Twinkle Toes

Its official! Charlotte is quite the performer! This past weekend was her first dance recital! She has been taking dance from a friend of mine (Krista Whitener Dance Academy) since January - when she became old enough to start. In fact, this is what I gave her for Christmas... some ballet and tap shoes to play around in and the promise to take her to dance class for ONE semester to see how she liked it.. if she liked it at all. We told ourselves this was just something to try out and if she didn't like it - then no problem. We would just finish up in May and be done with it. Well -- looks like we won't have that issue. She will be heading back to dance in the Fall! She has loved it and is having so much fun! All in all, that is all we have ever wanted. She has made some good friends in class and really blossomed in to a little lady.

Charlotte has been really enjoying getting costumes each week as they came in to dance class and has been anxiously awaiting the day when she could really wear them! So, when Saturday came she was super excited to wear them... who knew if she cared anything about dancing? The excitement of getting her hair done and being able to wear some make up was just so exciting for her. She thought she was really something! After waiting backstage a little bit it was time! They called her group backstage and the girls all held hands and away they went. As soon as the last one was out of sight the moms all ran as fast as they could to get to the audience and watch. We sat and waited... did I mention Charlotte has to lead the class out on stage? Pressure! But, the lights were dim and the music started up. Here comes Charlotte!!! She did it! Leading the group and then started to dance! *sigh of relief* The girls all did great! When it was over, MM hurried backstage to greet her and change her for the next performance (they had 3). Backstage you could hear Charlotte saying, "Mommy! Mommy!" When I said, "Charlotte! You did so good! Did you have fun?!" She replied with, "I wanna do it again!!".

At the end of the recital all the girls received a trophy and balloons fell from the rafters (this was more exciting to Charlotte than the trophy). She was excited to receive flowers from Magi and Poppo and a Sleeping Beauty Ballerina doll from mommy and daddy. We are so glad she had fun -- the smile on her face was priceless!

Best Job In the World.

I love being a mom... and more than that, I love being Charlotte's mom. Even though she is ALL ABOUT DADDY these days -- I still adore our time together. She is funny and caring - sweet and girly - silly and clumsy - and has the best giggle! Toddlers are surely no easy age, but thank goodness for a wonderful husband who can fix anything with her! As I have said before, she sure loves her daddy. I must admit though - we do make a great team.

Mothers Day was a great day and I was surely spoiled! Wes and Charlotte got me a beautiful bracelet and a gorgeous photograph to hang on my wall at work. So creative and they did it all themselves! I am so lucky to have such caring and loving family! We topped it off with spending the day at Dan Nicholas park in Salisbury, NC with lots of family. I highly recommend this park and can't wait to go back. We have several other family members join us and celebrate moms - including my mom and grandmother! This park had a carousel, petting zoo, train ride, water area, paddle boats, putt putt, playgrounds, and a wildlife zoo! There are lots of shaded park tables and areas to grill out - as well as camping sites too! Charlotte had a wonderful time! See for yourself...






Coming soon... DANCE RECITAL!! Its this weekend! We have the costumes and she likes to dance... we'll see how she is on stage!

Also, Baby Baker #2 is doing great! 23 weeks along now and starting to feel most the effects! I love being pregnant so its still fun... but time is creeping up on me! I'm getting anxious about getting things started so we don't wait until the last minute! Luckily, we have a lot of things from Charlotte's newborn days, but there are a few odds and ends to take care of for #2. Most recent appointment had the baby's heartbeat coming in at 140 and sounds strong! The baby is kicking up a storm and I am getting used to not sleeping on my stomach again these days!

I can't wait to meet him or her!!

Have I told you how much I love my daddy?

Charlotte has a sign in her room over the window that reads, "My Prince Did Come - His Name is Daddy". And boy, does she believe it!

Future Bear

This past weekend was Alumni Weekend at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Magi and Poppo (MM's parents) received an award for their service to the school and we all joined in the celebration!
Charlotte loves going to LRU and visiting the bear... she always wants to hold his hand or pick his nose.

Charlotte's cousins Alex and Nicholas were there supporting as well - always a good time when they get together.

Congrats Magi and Poppo!!! We are so proud of you!

Spring-timin'

Enjoying the evening outside -- and the discovery of dandelions (Charlotte calls them suckers).

We had a great weekend that included things like a fundraiser walk, face painting, a baseball game, family dinner night, and Charlotte and daddy day on the golf course! Also - in the effort to go a little greener and save a little money, MM experimented with making her own all natural laundry detergent today. Stay tuned to see if it worked! Hope you enjoyed your springtime too!

Hippin' and hoppin'.

Charlotte really got in to the whole Easter thing this year. She learned a lot about it in school and the "I'm going to tell the Easter Bunny you are being bad" threat works too! She redeemed herself and "he" came to visit her leaving a trail of eggs from her room to the loot. Charlotte picked them up one by one very carefully until she saw the Easter basket... then it was forget the eggs! That bunny sure did know what she likes. Princess book, Ballerina Dora coloring book, Scooby Doo toy and shirt, mermaid Barbie, Kai Lan shirt, dance clothes, Pete's Dragon, hairbows and socks!

Of course the Annual Egg Fight tradition had to take place -- and for all you wondering -- yes, Mary-Margaret won... again. Second year in a row! Charlotte and MM colored eggs for it the day before and had the match right after checking out the bunny

goods.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter and got to enjoy some time with your loved ones!

Tuck and Roll

The upcoming baby had an appointment today! All is well and appears to be doing great at 17 weeks and counting! The heartbeat came in at 140 and that baby was all over the place! The doctor would have the little heart monitor on one side of the tummy and hear the quick "thump thump thump..." then SWOOSH! Then she would have to move to the complete other side of the tummy to find the heartbeat again. She'd find it then... SWOOSH! Back to the other side. Baby did not want to be messed with! Or... maybe he/she likes to play and was already tumbling back and forth?!

Next appointment is April 13 for the BIG ultrasound. The 45 minute one. The one where most people find out the sex of the baby. Most people, I said. We are not most people. So, we will use this ultrasound to let the doctor check out all the anatomy and parts and pieces.

I am really liking all of my doctors so far. There are 4 in the practice who deliver babies and I will meet them all. Which is new and different for me since Dr. Dennis in Charleston was a one man show. But - all the same, I am happy there and like the personality of them all.

Stay tuned!

Outside... finally!!!

Finally! Some good outdoors-y time! We went on a walk, sat in the grass, smelled the flowers and made bird feeders this past Saturday... until it turned chilly again on Sunday. !?!!??

Baby update!

Things are going great for the baby thats still in the belly! I go back on March 31st for the next appointment... For now I take no news as good news!

I am currently 15+ weeks and at my last appointment the baby sounded great! Sweet little heartbeat of 148! No, we are not finding out the sex again... it was too much fun the first time not knowing, we want to do it again!

I'll update as I can about the newest addition. One thing I do know... I am super happy to be back in my maternity pants again. c-o-m-f-y!

kid goggles

Mommy view by Charlottephoto by Alex - Charlottes older and very talented cousin!