Charlie and Mama

Hmmm...we don't really look alike yet, waiting for those blue eyes to turn brown!

Just Charlie and Mama hanging out today! We have had a good day doin' the stuff mama's and babies do...Napping, diaper changing, chatting, eating, spitting up, you know, the usual.

This n' That

(first bath since the cord fell off)

Snuggling with Grammie

My folks left yesterday to go back home and we were definitely sad to see them go. It was so wonderful having two extra sets of hands to entertain Charlie, change diapers, cook dinner, go to the grocery store etc...Thank you both so much! We have enjoyed the weekend learning how to be just the three of us! It has been difficult at times, but we just try and laugh about it and roll with the punches! Charlie is getting bigger by the day and eating like crazy. I am seeing a lactation consultant early this week because breastfeeding has been killing me...every time she needs to eat it brings me to tears because it hurts SO badly. I have been pumping and feeding her with the bottle as well as breastfeeding, but after too much of the bottle she gets confused and can't figure out the breast again. I don't want to give up on it, so I will seek help and see if it we can get it worked out! She is gaining weight and that's all that matters to me!

She has also had a hard time with her days and nights. She will sleep so much and so soundly during the day that at night all she wants to do is a wide-eyed staring contest with me. This would be okay if I was getting sleep during the day, but I am still working on that. It is hard to "sleep while the baby is sleeping" when there are so many other things that I feel I should be doing. Jordan has been pretty much been waiting on us hand-and-foot which is awesome and so helpful. He is so sweet with her and I cannot wait until she starts reacting to us because I just know there will be lots of baby giggles coming from those two! This period of adjustment is hard, and a little stressful, and utterly amazing. We are so grateful for this perfect, healthy, little peanut that God chose us to care for!

Video?

I am having trouble uploading a video to my blog :/ ggrrrrrr. I'll keep trying!

She's Here!

What an unbelievable evening we've had! Charlie is here and we could not feel more possibly blessed by everything that has happened. Here are the stats: 4 lbs. 11 oz - 18 inches, super strong lungs, and a head full of blonde hair! We had a very very quick delivery (which I will expand on later) and now two have become three... Praise God for this incredible blessing.

The World's Oldest

We spent our 4th of July at the World's Oldest Rodeo... I know, have any of you ever been to the World's Oldest? I didn't think so.

I couldn't remember the last time I had been to a rodeo, so it was especially fun for me. And it was fun to hear Jordan explain all the rodeo events to me and reminisce about the ol' "fair" days and 4-H.

After the World's Oldest Rodeo we spent the evening at Uncle Jay and Aunt Jannie's house. They are the aunt and uncle of my dear friend Kristin's (who lives in ATL). She was not there, but it was a treat to hang with her sister, papa, boyfriend, and aunts and uncles! Thanks for sharing your family with us, Kristin!! It was such a great 4th of July!!

4th of July

Sweet land of Liberty...

From every Mountainside...

Let Freedom ring.

Almost There

We are just about 39 weeks and dropping fast! I think I have been having some practice contractions - Don't worry parents, we'll let you know if things progress to the point of going to the hospital , so you can high-tail it down here!

I am officially on Maternity Leave. I was planning to work all next week, but the schedule would have been too tricky to re-create if I had to leave in a hurry. I wanted to use all my time off once Charlie gets here, but this actually puts me at ease so I can get some things in order and not have my water break at work!

D-Day {Delivery Day}

{Jordan's First Diapering Job}

Today we had our 38 week appointment and the nurse asked me if I wanted to be "checked". In another first-time mother moment I asked, "checked for what?". Apparently they check to see if you are effaced and/or dilating. I am both!! Half-effaced and 1 cm dilated. Doc Fernandez says this is no judge of when Charlie will come, but a good sign that things are moving right along.

He also said that as long as we are within 7 days of our due date we can go ahead and schedule to be induced!!! I love it that they won't make us go past our due date if we don't want to!
WE ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET CHARLIE ON JULY 12TH! I will be induced at 5:30 am that day unless she decides to come earlier than that!

I am super happy about this because I can plan a little better and our parents can also have a date to work with in order to travel out here! So my mission for the next week is to STAY PREGNANT! I have been having tons of Braxton Hicks contractions and am trying to stay super hydrated. I am working until next Friday and then having her on Monday and am super grateful that I have been able to stay working for this whole time. I didn't want to waste any maternity time just waiting at home for her to come and have been blessed to have felt good enough to work! We are of course super excited about what lies ahead and thank you for all your prayers and well wishes !

Everyone have a wonderful holiday weekend!!!!!