Row, Row, Row Your Boat

It was back to the pool today to celebrate Charlotte's nine month birthday. This time, Charlotte test drove Cousin Drew's new boat. It only took about ten seconds to receive the Charlotte Seal of Approval. Her little legs were kicking furiously under the water trying to manuever around the pool. She was smiling, batting her eyelashes and waving to everyone from her new ride.








Hmmm. I really want to go see those kids over there. Where's Daddy when I need him? I can't figure out the steering on this thing!











This boat tastes as good as it looks!














Maybe if I stick my tongue out and really concentrate, the boat will go where I want it to go.












Hang on!! Iceberg ahead!














Being captain of the SS Charlotte sure is tiring. I'll just relax now and look cute in the bathing suit the Easter Bunny brought me all the way from Maine.

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny...

...Hearted Red and Pink Bikini

Charlotte wore for the first time today!











Charlotte and Cousin Drew went to the pool for their first swim this afternoon. Since they both enjoy getting baths, we were quite certain that they would love the pool. Drew was a litte uncertain at first, but eventually 'warmed up' to the cold water. Charlotte, on the other hand, was like a little mermaid the second she got in. I had to hold her tightly to keep her from dunking herself. She was mesmerized by the two eight year old boys playing on the other end - she's already trying to pick up boys at the pool (Daddy will be just delighted to hear that!) She was kicking as hard as she could to try to make her way over to them, but mean Mommy wouldn't let her leave the shallow end.

After about ten minutes of swimming, scared-y cat Mommy finally dunked Charlotte under the water. After emerging and taking a moment to figure out what had happened, Charlotte immediately broke into a big smile. A nice woman who was sitting in a chair by the pool smiled back, so Charlotte raised her hand and began waving to her audience. Looks like we have a performer in the family.

Drew and Charlotte got along swimmingly and had a great time. We'll be visiting the hotel pool a lot now that we know Charlotte is a fish. At least there is one good thing about being in corporate housing!!






Thank you, thank you. I expect perfect 10's for
that wonderful dunk.

Don't I look like a hunk in my new trunks?

Watch out ladies!

Do you think those boys will notice me while I dry off? Why did Mommy have to take me out of the pool? Next time I won't shiver so we can stay in longer. Are they looking at me yet?!

Happy Easter!

Charlotte and the bunny who is about to attack her wish you all a Happy Easter!!!

This Little Charlotte Went to Market...

Charlotte spent a beautiful sunny day in downtown Lancaster with Auntie Tara and Mommy this morning. The first stop was Central Market where Charlotte got to see and smell all the wonderful food and products the vendors were offering. She had a great time, especially when Auntie Tara bought her a stuffed cow (or a giraffe if you ask Tara.) Then it was off to Steinman Park, where Charlotte enjoyed watching all the people walk by and bask in the warm weather. Charlotte can't wait until Auntie Tara comes back so they can go to Market again!


It's my first visit to downtown Lancaster. I wore my pretty hat for the special event!

Auntie T seems excited that I wore my Bar Harbor shirt in her honor.

Aaaaah...Auntie Tara is putting me in a trance with her magnificent leg massage. Good thing I'm wearing capris so she can perform her magic.

Hey, Buddy. Mind if I read your newspaper?

Cow and I are worn out! When can we do it again?!

Shout Out to Down East

Charlotte's so-called favorite auntie has complained that she hasn't received a 'shout-out' on Charlotte's Web. Since it's finally getting a little warmer, Charlotte decided to sport her "Cool as a Moose" shirt from Maine - given to her by said auntie. Consider this your shout-out.


A message from Charlotte:

Hi Auntie Tara!! I'm excited to go to Central Market with you on Saturday. Make sure Mommy buys me something. And have fun with Mommy and Daddy on Friday night when you go out for an 'adult' dinner without the cutest baby in the universe. Don't worry about me - I'll be fine with Nana. I don't feel left out at all. I'm sure I'll have some delicious formula or some fine pureed squash for dinner while you are all enjoying roast duck with the mango salsa. Again, don't worry about me...

On a totally different note, we are beginning to wonder if Charlotte thinks she is a pug. You be the judge.

I Love Daddy and Spinach

Welcome to the world, Evan!!

Our great friends Amy and Jim welcomed their second child into the world today - Evan Andrew was born just before 10am and weighs a whopping six pounds, fifteen ounces. He is a giant compared to his big sister at birth. Charlotte's good buddy Avery was born at 28 weeks and weighed only two pounds six ounces. She had a scary first few weeks in the NICU, but is now a thriving, beautiful, and super intelligent two year old. Now she can add big sister to her resume. She has already met her little bro and fell instantly in love. Evan is lucky to have such a great big sis.
Amy did an incredible job enduring weeks of bed rest, and now she has a beautiful baby boy as her reward. Jim said he has reddish brown hair and is doing very well his first day on the outside. The whole family gets to go home on Tuesday. We are so happy for them and can't wait to meet big boy Evan! Congratulations Amy, Jim and Avery!! Charlotte is looking forward to giving Evan a wet and slimy kiss!!

Tooth Watch: 2006

At eight and a half months old, Charlotte is still a toothless wonder. Most of her baby friends around the same age have two or three teeth by now. Is this going to be like her refusal to come into the world when she was supposed to in early July? Is she determined not to fold into peer pressure and get teeth just because her friends have them and because the "What To Expect the First Year" book says she should have chompers by now?

Apparently Charlotte follows her own schedule, not one set by an evil book that makes you feel your child is weird if she doesn't follow the "What Your Baby Should Be Doing at 'x' Age" Column. Actually, Charlotte has been ahead for most milestones for her age (which I attribute to the fact that she is actually two weeks older than her actual birthdate says - she was two weeks late, for cryin' out loud!) For some reason, though, this tooth thing is an obsession with me. Every morning, I pry open her mouth (much to her dismay - she thinks I am going to throw a puff in there!) just to find pink and smooth (but still cute) toothless gums. We'll keep you updated on Tooth Watch: 2006. I know the moms reading this are thinking I'm crazy for wanting teeth - I'm sure teething is not fun for mom or baby, but I never said I was sane.

By the way - trying to get a photo of a baby's gums isn't easy. This took about 15 tries. Then I decided to add a picture of Charlotte being cute in her exersaucer. She definitely is off the charts in the "How Cute your Baby Should Be" column in the baby book!

Cousin Drew

Charlotte spent yesterday afternoon hangin' with Cousin Drew. Well, it was more like Charlotte rolled around and crawled backwards all over the floor playing with his toys while the D-Man slept. She tried out his new Bumbo seat, which she seemed to enjoy until she decided it would be fun to try to jump out of it. Hopefully she doesn't pass that trick on to Drew.

When Drew finally decided to entertain his guests and wake up, Charlotte mistakenly thought he was a pug and tried to grab and pull him every time she got close to him. Drew is probably already scared of his cousin. That will probably only last for the few months that he is smaller than Charlotte.

All in all, it was a fun day for Charlotte. Drew was very generous with his toys - he didn't seem to mind that she had them all in her mouth at some point. They all receive the "Charlotte Wet and Slimy Seal of Approval." Thanks for the great visit, Drew. We'll be back soon (we can say that now - how cool!)

Our Dr Doolittle

Charlotte's favorite thing (aside from fruit puffs) is animals. She breaks into the biggest smile and squeals with delight when she sees dogs or cats. Her two pugs are the best toys - they keep her entertained for hours. She loves to pull their fur, tug on their tails, grab their paws, and bury her face into their soft bodies.
On a visit to Auntie Tara's parents' house a while back, Mama and Papa Gibson were concerned that their two big dogs might scare Charlotte. To their surprise, Charlotte erupted into a fit of giggles when the very friendly lab and golden retriever rushed to her to sniff her and say hello. And you would think that four insane pugs (our two pups with Nana and JoePa's 'angels') might overwhelm little Charlotte. On the contrary, she tries to give them all hugs while they are swarming around her like sharks. Maybe this is a sign that our Charlotte is going to be a vet. That would be a good thing - she could give us a discount on the obscence amount of vet visits we make with our high maintenance pugs!

Goin' Bananas

Yes, it's another food post about Charlotte. Since eating takes up such a big part of her day, I always seem to reach for the camera while she's munching away. Soon I'll get a clue and take shots of her doing other things, but until then, here's Charlotte eating her first real food. I offered her a piece of banana yesterday. Without hesitation, she attacked it with her pudgy little hand. The real banana was not as easy to pick up as the banana puff, though, which frustrated her. After a minute or two of trying to pick it up, she finally got it in her mouth. I don't know if she liked the taste or not - I think she was just mad at it for being so hard to pick up. Subsequent banana pieces didn't go well, either, so I think we'll hold off on the bananas for a while.

Sweet! Something new on my tray! I'm so good at this grabbing food thing that I'm not even going to let go of the toy in my other hand. I am so talented!

OK. This is getting serious. I can't pick up this silly, slimy, yellow, scrumptious looking object. I had to let go of my toy. Come on fingers. Do your job!

Why must you be so elusive? Why won't you give in to your fate? Get in my belly!!

Success doesn't taste so sweet. Mommy, pass the puffs!

There's No Place Like Home

We clicked our heels three times, and we are finally in Pennsylvania!! Well, I wish it were as easy as clicking our heels. Charlotte, the pugs and I arrived on Friday after three days of having strangers pack up our house, deciding what went to storage and what went to our corporate housing, and enduring our last six hour long car ride for a while. Charlotte was especially good on the ride here. I think she knew she was coming home. It felt like the sign announcing the PA state line after leaving West Virginia should have said "Pennsylania Welcomes the Astons!"

Charlotte's Aunt Amy, Uncle Darin, Cousin Drew, and Aunt Sam all came over on Friday evening to our temporary housing to supply us with food and kitchen essentials - that was a very nice welcome back gift and a relief to know that we wouldn't have to scope out a new grocery store for at least a few days.

After our guests left, Charlotte and the pugs went down for the night. Charlotte slept incredibly well - over 12 hours. She didn't wake up until after 9am - over an hour and a half after her normal wake-up time. I wish I could say the same for the puggies. Trixie was up multiple times barking at noises she thought she heard. Emmet wouldn't leave my sight for a second. Even today, four days later, I have an Emmet at my heels at all times. He is normally not so clingy.

Jed came Sunday evening after making sure the movers got all of our stuff safely on the truck and cleaning every inch of the house. No rest for the weary - he started work today, only 12 hours after he arrived!!

It seems that Charlotte is handling all the changes like a champ, while Jed, the pugs and I are adjusting slowly. Maybe we should all learn from Charlotte about dealing with stressful situations and just smile all the time, take three naps a day, sleep 12 hours at night and enjoy eating so much that we wear half of the food on our face and our clothes.

Sorry there isn't a new photo of Charlotte. The camera is packed away somwhere around here. I'll find it soon and try to get a picture of her in our temporary crib. Until then, keep your fingers crossed that we'll sell our house soon!!

My Wicked Cool New England Aunts

Charlotte wants to give a big shout out to her Aunt Jill and Aunt Janelle. Her Aunt Jill just started classes to get her teaching certificate in elementary education. Charlotte thinks that Aunt Jill is going to be the greatest teacher ever and wishes she could be lucky enough to be in her class someday. Good luck, Aunt Jill - study hard!!

Charlotte's Aunt Janelle just finished med school at Tufts University. Last week she received her match to do her OB/GYN residency at UMass Medical Center. Charlotte is very proud of her Aunt Janelle for all the hard work she has done over the past few years. Aunt Janelle's future patients will be very lucky to have such a great doctor caring for them!!

Since Charlotte is a die hard PSU football fan, it was hard for her to consider wearing any other sports team's logo. In honor of her two aunts' big accomplishments, though, Charlotte decided to put off her PSU allegiance for one day to support their team - the Boston Red Sox. This photo is for you, Aunt Jill and Aunt Janelle!!

Puff the Magic Candy

To celebrate her 8 month birthday today, Charlotte had her introduction into the world of finger food - banana puffs. She was a little tentative at first. She got it into her mouth no problem - she's a pro at getting things into her mouth and has been doing that for months! Figuring out what to do with it once it was in her mouth was another story. Lots of drool and a few gags later, she eventually figured it out and now LOVES the yummy little puffs. Her first snack was around 2pm today. I got them out again while I was making dinner, and she screamed inbetween puffs if I didn't get one to her fast enough. I guess she likes them.


Hmmmmm...what is this strange star on my tray? Did Mommy give me another toy for being a good girl?

Let me investigate with my mouth. I'm not too sure about this. I think I'd rather suck on a napkin.

Abort, abort!! Whose stupid idea was this?

OK, this second one isn't as bad. Hmmm. Do I taste a hint of banana? I sure do love bananas.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Avery!!

A Birthday Message from Charlotte:

Happy Birthday to my best bud, Avery! I can't wait until I'm two so that I can be just like you. You started out as a tiny princess, and now you are a beautiful, fun and smart big girl. I am so happy that Mommy and Daddy are moving us closer to you so we can play more. And we'll let your little brother play with us only if he's not annoying. We need our girl time! Happy Birthday!!! Love, Charlotte

Life in Reverse

Over the past week and a half, we have made two trips to PA to go house hunting. The trips have gone well, but our place in OH hasn't sold yet, so we can't put an offer on anything. Looks like we'll be hanging out in corporate housing for a while. Yay.

While we were house hunting, Charlotte had a great time hanging out at Nana and JoePa's. She absolutely loves the attention she gets from the four crazy pugs. Even with all four of them running around the living room, Charlotte managed to start the early stages of crawling last week. She used to be content playing on the floor while laying on her back, rolling occasionally. This isn't good enough for her anymore - she now LOVES to roll all around the floor. She can make it from one end of a room to another in no time at all. In the middle of rolling, she is now putting herself in a push up position (this coming from a kid who HATED tummy time). She'll stay in that position for a while, trying so hard to move forward, but it just isn't working yet. She can, however, crawl a few steps backwards. She now just needs Daddy to teach her how to go from reverse into first gear! Hopefully our corporate housing will have enough open space for her to practice this new skill!

Rubber duckie, you're the one...

OK, so you can barely see the duckie, but trust us - he's there. He's always in the bath with Charlotte. Bath time is definitely Charlotte's favorite part of the day. She's practically outgrown the infant tub, though, so it's on to bigger and better tubs soon. Hopefully she'll like her new one in PA.

We don't know exactly where the new tub will be, yet, but we know it will be somewhere in Lancaster county. Charlotte is going house hunting with us this weekend and next. Her only requirement for the new house is a tub. Since most houses these days have at least one, she should be pretty easy to satisfy!