Week 53 - We survived a year! Long first birthday post

Charlotte had the most eventful of weeks that would make any normal person weak in the knees from the flurry of activity. Charlotte was a champ though - starting with Grandma Kathy's arrival late on the eve of her birthday. Charlotte's birthday (last Thursday the 14th) meant a questionably timed doctor visit (I suppose I never thought about getting shots on one's birthday). Charlotte seems to be developing well on all the major metrics except her pointing skills are non existent (and sweetie same-aged Javier seems to have mastered this). Speaking of pointing, Charlotte seems to have 'forgotten' her sign language skills - the only one she seems to be using with any consistency over the last few days is 'sleep.' She does occasionally feature a 'funny face' for good measure.

Back to the doctor visit - the vital stats are: 10.03 kg (she has lost .24 kg over the last 2 weeks - probably because of all of the walking) and is 75 cm - which means that she is half of my height (and half my weight too! Haha).

I keep forgetting to mention that Charlotte is obsessed with belly buttons - she lifts everyone's shirt just to confirm that we each have one I suppose. Maybe she is doing an inventory of innies and outies in the house... She also is climbing the platform beds in the house.

The night of her birthday we took Charlotte to Al Forno where she dined on chicken rice (brought from home), eggplant and the saltiest pasta with meat sauce she has had to date.

Saturday we had a soiree for Charlotte. She chose her destiny in her hanbok - and she chose to be a scholar. And then for all of the noise and attention from her choice - she cried. It was some kind of adorable.

Here is Charlotte in a pretty blue dress:

Cheeky at her birthday dinner:

Charlotte the cheerleader in the making:

Channeling my inner Martha - desserts for everyone at Charlotte's party. Mini cupcake burgers with sugar cookie fries and pudding and whipped cream shakes. All with a custom burger flag:

Charlotte getting ready in her hanbok:

Ready and hot - the hat lasted for two seconds:

En route to choosing her destiny...

... and she chooses to be a scholar!

"I regret my choice! (just kidding - all the attention and noise was a bit overwhelming I guess)"

Charlotte's amazing chocolate cake - courtesy of Ling:

Charlotte clapping with her cake:

Charlotte samples her 'larger' burger:

Charlotte's first taste of chocolate:

Charlotte in our new weekend park in Telok Kerau - her first time on a swing:

Charlotte had an outdoor 'funny face' bath because her usual bath venue was full of birthday goodies:

Charlotte clapping on cue at her birthday dinner:

Charlotte choosing her destiny (repost from Facebook):

Charlotte's first birthday cake: