A Warm Welcome

Tonight Daddy picked up some Mexican food for dinner for all of us to eat. When he walked in the door I was sooo excited to see him. We all ate together and Mommy took this picture of me giving Daddy a great big hug. I love Daddy to the moon and I know he just loves when I hug him!!

Love to all,

Carly Victoria xoxo

"The best thing to spend on your children is your time"

Today we got Carly's progress report from her teacher. Since she has been having so many tantrums these days, we've been questioning our technique and abilities as parents. Well, she got a glowing review. Her teacher said, Carly is helpful to others around her and to the younger children in her class. She shares and has a broad vocabulary. She is friendly, ready to use a regular cup, loves puzzles, dancing, art and singing. She always says please, thank you and you're welcome. Tonight we were reading with her, jumping on the bed, we made dinner together, had bath time, played with her puzzles and colored. Every night, Daddy puts her to sleep and every morning makes her breakfast. I guess we are doing something right. It's funny how today of all days, when we were questioning ourselves, we received this report. Sometimes it takes an outsider to remind us of the things we are doing right. I suppose we are all our own worst critics. We could not be more proud of her and I guess a little bit of ourselves!

Love to all,

Mommy & Daddy xoxo

The Brat in the Hat

Mommy took this picture of me after I screamed "haaaaaaaattttt" to her and she put it on my head. Don't let the picture fool you.......there's horns under there somewhere!

Love to all,

Carly Victoria xoxo

Don't mind if I do...........

Sometimes late at night, when I am supposed to be sleeping and Daddy comes home from a long day at work- he will eat dinner downstairs while I play with Mommy. Lately I enjoy dipping into his dinner to make sure everything is alright. Even though I already ate all of my dinner, I enjoy a bedtime snack every now and then. Last night his spaghetti looked extra good to me- so when he asked me if I wanted "some", I grabbed his fork and said "don't mind if I do"!!! Which in the Nichols house is an inside family joke..... I know you are laughing Mimi and Pop!!

Love to all the midnight snackers-

Carly Victoria xoxo

Meltdown..........take 6..............

Lately I have been hating Mommy's camera and refuse to let her take any pictures of me. I also have become very good at throwing myself to the ground, pretending to cry and having a major meltdown over just about anything. Today I had about five or six of them. Right after this picture was taken, Mommy took the Chap Stick away from me and I went into full blown meltdown mode. Mommy handles it by walking over me and leaving me to "sort it out". Usually it lasts about 1-3 minutes and I get over it. Sometimes they console me, but when it's over nothing.....they leave me be. I'm assuming so I can see the error of my ways. Daddy gave me my bottle and I passed out shortly after. Maybe I was just tired. To be continued........


Love to all,

Carly Victoria xo

Sisters

January 20, 2008

Any time a new baby comes into the home, it's going to be a big adjustment for the big sister. Madeleine is handling it like a real trooper. Today she was holding her baby sister and Mommy got to take a few pictures. She is a great big sister, Anna is a lucky girl!

Love to all,

Carly Victoria xoxo

Monkey see, Monkey do and do and do and do....................

January 20, 2008

Today Mommy and I went to visit Aunt Stacey, Madeleine and baby Anna again. As soon as we got there- I was causing trouble. Madeleine and I decided to play with the Playdough and I wanted to see how it tasted, every time I put it in my mouth, Madeleine started to crack up. Then she did it. Then I stuffed a tissue in my mouth and Mac started to laugh again, then she did it. When Aunt Stacey was finished with her shower we put on some music and Madeleine and I started to dance. Then we both had juice, then pretzels, then Madeleine wanted to watch Elmo and then so did I. Then she wanted her sit and spin- and so did I. We were laughing so much the whole time and I'm so glad I went to see her again. I love to play with her and obviously we like to copy each other!! Until next week................

Love to all,

Monkey #1 xoxo

Another nice gesture

January 18, 2008

Today when I got home from school Mommy noticed a package in the mailbox. It was a present for me. One of Daddy's customers made me a blanket when I was born. Well this year she made me a hat with a big pom pom on the top. I was wearing it while I ate my dinner and Mommy took a picture. Mommy said she is going to keep it with her stuff from when she was a baby and give it to me when I have children. Daddy said they are really nice people. They must be, because they think of me every winter!!

Love to all,

Carly Victoria xoxo

Making Sense

January 15, 2008

When Mommy first met Daddy, his family told her all the stories about when he was a little boy. She remembers the story of how Daddy had "his own language" and how he used to make-up words when speaking about certain things. Now that I am speaking more, I too have started my own list of words. I know what I mean and so do Mommy & Daddy. They always tell me that I make perfect sense. Here are just a few, hopefully you will remember them next time we speak. Deese=cheese; Mease=please; Bup=cup; Boy=Billy (the dog) ; Tan too=Thank you; doo-da-doo= rooster; wuk= work; yah yah= yes; shoosh=shoes ; kiki=cookie; boohma=spoon and goo-gal= good girl. Mommy & Daddy are very proud of all of the progress I've made and always encourage me to talk as much as I want. They might regret that some day, but for now yadda yadda yadda!!

Love to all,

Carly Victoria xoxo

The Next Generation................

January 13, 2008

This afternoon I went to visit Aunt Stacey, Uncle Ken, Mac and baby Anna. Mommy and Aunt Stacey have been friends for over 20 years. Just like them, Madeleine and I are 6 months apart. We also, just like them, get along like peas and carrots. Mommy said we are going to make it a weekly visit because she wants us to be as close as they are. I have no problem with that because I really like Madeleine. She's fun and funny and makes me laugh. I had fun today with her when we were copying each other and doing everything the same way. We shared an apple, goldfish crackers and watched Sesame Street together. Grandma always laughs and tells Mommy if we are like her and Aunt Stacey...............they are in trouble!!!


Love to all,

Carly Victoria xoxo

The Horse Farm

January 12, 2008

There is horse farm across the street from my school. Mommy always tells me that when I am a little older, she will bring me there to see the horses. Today she went to check it out and took some pictures. Hopefully if it is nice, she can bring me next week after school. When I am older, if I want too, Mommy said I can take riding lessons. The horses were so beautiful and I think Mommy made two new friends!

Love to all,

Carly Victoria xox

Carly -3 Potty -0

January 11, 2008

The Potty Training has been very successful. Yesterday at school I went for the first time number 1 and number 2. Everyone got so excited they were all clapping, yelling and jumping up and down. I suppose no one minded that in the middle of all of this- they were giving a "tour" to some new parents who were trying to see the Daycare center. I couldn't stop what was happening and I had to go because "nature called" so- go I did. My teacher Ms. Joann gave Mommy and Daddy a certificate and they have it hanging on the mirror in the living room. Today my teacher told Mommy I went again. Mommy made me my favorite dinner- cucumbers with ranch dressing, applesauce and squiggly pasta with sauce. We ate dinner together and celebrated my accomplishment. I'm not sure what all of the fuss is about but I sure do appreciate all the props!!

Love to all,

Carly Victoria xox

Suds!

January 9, 2008

Carly absolutely loves taking a bath. Lately she loves when we fill the tub with bubbles so she can dunk her face into them. She flops around on her stomach, drinks about 4 cup fulls of water and splashes us until we are also completely soaked. She laughs so hard sometimes- she snorts! Tonight we had to take some pictures of her because she was having so much fun for herself she could barely stop laughing.

Stay clean-

Love to all,

Mommy & Daddy