Our Labor Day Weekend

I know I'm almost two full weekends behind on posting, but that's because this precious boy decided to come a bit early.

Most people celebrate labor day with BBQ's, trips to the lake and ultimately spending time with friends and family. It's the closing of the summer and for us it was the end of my pregnancy and the beginning of our beautiful baby boy's life. Charles "Charlie" Michael was born quickly and unexpectedly Sunday, September 4th at 8:47 AM.

Here is the tale of our literal labor day weekend:

Friday, Mike took off work to run some errands and take care of a few things before the baby arrived. I worked my usual day at the office, met my friend Melissa for lunch and stopped by Kohls to pick up some Rams onesies for Charlie and Dad's football Sundays. After work Mike met me and we dropped by my parents to pick up the breast pump they generously bought for us. We hung with them for a bit and then headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. We ended the night with finishing up our registry purchases and a snack size M&M McFlurry.

Saturday, I did baby laundry and we went to Target to buy birthday gifts for our nephews and organization stuff for the nursery. We went to Whole Foods for lunch and then came home to work on the nursery and I worked on my hospital bag. That night we celebrated my Dad and brother's birthdays. That evening I told my Mom and sister that I felt like I was carrying low. When I would get up from a chair I was a bit achy. While sitting on the couch with Mike I thought the baby's back was up against my side because my belly was really hard.

I had no idea that I was most likely having contractions. We came home and I crashed.

Sunday morning, Charlie's birthday, I woke at 5:45 AM to go to the bathroom and my water broke. Not a bunch so I wasn't sure. I laid back in bed and asked Mike to put his arm around me. He asked what was wrong and I said, "Don't freak out, but I think my water broke." At 6:30 I called the exchange and at 6:39 the doctor on call told me to go into labor and delivery. Mike hadn't packed at that point and I wasn't totally finished. We both took quick showers, fed Gracie, took her out and made the bed. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30. I only had Mike bring up my purse as I didn't think I was having him that day. I really hadn't timed my contractions, but thinking back on it, I probably had 3 or 4 on the way to the hospital, which takes about 15 minutes to get to. To me it was just a lot of pressure and I felt like I had to go to the bathroom. We were checked into triage so they could check me out. Not much time spent there as I was sent to Labor & Delivery. At 8:47 AM Charlie arrived. Weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz. and measuring 20.5". I was 36 weeks and 5 days pregnant. 

Baby Charlie's 1st Picture

Handsome & Proud Papa

1st Family Photo