Christmas 2025

Another Christmas season has come and gone (and I am finally getting around to my recap!). Being our first one where Charlie wasn't a newborn made it all the more magical, and I tried to savor every single minute! We did lots of festivities leading up to the big day, including the Botanical Gardens Night of Lights with the whole family, Miracle Bar at Expat with friends, Santa Brunch at ACC, Cousin Christmas at mom and dad's, gingerbread cookie drop offs to friends, the "Molar Express" at our dentist, and many more! I took the entire week off this year, and Ellie and Max came to visit that Monday for a play date! We went to the ESP playground, lunch at Fully Loaded, and the Bear Hollow Zoo (which was a comical experience). That evening, I wrapped some presents and enjoyed a Christmas cosmo and the Christmas tree with a fire and Christmas movie in the background since we would be leaving for Augusta the next day. On the morning of the 23rd, or Christmas Adam as we like to call it, we went over to my parents' to do Christmas cookies and get our presents from them. Unfortunately, the flu ran through the Pittard household so they weren't able to join us. Charlie got some new pajamas and some farm house animal toys while we each got a very generous check from the townhome sale! Then, we enjoyed a takeout lunch from the Georgia Club before hitting the road and heading to Augusta. 

Charles' parents were having some friends over, so we enjoyed happy hour with them and then went to Sheehan's for a date night. We ended up hanging out with them for awhile back at the house and then called it a night. 

On Christmas Eve, Charles and I grabbed lunch at Farmhaus with the Siggs before running some last minute errands. We got ready and then went to the 4 pm church service at Good Shepherd. Afterward, we stopped by the Malchow's to say hello and then went to Mrs. Palmer's daughter's Christmas Eve party. Then, we came home, put on our matching pajamas, read The Night Before Christmas, and watched a movie before bed!

We had a slow Christmas morning opening some gifts and playing. Charlie got a toolbox, some farm house animals, a football, some books and trucks, and a new toothbrush/toothpaste! Sassy and D gave him a popper toy and some vehicle toys. Then we made breakfast paired with some champagne before going on a family walk (and stopping by the Ellison's to say hello). That afternoon, we had some people over for happy hour and then had a spaghetti dinner. I had tried making peppermint hummers this year and they were a hit!!

The next day, aka D's Birthday, was filled with anticipation with the Malchow kids arriving. Charles and I grabbed coffee and bagels from Trellis (and then Relic) before they got there. We grabbed lunch at Nacho Mama's and then opened the rest of the presents. I was so impressed by their stamina after being on a red eye flight all night! We kept the champagne and wine flowing and then topped the evening off with a "Thanksgiving dinner" (turkey, dressing, cranberry relish, greens, etc.) and coconut cake. Charles, Greyson, and I stayed up way too late talking! The next day included more fun cousin time together, some shopping, a trip to the dinosaur park, dinner at Tacocat, and then a night cap (or a few!!) where Ian and Sarah joined us, and then another late night for Charles, Greyson, and me. 

We said our goodbyes and headed home the next day to get back to reality! It was such a special holiday season with Charlie. 

1 Year of Charlie

Charlie is one! I cannot believe it. This time of year is so nostalgic thinking back to the anticipation of his arrival while celebrating the Christmas season, but life before him seems so distant at the same time. His little personality has come out so much these past few weeks and new skills and transitions seem to be popping up overnight. Charlie is the sweetest, most lovable baby full of so much joy. I continue to be amazed at all that he is learning at a rapid rate! 

This age brings so much excitement and Charlie continues to surprise me each and every day. He plays so well independently yet lights up so brightly when you just smile at him or say something. He is always on the move, but loves to pause just long enough to be held or to give a hug. He doesn't say any words except "da" or "da-da", yet uses his kissy sounds and mannerisms to communicate exactly what he needs. He has no fear to climb on things or explore, yet always looks over his shoulder to just make sure you are right there. He gets so messy while eating and playing, yet loves bath time more than anything. I wish I could bottle up this age forever, yet I can't wait for what is to come. Here are some highlights from this last month leading up to his first birthday. 

 Outings
-Cofer's to get our first Christmas tree!
-ACC for Christmas Brunch with Santa
-Molar Express at the dentist
-A few Trappeze dates
-Night of Lights at the Botanical Gardens
-Our first birthday party at Gammy and Grandpa Craig's house!

Milestones: 
-Mom and dad's first trip away together for a wedding... stayed at Gammy's!
-Started to point at things with his pointer
-Standing with no hands more frequently and doing a good job walking with his walker
12/3- Started sleeping on a cot with a blanket at daycare
-Took his first step on 12/7 right before going to the Night of Lights in front of Sarah and me! He did again on 12/8 in his room when Charles was there 
-Week of 12/8- started mixing formula with whole milk. 12/12 did full whole milk bottles then started doing it in sippy cups on the 15th. 
-Started sticking his finger in his mouth and gagging himself- weird phase!
-Fine motor skills are blossoming... figured out how to put the rings on the stacker toy super well 
-First Thanksgiving <3 Loved all the food!
-Met Santa for the first time!

Notes/things to remember:
-The way he laughs when I kiss his neck or tickle him
-The way he looks out the window in the car seat
-The way he laughs when I put toys on his head 
-The way he points at things in books 
-The way he laid down and looked under the couch to copy me when I was looking for a ball 
-The way he pulls and plays with my teeth?! 
-The way he smiled so big when he put the top on his pouch 
-The way he smiles so big and wide and his eyes squint
-The way he randomly lays his head down on the ground like he’s tired 
-The way he crawls to his high chair when he’s hungry 
-The way he uses his pointer finger to do things
-The way he doesn’t like any of the balls left in the top of his ramp toy
-The way he will just smile at you if you smile at him 
-The way he thinks it is funny to feed me food
-The way he grabs his loveys out of the crib and lies down on the floor to pretend sleep 
-The way he climbs the stairs so fast!
-The way he shakes with his fists when he’s excited or wants something
-The way he likes all the bottles to be off the ledge in the bath
-The way he leans in for a hug
-The way he makes the kissy sound whenever he wants something or likes it 
-The way he knows how to use the brush to "brush" his hair
-The way he motions his hands to show he wants something 
-The way he dances and sways side to side

Likes:
-Playing with the fridge magnets 
-Spaghetti sauce
-Cheese
-Loving books these days! 
-Spinning the toilet paper roll and lifting the seat
-Putting tops on things
-Still loving his loveys and pulls them out of his crib
-Drinking his water
-Sliding on the slide and climbing things
-Balloons
-Loves the lambs from the nativity scene

Dislikes:
-Being still
-Cake! Would not even try it after multiple attempts
-Santa

We had his birthday party on Saturday, December 13th at my parents' house. Lots of friends came and the weather was perfect! We had a variety of "reindeer games" for the kids to play along with 2 bouncy houses outside to keep them busy. The Grinch was playing in the movie room, and the hot chocolate bar was a hit! For the menu, we had an assortment of kids food (cheese, pouches, melts, goldfish, cheese balls), chicken tenders, a veggie tray, and Grinch hat fruit kabobs. Then, for his actual birthday, we woke him up with balloons. The three of us went to Mama's Boy for breakfast and then headed to church after his morning nap. We all went over to the Pittards for a birthday lunch and gifts (we attempted cake again and it was still a fail!). That afternoon, Charlie and I headed back out to The Georgia Club after nap to get a few things we left. Then, we picked up takeout from the club and headed back home to wrap up our day with books, cuddles, and lots of trips down our new slide!

Thank goodness we have the excitement of Christmas around the corner to keep me from wallowing my baby being one!! We are looking forward to lots of family time, fun, and festivities to close out 2025!!