Making a mega mess

Since we will miss some of Charlotte's music class later this summer, we are doing make ups now. This has been a fun way for Charlotte to try things other than her usual class. Last week, we tested out art class. I was worried Charlotte would eat everything but she did pretty well using the materials for their intended purposes. It was exhausting trying to ensure she didn't smear blue paint on another child...or in her hair..or on me, but overall it was very fun. It was the perfect activity to do outside the house where someone else cleans up the mess!

Painting the wall...

...as she was instructed to do

Play dough table

After about 20 minutes, Charlotte left the art area to check out the sleeping baby.
She's baby obsessed. Thankfully, she didn't paint the baby.

Mom's Day & Night Out

A couple weekends ago, I packed a bag (just 1!) and headed to Portsmouth, NH with my good friend Audra. Charlotte and Audra's son, Sebastian, are best friends but we left both tots home with the daddies for the day/night. It was the first time Matt had taken care of Charlotte solo for 24 hours. It was also my first night away from her.

Audra and I spent the morning outlet shopping (not a fun activity with a toddler ... or a Matt), grabbed a quick lunch, then spent the afternoon vegging by the ocean. While it's fun to take Charlotte to the beach, it was so relaxing to be able to lay in a lounge chair and just watch the waves. That evening, we wandered around the quaint downtown area of Portsmouth, then ate the biggest dinner ever. Audra and I are both on the mom schedules so "sleeping in" meant we were up at 7 even without the kids around. We had breakfast, then headed home. It was an amazing time, but we were both ready to see our babes at that point.

Matt and Charlotte had a great weekend together in Boston. He'll have to add those pictures and write about it during his spare time...

Beach side sandwich shop

The bellies with the Portsmouth sign

The river

Quaint, eh?

Gym Class

Since it's so hot outside and all of our friends are on vacation, I signed Charlotte up for some summer classes. Charlotte loves to be with the other "kids" and usually has fun trying new things. Here are some pictures from last week's gym class.

Swing time!

Climbing up (and then right back down) the stairs

CHEEEEEEEEEEESE!

I thought this looked like tons of fun...Charlotte was skeptical.


Next up: Art Class

The second time around

I'd heard how different it was with the second child before even having my first. Having worked with kids, I felt fairly prepared and relatively calm during the pregnancy and Charlotte's first year. But, this time around, I think I've taken "calm" to a new extreme. Really, calm is probably not the correct word to describe it.

In all honesty, forgetful seems more accurate. Having Charlotte with me all day, I tend to forget I'm even pregnant (which says something positive about the pregnancy so far). I see my reflection in store windows while walking down Newbury St and am shocked at how big my belly has gotten. When did that happen? How am I already over halfway there?

Charlotte is growing up quickly though. Daily I realize she really isn't a baby anymore. We used to play peekaboo and I could say "Where's the baby?" and she'd giggle. She now turns her palms toward the sky and repeats "baby?" in search of some smaller person. I am trying to cherish the one-on-one time with her I have because, even though I know she'll be an amazing big sister, I also know her little world is going to change drastically in just 4 months.

So, while I took weekly belly pictures with Charlotte, this time around it seems I'm taking trimester-ly shots. 21 weeks- enjoy.