guard(ian) dog

You see a lazy dog lounging in the sun? You are probably right.

But we've come to realize there's more to it. Since we've had Charlotte, Penny has become very protective of her baby and the house. A few days ago, she was even more than that: Minding her own business and enjoying the warm tiles on the patio, Penny was rudely awakened by Charlotte toppling onto her from atop the only of two steps we have in the front and back of the house... Thanks to the soft and fluffy fall, Charlotte did not seem to notice that anything unusual had happened. Just Penny needed to find another spot to continue her afternoon snooze in peace ;-)

With that, Penny has officially become Charlotte's guard(ian) dog.
Thanks Penny! Learning to walk can be tricky.

butt of a joke

Apparently a very comfortable sleeping position - right, Charlotte?!

birthday bash

Hard to believe: 

we have birthday number 1 (and 2!) coming up... 

Unfortunately, many out of town family and friends will not be able to come for Charlotte's & Penny's party. If you're local, please join us!

The girls are already excited to celebrate with their two- and four-legged friends... especially when they heard that there will be cupcakes!

We'll make sure to report back on their digging in ;-)

 

tauziehen

... mit Penny macht immer Spass!

(kleiner) mensch!

 

 We post recent and "old" pictures on the blog, whenever we have taken a photo or just come across one that tells a nice story when browsing our library. This snapshot is hot of the press from yesterday... showing how much Charlotte is now starting to look like a person as she's heading towards her 1st birthday - definitely not a baby anymore!

like a fish in water

 



 Alright... I'll refrain from calling her a rat this time ;-)

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Charlotte goes swimming.

 A little apprehensive at first, she's come to love it - and exhibit Daddy's swimming genes. 

She has great fun splashing and giggling with the other babies in the water.

And when swim instructor Martina plays peek-a-boo with her hat, Charlotte is "at home". After all, we know that from Daddy!


 

Charlotte's pool repertoire now includes diving, "jumping" in, and picking up a ring from under water.

 

 

(play) date

 

Charlotte loves her baby gym.


Yesterday, she had fun exploring the ramps and slides with daddy* - while Mama was getting a long overdue haircut!

 

 

* (These shots are from a few weeks back...)

tummy bliss

We sneakily captured this shot a few weeks back... when Charlotte discovered and started to enjoy sleeping on her tummy - which makes for very sound naps and nights!

waiting for charlotte

Today a year ago we took some pregnancy photos while eagerly awaiting Charlotte's arrival in the next month.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

which way is Mecca again?

It's fun to watch Charlotte explore and discover the world. (Usually this takes the form of tasting whatever is in reach, but I digress.) We were pleased this evening to see that not only is she growing physically, but that she's growing spiritually as well. Fed up with her parents' sluggishness settling on a religion with which to inoculate her, Charlotte decided to waste no more time waiting. So she took her changing pad down from the table atop her cage and converted it into a makeshift prayer-rug. (The industriousness must come from her German lineage.) She doesn't quite have the protocol down -- this shot was captured before she washed up for bed not after -- but she's exploring, and that's what matters. I'll save for tomorrow the heartbreak of telling her that she was facing north. (Of course for all we know, maybe she was praying to Santa Claus and so had it right all along.) 

puppy love

Best friends... Charlotte loves to hang out in Penny's bed - and giggles when she comes over.

only a month to go!

Wow, Charlotte is 11 months today - the big 1 is almost here!
Looking back, it's hard to believe the past/first year has gone by so quickly... our little newborn has grown into a (still little ;-) person.

While on our daily morning walk with Penny, Mama thinks Charlotte actually said (ok, ok, babbled) that she was out and about with  
"Mama" and doggie "WauWau" - how exciting.

christmas... in april

Ok, before we hit Easter (yikes, already?!) we realized we still have to post our first Christmas pictures...


Quiet, romantic Christmas Eve dinner for Mama & Daddy while Charlotte was dreaming of Christkind and Santa coming...










Our tree (pretty at night but odd during the day with sunshine and palm trees outside the window)

Our little elf and reindeer bored during the photo shoot ;-)









Oh, opening stockings on Christmas morning!

Reading a book with Mama

Having fun with Penny

Inspecting Mama and Daddy's stocking stuffers