Moving!

Mama has decided to do something a little different! Our family blog has been moved to shutterfly.com. This way, Mama can upload all her photos to the blog all at once and she and others can order prints from the site as well. There will be many more pictures to see and there will be captions so you know what we're up to.

If you are interested in visiting our new blog, go to http://chezandriani.shutterfly.com/ . You will need a password, so just send us an e-mail and we'll reply.

Ciao,
Natalie xo

Charlie's 1 Year Stats

So Charlie is cheating a little...his one year statistics were actually taken a few days shy of his 13 month birthday. But it's close enough!


Height: 31 1/2" (86%)
Weight: 24 pounds, 9 ounces (68%)
Head Circum: 18 1/2" (62%)

He is a perfectly healthy and happy baby, especially when he is eating! Check out Charlie's first taste of ice cream...


He is of course my little brother...and I love him to pieces. He is quite sad when he wakes up and doesn't see me because I am at pre-school. We play so well together.


Charlie had his first bike ride the other day. He likes it as much as I do!


Charlie loves to eat....and loves getting messy. When he is full, he throws his food on the floor. He thinks he is helping!


No, he doesn't have a caffeine addition...yet. Papa says we can't have coffee till we're at least 5 ;-)

Charlie Bear is 1!!!!!! Here is his first birthday cake...Elmo of course!!!!


Hmmm.....what is this stuff? Doesn't look like bananas or noodles. Charlie dug right into his cake ....


and went to town!!!!! He had frosting EVERYWHERE! Mama was cleaning up the walls and the furniture the next day too!


Charlie had a sugar rush....and then he crashed! He slept through the night and was looking for cake again the next night.


The best present Charlie received was a visit from Grandma!!!!


They had such a good time playing and Charlie and I both loved all the extra love and attention. Grandma came with us to Jungle Java, we went out to eat several times, and walked to the park twice a day. It was a great visit!


Charlie and I have so much in common now. We both LOVE books!


On Mother's Day, Papa took us to Cafe Muse for a delicious brunch buffet!


The food was amazing and the company was even better!


Charlie isn't camera shy, he is playing peek-a-boo!


We love Grandma!


Hopefully she'll come back real soon because she is so fun and loves us tons!


Charlie also had a 1st birthday party with his parenting group! He got a super cute present too!


We sang Happy Birthday to all the babies!!!! They were so cute and I did so good playing with them and being gentle. Mama says that I am such a great big sister!

Happy 1st Birthday, Charlie!!!!! Part I

My baby brother is 1 year old today!

Here he is exactly one year ago. Such a sweet little bear. Who knew that one year later he would become such a monster baby!


I adore my little brother, even when he takes my toys and tries to eat them.


Charlie got to open one of his presents early...a new buggy from Mamie and Papy!!! He likes to honk the horn and follow me when I am riding my tricycle.


Charlie is a happy boy who loves loves loves to eat!


Papa and Charlie get awfully silly together.


More pics to come from his birthday party!

Family Vacation!

We just got back from an overnight trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky! It is a huge indoor waterpark and hotel about 2 hours from home. Charlie and I both slept for most of the drive on the way there. We checked into the hotel, got our swimsuits on, and got wet!

At first, I was a little nervous about being in the water - I haven't been in a pool in over 6 months!


Charlie and I held on tight and just looked around in amazement at all the action.




After a while, I got very comfortable and remembered how much I love swimming.


Mama and Papa took turns riding on the big slides. I went on the small slides a few times, climbed up the water fort, and warmed up in the hot tub.


Cutest bear ever!


Hotel rooms are so cool! Charlie and I were giggling and exploring our new room with wide eyes. We slept very well too - I had a big bed all to myself!


We didn't take so many pictures but I promise we had the best time! Maybe winter isn't so bad after all - we look forward to returning next year.


Oh, Charlie devoured his buttered noodles. He had noodles EVERYWHERE! Such a silly baby!

It's been tooooo long....

It feels so strange not to have posted in such a long time. Where do I begin to fill everyone in on our little lives?

Well, since February, three things have remained pretty consistent - illness, cold weather, and Papa working long hours. Poor Charlie and I have had ear infections and the stomach flu. Not fun! We didn't even get a chance to wish Grandma, Papa, and Uncle Dave "Happy Birthday"!!!! Hopefully next year we'll get to celebrate big time.

We still managed to get out on rare warm/illness free days and take some pictures while playing around the house. Charlie is starting to enjoy the swing.



I am perfecting the little slide....


and the big slide!!!


Can you tell that I am thrilled to be back at the park!!!!


But the biggest news is that I can ride my tricycle now - ALL BY MYSELF! And I am a real pro after practicing all winter in the basement. Check me out!



Charlie likes getting around on wheels too! He loves being pushed in the car or bus and we chase around the house. When Mama or Papa take him out, he screams.


But for the most part, he is a happy baby.


I love him sooo much and he adores me. When he is downstairs and I am sleeping, he waits for me at the bottom of the stairs.


He is trying to stand up on his own more and more! I can't wait until he can walk and we can really have some fun!

More Snow!

We've had lots of snow this winter...again! Thankfully I love walking in the snow. I say "crunch crunch crunch" as I walk. Charlie loves being pulled in the sled. Here we are last weekend after another 4" fell.





I love the snow but I think I'm ready for spring. Charlie and I have pretty much passed a virus back and forth since January. Charlie agrees that this ear infection/stomach flu thing isn't fun and is no longer welcome at our home. Thankfully spring temperatures are on the way!!!!