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!!

Mom 9 months pregnant and ready to go 

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations finished

Today I went for a ride with Abigial and my dad. We drove through the snow for what seemed like forever to find a Christmas tree. We finally got to the place where you get to run to the tree you want and pee on it to mark it, but dad didn't like the way they looked so we drove home. He picked up mom and we drove around again and he finally found a tree. It looks really good. I so want to just chew on the branches.

Oliver 

The Day After Thanksgiving

The night before Thanksgiving our grandparents and Uncle Doogan came to visit!! We were soo happy, especially since it has been so long since we have seen Doogan. Abigail licked his face, jumped on Grandmother and caused a commotion as usual. I also got attention from everyone then was able to really go to town on Abigails bones since she was distracted. What was even better is that she slept in the guest bedroom with them while I got to sleep in the bed with Mom and Dad. Just me and them in the big bed. It was the best...but very cold.

When I woke up in the morning and ran down the stairs to stand by the door waiting to go out and pee....all I could see was white fluffy snow. Mom opened the door to let me out and as soon as my paws hit the snow I instantly woke up. I got to run in the fresh snow and dig my nose into it! I ran back and forth and soon after I was outside Abigail came out. We played and played and played, rolling in the snow having a ball.

I ate breakfast. Napped. Napped some more. Back out. Then napped again.

Throughout the day the smell from the kitchen grew stronger and stronger. I would wake up drooling. My parents and grandparents carried a big turkey into the dining room. Dad dropped a huge piece of turkey and I was able to snatch it up. It was one of the best turkeys I have ever had. Sure beats dry dog food.

I laid at their feet hoping to get some scraps. Mom gave me some peas. After they were done eating we all got to lick the plates clean. No milk for desert though.

Today was the day after Thanksgiving. We still have snow (about 4 inches). Abigail and I played in the backyard while our grandparents packed the car. We watched Doogan go into the car from inside the house. Soon after they left with him. Hopefully we will see them soon.

Mom and Dad left us alone while they went shopping. When they came home they turned on Christmas music and put up all kinds of decorations. Abigail was scared as usual and ran upstairs. I was let out and barked at kids sledding in the next yard.

Mom and Dad had more turkey. We got to lick the plates again. :)

Thursday Night

Nothing happened tonight.