A Bully In The Making

Charlie LOVES older kids. But one in particular. Her best friend? The cute little/big 2 year old upstairs, Madilyn. If they're not home, Charlie will cry. If she hears Madilyn screaming upstairs, she bolts for the door. If Madilyn says, "Chowly, come pay!", Charlie run-crawls after her.

I mean, look at them. They love each other.

They help each other out...

They clean together...

(if you couldn't tell, that's a swiffer in Madilyn's hand. She gave Charlie

the cool red broom.)

They admire themselves together...

And after all their fun, Charlie pulls her hair.

This is definitely my favorite picture of all time. I know that's a bold statement... But while Madilyn thinks her life is over, Charlie is soo... content.

Kids, watch your weaves.

He's not a He. She's a She.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have prayed to have a boy first... I guess this is what I get for that... And, honestly, I understood the first few times even though she was wearing purple because, hey, newborns are funny looking. But now that she’s 9 months, it’s getting old.

Here’s a few stories of people who insist on calling my daughter my son:

1. A few weeks ago I dressed Charlie in a hot pink shirt and leopard print pants and I made my way to the bank. These boys were sticking their fingers in Charlie’s mouth while their mom was right next to me with the other teller. Instead of telling them to stop, she commented on how cute he was and wanted to know how old he was. Do I look like the kind of mother who would dress her son like that? Apparently so. Anyways, I kindly said that “She is almost 9 months old.” Then she looked at me incredulously and replied, “This is a girl?!”

2. That same day I went to the mall. (Big day for me!) THREE different people commented on how cute HE was. I let it go the time they asked what HIS name was and I replied, “Charlie.” I guess there was no going back there.

3. My Grandma always thinks she’s a boy -no matter what she's wearing or how many times we tell her that she's a she. She also has Alzheimer's.

4. At church the other Sunday, I saw an old friend that I hadn’t seen in years. We got chatting and I was holding Charlie (who was dressed church appropriately in a cute frilly dress). But no, he asked what his name was. People can always see past our girly façade...

5. This week it was Matt that got to experience what I always seem to. They had just mentioned to him that we had a cute son... When he got home that night, Matt told me the sad story. This followed:

Me- We should’ve gotten her ear’s pierced before...then they all would’ve known she was a girl.

Matt- No. They’d just think she was an early-rebellious son.

Dang it.

Headbands are now mandatory.

I'm In Love... And It Hurts.

I really felt the need to blog about this. Yes, I have a cute daughter and a wonderful family... but this is going to kill me.

Guys... Girls... I don't know what to do. As you may well know, Christmas is like fifty days away, or something like that. So what's on my mind? Buying presents for loved ones? No. Boots!

bootsbootsbootsbootsbootsboots

No word of a lie, I've looked at over 3000 boots tonight! Zappos told me so. And that doesn't include the 7 other websites I thoroughly scrutinized. (Check out lavintage.com! So cool.) And why am I looking at SO many boots? I'll tell you why: This boot that I love is just too darn good for me and I don't feel I deserve it (or that I don't want to have to pay above and beyond my own Christmas gift limit) ...so I'm looking for one in my league. Which I can't find. Woe be my life.

It just teases me by saying, "Look at my gorgeous, buttery leather. My soul (or sole -whatever) molds to your beautiful foot. I could go with ANYTHING!" And then adds, while smirking, "But I'm too exorbitant for you." Oh Frye Melissa Riding Spur -you torture me.

Here. Look at it mocking me.

So yes. 3000 boots later and I haven't found one that tickles my fancy just as this one does. Or even a little less, to be honest. And I'm not sure what exactly makes me love this one so much above the rest. But something just fits me...and my foot. (I tried it on at Gravity Pope but it jumped $100 there compared to the WWW. Yikes!) I have exactly one week to decide.

What do I do?!?

Trick or Treat!!

I'll be honest... I was hoping for a more eventful Halloween. I mean, we have a kid now... Doesn't that mean we, as parents, get a huge bag of candy to eat for the next few days?? I know she's only 9 months and everything, but she really didn't enjoy it as I had originally hoped. Maybe next year we can stay up past dark?

This is Charlie: The Thoughtful Duck.

She was drugged up on tylenol and had a flu+cold+2 teeth coming in... and her mom wouldn't let her eat full-sized chocolate bars yet... I wouldn't be happy either.

And Matt? He just couldn't give up the mustache from his costume the night previous.

He would have thrived in the 90's.

She wanted to be mustached like her Dad...

I swear she loved it.

My favorite picture of Madilyn from the Trunk or Treat!

Cutest giraffe out there...

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!!