Two Months Old

How did we get here already. This past Friday, November 4th our baby Charlie turned two months old. I'm still in awe of how quickly everyday goes, especially now that I am back to work. At his six week check up Charlie weighed in at 11 lbs and 22.5". He is in the 50% for both height and weight.

Changes in the last month:

• more alert & awake time
• talking
• during tummy time will roll from his belly to back, actually did this during first month

Sleeping/Eating patterns:

• naps are very erratic-not much for sleeping when there is so much to explore
• unfortunately the lack of naps creates an overtired boy/hard to put to sleep
• night sleep has gotten better, wakes up to nurse and then usually goes right back to sleep, ranging from 1.5 hours to 3-4 hours
• eats every two and half to three hours

Music we are listening to & singing:

• Pandora is our favorite-Mumford & Sons station, Jason Mraz, Johnny Cash, Dave Matthews etc.
• we sing whatever comes to mind and make up lots of songs with Charlie's name in them

Activities:

• attended my cousin's soccer games
• walks in Forest Park
• Visited Nonny & Poppy's lake house in Ste. Genevieve for a hayride
• Cardinals win the World Series-Daddy attends game 2, Mommy & Daddy attend Game 6
• went to work with Mommy
• celebrated Halloween at Uncle Jo Jo's and Aunt Caitie's

One month old

On Tuesday, October 4th Charlie turned one month old. It is unbelievable how time just flies by. During August and basically after we hit the 30th week of pregnancy time started to move like molasses. Before that my pregnancy flew by. Again, time is moving at a ridiculous speed. Our boy is growing so big. We haven't officially weighed him or taken his length, but of course like giddy kids we jump on the scale and measure him with a tape measurer. Clearly, we are first time parents. From this mornings weigh in Charlie is about 10.2 lbs and is 22" long. We go back to the doctor on the 19th and will have official stats then.

Changes in the last month:

• more alert & awake time
• his eyes follow objects
• he makes eye contact with us
• lifts his head when on stomach-did this since day two-strong boy!

Sleeping/Eating patterns:

• still confused about days and nights
• during the day waking or being woken every three hours to nurse
• at night fusses quite a bit/produces lots of saliva, sometimes sleeps 4 hours or 5 minutes

Music we are listening to & singing:

• Mumford & Sons-we decided Timshel is our song for Charlie
• Jason Mraz-always a favorite
• Daddy sings baby beluga/other random goodies-we have trouble remembering nursery rhymes or kids songs at this point

Activities:

• bath
• walking
• tummy time
• singing and reading-loves Hello, Bugs!
• laying on the play mat and looking around
• sleeping in the Moby Wrap or in the basinett
• meeting & greeting the many visitors 

Reading Clifford with my big gray dog, Gracie

A Mother's Prayer

Oh give me patience when wee hands
Tug at me with their small demands.
And give me gentle and smiling eyes.
Keep my lips from hasty replies.

And let not weariness, confusion or noise
Obscure my vision of life's fleeting joys.
So when, in years to come my house is still
No bitter memories its rooms may fill.

-Anonymus 

Charlie's first week home

We've had a busy last few weeks. Between learning to nurse, figuring out sleep and meeting many friends and family we've had little time for anything else. Here's a quick recap of Charlie's 1st week:

1st Well Baby Visit (4 days old). The results:

6 lbs 11 oz 25% (same as when we left the hospital)
21.5" 75% (same as when we left the hospital)

On the 9th Mike and I celebrated 10 years from the day we met each other in college.  Mike brought me home chocolates. Sweet hubby.

We had to miss our nephews birthday party, but we sent pictures and gifts in our absence. It was also grandparents day!

We also ventured out as a family for our first walk. Charlie enjoyed it and slept the entire time. I'm glad he likes his car seat and the outdoors.

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

Week 36: My Pregnancy Journey

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Size of Baby L: 6 lbs (size of a crenshaw melon?) 18.5" long according to Babycenter.

Total Weight gain: 32 lbs

Gender: Boy

Position: Head down, but not locked into position

Notes from doctors appointment: BP perfect, 1 1/2 cm dilated.

Movement: Big booty and possibly shoulders jabbing me. It's really cool to feel and try and guess what body part is pushing out. Also, hiccups every once in a while.

Sleep: This has gotten better over the last week. I switched from reading pregnancy and baby books before bed to a fun book. Currently reading I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson.

What I miss: My back not aching and sitting up straight not being a chore. Mostly just being comfortable. I'm not too bad. Just awkward.

Cravings: Sugar :(

Symptoms: Pretty much the same. Fatigue, Achey hips, Swollen feet/hands a twinge of heartburn here and there.

Nursery Stats: Curtains are up and beautiful!!! We need to finish up buying stuff this weekend, set up the bookshelf, storage and hang artwork.

Best Moment of the Week: Very sweet moment. This past Friday my friend Val and her son Wyatt dropped off their bassinet for Baby L to use. We enjoyed some pizza and playing with Wyatt. On their way out the door Wyatt came over to say bye to baby and kissed my belly. Such a sweetheart. Along with this, I also enjoyed a fabulous shower with my family on Sunday. I am very blessed to say the least.

Big Decisions:Nothing that I can think of.

Week 35: My Pregnancy Journey

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Size of Baby L: 5 1/4 lbs (size of a honeydew melon) 18" long according to Babycenter.

Total Weight gain: 30 lbs (? don't know this week) I decided I'm just going to let my doctors appointments be my weight ins. I have an appointment next week and then I start going every week.

Gender: Boy

Movement: Not anything too big, but bumps and I can feel him shifting around.Hiccups, typically in the morning.

Sleep: Oh sleep, how we use to be best friends. Now between waking up to flip and go to the bathroom I think about everything that needs to be done. I also question every little ache and twinge wondering if he is coming sooner than later. I have less than five weeks till my due date, but in the scheme of things he could come in 2 weeks. All I do know is I need to work on relaxing. My stress level has been too high and I need to remember what's important and that's my little guy.

What I miss: The days when shaving my legs was easy. As well as weeding the yard. I've definitely had to learn how to slow down.

Cravings: Sugar

Symptoms: Fatigue, Achey hips, Swollen feet/hands. Constant thinking and worrying. Is that a symptom or is that just motherhood?

Nursery Stats: No changes here this week. All of his clothes and gear covers are washed. We should be putting the finishing touches together this week or so.

Best Moment of the Week: My memory is failing me.

Big Decisions:Nothing in particular this week.