Happy Father's Day

Matt,


Charlie, Wally and I love you very much. You are a wonderful hands on Dad and I know you have many more special days to share with your son. I am very lucky to have met such a wonderful partner. I love you and hope you have a very great day with your family!

Star of the Blog

Sweet sweet baby

Sewing Project

I have been meaning to post my project that my mom helped me with back in March.  I had some left over fabric so we made something for the bed to match the curtains and "W" on the wall.  I love it and said that I would keep Wally off of it.  You can see how I did not do that.  Anyways, thanks Mom for your help!

Time to go to work and other random thoughts

So, this blog has turned into Charlie's blog but some people just can't get enough of him and I can't stop taking pictures of my boy. 

Charlie and I visited his Daddy today at work. 

Charlie had many admirers to tell him how cute he is. 

Charlie and I thought that wearing his tie to work was fitting for his first day on the job.  (We actually ran by my work last week but it was a very quick visit that was impromptu as I needed to take care of something so we didn't plan it or get any pictures.  We will go back for a visit before too long.)

His arms aren't quite long enough to reach the keyboard. 

He was awake when he got there but fell asleep shortly after. 

Matt told him that going to work put him to sleep too.  Like father, like son.  :-)  (Matt really doesn't sleep on the job, I hope.)

Here's Charlie after lunch. 

As for other random things:

• I am realizing that I sure am going to miss maternity leave.  Charlie and I have really got in a nice groove over the last couple of weeks of going out and about town.  People say, "I can't believe you have a baby this little out."  Charlie's pediatrician actually recommended us try to get out and now that we are able, it really helps me.  I'm not great at staying at home and we only spend a couple of hours out a day but I think it's good for both of us. Also, Charlie and I do the laundry during the week so that way we don't have to do laundry during the weekend.  That's a nice perk to being at home during the week as I always dreaded doing my weekend chore.  
• Panera is my absolute favorite restaurant.  I couldn't get enough of the turkey artichoke sandwich/tomato soup combo when I was pregnant.  Now, I have moved on to the salads this summer.  Matt, Charlie and I enjoyed lunch there again today.  (We seem to visit at least once a week.) 
• It's in the low 80's here today which is a nice change from the humid high-90's.  Charlie and I enjoyed a few minutes on the deck (in the shade) in our rocker.  After Charlie's afternoon snack, I am going to attempt to take both boys on a walk.  Depending on our level of success, we may go on another walk this evening after Daddy gets home. 
• Charlie slept for 2---3.5 hour increments last night.  Yea!  Go Charlie!!
• Charlie has started smiling in his dreams more consistently. Maybe it is gas but whatever it is, it is the cutest thing in the world. As if I need to be staying up at night, I sometimes lay and watch his facial expressions as he sleeps.  Too bad I haven't caught it on camera or video yet.
• Also, for the wedding last weekend, I got a much enjoyed manicure and pedicure.  I decided to get shellac put on my nails and I'm a big fan.  I don't know how it will look when I take the polish off.  Hopefully my nails won't be weak.  Nine days out, my manicure is holding strong.

• Another thing to note, I still can't get my wedding rings on.  :-(  I am down to my weight prior to getting pregnant but the weight/fat has redistributed and apparently my fingers are bigger.  I'm going to work at losing some more weight as I have a goal to reach before going back to work.  Hopefully, I will not have to get them resized but my lack of patience has already sent me the jewelry store once to inquire about how much it would cost should I need them resized. 
• Not that I'm an expert by any means, but I am going to do a post on my favorite baby items.  I liked reading these posts back when I was pregnant.  There is nothing better than the practical items that worked for other moms.  I'm sure it will change as Charlie gets older but there are some items that Charlie and I love.  It's fun for me as my friends whose children are months/years older than Charlie are constantly discovering the greatest gadgets that work for them and have recommended books and other items to us.    

Weekend Recap

It's been a relatively low key weekend, but I guess that's how it is with a newborn these days.  Matt, Charlie, Wally and I are settling into our new family life.  Poor Wally has been exhausted.  With Charlie and I around during the days, it's really interfering with his naps.

Charlie and I met Ali and Wyatt for lunch on Friday which was a great way to start the weekend.  Then Charlie and I decided to nap in the afternoon.  I haven't really napped much during the days since Charlie was born, which is kind of crazy that I don't take advantage of that time but I seem to have plenty of laundry, cleaning, and other items to take care of during his naps.  Anyways, Friday I decided that since he was tired, I would lay down and watch some TV and relax.  Two hours later, we both woke up.  Friday evening, Matt and I enjoyed a delicious dinner that our friend, Amy made for us.  Thanks Amy!

Charlie had a really good day on Saturday.  He was awake and alert all day.  He took a few 30 minute naps but no long ones.  In the afternoon, we enjoyed a cook-out at the Hamrick's house.  I realized on our way there that I had forgotten our camera.  Now, if we had forgotten the pacifier, we would have turned around for sure, but we decided to keep on going.  Luckily, our friend Michele took a few pictures of the sweet babies/toddlers.  (It's really a shame that I didn't take a picture of Charlie in his outfit yesterday because he looked super cute if I do say so myself.  These days, he's grown so fast that I'm not sure how much longer he is going to be his 0-3 month clothes.)

There are so many kiddos these days and they were all on the move.  Charlie is going to have so many friends to grow up with. 

Today, Charlie has been sleepy.  That's what happens when you spend the day and night awake!  Ugh!!  I thought he would sleep so good and he did go to sleep and sleep for the first 3.5 hours but then he stirred the rest of the night.  Matt and I were both up and down with him the rest of the night.  Matt mowed the lawn in the heat and I have done a little cleaning inside.  We are all resting this afternoon.

I have also been reading a little of the book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child!!  :-)  According to the book, 6 weeks is the magic number for a good sleeping baby.  Here's one Mommy that sure is hoping for that.

Happy 1 month Charlie from your Mommy

Charlie,

This month has been the most joyful and hardest month of my entire life.  I have dreamed of being a mother and was so excited to meet you but I never imagine exactly how hard it would be.  (I never thought that I could survive on a few hours of sleep for days on end.)  I definitely wasn't the only person excited to meet you though.  Your Daddy couldn't wait to meet you.  You also have two Aunts that are in love with you.  Your grandparents can't get enough of you. 

The first few days of coming home were an adjustment period for us all and we have had a few challenges over the last month.  Your tummy has bothered you which hasn't always made you the happiest baby.  You had some projectile vomiting which hasn't been fun for you (or me or your Daddy).  We now have you on some medicine for your reflux and we think it is helping.  It would be much easier if you were able to talk to us and tell us if your tummy feels better.  You seem to be a little less fussy so we'll take that as a sign and your vomiting seems better.  Of course, I think you will just be a baby that has more spit up than most, but I'll take that over the vomiting.

As for other facts, you took your time grasping feeding. You were a little lazy at first which made your first few days hard.  And I struggled myself with learning to nurse you.  You lost a little weight but within the 10% which is normal.  Now, you have it down though.  You are over 11 pounds and are already wearing 0-3 months clothes.  All your newborn clothes are too small.  You also have moved up from newborn size diapers to size 1 diapers. 

You have tried a bottle and didn't seem to have a problem with that.  We will continue to give you a bottle in order to make sure that you don't develop any confusion between nursing and bottles.

I can't say that you are sleeping real well, which I'm hoping will change.  It is getting better but the longest you go is 3 hour stretches, in general.  I think you went for about 4 hours twice.  You sometimes like to wake up and feed every 2 hours which leaves your Mommy to only getting about an hour of sleep.  I tell you a lot how nice it would be if you would sleep a little longer, but so far, you haven't.  I also seem to be obsessed with other one month babies to see how long they are sleeping.  Just so you know, for comparison, most babies are sleeping over 2-3 hour stretches at night so anytime, you want to sleep a little longer, I won't complain.  :-)  You are still sleeping in our room in your rock and play but we have talked a lot lately about moving you to your bedroom.  We will probably keep you in your rock and play though as it is supposed to help a little with the reflux. 

It took you a long time to discover a love for the pacifier but I think you are comforted by sucking and are starting to keep the pacifier in your mouth for a longer periods of time. We have been giving it to you more lately when you get upset and it sometimes does the trick.  In fact, I typically have a pacifier in my shorts pocket so that way I can quickly give it to you when the need arises.  You get the hiccups quite frequently and we have found that the pacifier sometimes helps those go away. 

You don't particularly like baths.  Sometimes you seem to enjoy being in the water but the moment you get cold (i.e. out of the water and being dried off), you scream.  Unfortunately, due to your vomiting episodes, you have probably had a few more baths than I would have given you otherwise.

I think you are hot natured like your Daddy.  We keep you swaddled at night to try to keep you from waking yourself up. (You still haven't discovered your hands so sometimes you accidentally flail those arms and wake yourself up.)  During the days though, you are very happy to nap in a onesie.  Of course, we have been having unusually hot weather which your Mommy and Daddy are not enjoying.

You are starting to pay more attention to things.  You like to look in the mirror.  It is fun to watch you because you look for a while and then go cross eyed when you get tired.  You also are starting to follow motion.  You have discovered your mobile on your swing as well as the one on your crib.   We have been playing with some of your toys like the one on your car seat.

Your daddy and I were talking about how we can't believe that it's been a month since you were born.  We love you so much.  I am enjoying our days together and look forward to the next couple of months of maternity leave.  I don't think I will ever get tired of kissing your little cheeks.  Even at your fussiest of times during the last month, you still manage to be the cutest thing I have ever laid eyes on.

For comparison, here is a picture from you on the day you were born and here you are today:

Visitors

Charlie and I have had a few visitors this week.  We have had such yummy dinners and I really appreciate such great friends and great friends that cook so well!  :-)

I didn't manage to get pictures other than yesterday when my friend Anne came with her children, Zack and Zoe.  Anne and I grew up together and were like sisters growing up.  It's so nice that we are still friends and can pick up where we left off everytime we see each other, which isn't as often as I would like. 

Zack was very interested in both of my children, Wally and Charlie.  Zack played well with Wally despite Wally being a little over excited while they were here.  But, the cutest part was Zack showing interest in Charlie.  He held Charlie and talked a lot to his Mommy about babies.  It was so cute.

Thanks for visiting us Anne.  Your children are adorable.  :-)

Congratulations Diane and Sean!

We have been busy little bees lately and haven't had any time for blogging.  In fact, picture taking has slowed down significantly in the last couple weeks.  This weekend, Matt and I took our first road trip with Charlie in tow.  We traveled to Roanoke to celebrate the wedding of my friend Diane.  Diane and I went to pharmacy school together and lived together during that time.  Diane is one of the most determined, hard working, and smartest people I know.  On top of that, she is a great friend and I was so happy that I got to be there with her.  She was glowing the entire weekend. 

The road trip part went really well.  Friday, we had a slight complication as we ended up getting stuck in traffic due to them shutting down the interstate because a semi was on fire.  We were about a mile from the incident so were too close to be routed in a different direction and it meant that we sat there for over 2 hours.  I definitely felt a little panicky the longer we were sitting there, but Charlie, on the other hand, did wonderful.  After I realized that we weren't going anywhere anytime soon and Charlie was crying because he was hungry, I just had to take him out of the carseat and feed him.  That is an advantage to breast feeding.  Matt and I changed his diaper and he went back into the carseat without problems.  He was a wonderful traveler. 

My mom, Charlie's Mim, came and helped keep Charlie. I can't say enough about how nice it was to have my mom there to help with Charlie.  My mom definitely spoiled Matt and I.  She helped us with soothing him at night and letting Matt and I get some extra sleep.  Mom couldn't believe how much Charlie has grown in 2 weeks.

Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures, but Mom did get a few of us.  It was such a busy and fun weekend. Friday night, we got there in time to take Charlie to the hospitality room and show him off.  We put him in his Dog Gone Cute outfit.  :-)

Then, Matt and I went to the rehearsal dinner.  (We got a picture with Charlie before we left.) 

We owe my mom a huge thanks for keeping Charlie for us during all the festivities.   

I managed to get some time to do some fun girl things with Diane and the bridesmaids.  It was the first time since Charlie that I've managed to enjoy any pampering and I had a blast.  Charlie also worked wonderfully with feeding on my schedule.  I pumped a couple times so could try a couple of bottles which he took without problems.  I spent my day doing manicure, pedicure, hair, and make-up appointments with the girls.

The wedding was spectacular.  Diane was a beautiful bride.  Here is a picture of the lovely couple:

Matt and I got all dressed up and had picture sessions with Charlie before we went down to the wedding. 

Diane asked me to hand out programs for her since I wasn't able to be in the wedding.  I was so happy to get to be a part of it and enjoyed getting to see everyone as they came in.

The reception was a ton of fun. 

Mazel tov!

Wordless Post (well, almost)

Here are some pictures that I have taken in the last couple weeks but haven't had a chance to post.  Enjoy!