Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas! We enjoyed it from Houston this year, where it was 70 degrees, unlike in New York on the bone-chilling day we took this picture (and subsequently got sick for a week). It was worth it though! I'd wanted to take a picture at the Brooklyn Bridge each year, and finally we made it. Full report when we get back!

city holidays

Playing with Manny. Caught 'em both looking!

Happy Holidays from New York! Next week we fly to warm Houston to spend a couple weeks. We can't believe this is our last Christmas season in the big city. Every year we've taken our Christmas card photo in a different NY landmark and this year we went all out so watch out for that.

In other news, Helaman is DONE interviewing for oral surgery residencies. The countdown clock on the right reminds us how long it will be until "match day" which is when all the applicants find out which program they will go to. He interviewed at the following schools (in alpha order): U of Alabama (Birmingham), Columbia, Emory (Atlanta), Houston, U of Kentucky (Lexington), U of Louisville, Parkland (Dallas). Wish him luck!

Last week we ventured over to the Garden State Mall (wow!) on the Mexican shuttle bus and it wasn't too bad at all crowd-wise. Much better than a Manhattan street during the holidays. Little Charlotte is a great shopper, beaming at all the people. The funniest part was on the way home she completely conked out in my arms. Nothin' like a good day of shopping!

little doll

I found these cute bows online at Brilliant Bows that stay in Charlotte's hair. They had a money-back guarantee that they would stay in fine hair, so I tried it out and love them! She looks like even more of a little doll!

5 years ago

5 years ago!

I recently discovered Google Group Chat and love it! The other day I was talking to Jen and Lachelle at the same time and it was like we were hanging out again as carefree single gals in Mesa teasing eachother about the silly boys we dated back then. I had graduated from BYU a year earlier and was working at a law firm in Phoenix. We were also talking about this picture so I had to go find it. Awesome decorating huh! So much has happened in 5 years - I never thought I'd be 2,474 miles away (in an apt half the size of that one). Where were you 5 years ago?

winter clothing

Not just anyone can pull off a hat like this

Ella a bit miffed that Charlotte showed up to lunch bunch with the same color scheme

Happy 4th and Thanksgiving!

Catching the last of the fall colors. Charlotte took this pic

Last Wednesday, Helaman and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary! It was wonderful to get out of the city and into the boonies for a while. The drive up was full of color. We were at a resort in the Berkshires in upstate Massachusetts. An excess of pre-Thanksgiving shopping led us to forgo a fancy dinner in favor of a good old mall food court experience. We couldn't top last year's Tao dinner, so why try? The resort sponsored our shopping trip by giving us $100 to take a tour of the timeshare property and try to keep a straight face while a very nice salesperson tells us that although we have no home, no income, and no car, we should buy a timeshare.

I'm so thankful for a husband who is (usually) content to shop for hours on end with me. Like I said, we went to the outlets and mall before Thanksgiving, to scout out what me might like to get when everything went on sale on Friday. What we found was that most stores already had their post-Thanksgiving deals going on. I checked with the employees to make sure. Then, I was shocked to find out that some stores (I'm looking at you, Target!) had WORSE deals on Friday then they had had on Wednesday. I was disappointed at the time, but happy to know that I won't be missing anything when I do not join the Black Friday maylay next year. I'll be there on Wednesday.

The first snow!

Charlotte loved the chilly air! She always got very excited when we went outside. This is outside our condo.

The resort had an awesome indoor pool with a view of the ski slopes. Charlotte LOVED her first swim lesson. Those little legs were kicking all over the pool!

We drove out to some waterfalls right at the NY/Mass border, not knowing that you had to hike into them (only about 3/4 mile) but it was challenging with a stroller.

Bash Bish FallsFor Thanksgiving dinner, we ate at the Golden Eagle Restaurant, which is located high on a mountain with amazing views.

It was very cool every morning to see the snow-makers coating the runs.

We won!

Feeling like a rock star already

Occasionally I enter online "mom blog" contests. About a month ago I won these Robeez baby shoes from Boston Mamas, so I thought I'd give them a shout out in appreciation. They are a bit big for Charlotte now, but she will love them soon when she starts toddling around.

Charlotte has recently started demanding balanced meals. Or rather, she won't eat vegetables unless I give her fruits too. It's hilarious - if I bring out a green meal for her she'll start screaming, but if she sees another color offered up too.... all is well.

Houston trip

Together again!

While Helaman was on the interview trail, Charlotte and I went to Houston to see my parents. Helaman also stopped in for the weekend for his UT-Houston interview. I am happy to report that my flights went off without a hitch. Charlotte got her own seat for every flight - luckily I had her car seat. On our way back to NY, we even got the best economy seats on the plane - the first row behind 1st class!

Approval from Cousin Jeff

While in Houston, Charlotte perfected her sitting up skills and has started to clap. She loved seeing her cousins.

What a difference 7 months makes! Charlotte with new cousin Lucy.


Happiest Grandma on the block

We had a great time in Houston, shopping for baby toys and clothes! Charlotte loved playing with her grandparents.

another pumpkin!

I know what you're thinking - not another carving! No... it's Charlotte under there in a costume she liked a lot more than her ladybug outfit. She wore it all day while we went shopping. Only drawback - people couldn't tell she is a little girl! I guess she'd make a cute boy too. Thanks to all who gave our [losing] pumpkin carving a shout out with support (see last post for details). It really needed it at a time like this.
It's fitting that she is a little pumpkin as that is what all the nurses called her in the hospital when she was born because of her orange color! Speaking of.... congrats to Pete and Sheralie who just had a little girl of their own today - Lucy Anna, who narrowly escaped being a Halloween baby. There are now 4 grandkids in our family - 2 girls and 2 boys.

more tricks and treats

Our ward Halloween party carving entry. It didn't win. We suspect foul play.

Had it with the party

pumpkin carving for non-dummies

Our first carving of the year.

Helaman and I love to carve pumpkins. It all stems back to October 2003 when my office building in Phoenix had a contest. We entered 5 pumpkins (hauling them all in to work was slightly embarrassing). One of them did win - I wish I had a picture of that one.

Pumpkin carving has come a long way.
This is me and my two older brothers showing off some classic Halloween gear.

Halloween Preview

Happy Fall!

We are really enjoying the fall weather here! Here are some cute recent pictures.

Showing off the thigh-rolls

Sonja teaching the ever crowd-pleasing "clap" at her birthday party

Higher, mom!

Hiding her big smile behind a nuk

I've been busy trying to organize Helaman's whirlwind tour of the southeast coming up as he interviews at Birmingham, Lexington, Dallas, Houston, Louisville and possibly San Francisco all in the space of two weeks. Keeping track of dinner and meeting schedules for each city and trying to get flights at just the right times (and for the right prices!) reminds me of my four-month stint as an executive assistant a couple years ago. No wonder I didn't last. Hanging out at the park with Charlotte is much easier on the nerves.

baby in the city

Last weekend Uncle Pete came to visit. The weather was wonderful out, and the restaurant manager gave Charlotte a balloon to attach to her stroller which she appreciated.

After trying about 8 different bottles, nipples and sippy cups, Charlotte made peace with the Nuk nipple. Since it is the same shape as the pacifier she's used since birth, that probably should have been my first choice. It is a relief to know she won't starve when Dad babysits.

First pair of shoes! I got some (ok - a lot) of fall wear for Charlotte she can't wait to try out when the cooler weather sets in. Who can resist little baby girl sweaters and skirts in pink and brown?

Ode to H

Helaman left today for San Francisco to attend the American Dental Association's annual meeting to present the research he has been involved with the past couple years. He got to go because he won the research competition that Columbia had in March the day after Charlotte was born. She was his good luck charm! We're so proud of him and his hard work. Usually this blog focuses on Charlotte but today we are going to solely brag about Helaman who we miss already.

1. Who is your man? Helaman

2. How long have you been together? We will have been married for 4 years in November.

3. How long did you date? 8 months.

4. How old is your man? He is a young one - 26.

5. Who eats more? He does - just watch him with a fresh batch of Choco-Baloccos.

6. Who said I love you first? He did - May '03

7. Who is taller? Helaman 6'3"

8. Who sings better? Helaman refuses to even try to sing.

9. Who is smarter? Hmmm ..... I think we are smart at different things (how is that for diplomacy?) But I think it is true.

10. Who's temper is worse? Mine! Helaman is one of the most easygoing people ever. I can count on one finger the times he has gotten piping mad.

11. Who does the laundry? I do - I have a hard time letting him do it after a certain favorite sweater of mine got thrown in and ruined.

12. Who does the dishes? I do. And we have no dishwasher, folks. Ahhhh!

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? We like to switch it up.

14. Who pays the bills? I do. He doesn't have the temperament to yell at people when bills are wrong, which for some reason they often are!

15. Who has bigger feet? Helaman. Especially when he hasn't trimmed his toenails! Ewww!

16. Who has longer hair? I do.

17. Who is better at the computer? Helaman. Though I of course I am better at blogging.

18. Who mows the lawn? The teenagers or immigrants we plan to hire when we have a lawn.

19. Who cooks dinner? I do most of the time, but Helaman has a few recipes he likes to whip up so he can test out the tips he gets on the food network. Cooking together is my favorite.

20. Who drives when you are together? The MTA busdriver.

21. Who pays when you go out? Whoever bothered to bring a wallet.

22. Who is most stubborn? Charlotte - especially when faced with bottles.

23. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I always apologize, then say "aren't you going to apologize now?" And he laughs and it is all better. It works!

24. Whose parents do you see the most? It is pretty equal as they are all very far away.

25. Who kissed who first? Helaman kissed me our first week of hanging out. I can't even say first date because we hadn't gone on a real date thanks to the "hanging out" phenomenon of young singles in Mesa.

26. Who asked out who? I asked for a date and he came up with one.

27. Who proposed? He did on his birthday!

28. Who is more sensitive? I am super sensitive. I cry all the time especially at cheesy TV show moments.

29. Who has more friends? We both have a few really good friends we keep up with through the years.

30. Who has more siblings? Technically Helaman does counting his half-siblings (7) compared to my (5).

31. Who wears the pants in the family? We are good about sharing them.

Good luck in San Francisco H! We love you!

6 Months!

I can't believe our little girl is 6 months old! Charlotte is now 15 lbs. 8 oz. and 27 inches tall. For her half birthday, she got her own room! Last night was the best sleep I've gotten in a long time. After much rearrangement, she now sleeps in the hallway, which conveniently closes off with doors from the living room and the bedroom. She's enjoying her freedom to sing and talk at all hours as well as the balmy temperature, as opposed to the freezing cold we like to keep our room. Everyone wins! Except the stroller, I suppose, which is going to have a hard time getting down the hall.

open mouth, insert foot

I'd rather have a foot in my mouth than a bottle!

Andy, Charlotte's first boyfriend. She was enamored with his thick red hair.

Puttin the moves on Lincoln.

all smiles

First time on a swing!

Charlotte loved the swing at the park this week. What a great smile! One thing she's not loving: bottle training. I've never seen such a picky baby and it's driving me a little nuts. More on that later.

So Helaman has interviews so far at Dallas, Lexington, Atlanta and Birmingham.