Myrtle Beach, SC

Well, I'm a little behind on posting the recent events of the Burritt family so I'll start with the beginning of August. We took a family trip to Myrtle Beach, SC with Kyle, Teri, Kyri, Bryan (Teri's brother), Kay (Bryan's wife) and their daughter Aubry. We're an adventurous bunch so we decided to make the 16hr-ish drive down there with the girls. I was pleasantly surprised that Charlie didn't cause us to stop on either the way down or back. I'm not saying that she didn't have a few "moments" but nothing that required us to stop. Owen and I enjoyed ourselves as always when we are around the ocean but it was fun to see it through our daughters eyes this time! Here are some of the pictures that we took...

Getting ready to start the trip
















Charlie seeing the ocean for the first time

















Entrance to the condos where we stayed
















Eating dinner with Daddy

















Charlie feeding the ducks




Owen's attempt to ride a bull





The whole family
















Charlie just couldn't handle all the excitement from her big trip. She fell asleep during her first dinner back home

Holiday Weekend

We had a really nice holiday weekend. On Friday we walked up to the Bartlett Fest to check out the food, music, games and rides. We ate dinner while we listened to the band and Charlie got to run around and dance.

On Saturday Owen golfed with my brother, Dad and cousin. They had great weather and everyone golfed well so it was a good time. After golf was over we all met up at my Aunt Denise and Uncle Dave's house for a family bar-b-que. Charlie just couldn't wait for dinner so she had a snack before we left.























After dinner Charlie had to check out all the happenings in the backyard. She enlisted Shannon to help her inspect the tree.






















She also need to inspect the bags game to make sure that no one had an unfair advantage.



















On Sunday Owen golfed in Bartlett at the Firecracker Golf Scramble. The guys came in 7 under par, so it was a good day. The DeLee's have adopted us as part of their Independence Day family so we celebrated with them for the fourth year in a row. Luckily, the weather cooperated so we were able to hang out in their backyard.






















































Charlie heard that there was going to be a bags game so she needed to inspect this set too.



















Once she was finished and felt confident that no one had an unfair advantage she let the boys play.




















She was very proud of her inspection skills so she rewarded herself with a chocolate covered pretzel. Actually, I think she rewarded herself with a few pretzels!



















After we pried the pretzels out of her hands we walked home while the fireworks were going off. Charlie didn't get to see the fireworks last year so this was her first experience. She didn't seem overly impressed but that might have to do the fact that she was extremely tired.

Owen had the day off today so we took advantage of the nice weather and went over to a local splash park. It was a nice time and we all really enjoyed fun family time!

Catching up with pics

Owen and Charlie on Uncle Kyle's boat
















Charlie loves the wind in her hair...even if she is facing backwards!

















Kyri liked the wind in her hair too. It even put her to sleep.


















Charlie likes to get tossed in the air by her Daddy.























She kept asking for more...























One last time...

Charlie's First Words

OK, I had to write this down as I had another proud papa moment. Charlotte isn't completely talking yet but I think she is getting close. Today, I was working and Charlotte wanted to say goodbye and she said "bye Da Da". Now, it could have been just babble but I am positive it was clear as day, her saying bye da da. Work has been hard and quite stressful lately but her words made my day!!

The Zoo

We enjoyed some nice weather this weekend and took Charlie to the zoo. She had a lot of fun walking around but it was pretty crowded so it was hard for her to get a good look at all the animals. We'll be sure to take her take her back again soon!

Charlie running through the park to get a better look at the elephants



















She thinks she's pretty cool sitting on the duck




























After an exciting day Charlie needed a nap














How can this be comfortable?!?

March for Babies

I'd like to start by saying a big Thank You to everyone who donated to my March of Dimes, March for Babies walk. I had set a goal of $500 and surpassed it by collecting $535! With all the money that was raised nationwide to fund research on preterm labor hopefully it will be a thing of the past.

Luckily, Mother Nature was on our side and we had a clear morning for the walk. We lined up and started the walk at 9am.














It is a good thing that they started on time because Charlie was ready to go!



















We walked at Busse Woods in Elk Grove and actually saw some of the elk.















There were too many people so Charlie didn't walk too much but she did like riding on Owen's shoulders!














After the walk they had hot dogs for all of the participants and some games for the kids. Owen and I looked around and were reminded of how blessed we are that Charlie is so healthy. We saw shirts on some of the walkers that showed their little ones were born at less than 1 lb. There were children with disabilities associated with their premature birth. We also saw the heartbreaking shirts that showed families walking in remembrance of a child that was lost. It was a very emotional but positive walk that I hope we continue to do as a family for the years to come.

Happy Earth Day!

What a great day to celebrate Earth Day! Since the weather was so nice Charlie and I were able to spend a lot of time outside. We took a walk and planted some tomato plants. Well, I planted the tomatoes and Charlie helped pat the dirt. She also had a good time playing on her new gym. She is still getting the hang of the slide but she enjoys doing it her way!

18 Months

Charlie is a year and a half and doing great. She had her 18 month check up today and she is growing like a weed. She is 33 1/4" long and 23lbs 7.5 oz. Our poor little girl had to get more shots today but at least she is done until her 2 yr check up.

Charlie and I have been getting out and enjoying the great weather that we've been having. Today we went to the park for an egg hunt, picnic and play time. Charlie was a little slower than the older kids so she only got one egg but she had a great time!

Charlie and her one egg



















Playing at the park











































As soon as we got home she looked out the window dreaming of when she can go back to the park

AZ Golf/Spring Training Trip

Last weekend I took a few days and went to Arizona with Kyle and my Dad. The main reason for the trip was golf and to see the Sox in spring training. We stayed just outside Phoenix and golfed at some nice courses. The weather was basically perfect at about 75 degrees during the day so we could enjoy our time on the links. The Golf Gods treated me pretty well until the last round where my driver disappeared and my score shot up. The biggest difference between Arizona golf and Chicago golf, when my drives go haywire I can't go chasing them in the desert.

The Phoencian Golf Course

We also saw our Sox in an away game at the Brewers spring facility. They ended up the game in a 5-5 tie after 10 innings but it was just good to be watching baseball again. Our last day, we took a few hours to tour the Sox spring training facility, Camelback Ranch, in Glendale. It is an awesome facility so I had to be sure and make a trip to the gift shop too. Now I am definitely ready for the beginning of the season and the quest for another championship on the south side!!

Celebration #2

Our second St. Patrick's Day celebration was at the O'Knutson Corned Beef Dinner. We had a good time hanging out with family and friends and enjoying a traditional Irish dinner. The corned beef and cabbage were absolutely delicious and the girls had a great time playing!

Charlie wanted to get some reading in before she started to play



















Kyri walked around looking adorable in her Irish outfit



















Charlie wanted to play king of the hill but needed someone to play with














Aubry was nice enough to play with Charlie but Charlie didn't want to lose her spot
















Luckily, Aubry is a tough cookie and just laughed at Charlie's attempt to keep her off the "hill"

St. Paddy's Day Parade

We had our first St. Patrick's Day celebration yesterday at the St. Charles parade. The weather didn't cooperate but we were able to find a spot underneath an awning so we were covered from most of the rain.

All bundled up and ready for the parade















The Grand Marshall's - Billy Pierce from the Sox and Randy Hundley from the Cubs















This dog was just so beautiful I needed to take a picture














Charlie couldn't help but stare at him




















One of the many leprechauns we saw















We couldn't believe that someone would be driving their corvette with their top down in the rain















Charlie was wide-eyed the whole time enjoying her first St. Patrick's Day parade

We were right! It is not very often that we are so right that we need to let everyone know, but in this case we couldn't let it go. We once said that Artu had too much fight left in him to not take a chance on surgery. Well, that was one year ago and our boy is still going strong! We've only had to take him to the vet a couple times for some relatively minor things. Artu is pretty excited about the warmer weather that's on its way - no surgery could change his aversion to snow!

Charlie went for another NICU follow-up today and she is doing great. She is going to be discharged from her physical and occupation therapy by the end of the month. She'll continue to go for speech therapy but hopefully she won't need that for too long. Charlie is still growing but it has slowed down quite a bit. She is a little over 22 lbs. and is 32 1/2" long.