Holiday update

Hello and Happy New Year! My resolution was to smile more.... How do you think am I doing?

This is my "official" three month old portrait -- and below, my 13 week old portrait (these two auspicious events were only a day apart, so you won't see much developmental difference). Three months marks the end of me being a newborn, and I took my ascension into infanthood very seriously. All of a sudden, I've turned on the charm -- smiling and laughing and flirting and playing very very intently indeed. And sometimes I have a hard time sleeping (because I'm afraid I'll miss something) and eating (because I'm too busy smiling!)

It was a very exciting holiday season indeed. We went to East Aurora for Christmas, and had a great time being spoiled by Nonna and Big Pop (in the form of chip dip and egg nog for me, kisses and hugs for CJ.) Caroline met her Uncle Adam, Aunt Amy, and cousin Oliver for the first time and she visited with all her relatives at Great Aunt Sue's and Great Aunt Linda's on Christmas Day. And the presents -- oh the presents! Caroline is going to be the best dressed, most well-read, most well-equipped infant on the planet! All of you should expect text pictures when CJ models your new outfits. Thanks to everyone for your generousity!

On the 26th we jetted away from Buffalo and on to our next adventure -- New Orleans! We had a great time exploring the Crescent City. CJ walked the town strapped into her pack, enjoyed watching the street performers, getting caught in a cloud of Cafe du Monde powdered sugar (I tried to be neat, I swear) and going to the museums. The first day we were there was beautiful weather, but the second was very, very cold. We bundled up and did our best.

For New Year we went back to RBRSP -- Richard Russell State Park in the North Georgia Mountains. The weather there was much more conducive to playing outside, and we explored the trails, the beach by the lake, the golf course, and all the playgrounds. The highlight of the trip for me was the beautiful, yellow, full "blue" moon rising up over the lake on New Years Eve. What a great start to what is sure to be a memorable new year with an amazing, growing little girl.

And a bonus picture. We're working very hard at sleeping through the night. CJ goes to bed at 745 and sleeps until 1. I scoop her up to eat in a foggy haze, and then slide her back into bed to sleep from 2 to (hopefully) 7. The key to that plan working is getting lots of activity during the day -- she loves her bouncy seat! I will take a video of her in action soon.