sweet moments

i keep saying "i need to write down the sweet things that charlie is doing..." so here we go:

- flirtatious "hi"- is SO cute- batting her L-O-N-G eyelashes & softly saying hi. it melts our hearts!
- sharing- the halloween candy bucket kept her busy for a long time- pull the candy in, take it out, put it in..... one day she was handing me pieces and for whatever reason i wasn't paying attention. charlie grabs my hand, opens it, and places a piece of candy in it. so sweet.
- jason taught her "just kidding" where she cracks up- he'll pass balls, toys, candy, whatever back and forth but every now and then instead of giving it to her he grabs it back and says, "tricked you..." she laughs and laughs. i think she is learning to trick us now too.
-"daddy's home"- when jason gets home if we're in the family room she rushes to the window where she can see him get out of the car- she laughs and squeals when he comes up to the window to see her.
- noticing other babies- we've had several itty bitty babies over recently and she is interested in them for sure. maybe she needs a sibiling? :)
-crusing all around- it is just fascinating to watch her figure things out- learning to sit back down on her own, leanring that certain drawers will pinch fingers- down to little things like helping herself get dressed.
-weaned herself from nursing- right at 11 months. i am glad she stopped when she was ready.

we're coming up on her first birthday- where did the time go? and it took about a year- but i am having my first night away from home this weekend- and i have to say that i CANNOT wait! i have really needed a break and am going to the beach with a girlfriend to volunteer at a friends 5K race. saturday afternoon- come on! :)

clean floor, no more.....

should have known that after scrubbing, and i mean scrubbing the floor under the high chair (and washing the seat cover, all that fun stuff) ALL of tonights dinner would end up on the floor! in my attempt to find low sodium waffles/pancakes (because charlie scarfs up eggos) the healthier ones didn't fly too well...... so i ended up mixing them in with some pureed fruit :)

ok, and pictures aren't cooperating...... don't have the energy to try to figure out how to correct....

where oh where......

i know that is a kiddie song- haven't learned it yet- although now i think the tune will be in my head (and yours!) for a while. ooops!

Been too long, huh? We've been all over the place! Mid July Charlie and I went to North Carolina- we never have enough time there- ever. But we squeezed in time here and there- the main reason was going to a meeting/mediation with our lawyers about the lawsuit from my family's accident. What a nightmare- it was draining mentally & emotionally- and nothing really happened. We knew it wouldn't- but it was a hard day. Hopefully this will all be wrapped up in 6-8 months (candidly speaking.... hehehe).

Flora rode home with me to maryland and we had days full of spongebob & swimming! Julia came up a few days later and us girls headed north to Grandma's. What a special trip that was- a slow paced time on beautiful property and good food. After a few days we headed east to Nana's where life is a little bit faster paced. Charlie had her first trip to NYC- she loved it of course. As hard as it was traveling and sleeping (she actually slept very very well)- it was SO worth it to see family- especially grandmothers. I'm thankful we can take off and my husband will stay home and work very hard!

Early August just the three of us headed to the beach- a beautiful home of a co-worker of jasons that we were able to stay at. It was a great time- but now i see why people travel with nannies or their whole family! Charlie rules the schedule- but I am totally ok with that. She def. takes priority and when she is happy- we are all happy!

So we've been home for a couple of weeks now- Charlie is growing and growing. She's such a doll. She is very happy *most* of the time- when she's not it is very frustrating! (today she screamed on our whole walk- but when we got home and picked her up- she let out a BIG burp- we'll remember that next time!).

I've got exciting things going on here and there- i wish there were more than 24 hours in a day!

Burger Tradition

Submarine Sandwiches- that is what we did EVERY year on the 4th of july. Other things included a parade in Caldwell, fireworks at the Hils' house in Efland or at the courthouse in carrboro- and one year there was a parade in Graham maybe?

I personally LOVE fireworks but we haven't seen them (on the 4th) in a couple of years. Last year we were at a buffet dinner in OC while the fireworks show was going on (the place was empty!) and this year we had a wonderful afternoon at our old house with the neighbors- Charlie loved the doggies!

So I made a platter of subs and we enjoyed the weather & company. Happy 4th of July! One year we'll make it to DC- that will be fun!

mom would be proud

I think it's fitting that on the day my mom would have turned 60- I did something I know she'd be proud of! Well- she'd probably be proud of me for lots of things..... :)

After Charlie went to bed I *thought* it would be a good idea to go grocery shopping and get it out of the way. I never thought the store would be so crowded at 9pm! Maybe it is the holiday weekend....

Anyway, mom would be proud b/c at the checkout the woman gave me my total- $40 something dollars and said- "wow, you got a lot of groceries for 40 dollars- I am impressed!" Oh it was a great Barbara Burger moment- and it made me smile lots.

Love you and miss you mom!

down by the bay.......

had a wonderful weekend w/ family & might as well be family (fab. friends!) Charlie had her first experience in a swimming pool- loved it- first time being in the sand (didn't give her a chance to get it in her mouth.....) and played with daddy all day on his first fathers day. She is 7 months old now- wow!
We've been spending lots of time at home and quick trips here and there in between naps- this kid rules the house!

dogsitting for the neighbors


playing in the morning

cool website

I am always looking for unique things off the beaten path- came across this cool site that can direct you to interesting places!

www.roadsideamerica.com

this week we are going to the enchanted forest in ellicot city for charlie to see the animals. she already LOVES cats & dogs- she is so sweet!