simply noah

Alright, this one is more accurate: Noah is (so far...) definitely a lot more mellow than Charlotte, but equally happy. He is all smiles most of the time - and, especially at this age, quite a flirt.

Noah also shares a character trait with his sister (which apparently runs in the family...): The other day, a lady was taking a few pictures during his baby gym class. All his friends were rather oblivious to the photo shoot... while Noah, on the other hand, kept on turning around to wherever the lady was clicking and did not stop smiling for the camera.

So that she proclaimed "He's such a ham!"

It seems we can look forward to Noah & Charlotte putting on many shows in the years to come ;-)

simply charlotte

For those of you that know Charlotte, we have to be honest:
This does not depict 'simply' Charlotte - you are right!

Our little busy bee & tomboy doesn't usually sit still like this, and doesn't often look this prim and proper...

Just one of Mama's favorite au courant shots ;-)

up, up, up

Noah had a lot to celebrate this past week too.

All of his tummy time, rolling, turning, twisting and rocking on all fours, together with countless push-ups, push backs & planks, has finally paid off:

Sunday ten days ago, right before Charlotte's birthday, our little man figured out how to sit up himself -- he's proudly been practicing all week long, and LOVES his new-found mobility and perspective.

It's so fun to sit up whenever you want, especially to inspect the content of boxes ;-) *

Having gotten a taste of the upright view point, Noah didn't want to stop there and has been on a milestone fast track:

He's loved grabbing hands and fingers to pull up on for many months now, but this past Friday -- right in time for Mother's Day [to remind Mama she needs to stay on her toes...] -- Noah was excited to pull up in the crib all by himself, instead of taking his afternoon nap ;-) **

Next up: crawling! 

Watch out Mama...

*     After a few face plants, Noah also figured out quickly how to smoothly get back down
         on all fours ;-)
**   Needless to say, the mattress was moved down a level that night!

every day is like today

Thanks to these little guys!

Yes -- that also means I am tiiiiired, the house is often a mess, there's lots of yucky laundry, me-time has become rare, and they can quite loudly voice their own *little* opinions...

...but somehow their giggles are the cutest, their skin is the softest, their hugs & kisses the sweetest.

Happily, I wouldn't want to miss any of it for the world.

(Well, most of the time ;-) *

* For my Mother's Day gift, I was really hoping for a spa getaway in Thailand - sans kids... 

but pancake brunch on the patio and hanging out in the yard with the critters 
were a close second, of course!

1, 2,... 3!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLOTTE

In the past three years, you have turned into such a fun little person. Please don't grow up too quickly!