Charlotte's Birthday

Today was quite the success!! Before I went to bed last night, I set up all her gifts and got everything ready to go for the big day. She walked right passed my display, but quickly found it and exclaimed, "is this for me?!" She had to wait until Josh came home too pen anything. No biggie! 

Charlotte took her donut holes and goodie bags to class, where she also wore a birthday crown and was sung "Happy Birthday" to. 

While she was at school, I cleaned got the birthday cake baked (but that turned into a disaster so it ended being cupcakes), and worked a little. I don't know why, but (attempting to) baking a cake for Charlotte is really important to me. Even though I can't cook/bake and really don't enjoy being in the kitchen, I feel like baking a birthday cake is so special. Yes, weird, I know. Charlotte was so excited and helped frost the cupcakes when she came home.

After school, we ran some errands and then headed to the MARTA station for a huge surprise!! My parents flew in for her birthday!! They told me a couple weeks ago but I've kept it a secret. She is so happy to have hem here!!

We came back home and waited for Josh. Once he came home, we opened presents!! I was most excited for her real tea party set. I was so excited when I found this at the Pottery Barn Outlet.  

She also got a new dress made by my grandma, with matching purse and fun things inside!! Thank you!

Charlotte got her first out of Nike shoes for her new "Playball" after school extra-curricula activity. 

During our Labor Day shopping, Charlotte picked out a new lunchbox and matching water bottle for her after school activities. She loves the water bottle so Michigan, she brought it to dinner! 

Birthday pajamas just might need to be a new tradition (like Christmas). I couldn't resist these donut PJ's I found at Costco. I mean, you all know how much we love donuts!! And yes, she's sleeping in them now. 

After presents were opened, we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. But opted out of dessert since I had chocolate cupcakes and vanilla ice cream waiting at home! 

The day couldn't have been more perfect. We love you baby girl!! Happy birthday! 

Where did the last 4 years go?

Charlotte turns four today. WHAT?! I just cannot believe I have a four year old. But more of what I am amazed and grateful for is my miracle baby. I can't hold the tears back when I think about the way this little girl has changed my life. How can I love this little human so much? Why did Heavenly Father send her to me? I feel like the luckiest mom. 

Charlotte's little existence started as quite the surprise to me, Josh and our whole family. We got pregnant a lot sooner than we had planned, but we all know how that goes! We were thrilled from the moment we found out I was pregnant and for nine months, we kept imagining our lives with a little baby. Charlotte was born right after we moved from Provo, UT to Orange County, where I tell Josh all the time, was the best year of my life. We had lovely doctors, loved where we lived and from the moment Charlotte entered the world, I enjoyed every second of her. 

I was induced two weeks early and after having an incredible pregnancy, I had an even better delivery. We opted out of having her go to the nursery each night and she slept in my hospital room. Josh went with her to all her testing the rest of the day. The day after she was born, Josh had to leave and move us in our apartment. That was one of the hardest days. It was actually horrible. I realized right then and there the special bond the three of us instantly had. While Josh was gone, Charlotte was next to me in her little bed and I just looked at her and talked to her and told her how much I loved her. I still do that every day! Josh came back that evening and we had an emotional reunion. We hate when he has to be gone from us.
{Birth Story}

The next year was amazing. We went to Disneyland at least once a week, the beach frequently, and we went swimming like every day. Josh made sure we were having fun and living a great life. I am so grateful I could savor every moment with Charlotte. I do feel very fortunate. 

When we moved to Charlotte, NC, I had a hard time adjusting but luckily, I always had Charlotte. She brought so much happiness to me and cheered me up even on my saddest days. We spent so many days at Carowinds, exploring new parks and splash pads, hanging out with friends and continued to have so much fun together! 

Now we are in Atlanta and she is more lively than ever. She always makes up songs and asks, "Mom, is that a sad song it a happy song.?" She loves reading books and is great at her alphabet. She can spell and write her own name and gets smarter every day. She is very into her baby dolls, playing in her kitchen, coloring, and painting with water colors. She gets excited to go to Sunbeams and preschool. This school year, she will be attending every day along with ballet after school one day a week and "Playball" once a week, exposing her to different sports! Charlotte shares well and has lots of friends at school. Her teachers always have nice things to say! She loves her cousins and talks about them all the time. She is having a lot of fun living by Eleanor and seeing her often. She keeps everyone laughing and wants to be included in everything. 

Josh and I love Charlotte. She is our everything. We are so proud of the little girl she has become and look forward to all that she will accomplish. 

Today she will be going to school, taking donut holes and goodie bags for her friends (since we aren't doing a party this year) and then there will be some fun surprises during the day. Josh will be home for a special birthday dinner, presents and dessert. Yes, I am baking a cake per Charlotte's request! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLOTTE! 

(If you have read until now, wow! Even though I'm not good at blogging anymore, I have to record my feelings.)