2 Weeks!

Baby Girl,

Two weeks! How can that be??? You are still as sweet as ever and Mama can't stop kissing those sweet cheeks. Grammy went home on Sunday and Grandma Jann came on Monday. It was nice to have one night alone with just Mama and Daddy in between the grandma's but we were ready to have a little bit more help before we are forever on our own.

Grandma Jann helped cook, clean and snuggle you all week. It was also Thanksgiving! Your very first holiday. Grandpa Al came in town too and they both cooked us a delicious meal. You mostly slept all day but maybe it was because you got some of that trytophan from all that turkey :) You did look extra cute in your little outfit that Mama had especially for Thanksgiving. We tried to take more pictures but you just kept on snoozing!

Grandma Jann helped Mama decorate the house for Christmas. It was so much fun to put up the tree this year knowing that this will be the start of many traditions with us as a family. I also had ordered new stockings for the mantle and I absoultely love looking at the one with your name on it :)

Grandma Jann went home on Saturday and Daddy and I have now been on our own. We have been so grateful for all of the help from our families but we are really ready to start our lives on our own with you.

We love you to the moon and back!

XOXO,
Mama

Here are some highlights of our 2nd week:
-Another trip to the pediatrican for your 2nd week appt, you are still perfect and only a few oz away from your birth weight. We don't go back now until you're 1 month.
-Two more outings to Babies R Us and one trip to Best Buy
-Your very first walk with Mama and Lucy... you LOVED it and fell asleep quickly
-Lots of snuggle time
-You've had your share of blowouts this week... haha Daddy just laughs when we hear it!
-You still love you bath time but continue to cry when we take you out
-Your umbilical cord has fallen out in several pieces but it's now finally gone (thank goodness!)
-You fall asleep quickly after feeding but you loved to be snuggled/swaddled tightly
-You're still breastfeeding wonderfully and I think we've definitly got our routine down
-You're sleeping sometimes 3 1/2-4 hours between feedings at night... Do we already have a champion on our hands??

Happy Thanksgiving, Love Charlotte

Snoozing with Daddy

Decorated for Christmas

Our Tree



New Stockings

Snoozing while Mama decorated the house... it wears me out!

Just hanging!

Cutest little baby all clean after her bath

She's cold! This picture cracks me up!

First Week

Sweet Charlotte,

Where does the time go? I thought you were born just yesterday and here it has been over a week! Your first week has been filled with lots of adjustments. Grammy has been here to help Mama, Daddy and you establish a routine and get the "hang of things." She's been so great to cook, clean and take care of all of us. We don't want her to leave!

We've done a lot of sleeping, eating, snuggling, rocking, changing diapers but most of all... staring and admiring you. I could do it all day long. You are so perfect and you constantly make the cutest little faces.

Some highlights of your first week have been:
-Getting to know Lucy
-Lucy getting to know you :)
-Your first bath... you really liked it, except you hate to be cold and taken out of the water!
-Taking your newborn pictures (a post on that coming soon!)
-Meeting lots of Mama and Daddy's friends
-Getting adjusted to breastfeeding, it's going great!!
-Making lots of poopie and peepee diapers... we change you all the time :) And sometimes even right after we change you, you dirty your pants again!
-Your first outing was to the pediatrician (you are perfect and almost back to your birth weight) and then a quick trip to Babies R Us and a drive thru quickie at Chick-fil-A for Mama

We love you and can't imagine where we would be without you. You are so sweet!

Love,
Mama



I love your smiles :)

Party at 3 am :)

Baby burrito!

Getting ready for your first bath
 

You like it!

 

Hello World!

Sweet as can be :)

Charlotte Grace's Debut

The day finally came... Tuesday, November 6, 2012. We have forever been changed after that beautiful day! Our precious angel arrived at 12:45 p.m. weighing 7 lbs 8 oz and 18 1/2 inches long. I still can't believe that Charlotte is actually here!

We arrived at the hospital around 10 am and they prepped me for my c-section. The time was flying by and before I knew it, it was time to wheel me into to the operating room. It literally took 5 minutes and they had her out in no time... and then I heard the most beautiful sound. My baby girl crying! Tears flooded Drew's and my eyes and we couldn't stop smiling. The feeling and emotions of hearing your own child for the first time is compared to nothing in the entire world. Once they had her out and had her cleaned up, Drew and I got to admire her for a minute before taking me to recovery and her to the nursery. 10 fingers, 10 toes, precious little features and every inch of perfection!

Once in recovery I was able to feed her for the first time and Drew and I could spend some alone time with our precious girl as now a family of 3. They took her away again for a short time while they wheeled me to my post-partum room where we would be for the next few days. It was then that our family could come in and we could introduce her to everyone. We had MANY visitors that first day. Most of all our family was there... waiting on pins and needles to get a glimpse of her and hold her :)

The next few days already seem like a blur as we were adjusting to feedings every couple of hours, changing diapers, swaddling, more swaddling, more changing diapers and feeding :) I fell in love with Drew all over again in such a different way during that time. Seeing him transform from this amazing husband into the best father was something I'll never forget. Since I had a c-section, I couldn't get out of bed for 24 hours. What a champ he was! He changed all of her diapers, swaddled her and brought her to me every time for feedings. I knew before she was here that he was going to be such a great Daddy, but wow! He's the best!

Friday rolled around and we were finally able to check out and go home. I had dressed Charlotte in my going home outfit, bonnet, booties and blanket that I wore when I came home. It was special to have her wear that and maybe start a tradition someday for her future daughter. After loading up everything, we headed home to our new life. It was very strange to come home after several days, now with a baby. Lucy was sooo excited to see us and meet this new little thing that has arrived in her home. She adjusted very quickly and now loves her so much. It melts my heart.

She is such a precious miracle and joy! I can't imagine now life without her. I thank God everyday for this blessing and will cherish her for the rest of my life.

Welcome to the world Charlotte Grace! It's been waiting for you!

Last picture of a family of 3!

Last bump pic! 38 weeks

Waiting to meet my girl :)

So in love with this wonderful man

She's here!

Seeing her for the first time

First family picture

Sweet girl

Daddy & Charlotte

Another first family picture

Settled in for the next few days

Love my little girl

Going home clothes

The first of many "playing dress up!"

My little doll

Getting ready to go home

On our way!

Meeting Lucy! Our family is complete!

Charlotte's Birthday is Scheduled!

Today was my last doctor appt! I can't even believe that my baby girl will be here SO SOON. We were originally planning to schedule it on Thursday, November 8th but with a few hospital dates mishaps we have now scheduled her birthday for...

ELECTION DAY!

She will be here next Tuesday, November 6th!! I can't believe this time next week I will have a two day old. Drew and I have to be at the hospital at 10 am and she will be here close to 12/noon. We toured the hospital today after our appt and I honestly can say that I'm 100% ready for her.

This weekend as Drew and I enjoy our last weekend for the rest of our lives without a baby... we have plans to go to a movie, out to dinner and get lots of rest.

Charlotte Grace,
We are so ready for you little princess! Can't wait to snuggle you up soon! I love you so so much.

XOXO,
Mama