4 months

Charlotte turned 4 months this week! She is a big 18 lbs and 27 inches, which is off the charts! This has been my favorite month with her so far, but I have a feeling I will have the same opinion of each month for the next few years. She's so alert and interactive with each of us, and will smile each time she makes eye contact with who is talking to her. She also has a great laugh when she's tickled. She can roll over easily now, and can push up onto her elbows very well. She even scoots 6 inches or so. As you can see from her rolls, she still loves to eat, and she always has a toy or her hand in her mouth. We're all in love with our happy baby!


She's also officially outgrown her baby bathtub.

Star gazers

We've been using Sam's google star and constellation maps on his new phone to try to learn what can be seen from our house (which isn't much in the city). Our interest was further stirred after going to the planetarium. (These pictures were taken last month). I'm looking forward to a warm night in the country this spring!

Grace's star chart...

3 days with Lovie

We were able to spend a few days with my mom last week, which was wonderful since we can't be with them for Christmas. On the way to pick her up, I explained to Grace that Lovie will be with us for 3 days. When my mom put her to bed the last night, Grace sadly asked her..."Is it 3 days?" I wish we lived closer...the girls can't get enough!

Christmas tree

Sam got off work early last week so that we could go pick out our Christmas tree. It was the quickest tree choice we've ever made, since it was so cold and the girls were the only ones in coats. On the way there, Grace said she wanted a tree taller than her, and was thrilled when we told her we'd get a tree taller than Mommy and Daddy. It was torture for them waiting to decorate it until after dinner, baths and lights were hung. Charlotte was a great supervisor.
Grace put the star on top, then Madeline wanted a turn.

After they went to bed, we had a lot of ornament rearranging to do. The first thing out of Grace's mouth the next morning was, "HEY!!! That's not where that was!"

Snowy morning

It rained all through the night, but we woke up to a beautiful snowy morning. Unfortunately, I didn't get the camera out until it had stopped snowing and began to melt. It was a great morning outside, and when we (I) got cold, we warmed up by the fire with some hot chocolate (or as Grace says, "hot cocoa to the rescue" thanks to Curious George) and Christmas music. I have no idea how many times they wanted to hear "Jingle Bells" and danced around the living room. Charlotte didn't get to be in the snow because it was a little too wet...she watched from the front door instead and stayed warm and happy. Hopefully we'll get more again soon!

River lights

We went to San Antonio for the Christmas Riverwalk lighting. Our hotel room had a great balcony overlooking the river, so we were able to see the lights and boat parade without the big crowds. We ate at Mi Tierra and walked around the Marketplace, then made it up to our room in time for the girls to get a bubble bath and eat dinner before the lights. It was fun for the whole family...but it was a little too exhausting for Charlotte!


The great thing about being away from home...when we returned, they spent hours playing quietly in their room together with all their missed toys and dolls!

Thanksgiving

We went to Corpus Christi to be with family for Thanksgiving. The time the girls spend with their cousins and second cousins is so precious since it only happens a couple times each year. Mimi and Pa Pa's house always provides plenty of fun...fishing, bikes, swings, games, and lots of hugs. As the day goes on, the house gets more and more family, friends, and food. It always begins with fishing and ends with a poker game.


Grace added a 16-inch speckled trout to our catch!