A Very Special Blanket

I have a couple of blankets and quilts from my childhood- they've come out into our blanket box since Charlotte has been here- it's nice to snuggle up into one of them while watching tv and eating popcorn- or if I'm feeling a little sick, or tired.
I wanted Charlotte to have something like that too! She has a couple quilts that were made for her- that we love and cherish- but this idea- this is something every special.
It's just a blanket, tied, not quilted. Once she got down to it, it only took my Mum an hour or two to complete. She's a quilter, but I don't think you would need to have any major expertise in the area- just some basic knowledge and a sewing machine!

I saved Charlotte's onsies and t-shirts from the first year of her life-- her first christmas, easter, new years, and all the cutsie ' I love Daddy' and 'Princess' shirts. Most of her clothes goes to her little cousin, but not these- I knew I wanted to save them for something special.

We cut them up- sewed them together, and made a blanket. Flannel backing- comfy-warm and wonderful.

Now- I had this idea when she was very tiny- so sometimes, before a holiday, I would go on a hunt for a goo shirt, or perposly try to not get lots of stains on a shirt because it would be perfect in the blanket... I know, I know!
I got the idea from my Mum- she made one for herself out of a bunch of her running shirts-- she's a runner, and often at races you get a cotton shirt when you register with the name of the race on it. Those shirts get much more use being put in a blanket than they would in the back of her closet!
She also made one for my brother... maybe this is turning into a family tradition!
But really- you could do it with anything-- swim meet, or figure skating competition shirts, soccer jerseys, kid's favourite clothing.... no limit!


Here are some pictures

I'm so glad I have a mother who can do something like this! It will forever be cherished!

Diaper Fairy

Well, about 8 months ago, when Charlotte was still drinking her milk from bottles (and had become quite attached to them) We told her that the 'Bottle Fairy' was going to come and take her bottles to the babies who needed them and she could use a sippy cup for her milk. She was so proud and so happy. And the transition was a BREEZE! we talked about it for a few days before ad a few days after, and she was fine!

So- now that shes just about 2.5 we've decided that the Diaper Fairy will arrive! A few months back she was very interested in going pee and poop on the potty- so of course, we encouraged it- but then she got constipated and decided that her diapers were the best place to pee and poop. Her language skills are quite good- and so she tells us that she will pee and poop in her diaper- because she can- because she has them.

So- now, that she is a big girl, the diaper fairy will be coming to give her left over diapers to the babies!
We've been talking about it for a while, and she's excited! We decided, since we were going to have only panties, and pull-ups for transitions and sleeps ( hopefully not for too long)- we would also change her to her toddler bed (take the rails off her crib). That way- when we take her to try to pee on the potty during the night, I can actually reach her! (I'm very short!)

So tonight I wrote a note for the fairy, with the help of Charlotte. and she collected all her diapers into a bag- ones from the diaper bag, and from her room

and now... look what she woke up to in the morning! How exciting!

and here she is pretending to sleep in her 'new' big-girl bed!

She is growing up WAY too fast! But this growing up thing is fun! it's a new adventure every day!

I bet you could guess the title of this post....

Updates!
I feel like every time I post here, I need to do a little update- because it's been so long since I've written.
I guess that's the life of a busy family with children.

In the past 2 months Charlotte has developed more than I would have ever imagined- she now says EVERYTHING... and doesn't stop talking- she talks, and talks and talks, and I wouldn't change it for the world!
She can now count to 5!!! She even points to things and counts (1-1 correspondence!) which is great!
She's starting to tell stories (some true,some completely imaginary!), a d make comments about conversations we might be having- she's adorable, witty and altogether funny!

Here are some recent pictures

Isn't she growing up? 

It's so hard to believe it's been over 2 years now. She amazes me

Favourites

It's been over 2 months since I've written.
2 busy months with my little girl, and my husband.

Lots to update with Charlotte- I'll do it a little differently...

New Favourites:

Song: BaaBaa Black Sheep - she sings it to her baby doll and NEEDS to be sung it before she goes in her crib for bedtime!

Game: Magnetic 'fishpond' type game

Activity: Building blanket/chair forts with Daddy!

TV Show: Cat in the Hat - or as she calls it 'GoGo'

Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear - Eric Carle and  Pat the Bunny

Words (based on how often she says them :)- ' Don't want to', 'Charlotte Do it', and 'Up Please'

she can say everything now, and mimics all the time. She talks A LOT!! It's great to see development happen. Sometimes she will stop mid-sentence, and you can just see the 'wheels' turning in her brain- then she'll figure out the word, say it, and carry on with her sentence.

She loves to wear boots and take her shoes/boots/slippers one and off! She likes to pick her own clothes out of her drawer, and loves getting to wear pull-ups sometimes!  I think she's going to love dress-up clothes in the next few months!

Playdoh is a favourite as well... and painting and colouring! I think she's going to love arts and crafts!

She's so much fun!

Of course, with a little one who is 2 in one week.... there are tantrums, and moments where the word NO comes out of her (and probably my) mouth way too often! but for the most part- everything goes smoothly! She is a wonderful, kind, and loving... a cuddly little girl!

Bye for now....I'll try to updates more often.

Halloween with her 'Ama'... not sure how to turn it around, you'll have to turn your laptop- or your head! 

At middle cove beach!

Mummy, daddy and Charlotte

Charlotte and her dolly- this dolly used to be her grandfathers!

Charlotte picking a pumpkin- and trying to carry it all by herself!

Eating her halloween cake!

Jane

Wonderful, Heart Breaking Moment

I've just written a blog post on my Letters to Noah blog, which belongs here too. A wonderful yet heartbreaking moment that  I shared with Charlotte... Here it is, copied directly from letterstonoah.blogspot.com


Dear Noah, 


Today is Mummy's birthday. I'm 30. It's funny, because when I was little, 30 seemed so, so, so old. It seemed as if when you are 30 your life is almost over. When I was little I felt like all 30 year olds had life all figured out, their plans had been made and fulfilled. My plan was to have finished having all of my family by the time I was 30. Who knows, maybe I am finished. We'll have to see what the next few years bring for Mummy's aging, and fertility - challenged womb.  I guess 30 means I am all grown up. Somedays I really don't feel like it- and other days, I feel like I have aged enough in the past few years that I should be a 70 year old women. 


I wanted to tell you about a moment I had with your sister the other day. We were playing in her playroom (you would love it! it's cat in the hat themed- with yellow walls, and all the books, toys and craft supplies you would ever want.)  We were playing with Charlotte's babies, because right now, she loves babies. Mummy had her locket on that Grammie gave me soon after you died. Charlotte loves necklaces, so she was playing with it while it was on Mummy's neck. I said 'gentle' and so she started to rub the locket instead of pulling on it (your sister is slowly learning to be more gentle!! it's taken a while!) 
Then she said 'see, see', which means she wants to see something more closely.  
So I opened up the locket 


Charlotte said 'E', which means Baby


and I said ' yes, That's Noah. '


'NoNah' said Charlotte (which is what she calls cousin Norah, so I'm not sure if she thought you were Norah or not!) 


Then I said 'Brother Noah'


and Charlotte said 'Buffa?', gave your picture a kiss, and said  'awwww, Buffa'. 


Then, she went on playing with babies, asking me to put a diaper on one...


This melted Mummy's heart, and broke it at the same time.  I want her to know you and love you, she will know you and love you. But I so, so want things to be different. I want her to KNOW you , really, and truly know you- play with you, argue with you, play games with you... This was a perfectly, wonderful, yet heartbreaking moment.  


Charlotte is young, very young. She isn't going to understand about you, her brother, for a while yet.  But I will keep talking to her about you for now, ad forever- at her level, to  help her understand that you were here, you are with us, and you are loved.  Loved like any other brother or sister than may grace us with their precious presence.  Loved, like she is loved- without all the same cuddles, and kisses. 


I love you Noah. 
Forever and ever, and ever, and ever- you are my baby boy!


Love you forever, 
Mummy

A tidbit of our Ontario Trip

It's been forever since I've updated the Charlotte blog! Instead, I've been running around playing with her, and painting our new house! Here are a few photos from our recent trip to Ontario!

C with Grampie!

C in her flower girl dress, for Jocelyn and Greg's wedding

eating wedding cupcakes!

mummy and daddy were there too!

playing with parker!

blowing bubbles- look, it's Noah's garden in the background!

swimming with grammie was sooooo much fun!

in a boat!

stickers on my nose!

with Great Grannie!

at the beach with Mummy and Auntie Kristin

hand-in-hand

with Uncle Steve!

Visiting Noah's stone at the cemetery

holding hands with Addison

cookies with great grannie lloyd!

3 friends! Avery, Charlotte and Kai!

visiting Noah's tree

Holding baby Amelia!!!

Avery and Charlotte in their coordinating outfits!

We had tons of fun! and I have about 600 pictures from the festivities! but 20 will have to do here :)