Here’s our cutie in a dress by one of my new faves, Canadian brand Deux Par Deux. I think she looks like a candy store, don’t you??

What visit to a museum/aquarium/zoo would be complete without a visit to the gift shop? Once Charlie laid her eyes on this pink penguin I knew it was love at first sight. We’ll have to give her a name….

I’m actually really shocked these pictures turned out halfway decent! This morning Charlie and I piled in the car with Ms. Jennifer, Ethan, and Henry to check out the Shedd Aquarium here in Chicago. We rolled in right about 10 am and were pleasantly surprised to find it not very crowded. Maybe it was the fact that it was 10 degrees outside…something we truly discovered as we trekked the long walk from the parking garage to the aquarium!!

I didn’t get many pictures because A. it was really dark inside, and B. a Shedd employee yelled at us every time we tried to take a flash photo. We found ourselves sneaking one here and there. That song “Breaking the Law” crossed my mind as we defiantly strolled past the “Food and Beverage Not Allowed Beyond This Point” sign on the way to the “Wild Reef” exhibit upstairs. Charlie was in the midst of a cinnamon raisin bagel and I was NOT about to take it away from her!

Charlie got to hang with her “girls” on Friday morning. Little Anna was the only one who looked at the camera–we tried taking this pic about 50 times! Clockwise, from top left: Lindsay, Lauren, Charlie and Anna.

The little ones had a ball in the basement playroom while the adults drank coffee and nibbled on a delicious egg casserole, fruit salad, blueberry muffins, and mini bagels. So nice to have a place to stretch out!!! We can’t wait to do it again!

I’m having another Matilda Jane trunk show! This time, it’s all the pretty, girly things of Spring. It will be here in Chicago on Tuesday, March 3rd, from 7-9 pm. So excited!!! Check out these teaser pics (and by the way, I think I’m gonna have to have one in every color of that headband)…and leave me a comment if you are interested in details!!!

This is the “Woo Stew” knot dress I scored during the big Matilda Jane Art Fair Sale last summer. The designer for Matilda Jane, Denise, started doing Art Fairs years ago, and a lot of the pieces are one of a kind! It’s still a little wide on Charlie, but will fit her perfectly at the end of the summer/early fall.

I have to tell you all that the last week of Charlie’s life has been so sweet for Vann and I. It’s probably no secret that I’ve had my own issues with her late walking…it’s difficult to see that all other children her age are walking and have been for months. It’s really taught me to “check” my expectations. She’s been taking all kinds of crazy steps lately…and before lunch today, while I was catching up with my mom (Mimi) on the phone, she walked from the couch to the bookshelf like it was no big deal! It is so WEIRD seeing her upright…but, it is thrilling. I imagine by the time we arrive back in Chicago after our long trip away that she will be running everywhere. She just took her time with it…and wanted to make sure, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that she could do it without failing. We think she’ll take after Vann that way. That kind of resolve makes me feel so blessed (and secure) to know that there are people out there who will stand up for their beliefs and not back down, even under intense scrutiny. I pray that she lives her life with great fortitude and conviction. I know that Charlie will be a strong woman, and I’m so proud of the steps that she’s taken!

Last night we spent some quality time with our good friend’s, the Jernigan’s. Since we are in a season of “change”, why not start with a little hair makeover for our little girlie?

I do have to admit, it was so hard to lose the curls…the curls made Mommy happy…but we decided to go ahead and rip the band-aid off anyway. Ms. Jennifer did the honors. I’ve always admired little mod hair-do’s on toddlers. Charlie’s hair isn’t quite thick enough to mold just yet, but Ms. Jennifer did a bang-up job, and doesn’t she look sweet?

And, as for the curls, I’m all for change, but I miss them already.