5 Weeks

This is our 5 week family. We went and picked out new dining room furniture and found that fiber optic lamp for Charlotte's room. Dorky...yes...but I am still completely addicted to playing with it.

Also, Charlotte won't take a pacifier for anything right now, but she will suck our pinkies. A little gross, but sometimes you only care about what works, and it does.

Here is her hair after a bath-pretty crazy!

Here it is after being combed, we are trying to train it to go to the side so it doesn't grow right in front of her face.

Jim did this with my boppy, looked at me and said very seriously "Hey Mandy, do I look like a lion?" Yes Jim, you're the king of the jungle.

This past Tuesday my work gave me a baby shower. They were so wonderful! The place looked great and the generosity just astounded me. I had a GREAT time. I only had time to get a picture of the cake, but it was too cute.

Finally, here is Boomer being goofy again. Leave it to our cat.

Which One Doesn't Belong

It's like E.T.

Our Smiling Sweetie

One Month Photo Shoot

I did a little photo shoot with Charlotte on her one month birthday, these are my favorite shots.

Birthday Present

For Charlotte's one month birthday we went shopping and she got to pick out a present. I think she did pretty well. Here she is enjoying her new monkey play mat.

ONE MONTH ALREADY?!?!

Oh my goodness today Charlotte is one month old!! It's hard to believe that a whole month has gone by since she was born. We love her so much, and couldn't imagine a day without her. How quickly life changes!

The Weekend

This weekend was big for me...my first time away from little Miss Charlotte. On Saturday I had to shoot a wedding for a friend of mine. It was pretty low key and close to home, so I actually got to stop by between the wedding and reception. Never the less, very strange to be away from her! For fun, here is the happy couple on their wedding day.

I didn't have to worry too much about Jim because his Mom was in town and spent the day hanging out here. Barb was here for awhile too but left to head to a gathering with friends. Jim said he really liked getting to hang out with Charlotte all day, and I am sure she loved it too.

On Sunday we headed to the art market in Valley Junction. We didn't buy anything but we certainly had a great time browsing...even got a few fun ideas. And to top it all off, we got a picture of our 4 week family, aren't we cute! We also got some family pictures with the furry members too, minus Milo.

Sleepy Time

A wonderful Dad and his adorable daughter sleeping together.

Baby Announcement

Some of you may already have recieved yours, the rest are being addressed and sent by Monday. If you would like one and I don't have your address just leave me a comment with it and I will get one sent!

Our First Trip

This past weekend Charlotte went on her first trip to Omaha. My Aunt Bobette lost her battle with brain cancer on Tuesday, May 5th and the memorial service was planned for Saturday. We were all very fortunate that she held on as long as she did, and I am grateful we were able to be there for the service.

We drove in fairly early Saturday morning. I think that right now, at least until feedings are further apart, the 2 hour drive was about it for her. She slept most of the way and did really well. Odie got to ride shot gun and I rode in the back with her. Right when we got to my dad's she was ready to eat.

After feeding time she got the chance to go meet her big cousin Jayke. Jim and I couldn't believe how big he had gotten!! He held Charlotte and when she started to fuss he said that she needed his Dad (Josh). We told him that Jim was her Dad. He looked at Jim and asked him if he was her dad and he said he was. Then he looked at me and I said I was her Mom. Suddenly you could see it all click in his head and he was pretty excited to realize we were her Mom and Dad and he was her cousin. Jim and Jayke ended with a wrestling match before we took off to feed again before heading to the service.

Aunt Bobette's service was very nice. It was a celebration of her life, and you couldn't help but leave there and know that she was in a better place. They had a slideshow of pictures and I couldn't believe how much she had changed in the last few months. I hate cancer...we all do. I was amazed at the faith and strength that was shown by so many there, especially my Mom and Heather. There were still a lot of tears, and I am sure people will hurt for quite awhile. Whether you know it is coming or not, death is a hard pill to swallow.

After the service Charlotte got to go meet her great-grandparents. We visited for over 2 hours before heading back to my Dad's to settle in for the night.

Sunday was my very first Mother's Day! I have to say, Jim was pretty fantastic. Knowing we wouldn't be home on Sunday he had flowers and chocolates sent to my Dad's for me, from Charlotte of course. His gift for me was fantastic, although we are holding off on it for a little while. Sunday morning he treated me to breakfast and a morning of relaxation. I loved getting to spend Mother's Day with only my 2 favorite people, they are amazing.
We headed over Sunday afternoon to drop off a card and Mother's Day gift to my Mom. It was nice to actually see her on that day, I haven't been able to do that for years. When we got there Jesse and Cheryl had just stopped by as well so that was nice for us all to chat. We were only able to visit for a short time because Charlotte was going to need to eat. Never the less it was still nice.

We finished off the weekend with Sunday dinner at my Dad's. This was the first time everyone had been together since both new babies were born. The only way I can describe it is LOUD! We definitely had a nice time visiting with everyone.

Someone wanted to be the center of attention!

Charlotte and Leighton waving good-bye!

Our 3 Week Family

Pictures of Charlotte

Jim showing me what I must have looked like pregnant.

In her bouncer

Her half smile-Too Cute!

Jim and Charlotte at two weeks
With our blooming tree in the backyard
Mommy and Charlotte
Her foot peaking out through the snaps
Our two week family

Bath Time

Here are pictures from Charlotte's first bath at home (4/26).

A Rough Second Week

Things with Charlotte were going great now that we were finally home. She was settling into a routine and we were truly loving being with her all of the time. Thursday (4/30) we went back in for another check of the bilirubins and then we headed to Jim's work to show her off. While we were there I noticed a bump on her head. The bump was pretty big and soft, it definitely worried us. When the doctor called with the bilirubins test I asked him about the bump. He said he couldn't really comment on it but if we were really concerned we could bring her in. Being a first time Mom, I was really concerned so I made her an appointment for that afternoon.

The doctor took a look and sent us in for a CT scan to check it out. Talk about a freaked out Mom and Dad. They had us on a holding call with the hospital meaning we couldn't leave until we got the results. They came back and said that she had a hematoma (bruise and swelling) and a sub-dermal hematoma (little bleed in the brain). We were admitted directly to the hospital again so they could monitor her. They needed to make sure the bleeding would stop and that the pressure wouldn't cause any problems. You can see the bump on the right side of her head.

The biggest question while we were there was how did this injury occur. Long story short, hospital protocol meant that Jim and I were accused and investigated for child abuse. It was, by FAR, the worst experience we have ever had...EVER. They brought in an expert who reviewed EVERYTHING imaginable and determined that her injuries resulted from our difficult birth. We had a very hard labor and delivery, combined with her size and my being a first time Mom whose body had never given birth before caused the injuries. They had also asked us dozens of times when we were in for her bilirubins if her head was bruised during birth, we said no because we weren't aware of anything. Turns out we were wrong. Not only did she injure her head, but she got stuck at the shoulders, she had to be pulled/yanked out, and in the process they fractured her left radius near the elbow (it is EXTREMELY minor).

What we didn't know throughout this process was how common it is for babies to be injured during the birthing process. They say often they are injured and it isn't discovered until later when they are being x-rayed or examined for something else and they see the healed bone. Unfortunately for Charlotte she spent 7 of her first 13 days in the hospital. We were released this past Saturday afternoon, and again, are so thankful to be home. Charlotte is doing great. Her hematomas have resolved and her bilirubin count is finally down. We finally have a beautiful healthy girl at home with us, and we couldn't be happier!