piglets and other springtime adventures

i can't complain about this past winter in iowa. it has been pretty easy, and now it seems spring is making an earlier than expected arrival. (knock on wood.) today was absolutely beautiful. it was in the mid-to-low 70s and sunny. we totaled 3 walks around town (one with steph and 3/4 of the maine boys), 2+ hours of fun in the sun, and an evening of grilling out. charlotte is extremely interested in the sounds of the outdoors. she was intrigued by passing cars, walking children, and bicycles. she also got to see & hear her first set of cardinals! (grandma alsman is always close by!)

just a few of charlie's favorite cousins!

today in our front yard, enjoying some vitamin d!

last weekend we visited some adorable 3-week-old piglets at morgan's parent's house. charlotte was initially startled, as the piggies loudly and rowdily decided to eat. (man, am i happy i am NOT a mama sow... those pigs are ROUGH!) one piglet locked eyes with charlotte and that's when the water works began. it didn't last long - daddy got her calmed down and she soon became extremely curious. it wasn't long before she was sticking her little hand out and petting the piglets. she's already more of a farm girl than i ever was!

on sunday, charlotte and i went shopping with my mom and sister. we stopped at theissen's (no, i do not shop there... cassie and mom wanted to stop!) and they had sweet little baby chickens for sale!! charlotte was IN LOVE with them. i would have brought some home had i known where to keep them. i took a short little video of them and charlie watches it every day, giggling and clapping the entire time!

charlotte has also started saying "kitty cat" whenever our family cat, weasley, enters the room. he hates her - it's pretty sad. she is absolutely obsessed with him and follows him everywhere, whispering "kitty cat, kitty cat" over and over. he is a giant jerk and runs away, usually hissing. charlie also got a new tooth (an eye tooth - vampire baby!) and is eating solids like a champ. papa mays proudly taught her how to lift up her arms when we say she is SOOOOO big! she follows this action with a big grin and lots of clapping.   :)

this saturday we will head to vanderveer park to get her 9-month photos taken. i can't believe how fast this is going! it seems like only yesterday we were heading to the hospital to birth our sweet babe!

terrorizing weasley, ironically in her orange kitty cat jammies

-the mays'