Letters to Charleston - 1 Year Old

To my beautiful daughter on her very first birthday!

I'll never forget the day your daddy went back to work after you were born, and I thought to myself, "Alright, Miss Charleston, you and I are in this together." I had no idea what I was doing and I had no idea what being a mother truly meant.
In a way, we both grew together over the past year. You learned, and I learned, but in many ways you taught me more then I taught you.

For the past year you've been my biggest worry and my biggest happiness. I stayed up at night researching things so I could always provide the best for you. We spent every day together - laughing, dancing, singing, and exploring this world. But with each new chapter we've opened together, I've somehow learned to love you more, and differently. I feel confident that as you continue to grow and learn, our bond will only strengthen as time and challenges try to tear it apart.

You were born in the era of social media, selfies, and hashtags. For me, my #CharlestonBjana was the best excuse to capture every moment since your birth and share it with so many who love you across the world. Your favorite thing in the whole world is face time. You love to face time Grandma Terri. You would sit there forever if she sang you Old McDonald. lol. And you also love face timing your cousins, Jonathan & Hunter.

You have grown so much this past month. Your pulling yourself up all by your self. You went from walking across furniture to walking on your own. Your still working on the whole balance thing, but your getting better each day.

The last few nights you have wanted me to rock you to sleep. Which Im ok with, bc Im sure those will be far in between here soon. You never really have been just a "snuggler," but Im happy to take them when you are. Your still sleeping through the night and waking up at 7am. Some mornings daddy or I will be up before you, which amazes me.

This past month we started the sink and swim lessons as well. Your so fascinated by water and your always ready to jump in.. I wanted to get you into the class that teaches you how to float if something should happen. Especially when so many family members have pools. You cry the whole time, but your doing so well. I think its mainly bc Im not in the pool with you or holding you. It makes me feel better that your not the only crier. About 90% of the kids are crying as soon as they get in the pool. But everyone progresses so fast and so well. Only being a year old, Im so proud how well your doing.

I still can't believe your a year old already. I look back at all your monthly pictures and see how much you have changed since day one. You have chunked out and slimmed out all at the same time. Your hair has lightened up and started to curl in the back. You def get all that from your daddy. Your personality is shinning through and your are such a giggle box! I love watching you grow and progress every day!

I love you to the moon and back!
Mommy

P.S. I finally finished your book from your birth! I have it displayed with Payton's Birth book as well! I wish you knew what it was like to have an older sister! Your one special girl to have a big sister watching over you while you grow.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Letters to Charleston - 5 Months Old

Dear Charleston,

Yesterday you turned 5 months old. I can’t believe you’re already such a little lady. You’re still full of smiles but you’ve picked up many new skills in the past month. You can sit up (with a little support), reach your toes, hold your own bottle, blow bubbles, roll both ways and jump a ton in your bouncer. You even love to sit in your bumbo seat and watch Kate and Mim Mim. You have become more vocal in the last few weeks and sometimes I think you just like hearing your own voice. But I don't mind.. It's so cute!

We saw the pediatrician for an unscheduled visit this month bc of a little cough you had.. But luckily it went away as fast as it showed up! You weigh 15 pounds and probably somewhere around 25/25.5 inches. Most of your clothes are still 0-3 and 3 months, although you can wear a few 3-6 months depending on brand. Your hair is lightening up just a touch and has started falling out. Your eyes look like they will stay blue like Your daddy's and I.

Dr. Lewis suggested we start solids with you at 4 months, but I’ll admit it: I wasn’t ready. That is just another sign that you’re speeding away from baby status. My plan was to wait until 6 months, but every parent knows that a parenting plan never goes as you’d like. You have already started staring at solid foods and reaching for it. We decided to start you on avocados first. You didn't have much of a reaction to it. You hated the whole spoon feeding thing more then anything. We have also started sweet potatoes, squash and pears. Sweet potatoes you liked for a few days but when you got the spoon feeding figured out, you didn't care for sweet potatoes any more. Squash you kinda liked and pears you didn't like at all. I think we have apples next to try! I've been trying to extend your in between eating time but you want to go back wards. You were eating every 4hrs, your now eating every 3hrs. It averages somewhere between 3-5hrs. Depending on your days. Your such a chunky monkey!

You went on your first road trip this month. We went to Orlando to see Grandpa Hoey and your Great Grandparents Hoey and Carbonaro! You did so well in the car ride. Slept most of the time. Even when you were awake you were quiet as can be! You got to meet so many family members while we were in Orlando & of course you were the topic of all conversation!

You took your first trip to the Magic Kingdom while we were their as well!! You enjoyed seeing all the colors and characters. Cinderella's step sisters wanted to keep you! You can't help it - your just so cute! We did a Disney 3D orchestra show and you loved it. Well until u got sprinkled with water & then you were a little confused. But I think your first Disney trip was a success!

And sweet pea, you don’t know it, but you have a friend who watches over you from heaven. Her name is Payton and she would have been 17 months old tomorrow. She didn’t make it though, and that makes Mommy and daddy very sad. But we are lucky to have such a sweet little guardian angel to take care of you.

Mommy and Daddy are so glad that you found us. I never could’ve imagined that you would be so perfect! I LOVE your head full of brown hair, and you look just like Mommy! Your my mini me! 

You’re still a laid back, smiley girl and you know how to light up a room with your infectious smile. You’re still sleeping well at night, but you fight sleep during the day during nap times. Dad & I love you so much. We can't forget about Hera! She loves to protect you and her favorite thing is to lick all your drool off. You’re growing and changing so much. It’s what you’re supposed to do, but Mommy just wants to bottle your 5 month-old sweetness for now. Please don’t grow up too fast.

All my love,
Mommy

Letters to Charleston - 3 months old

Dear Charleston,

How are you already 3 months old?  What happened to my tiny 6 pound baby?  You're doing exactly what you're supposed to do, sweet girl... growing, learning, and thriving.

This past month was full of new little milestones, changes, and lots of smiles. But I must confess,  I have yet to start your baby book. Between sleepless nights for mommy, snoring noises by daddy, and everything else in between - I hope these letters help freeze time just a little bit by giving you a snap shot of what you were like at only 90 days old. We feel like you've been with our family forever while at the same time it feels like you were just born yesterday. 

Your smiles make my heart beat fast and my insides melt. You have been using those sweet smiles to communicate with us. I love making eye contact with you and seeing you smile at me. It's during these moments that I realize you have fulfilled something deep within me, you make me so happy to be a mom.

Your learning to take naps in your crib during the day, but your still sleeping in your pack n play at night. You still preferred to be held and snuggled, but we love to snuggle with you! You are still sleeping through the night, and I love waking up to your giggles in the morning. 

You love holding on to shirts when your eating or snuggling. Its so freaking cute. You have tiny feet, your newborn sized shoes still don't fit. You can still fit into some of your newborn clothes but your wearing 0-3 months for the most part. Some are still a little big. You are in size 1 diapers, but not sure if you will be in them much longer. 

We have not weighed you since your 2 month appointment, but I'm guessing your roughly 11 pounds now. Growing girl! You're also getting very strong, getting close to being able to hold your head completely on your own (even with those cheeks), and we are always shocked by your strong little legs.

You are often a little fussy in the evening, but nothing that can't be fixed by mommy snuggles. I always tell daddy - mommy snuggles are better because I can pick you up and with in minutes your fast asleep. Daddy try's so hard, but you just prefer mommy snuggles! You like to talk and coo. Your not much of a screamer, but we're not going to complain about that. You like driving in the car, but have had your moments where you want to be out of your seat. We recently took a road trip to Charlotte and you did so well. You go everywhere with me and do very well being out and about.

You LOVE to sit up and see whats happening around you. I'm not sure how far you can see and how clear it is but you like watching the tv with us. I think you just like the moving bright colors. 

You are so much more alert, smiley, happy, and occasionally a little "demanding".  You have acquired some new nicknames from us:  Sweet Pea, Chunky Monkey, and of course, my baby girl. 

You bring endless happiness to our life, even in the moments you are sad or grumpy. There is so much excitement, even in the little things, and it really puts life into perspective. We still spend a lot of time just staring at you. You are so special and I am reminding myself to cherish every day with you, because these days with my little Charli are numbered. You are growing so fast! 

Mommy loves you so much!