Baby no more

Charlotte called Audrey by her name for the very first time today! Hopefully this begins the transition from "Baby" to "Audrey" or "Sister". My Dirty Dancing fears may not be realized after all. Hooray!

Things I Love About Audrey

1. She smiles at me first thing when she sees me in the morning. She knows who her mama is.

2. She reserves some of her biggest smiles for her sister. She adores Charlotte. I'm convinced that there is a very special bond between sisters that doesn't develop over time- it's in the blood.

3. She's started to giggle a little. It sounds more like fast breathing, but I know the giggle is coming. She only does it when I "stand" her up on her feet and make her jump. She loves its.

4. She slept through the night this week. Twice.

5. She loves to cuddle. She would almost always rather be held than not held.

6. She smiles. A lot. She's a total charmer now. She didn't smile nearly as much as her sister in the very early months, but the last few weeks, she's been a smiling machine.

7. She still smells like a newborn, fresh from heaven. I could smell her head all day.

8. Her hair. It is so dark and thick and I'm pretty sure it's curly like her sister's hair. Its started to lighten a bit and get a little red, but it is still much darker than Charlotte's at this age.

9. She doesn't mind yet that I compare her to Charlotte all the time.

10. She's mine. I get to be her mommy and that is just the best. Particularly since she's a mama's girl and wants me when she's really sad. It's awesome to be the one that can calm her. I love knowing that I make her feel safe. I hope I always do.

Things I love about Charlotte

1. She "cooks" me things. She brings over plates and bowls from her play kitchen and warns me it is hot before I eat it. Then she cocks her head to the side, smiles and nods her head and asks "More?" but won't bring me more until I say please.

2. She asks to help me cook. She likes to stir and mix, help me break the eggs, and dump ingredients into the bowl. I love it.

3. She likes to give her sister raspberries on her tummy. It's HILARIOUS.

4. When I ask her how much I love her, she'll spread her arms all the way out- "Thiiiiiis much!"

5. She could eat black beans, olives, and tomatoes exclusively. What toddler has a diet like that?

6. She walks so purposefully. She's almost marching while her blond curls bounce. It is adorable in every way.

7. The way she runs with her arms flapping. There is no holding back.

8. She adores her little sister. I can leave the room, come back because it's too quiet and I get nervous, and find Charlotte pushing her sister in the swing, talking to her, kissing her, and Audrey with the biggest smile on her face. HEART MELTING.

9. She sings songs about me. The last song I heard her sing about me was about Mama and olives. Such a delightful little weirdo.

10. She loves me. No matter what. Even when I feel like I've been too much of a lawyer and not enough of a mommy, that little girl gives me a hug and a kiss and tells me "Love you!" It doesn't get much better than that.

From the Mouth of Babes

Charlotte is such a little goof ball and has had some super cute conversation moments this week. A sampling:

I'm upstairs with her putting laundry away. I need Matthew for something, so I call down the stairs, "Matthew!" Then comes this little voice, "Matchew!" She now calls for "Matchew" around the house. We're not sure if she knows that Matthew is Daddy, but she sure thinks she is funny.

We're at Matt's dad's house. Charlotte pretends to take a call from Harvey, her little daycare buddy. Matt tell's her to say good-bye so she says, "Bye-bye, Harvey. Love you!" Grandpa proceeds to take the phone and tell Harvey never to call this number again.

Matt's taking a picture of Audrey. Charlotte comes up next to him and says, "I want cheese." Matt gives her a cheese stick. Seriously not happy. "I want cheese!" Points to camera. She wanted her picture taken.

I love two-year-olds.

So Big!

Somebody is sitting in her Bumbo!

Update: I have no idea why this is now so dark! I swear it wasn't this dark on our computer. Sorry!

She's Got Moves

Charlotte loves to dance! Here she is dancing to the music on the menu screen on the Cars DVD.

Growing Girls

Have you ever had a moment where you looked at your child (or someone else's child) and just wonder how they got so big and you got so old? I've felt that way all weekend. Watching Charlotte run around with her cousin and other children this weekend, holding Audrey and wondering where the tiny infant went, packing up clothes the girls have outgrown. I pulled out Charlotte's old clothes from her first fall/winter and could not believe that it just wasn't that long ago that Charlotte was that small. And know she's this toddler who speaks in sentences and makes up her own songs about monsters and olives. Life moves so quickly. I'm glad there are moments like I've had this weekend that make me slow down, just a little, and bask in the wonderfulness of motherhood. What an amazing journey.