First Steps

Charlotte started taking a few steps here and there a few weeks ago, and has yet to stand on her own and walk across the floor, but she will pull herself up on something and then walk across the room. I was able to record one of those sweet first occasions.

Christmas Party

Every year our ministry group has a Christmas party, and it's one of my favorite meetings of the year. Everyone brings their favorite holiday food, we have wonderful fellowship, sing Christmas carols, and end the whole thing with a white elephant gift exchange. There are certain rules to our gift exchange though that make it "extra special". The thing is, you can't spend any money on it. So, what comes wrapped up by those we've come to know and love greatly, is anything from a hideous pair of "his and hers" matching Texas flag polos (sorry Steve) to a huge gift box, of, you guessed it, gift bags (compliments of yours truly who had WAY too many baby themed gift bags stored up after Charlotte's baby showers). It turns out to be tons of fun and the crazy part is that you actually find yourself wanting to steel someone else's really bad gift. These are some pictures our good friend, Stump (yes, that's his name), took at the party.

                                

TWMHTHS #8: Corn Bread

I hate corn bread. I don't know why. Sometimes it turns out a tad gritty. Perhaps it is the fake sweetness that just turns sour on you. Maybe it's too dry. I really can't put my finger on why I don't like corn bread other than I just never have. Maybe it is a taste you need to acquire over time? I like corn and I like bread... but the two together, just never did it for me. Pure strike outs. I know, I know, I'm not a southerner. But let's be honest here. Do you ever say to yourself "I want corn bread tonight" on your way home from work? Does your mouth water for corn bread? Just listen to the name "corn bread" and you'll be like... "well that sucks." Yeah that's right, I'm picking a fight with poor lil' ol' corn bread. "So tell me how you really feel Pete?" "Well I am glad you asked. You're a measley lil' strikeout 'corn bread' and you shame the name of 'corn' and 'bread' all at the same time... you're better off jumping into a vat of Mississippi River water. Save mankind from the terrible disease you are."

At the local CBHA meeting
"Hi. I'm Peter and I am a corn bread hater."

"Hi Peter."

"The first step to recovery from Corn Bread Hating Addiction is to admit we are powerless over corn bread hatred—that our lives had become unmanageable."

Ok. I have issues with corn bread. I admit it. So imagine my surprise when I came home to some dish that was accompanied by a corn bread prepared by my wife that I actually wasn't just ok with but actually liked. And who knew that yogurt was the ingredient it was missing all these years? Here's a corn bread I actually could be peaceful with:

This corn bread variant scored a 1B (Single) These kinds dishes are like solid hits in baseball. Sometimes they just beat out the throw to first base, but it is far from scoring still. And as a coach, fellow player, or fan, you're okay with a man on first base. It's a delight to see when you have a perpetual strikeout magnet like José Canseco at the plate (yes, I know Reggie Jackson has the most career strikeouts for any batter in the MLB at 2,597, but Canseco is the one that comes to mind first and he is # 5 on that list at 1,942).

For corn bread I like, contact my wife for the recipe. Otherwise please don't serve it to me. I'll be nice and thankful, probably try to cover it's nasty taste up with butter before eating it, but I won't ask for seconds. Please don't be offended if I turn down your corn bread.

Charlotte's First Birthday!

Charlotte turned one last week (November 5). I can hardly believe this year has already come and gone. It seems like just yesterday I was so excited for her arrival and waiting not so patiently for her to make her way into this world. So many friends told me to savor each moment I have with her because it all goes by so fast. It does indeed! But I am very glad to say I truly feel I've savored. She is such a joy in our lives and I feel so blessed to get to spend my days with her, seeing each new development as it happens. I could hardly imagine the day she would belly laugh or crawl across the floor to me or even lift up her arms to be held, and now it seems like all those things happen in abundance each day and every time is a delight.

This was the morning of her birthday, getting ready to eat Daddy's birthday breakfast treat - Dunkin Donuts. She's wearing some costume jewelry a friend of ours from church gave us, and she insists on wearing it sash-style.

Opening birthday cards from family and friends.

Opening a pretty pink birthday dress from her Grandma Taylor.

Having fun checking out her new play kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa Smith.

Pete grilling hot dogs and burgers at the park for Charlotte's birthday party.

Charlotte enjoying her first birthday cupcake.

TWMHTHS #7: Pardon the Pause for Some Chocolate Milk

My apologies for the delay on getting out some fantastic food finds over the past few months. Have no fear. I have been taking photos of the good treats although a few photo ops were missed (sorry Erich, I wish I had snapped up some shots of that Brisket... definite Grand Slam to the BBQ starved man at that time; many apologies to my wife's homemade alfredo sauce too).

So let's get The Way to a Man's Heart is Through His Stomach series jump started with something I like to call, My Little Secret to the best Chocolate Milk... and no it is not salt. But first, a story:

It's Discovery
Growing up in Baltimore, MD we often found our Christmas and Summer vacation travel destination in Sturgis, MI (no, not that Sturgis of Harley lore). My family, having been born there, returned to see the extended family. We either stayed with my mom's side or dad's side of the family usually alternating between the two.

My parents were not coffee drinkers (although my dad has become one in recent years). However, my grandparents on both sides of the family drank coffee. I distinctly remember my brother Andy trying and liking my grandma Moss's coffee while in the early elementary age years. The Smith grandparents had a house layout that basically had a kitchen as a main passage way between one side of the house and the other. As kids we felt more comfortable accessing the refrigerator there. On the way through the kitchen we'd grab a small glass and pour ourselves some Tang or cold water. Eventually I tried this stuff called Half and Half from the local Burger Dairy. Not too bad. I'm into the whole creamy thing. Turns out my grandpa used it in his coffee at times, though many times he'd drink his Folgers black (I remember the red metal cans of the stuff!). Well this one time, I decided to pour in some chocolate syrup. That's how I entered into the whole Half and Half world... and yes there are more ways than one to use Half and Half that I will reveal on down the line some day. There you have it, My Little Secret to the best Chocolate Milk.

I rate the stuff a solid 3B (Pretty darned good! Definitely a good place to score from) because there's really no way to put it other than it is the best Chocolate Milk you'll ever have. Missing a desert? Grab a small glass and enjoy a good surprise like watching a triple in baseball. Maybe give it a straw and feel like a kid again... sneaking in your new discovery on vacation!

There's a bear on the lose.

Charlotte just got to experience her first Halloween and it ended up being a good one. We went to a friend's house and met up with a few other families. There were tons of kiddos out on the street trick-or-treating and the whole group seemed to have a really great time.

Charlotte mauling  playing with baby doll at the church nursery Sunday morning.

Heading out to trick-or-treat. She insisted on wearing her pumpkin as a purse through most of the evening.

The whole crew heading out. 

 

 

 

 

Chili Anyone?

It Finally Sunk In

Tool Time

Fun With Food

So, tonight I tried to get Charlotte to eat more chunkier foods. I got some raviolis for her and made some carrots, cooking them down so they were nice and soft. I got her all "dressed" in her shirt-style bib to let her have at it. She took two bites and then threw a fit because she didn't want anymore. She cried louder than I had heard her in a long time. After I took a time out and came back to her, cuddled her, and put her back in her high chair, I went ahead and gave her some yogurt to eat. She always loves yogurt. She took a couple bites in between sobs and then wanted to stick her hands in it. She stuck her one hand in and it seemed to make her happier, so I let her just have at it. With this method we finished a carton of yogurt and a carton of baby veggies and pasta, and Mama almost had an anxiety attack because of the mess. But, a bit into it I figured I should make the best of it and laugh instead of cry and just enjoy the moment. Here's a video of the outcome of our evening food smear.

The Sweeter Side

I'm going to attempt to rein this blog back in to the sweeter side of things that does not include Uncle Pat's influence to Pete's Revisionist Family History photos. Here are a few shots of Charlotte that can hopefully work to redeem our blog and welcome back many of its followers.

Play Date

Charlotte and I got to visit a friend from church this week, Jennifer, and Charlotte had a fun time playing with their little boy, Judson, who is just a week younger, and their two little girls.

Nine months old!

Charlotte and I got to visit my good friend, Darcie, in Nashville last week. She has a four-month old, Dylan. Charlotte had a great time with Dylan....and had her first kiss.

She's such a ham - she actually smiles for the camera now.

Getting into Mama's make up - girls will be girls.

A little reading relaxation with Daddy.

Peter making Charlotte laugh up a storm before bedtime. Love it!

Laundry Time

Eight Months Old...and some change

Story Time

Charlotte started standing up on her own shortly before her eight month mark. This is how I first discovered her new skill.

This is what happens each time I put fresh laundry on the couch. 

I've learned to fold the clothes rather quickly.

Caught in the act. Charlotte was supposed to be napping and she knows that she shouldn't be standing up during nap time. We sneaked in and caught her standing up. She quickly corrected herself.

Peek-A-Boo Fun

Revisionist Family History Photo #11

Mango IN (circa ???) - Great Aunt Elsie was always so sweet. Leave it to the Zion Literature at the Administration Building to tell you the truth in people's hearts.

Fun in Myrtle Beach

This past week we enjoyed a fantastic week with Pete's family at Myrtle Beach (brother Andy, his wife, Jessica, their three kiddos - Christine (4), Josh (almost 5), and Ryan (6), brother Steve, and his mom and dad joined us for a couple days at the beginning of the trip).  This was the first time Andy and his family had met Charlotte in person and the second time his parents and Steve had seen her - the first time was a couple weeks after she was born. Here are just a few highlight photos.

We had a layover in Charlotte, NC, so we thought it only appropriate to take a picture of Charlotte in Charlotte.

Philosopher of sand. Turns out Charlotte really likes the beach and took to the sand really well. It surprised me because first off, she HATES grass, and as a child I couldn't stand the sand. I'm happy she enjoyed it so much.

Charlotte gets a little afternoon snack.

The boys and Christine had a blast in the outdoor sprinklers at Boardwalk on the Beach in Myrtle Beach one night. Just....being boys.

When I think of Charlotte, this is how I think of her. This is the classic Charlotte face. LOVE it!