's fiance, Chad's house where his mom was cooking Mother's Day lunch for all of us. It was delicious and such a sweet gesture. She knew that we were driving back to SC and that mom had just thrown a big party the day before so she didn't want us having to worry about a meal. We then went back to mom and dad's house and Charlotte and I took a nice loooong nap together.

At around 5 or 5:30 pm, mom, Charlotte, Max and I loaded up into mom's Tahoe and started our drive. We went to McDonalds in Bloomington for dinner (always nutritious) so we could eat while we drove. The drive went well. Naturally in the backwoods/hills of Tennessee I had to take a 35 mile detour through a winding forrest at 3 am while it was raining. Totally creepy and tiring. Mom and I switched off and on throughout the  trip. We ended up getting back to our house in Charleston around 11 am. Long drive. Minimal sleep. Max was amazing. Charlotte was really really good for her. (She still hates being in her carseat.)

We made it safe and sound back to Charleston. All three of us took a long nap as soon as we got there. I then headed off to my doctor's appt. Our little bean sounded great and my blood pressure was good enough for me. The one negative to the day was that when we got back from Illinois our air conditioner was not working. SO we had to call into the home warranty company and have them get someone out to fix it. It was good to have mom there to visit for a few days to get more packing done and to watch Charlotte while I did a few things.

Charlotte was so glad to be home and Max was even happier to have his screened in porch back. 

Thank you mom and dad for a fabulous 4 weeks of help, food, shelter, and company. We had a fabulous time in Illinois. It went way too fast.

Mary Said "YES"

This post is out of place but that's ok. On Friday, May 11, 2012, Chad proposed to Mary. They have been dating since August of 2008 (since right after they graduated from high school.) I knew he was going to be proposing at some point after she graduated college. A few weeks before he proposed, I made the joke to him that he should propose before I went back to SC. Chad called me a few days before he proposed and ran a few things passed me. I told him I would help him out of he wanted. So...

After the graduation, we went out to eat at Bernardi's as a family. Chad took Mary back to his house saying he had a present for her there. I had mom and dad take Charlotte home and I told them I was going to be stopping by to see my friend Summer who was in town (I lied. Sorry God.) I then went to Walmart and bought 3 dozen roses. I took them up to the town square and placed them in a heart in the center of the gazebo. There were some dirty high schoolers up there being weird so my pregnant butt sat in the middle of the gazebo in my hot pink dress and waited for Chad and Mary to show up.

After quite awhile Chad finally called me and said they were coming soon. I told him that the kids had left and he said good. As soon as we got off of the phone, the stupid kids came back. When I saw Chad's truck pull up, I ran and hid behind a tree with my camera. As I was hiding, the thugs came back to be obnoxious but thankfully they were only there for a second. Chad took Mary up to the gazebo and proposed!

It's blurry but I couldn't use my flash otherwise they would see me. But here he is on one knee.

And they hug :)

Sealed with a kiss.

She can't believe it!

And the creepy pregnant lady in the hot pink dress is noticed.

They are ENGAGED!!!!

So sweet.

The reenactment...

A pic with Abe and his chick.

I mean, who wouldn't want this pic from their engagement????

I hurried up and went back to mom and dad's house quick so that no one would know I was with Chad and Mary. I went inside and got the camera ready to take more pictures :)

Despite the blurriness of Aunt Kathy, how funny is this picture??? Mary walked in and just showed her left hand. That's Aunt Kathy's reaction.

The reaction from the couch.

The Mother of Bride hugs the Groom.

The Bride To Be hugs her dad.

Grandma Ann said she had been waiting to hear of this. Check out the aunts crying in the background... The Webers are criers. Thats where I get it from.

To celebrate, we showed everyone that mom uses dad's old underpants as dust rags.

Congratulations, Mary and Chad :) We are so happy for you! Chad, you are already a part of the family but this just makes it official. We can't wait until March 23, 2013.