The Ducote Family: New Year, New Month

The first month of the new year seemed to fly by. As much as we are trying to soak up these days, the months just seem to go by faster and faster. Charlotte is growing so quickly and is such a happy, easy going baby and is becoming so much fun to interact with. She loves the constant entertainment in our home and the other kids truly do just love having her around. We had quite a few rainy days this month but it really didn't seem too bad. Once I'd start to feel cooped up we'd have a sunny day so would get everyone outside again which would hold us over until the next set of rainy days. Overall, the month wasn't super crazy so it was nice to have some downtime especially after the hustle and bustle of December.

With Rich losing his job at the end of December he was around all month long, searching hard for a new one and we are happy to say that by the end of the month he found one and will begin the new job on February 6th. He is basically doing the same exact thing as before but for a different company and losing the benefit of having him work from home. This will definitely be a transition as we have loved having him work from home for the past 3 years but we are thankful that he found a job so quickly. He will have to travel more in the beginning, too, since he'll be overseeing a large project out of San Jose, but we'll make it work and are thankful that we have my family close by to help when needed.

Katie and the kids came over at the beginning of the month to hang out for a few hours which is always such a treat.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I just have Julia and Charlotte with me for three hours in the morning so Jules and I definitely get some special time together. She is turning into quite the independent almost 2 1/2 year old...actually I take that back. She has always been independent and mature for her age but it seems that it is extra fierce at this point in time. She is totally capable of basically doing everything by herself (I mean, I know that sounds crazy, but she gets dressed by herself, puts on her shoes, can go to the bathroom, get a snack...she's definitely the real deal!) I know I've said this before but she is legitimately funny, too. She always keeps me laughing with her different mannerisms and even with her idea of a joke such as coming into the shower with her underwear on, fully aware that she is trying to be funny. Now don't let all of that fool you, because she still definitely has a side that is almost 2 1/2...she can be very whiny and a bit sassy, but that smile just makes you forget all of that....most of the time!

"Do you like my hat?"

"Like this?"

Nani took the "big girls" for a sleepover for a night over the first weekend in January and they had a blast!

While the big girls were at Nani's it was fun just to have Joseph and Charlotte alone together which never seems to happen. Rich was actually at a Veteran's conference in Los Angeles for the weekend so Joseph and I stayed up late to watch a show and then he got the treat to sleep in my bed! Charlotte liked the extra attention from just him, too.

On January 13th, Joseph didn't have school but Ella did so we dropped her off and then Joseph, Julia and Charlotte and I headed to Lake Miramar. I ran with the girls and Joseph rode his bike and had all of his dreams come true riding through the huge puddles from the rain from the previous days. He was soaking wet by the end but loved it!!

We met up with friends from Joseph's preschool later that day on the 13th at Hilltop Park and the kids had a blast playing together and then once we got home we were in the cul de sac with our neighbors. They spent basically spent the entire day outside...a pretty perfect day off from school!

Yes, that is Julia lying down in front of the swings but nothing to worry about- they were playing some version of tag!

Continuing to love our daily routine of playing in the cul de sac after school.

Rich and Joseph met up with Matt Martin, Zack and some other friends on January 21st to go to Monster Jam again this year. They had a great time (as evidenced by Joseph's scream in this picture!)

Fun in the bath with the girls! While Joseph showers, I normally bathe all three girls in the bath together these days. I'll wash Julia and Ella first and then bring Charlotte in while the older girls play with her and they all love it. I do have to say though that I really miss our bathroom in Texas!!! This normal size California bathroom just doesn't cut it when trying to bathe three girls at once...but we make it work!

Nothing like a post bath naked walk up the stairs in heels!! I mean, seriously, life doesn't get much better than this!!

Rich went to a networking conference on Saturday, January 14th so Laura and I met up at Mission Hills to hike with the kids. It was a gorgeous day and everyone had a great time as usual when we're together.

Cole wasn't feeling great so he didn't make it. Joseph especially missed him but still had a nice day.

This was the scene from a lazy Sunday morning before church on January 15th. Just a typical Sunday turning the kitchen chairs into forts and I was just laughing at how Charlotte was so intent on watching them (and this was the last day that she sat in the bouncy seat since she was basically leaning out of it reaching the floor-eek!!)

Stuff scattered everywhere...

That afternoon we met the Ozecks downtown for the Martin Luther King Jr. parade. The parade was a lot of bands and just groups marching but the kids just had a good time being together and dancing and it was a nice change of pace for the weekend.

We played at the Waterfront playground for a bit before driving home so I could feed Charlotte.

Charlotte had her 4 month appointment on Monday, January 16th and I brought Ella along to get her 4 year old shots. The shots for Ella were pretty traumatic but thankfully she survived.

Julia received a belated Christmas gift from Godfather Greg and was so excited about it!

Just hanging with Charlotte on January 22nd.

I just love our walks to and from school daily. The girls are often caught walking together ahead of me and just chat the entire way. If it isn't raining, we walk! There were a few chilly mornings this month but we bundled up and survived. I kept telling myself that Lindsay walks to and from work in Brooklyn so a 1/2 mile walk to school in 45 degree weather really isn't that bad. The kids didn't seem to mind at all either.

Aunt Cindy came to visit over the weekend of January 21st so we went to my parent's house for brunch to catch up with her. It is always so nice to spend time with her and Esther and we were able to see cousin Chris and his girlfriend which was great, too.

Just cozying it up with Julia on January 26th.

We always walk home with our neighbors, Brandon and Alex, and Ella has a soft spot for Brandon. They walked the entire way home together side by side-I'm pretty sure they didn't say a word to each other but she was on cloud nine. In the mornings they drive and whenever they pass us they'll always yell to us and whenever Brandon yells, "Hi Ella" she always lights up. And so it begins...

It doesn't get much cuter than this!! The smile, the curls...just love this girl!

It was a beautiful day on January 28th and surprisingly we didn't have any plans for the Saturday morning so we went over to the Westwood club to play some mini golf. Julia was over it by the second hole but everyone else played all nine holes and Daddy even scored a hole in 1!!

We spent the afternoon of January 29th just hanging in the yard and the kids finally used this awesome chalk/paint that we have had forever. It seriously was so neat and they loved it.