


Charlotte-Amélie Rose Royle
18 months

The Importance of Being Yellow





Charlotte-Amélie's outfit from last year still fit (actually much better than before!!) So she enjoyed this year's October 31st as a Little Pumpkin again.
We took her trick or treating to a few neighbours' homes. [I think Dan just wanted some candy for himself!]. Hamlet & Ophelia came too, dressed as Eskimos.











Last month we got to visit the Doc's Office for Charlotte-Amélie's 15 month appointment. She spent most of the time running round the examine room... in fact the Doctor was 'impressed' with the fact she didn't actually stop the entire time she was in there :o) She said 'she just doesn't stop, does she?!!'
When asked whether Charlotte-Amélie could say any words (they look for about 3 at this age)... I explained how she can say a number of words, but the ones she uses consistently include: Mummy, Ginga (Milky-milk), Uh-Oh, and, she can sing Baa-Baa Black Sheep. The Doctor looked a bit surprised when I said she can sing, so I started singing Baa baa Black sheep, and Charlotte-Amélie began singing along. She wasn't really expecting that yet! Anyway, here's a few pics to show that Charlotte-Amélie had fun, while mummy got a bit bored waiting so resorted to snapping some random photos! Charlotte-Amélie doesn't usually get to run around in her nappy (Dr. Seuss cover for Dan), but she was ready to get examined, annnnd get a dose of vaccines!
Little Miss Sunshine










Charlotte-Amélie really enjoys waving at everyone who goes by. When I started taking the bus on little trips in the city with her, I would whisper "Wave Hi"... and she'd wave at the people who came on the bus, or who were sitting smiling at her. I think the habit caught, and now she just waves at anyone and everyone!

I am finally getting around to putting up some pictures from our past two weeks. On July 3rd, we ventured up the Road with the Bugaboo, sans Mites, to Grant Park and Taste of Chicago. It was a bit crowded, but I think Charlotte-Amélie enjoyed seeing everyone, and, having her supper at the Buckingham Fountain! We made it back home just in time for bedtime! Daniel had a great bbq pulled pork sandwich, and mummy enjoyed a big Polish hot dog. We topped off with some wonderful Chicagoan Cheesecake. yum.


I mentioned she likes pointing... This is her answer to:
"Where's the bird?"


Dan thinks this double-finger pointing pose makes her look like a rapper. She uses both fingers when she is particularly excited.






We also like that it is kid-friendly... but unfortunately Charlotte-Amélie is not quite tall enough to drop off in the child playzone. Daniel wanted to, but I think she is a bit young, even if she was taller! We tried to take Hammie to Ikea once, but they wouldn't let him in. Too bad they're not mite-friendly too. 


We were able to catch up with our good friends The Stakes this past weekend, as they are on HMA in Indiana. They invited us to Ty's grad party... it was hard to believe he is already graduating, as I remember babysitting for him and his brother when we all lived in Ecuador (I think I babysat for their hamster, Houdini, once too!) It was fun to see all the Scrapbooks & pictures, which included pictures of their work with HCJB in Ecuador, Australia & Singapore. I recognised quite a few faces ;o)
It was great to be able to catch up with old friends, and find out more about their new life in Singapore. 
There's a beach just 20 mins walk from where we live... so we ventured out with our little Strawberry, for Charlotte-Amélie's 1st trip to the beach. She was very excited about the grass, sticks, stones and sand.... we think she is going to be a gardener like Grandpa Alan.





Charlotte-Amélie had a very fun FIRST Birthday Party! She even managed to keep her party hat on almost the whole time ;o)



For the Parisian Puppies party, Ophelia made some special Hamlet cupcakes... with little frosted hammies on them and 'smarties' eyes. Unfortunately Daddy squished a lid down on them, and when mummy found them she thought the poor little hammies looked more like Yetis!
Pre-Baby, Daniel & I used to always enjoy stopping at Culvers for Fish & Chips and Frozen Custard Shakes! It is also a great place to stop on long road trips too :o) 

Lunchtime Entertainment
Cruising 

(Thanks Uncle Dennis for my Despereaux ears!!)

looks like both bunny ears and daddy ears are under attack!




Charlotte-Amélie is sporting her Maltese sweater :o)




Happy Valentine's Day . . .
I guess Charlotte-Amélie got tired out
Dinnertime!


Always having fun with the mites. We have a new game called "dog" - where basically I hold her and run after the mites chasing them saying "dog.... dog... dog....dog." Charlotte-Amélie thinks it is very funny, and laughs every time! The mites put up with it, but just try & keep their fur out
of her grasp, as she's getting good at tugging it. Hamlet's favourite thing is stealing her teddies and toys. He's gnawed two teething rings so far (and punctured them!) ... and has recently taken to climbing up to her crib and pulling überbear (Charlotte-Amélie's night-time/nap-time bear) out by his little foot. Poor Überbear.
... he began to shout!
Poor Hammie and Ophelia were stuck in the elevator also, and when they heard my voice they were very anxious to get out. Dan, being the kind of guy who knows how everything works, came up with a cunning escape plan, facilitated by our curtain pole. The lift still stayed stuck - but the emergency forces soon came to remedy the problem. 



When I'd heard the late night knock on the door, I have to admit I was very anxious. Dan had been out for a loooong time, and when I saw the solemn old ladies through the peep-hole, I immediately feared "something had happened to him." The old ladies were quite adamant that "something had happened to him" ... I don't think they quite got the point that I was just happy he was alive, that they had heard his voice... and my husband and doggies were just stuck between the 5th & 6th floors... rather than some place a little more bleak!



Auntie Goosey came to visit, and brought Charlotte-Amélie some really cool "sheepskin" boots. She is quite the trend-setting baby now! 
Charlotte-Amélie had fun pretending to be Auntie Goosey by trying on her hair... and also eating Auntie Goosey's face.
Poor Auntie Goosey!
She received quite a bit of inspection from the little duckling!
We hope her feathers and beak have recovered.



