The Orchards and some funny things

A couple of Saturdays ago we took the girls to an orchard that also has a petting zoo, a fun slide, and some other fun outdoor things. Charlotte had a blast and wanted to do what daddy was doing, which was pick up the goats.



She also thought it was pretty funny that all the goats kept trying to nibble on her shirt.

Clara apparently didn't like the smell too much . . 

Some of the neat toys they have there. 

A jumping "pillow".

I think it's safe to say it was one of the best days of her life.

In other funny things, her favorite sentence is:
Charlotte fell down. Which happens a LOT!
Another favorite sentence:
Baby WAKE UP!  (this is always followed by her roaring like a tiger, and usually also followed by Clara waking up. Poor Clara :) )

Baby Clara is laughing a lot lately and is still one of the most chill babies on the planet. Life is good!

The Bear

Our little Clara has got to be the sweetest, most chill baby in the world. For proof of her sweetness:

What she does most evenings, hang out with mama and dada on the couch. 

Love the little ankles crossed!

These days she likes to hang out, smile, sit in the exersaucer and bumbo, and play with toys in her carseat. She always has a smile for Charlotte, who likes to share everything with her baby from snacks and toys to kisses and sneezes. 

Charlotte also really likes to hold Clara--and by hold I mean harass. :)

Partayyyyyy in Michigan!

So the real reason we had Clara was to make it imperative that family come visit us. Okay, not completely, but it is definitely a perk :). Between all the visits, a week at High Adventure and a week in Brazil for Peter, plus some random trips to the hospital, we have been crazy busy! So here are some of the highlights . . 

Nana and Papa just left this last week--we had tons of fun at an art festival and eating delicious food. 

 A trip to the park . . . the ducks got a little close for Charlotte's taste. 

 And guess who slept through most of everything? She is probably one of the most chill babies we have ever met. 

 Charlotte really likes to help bathe Clara by dumping water on her in the tub. :)

 Blessing day. 

 Even Amanda and her boys got to come visit! 

 David and Chase hanging out.

 Whether they like it or not, they will be best friends. 

 And of course, if Grandma is holding Clara, Charlotte must be on her lap too.

We have been so blessed with such sweet girlies and are enjoying every minute of it. We have never been so busy in our lives, but it is a pleasure every day.

Clara!

Our sweet Clara Mae decided to join our family on the 17th of May, at 12:20 pm. After having contractions all night, Peter got up for work and instead took me to the hospital! Another couple of painful hours later, I got my epidural and we took a nap. My nurse midwife came in to chat and left to get the tools to break my water and while she was gone, it broke by itself. Probably the funniest feeling I have ever felt. 4 pushes later and she was here!

Right away she was a great screamer! 

Back at home, Charlotte can't be too far from her sister. She is always giving Clara big hugs and trying to hold her. 

Charlotte can hardly bear when Clara cries during tummy time and tries to comfort her. (And I try to keep her from smooshing her little sis)

So far all is going well with our family of 4 and it will be fun to see what personality little Clara has.

Let the voting begin!

Peter and I are hosting a contest for who gets to name the baby. Just kidding! But we do have a prize for whoever gets the closest to the due date! (not quite sure what the prize is yet, but it will be fun, I promise.)

So far the votes are as follows:
Caitlin--May 14 (sorry, but I think you lost that one, but I could jump off the couch tonight and speed things along :) )
Peter--May 15 (also conveniently his birthday)
Me--May 16
Amanda--May 16 (think we are sisters or what?)
Trish--May 18
Mom-- May 24

The actual due date is May 22, if that helps at all. I can't wait for her to come!

The zoo!

Peter had Good Friday off (another perk of the auto industry!) and we decided to take advantage of the good weather and take a trip to the zoo. Apparently the entire rest of Michigan felt the same way and we ended up parking on the grass at the zoo as the parking lot was too full to hold everyone!

We met our friends the Seibolds there and Charlotte was soooo excited to see their oldest little boy, Jax. 

Here she is on the way. She made elephant noises the whole time we were driving there.

And here's where we found out the elephants were traded for rhinos. Lame. 

But still excited to go inside the reptile exhibit!

Peeking at the giant crocodile. 

 So happy to be with her little boyfriend Jax. They are so cute together!

Love, love, love. 

On the way home after a very fun day!

Randomness and some Easter

Once again, it has been forever. In our rush to get all things done before the baby arrives (yeah, I don't think that is happening), I have been a total slacker. A little over a month to go and we will have a new little lady in the house! Peter and I both decided tonight that we are not ready by any means . . . but we do have the furniture ready thanks to his late nights of work. Once the nursery is set up all the way I will take some pics!

Anyways, on to Easter.

Charlotte, very happy to see her Easter basket! And just as happy to be with her Daddy.

While getting breakfast ready, we both noticed we hadn't seen Charlotte in a while. We found her eating a peep (she still keeps asking for "rabbits rabbits!") snuggled with her bear.

Enjoying her hoppy toy.

Ready for church!

And here are just some random cute pictures of what she has been up to.

This is partly how we keep her entertained during church. :) Sometimes that first hour can seem extra long . . .
She is saying so many fun things now and knows how to say and pick out most of her colors. She also learned how to say burp and toot (thanks daddy) and lots of other funny words. Most of the time we aren't quite sure what she's saying, but she tries.

The goings on of DETROIT!

First things first, Peter has a new calling. He is .. wait for it .. wait for it . . .

Young Men's President!

We are excited for this new opportunity and I am sure he will be so awesome at it.

The only downside to this was that because he would now be required at mutual every week, I was released from my calling so I could be home with Lottie. I will miss my darling beehives!

In some funny news, Charlotte's feet are finally starting to grow and she needed some new shoes. She is OBSESSed with these shoes and typically wears them from sun up to sun down.

Further proof:

I think my favorite part is her saying, "Stop stop" as Peter is taking off her shoes.

And some pictures!

Snow day! We haven't had too many of these this winter . . . knock on wood.

Not quite sure what to do with those mittens.

Another favorite of mine: The Lottster hanging out eating popcorn on the coach watching a movie with her daddy. So cute!

And by request, a pregger shot. 5 1/2 months and growing daily!

As usual, we miss you all so much! Love and kisses from the Andrew family.

Our favorite girl . . and soon to be our favorite two girls!

Christmas was amazing! Peter got over a week off from work and Charlotte and I got so spoiled with all the time with him. Every morning she woke up and would immediately call for Dada.

Also, Caitlin and her husband Jason were here for two weeks and she love love loved playing with them. We had the best time with them.

We also got to all go to the ultrasound to tell the baby's sex! And most of us were wrong in our guesses, but Peter was right again! Another sweet little girl. I am so excited that Charlotte gets to have a sister because anybody that knows me knows how much I love my sister and I love that C will have an Amanda of her own. (we do of course want a boy eventually, but we can try for one later!)

Here she is!

Just a funny video of sis (what we like to call Charlotte) going to town on her toys.

Also, some pics from Christmas!

Guess who wasn't a huge fan of Santa?

Consolation lunch after.

Christmas morning at our house complete with a goofy smile.

And Christmas at the grandparent's house. She spent most of the day pouncing on this bear.