Sisters

Abigail loves Charlotte. We think Charlotte loves Abigail too since she is like a real life stuffed animal.

Chubbo

Dad came home from work today and couldn't believe how heavy Charlotte was. He thinks she gained a pound today alone. Granted when he changed her diaper it felt like a pound...but she seems to be growing and changing right before his eyes.

Last night Charlotte slept from 11pm to 4am!! We are not expecting such luck tonight...but you never know. She still loves to graze and at this very moment mom is feeding her. It's 8:48pm and we expect she will keep eating for at least another hour or until she falls alseep.

Tomorrow is Friday then it's another long holiday weekend! We will make sure to post lots of new pictures this weekend. Sorry for the delay.

Laying down

So last night Charlotte nursed from 9pm to 11:30pm. Mom had enough. Dad took over and rocked her to sleep. Then it was back into Mom's arms for a good nights sleep. Yeah the bassinett thing? Useless. Put Charlotte down and she cries. Pick her up and she stops crying. Get her to fall asleep again and back into the bassinet and she cries. Pick her back up she stops. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that she will be held from now on. Any secrets out there please let us know.

Three Weeks Old

Today Charlotte is three weeks old.

Tuesday Dad used his last vacation day. Mom and Dad decided to run some errands with Charlotte....you know...hit Target to grab some curtain rods....then a run to the grocery store. We threw her in the bucket...grabbed the stroller...and off we went to Target.

We made it into the aisle with the curtain rods. Charlotte started crying...then wailing. Mom had to make a quick getaway to nurse Charlotte in the car. Dad was stuck picking out the curtain rods. Don't ask what he bought but they at least fit.

As for the grocery store....mom didn't even try. Dad shopped. Mom stayed in the car feeding Charlotte.

After they got back home dad decided he had enough with the clutter. As if having a baby didn't bring enough "stuff" into your house....swings, chairs, diaper bags, blankets, more blankets, suffed animals, toys, more diapers, baby clothes... Christmas just brings even more. All over the house have been little piles of things. Things to go upstairs, things to go downstairs, things to be put into piles. Dad decided to start with the living room and clean the whole house. He got rid of the Christmas tree. It was dead anyways. After the tree was gone it was time to vacuum the needles. That was about as far as the cleaning got.

Christmas 2005

Charlotte's 1st Christmas! Dad threw the dogs in the back of the car, put Charlotte in her bucket and buckled her to the seat, and strapped mom in the car and headed to Vermont after work on Friday the 23rd. Luckily Charlotte slept ALL of the way...even though dad was a little white knuckled driving over the mountains of Vermont on the dark icey roads. They made it safe and sound. Mom let dad sleep downstairs at Nanny and Grampa's house in the guest bedroom with Oliver. Mom and Charlotte slept upstairs. Depsite not being woken up by crying, dad slept horribly without mom and baby near him. Nice idea but he would only let it happen one night (he kept waking up in the middle of the night to check on them anyways).

Christmas eve was very quiet. Pat, Larry, Danny, & Chris came over. Chris came all the way from Los Angeles andbrought his girlfriend Caitlyn and her son Paulo with them as well. Caitlyn is the Oil of Olay girl. Not to show up Chris who is the Barcardi Rum guy. It was a very nice night and we all had a lot of fun.

Earlier in the day on Christmas Eve....Nanny's Christmas tree fell over and broke most of her ornaments and the angel on the tree. This is the 2nd time this has happened in three years. She says next year she is getting a fake tree....we hope she doesn't. We did our best to put the ornaments back on the tree. A few hours later we were looking at the tree and Nanny noticed a new bright blue ornament on the tree. When the tree fell over it must have knocked a knit coaster off the table....which Ian thought looked like an ornament. He threw a hook on it and up on the tree it went!











Nanny, Ian, Liam, Tiffany, Shelby, Charlotte, Michael, & Grampa














Mom, Dad, and Charlotte










Aunt Tiffany and Charlotte
















Tiffany, Ian, and Liam

Christmas 2005

Tiffany, Liam , & Iam looking
at the scrapbook Shelby made.

Shelby and Charlotte

Michael and Charlotte

The girls:

Shelby, Lois, Robin, Michaela, Nanny, Lois, and Tiffany

MERRY CHRISTMAS

6lbs 3.4oz

Mom and Dad just got back from pediatrician visit number two. Charlotte is now 6lbs and 3.4 ounces. Great considering just last week she was barely over 5lbs. Yes she has been eating non-stop and continues to do so. What goes in must come out...and come out it does. Dad continues to be an expert at diaper changing....although the elusive 3am "change in the dark while you are half asleep" continues to challenge him. She also grew another 1 3/4 inches in length. Now 19 and 3/4 inches long.

No more doctors appointments now until February. Seems like such a long stretch to go without supervision but I think mom and dad can do it. Plus the doctor is only a phone call away if we have any questions. For now we are going to continue doing what we are doing because it seems to be working.

Little Snowman

We think she looks like a snowman when she is wearing this white fluffy outfit.

Today mom called dad at work to let him know Charlotte has a diaper rash. All dad knows is that when he came home from work mom had poop on her shirt and there were some poopy clothes in the kitchen sink. Sometimes it's better not to know what really happened.

Dad has the next few days off of work (left of vacation time since he went back to work early). Mom has another follow up doctors appointment with the OB and then Thursday is another trip to the Pediatrician. Dad doesn't want to go but has a feeling mom will make him. He will do his best not to fight with the doctor but certainly is NOT making any promises.

The Wall

6:30 am came VERY early this morning...especially after waking up in the middle of the night with Charlotte a couple of times. The wall came at about 1pm today just after lunch. Dad was not able to recover all day but he did his best and is hoping tomorrow will be a little better.

Doogan came to visit Abigail today. Michael and MaryEllen came to visit thier granddaughter. We ate the bunt cake that Charlotte thought about making. It was very nice.

Charlotte did great today, slept like a rock for most of the day. By the time dad got home from work she was still sleeping but woke up for a solid 20 minutes to look around and make sure everything around her was still here.

Nanny (Mary Ellen) asked why we didn't have a balloon up in our front yard that says. "It's a Girl!". Two words....Baby Nappers. Mom has the idea in her head that balloons can draw the attention of baby nappers. Our town doesn't even have a traffic light. We have one store. Period. I don't think it's a safe haven for baby nappers....not to mention the whole town knows everything. We live in smallville......

Last night dad was letting the dogs in from the backyard and he saw a large group of people walking down the street. They went to the neighbors house behind us. It looked like just what he suspected...Christmas Carolers!! He quickly went into the house and told mom. She started shutting off all the lights and said...."what do we do?". The last thing they wanted at 7pm was a group of 30 people coming in their house to sing to them...baby crying...dogs barking. Just didn't sound fun. So they did what any family that didn't want strangers around the baby would do. Dad went outside and turned off the Christmas lights and then they snuck upstairs and shut off all the lights until they thought the coast was clear. The things people do to avoid people.

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Today we took Charlotte to the moster truck pull show in Manchester. We had little earplugs for her. She loved the rumble and the smell of diesel fuel. Only kidding.

Dad went to Walmart for a Christmas outfit for Charlotte. He thinks he picked something out very cute...mom didn't think the outfit was very practical. Pictures to come shortly. Please feel free to comment on if it is cute or not. :)

Then dad went grocery shopping. You know how people tell you never to grocery shop when you are hungry? They are right. He realized this when he put away the groceries and realized how many things he bought that were just not needed. Fresh Brussel sprouts? A pound of prosciutto? 13 lemons? Heinz 57 sauce? Very interesting that's for sure.

Dad spent today making a bunt cake with white chocolate orange glaze. And he is also making beef stew with fresh sourdough bread bowls from Panera. He tried to get Charlotte to help but mom felt she is too small for the kitchen. I think Shelby is trying to keep her from learning how to cook. Sounds like a conspiracy to me...Especially since Shelby doesn't cook. Dad also decided to re-arrange the food in the fridge and the kitchen cabinet. Now he has to finish the laundry (however laundry is NEVER finished with a baby). Mom keeps getting milk all over Charlottes two outfits that she wears....so the laundry is continuously running. Yesterday dad had to clean out the 10 ft section of dryer vent since it was clogging up. Yet another production.

The good news is that Charlotte slept like a rock last night (as did dad and mom). It seems like every third night is a bad night. Based on that we are not due for another bad night until tomorrow. However dad has to go to work tomorrow. Lets hope for the best tonight.

Charlotte had the heaviest wettest diaper in the world today. Mom saved it for dad to feel when he got back from grocery shopping. He thinks it weighed 5 lbs. He was going to put it in the freezer and call the Guinness Book of World Records but mom made him throw it out.

Dad also bought diapers today and used some coupons. That's right....at Walmart. Imagine the girl at the checkout counter scanning his stuff in. A premature dress....nylons, a bunt cake pan, diapers, and peppermint candies. Too funny. I guess once you have a child you know no shame. Especially when it comes to saving $1.50 on a package of diapers.

Two things learned

Friday night Paul and Jena came over again for a little visit. Charlotte slept the whole time. Of course later that night when we were ready for bed, Charlotte didn't want to sleep. She wanted to eat. And eat. And eat some more. Then poop. Then eat. Then poop some more. This eating and pooping really throws off a sleeping schedule. At about 2am she was up and mom was getting frustrated...not with Charlotte but with dad. Dad feels the need to have Charlotte sleep in her bassinet (on her back which is what the American Association of Pediatrics suggests). Mom of course lets Charlotte fall asleep in her arms all night. So after Charlotte would eat and fall asleep...Dad would pry her from mom's sleeping arms and put her in her bassinet. This only seemed to work for about 30 minutes...then she would be awake again crying for the boob. After the third time of attempting this...mom said, "Michael, I swear to God...if she doesn't sleep for at least three hours in her bassinet you will be sleeping alone in the guest bedroom". Well she didn't sleep three hours...more like an hour. Mom is not happy with dad. Lesson number one...always let a sleeping baby lie.

So we decided to trek out into the traffic of shoppers to hit Sam's Club for a jumbo stack of Pampers Swaddlers Newborn Diapers. Not as easy getting out of the house as you would think. Dad started the car, put the dogs in....put Charlotte in the car seat in the house....then back outside to scrape the ice off the windows of the car.....put up the mobile in the car....get the sunshades for the car......put the packages in the car to drop off at the post office. Dad turned around and here was mom trying to walk across the ice covered walkway.....Charlotte in her carseat on the porch. Mom was not happy dad was taking so long. Lesson two learned.....leaving the house with a baby is a production. Ohhh and he learned we are now on Charlotte's schedule....not dad's schedule.

Needless to say Sam's Club did NOT have the diapers. Only the larger sizes. Dad at this point was beyond frustrated. Final lesson learned...a happy mom equals a happy dad.

Freaky Friday

Everyone did pretty well last night. Dad is becoming a pro at the swaddle. Charlotte slept like a ROCK until about 2am. Then decided to keep mom up until about 5am. Not so good. Dad stole her away from mom, re-swaddled her and rocked her for about a half an hour and low and behold she was out. He put her back in the bassinet and then he couldn't fall back asleep. The dogs of course needed to go outside at this point. So it was in and out of bed most of the morning. We have a nice ice and snow storm (three inches of snow, half and inch of ice on top). The dogs love it. But as usual after they got cold and wet outside...they ran upstairs and jumped into bed with mom and got dad's side of the bed all wet. They seem to be back into the swing of things.

Abigail wants to lick the skin off of Charlotte. Oliver this morning was leaning over the side of our bed just staring into her bassinet wagging his tail.

Today dad has been tasked with doing all the laundry in the house. That includes folding and putting it away. If anyone is interested in helping please come over or visit www.sendamaid.com (the website doesn't really exist but I think it is a wonderful idea).

The dogs are home

Abigail and Oliver are back home. They didn't jump on mom at all...or Charlotte. Very strange and not at all what we expected. We have a feeling they know that Shelby is hurting and is not 100%....or they could just be mad at her that she left them. Who knows....but they do seem happy to be back from vacation at Nanny's house. Dad gave Oliver a bath. Abigail is next but not until tomorrow. Mom had another good day today home most of the day with Charlotte. Tomorrow we are taking a trip to the hospital to pick up Shelby's cell phone charger (that dad forgot) and then hit Sam's Club for a gianormous bag of Swadlers Newborn diapers. I think we are on the 3rd package already. Dad suggested using left over plastic grocery bags for diapers but mom won't let him.

A night to remember

Last night was WONDERFUL. Mom, Dad, and Charlotte all got plenty of sleep. Charlotte slept in her bassinet for the beginning of the night. Only woke up a couple of times to eat. Needless to say everyone is very well rested. Mom even let dad sleep through one of the diaper changes. He loves his wife.

Dad was a little concerned at the beginning of the night when mom started crying. When asked what was wrong the answer was simple..."I hate night time". She was a little worried it would be another bad night. Strange how new parents and children all seem to dread the darkness of night. Thank you to Tiffany for the heads up that this would be coming.

Today dad is going to pick up Abigail and Oliver from Nanny in VT. He decided that it was better to have a few extra days to introduce them to Charlotte and reintroduce them to mom. We are pretty sure it will go well...but are worried about Abigail jumping up onto mom's belly and hurting her incision. It's been almost two weeks since they have seen her. I expect a complete fiasco in the household.

No coffee again today.

More to come when the dogs come home.

Prince Spaghetti Day

So Tuesday night was not so great. Mom and Charlotte really got very little sleep. Not sure why but Charlotte was just fussy. She would act like she was hungry, but when mom tried to feed her she would take just a little bit then raise her eyebrows just like Shelby does and then start crying. Yes she inherited the brow expressions from mom. It makes me laugh every time she raises them. Way too funny. All the books say that mom's diet can change the taste of her milk. Maybe it was not such a great idea to give mom about a pound of feta cheese in her salad last night. But she has been craving it and unable to eat it for the last 10 months. That probably did it.

So mom and baby finally slept last night from about 4am to 8am. Yes a whole four hours. Charlotte is still sleeping but mom is up and about. I told Shelby she needs to take a nap this afternoon. She needs her rest now since dad needs to go back to work next week. If I could I would stay home forever just watching Charlotte grow up. Very sad to miss out on even a second of her life.

This morning Charlotte forgot everything I taught her about making coffee yesterday. So I had to show her again. We will try again tomorrow. I think it will be easier once she is able to hold her head up. Dad is hoping to show her how to bake a cake today.

Walk a little slower daddy," said a child so small.
"I'm following in yourfootsteps and I don't want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they're hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For you are leading me.
Someday when I'm all grown up,
You're what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower,
Daddy,
For I must follow you.

tiny toes 

Last night Shelby was able to climb the stairs so we could sleep in our own bed. So nice. Dad set up the bedroom with the bassinet on one side of the bed. Then put the camera for the video monitor on the bassinet. The video monitor was on his dresser. This way mom could peek over the bed on her side to see Charlotte and dad could just look over at the monitor and watch her on his side of the bed. Psychotic yes but both mom and dad managed to squeak out almost 6 hours of sleep. Dad is still amazed at his level of functioning on such little sleep.

Jon and Tracey came over last night and brought us wine from their trip to Napa Valley. Mom couldn't drink any yet since it's probably not such a bright idea to mix with narcotics.

This morning Charlotte was very alert. Dad walked her around and gave her a tour of the house. He also taught her how to make coffee. Let's see if she can remember tomorrow. If only she could talk.

Back from the Doctors

Ok, I have some SERIOUS issues when it comes to going to the pediatrician office. We walked into the office and there were probably 10 sick kids and babies running around. Such a wonderful idea going to a germ infested place like that with a 5 day old. Luckily there was a lobby in the building. I immediately took Charlotte outside of the doctors office and into the lobby. It was quiet and the front door was opening constantly letting in fresh germ free air. No way was I letting her sit in that waiting room for a half an hour waiting to go in. People in the waiting room must of thought that we were crazy but I don't care.

Charlotte is doing fine. They weighed and measured her. She only 5 lbs and 4 ozs but they said that she was fine. Her head size I forgot but it was normal and that's all I cared about. They did give her the first immunization shot for hepatitis B after I reluctantly argued with the doctor about the need for it. Seems stupid to me but she assured me that it was safe and relatively painless. I told Shelby I will not be returning to the pediatrician office. I will change all the dirty diapers, clean up the house, do anything she asks me to do but I am not going back in there. The doctor is very nice but I just can't bear to be in there.

Then we went to the OB for Shelby's staple removal. I watched the whole thing and was COMPLETELY amazed with the tool to take the staples out. It was so cool to watch. I wanted to try my hand at it but I didn't dare ask. Of course we forgot to ask for a few of the staples back. Its ok, I think we will just use regular ones for the scrapbook. Plus it might not gross people out. We also kept Charlottes dirty bandaid from when they pricked her heel in the hospital. Maybe we should throw that out too. I know, we have issues.

So the funniest part of the day was after the pediatrician appointment (Shelby will kill me for telling you this) she needed to feed Charlotte. Shelby's milk came in yesterday...and when I say her milk came in I mean her milk came in enough to feed quincetuplets. So after the appointment we figured she could feed Charlotte in the car. She tried at first but there was some guy in his car in the parking lot so she made me drive to the other side of the parking lot where there were less cars. Charlotte tried and tried to get some but the were just TOO full. So I helped mom pump some of it out. Lets just say it went everywhere. Imagine seeing these some guy in the front seat of a car reaching back to the back seat of the car pumping a hand held breast pump while mom held the baby and tried to feed her. It was a mess but completely hysterical.

So that was our day. It took most of the day. Mom is now napping and it's 5:30. Dad's friends Jon and Tracey are coming over with dinner. It is such a relief not to have to cook again and honestly we don't have the strength. Oh and we went to the grocery store today...well dad did while mom waited in the car. He bought LOTS of spaghetti O's and TV dinners. So sad.

Monday Morning the 12th

Last night was a little better sleep wise for everyone (especially dad) but everyone is still completely exhausted. Today will be another car ride for mom, dad, & Charlotte. Off to the OB's office to hopefully get mom's staples removed (don't worry I'm sure mom will be keeping them for her scrapbook). We also need to hit the pediatricians office for a regular check on Charlotte. Then it's back home and back out for dad to do some grocery shopping. Then back home where he needs to finish unloading the dishwasher, laundry, & cleaning. As exhausting as all of it is....dad has never been happier and really would do anything for both mom and Charlotte. Its funny that dad now realizes how lucky he is to have two great fathers to look up to...both his own father Richard...and his father in law Michael.

Mom continues to do great. She has been really itchy and ended up having some sort of reaction to the surgical tape. We are getting it checked out this afternoon. Other than that she seems to be doing great. She has been trying to stay on top of the pain and seems to have been successful.

Sunday Afternoon

Today has been another great day. Granted dad didn't get much sleep last night. Shelby and Charlotte did, but dad spent from 2am to 6am staring at Charlotte sleeping on mom, then in her bassinet. Checking on her all night. Once and a while he would drowse off then catch himself sleeping and immediately JUMP up and check on them both. Despite the lack of sleep everyone is doing great.

This morning Paul and Jena came over with a giant lasagna and two pink outfits for Charlotte. Thank you very much guys. We had some of the lasagna for lunch and it was WONDERFUL. It was so nice to not have to think about making lunch and dinner. Crazy how you take for granted the little things that take time. Neither one of us want to spend any time away from her or each other. Charlotte has been an angel since she has been here. She sleeps most of the time. We wake her every few hours to change her diaper or have her nurse. She seems to be eating very well. And of course...what goes in must come out. Dad is in charge of that end.

We also want to thank Lisa and Ryan for the white quilted outfit with the pink flowers. Because she is so small not a whole lot fits her yet. However, that outfit fits like glove and she loves it!

Sleeping Cousins Sleep Alike

Cousin Liam sleeping with hands up

Charlotte sleeping with hands up

Wet Diaper

Well we are settling into our first night at home from the hospital with little Charlotte. Dad's been putting stuff away, getting mom lots of water, holding Charlotte as much as possible...and of course trying to change diapers. The only problem was all day long not one dirty diaper. We were told to try and get 6 wet diapers. Every few hours dad has been checking. Hour after hour getting more and more nervous. Mom was feeding Charlotte so why no dirty diapers? Dad decided one last time to check. If it wasn't dirty we are going to call the hospital to see what we should be doing. Had the diaper off...no pee...no poop. So he figured he should get some practice.....take the diaper off....use the wet wipes (its not easy)...and change the diaper. Just as he was getting a clean diaper....PEEEEE everywhere. Unbelievable how relieved dad was from something so simple. Only 18 more years of worrying to go.

Charlotte

Well it took us a while....but Charlotte is finally here and at home safe and sound. The pediatrician gave Charlotte her walking papers this morning....then Shelby got hers around 10am. By noon we were out of the hospital and at home. I think everyone was ready to go. The hospital was great....we even got to order dinner to take home for our first night. All of the nurses were great (but one that we shall leave nameless). Thank you very much for spending the extra time with us.

Mom and Charlotte are doing great. They have turned the living room into a nursery since the stairs are still too tough for mom.

Sorry for all the pics at once. If you want more pics please email us and we will send them from Ofoto. More updates will be posted throughout the day.

coming home

Through the snow


swallowed in the carseat

Still No Name

Still no name for our little girl. We are getting there....down to two. Both girls (mom and baby) are doing great. Mom was able to get up last night and walk. Mom was able to sleep last night from Midnight to about 4am. Baby has been feeding from mom and dad has had LOTS of diaper changes already. He should be keeping count...but he is not. Mom thought it was VERY funny seeing the first diaper change and swaddling (if you want to call it that). Dad's burrito swaddling looks more like a fish sandwich than anything else...but with practice will come perfection!

Mom started solid foods today and has been able to walk back and forth from the bathroom. The OB came in today to check on her incision and it'd doing great. If all goes as planned Mom and Dad should be able to bring the baby home on Saturday!

So for now, thats about it for updates. Both mom and dad have had little sleep an are pretty tired. We hope tonight to get some rest. I have a feeling its not going to happen but thats ok....its worth being tired for our little girl.

I'M HERE!!!

Baby Charlotte arrived today. Mom and Dad are both exhausted but doing great. More pics to come..

Busy week...baby is coming!

Mom and Dad found out this week that the baby doesn't like being upside down in mom's tummy. The good news is that I get to finally meet my little friend early! Sometime during the week the baby will be coming. The bad news is that mom and dad told me that Abigial and I have to go to Grandmothers for a few weeks. I'm hoping that she will feed us from the table and give us lots of milk and ice cream like she used to. Mom and dad put us on a special diet of nothing but dry dog food and carrots for treats. Luckily dad sneaks me a little milk once in a while. I will miss mom and dad...Especially sleeping in their bed with them.

So mom will be at home recovering from her c-section while I am on vacation. I promised them that I wouldn't jump up on them...but Abigail doesn't know how to behave so we have to go. Oh well. I'm sure they will send us pictures as soon as the baby is born. We are all so excited. The next post I put on here will be info on the BABY!!