A winter's day...

Charlie laughs at Dad on a very cold January Morning. This cold weekend marks her first snow day home with mom and dad and her first negative degree wind chill- you never forget for you first negative degree wind chill :)


Charlotte plays with one of her favorite toys- her purse. This purse, like many of her other toys sings a very catchy tune about going out.

Hello everybody!

Hello my name is Charlotte Smirnoff - I am from Soviet Union..I arrive in America and I see a giant sign- America Loves Smirnoff- What a country!

One of Charlotte's diverse array of smiles.

Here Charlotte sits in her swing and patiently awaits her parents to pop in the Baby Einstein First Words video...one of her favorites.

Last weekend Charlotte attended her first birthday party! We celebrated good friend Elyse's 1st birthday... Happy Birthday Elyse!!

Elyse thoroughly enjoyed her cake.. and we enjoyed watching her eat it. Elyse got some really cool presents and provided pizza for everyone at her party. Charlotte's buddy Dylan was at the party as well.

So fresh and so clean...

Charlotte enjoys here favorite night time ritual- the bath.

Charlotte loves splashing and playing with her bath toys.

This is the first and only time we've ever seen this look.

A new favorite picture of Dad's.

What? The buckeyes lost again? A loss in three straight BCS games? So sad. We are so distraught we can hardly take it.

Charlie enjoys her new Michigan hoodie from Great Grandma.

Charlotte cheers on the Men's Basketball team in their win over the Illini this past Sunday.

Why so serious?

Here is why- Grandpa's coffee breath!!

Charlotte enjoys her Nutcracker toy from Aunt Gwen and Uncle Tony- thanks guys!

Charlie hangs out with her pal Dylan and helps him search for Lightning McQueen.

Charlie and Dylan entertain their mothers on New Years Day.


BTW- Charlie is officially 7 months old today!!

Hip Hip Hooray for Christmas Vacation...

Charlotte's Babyblog pays tribute to the best holiday movie ever- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation....

This rocking chair I got from Great Grandma Charlotte is just a real nice surprise!




The fondest of holiday memories are those shared with kith and kin..

You know Dad, the little lights- they aren't twinkling.

Tis the season to be merry....

Charlotte reacts after receiving her one year subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club.

If they know your father, they won't think anything of it...

Good Ol' Fashioned Family Christmas

I've got a bunion on my heel and I'll give you a whole quarter if you rub it for me...

Charlotte was shittin rocks before Christmas.. but had no need to worry.

ZOO LIGHTS

If I woke up tomorrow morning with my head sewn to the carpet I wouldn't be more surprised then I am right now..

Hell his kids can fend for themselves...

If you need anything, I'll be upstairs asleep..

Would it be rude to ask the grandparents to stay at a hotel?

There is a nip in the air...

It's about your mother accusing my mother of waxing her upper lip.... your mother waxes her upper lip...she has for years...huh, doesn't show...

*** If any of the captions don't make sense to you- go back and watch the movie again and try to find the line that is referenced- really it will be fun!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!




Charlotte hangs out with her new Elmo Live Doll and anxiously awaits Santa.

More fun with Elmo.

Charlotte and Grandma Brenda spread holiday cheer.

Charlotte unwrapped one present tonight- a Cabbage Patch Doll from Uncle Joe and Aunt Leanda- thanks, I love it!

Double shot of my baby's love...

Charlotte shows a slight look of relief when realizing that she doesn't have to have any more shots for 3 months!

Charlotte remembers the horror of the day's events- four shots at her 6 month checkup! Like usual she took them like a champ, probably better than mom and dad.

Now for the box score- Charlotte weighed in at 16 lbs 15.5 oz (75th percentile), with a height of 26 inches (60th percentile), and her big old melon fell at the 80th percentile! She has to have room for all those brains in there. General health was good and Dr. Dawale reported that she may be a smart little tot as she is already experiencing the "stranger" phenomenon - generally reserved for babies 9 months of age. This indicates that her interpersonal awareness is advanced for her age.


Smart as she may be, she still enjoys chewing on the corners of her first Christmas Card - sent by Great Grandma Charlotte and Great Grandpa Al.

Charlotte enjoys her first Christmas Card.

More time with the card from Great Grandma and Great Grandpa.

Charlotte wasn't the only one who got a card yesterday- Mom and Dad got an anniversary card as well with money for a night out- courtesy of Grandma and Al! Mom and Dad gladly accepted this gracious gift and went out to dinner to celebrate their 4th anniversary. A big thanks not only to Grandma and Al but also to Aunt Daphne for hanging out with Charlotte while Mom and Dad went out.

It's the holiday season...

Charlotte and Mom look for Charlotte's first Christmas Tree at the lot just up the road. For the record - they picked a Douglas Fir, about 6 ft tall.


Charlotte and Dad carefully considering the pros and cons to various trees.

Charlotte poses in front of the little tree in her room- she looks so happy because she was just told that she is officially 6 months old!

Charlotte will now grab everything within reach, which included this reindeer.

Upon further inspection, I think you and I will be good friends reindeer.

Charlotte got to spend a lot of time with her namesake - Great Grandma Charlotte over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Great Grandpa Al and Great Grandma Charlotte had a great visit, highlighted by several bowling games on the Wii. Great Grandma even took a spin on the drums of Rock Band- and of course she rocked the hell out of her drum solo!

Charlotte enjoys her sweet potatoes, served by her Great Grandmother.

Ahh, the Tryptophan...or perhaps the Wine...either way napping is the tops!